Cybersecurity

Black Friday 2024: Beware of this scam targeting those with an Apple ID, reports warn

Apple advised on its website that device owners should question all requests for personal information.

Technology

Canada's antitrust watchdog sues Google alleging anti-competitive conduct in advertising

OTTAWA (Reuters) -Canada's Competition Bureau is suing Alphabet's Google over alleged anti-competitive conduct in online advertising, the antitrust watchdog said on Thursday.

Technology

Musk's Starlink ordered to cease operations in Namibia

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia said on Thursday it has issued a cease-and-desist order to Elon Musk's satellite internet provider Starlink for operating in the country without a license.

Technology

India competition watchdog to investigate Google's gaming app policy

BENGALURU (Reuters) - India's competition watchdog on Thursday ordered a probe into Google's restrictive policies for real-money games on its platform, following a complaint by online gaming platform WinZO that called it discriminatory.

Technology

After Australia legislated a teen social media ban, it has to figure out how to enforce it

SYDNEY (Reuters) -Software testers hired by Australia's government to determine how to enforce the world's first national teen social media ban have worked on defence and election contracts but will use another experience to guide their study: wrangling their own children online.

Technology

Australia passes social media ban for children under 16

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Australia approved on Thursday a social media ban for children aged under 16 after an emotive debate that has gripped the nation, setting a benchmark for jurisdictions around the world with one of the toughest regulations targeting Big Tech.

Technology

Sofas become points of purchase as Americans shop with their phones on Thanksgiving

NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. holiday shoppers have big plans to use small screens for a head start this year on Thanksgiving Day, and retailers have spent weeks priming them, touting pre-Black Friday online discounts for everything from TVs and toys to Bluetooth speakers.

Technology

EU closes investigations into Amazon, Starbucks and Fiat tax rulings

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Commission on Thursday said it had closed state aid investigations into tax rulings granted by Luxembourg and the Netherlands to Amazon, Fiat and Starbucks.

Gig economy

Mexican female gig workers push to fix ‘sexist’ algorithms

Mexico’s women gig workers want new app algorithms to stamp out the discrimination and violence they risk on the job.

Internet

European police pull plug on 'largest' illegal streaming service

An international police operation has shut down "one of the world's largest" illegal online streaming services, used by some 22 million people worldwide and causing billions of euros in copyright damages, EU law agencies said on Wednesday.

AI

A very ChatGPT Christmas: Savvy Black Friday shoppers use AI to find deals

More AI companies, including OpenAI and Perplexity AI, have recently expanded their search and shopping features to get consumers to use their tools during the holiday season.

Technology

Telefonica Germany tests quantum technologies in pilot with AWS

STOCKHOLM (Reuters) - Telefonica Germany and Amazon Web Services (AWS) are working on a pilot to test quantum technologies in the telecom operator's mobile network, executives from the two companies said.

Mobile apps

Google seeks to undo Epic Games antitrust win over app store

Alphabet Inc.’s Google is asking a federal appeals court to throw out a ruling in an antitrust case brought by Fortnite-maker Epic Games that would force the search giant to overhaul its Play mobile app store.

Internet

UN slams 'stubborn digital divides' keeping 1 in 3 offline

While 93% of people in high-income countries were estimated to be using the Internet this year, only 27% of people in low-income countries were online, the report showed.

Cybersecurity

Interpol clamps down on cybercrime and arrests over 1,000 suspects in Africa

Interpol arrested 1,006 suspects in Africa during a massive two-month operation, clamping down on cybercrime that left tens of thousands of victims, including some who were trafficked, and produced millions in financial damages, the global police organisation said on Nov 26.

Internet

Brazil's top court takes on regulation of social media

Brazil's Supreme Court on Wednesday started examining four cases that turn on how far social media should be regulated, and what responsibilities platforms have in cracking down on illegal content.

Mobile apps

Forget the Instagram hard launch: Are you location-sharing official?

Since Apple’s location-sharing app Find My debuted more than a decade ago, it has become widely used as a way not only to keep tabs on your devices, children or luggage, but also to check in on your romantic partner.

Social media

Trump has dinner with Mark Zuckerberg at Mar-a-Lago

The Facebook founder and other technology executives have been the target of blistering criticism from Republican lawmakers and commentators who said the major platforms had censored conservative views, an accusation the companies denied.

Social media

Bluesky says it will comply with EU rules after being called out

Bluesky said it’s working to comply with European Union rules after the bloc accused the fast-growing social media platform of flouting its digital regulations.

Technology

Amazon develops video AI model, The Information reports

(Reuters) -E-commerce giant Amazon has developed new generative artificial intelligence (AI) that can process images and videos in addition to text, making it less reliant on AI startup Anthropic, The Information reported on Wednesday.