Internet

As AI data scrapers sap websites' revenues, some fight back

A swarm of AI "crawlers" is running rampant on the Internet, scouring billions of websites for data to feed algorithms at leading tech companies – all without permission or payment, upending the online economy.

Mobile apps

Apple aims to capitalise on mini app trend with new programme

Apple Inc introduced a new programme on Nov 13 that lets the iPhone maker collect revenue from mini apps and games within larger "super apps", an attempt to capitalise on a growing trend among software developers.

Technology

Google offers EU to change adtech policy, no divestment

BRUSSELS (Reuters) -Alphabet's Google has offered to make it easier for publishers and advertisers to use its online advertising technology, defying EU antitrust regulators' call for it to sell part of the business to address conflicts of interest.

Internet

Video podcasts become next streaming battleground

Big tech platforms, including TikTok and Netflix, are all looking to add video podcasts to their content, a rapidly growing format that attracts a young audience prized by advertisers and where YouTube dominates.

AI

Meta Platforms’ AI lay-offs triggered by resource competition, says ex-researcher

Tian Yuandong says internal conflicts emerged at Meta as LLM development became the industry-wide focus.

Technology

India's Pine Labs jumps 29%, overcoming valuation jitters in red-hot IPO market

BENGALURU -India's Pine Labs soared in its trading debut on Friday, valuing the company at 320.27 billion rupees ($3.64 billion), as strong growth prospects for the payment solutions company trumped valuation worries in a sizzling IPO market.

Social media

YouTube superstar MrBeast opens pop-up park in Saudi Arabia

The kingdom, where 75% of Saudis are under 35 years of age, is the perfect playground for influencers like MrBeast, whose content is mostly watched by children and young people.

AI

Who pays when AI is wrong?

New court cases seek to define content created by artificial intelligence as defamatory — a novel concept that has captivated some legal experts.

Driverless vehicle

Waymo is hitting US highways. Here's what to know about the robotaxi's expanded service

The company said starting on Nov 12 its robotaxis – already a common sight on some US city streets – are expanding their routes to freeways and interstates around San Francisco, Los Angeles and Phoenix.

Technology

Australian AI company Firmus to raise $325 million to accelerate AI infrastructure rollout

(Reuters) -Australia's Firmus announced on Friday an equity raise of A$500 million ($324.90 million) as the artificial intelligence company and potential IPO candidate looks to accelerate development of Project Southgate, its AI infrastructure initiative.

Technology

Apple and OpenAI must face X Corp's lawsuit for now, US judge rules

(Reuters) -Apple and ChatGPT maker OpenAI on Thursday failed to convince a federal judge to dismiss a lawsuit by Elon Musk's X Corp accusing them of conspiring to monopolize markets for smartphones and generative AI chatbots.

Technology

Digital lender Nubank posts Q3 income beat, record profitability

SAO PAULO (Reuters) -Nu Holdings, the listed entity which runs Brazilian digital lender Nubank, posted on Thursday an increase in its third-quarter net income driven by its Brazilian and Mexican businesses, beating analysts' projections.

Technology

Verizon to cut about 15,000 jobs as new CEO restructures, source says

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Verizon's new CEO is planning to cut about 15,000 jobs in the U.S. telecommunications company's largest ever layoffs, a person familiar with the matter told Reuters on Thursday, outlining some of the executive's first efforts to restructure in the face of rising competition.

Technology

Tesla working to integrate Apple CarPlay in its EVs, Bloomberg News reports

(Reuters) -Tesla is developing support for Apple's CarPlay system in its electric vehicles, Bloomberg News reported on Thursday, marking a potential shift in the carmaker's long-standing resistance to third-party software integration.

Technology

OpenAI backs startup aiming to block AI-enabled bioweapons

SAN FRANCISCO -ChatGPT maker OpenAI on Thursday said it will invest in a startup focused on blocking bad actors from creating biological weapons powered by artificial intelligence.

Technology

What are the key remedies in South Africa's antitrust probe involving Google?

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) -South Africa's Competition Commission on Thursday unveiled a sweeping package of remedial measures from global tech platforms, including a 688 million rand ($40 million) media support package agreed with Google and YouTube, following a probe into market dominance.

Technology

Elon Musk says report on xAI's $15 billion fundraise is 'false'

(Reuters) -Billionaire Elon Musk on Thursday said on X the CNBC report of his artificial intelligence startup xAI raising $15 billion in a series E funding round was "false."

Technology

Apple refused permission to appeal UK ruling on app store commissions

LONDON (Reuters) -Apple was on Thursday refused permission to appeal against a London tribunal ruling that it abused its dominant position by charging app developers unfair commissions, though the tech giant can pursue an appeal to a higher court.

Technology

South African media get funding package from Google after antitrust probe

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) -South Africa's competition regulator announced on Thursday a series of concessions from global tech platforms, including a 688 million rand ($40 million) media support package agreed with Google and YouTube, following an investigation into the sector.

Technology

Disney boosts dividend and buyback, parks and streaming drive profit beat

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) -Walt Disney said on Thursday it would boost its dividend by 50% and double its share buyback plan for fiscal 2026, as the media giant's streaming and parks businesses powered a quarterly earnings beat.