Russian court upholds $49.4m fine against Google for not removing ‘fake’ Ukraine war content
A Russian court has upheld a 4.6 billion rubles (£39.1m) fine against Google for failing to remove content that Russia has claimed to be “fake news” about the Ukraine war.
Tensions between Russia and foreign tech firms have been escalating since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. In December, Google was fined for failing to remove content labelled as “extremist content” by Russia, including LGBT “propaganda” and misinformation.
Moscow courts have confirmed their decision regarding ongoing disputes over content and censorship. Russia has blocked other platforms, such as X (Twitter) and Meta’s Facebook and Instagram, but Google continues to operate in the country.
However, the company is facing mounting pressure, as evidenced by the fines it received in 2021 and 2022 for similar violations. All the fines have been upheld despite appeals.
NordVPN reveals over 54bn browser cookies have been leaked on the dark web
New research by NordVPN has revealed that more than 54 billion cookies have been leaked globally — with around 14 million from UK consumers found on the dark web.
56% of these cookies are still active in the UK, indicating ongoing tracking, which is vastly different from the global percentage of 17%.
The leaked data includes billions of cookies from major platforms such as Google, YouTube, and Microsoft, and it spans 244 countries. The countries most affected are Brazil, India, Indonesia, the US, and Vietnam.
Adrianus Warmenhoven, NordVPN’s cyber security advisor, warns about the dangers of active cookies falling into the hands of hackers, as they can bypass the need for logins or multi-factor authentication (MFA) to access accounts.
Microsoft announces $2.9bn investment in Japan cloud and AI expansion
Microsoft plans to invest $2.9bn (£2.31bn) over two years to enhance its cloud and AI infrastructure in Japan, marking its largest investment in the country in 46 years.
The move is part of a broader trend among tech giants expanding globally to support burgeoning AI applications. It follows a surge in interest after the launch of ChatGPT in November 2022. The investment aims to skill three million people in AI and includes establishing a Microsoft Research Asia lab in Tokyo.
The announcement coincides with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s visit to the US. During his visit, Kishida will promote investment in Japan’s technology sector, emphasising semiconductors, AI, and quantum computing.
He also aims to strengthen US-Japan ties through discussions on economic security and technology collaboration. Japan is the largest investor in the US, highlighting the deep economic connections between the two nations.
Apple eyes a future in home robotics, pivoting from cars to companions
Apple is reportedly shifting focus towards personal home robots, a potential new venture, after discontinuing its electric vehicle project.
This pivot to robotics, reported by Bloomberg, is in the exploratory phase. The company is contemplating products that could autonomously navigate homes and perform tasks like video conferencing or even household chores.
Although the feasibility and eventual market introduction of such robots remain uncertain, this direction could represent Apple’s ambition to innovate beyond its current product lineup, which includes high-end devices like the Apple Vision Pro.
The move towards robotics aims to integrate artificial intelligence into everyday life, positioning Apple in direct competition with existing home robots, such as Amazon’s Astro.
However, any concrete products, including a smart display with robotic movement capabilities, are still speculative and would require significant development time before becoming a reality in consumer homes.
Microsoft to open new AI research hub in London, bolstering UK’s tech leadership
Microsoft is set to launch a new office in London focused on AI research and development, underlining its commitment to investing in AI talent within the UK.
The company, a significant backer of ChatGPT-creator OpenAI, aims to hire “exceptional individuals” for this new hub, though the exact number of jobs to be created remains unspecified.
This move comes as the UK continues to establish itself as a global leader in AI innovation. The tech sector already supports over 50,000 jobs and contributes £3.7 billion to the economy.
Following Microsoft’s substantial investment in the AI firm, the London office will work closely with OpenAI.
This initiative is seen as a major endorsement of the UK’s AI sector and its pro-innovation approach, further enhancing London’s reputation as a thriving centre for technology.
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