A Moscow court slapped Google with an unprecedented hefty fine of nearly $100 million on Friday as Russia ramps up its pressure on foreign tech giants. Moscow has piled fines on the world’s biggest internet platforms, accusing them of not moderating their content properly and interfering in the country’s affairs. But so far fines on […]
Google pulls plug on plan for mobile banking in Pay app
Google has hit the brakes on a project to add mobile banking to its Pay app, even as the online financial services market for everyday investors heats up. The company has ended work on its Plex project but continues to eye ways to integrate financial services, a spokesperson said Friday confirming a Wall Street Journal […]
Apple must ease restrictions on app developers, judge rules
Apple was compelled by a federal judge on Friday to quit preventing app creators from directing clients to alternate methods to pay for their services, which might let enterprises avoid Apple’s charge of as much as 30% on some software purchases. If this executive order is implemented, a $100 billion online industry would be thrown […]
EU launches antitrust probe against Google over online ads
The EU launched a wide-ranging antitrust probe against Google Tuesday over concerns that it is forcing out rivals in the lucrative online advertising market. The investigation will “assess whether Google has violated EU competition rules by favouring its own online display advertising technology services”, a statement said. The probe narrows in on an important slice […]
France fines Google 220 mn euros over online ad dominance
France’s competition regulator on Monday fined Google 220 million euros ($267 million) after finding it had abused its dominant market position for placing online ads, the latest move by European authorities to take tougher stances against US tech giants. The penalty is part of a settlement reached after three media groups — News Corp, French daily […]
Minister invites Google, Facebook, global tech firms to open offices in Pakistan
ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Chaudhry Fawad Hussain has invited Google, Facebook, and other technology companies to come to Pakistan to open their offices. Speaking in a BBC’s ‘Hard Talk’ programme, he said that he had huge respect for Google, Facebook, and other technology companies. “I want them to come to Pakistan to […]
Google teams with Samsung for wearables platform
SAN FRANCISCO: Google and Samsung said they were teaming up on a joint software platform for smartwatches and other wearables in a move ramping up competition with market leader Apple. The move announced at the Google developer conference in California means Samsung will use Google’s Wear OS for its upcoming Galaxy smartwatches instead of its […]
Amazon dethrones Google as top global brand: survey
US retail giant Amazon has moved past hi-tech titans Apple and Google to become the world’s most valuable brand, a key survey showed Tuesday. The brand value of Amazon surged by 52 percent to $315 billion, global market research agency Kantar said in its 2019 100 Top BrandZ report. Amazon jumped from third to first […]
Google flags US national security risks from Huawei ban
The move comes as the world’s two top economies ratchet up tariffs in a battle While the sanctions are expected to hurt Huawei in the short term, industry experts say it could force the company to be self-reliant Alphabet Inc’s Google has warned if the US administration moves ahead with sweeping ban on Huawei Technologies […]
Google takes on ‘Africa’s challenges’ with first AI centre in Ghana
An artificial intelligence research laboratory opened by Google in Ghana, the first of its kind in Africa, will take on challenges across the continent, researchers say. The US technology giant said the lab in the capital Accra would address economic, political and environmental issues. “Africa has many challenges where the use of AI could be […]