US Regulator Takes Aim At Microsoft's Takeover of Activision
Video Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories - Duration: 01:31s - Published
US Regulator Takes Aim At Microsoft's Takeover of Activision
US Regulator , Takes Aim At Microsoft's , Takeover of Activision.
Regulators in the United States have reportedly
asked a judge to block Microsoft's proposed
$69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard.
BBC reports that the U.S. Federal Trade Commission
(FTC) said that the deal could "substantially
lessen competition" in the gaming sector.
The acquisition, if allowed to move
forward, would be the largest in
the video game industry's history.
The news comes after the United Kingdom
voted to block the deal, citing concerns
that it would hurt competition.
BBC reports that the U.S. trial
is set to begin in August.
According to an FTC court filing, a , "preliminary injunction is necessary
to... prevent interim harm." .
The regulator also said that
the trial will determine whether , "the proposed acquisition
violates US antitrust law.".
Microsoft's push to takeover Activision has
been under intense regulator scrutiny, with
only the European Union approving the deal.
BBC reports that the European Commission
said they approved the deal due to Microsoft's
promise to offer a 10-year free licensing deal.
.
The deal reportedly promises that European
consumers and cloud gaming services will have
access to Activision's PC and console games.
.
The UK's Competition and Markets Authority
(CMA) said they blocked the deal over concerns
that the massive acquisition would impact
innovation and lead to less choice for gamers
Indian Cyber Coordination Centre and Microsoft collaborate to block over 1,000 Skype accounts linked to cyber fraud by fraudsters posing as police or government.. IndiaTimes
Microsoft Makes $1.5 Billion , Investment in Leading , UAE Technology Firm.
Microsoft Makes $1.5 Billion , Investment in Leading , UAE Technology Firm.
'The Independent' reports that Microsoft has announced
a $1.5 billion investment in a leading United Arab
Emirates-based artificial intelligence firm. .
'The Independent' reports that Microsoft has announced
a $1.5 billion investment in a leading United Arab
Emirates-based artificial intelligence firm. .
The deal, overseen by the UAE's powerful national security
adviser, will see Microsoft president Brad Smith join
technology holding company G42's board of directors.
The deal, overseen by the UAE's powerful national security
adviser, will see Microsoft president Brad Smith join
technology holding company G42's board of directors.
The UAE's national security adviser,
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, is the
current chairman of G42's board of directors. .
In a statement released on April 16, Microsoft
said the deal “was developed in close consultation
with both the UAE and U.S. governments.”.
In a statement released on April 16, Microsoft
said the deal “was developed in close consultation
with both the UAE and U.S. governments.”.
G42, which runs data centers in the Middle East
and elsewhere, has built the world's leading
Arabic-language AI model, Jais. .
According to Microsoft, G42 will move its
AI applications and services over to the U.S.
tech giant's cloud computing platform. .
According to Microsoft, G42 will move its
AI applications and services over to the U.S.
tech giant's cloud computing platform. .
The deal will also look to bring digital infrastructure
to regions that G42 has already established
a presence, including the Middle East and Africa.
'The Independent' reports that G42 previously cut ties with
Chinese hardware suppliers to limit U.S. concerns that
the company was closely tied to the Chinese government.
'The Independent' reports that G42 previously cut ties with
Chinese hardware suppliers to limit U.S. concerns that
the company was closely tied to the Chinese government.
Prior to Microsoft's investment, the company
reportedly faced allegations of spying for its
connection to a mobile phone app identified as spyware.
The tech company also faced accusations
that it gathered genetic material from
U.S. users for the Chinese government. .
The tech company also faced accusations
that it gathered genetic material from
U.S. users for the Chinese government.
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
US Government Emails With Microsoft , Were Stolen by Russian Hackers.
On April 11, American officials confirmed
that emails sent between Microsoft and
U.S. government agencies have been
stolen by Russian hackers, CNN reports. .
According to Eric Goldstein, a senior
official at the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), .
those emails may have included login information like usernames and passwords.
At this time, we are not aware of any
agency production environments that
have experienced a compromise as
a result of a credential exposure. , Eric Goldstein, a senior official at the U.S. Cybersecurity
and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), via CNN.
Even though there is currently no evidence that the stolen credentials have been used to compromise federal computer systems, .
CISA described the occurrence as an "unacceptable risk to agencies.".
As a result, the agency released an "emergency directive" on April 11 ordering those potentially affected by the hack to bolster their defenses. .
The hack was first revealed by
Microsoft in January, but it has gotten more serious as new details continue to emerge.
CNN reports that the U.S. has
previously linked the hackers in question
to Russia's foreign intelligence service. .
A Microsoft spokesperson
issued a statement on April 11.
As we shared in our March 8 blog,
as we discover secrets in our
exfiltrated email, we are working
with our customers to help them
investigate and mitigate, Microsoft spokesperson, via CNN.
This includes working with CISA on
an emergency directive to provide
guidance to government agencies, Microsoft spokesperson, via CNN
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:30Published
NYC’s AI Chatbot Has Been , Telling Businesses to Break the Law.
New York City's AI chatbot was created to help small business owners, but it's been dispensing concerning advice, AP reports. .
For example, many small business owners have
been given inaccurate information about local policies or been encouraged to break the law.
However, the city is not removing
the chatbot from its official website.
Instead, it has provided a disclaimer stating that the chatbot may "occasionally produce incorrect, harmful or biased" information.
Critics say that the situation highlights
the dangers of AI being used by
governments without proper guardrails.
They’re rolling out software that
is unproven without oversight, Julia Stoyanovich, computer science professor
and director of the Center for Responsible AI
at New York University, via statement.
It’s clear they have no intention
of doing what’s responsible, Julia Stoyanovich, computer science professor
and director of the Center for Responsible AI
at New York University, via statement.
There’s a different level of trust that’s
given to government. Public officials need
to consider what kind of damage they can
do if someone was to follow this advice
and get themselves in trouble, Jevin West, a professor at the University of Washington and
co-founder of the Center for an Informed Public, via statement.
Microsoft, which powers the chatbot, said it
is working with the city "to improve the service
and ensure the outputs are accurate and
grounded on the city’s official documentation.".
On April 2, Mayor Eric Adams said that
letting users find issues with the chatbot is just part of sorting out the new technology.
Anyone that knows technology knows this
is how it’s done. Only those who are fearful
sit down and say, ‘Oh, it is not working the
way we want, now we have to run away from
it all together.’ I don’t live that way, Mayor Eric Adams, via statement.
Julia Stoyanovich, a computer science professor and director of the Center for Responsible AI at New York University, referred to Adams' approach as "reckless and irresponsible," AP reports.
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:30Published
OpenAI and Microsoft Make Plans , for $100 Billion Data Center.
According to The Information, the two companies are planning to build a data center that would house an AI supercomputer
called "Stargate," Reuters reports.
According to The Information, the two companies are planning to build a data center that would house an AI supercomputer
called "Stargate," Reuters reports.
The project, which could cost $100 billion or more, is reportedly set to launch in 2028.
The tentative cost is roughly 100 times
more expensive than some of the
biggest data centers that exist today. .
Demand for AI data centers has increased due to
the rapid advancement of generative artificial intelligence technology, Reuters reports. .
This is because traditional data
centers aren't as capable of handling
the advanced tasks that AI requires. .
Several supercomputers
would be built across five phases.
"Stargate" would be launched in the fifth phase, while a smaller supercomputer would be launched
in the fourth phase, tentatively around 2026.
Microsoft and OpenAI are reportedly
in the third phase currently.
We are always planning for
the next generation of infrastructure
innovations needed to continue
pushing the frontier of AI capability, Microsoft spokesperson, to Reuters .
The cost for the next two phases largely revolves around acquiring expensive AI chips.
In March, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang said
that the newest "Blackwell" B200 AI chip
will cost between $30,000 and $40,000
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
FTC to Decide , Whether Noncompete Agreements , Should Be Banned.
After receiving over 26,000 public comments about the issue, the Federal Trade Commission is set to deliver its verdict on April 30, NPR reports. .
The commission said that if approved, the
final rule "would generally prevent most
employers from using noncompete clauses.".
The commission said that if approved, the
final rule "would generally prevent most
employers from using noncompete clauses.".
Approximately one in five Americans, spanning minimum wage workers to CEOs, are subject to noncompete agreements, the FTC estimates. .
The Biden administration says that these types of agreements hurt workers by decreasing wages.
The White House also argues that these
agreements harm the U.S. economy because entrepreneurship isn't allowed to freely flourish. .
FTC Chair Lina M. Khan issued a statement when
the proposed ban was initially introduced.
The freedom to change jobs is
core to economic liberty and to
a competitive, thriving economy, FTC Chair Lina M. Khan, via statement.
Noncompetes block workers from
freely switching jobs, depriving
them of higher wages and better
working conditions, and depriving
businesses of a talent pool that
they need to build and expand, FTC Chair Lina M. Khan, via statement.
Businesses argue that noncompete agreements are essential for safeguarding investments and proprietary information.
Those businesses also question whether
the agency has the power "to regulate
such agreements," NPR reports. .
If the FTC votes to issue a final rule, enforcement wouldn't occur for 180 days,
and legal challenges would likely ensue.
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
Jon Stewart is saying that Apple asked him not to talk to the Federal Trade Commission Chair Lina Khan on his former Apple show 'The Problem with Jon Stewart.' Khan, who became chair of the FTC in 2021, has made a name for herself for being an outspoken critic of the business practices of Big Tech companies like Amazon and Meta and has been praised by both Democrats and Republicans for her antitrust efforts. Khan was a guest on Monday's episode of Comedy Central's 'The Daily Show,' where Stewart made the revelation.
Credit: The Hollywood Reporter Duration: 01:47Published
The next EU Commission will have to cope with a legacy of debt accummulated out of necessity by its predecessor in response to the Covid crisis and the Ukraine War. Instruments are in place to both control debt and invest in the future, but challenging times lie ahead.
Credit: euronews (in English) Duration: 00:56Published
Prior to her Monday meetings with Italian political leaders, von der Leyen was a guest on national TV, where she spoke about the need to defend Ukraine against Russia's aggression to preserve peace in Europe.
Credit: euronews (in English) Duration: 02:00Published
French President Emmanuel Macron clarified on Monday that the US and its allies have no intentions of seeking regime change in Russia. However, Paris remains committed to supporting Kiev in its ongoing conflict with Moscow, pledging continued aid for as long as necessary.
Macron's remarks came during a joint press conference with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Elysee Palace, where they engaged in discussions alongside the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen. Among the topics addressed were the Ukraine conflict, bilateral trade, and economic relations between France and China.
In his statements, Macron emphasised the importance of dialogue and cooperation in addressing global challenges, underscoring the need for diplomatic solutions to complex geopolitical issues.
#Macron #France #Russia #UkraineWar #NuclearDeployment #TacticalWeapons #Diplomacy #Geopolitics #InternationalRelations #XiJinping #Meeting #PeaceEfforts #ConflictResolution #GlobalSecurity #News
~HT.178~PR.152~ED.101~GR.124~
The European Commission is reinstating funding for a key UN agency, UNRWA, that was accused of harbouring staff who participated in the 7 October massacre.
Credit: euronews (in English) Duration: 02:02Published
Trade issues topped the agenda with EU Commission president Ursula von der Leyen warning "For trade to be fair, access to each other's markets also needs to be reciprocal."
Credit: euronews (in English) Duration: 02:33Published
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