Epic Games has accused Google and Samsung of conspiring to protect Google’s Play Store from competition through Samsung’s Auto Blocker feature. The gaming company plans to file a lawsuit in a United States court, alleging that the Auto Blocker, introduced in late 2023, deters users from downloading Android apps from sources outside Google’s Play Store or Samsung’s Galaxy Store.
Epic argues that Samsung’s Auto Blocker was made the default setting in mid-2024 to reduce the impact of a 2023 US court ruling that required Google to make it easier for users to access apps from alternative sources. Epic claims this action violates US antitrust laws by reducing consumer choice and stifling competition, which would otherwise drive down app prices.
Tim Sweeney, CEO of Epic Games, described the lawsuit as part of a larger global effort to defend competition and its benefits for consumers. The company also plans to raise these concerns with regulators in the European Union, which has scrutinised Google’s business practices in the past.
Epic previously sued Google in 2020, accusing the tech giant of maintaining an illegal monopoly over app distribution and payments. The lawsuit follows the verdict in that case, where a US court found Google had acted unlawfully.
Malaysian tech firm Dagang NeXchange Berhad (DNeX) and Google Cloud have signed a multi-year agreement to provide sovereign cloud services in Malaysia. That partnership aims to meet the country’s growing demand for secure and compliant cloud solutions, particularly in regulated sectors such as public services, finance, healthcare, and energy. The collaboration will allow DNeX to operate Google Distributed Cloud, which offers ‘air-gapped’ solutions that can run without an internet connection, ensuring strict data privacy and residency.
This deal follows Google’s announcement in May to invest $2 billion in its first data center and Google Cloud region in Malaysia. The partnership also includes plans to establish an AI centre of excellence designed to foster local talent in AI. Both companies aim to drive digital transformation in Malaysia through cutting-edge infrastructure and AI tools.
While the financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed, Google Cloud’s Vice President for Asia Pacific, Karan Bajwa, emphasised that the deal would empower Malaysian organisations to advance their digital capabilities while maintaining control over their data.
Alphabet Inc.’s Google has announced a $1 billion investment in Thailand to establish a data centre and cloud region, aimed at meeting the increasing demand for cloud services and supporting AI adoption in Southeast Asia. This investment is projected to create approximately 14,000 jobs annually until 2029, according to a Deloitte study.
Google’s new cloud and data centre infrastructure will be situated in Chonburi and Bangkok, respectively, improving access to Google Cloud capabilities and AI innovations while also supporting popular services like Search, Maps, and Google Workspace. This announcement follows Microsoft’s launch of its own regional data centre in Thailand in May, aimed at expanding cloud services in the region.
Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra praised Google’s investment, stating that it aligns well with the country’s Cloud First Policy, which promotes the adoption of cloud technologies across various sectors.
Dell has launched the Dell AI for Telecom Program, a strategic initiative to streamline the integration of AI solutions for communications service providers (CSPs). The program addresses the rising demand for advanced technologies in the telecommunications sector, empowering CSPs to optimise operations and meet evolving customer needs.
A cornerstone of this initiative is the expanded partnership with NVIDIA, which focuses on co-developing customised AI solutions through the Dell AI Factory. The program aims to enhance network performance and customer service, offering solutions such as advanced customer care platforms, operational automation, and robust network troubleshooting capabilities.
Dell is forging strategic partnerships with key industry players to drive innovation and expedite AI adoption. For example, its collaboration with Lintasarta, an Indonesian ICT solutions provider, aims to offer GPU-as-a-Service to national businesses, granting them access to high-performance AI infrastructure.
Furthermore, Dell is working with SK Telecom to develop an AI chat agent and the Mobile Network Operator (MNO) AI Platform, seamlessly integrating AI into existing business support systems to streamline telecom operations. To bolster these initiatives, Dell Professional Services will assist CSPs in strategising, implementing, and managing AI solutions tailored explicitly for the telecommunications sector. Overall, these concerted efforts position Dell’s initiatives as pivotal in driving network cloud transformation, reducing operational costs, and unlocking new revenue streams through innovative AI applications.
Microsoft has announced a significant investment of $1.3 billion in Mexico over the next three years, aimed at strengthening its cloud computing and AI infrastructure. During an event in Mexico City, CEO Satya Nadella emphasised the company’s commitment to enhancing connectivity and promoting AI adoption, particularly among small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). The initiative is expected to reach 5 million people and support 30,000 SMBs in the region.
Major Mexican companies, including Bimbo and Cemex, are already utilising Microsoft’s AI tools, showcasing the growing integration of technology in the country. Additionally, in partnership with Viasat, Microsoft plans to extend internet access to 150,000 Mexicans without connectivity by the end of 2025.
The investment has been positively received by Mexico’s incoming Economy Minister Marcelo Ebrard, who believes it will significantly accelerate the nation’s AI development.
Slack is undergoing a major transformation as it integrates AI features into its platform, aiming to evolve from a simple messaging service to a ‘work operating system.’ CEO Denise Dresser said Slack will now serve as a hub for AI applications from companies like Salesforce, Adobe, and Anthropic. New, pricier features include AI-generated summaries of conversations and the ability to interact with AI agents for tasks such as data analysis, web searches, and image generation.
This shift follows Salesforce’s 2021 acquisition of Slack and its broader move toward AI-driven solutions. Slack’s AI integration seeks to enhance productivity by offering tools to catch up on team discussions, analyse business data, and create branded content, all within the chat environment. However, questions remain about whether users will embrace and pay for these premium features and how this change aligns with Slack’s core identity as a workplace communication tool.
Concerns around data privacy have also surfaced as Slack leans further into AI. The company faced criticism earlier this year for handling customer data, which was used for training purposes, but maintains that it does not use user messages to train its AI models. As Slack continues integrating AI, it must address growing scepticism around managing and safeguarding data.
Egypt Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly signed five key Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with Chinese firms and institutions to enhance Egypt-China telecommunications and information technology cooperation. These agreements, made during the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in Beijing, mark a significant development in Egypt’s tech and infrastructure sectors.
The first MoU with FiberHome Telecommunication Technologies involves setting up a fibre optic cable factory in Egypt, producing one million fibre kilometres annually and creating 200 jobs. It will also include a research and development centre and a training facility for network engineers.
The second MoU, with ITIDA, Tsinghua Unigroup, and Telecom Egypt, focuses on building a data centre and cloud services operation supported by a $300 million investment fund. This partnership will also establish a research centre for semiconductor design and develop AI applications, including an Arabic language model.
Huawei Egypt’s MoU will establish a development centre for local industry solutions, software, and cloud computing, aiming to train 1,500 developers by 2025 and support startups with cloud resources. The fourth MoU with ZTE will localise network equipment production and establish training labs for 5G and GPON technologies, providing training for 1,200 participants.
The final MoU with Hengtong Group will create a second fibre optic cable factory in the Suez Canal Economic Zone with a $15 million investment, producing 3 million kilometres of cables annually and including a training academy in collaboration with the National Telecommunications Institute. These agreements highlight Egypt’s commitment to advancing its technological infrastructure and deepening its partnership with China.
Google will establish its second data centre in Latin America in Canelones, Uruguay, investing more than $850 million in the project. The investment comes after the success of Google’s first Latin American data centre, which was opened in Quilicura, Chile, in 2015 and later expanded.
The tech giant expressed hopes that the new facility will significantly contribute to the professional and technological development of both Uruguay and the wider region. The new investment reinforces Google’s ongoing commitment to expanding its global data infrastructure.
Vietnam’s Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has launched a strategic initiative to enhance the country’s capabilities in semiconductors, AI, and cloud computing. The initiative, outlined in Dispatch No. 83/CD-TTg, aims to develop a skilled workforce through targeted education and training in these critical technology sectors. The initiative calls for collaboration among various government bodies, including ministers and local authorities, to implement measures to drive these industries’ advancements.
The Ministry of Education and Training (MoET) leads this effort by guiding public and private universities to establish specialised units focused on semiconductor technology, AI, and cloud computing. The project includes creating new schools and departments dedicated to advancing research and training. The MoET will also modernise curricula by integrating cutting-edge technologies and AI into teaching methodologies while fostering partnerships with businesses and research institutions.
In addition, the Ministry of Planning and Investment will develop a strategic project for nurturing human resources in the semiconductor industry, with a long-term vision extending to 2050. The plan will also encompass AI and cloud computing, emphasising the establishment of innovation ecosystems. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Science and Technology will prioritise scientific research in these fields and create mechanisms to attract international talent.
Local government leaders are encouraged to attract investments to build semiconductors, AI, and cloud computing ecosystems. Deputy Prime Minister Le Thanh Long will oversee the implementation of this initiative, which aims to position Vietnam as a leader in these technology sectors, leveraging education and innovation to drive economic growth in the digital age.
Chinese AI developers are finding innovative ways to circumvent US export controls on advanced chips by leveraging foreign computing resources. The strategy allows them to access high-performance chips, such as Nvidia’s A100 and H100, which are restricted under US regulations. As the demand for AI capabilities grows, these developers employ various methods to remain competitive in the tech landscape.
One key approach is using cloud computing services from major American providers like Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Microsoft Azure. This method is legally permissible under current US regulations, which focus on directly exporting physical technologies rather than cloud-based computing power.
Additionally, Chinese AI developers are collaborating with brokers and using identity-mapping techniques from the cryptocurrency industry. These brokers help facilitate access to AI servers in countries like Australia, allowing companies to deploy advanced chips without importing them directly into China. For example, entrepreneur Derek Aw has arranged for over 300 servers equipped with Nvidia’s H100 chips to be housed in Australia and utilised by firms in Beijing.
Despite the challenges posed by export controls, many Chinese companies have stockpiled chips and invested in domestic semiconductor manufacturing. While local suppliers often need to catch up to US technologies, this dual approach helps maintain momentum in AI research and development. Legal experts note that as long as technology is not used for military purposes, cloud services to access advanced computing power remain unregulated, highlighting the complexities of enforcing technology trade restrictions.
The ongoing situation illustrates the US government’s challenges in enforcing its trade policies. As Chinese companies continue to adapt and innovate, the US may need to tighten regulations to address emerging loopholes.
