Britain’s antitrust regulator, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), has launched an investigation into Google’s search operations to assess their impact on consumers, businesses, and competition. With Google handling 90% of UK online searches and supporting over 200,000 businesses through advertising, the CMA aims to ensure fair competition and innovation in search services, said CMA chief Sarah Cardell.
The probe will evaluate whether Google’s dominant position restricts market entry and innovation, as well as whether it provides preferential treatment to its own services. The CMA will also investigate the company’s extensive collection and use of consumer data, including its role in AI services. The findings, expected within nine months, could lead to measures such as requiring Google to share data with rivals or giving publishers more control over their content.
Google has defended its role, stating that its search services foster innovation and help UK businesses grow. The company pledged to work constructively with the CMA to create rules that benefit both businesses and users. The investigation follows similar scrutiny in the US, where prosecutors have pushed for major reforms to curb Google’s dominance in online search.
China’s State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) announced plans to strengthen regulations on online platforms and the growing livestream e-commerce sector. The move aims to foster fair competition, protect smaller businesses, and improve consumer trust, according to SAMR Deputy Head Shu Wei.
At a press briefing, Shu highlighted plans to enhance transparency, reduce merchants’ operational costs, and address concerns over platform practices that disrupt fair competition. The regulator aims to improve existing frameworks to safeguard merchants’ and consumers’ rights against platform rule abuse.
The SAMR also intends to crack down on deceptive marketing in livestream e-commerce, a sector experiencing rapid growth but facing criticism for misleading tactics. The initiative is expected to address dishonest practices while ensuring a healthier and more balanced market environment.
Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) has secured a deal worth over $1 billion to supply AI-optimised servers to Elon Musk’s platform X. The agreement, finalised late last year, was reported by Bloomberg News, citing sources familiar with the matter. Dell Technologies and Super Micro Computer had also submitted bids but were not selected.
The AI server market has experienced significant demand as businesses seek advanced hardware for AI applications. Musk’s ventures, including Tesla and xAI, have become key customers for this technology.
HPE shares saw a 1% rise during afternoon trading following the report. The company declined to comment on the deal.
Infosys has filed a counterclaim against Cognizant in a Texas federal court, accusing the US-based technology firm of anti-competitive behaviour. The Indian company alleges that Cognizant included restrictive clauses in client contracts, preventing them from working with rival firms and withholding necessary software training.
The Bengaluru-based software giant also claims Cognizant engaged in targeted poaching of its senior executives. The hiring of former Infosys president S Ravi Kumar as Cognizant’s CEO in 2023 allegedly delayed the development of Infosys’ Helix software product.
Cognizant denied the allegations, stating it supports fair competition but accused Infosys of improperly using its intellectual property. The counterclaim follows a 2023 lawsuit by Cognizant’s subsidiary TriZetto, which accused Infosys of stealing trade secrets related to healthcare insurance software.
Infosys is seeking damages, including legal fees, but did not disclose the amount. The case is being heard in the US District Court for the Northern District of Texas.
Education technology provider PowerSchool has suffered a major data breach, exposing the personal information of millions of students and teachers. Hackers gained access to its systems by exploiting stolen credentials, using a tool within the company’s PowerSource support portal to export sensitive data.
The stolen records include names, addresses, and potentially more sensitive details such as Social Security numbers and medical information in the US and Canada. PowerSchool, which manages academic records for over 60 million K-12 students, assured customers that not all users were affected. However, the breach has left schools scrambling to assess the damage.
PowerSchool insists the hack wasn’t due to a flaw in its software but was a result of unauthorised access using legitimate credentials. The company has engaged cybersecurity experts to investigate and taken steps to improve security, including deactivating compromised accounts and strengthening password controls.
Critics argue that PowerSchool was slow to inform customers, potentially putting students, parents, and educators at greater risk of identity theft. While PowerSchool is offering affected users credit monitoring and identity protection services, the incident has sparked calls for stricter regulations on data security in the education sector.
The US Supreme Court on Friday appeared inclined to uphold a law requiring a sale or ban of TikTok in the United States by January 19, citing national security risks tied to its Chinese parent company, ByteDance. Justices questioned TikTok’s potential role in enabling the Chinese government to collect data on its 170 million American users and influence public opinion covertly. Chief Justice John Roberts and others expressed concerns about China’s potential to exploit the platform, while also probing implications for free speech protections under the First Amendment.
The law, passed with bipartisan support and signed by outgoing President Joe Biden, has been challenged by TikTok, ByteDance, and app users who argue it infringes on free speech. TikTok’s lawyer, Noel Francisco, warned that without a resolution or extension by President-elect Donald Trump, the platform would likely shut down on January 19. Francisco emphasised TikTok’s role as a key platform for expression and called for at least a temporary halt to the law.
Liberal and conservative justices alike acknowledged the tension between national security and constitutional rights. Justice Elena Kagan raised historical parallels to Cold War-era restrictions, while Justice Brett Kavanaugh highlighted the long-term risks of data collection. Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar, representing the Biden administration, argued that TikTok’s foreign ownership poses a grave threat, enabling covert manipulation and espionage. She defended Congress’s right to act in the interest of national security.
With global trade tensions and fears of digital surveillance mounting, the Supreme Court’s decision will have wide-ranging implications for technology, free speech, and US-China relations. The court is now considering whether to grant a temporary stay, providing Trump’s incoming administration an opportunity to address the issue politically.
The Japanese government is considering publicly disclosing the names of developers behind malicious artificial intelligence systems as part of efforts to combat disinformation and cyberattacks. The move, aimed at ensuring accountability, follows a government panel’s recommendation that stricter legal frameworks are necessary to prevent AI misuse.
The proposed bill, expected to be submitted to parliament soon, will focus on gathering information on harmful AI activities and encouraging developers to cooperate with government investigations. However, it will stop short of imposing penalties on offenders, amid concerns that harsh measures might discourage AI innovation.
Japan’s government may also share its findings with the public if harmful AI systems cause significant damage, such as preventing access to vital public services. While the bill aims to balance innovation with public safety, questions remain about how the government will decide what constitutes a “malicious” AI system and the potential impact on freedom of expression.
Indian cryptocurrency exchange Mudrex has temporarily suspended crypto withdrawals, prompting a backlash from its users. The move, announced on 11 January is set to last until 28 January as the platform undergoes a compliance framework upgrade. According to co-founder and CEO Edul Patel, the suspension is necessary to prevent misuse by bad actors, with Patel emphasising the importance of a secure infrastructure in the crypto space.
Mudrex, one of the few Indian exchanges to allow crypto withdrawals, has faced criticism from the community. Trader Vivan Live urged users to withdraw their funds immediately, suggesting the platform’s motives were dubious. Another user, Aakash Athawasya, claimed that Mudrex never truly offered crypto withdrawals, accusing the platform of offering “price exposure” instead of ownership. Despite the criticism, Mudrex reported a significant surge in its user base and trading volume in recent months.
Meanwhile, India’s regulatory environment continues to impact exchanges, with Bybit announcing a temporary suspension of its services in the country due to evolving regulations. On a more positive note, CoinDCX, another Indian exchange, has launched crypto withdrawals, allowing users to withdraw crypto in exchange for disabling Indian rupee deposits.
Meta has announced that Instagram and Threads users will no longer be able to opt out of seeing political content from accounts they don’t follow. The change, part of a broader push toward promoting “free expression,” will take effect in the US this week and expand globally soon after. Users will be able to adjust how much political content they see but won’t be able to block it entirely.
Adam Mosseri, head of Instagram and Threads, had previously expressed reluctance to feature political posts, favouring community-focused content like sports and fashion. However, he now claims that users have asked to see more political material. Critics, including social media experts, argue the shift is driven by changing political dynamics in the US, particularly with Donald Trump’s imminent return to the White House.
While some users have welcomed Meta’s stance on free speech, many worry it could amplify misinformation and hate speech. Experts also caution that marginalised groups may face increased harm due to fewer content moderation measures. The changes could also push discontented users toward rival platforms like Bluesky, raising questions about Meta’s long-term strategy.
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has condemned Meta’s decision to discontinue its fact-checking program in the United States, calling it a grave issue. Speaking in Brasília on Thursday, Lula emphasised the need for accountability in digital communication, equating its responsibilities to those of traditional media. He announced plans to meet with government officials to discuss the matter.
Meta’s recent decision has prompted Brazilian prosecutors to seek clarification on whether the changes will affect the country. The company has been given 30 days to respond as part of an ongoing investigation into how social media platforms address misinformation and online violence in Brazil.
Justice Alexandre de Moraes of Brazil’s Supreme Court, known for his strict oversight of tech companies, reiterated that social media firms must adhere to Brazilian laws to continue operating in the country. Last year, he temporarily suspended X (formerly Twitter) over non-compliance with local regulations.
Meta has so far declined to comment on the matter in Brazil, fueling concerns over its commitment to tackling misinformation globally. The outcome of Brazil’s inquiry could have broader implications for how tech firms balance local laws with global policy changes.
