Greek authorities have made their first-ever cryptocurrency seizure, confiscating 273,000 USDT (Tether) as part of a criminal investigation. The operation, conducted in December, was carried out under the supervision of the Greek European Public Prosecutor’s Office and involved collaboration with various law enforcement departments, including the Digital Evidence Examination Department.
The seizure, which is part of the ongoing ‘Admiral’ operation, highlights the growing challenges law enforcement faces in dealing with advanced technologies like blockchain and cryptocurrencies. Cryptocurrencies, known for their anonymity and security features, are often used in criminal activities such as fraud and money laundering. Experts stress the need for precision and expertise in handling digital assets, as mistakes can lead to irreversible losses.
Crypto-related scams are becoming more common in Greece, with many victims falling prey to fraudulent schemes. As cryptocurrencies gain popularity, particularly with the rise of Bitcoin and NFTs, the lack of understanding among the public increases the risk of scams. Experts warn that technological advances in AI are making these scams harder to detect, even for experienced investors.
In addition to combating fraud, authorities are also focusing on the management of seized cryptocurrencies, with plans to convert them into funds for the state, similar to practices in other European countries.
According to state media reports, Iran has lifted its ban on Meta’s WhatsApp and Google Play, marking a tentative move toward easing internet restrictions. Known for its stringent online censorship, Iran has long restricted access to US-based platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube, though many Iranians bypass these blocks using virtual private networks.
The decision, announced after a meeting led by President Masoud Pezeshkian, reflects a ‘positive majority vote’ to restore access to some popular foreign platforms. Information and Communications Technology Minister Sattar Hashemi hailed the move as the ‘first step in removing internet limitations.’
Social media has played a significant role in Iran, particularly as a tool for organising anti-government protests. In response to such restrictions, the United States has urged Big Tech companies to support efforts to circumvent censorship in countries like Iran.
As Germany prepares for national elections on February 23, political parties are outlining their tech policy priorities, including digitalisation, AI, and platform regulation. Here’s where the leading parties stand as they finalise their programs ahead of the vote.
The centre-right CDU, currently leading in polls with 33%, proposes creating a dedicated Digital Ministry to streamline responsibilities under the Ministry of Transport. The party envisions broader use of AI and cloud technology in German industry while simplifying citizen interactions with authorities through digital accounts.
Outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s SPD, polling at 15%, focuses on reducing dependence on US and Chinese tech platforms by promoting European alternatives. The party also prioritises faster digitalisation of public administration and equitable rules for regulating AI and digital platforms, echoing EU-wide goals of tech sovereignty and security.
The Greens, with 14% support, highlight the role of AI in reducing administrative workloads amid labour shortages. They stress the need for greater interoperability across IT systems and call for an open-source strategy to modernise Germany’s digital infrastructure, warning that the country lags behind EU digitalisation targets.
The far-right AfD, projected to secure 17%, opposes EU platform regulations like the Digital Services Act and seeks to reverse Germany’s adoption of the NetzDG law. The party argues these measures infringe on free speech and calls for transparency in funding non-state actors and NGOs involved in shaping public opinion.
The parties’ contrasting visions set the stage for significant debates on the future of technology policy in Germany.
Hyundai has dissolved its Semiconductor Strategy Office, signalling a strategic shift in its in-house chip ambitions. Established in 2022, the office was a key part of the company’s plans for autonomous vehicle technology but has now been integrated into other divisions, including the Advanced Vehicle Platform and procurement departments. Vice President Jae-Seok Chae, who led the office, also stepped down as part of the reorganisation.
The move reflects Hyundai’s effort to streamline operations and enhance synergy, though it marks a significant challenge for its plans to develop in-house autonomous driving chips. The company has relied heavily on Mobileye’s ADAS chips while facing competition from industry leaders such as Tesla, NVIDIA, and Qualcomm.
Reports suggest Hyundai is reassessing its semiconductor projects, with one major autonomous driving chip programme under review. Alternatives could include collaborating with AI firm Tenstorrent or outsourcing chip production to Samsung, potentially using the tech giant’s 5-nm-based SF5A process.
Hyundai’s reshuffle highlights the growing pressure on automakers to innovate in the autonomous vehicle market while managing cost and resource challenges. Future developments may determine whether the company continues in-house efforts or pivots entirely to external partnerships.
Japanese farmers are embracing AI technology to address the challenges posed by climate change and labour shortages in agriculture. Farmers like Hiroaki Asakura in Aichi Prefecture are turning to smartphone apps that use machine learning to forecast pest outbreaks, enabling timely pesticide application. These tools help farmers optimise crop protection and reduce chemical usage, a significant step forward in modern farming.
One such app, developed by Mirai Vegetable Garden, analyses over a million pest and weather records to provide accurate predictions. For Asakura, this meant spraying pesticides earlier than usual to prevent black rot in his broccoli fields, a decision informed by the app’s warnings of rising risks. The technology, supporting crops like strawberries and tomatoes, also allows farmers to share outbreak information with neighbours for broader community protection.
These AI solutions are gaining traction nationwide. Apps developed by companies like Nihon Nohyaku Co and NTT Data CCS Corp identify over 1,100 pest species from photographs, offering farmers swift diagnosis and advice. As changing climate patterns lead to unusual pest behaviours, these innovations are vital. Japanese farmers and officials alike note that AI can bridge the gap between traditional know-how and modern challenges, ensuring sustainable crop production in the face of global warming.
Researchers have achieved a milestone in AI, teaching it to predict the complex aromas of whiskies and even identify their origins. The study, conducted in Germany, utilised AI to analyse the molecular makeup of 16 American and Scottish whiskies. It then predicted the five strongest aroma notes and distinguished between the two countries of origin with remarkable accuracy.
The AI surpassed human experts in consistency and precision, identifying aromas like menthol and citronellol for US whiskies and smoky, medicinal notes for Scotch. This innovation could ensure flavour consistency in whisky production, detect counterfeit goods, and even find applications in blending recycled materials to reduce odours.
While promising, the study was limited to a small selection of whiskies, raising questions about its performance on broader varieties or aged batches. Experts also noted that flavour perception depends on external factors, highlighting room for further exploration in this emotive domain. Nonetheless, this blend of technology and tradition signals a new step for the whisky industry.
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has introduced new rules requiring mobile service providers to offer separate recharge plans for voice calls and SMS for customers who do not use data. This change specifically caters to users, such as senior citizens or families with home broadband, who do not require mobile data.
Alongside this, TRAI has extended the validity of special recharge coupons from a maximum of 90 days to up to 365 days, providing consumers with more flexibility in managing their recharges. Telecom operators can now issue recharge vouchers in any denomination of their choice, though they must still offer at least one ₹10 voucher.
The rule removing the restriction on multiples of ₹10 for top-up vouchers aims to give consumers more convenient options for recharging their phones. Despite these changes, TRAI has ensured that the new rules will not reverse the government’s push for data inclusion.
Also, the mandate for separate voice and SMS plans will not affect the availability of data-only or bundled plans, allowing telecom providers in India to continue offering diverse options supporting all users’ data access.
Google’s proposed adjustments to its search result formats, aimed at complying with the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), have gained backing from Airlines for Europe, a major lobbying group representing airlines such as Air France KLM and Lufthansa. The DMA prohibits tech giants like Google from favouring their services in search results, with non-compliance risking fines of up to 10% of global annual turnover.
The airline group endorsed Google’s horizontal layout, featuring same-sized boxes for airlines and comparison sites, with a distinct blue colour for differentiation. However, they raised concerns over pricing consistency and criticised Google’s plan to use indicative dates rather than specific ones for flight bookings, arguing that this change could harm the consumer experience.
In response to ongoing disagreements with rivals, Google has signalled it may revert to its older “10 blue links” search result format if consensus cannot be reached on its current proposals. This highlights the challenges tech companies face in balancing regulatory compliance with the demands of diverse stakeholders.
Ceneo, a subsidiary of Polish e-commerce platform Allegro, has filed a lawsuit against Google and its parent company Alphabet, seeking 2.33 billion zlotys ($567.6 million) in damages. The lawsuit claims Google’s preference for its price comparison services in search results caused significant harm to Ceneo’s business.
Ceneo’s demands include 1.72 billion zlotys for losses incurred and an additional 615 million zlotys in interest from 2013 to November 2024. The company also plans to seek statutory interest from the filing date until damages are paid. The case is tied to the European Union’s $2.7 billion antitrust fine against Google for leveraging its dominance in search to disadvantage smaller rivals.
A Google spokesperson responded to the lawsuit, expressing disagreement and stating the company’s ‘Shopping remedy’ has been effective in supporting brands, retailers, and comparison sites across Europe. Meanwhile, broader efforts to curb Google’s dominance include a US Department of Justice recommendation for Google to divest its Chrome browser and abstain from re-entering the browser market for five years.
Venture funding in Europe may be headed for a flat year overall, but European AI startups are thriving, with AI companies receiving 25% of the region’s VC funding in 2024, totalling $13.7 billion. This marks a significant rise from 15% four years ago and has led to the creation of new unicorns like Poolside and Wayve. According to James Wise of Balderton Capital, breakthrough AI technology in Europe can now attract hundreds of millions, or even billions, of euros at the early stages, similar to the US.
The collective value of European AI companies has doubled in four years, reaching $508 billion, now making up nearly 15% of the region’s entire tech sector. While much of the funding still comes from outside Europe, especially the US, the local AI ecosystem is flourishing with a growing talent pool. In 2024, 349,000 people were employed by AI companies in Europe, a 168% increase since 2020, indicating a buoyant and increasingly productive sector.
Wise suggests that the rise of smaller, highly productive AI companies will be the future, with generative AI tools significantly boosting efficiency in various industries. This growing adoption of AI tools is likely to continue benefiting the European AI sector in the long run, even if the category becomes less distinct in the future.
