Swiss robotics firm Anybotics has raised an additional $60 million, closing its Series B round at $110 million. Known for its Anymal quadruped robot, the company focuses on automating routine inspections in complex industrial environments such as oil and gas, mining, and utilities. Equipped with sensors and cameras, Anymal enhances safety and productivity by detecting issues like thermal anomalies and gas leaks, minimising human exposure to hasardous areas.
Since first announcing the Series B round 18 months ago, the Swiss Zürich-based startup has doubled its robot deployments, with nearly 200 units now operational across various industries. Clients include major companies such as Novelis and Iamgold, as well as Stanford University, which uses the technology for advanced research.
The new funding will support Anybotics’ expansion into the US following the opening of its San Francisco office. Co-led by Qualcomm Ventures and Supernova Invest, the investment ensures the company can scale its operations globally, with plans for a broader product portfolio and industry applications in the future.
BeReal, the selfie-sharing app acquired by French mobile games publisher Voodoo earlier this year, is under scrutiny for allegedly violating European data protection rules. A privacy complaint filed by Noyb, a European privacy rights organisation, accuses the app of using manipulative ‘dark patterns’ to coerce users into consenting to ad tracking, a tactic that may breach the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
The controversy centres on a consent banner introduced in July 2024, which appears to offer users a straightforward choice to accept or refuse tracking. However, Noyb argues that users who decline tracking face daily pop-ups when they try to post, while those who consent are spared further interruptions. This practice, Noyb asserts, pressures users into compliance, undermining the GDPR’s requirement that consent be ‘freely given.’
The complaint has been filed with France’s data protection authority, CNIL, and demands that BeReal revise its consent process to comply with GDPR. It also calls for any improperly obtained data to be deleted and suggests a fine for the alleged violations. BeReal’s parent company, Voodoo, has yet to comment on the complaint.
This case highlights growing concerns over dark patterns in social media apps, with regulators emphasising the need for fair and transparent consent mechanisms in line with user privacy rights.
Samsung has filed a legal challenge against India‘s Competition Commission (CCI), accusing the watchdog of unlawfully detaining employees and seizing data during a 2022 raid connected to an antitrust investigation involving Amazon and Walmart-owned Flipkart. The CCI claims Samsung colluded with the e-commerce giants to launch products exclusively online, a practice it argues violates competition laws.
In its filing with the northern city of Chandigarh’s High Court, Samsung alleged that confidential data was improperly taken from its employees during the raid and requested the return of the material. Samsung has secured an injunction to pause the CCI’s proceedings but seeks a broader ruling to prevent the use of the seized data. The CCI, in turn, has asked the Supreme Court to consolidate similar challenges by Samsung and 22 other parties, arguing that companies are attempting to derail the investigation.
The case stems from findings earlier this year that Amazon, Flipkart, and smartphone companies like Samsung engaged in anti-competitive practices by favouring select sellers and using exclusive product launches. While Amazon and Flipkart deny wrongdoing, brick-and-mortar retailers have long criticised their pricing and market strategies. Samsung, a major smartphone brand in India with a 14% market share, maintains it was wrongly implicated and cooperated only as a third party in the investigation.
The US Supreme Court has dismissed an appeal by Nvidia, rejecting its attempt to block a securities fraud lawsuit accusing the chipmaker of misleading investors about its reliance on the volatile cryptocurrency market. The decision upholds a lower court’s ruling, allowing a 2018 class-action lawsuit led by Swedish investment firm E. Ohman J:or Fonder AB to proceed. The justices, offering no explanation in their one-line order, had previously expressed hesitation about addressing the case’s technical and factual complexities during November arguments.
The lawsuit centres on allegations that Nvidia’s leadership, including CEO Jensen Huang, downplayed how much of the company’s 2017-2018 revenue growth stemmed from crypto-related purchases. Nvidia’s chips gained popularity during the cryptocurrency boom but faced a sales slump when the market cooled in late 2018, leading to a drop in the company’s stock price. A federal judge initially dismissed the case, but the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals revived it, concluding that plaintiffs sufficiently alleged Nvidia knowingly made misleading statements.
Nvidia has denied wrongdoing and vowed to continue its defence, emphasising the need for clear standards in securities litigation to protect shareholders. However, the plaintiffs argue their case is well-supported by expert analysis and insider accounts. Deepak Gupta, representing the shareholders, called the Supreme Court’s dismissal a victory for corporate accountability. President Biden’s administration backed the investors, reflecting broader concerns about corporate transparency in securities practices.
This case mirrors another recent Supreme Court decision involving Meta, where justices also dismissed a securities fraud lawsuit. Both rulings highlight the challenges of navigating legal thresholds for investor class actions under stringent US securities laws.
Russia has unveiled plans to create an AI alliance with BRICS countries Brazil, China, India, and South Africa along with other interested nations. President Vladimir Putin made the announcement at a major AI conference in Moscow, highlighting the initiative as a key step to challenge the dominance of the United States in the rapidly advancing field of AI.
The AI Alliance Network will promote joint research, technology development, and regulation among member nations. Despite Western sanctions that have hampered Russia’s access to essential AI hardware like microchips, domestic leaders like Sberbank and Yandex are driving innovation with generative AI models such as GigaChat and YandexGPT.
Russia also has ambitious plans to integrate AI across its economy, targeting a contribution of 11.2 trillion roubles to GDP by 2030 and training 80% of its workforce in AI skills. While the country currently lags behind global leaders like the US and China in AI development, this alliance could mark a turning point in its technological aspirations.
Australia‘s Federal Court has fined Bit Trade, the local operator of cryptocurrency exchange Kraken, A$8 million ($5.1 million) for unlawfully offering credit facilities to over 1,100 customers. The ruling came after the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) filed civil proceedings against the company, accusing it of non-compliance with regulations for its margin trading product.
ASIC revealed that Bit Trade failed to assess whether its margin extensions—a form of credit repayable in digital assets like bitcoin or national currencies—were suitable for customers. This led to combined customer losses exceeding $5 million, while Bit Trade charged over $7 million in fees and interest. The court classified the margin extension product as a credit facility requiring a specific consumer suitability document, which the company had not provided.
In a statement, Kraken expressed disappointment, arguing the ruling could stifle economic growth in Australia. The exchange emphasised its willingness to work with regulators to shape the evolving cryptocurrency framework. The case marks a milestone for ASIC, as it is the first penalty imposed on a company for failing to provide a target market determination for a financial product.
The US Justice Department has urged a federal appeals court to reject TikTok‘s emergency request to delay a law requiring its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to divest from the app by 19 January or face a nationwide ban. TikTok argued the law threatens to shut down one of America’s most popular social media platforms, which boasts over 170 million US users, while the Justice Department maintains that continued Chinese ownership poses a national security risk.
While the law would not immediately block users from accessing TikTok, the Justice Department admitted the lack of ongoing support would eventually render the app inoperable. A three-judge appeals court panel recently upheld the divestment requirement, and ByteDance has asked the US Supreme Court to review the case.
The controversy places TikTok’s future in the hands of the incoming presidential administration. President Joe Biden could grant a 90-day extension to the divestment deadline before President-elect Donald Trump, who has vowed to prevent a ban, takes office on January 20. Trump’s stance on TikTok has been consistent since his unsuccessful attempts to ban the app during his first term.
The law also strengthens the US government’s powers to ban other foreign-owned apps over data security concerns, following a broader trend initiated under Trump, including an earlier attempt to block Tencent-owned WeChat. As legal battles continue, TikTok’s operations in the US hang in the balance.
Aqemia has secured $38 million in funding led by Cathay Innovation, marking its second successful raise this year and bringing its total funding past $100 million. Founded in 2019, the company leverages a unique combination of ‘quantum-inspired’ physics and generative AI to accelerate drug discovery, focusing initially on cancer and immuno-oncology treatments.
By using statistical mechanics algorithms, Aqemia creates synthetic data to predict drug molecule properties, bypassing the costly need for experimental data. The France-based startup’s approach has already attracted partnerships, including a lucrative agreement with Sanofi worth up to $140 million.
The latest funding will support Aqemia’s global expansion, with a London office set to open in 2025, tapping into the UK‘s talent pool. Backers include Cathay Innovation and previous investors such as Bpifrance and Eurazeo, boosting the company’s reach into international markets.
HarperCollins CEO Brian Murray highlighted the evolving audiobook market and AI’s potential during the UBS Global Media and Communications Conference. He praised Spotify‘s innovative approach to audiobooks, offering 15 free listening hours to Premium users, which he said attracted casual listeners and boosted HarperCollins’ revenue. Spotify’s wholesale distribution model also provides clear royalty structures for authors.
Murray acknowledged AI’s dual role as a threat and opportunity. Generative AI could flood the market with lower-quality content, but high-quality works may continue to thrive. He noted AI’s potential for streamlining marketing, translations, and audiobook production for niche markets, while also envisioning its use in adapting books for film or television.
Spotify, aiming to grow its global audiobook market, is testing family plan access. HarperCollins is closely watching these developments as both companies explore expanding their audiobook offerings and incorporating AI-driven solutions.
General Motors has announced it will cease funding its Cruise self-driving taxi project, redirecting its autonomous vehicle efforts toward personal cars. The decision reflects the intense competition and financial demands of scaling in the robotaxi sector. GM stated that the resources required to make Cruise profitable were a major factor in its pivot.
Cruise has faced mounting challenges in recent months. Following a fatal accident in October 2023 that led California to revoke its driverless testing permit, the company suspended operations across the US and cut a quarter of its workforce. Leadership changes and federal scrutiny further complicated Cruise’s trajectory, with co-founder Kyle Vogt departing amid the fallout.
This move signals broader difficulties within the autonomous taxi industry, where other giants like Ford and Volkswagen have also scaled back ambitions. GM, which owns 97% of Cruise, had once predicted billions in revenue from the venture by 2030. While companies like Tesla, Waymo, and Amazon continue to chase the robotaxi dream, GM is betting its future on personal autonomous vehicles instead.
