Germany‘s Federal Court of Justice (BGH) has ruled that Facebook users affected by data breaches in 2018 and 2019 are entitled to compensation, even without proving financial losses. The court determined that the loss of control over personal data is sufficient grounds for damages, marking a significant step in data protection law.
The case stems from a 2021 breach involving Facebook’s friend search feature, where third parties accessed user accounts by exploiting phone number guesses. Lower courts in Cologne previously dismissed compensation claims, but the BGH ordered a re-examination, suggesting around €100 in damages could be awarded per user without proof of financial harm.
Meta, Facebook’s parent company, has resisted compensation, arguing that users did not suffer concrete damages. A spokesperson for Meta described the ruling as inconsistent with recent European Court of Justice decisions and noted that similar claims have been dismissed by German courts in thousands of cases. The breach reportedly impacted around six million users in Germany.
The court also instructed a review of Facebook’s terms of use, questioning whether they were transparent and whether user consent for data handling was voluntary. The decision adds pressure on companies to strengthen data protection measures and could set a precedent for future claims across Europe.
Africa’s largest mobile operator, MTN, is exploring partnerships with low-Earth-orbit (LEO) satellite providers to improve internet access in rural and remote areas, CEO Ralph Mupita announced on Monday. Satellite-based internet, increasingly popular in Africa through providers like Elon Musk’s Starlink, offers high-speed connectivity where traditional infrastructure is costly or impractical.
MTN is conducting trials with several LEO satellite operators and considering becoming a reseller for enterprise customers in specific regions. Competitors like Vodacom and Cell C are also embracing LEO partnerships, with Vodacom teaming up with Amazon’s Project Kuiper.
Mupita emphasised the need for regulatory fairness, calling for satellite providers to meet the same requirements as terrestrial operators, such as compliance with data privacy and spectrum access rules. While Starlink is operational in parts of Africa, regulatory hurdles remain in countries like South Africa, where a clear framework for satellite internet is still being developed.
With AI adoption surging, data centers are bracing for a 160% jump in electricity consumption by 2030, driven by the energy demands of GPUs. Sagence AI, a startup led by Vishal Sarin, is addressing this challenge by developing analog chips that promise greater energy efficiency without sacrificing performance.
Unlike traditional digital chips, Sagence’s analog designs minimise memory bottlenecks and offer higher data density, making them a viable option for specialised AI applications in servers and mobile devices. While analog chips pose challenges in precision and programming, Sagence aims to complement, not replace, digital solutions, delivering cost-effective and eco-friendly alternatives.
Backed by $58M in funding from investors like TDK Ventures and New Science Ventures, Sagence plans to launch its chips in 2025. As it scales operations, the startup faces stiff competition from industry giants and will need to prove its technology can outperform established systems while maintaining lower energy consumption.
Perplexity, an AI-driven search startup, has unveiled a new shopping hub to attract users and compete with Google’s dominance in search. Backed by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and Nvidia, the platform offers visually rich product cards in response to shopping-related queries, integrating with platforms like Shopify to provide real-time product details.
The rollout includes features like ‘Snap to Shop,’ which uses photos to suggest products and a Merchant Program that allows retailers to share their offerings with Perplexity. Initially available in the US, the service will expand to other markets at a later date.
This move comes as Perplexity raises new investments at a reported $9 billion valuation and seeks to compete with OpenAI, which recently introduced enhanced search features for ChatGPT. The startup aims to leverage AI-powered tools to boost its presence in e-commerce and attract both users and merchants.
Samsung has teamed up with Google and Qualcomm to develop advanced AI-powered smart glasses, set for release in Q3 2025. Initial production will feature 500,000 units, targeting a competitive edge over existing options like Meta’s and Ray-Ban’s smart glasses. Equipped with AI and augmented reality (AR) technologies, the glasses promise enhanced interactivity and user experiences.
The device boasts Qualcomm’s AR1 chip for performance and NXP’s auxiliary processor for added computing. High-resolution imaging is ensured with a 12MP Sony IMX681 camera, supporting superior video and image capture. Lightweight at 50 grams, it offers features like gesture and human recognition, QR-based payments, and extended use powered by a 155mAh battery.
Google’s Gemini large language model will integrate into the software, delivering smarter user interactions and contextual understanding. Samsung disclosed the development during its earnings report, with analysts expecting a possible showcase at the January Galaxy Unpacked event, alongside the Galaxy S25.
Market excitement grows as Samsung enters the competitive smart glasses arena, setting a high standard for innovation and functionality. Observers anticipate a significant shift in wearable technology driven by AI and AR advancements.
François Chollet, a prominent AI figure and creator of the popular Keras API, announced his departure from Google after nearly ten years. In a post on X, Chollet shared that he will be starting a new venture with a friend, but details remain undisclosed. Reflecting on his time at Google, he highlighted the transformation of deep learning from a niche academic interest to a global industry.
Keras, developed by Chollet, has become a widely used tool in AI, with over two million users. It powers advanced technologies like Waymo’s autonomous vehicles and the recommendation engines of platforms such as YouTube and Netflix. Beyond Keras, Chollet’s work on the Abstraction and Reasoning Corpus (ARC) benchmark and the ongoing $1 million ARC Prize reflects his innovative contributions to AI research.
Chollet has consistently voiced concerns about the dominant approaches in AI development, advocating for models that reason more like humans, rather than simply relying on vast amounts of data. Even after his departure, he will continue contributing to Keras, while Jeff Carpenter will take over as the team lead. Chollet’s vision remains focused on developing AI as a tool to advance human knowledge.
Booking.com must comply with strict European Union regulations as of Thursday due to its designation as a ‘gatekeeper’ under the Digital Markets Act (DMA). The European Commission has placed significant obligations on the travel reservation platform, ensuring it moderates content effectively, supports fair competition, and makes it simpler for consumers to switch between services. The DMA targets tech giants with major market dominance, holding them accountable through measures that could include fines and operational restrictions.
The company affirmed it is fully compliant, citing extensive efforts to adapt to the rules. In a blog post, Booking.com stated that it has implemented solutions that meet regulatory demands while maintaining a high standard of service for travellers and partners. It also expressed a commitment to ongoing dialogue with EU authorities and stakeholders.
Under the DMA, companies identified as gatekeepers are defined by having over 45 million monthly users and significant market capitalisation. Non-compliance could lead to fines of up to 10% of a company’s global revenue, rising to 20% for repeated violations. Additionally, the Commission has the power to limit acquisition activities if a company fails to adhere to the rules.
A US congressional commission has proposed a bold initiative modeled on the Manhattan Project to accelerate the development of artificial general intelligence (AGI) that could rival or surpass human intelligence. The US-China Economic and Security Review Commission (USCC) emphasised the importance of public-private partnerships to drive technological innovation as competition with China intensifies. However, the panel provided no specific funding plans in its annual report.
Commissioner Jacob Helberg highlighted China’s rapid advancements in AGI, warning of potential shifts in global power dynamics. Addressing infrastructure bottlenecks, he suggested streamlining regulations for data centres as a step to accelerate AI progress. Tech leaders like OpenAI have also advocated for increased government investment in AI to maintain global competitiveness.
Beyond AI, the USCC report included recommendations to tighten trade regulations, particularly by ending the “de minimis” exemption that allows duty-free imports under $800. Commissioner Kimberly Glas underscored the challenge of inspecting the overwhelming volume of such shipments, which she claimed serve as a channel for unregulated Chinese goods, including dangerous materials. Proposals to curb this exemption have sparked bipartisan debate, though legislative progress has been hampered by industry opposition and political gridlock.
Global semiconductor sales surged in Q3 2024, with a 23.2% year-over-year growth and a 10.7% quarter-over-quarter increase, fueled by rising demand from industries like AI, big data, and electric vehicles. Countries around the world, including China, the US, and the EU, are investing heavily in semiconductor development to secure a competitive edge in the global chip market.
The EU is focusing on photonic technology, committing €133 million to establish a photonic integrated circuit (PIC) pilot line in the Netherlands by 2025. This initiative aims to enhance Europe’s position in the growing photonic chip market, driven by the demand for more efficient data transmission for cloud computing and AI applications.
Japan has also made a significant move, announcing a ¥10 trillion ($65 billion) investment by 2030 to support its semiconductor and AI industries. This funding is part of a broader strategy to boost chip production and innovation, with a focus on the collaboration between Rapidus, IBM, and Belgium’s Imec.
South Korea is ramping up its semiconductor support through a proposed Semiconductor Special Act, which includes financial backing and workweek exemptions for semiconductor manufacturers. The bill reflects the country’s commitment to strengthening its semiconductor industry, with plans for a ₩26 trillion funding initiative and an ₩800 billion fund to support the semiconductor ecosystem by 2027.
AI is becoming a central feature in widely used technologies, with major firms embedding AI into familiar products. Meta’s AI chatbot now enhances platforms like Facebook and Instagram, while Apple’s new Apple Intelligence introduces advanced features for iPhones. Google has unveiled AI-powered search summaries and its chatbot Gemini, while Amazon is upgrading Alexa with enhanced AI capabilities. These efforts aim to seamlessly incorporate AI into daily life.
Experts view familiar platforms as key to driving consumer adoption of AI. Generative AI tools such as ChatGPT have introduced many to the technology, building awareness and readiness. Analysts predict that existing devices like smartphones will play a pivotal role in what is being called the ‘consumer AI revolution.’ Apple’s reach alone could soon enable 20% of the global population to access AI-driven features.
The road to widespread integration is not without obstacles. Apple’s AI features have faced criticism over delays, and Amazon’s AI-enhanced Alexa faces strong competition from Google Nest. However, investment in AI infrastructure remains robust, with companies aiming to transform industries, including smart homes and financial services, through more intelligent systems.
As AI becomes embedded in everyday technology, future innovations promise deeper integration and enhanced user experiences. Anticipated advancements include more intuitive interactions and a shift in how people engage with technology, potentially reshaping daily routines and consumer expectations.
