Meta Platforms, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, is once again under fire by the European Consumer Organisation (BEUC) over its ad-free subscription service. Introduced in 2023, the fee-based option offered European users the ability to opt out of personalised ads, with a subsequent price cut of 40% implemented later that year. However, BEUC claims these changes are merely superficial and fail to address deeper concerns about fairness and compliance with EU consumer and privacy laws.
BEUC’s Director General, Agustin Reyna, criticised Meta for not providing users with a fair choice, alleging that the company still pressures users into accepting its behavioural advertising system. Reyna called on consumer protection authorities and the European Commission to investigate Meta’s practices urgently, emphasising the need for decisive action to safeguard users’ rights. The consumer group also accused Meta of misleading practices, unclear terms, and failing to minimise data collection while restricting services for users who decline data processing.
In response, a Meta spokesperson defended the company’s approach, arguing that its November 2023 updates go beyond EU regulatory requirements. Despite these assurances, EU antitrust regulators have raised concerns, accusing Meta of breaching the Digital Markets Act. They claim the ad-free service forces users into a binary choice, sparking broader concerns about how the tech giant balances profit with consumer protection.
As pressure mounts, Meta faces growing scrutiny over its compliance with EU laws, with regulators weighing potential measures to address BEUC’s allegations and ensure fair treatment for European users.
Robinhood Crypto has officially launched in Spain, enabling users to trade, stake, and invest in cryptocurrencies directly on the platform. The move is part of Robinhood’s broader strategy to expand its presence across the European Union, which has recently introduced clear regulations under the Markets in Crypto-Assets framework.
Since beginning its European expansion in late 2023, Robinhood has gradually rolled out services in several countries, including Italy, Poland, and Lithuania, with tailored features for each market. In October 2024, the platform added crypto transfer capabilities in Europe, allowing users to deposit and withdraw over 24 tokens, one of the region’s most requested features.
To further encourage adoption, Robinhood is offering a limited-time 1% reward on crypto deposits for new users in Spain, helping to attract more participants to the platform.
The US Securities and Exchange Commission has formed a task force to establish clearer regulations for cryptocurrencies. This move, led by acting Chair Mark Uyeda and Commissioner Hester Peirce, signals a shift towards a more collaborative and transparent approach under President Trump’s administration. The task force aims to define clear regulatory boundaries, streamline registration processes, and ensure balanced enforcement measures.
President Trump, embracing his role as a ‘crypto president’, plans to reverse the strict oversight implemented by the previous administration. Industry leaders have long criticised past SEC actions as unclear and overly punitive, urging the need for comprehensive rules tailored to digital assets. The initiative reflects Trump’s broader strategy to promote digital currency adoption and reduce regulatory hurdles.
Executives from companies such as Kraken and Coinbase have welcomed the development as a positive step towards resolving regulatory ambiguity. They expressed optimism that the task force’s efforts could end the era of enforcement-led governance and foster constructive policy-making. Bitcoin surged to an all-time high, reflecting investor enthusiasm for the administration’s crypto-friendly stance.
The task force also aims to support lawmakers in crafting new crypto legislation and coordinate with agencies like the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. Its collaboration is expected to extend beyond US borders, ensuring that policies align with global regulatory standards.
SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son’s decision to partner with OpenAI and Oracle on a $500 billion AI venture, Stargate, showcases his bold, headline-grabbing approach to dealing with the Trump administration. The project, announced at the White House alongside President Donald Trump, promises to build AI infrastructure in the US and marks a significant part of Son’s earlier $100 billion investment pledge. SoftBank shares surged 11% following the news, reflecting investor confidence in the group’s aggressive strategy.
However, analysts argue that Son’s methods, rooted in rapid decision-making and high-risk bets, are difficult for traditional Japanese corporations to replicate. Japan Inc’s emphasis on long-term planning contrasts sharply with Son’s willingness to embrace Trump’s pro-investment stance to navigate potential tariffs and trade pressures. The reluctance of other Japanese executives to engage directly with Trump highlights a broader struggle to adapt in a politically charged environment.
Son’s flashy investments draw comparisons to his previous $50 billion pledge during Trump’s first term and underscore his vision for AI as a transformative technology. While his moves are reestablishing SoftBank as a global player after setbacks like WeWork’s collapse, questions remain about how the Stargate project will be funded and whether traditional Japanese companies can adapt their strategies to find similar success in Trump’s America.
Microsoft announced changes to its longstanding agreement with OpenAI following the AI leader’s new partnership with Oracle and SoftBank on a $500 billion AI data centre project, Stargate. The joint venture, unveiled by President Donald Trump at the White House, aims to solidify US leadership in AI, leveraging Nvidia chips and other cutting-edge technologies.
While Microsoft retains exclusive rights to OpenAI’s APIs, the amendments now allow OpenAI to build additional capacity outside of Microsoft’s infrastructure. This paves the way for Oracle’s involvement in Stargate, which will operate as a separate entity with governance rights shared among founding members and external investors like UAE’s MGX. SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son will chair the venture’s board.
Despite this shift, Microsoft remains a central technology partner, continuing to benefit from revenue-sharing agreements with OpenAI and maintaining exclusivity over key offerings through its Azure cloud service. “The key elements of our partnership remain intact through 2030,” Microsoft said, reaffirming its commitment to OpenAI’s long-term growth.
Oracle and OpenAI have not commented on Microsoft’s statements, but the partnership underscores the strategic realignments shaping the future of AI infrastructure in the US.
A state-of-the-art £225 million supercomputer, Isambard-AI, is set to become the most powerful in the UK when fully operational this summer. Based at the National Composites Centre in Bristol, the system uses artificial intelligence to aid in developing vaccines and drugs for diseases such as Alzheimer’s, heart disease, and cancer. Researchers are already using its vast computational power to enhance melanoma detection across diverse skin tones.
Professor Simon McIntosh-Smith, a high-performance computing expert at the University of Bristol in the UK, described Isambard-AI as “potentially world-changing.” By simulating molecular interactions, the AI can drastically cut the time and cost of drug development, which traditionally relied on educated guesses and laborious physical experiments. The system virtually screens millions of potential treatments, allowing researchers to identify promising candidates faster.
Despite concerns about its energy consumption, the supercomputer is designed to operate efficiently and may even repurpose its waste heat to warm local homes and businesses. Highlighting the project’s broader significance, Professor McIntosh-Smith likened Isambard-AI to the invention of the internet, emphasising its potential to save millions of lives while keeping its research publicly accessible.
Vivek Ramaswamy, former presidential candidate, has stepped down from his role at the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), leaving Elon Musk as its sole leader. Ramaswamy announced his departure shortly after Donald Trump began his second term as President. In a statement, he expressed confidence in Musk and the team’s ability to streamline government operations.
Ramaswamy, a native of Ohio, is reportedly preparing to stand for governor in his home state, aiming to succeed Mike DeWine in the 2026 election. Anna Kelly, an official at DOGE, confirmed his plans to pursue elected office, which required him to resign due to the advisory group’s rules prohibiting involvement in political campaigns.
Sources suggest growing tensions with Musk may have influenced Ramaswamy’s decision, particularly after a December post in which he criticised American culture. The clash reportedly added to friction within Trump’s circle, hastening his exit.
Meanwhile, DOGE faces scrutiny over its scaled-back budget-cutting goals, with critics questioning its ability to deliver meaningful results. Initially promising to reduce federal spending by $2 trillion, the group’s revised target now stands at $1 trillion under Musk’s leadership.
The Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) has pledged up to €800 million to support the expansion of Germany’s 5G infrastructure, part of an effort to reduce reliance on Chinese technology. The project, which includes contributions from private banks across Europe and Japan, aims to build a secure and advanced telecom system for Germany.
The funding will support United Internet AG, a German telecom company, in adopting Open Radio Access Network (Open RAN) technology. This system allows seamless integration of equipment from multiple suppliers, reducing the risks of over-dependence on a single provider. A significant portion of the software involved is developed by Rakuten Group Inc., a Japanese tech firm.
Germany has relied heavily on Chinese manufacturers for 5G infrastructure, with 59% of its network sourced from Huawei and ZTE in 2022. This new initiative reflects Germany’s ambition to phase out Chinese components by 2029 and strengthen national security. JBIC’s €300 million contribution represents the largest share of the funding, ensuring stability and mitigating risks for the ambitious expansion.
As part of a broader collaboration, financial institutions from France, Britain, and Japan are also participating in the loans. Beyond enhancing Germany’s telecom security, the project is expected to benefit Japanese firms operating in the country by offering a trusted platform for handling sensitive data.
A new report from the European Court of Auditors (ECA) highlights progress in tackling unjustified geo-blocking in the EU but calls for stronger enforcement and expanded regulations. Geo-blocking, which restricts online access to goods and services based on nationality or location, was targeted by a 2018 regulation aimed at ensuring fairer treatment in the EU Single Market. However, the ECA found that inconsistent enforcement has left many consumers unprotected.
The report reveals significant disparities in penalties for non-compliance, ranging from minor fines of €26 in some countries to €5 million or even criminal liability in others. These gaps, combined with limited awareness among consumers and traders about available support, have undermined the regulation’s effectiveness. Key exemptions for sectors like audiovisual services—such as streaming platforms and TV distribution—are also causing frustration, with calls to broaden the regulation’s scope during its 2025 review.
Ildikó Gáll-Pelcz, the ECA member responsible for the audit, warned that geo-blocking continues to restrict consumer choices and fuel dissatisfaction. In response, the European Commission has welcomed the findings, signalling potential reforms, including stricter enforcement mechanisms and exploring ways to address challenges tied to copyright practices. The Commission has committed to factoring the report into its upcoming evaluation of the regulation.
Samsung and LG Electronics may shift some home appliance production from Mexico to the United States, according to a South Korean news report. The potential move follows former President Donald Trump’s announcement of possible 25% tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico, set to take effect on February 1.
Samsung is reportedly considering relocating dryer production to its South Carolina plant, while LG may move refrigerator production to its Tennessee factory, which already produces washing machines and dryers. Both companies are evaluating their operations as they adapt to market changes and trade policies.
In statements, Samsung emphasised its flexible global production strategy, while LG highlighted its commitment to adjusting production systems to meet market demands. These considerations reflect broader shifts in manufacturing strategies due to trade uncertainties.
