Apple is preparing to introduce its AI features to iPhones in China by mid-year. Efforts include significant software adaptations and collaboration with local partners to meet the country’s unique requirements.
Teams based in China and the US are actively working to customise the Apple Intelligence platform for the region. Insiders suggest the launch could happen as early as May, provided technical and regulatory challenges are resolved.
Regulatory compliance remains a critical hurdle for Apple. The project reflects the company’s growing emphasis on localising its technology for key international markets, including China.
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A federal judge in Washington, DC has temporarily halted the US Securities and Exchange Commission’s lawsuit against Binance. The 60-day pause comes after both the SEC and the cryptocurrency exchange requested time to explore a resolution, citing the potential impact of a newly created SEC task force.
The task force, launched last month, focuses on reviewing cryptocurrency regulations and is led by Commissioner Hester Peirce, known for her pro-crypto stance.
The initiative may pave the way for progress in resolving the case, which accused Binance of inflating trading volumes, misusing customer funds, and misleading investors.
The lawsuit, filed in June 2023, targeted Binance and its founder Changpeng Zhao for alleged regulatory violations. The exchange has denied wrongdoing but continues to face scrutiny from US regulators.
A potential leadership change at the SEC could also influence the case. Paul Atkins, nominated by Donald Trump to lead the agency, is seen as supportive of the cryptocurrency industry. He would replace Gary Gensler, who has taken a stricter approach to crypto regulation.
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A New York senator has introduced a bill to create a task force dedicated to studying the impact of cryptocurrencies in the state. The proposed legislation, known as the New York State Cryptocurrency and Blockchain Study Act, aims to assess how digital currencies affect tax revenues, energy consumption, and regulatory policies.
If approved, the task force will consist of 17 members and will analyse key aspects of the crypto industry, including the number of digital currencies traded, the exchanges operating in New York, and how the state’s regulations compare to other jurisdictions. The group will also evaluate the environmental impact of cryptocurrency mining and recommend measures to enhance transparency and consumer protection.
The bill is still in its early stages and must pass committee review before moving to a full vote. New York has long been a major hub for crypto, but its strict BitLicense requirements have faced criticism for being too restrictive. As more US states explore crypto regulations, the outcome of this bill could shape the future of digital assets in New York.
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Germany‘s Federal Cartel Office has expressed concerns over Apple’s App Tracking Transparency (ATT) feature, which could potentially violate antitrust rules for large tech companies. The regulator’s preliminary findings come after a detailed three-year investigation into the feature, which allows iPhone users to block advertisers from tracking their activities across multiple apps. The investigation is part of broader scrutiny over the influence of major tech companies on the digital advertising ecosystem.
In a statement released on Thursday, the Federal Cartel Office noted that Apple now has the opportunity to respond to the allegations. The authority’s concerns focus on whether ATT unfairly impacts the business models of other companies that rely on data-driven advertising, such as Meta Platforms, app developers, and startups. These businesses argue that the feature could severely limit their ability to target users with personalised ads, affecting their revenue generation strategies.
Apple has defended ATT as a crucial privacy tool that empowers users to have more control over their data. The company argues that the feature helps to protect user privacy by giving individuals the option to block third-party tracking. However, its critics, particularly in the advertising industry, contend that ATT has created an uneven playing field, disadvantaging businesses that depend on targeted advertising. The outcome of this investigation could have significant implications for Apple’s business practices in Europe.
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Baidu plans to make its AI chatbot, Ernie Bot, free for all users starting 1 April. The service, which will be accessible on both desktop and mobile platforms, reflects the company’s confidence in improved technology and reduced operational costs.
China’s AI sector is heating up, with DeepSeek emerging as a notable rival. DeepSeek offers free chatbot services that it claims rival OpenAI’s advanced systems while maintaining lower costs.
Despite Baidu’s position as an early leader in AI, its Ernie Bot has struggled to gain traction, lagging behind ByteDance’s Doubao chatbot and DeepSeek in user adoption.
Baidu initially introduced premium features in late 2023, charging users for advanced search capabilities powered by Ernie 4.0. The upcoming free release of both Ernie Bot and an advanced search function marks a shift in strategy.
The advanced search feature promises enhanced reasoning and tool integration, aimed at delivering expert-level responses to users.
Ernie Bot’s latest version, Ernie 4.0, claims parity with OpenAI’s GPT-4 in terms of capabilities. By removing cost barriers, Baidu hopes to attract a larger user base and strengthen its position in the competitive AI sector.
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European data protection authorities are set to discuss Chinese AI startup DeepSeek amid growing concerns about how the company handles personal data. The European Data Protection Board will review the firm’s practices at its monthly meeting on Tuesday, following questions from several national regulators about whether European user data is being used for AI training and if it could be transferred to China.
France‘s privacy watchdog, CNIL, has already questioned DeepSeek about its AI model and any potential risks to user privacy. Ireland‘s data protection authority has also requested information, while Italy has taken a more drastic step by ordering DeepSeek to block its chatbot in the country due to unresolved concerns over its privacy policy.
The European Union is known for its strict data protection laws, with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) considered one of the most comprehensive privacy frameworks globally. Authorities are now working to coordinate their approach to ensure a consistent response to DeepSeek’s activities across the region.
Jake Denton, a former researcher at the Heritage Foundation, has been appointed as chief technology officer of the US Federal Trade Commission. He replaces Stephanie Nguyen, who had held the position since 2022. The role was first established during the Obama administration to provide insights on emerging technology challenges.
Denton steps into the role as Andrew Ferguson takes over as FTC chairman. Ferguson has voiced concerns about Big Tech’s dominance while cautioning against excessive regulation that could hinder US innovation. Denton has supported artificial intelligence legislation and has urged stronger US involvement in shaping global AI policies.
The Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025, linked to potential conservative policies under a future Trump administration, has outlined proposals for antitrust enforcement that align with right-leaning priorities. Some suggestions have even questioned the FTC’s necessity. Meanwhile, the agency is preparing for a trial against Meta in April and is pursuing an antitrust lawsuit against Amazon.
Ferguson’s stance on ongoing FTC investigations remains unclear, including probes into Microsoft’s partnership with OpenAI and potential consumer protection issues. Trump has praised Ferguson as a leader who supports innovation, making his regulatory approach to Big Tech a key focus in the coming months.
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Baidu CEO Robin Li stated on Tuesday that investment in data centres and cloud infrastructure remains crucial despite the challenge posed by Chinese AI startup DeepSeek. Speaking at the World Government Summit in Dubai, Li emphasised that smarter AI models require increased computing power, or “compute,” to function effectively. His comments come as DeepSeek has gained attention for creating language models that perform similarly to OpenAI’s GPT while using much less computing power, prompting debate over the need for large-scale AI infrastructure.
Baidu, a key player in China’s AI development, was quick to launch its own AI products after the release of OpenAI’s ChatGPT in late 2022. However, its own language model, Ernie, has seen limited public adoption, despite claims that it rivals GPT-4 in capability. Li, who previously argued that no OpenAI-like company would emerge from China, admitted at the summit that innovation in AI is unpredictable, as shown by DeepSeek’s rapid rise.
In a shift from his earlier stance on AI development, Li acknowledged that open-source models could play a significant role in accelerating AI adoption. While he had previously advocated for closed-source approaches, he now recognises that allowing greater access could foster wider experimentation and faster technological spread. This marks a notable change in Baidu’s approach to the evolving AI landscape.
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France‘s antitrust agency has launched an investigation into Microsoft over concerns that the company may be degrading search results for smaller rivals using Bing technology in their search-engine products. Microsoft has confirmed its full cooperation with the French regulator, the Autorité de la concurrence, but has not commented further. Although Microsoft does not dominate the general search market, it holds a significant share in the search-engine syndication sector.
The investigation, which was first reported by Bloomberg, could lead to formal charges and a potential fine for the US tech giant if the regulator determines that Microsoft’s actions are anti-competitive. The French competition authority has yet to provide any additional details about the probe. The case could have broader implications for the way major tech firms, including Microsoft, operate in the digital advertising and search-engine markets, potentially influencing how they collaborate with smaller companies.
If the investigation results in a fine or any form of penalty, it would further highlight the ongoing scrutiny of the practices of big tech companies in Europe. With regulators across the continent taking a closer look at the competitive dynamics of the tech sector, the outcome of this case could set a precedent for future antitrust actions within the industry.
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Microsoft has proposed increasing the price difference between its Office product with the Teams app and the version without it, to avoid a potential EU antitrust fine. This comes after complaints from rivals like Salesforce-owned Slack and German competitor alfaview regarding Microsoft’s practice of bundling Teams with Office. Since Teams became a part of Office 365 in 2017, it gained widespread use during the pandemic, largely due to its video conferencing capabilities.
To address concerns, Microsoft unbundled Teams from Office in 2023, offering Office without Teams for €2 less and a standalone Teams subscription for €5 per month. The European Commission is currently gathering feedback from companies, with a decision on whether to conduct a formal market test expected soon. As part of its offer, Microsoft has also proposed better interoperability terms to make it easier for competitors to challenge its products.
The EU has previously fined Microsoft €2.2 billion for similar antitrust issues in the past. If the Commission accepts Microsoft’s proposal without issuing a fine or finding wrongdoing, it would likely allow the EU to focus resources on ongoing investigations into other tech giants like Apple and Google.
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