China’s Commerce Ministry announced plans to investigate US government subsidies to its semiconductor sector following requests from China’s mature node chip industry. The ministry stated on Thursday that these subsidies, introduced under the Biden administration, allegedly provide American companies with an unfair competitive advantage in the global market.
According to the Chinese government, US firms have exported mature node chip products to China at reduced prices, causing harm to the interests of China’s domestic semiconductor industry. Beijing views these practices as a threat to its industry’s rights and competitive balance.
The investigation reflects rising tensions between the two nations over technology and trade, particularly as both seek to bolster their semiconductor sectors amid growing geopolitical competition.
Austrian advocacy group Noyb has filed privacy complaints against six Chinese companies, including TikTok, Shein, and Xiaomi, alleging illegal transfers of European user data to China. The group, known for targeting US tech giants like Apple and Meta, said this is its first case against Chinese firms. Complaints have been filed in four EU countries, seeking fines of up to 4% of each company’s global revenue.
Noyb claims that companies such as Alibaba’s AliExpress and Tencent’s WeChat transfer EU citizens’ data either directly to China or undisclosed ‘third countries,’ which are likely China. Under EU data protection laws, such transfers are prohibited if the destination country fails to meet the bloc’s strict privacy standards. A Noyb lawyer emphasised that China’s status as a ‘surveillance state’ makes such transfers clearly unlawful.
The allegations add to mounting regulatory challenges for Chinese tech firms. TikTok, already under scrutiny in Europe for election interference concerns, faces a potential US ban starting Sunday over national security fears. Regulators in multiple regions continue to ramp up pressure on Chinese companies amid growing global concerns over data privacy and security.
Arweave, a decentralised data storage company, has sent its ‘Genesis Block’ to the moon in collaboration with Iridia and LifeShup. The mission, announced on 15 January, involved launching encrypted data and cryptocurrencies aboard a space capsule using Iridia’s synthetic DNA-based storage technology and LifeShup’s lunar landing craft. The groundbreaking venture highlights the potential of permissionless networks like Arweave in pioneering new storage innovations.
Founded in 2017, Arweave aims to provide affordable permanent storage for global knowledge and history. The moon mission, which also included Artificial Super Intelligence Alliance tokens, is a step toward safeguarding digital assets and knowledge for future generations. The stable environment of the moon and advancements in nanotechnology will help preserve this data for millennia, according to the companies involved.
Sam Williams, Arweave’s CEO, expressed excitement about the collaboration, which underscores the growing capabilities of decentralised storage networks, while Iridia’s VP, Buck Watia, highlighted the mission’s significance in preserving information beyond time and space.
Several prominent tech leaders, including Sundar Pichai, CEO of Alphabet, and Tim Cook, CEO of Apple, are scheduled to attend US President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration on Monday, according to sources familiar with the event’s planning. This marks a significant moment as top executives from the tech industry, including Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and Mark Zuckerberg, are also expected to be in attendance. The move signals ongoing engagement between the tech sector and the incoming administration, despite various regulatory and political challenges that have shaped recent interactions between Silicon Valley and the US government.
The participation of these influential figures has attracted attention, especially given the politically charged atmosphere surrounding Trump’s presidency. While there have been tensions between Big Tech companies and the outgoing administration, with issues like data privacy, antitrust concerns, and platform regulation, the CEOs’ attendance at the inauguration may reflect an attempt to foster relationships with the new president and his team.
Apple has not yet responded to a request for comment on the reports of Tim Cook’s attendance, and the full list of attendees is still evolving. The inauguration will serve as a crucial occasion for shaping future dialogues between the tech sector and government officials. The presence of these key leaders also raises questions about how the next administration will approach regulations affecting the rapidly evolving technology industry.
TikTok is preparing to shut down its US operations on Sunday unless a federal ban is averted at the last minute, according to sources. The ban, stemming from a law signed last April, requires TikTok’s Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to sell its US assets by January 19 or face nationwide restrictions. The Supreme Court is currently deliberating on whether to uphold or pause the ban, but no ruling has been made yet.
President-elect Donald Trump, set to take office the day after the ban would take effect, is reportedly considering a temporary suspension of the shutdown. However, legal uncertainty clouds the possibility of such action. Meanwhile, the Biden administration, in its final days, has signalled it will not block the ban without a credible divestment plan from ByteDance. TikTok has argued that the law violates First Amendment rights and warned that a prolonged ban could lead to significant user loss and global disruptions to its services.
If the ban proceeds, TikTok plans to display a pop-up message informing users of the shutdown and allow them to download their data. The app would become largely inoperable as US companies would no longer be permitted to provide critical services for its maintenance. TikTok has emphasised its ability to restore operations quickly if the ban is reversed but warned that the shutdown would impact not just American users but its global platform due to its reliance on US-based infrastructure.
The political and legal standoff has sparked widespread public and corporate reactions. Social media users have expressed disappointment at the impending ban, while TikTok’s US operations, employing over 7,000 workers, hang in the balance. Despite ongoing efforts to delay the enforcement, the platform faces an uncertain future as Sunday’s deadline looms.
Indonesia is making waves in the global Web3 revolution with its rapid adoption of cryptocurrency and a young, tech-savvy population. Ranked third in the Chainalysis Global Crypto Adoption Index, Indonesia recorded 157 billion dollars in crypto inflows between 2023 and 2024. With nearly 200% year-on-year market growth, the country’s decentralised exchange transactions surpass global averages, reflecting the population’s enthusiasm for digital assets.
The Indonesian government’s support has been a key driver of this growth. Cryptocurrencies were recently reclassified as digital financial assets, a move expected to enhance transparency and investor protection under the Financial Services Authority’s oversight. Meanwhile, crypto is reshaping sectors like e-commerce and remittances, saving Indonesians millions yearly and boosting financial accessibility.
Despite its impressive rise, challenges remain. With less than 8% of the population actively using crypto, significant room exists for growth. Addressing cultural and ethical considerations, including Shariah-compliant financial tools and education initiatives, could unlock this potential. By embracing tailored solutions and fostering partnerships between blockchain and traditional finance, Indonesia is poised to cement its leadership in the Web3 economy.
Several chip and manufacturing industry groups have criticised the Biden administration’s new export controls, arguing they were implemented without sufficient consultation. A private letter sent to President Joe Biden on January 13 expressed concerns that the rules could harm US companies and shift market share to global competitors.
The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) and SEMI, representing chipmakers and manufacturing equipment firms, objected to the new licensing requirements for AI chip exports, including advanced high-bandwidth memory. They argued the lack of public input ignored the regulations’ economic and international consequences.
High-bandwidth memory, essential for AI chip production, is primarily manufactured by US and South Korean companies. The new rules could restrict its sale to China, further tightening controls on advanced technology exports.
A separate source suggested the restrictions may also affect companies like Lam Research, which previously benefited from a rule interpretation allowing expanded sales in China. Neither the SIA, SEMI, nor Lam Research commented immediately.
Taiwan’s government has expressed confidence in its management of AI chip exports following the island’s exemption from new US restrictions. Officials stated the exclusion should reassure partners about the country’s legal compliance and export controls.
The US announced stricter AI chip export measures this week, limiting shipments to most countries while continuing a ban on China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea. Taiwan remains a ‘tier one’ partner, enjoying unrestricted access to US AI technology. Taiwan’s Economy Ministry emphasised efforts to help local businesses stay informed about evolving export regulations.
Taiwan is home to TSMC, the world’s largest contract chipmaker and a key supplier for Nvidia. The government, alert to Beijing’s claims over the island, maintains strict export controls to China and has vowed to enforce US restrictions. TSMC suspended shipments to a Chinese company last year after a chip was illegally integrated into Huawei technology.
Huawei has faced US trade bans since 2019 due to national security concerns, with companies restricted from selling technology to the Chinese firm without a special licence.
OpenAI has introduced a new beta feature called Tasks in ChatGPT, expanding into the virtual assistant market. Tasks will let users schedule future actions such as reminders for concert ticket sales or recurring updates like daily weather reports.
ChatGPT may also suggest tasks based on user conversations, with users retaining control to accept or decline them. The feature aims to compete with virtual assistants like Apple’s Siri and Amazon’s Alexa, both of which are being enhanced with AI capabilities.
The updated Alexa will include generative AI features for task automation, with Amazon CEO Andy Jassy announcing its launch in the coming months. Apple has also integrated ChatGPT into Siri under its ‘Apple Intelligence’ initiative, seeking user permission for queries sent to OpenAI’s service.
Apple and Amazon have successfully defeated a UK lawsuit accusing them of colluding to remove resellers of Apple products from Amazon’s platform. The Competition Appeal Tribunal ruled on Tuesday that the case, valued at £494 million, could not proceed.
The tribunal rejected the case, citing Riefa’s failure to prove sufficient independence and robustness to represent the claimant class, particularly concerning third-party litigation funding. Apple and Amazon had previously argued the lawsuit lacked merit and requested its dismissal.
Riefa’s legal team and representatives for Apple and Amazon did not respond to requests for comment following the tribunal’s decision.
