The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has introduced new rules requiring mobile service providers to offer separate recharge plans for voice calls and SMS for customers who do not use data. This change specifically caters to users, such as senior citizens or families with home broadband, who do not require mobile data.
Alongside this, TRAI has extended the validity of special recharge coupons from a maximum of 90 days to up to 365 days, providing consumers with more flexibility in managing their recharges. Telecom operators can now issue recharge vouchers in any denomination of their choice, though they must still offer at least one ₹10 voucher.
The rule removing the restriction on multiples of ₹10 for top-up vouchers aims to give consumers more convenient options for recharging their phones. Despite these changes, TRAI has ensured that the new rules will not reverse the government’s push for data inclusion.
Also, the mandate for separate voice and SMS plans will not affect the availability of data-only or bundled plans, allowing telecom providers in India to continue offering diverse options supporting all users’ data access.
Datastreams and Vietnam Post (VNPOST) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on 20 December 2024, forming a strategic partnership focused on comprehensive data collaboration. The partnership aims to establish a data exchange to drive innovation in data-driven business models and develop platforms for VNPOST’s postal and logistics services.
VNPOST will manage internal project development, research data fabric technology applications, and analyse data exchange requirements. At the same time, Datastreams will provide expertise in data fabric technology, assist with implementation, and offer a project roadmap.
The following collaboration is expected to accelerate VNPOST’s digital transformation, and by 2026, VNPOST plans to build a data platform and data exchange with Datastreams, contributing to AI and data fabric technologies. Through this partnership, both companies seek to secure innovations, expand Datastreams’ technological presence, and contribute to the economy of Vietnam.
Elon Musk’s AI company, xAI, has raised $6 billion in its latest funding round, doubling its total to $12 billion this year. The investment attracted high-profile backers such as Andreessen Horowitz, BlackRock, and Fidelity, with participation limited to existing investors. Reports suggest the company is now targeting a $50 billion valuation.
Founded last year, xAI released its flagship generative AI model, Grok, which powers features on X, formerly known as Twitter. Grok, known for its bold and unconventional responses, has integrated capabilities like image generation and news summarisation. The company has also launched APIs and a standalone app, aiming to compete with AI giants like OpenAI and Anthropic.
The company’s Memphis data centre, housing 100,000 Nvidia GPUs, is central to training the next generation of AI models. Plans are underway to double GPU capacity and secure additional power to support operations. However, these efforts have faced criticism over potential environmental impacts.
xAI envisions integrating its AI models with Musk’s other ventures, such as Tesla and SpaceX, sparking concerns among Tesla shareholders. Despite these challenges, xAI’s rapid growth positions it as a formidable contender in the expanding AI industry.
Google’s proposed adjustments to its search result formats, aimed at complying with the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), have gained backing from Airlines for Europe, a major lobbying group representing airlines such as Air France KLM and Lufthansa. The DMA prohibits tech giants like Google from favouring their services in search results, with non-compliance risking fines of up to 10% of global annual turnover.
The airline group endorsed Google’s horizontal layout, featuring same-sized boxes for airlines and comparison sites, with a distinct blue colour for differentiation. However, they raised concerns over pricing consistency and criticised Google’s plan to use indicative dates rather than specific ones for flight bookings, arguing that this change could harm the consumer experience.
In response to ongoing disagreements with rivals, Google has signalled it may revert to its older “10 blue links” search result format if consensus cannot be reached on its current proposals. This highlights the challenges tech companies face in balancing regulatory compliance with the demands of diverse stakeholders.
Talen Energy plans to appeal a Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) decision blocking an amended interconnection agreement for an Amazon data centre. The Pennsylvania-based utility had sought to expand capacity at its Susquehanna nuclear plant from 300 megawatts to 480 megawatts.
The initial deal, which involved selling the connected data centre to Amazon, faced resistance from American Electric Power and Exelon. FERC sided with the opposing utilities, rejecting the proposed agreement in a ruling issued on 1 November.
Talen Energy responded by requesting a rehearing last month. While FERC confirmed it would address the matter in a future order, the 30-day deadline for rehearing decisions has now passed. This development allows Talen to take the case to a US Circuit Court of Appeals.
Shares of Talen Energy, which have seen significant gains this year, rose 0.6% in response to the company’s announcement.
Ceneo, a subsidiary of Polish e-commerce platform Allegro, has filed a lawsuit against Google and its parent company Alphabet, seeking 2.33 billion zlotys ($567.6 million) in damages. The lawsuit claims Google’s preference for its price comparison services in search results caused significant harm to Ceneo’s business.
Ceneo’s demands include 1.72 billion zlotys for losses incurred and an additional 615 million zlotys in interest from 2013 to November 2024. The company also plans to seek statutory interest from the filing date until damages are paid. The case is tied to the European Union’s $2.7 billion antitrust fine against Google for leveraging its dominance in search to disadvantage smaller rivals.
A Google spokesperson responded to the lawsuit, expressing disagreement and stating the company’s ‘Shopping remedy’ has been effective in supporting brands, retailers, and comparison sites across Europe. Meanwhile, broader efforts to curb Google’s dominance include a US Department of Justice recommendation for Google to divest its Chrome browser and abstain from re-entering the browser market for five years.
A crafty new scam is ensnaring would-be crypto thieves by baiting them with fake wallet seed phrases. Cybersecurity experts at Kaspersky have revealed how scammers post these phrases in YouTube comments, claiming the wallets hold significant funds. The wallets, however, are traps designed to exploit anyone attempting to steal the assets.
One wallet discovered by Kaspersky analyst Mikhail Sytnik reportedly held $8,000 in USDT on the Tron network. A thief must send Tron (TRX) tokens to move the funds to cover transaction fees. Unbeknownst to them, the wallet is a multi-signature account, meaning the TRX sent for fees is instantly redirected to another wallet controlled by the scammers.
Sytnik described the scammers as “digital Robin Hoods” for targeting other opportunists. He advised people never to try accessing others’ wallets, even if given a seed phrase, and to remain cautious of strangers’ claims about cryptocurrency online.
This isn’t the first time fraudsters have exploited greed in the crypto space. In July, Kaspersky exposed a similar scam on Telegram, where users were tricked into downloading malware disguised as legitimate crypto tools, potentially compromising their devices and funds.
Venture funding in Europe may be headed for a flat year overall, but European AI startups are thriving, with AI companies receiving 25% of the region’s VC funding in 2024, totalling $13.7 billion. This marks a significant rise from 15% four years ago and has led to the creation of new unicorns like Poolside and Wayve. According to James Wise of Balderton Capital, breakthrough AI technology in Europe can now attract hundreds of millions, or even billions, of euros at the early stages, similar to the US.
The collective value of European AI companies has doubled in four years, reaching $508 billion, now making up nearly 15% of the region’s entire tech sector. While much of the funding still comes from outside Europe, especially the US, the local AI ecosystem is flourishing with a growing talent pool. In 2024, 349,000 people were employed by AI companies in Europe, a 168% increase since 2020, indicating a buoyant and increasingly productive sector.
Wise suggests that the rise of smaller, highly productive AI companies will be the future, with generative AI tools significantly boosting efficiency in various industries. This growing adoption of AI tools is likely to continue benefiting the European AI sector in the long run, even if the category becomes less distinct in the future.
The United States Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has reaffirmed that cryptocurrency staking rewards are taxable as income upon receipt, opposing a lawsuit that argues they should only be taxed when sold. According to its 2023 guidance, the IRS considers block rewards as income based on their market value at the time they become usable.
The ongoing dispute involves Joshua and Jessica Jarrett, who earned 8,876 Tezos (XTZ) tokens in 2019 through staking. The couple believe such rewards should be treated as property, similar to crops or manuscripts, and taxed only when sold. They filed their first lawsuit in 2021, which was dismissed after they declined a $4,000 refund offered by the IRS.
In October 2024, the Jarretts launched a second lawsuit seeking a $12,179 refund for taxes paid on staking rewards in 2020. They argue the IRS’ policy unfairly treats new property as taxable income and are calling for a permanent change to the agency’s tax stance.
The outcome of this legal battle could establish a crucial precedent for how staking rewards are taxed in the US, potentially impacting the entire cryptocurrency industry.
El Salvador is celebrating Christmas 2024 with a Bitcoin-themed tree, showcasing its unwavering commitment to the cryptocurrency despite facing restrictions from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). On 19 December, the country added 11 BTC, valued at over $1 million, to its reserves, a move that highlights its bold strategy of embracing Bitcoin as a key part of its financial future.
Despite the IMF’s criticism and a $1.4 billion loan agreement signed the previous week, which includes terms limiting cryptocurrency transactions and the use of state-backed wallets, El Salvador has maintained its position. The IMF’s loan conditions also prevent companies from being required to accept Bitcoin and mandate taxes to be paid in US dollars.
However, the government has remained steadfast, with the National Bitcoin Office reaffirming that no Bitcoin from the country’s reserves will be sold. El Salvador’s total BTC holdings now amount to nearly 6,000 coins, valued at approximately $572 million. The country’s long-term strategy remains focused on Bitcoin as a means of achieving financial independence and reducing reliance on traditional global financial institutions.
Despite facing global scepticism, El Salvador’s Bitcoin strategy continues to evolve, with recent portfolio statistics showing steady long-term growth. The festive Bitcoin tree is a symbol of the nation’s enduring dedication to cryptocurrencies, which could play a significant role in its financial future.
