Google has won a trademark lawsuit brought by Shorts International, a British company specialising in short films, over the use of the word ‘shorts’ in YouTube‘s short video platform, YouTube Shorts. London’s High Court found no risk of consumer confusion between Shorts International’s brand and YouTube’s platform, which launched in 2020 as a response to TikTok‘s popularity.
Shorts International, known for its short film television channel, argued that YouTube Shorts infringed on its established trademark. However, Google’s lawyer, Lindsay Lane, countered that it was clear the ‘Shorts’ platform belonged to YouTube, removing any chance of brand confusion.
Judge Michael Tappin ruled in favour of Google, stating that the use of ‘shorts’ by YouTube would not affect the distinctiveness or reputation of Shorts International’s trademark. The court’s decision brings the legal challenge to a close, dismissing all claims of infringement.
INTRO Technology has entered into a strategic partnership with Sterling and Wilson Data Center (SWDC) by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on the Kemet Data Center project located in the Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZONE). Under this agreement, SWDC will serve as the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) contractor, overseeing key responsibilities such as design, planning, budgeting, and timeline management.
That partnership is significant for enhancing Egypt’s digital infrastructure and solidifying the country’s role as a leader in the data centre and cloud services industry. The Kemet Data Center is designed to meet the growing demand for cloud services, the Internet of Things (IoT), and digital transformation across the Middle East and Africa, providing secure and scalable data storage solutions.
Both Hatem Suliman, Vice Chairman and Group CEO of INTRO Holding, and Prasanna Sarambale, CEO of SWDC, expressed their enthusiasm for the collaboration, emphasising their commitment to international standards and alignment with Egypt’s Vision 2030. The partnership is crucial as it combines the technological expertise of INTRO Technology with SWDC’s extensive experience in constructing high-quality data centres.
Why does it matter?
By enhancing the digital infrastructure in Egypt, the Kemet Data Center will position the country as a competitive hub for international investments, foster economic growth, and support job creation. Ultimately, this collaboration will facilitate access to advanced digital solutions, driving innovation and contributing to Egypt’s strategic vision for a digitally transformed economy.
The Commerce Department’s IoT Advisory Board has recommended that car dealers display privacy disclosures on vehicle windshields, urging government agencies and Congress to mandate this requirement. The report, developed with the officials from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), suggests including easy-to-understand privacy information on vehicle windshields, such as whether vehicles collect personal data and options for universal opt-outs.
This initiative aims to enhance consumer protection amid growing concerns over data privacy in connected cars. The board noted automakers often need to inform consumers about data practices adequately. Despite opposition from the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, the recommendation was adopted after a briefing highlighted the potential benefits of such labelling for consumer awareness.
“So many consumers tell us they had no idea their car is ‘a smartphone on wheels’ that can transmit data to the manufacturer and other companies,” said Amico, who runs Privacy4Cars, a privacy technology company which helps consumers and businesses better understand data privacy concerns related to connected cars.
The report will be considered by a federal working group tasked with determining whether legislation or executive action is needed to implement the recommendations, including regulating third-party data sharing and simplifying privacy policies. The advisory board emphasised that this initiative could set a global standard for IoT device privacy. A few countries, e.g. Singapore, have created comprehensive standards around consumer Internet of Things devices, such as cybersecurity labelling schemes.
A radio station in Krakow, Poland, has ignited controversy by replacing its human journalists with AI-generated presenters, marking what it claims to be ‘the first experiment in Poland.’ OFF Radio Krakow relaunched this week after laying off its staff, introducing virtual avatars aimed at engaging younger audiences on cultural, social, and LGBTQ+ topics.
The move has faced significant backlash, particularly from former journalist Mateusz Demski, who penned an open letter warning that this shift could set a dangerous precedent for job losses in the media and creative sectors. His petition against the change quickly gathered over 15,000 signatures, highlighting widespread public concern about the implications of using AI in broadcasting.
Station head Marcin Pulit defended the layoffs, stating that they were due to the station’s low listenership rather than the introduction of AI. However, Deputy Prime Minister Krzysztof Gawkowski called for regulations on AI usage, emphasising the need to establish boundaries for its application in media.
On its first day back on air, the station featured an AI-generated interview with the late Polish poet Wisława Szymborska. Michał Rusinek, president of the Wisława Szymborska Foundation, expressed support for the project, suggesting that the poet would have found the use of her name in this context humorous. As OFF Radio Krakow ventures into this new territory, discussions around the role of AI in journalism and its effects on employment are intensifying.
Ofcom has linked the violent unrest in England and Northern Ireland during the summer to the rapid spread of harmful content on social media platforms. The media regulator found that disinformation and illegal posts circulated widely online following the Southport stabbings in July, which sparked the disorder.
While some platforms acted swiftly to remove inflammatory content, others were criticised for uneven responses. Experts highlighted the significant influence of social media in driving divisive narratives during the crisis, with some calling for platforms to be held accountable for unchecked dangerous content.
Ofcom, which has faced criticism for its handling of the situation, argued that its enhanced powers under the forthcoming Online Safety Act were not yet in force at the time. The new legislation will introduce stricter responsibilities for tech firms in tackling harmful content and disinformation.
The unrest, the worst seen in the United Kingdom in a decade, resulted in arrests and public scrutiny of tech platforms. A high-profile row erupted between the Prime Minister and Elon Musk, after the billionaire suggested that civil war was inevitable following the disorder, a claim strongly rebuked by Sir Keir Starmer.
Nexus and Utimaco have joined forces to enhance security for mobile identities, IoT devices, and critical infrastructure. The strategic partnership reflects a commitment to addressing escalating cybersecurity threats, especially as organisations increasingly adopt mobile-first environments and connected devices.
At the core of this collaboration are integrated security solutions that combine Nexus’ Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) platform with Utimaco’s Hardware Security Module (HSM) and encryption technologies. Specifically, these capabilities enable organisations to issue PKI-based mobile identities for secure access and authentication without traditional passwords while simultaneously allowing manufacturers to assign trusted identities to IoT devices during production.
Furthermore, the solutions support compliance with regulations such as VS-NfD and the EU Cyber Resilience Act (CRA), ensuring that sensitive information is protected and mitigating risks associated with counterfeit products and unauthorised access. A practical application of these integrated solutions is already evident in a major European telecommunications provider, which has successfully secured the provisioning and communication of its IoT devices, significantly reducing risks and maintaining regulatory compliance.
That partnership represents a proactive approach to cybersecurity, providing organisations with the tools needed to navigate the complexities of digital identity management and the secure deployment of connected devices. By leveraging each other’s expertise, Nexus and Utimaco aim to deliver robust solutions that enhance user convenience and strengthen overall security measures. As security threats evolve, the collaboration prioritises user flexibility and strong protection, paving the way for a more secure digital landscape.
Vietnam is committed to ensuring universal access to fibre-optic internet by 2030, aiming to connect every city, province, industrial facility, and household nationwide. The initiative includes launching at least two new international submarine cable routes and achieving 99% coverage of the 5G broadband network by the end of 2025, with a goal for all internet users to benefit from fibre-optic connections offering speeds of at least 1 Gbps.
Additionally, each citizen will have access to one Internet of Things (IoT) connection and a digital identity, with over 70% of adults expected to possess a digital or electronic signature by 2030. To support this digital transformation, Vietnam plans to establish hyper-scale, AI-supportive, and edge data centres that meet international standards while focusing on attracting domestic and international investments in digital infrastructure.
Enhancing digital infrastructure is vital for Vietnam’s socioeconomic growth and competitiveness in the global market. The government seeks to create a robust economic foundation that supports innovation and drives sustainable development by investing in and improving its digital capabilities. As Vietnam positions itself in the digital age, these strategic initiatives will empower citizens with greater access to technology and bolster the nation’s economic resilience and global standing.
Donald Trump, the Republican candidate for the 2024 United States presidential election, has vowed to prosecute Google if he wins the November election. Trump claimed, without evidence, that the tech giant only displays negative stories about him while favouring positive coverage for Democratic rival Kamala Harris.
Posting on Truth Social, Trump accused Google of ‘illegally’ interfering with the election by promoting biased search results. He said he would ask the Justice Department to investigate the company if they fail to act before he potentially returns to the presidency.
This isn’t the first time Trump has accused Google of such behaviour. In 2019, he made similar claims, alleging the company promoted negative coverage of him during the 2016 presidential election. Google dismissed the accusations at the time.
Recently, some Trump supporters have revived the allegations. Elon Musk accused Google of having a search ban on Trump in July, just days after an assassination attempt on the former president.
Google has restricted the creation of new accounts for Russian users, according to Russia‘s digital ministry. The move follows mounting pressure on the tech giant over its failure to remove content deemed illegal by Moscow and for blocking Russian media channels on YouTube following the invasion of Ukraine. Telecom operators have also reported a sharp decline in the number of SMS messages sent by Google to Russian users.
The digital ministry warned there is no guarantee that two-factor authentication SMS confirmations will continue functioning for Google services. It advised users to back up their data and consider alternative authentication methods or domestic platforms. Google had already deactivated AdSense accounts in Russia in August and halted serving ads in the country in March 2022.
Google has blocked over 1,000 YouTube channels linked to state-sponsored Russian media, as well as more than 5.5 million videos. Slower speeds on YouTube in Russia have been recorded recently, with Russian lawmakers blaming the issue on Google’s equipment, a claim the company disputes.
China and Africa cooperate to enhance digital infrastructure, which has emerged as a cornerstone of their evolving economic partnership. Over the past decade, substantial investments from Chinese enterprises have facilitated the construction of essential digital frameworks across Africa.
That includes initiatives such as laying extensive fibre optic cables, establishing robust 5G networks and creating data centres that ensure high-speed connectivity. As a direct consequence of this collaboration, millions of people are now connected, and local economies are being transformed through expanded e-commerce opportunities. Notably, the surge in digital trade has opened new avenues for economic growth in African nations, attracting vital investments and fostering entrepreneurship.
Moreover, Chinese companies have played a crucial role in this transformative process by offering technical support, financial backing, and infrastructure development. Consequently, these efforts have contributed to a vibrant marketplace where an increasing number of online shoppers can access a diverse range of goods and services. Additionally, efforts to promote sustainable development are evident in the improvements to service trade and the establishment of resilient financial infrastructures. By leveraging advancements in digital technology, the partnership optimises sectors such as transport and tourism, enhancing operational efficiency and user experiences.
Why does this matter?
Furthermore, as financial technology (fintech) rapidly evolves, there is a focus on bolstering the stability of financial systems in African countries. By harnessing technologies like blockchain, IoT, and AI, Chinese financial institutions collaborate with local partners to create innovative service models, addressing financial risks and fostering an investment-friendly environment. Through initiatives like the Belt and Road Initiative, both regions are committed to advancing digital transformation while ensuring economic growth aligns with sustainable practices that benefit future generations.
