Jurisdiction

EU regulators to drop Apple probe after compliance changes

EU antitrust regulators are preparing to close their year-long investigation into Apple’s web browser options on iPhones.

The inquiry, launched under the Digital Markets Act (DMA), examined whether Apple’s design restricted users from easily switching to rival browsers or search engines.

Changes implemented by the company have addressed the concerns of the European Commission, leading regulators to conclude the case.

The probe, which began in March last year, was part of the EU’s broader effort to ensure fair competition in digital markets.

Apple made modifications to its browser settings to comply with the new regulations, avoiding potential fines or further legal action. These changes align with the goal of the European Union to prevent dominant technology firms from imposing unfair restrictions on users.

Regulators are expected to officially close the investigation soon, marking a significant step in enforcing the DMA. The outcome highlights the EU’s growing influence over global tech policies, compelling major companies like Apple to adjust their practices to meet stricter competition standards.

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DNA-testing firm 23andMe faces financial collapse

23andMe has filed for bankruptcy in the US after struggling with declining demand for its ancestry kits and a major data breach in 2023.

The firm, once valued at nearly $6 billion, has seen its market worth plummet, with shares dropping 50% to just 88 cents after co-founder Anne Wojcicki resigned as CEO. The company will continue operating during the sale process, securing $35 million in financing over the weekend.

Concerns have been raised about the fate of genetic data collected from customers, particularly as 23andMe has made multiple deals with pharmaceutical and biotech firms.

While the company insists the bankruptcy will not affect how data is managed, California’s attorney general has urged users to delete their information amid privacy concerns. Experts warn that while accounts can be deleted, some data may still exist in anonymised form.

The firm’s decline has been worsened by its inability to retain customers, as most users only purchase a kit once. The 2023 data breach, exposing the personal details of nearly 7 million users, further damaged its reputation, leading to a $30 million legal settlement.

Wojcicki, who had made several failed buyout attempts, has signalled her intention to bid again, but 23andMe has not disclosed any other potential buyers.

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US-India trade negotiations intensify over tariff disputes

India is prepared to lower tariffs on over half of US imports worth $23 billion in a bid to ease trade tensions and prevent harsh reciprocal tariffs from Washington.

With US President Donald Trump set to impose new worldwide tariffs from 2 April, Indian officials fear the move could impact 87% of the country’s exports to the United States, prompting urgent negotiations between the two nations.

Trade talks are scheduled to begin this week, led by US Assistant Trade Representative Brendan Lynch.

While India is willing to make significant tariff cuts on a wide range of goods, government sources indicate that the concessions will depend on securing relief from US duties.

Sensitive items such as meat, wheat, maize, and dairy products remain off the table, but reductions may be possible for almonds, pistachios, and certain grains. India is also pushing for a phased reduction of its automobile tariffs, which currently exceed 100%.

Despite efforts by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to strengthen ties with Washington, Trump has repeatedly criticised India’s tariff policies, labelling the country a ‘tariff abuser.’

The Modi administration is weighing broader tariff reforms but faces domestic political challenges in implementing sweeping reductions. Experts suggest that while external pressure from the US might drive some changes, major across-the-board cuts remain unlikely in the short term.

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SEC lawsuit against Elon Musk sparks political debate

The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) voted 4-1 to sue Elon Musk over his delayed disclosure of Twitter shares, a move that has sparked political controversy.

Republican Mark Uyeda, now the agency’s acting head, opposed the lawsuit, while the remaining commissioners, including fellow Republican Hester Peirce, supported it.

Uyeda reportedly asked enforcement staff to confirm the case was not politically motivated, but they declined, citing SEC procedures.

Musk’s failure to disclose his Twitter stake within the required timeframe allegedly saved him $150 million by allowing him to buy shares at lower prices.

The SEC attempted to settle the case in December, but Musk refused, accusing the agency of giving him an unreasonable deadline. Legal experts have questioned why the case took so long to be filed, with some suggesting the delay has undermined the SEC’s credibility.

The lawsuit is the latest in Musk’s long-running feud with the SEC, dating back to 2018 when the agency sued him over his tweets about taking Tesla private. He has until 4 April to respond to the summons.

Meanwhile, President Donald Trump has ordered a review of investigations conducted under Joe Biden, adding further political weight to the case.

Critics argue the SEC must enforce market rules consistently, while others see the timing as a potential sign of selective enforcement.

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Malaysia under scrutiny over semiconductor exports to China

Malaysia plans to tighten regulations on semiconductor shipments following US concerns over the potential transfer of high-end Nvidia chips to China.

Trade Minister Zafrul Aziz stated that the United States has urged Malaysia to closely monitor shipments, ensuring that advanced AI chips do not end up in unauthorised locations.

The move comes amid increasing global scrutiny over AI-related technology exports.

Authorities in Malaysia are also investigating whether local laws were breached in a case involving servers linked to a Singapore fraud investigation.

The case involves transactions worth $390 million, and reports suggest that some servers may have contained Nvidia chips subject to US export controls. Singapore media have linked the matter to potential transfers to Chinese AI company DeepSeek.

The United States has been tightening restrictions on advanced semiconductor exports to China, particularly chips crucial to AI development.

Malaysia’s role as a key semiconductor hub has drawn greater attention, with US officials pushing for stricter oversight.

The government is expected to introduce measures to ensure compliance with international regulations while maintaining its position in the global chip supply chain.

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Meta agrees to halt targeted ads in landmark UK privacy case

Meta, the owner of Facebook and Instagram, has agreed to stop targeting a UK citizen with personalised adverts as part of a settlement in a landmark privacy case.

The case, which avoided a high court trial, was brought by human rights campaigner Tanya O’Carroll in 2022, who claimed Meta had violated UK data laws by processing her personal data for targeted advertising without her consent.

O’Carroll’s case received support from the UK’s data watchdog, the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), which stated that users have the right to opt out of targeted ads.

The settlement has been hailed as a victory for O’Carroll, with potential implications for millions of social media users in the UK. Meta, however, disagreed with the claims. Instead of this, the company was considering introducing a subscription model in the UK for users who want an advert-free version of its platforms.

The ICO’s stance in favour of privacy rights could prompt similar lawsuits in the future, as users are increasingly demanding control over how their data is used online.

O’Carroll argued that the case demonstrated the growing desire for more control over surveillance advertising and said that the ICO’s support could encourage more people to object to targeted ads.

Meta, which generates most of its revenue from advertising, emphasised that it took its privacy obligations seriously and was exploring the option of a paid, ad-free service for UK users.

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MetaAI rolls out in Europe after regulatory hurdles

MetaAI, Meta’s AI chat function, is set to launch across Europe after delays caused by regulatory scrutiny regarding the use of personal data to train its models.

The European Commission is reviewing a risk assessment from Meta to ensure that the new feature complies with the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA). However, this regulation mandates companies to submit risk assessments in advance of deploying new functions.

MetaAI was first launched in the US in September 2023, followed by India in June 2024, and the UK in October.

However, its European rollout was delayed last summer after the Irish Data Protection Commission raised concerns about using data from Facebook and Instagram users for AI training.

Meta faced criticism over Europe’s regulatory approach, with company officials, including CEO Mark Zuckerberg, expressing frustration with the delays.

Despite the regulatory hurdles, Meta is now moving forward with its plans to bring MetaAI to the EU, with the company noting that the process has taken longer than expected due to Europe’s complex regulatory landscape.

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Whistle-blower claims Meta is hindering legislative engagement

Former Facebook executive turned whistle-blower Sarah Wynn-Williams says Meta is preventing her from speaking to lawmakers about her experiences at the company following the release of her memoir Careless People. Meta filed for emergency arbitration the day her book was published, claiming it violated a non-disparagement agreement she signed upon leaving.

An arbitrator then temporarily barred her from promoting the book or making any critical remarks about Meta. As a result, Wynn-Williams says she cannot respond to requests from US, UK, and the EU lawmakers who want to speak with her about serious public interest issues raised in her memoir.

These include Meta’s alleged ties with the Chinese government and the platform’s impact on teenage girls. Her lawyers argue the arbitration order unfairly blocks her from contributing to ongoing investigations and legislative inquiries.

Meta maintains it does not intend to interfere with Wynn-Williams’ legal rights and insists the claims in her book are outdated or false. The company also points out that she can still file complaints with government agencies.

Wynn-Williams has filed whistle-blower complaints with the SEC and the Department of Justice. Her memoir, which describes internal controversies at Meta — including sexual harassment claims and the company’s ambitions in China — debuted on the New York Times best-seller list.

Despite Meta’s legal pushback, her legal team argues that silencing her voice is a disservice to the public and lawmakers working to address the social media giant’s influence and accountability.

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US judiciary faces pressure as Trump challenges court rulings

Donald Trump has called on the Supreme Court to restrict the power of federal judges to issue nationwide injunctions that block his administration’s policies.

The appeal follows legal challenges to several of his initiatives, including efforts to limit automatic birthright citizenship. In a social media post, Trump warned that if the court did not act, the United States would face serious consequences.

The Justice Department has asked the Supreme Court to narrow three nationwide injunctions that have halted Trump’s birthright citizenship order.

Chief Justice John Roberts recently criticised Trump for calling for the impeachment of a federal judge who ruled against a policy involving deportation flights to Venezuela. Roberts stressed that judicial decisions should be challenged through appeals rather than political intervention.

Nationwide injunctions have historically been used against both Republican and Democratic administrations, with courts previously blocking major policies under President Joe Biden.

The legal battle highlights growing tensions between the White House and the judiciary, as Trump’s sweeping executive actions continue to face significant legal obstacles.

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US judge says Social Security unlawfully shared data with Musk’s aides

A federal judge has ruled that the Social Security Administration (SSA) likely violated privacy laws by granting Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) unrestricted access to millions of Americans’ personal data.

The ruling halts further data sharing and requires DOGE to delete unlawfully accessed records. United States District Judge Ellen Lipton Hollander stated that while tackling fraud is important, government agencies must not ignore privacy laws to achieve their goals.

The case has drawn attention to the extent of DOGE’s access to sensitive government databases, including Numident, which contains detailed personal information on Social Security applicants.

The SSA’s leadership allowed DOGE staffers to review vast amounts of data in an effort to identify fraudulent payments. Critics, including advocacy groups and labour unions, argue that the process lacked proper oversight and risked compromising individuals’ privacy.

The ruling marks a major legal setback for DOGE, which has been expanding its influence across multiple federal agencies. The White House condemned the decision, calling it judicial overreach, while SSA officials indicated they would comply with the order.

The controversy highlights growing concerns over government data security and the limits of executive power in managing public records.

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