China’s antitrust regulator is reportedly preparing to investigate Apple’s App Store policies and fees, including its 30% commission on in-app purchases and restrictions on external payment services. The move follows recent measures targeting US businesses, including Google and fashion brand Calvin Klein, just as new US tariffs on Chinese goods emerged. Apple’s shares fell 2.6% in premarket trading following the news.
The investigation, led by the State Administration for Market Regulation, comes after ongoing discussions between Chinese regulators, Apple executives, and app developers over the past year. While neither Apple nor the Chinese antitrust regulator has commented on the matter, the move is seen as part of broader scrutiny of US companies operating in China.
In a separate development, Google was also accused of violating China’s anti-monopoly laws, with experts speculating the probe could be linked to Google’s Android operating system and its influence over Chinese mobile manufacturers. Additionally, China’s Commerce Ministry added PVH Corp, the owner of brands like Calvin Klein, to its “unreliable entity” list.
A former Google software engineer faces additional charges in the US for allegedly stealing AI trade secrets to benefit Chinese companies. Prosecutors announced a 14-count indictment against Linwei Ding, also known as Leon Ding, accusing him of economic espionage and theft of trade secrets. Each charge carries significant prison terms and fines.
Ding, a Chinese national, was initially charged last March and remains free on bond. His case is being handled by a US task force established to prevent the transfer of advanced technology to countries such as China and Russia.
Prosecutors claim Ding stole information on Google’s supercomputing data centres used to train large AI models, including confidential chip blueprints intended to give the company a competitive edge.
Ding allegedly began his thefts in 2022 after being recruited by a Chinese technology firm. By 2023, he had uploaded over 1,000 confidential files and shared a presentation with employees of a startup he founded, citing China’s push for AI development.
Google has cooperated with authorities but has not been charged in the case. Discussions between prosecutors and defence lawyers indicate the case may go to trial.
A federal judge in California has indicated that some aspects of Elon Musk’s lawsuit against OpenAI may proceed to trial. Musk will be required to testify, with a jury ultimately deciding the outcome. The lawsuit challenges OpenAI’s transition from a nonprofit to a for-profit entity, a move Musk argues contradicts its original mission.
Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers is reviewing Musk’s request to block OpenAI’s conversion before the trial. While she has not yet ruled on the injunction, she suggested Musk’s legal team may need to present more evidence. OpenAI’s lawyers argue that the restructuring is necessary to secure investment and continue developing advanced AI models.
The dispute has intensified as OpenAI seeks billions in funding, which is conditional on its corporate restructuring. Experts note that such nonprofit-to-for-profit transitions are rare, typically occurring in healthcare rather than AI startups. OpenAI maintains that Musk should compete in the market rather than pursue legal action.
The European Commission has unveiled new guidelines restricting how AI can be used in workplaces and online services. Employers will be prohibited from using AI to monitor workers’ emotions, while websites will be banned from using AI-driven techniques that manipulate users into spending money. These measures are part of the EU’s Artificial Intelligence Act, which takes full effect in 2026, though some rules, including the ban on certain practices, apply from February 2024.
The AI Act also prohibits social scoring based on unrelated personal data, AI-enabled exploitation of vulnerable users, and predictive policing based solely on biometric data. AI-powered facial recognition CCTV for law enforcement will be heavily restricted, except under strict conditions. The EU has given member states until August to designate authorities responsible for enforcing these rules, with breaches potentially leading to fines of up to 7% of a company’s global revenue.
Europe’s approach to AI regulation is significantly stricter than that of the United States, where compliance is voluntary, and contrasts with China‘s model, which prioritises state control. The guidelines aim to provide clarity for businesses and enforcement agencies while ensuring AI is used ethically and responsibly across the region.
Belgium‘s data protection authority has received a complaint about Chinese AI firm DeepSeek, potentially leading to an investigation. A spokesperson confirmed the complaint but declined to provide further details while the case is being handled.
Regulators in Luxembourg have not received any complaints but are monitoring DeepSeek’s latest AI model, citing potential risks for users. The country’s data protection agency is considering a broader review in collaboration with European regulators.
Authorities across Europe may examine how DeepSeek processes user data. The European Data Protection Board could play a role in assessing the AI company’s compliance with privacy laws.
Donald Trump has said there is significant interest in purchasing TikTok, as his administration looks to broker a sale of the Chinese-owned app. The former president posted on Truth Social, stating that such a deal would benefit China and all involved parties.
The fate of TikTok remains uncertain following a US law that requires ByteDance, its Chinese parent company, to sell the app or face a nationwide ban. The law came into effect on 19 January, raising concerns over national security and data privacy.
After taking office, Trump signed an executive order delaying the enforcement of the law by 75 days, allowing more time for negotiations. The move has reignited debate over foreign ownership of technology platforms and their impact on US security.
Belgium‘s new government, led by Prime Minister Bart De Wever, has announced plans to utilise AI tools in law enforcement, including facial recognition technology for detecting criminals. The initiative will be overseen by Vanessa Matz, the country’s first federal minister for digitalisation, AI, and privacy. The AI policy is set to comply with the EU’s AI Act, which bans high-risk systems like facial recognition but allows exceptions for law enforcement under strict regulations.
Alongside AI applications, the Belgian government also aims to combat disinformation by promoting transparency in online platforms and increasing collaboration with tech companies and media. The government’s approach to digitalisation also includes a long-term strategy to improve telecom infrastructure, focusing on providing ultra-fast internet access to all companies by 2030 and preparing for potential 6G rollouts.
The government has outlined a significant digital strategy that seeks to balance technological advancements with strong privacy and legal protections. As part of this, they are working on expanding camera legislation for smarter surveillance applications. These moves are part of broader efforts to strengthen the country’s digital capabilities in the coming years.
Apple has criticised the availability of a pornography app on iPhones in the European Union, blaming the Digital Markets Act (DMA) for undermining consumer trust. The regulation, which took effect in 2022, forced Apple to permit alternative app stores, leading to the distribution of an adult content app called Hot Tub via AltStore.
Apple expressed concern about the safety risks posed by such apps, particularly for younger users. AltStore, which received financial backing from Epic Games, stated that Apple’s notarisation process approved Hot Tub. Apple, however, dismissed this claim, insisting that EU rules compelled it to allow the app but that it would never have accepted it in its own store.
Epic Games’ CEO defended laws like the DMA, arguing that Apple had previously abused its control over competing apps. Despite its support for AltStore’s expansion, Epic Games clarified that its own app store in the EU does not carry the Hot Tub app and has never hosted pornographic content.
Google and Epic Games presented arguments before a US appeals court as Google attempted to overturn a jury verdict and a judge’s order requiring changes to its app store. Google’s lawyer argued that the trial judge made errors that unfairly benefited Epic, which had accused the company of monopolising access to apps on Android devices. A San Francisco jury previously ruled that Google had stifled competition.
The judge ordered Google to allow users to download rival app stores within its Play Store and to make its app catalogue available to competitors. Google’s appeal has put the ruling on hold, with its lawyer contending that the company faces strong competition from Apple’s App Store and was unfairly restricted from making that argument. Epic’s lawyer rejected Google’s claims, insisting that its dominance had harmed competition for years.
A judge on the appeals panel challenged Google’s position, highlighting key differences between Apple’s and Android’s business models. Google also argued that Epic’s case should not have gone before a jury, as it did not seek damages. Epic countered that the Play Store changes were necessary and disputed Google’s concerns about privacy and security.
The US Justice Department, Federal Trade Commission, and Microsoft have backed Epic in the case. A decision from the appeals court is expected later in the year, with the possibility of further escalation to the US Supreme Court.
President Donald Trump has signed an executive order directing the creation of a US sovereign wealth fund within a year. The order tasks the Treasury and Commerce Departments with presenting a detailed plan within 90 days, outlining funding sources, investment strategies, and governance. The US, which operates at a deficit, would need congressional approval to establish such a fund.
Trump has long supported the idea of a government investment vehicle, suggesting it could finance major infrastructure projects and other national initiatives. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent indicated that the fund would be structured to monetise US assets for public benefit. One proposal involves repurposing the US International Development Finance Corp (DFC) to function similarly to sovereign wealth funds found in other nations.
Congressional approval is likely necessary, as such a fund typically relies on surplus revenue. Experts have questioned its viability, given the country’s financial position. Investors expressed surprise, noting that sovereign wealth funds usually stem from accumulated savings rather than deficits. Despite this, Trump remains confident in the initiative.
A surprising element of Trump’s announcement was the suggestion that the sovereign wealth fund could purchase TikTok. The app, which faces regulatory pressure over national security concerns, has been in limbo as its Chinese owner, ByteDance, explores potential sales. Trump stated that a decision on TikTok’s future could be reached in February.
