2 – 9 May 2025

Dear readers,
Last week, the US Department of Justice (DOJ) moved to break up Google’s advertising technology business after a federal judge ruled that the company holds illegal monopolies across two markets. The DOJ is seeking the sale of Google’s AdX digital advertising marketplace and its DFP platform, which helps publishers manage their ad inventory.
The race for quantum computing is accelerating, as an Irish startup, Equal1, has unveiled the world’s first silicon-based quantum computer designed to integrate smoothly into existing data centres instead of requiring entirely new infrastructure.
President Donald Trump indicated he would extend the deadline set for the Chinese-owned company ByteDance to sell TikTok’s US operations if negotiations remain unfinished by 19 June.
Nvidia plans to redesign its AI chips to comply with tightened US export restrictions, aiming to retain its foothold in China instead of pulling back.
AMD expects to lose around US$1.5 billion in revenue this year because of new US export restrictions on advanced AI chips, which now require a license to be sold to China.
TikTok has been handed a €530 million ($600 million) fine by Ireland’s Data Protection Commissioner (DPC) over data privacy violations involving user information transfers to China.
Meta has restricted access to the prominent Instagram news account @Muslim for users in India at the request of the Indian government, the account’s founder said on Wednesday.
Gold and Bitcoin increased as investors waited for the Federal Reserve’s next move. At the same time, rising global tensions and trade worries kept markets on edge.
The USD1 stablecoin, backed by Donald Trump’s World Liberty Financial (WLFI), has quickly become the seventh-largest stablecoin.
Elon Musk has suggested that AI should replace many federal government workers, criticising the US administration as bloated and inefficient.
Microsoft has confirmed it does not allow employees to use the DeepSeek app, citing data security and propaganda concerns.
For the main updates and reflections, consult the Radar and Reading Corner below.
DW Team
RADAR
Highlights from the week of 2 – 9 May 2025
Finnish physicists propose a breakthrough theory uniting gravity and quantum mechanics.
The GENIUS Act failed to advance in the US Senate, with 48 votes against it, delaying progress on stablecoin regulation.
Critics warn that EU’s new AML rules could push parts of the crypto economy into black markets.
The future of quantum computing may depend on AI, and Nvidia is building the tools to make that future real, starting in Boston.
Origin Quantum unveils Tianji 4.0 to control 500-qubit quantum computers.
Sales and partnerships team affected as Google streamlines global business operations.
500 roles axed, AI prioritised: CrowdStrike’s new strategy highlights both the promise and pitfalls of relying on automation in high-stakes security environments.
Instead of increasing Microsoft’s role, OpenAI will limit its share of future revenue and maintain nonprofit oversight amid internal changes.
Market trading unaffected despite website access limits
Government institutions remained the top target for nation-state cyber threats.
The company plans to phase out roles that AI can handle, drawing criticism online.
READING CORNER
From liquid robots to mind-controlled speech, these inventions are challenging our understanding of what’s real and what’s science fiction.
The metaverse is no longer a question of ‘what if’ – it’s already being built. Digital twins, embedded governance, and the collapse of the digital–physical divide mark the next frontier.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Global Conference on Cyber Capacity Building
The Second edition of the Global Conference on Cyber Capacity Building (GC3B) is scheduled to convene in Geneva
The cost and benefits of using digital technology for elections in Africa ⏰ 16:00–17:30 EAT / 14:00–15:30 CEST / 12:00-13:30 UTC
From words to protection – how do cyber norms guide security of critical infrastructure? Announcing Chapter II of the Geneva Manual
Bridging waters and networks: Cybersecurity meets hydrodiplomacy @ Geneva Cyber week 2025 Date: Thursday, 15 May, from 14:00 to 15:00 CEST
âGeneva Cyber Week 2025 is an inaugural event that will occur from 12 to 16 May 2025 in Geneva, Switzerland. Co-organised by the UN Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR) and…
Hosted by the UN Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR), the Cyber Stability Conference 2025 is a flagship event addressing the growing complexity of cyber threats and their impact on international…
The Pan-European Dialogue on Internet Governance (EuroDIG) 2025 will take place from 12 to 14 May in Strasbourg, France, hosted by the Council of Europe in cooperation with the Luxembourg Presidency…
The Global Conference on Cyber Capacity Building (GC3B) 2025 will convene on 13–14 May 2025. Organised by the Global Forum on Cyber Expertise (GFCE) and hosted by the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign…