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Home | Newsletters & Shorts | DW Weekly #211 – DOJ targets Google’s ad business, Irish startup reveals quantum chip, Trump to extend TikTok deadline

DW Weekly #211 – DOJ targets Google’s ad business, Irish startup reveals quantum chip, Trump to extend TikTok deadline

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2 – 9 May 2025


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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

mit uses photons to link quantum processors directly

Finnish physicists propose a breakthrough theory uniting gravity and quantum mechanics.

cryptocurrency law in the us senate no people realistic look no cryptocurrency logos

The GENIUS Act failed to advance in the US Senate, with 48 votes against it, delaying progress on stablecoin regulation.

central bank digital currency european union

Critics warn that EU’s new AML rules could push parts of the crypto economy into black markets.

Screenshot 2023 08 09 at 12.57.10

The future of quantum computing may depend on AI, and Nvidia is building the tools to make that future real, starting in Boston.

china flag

Origin Quantum unveils Tianji 4.0 to control 500-qubit quantum computers.

google AI cloud layoffs

Sales and partnerships team affected as Google streamlines global business operations.

CrowdStrike Logo 2023 Primary Black

500 roles axed, AI prioritised: CrowdStrike’s new strategy highlights both the promise and pitfalls of relying on automation in high-stakes security environments.

microsoft openai

Instead of increasing Microsoft’s role, OpenAI will limit its share of future revenue and maintain nonprofit oversight amid internal changes.

stock market 6693060 1280

Market trading unaffected despite website access limits

cyber 4748849 1280

Government institutions remained the top target for nation-state cyber threats.

Duolingo Luis von Ahn AI model

The company plans to phase out roles that AI can handle, drawing criticism online.


READING CORNER
technological inventions ai and reality photo by chatgpt

From liquid robots to mind-controlled speech, these inventions are challenging our understanding of what’s real and what’s science fiction.

Blog Part 7 %E2%80%98Converging realities

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.

The evolving significance of soft power featured image
With increasing restrictions on the internet and fragmented digital landscapes, the traditional avenues for soft power are challenged.
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