Google Messages has introduced a playful new feature for Android users, letting certain emojis trigger full-screen animations in RCS chats.
Typing two identical emojis, like a pair of hearts or a thumbs up, can now spark lively ‘Screen Effects’ on your screen.
These effects build on phrase-triggered animations that launched in 2023, where typing phrases like ‘congratulations’ or ‘happy new year’ would activate colourful visuals.
Google hasn’t revealed a full list, encouraging users to uncover triggers naturally.
However, this update is part of Google’s push to keep Messages competitive with rivals like WhatsApp and iMessage.
Alongside emoji effects, the app has recently added better photo sharing, new security tools, and signs point to even more upgrades on the way.
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Google has unveiled its new Gemini 2.5 AI models, starting with the experimental Gemini 2.5 Pro version.
Described as ‘thinking models’, these AI systems are designed to demonstrate advanced reasoning abilities, including the capacity to analyse information, make logical conclusions, and handle complex problems with context and nuance.
The models aim to support more intelligent, context-aware AI agents in the future.
The Gemini 2.5 models improve on the Gemini 2.0 Flash Thinking model released in December, offering an enhanced base model and better post-training capabilities.
The Gemini 2.5 Pro model, which has already been rolled out for Gemini Advanced subscribers and is available in Google AI Studio, stands out for its strong reasoning and coding skills. It excels in maths and science benchmarks and can generate fully functional video games from simple prompts.
It is also expected to handle sophisticated tasks, from coding web apps to transforming and editing code. Google’s future plans involve incorporating these ‘thinking’ capabilities into all of its AI models, aiming to enhance their ability to tackle more complex challenges in various fields.
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Cybercriminals are using fake adverts for popular SEO platform Semrush to trick users into giving up access to their Google accounts, researchers have warned.
The malvertising campaign features ads that link to a bogus Semrush login page, which only allows users to sign in via Google, a tactic designed to steal high-value credentials.
According to Malwarebytes, Semrush accounts are often linked to critical Google services such as Analytics and Search Console.
These tools store confidential business insights, which threat actors could exploit for strategic and financial gain. The scammers may also access names, phone numbers, business details, and partial card information through compromised Semrush accounts.
By impersonating Semrush support, attackers could deceive users into revealing full card details under the pretence of payment or billing updates. However, this may open the door to wider fraud, such as redirecting funds from vendors or business partners.
With Semrush serving over 117,000 customers, including a significant share of Fortune 500 firms, the attack underscores the growing risks of malvertising on platforms like Google.
Security experts are urging businesses to tighten account access controls and remain cautious when engaging with search ads, even from seemingly reputable brands.
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Google has begun rolling out real-time AI features for its Gemini system, allowing it to analyse smartphone screens and camera feeds instantly. These capabilities, which will be available to select Google One AI Premium subscribers, build on the company’s earlier ‘Project Astra’ demonstration.
The live video feature will enable Gemini to interpret smartphone camera feeds in real time, providing users with instant answers and insights.
The new functionality also allows users to engage in back-and-forth conversations with Gemini based on their screen’s content. A Reddit user recently demonstrated the ‘Share screen with Live’ feature, accessible via the Gemini overlay, showcasing its ability to process and respond to information directly from a device’s display.
Google has confirmed that these updates will first roll out to Gemini Advanced subscribers under the Google One AI Premium Plan, with Pixel and Galaxy S25 owners among the first to gain access.
In addition to real-time AI video capabilities, Google has introduced ‘Canvas,’ a tool designed to help users refine documents and code seamlessly. Canvas allows for real-time edits and streamlines the process of developing prototypes for web apps, Python scripts, and other digital projects.
Another notable addition is ‘Audio Overview,’ which transforms written documents, slides, and research reports into podcast-style discussions between two AI-generated hosts.
An innovation like this aims to make complex information more engaging and accessible by delivering content in a conversational format. Google continues to expand Gemini’s capabilities, reinforcing its position at the forefront of AI-driven user experiences.
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Google has removed 10,000 fake business listings from Google Maps and filed a lawsuit against a scam network accused of creating and selling fraudulent profiles.
The legal action was prompted by a complaint from a Texas locksmith who discovered someone had impersonated their business on the platform. That led Google to uncover a broader scheme involving fake listings for profit.
The company warns that scammers are using increasingly advanced methods to trick users. These fake listings may appear legitimate, leading customers to contact or visit them.
Victims are sometimes overcharged for services or misled into paying upfront for services that are never delivered. Scammers also use fake reviews and manipulated Q&As to make the listings seem trustworthy.
In 2023 alone, Google blocked or removed 12 million fake business profiles, an increase of one million from the previous year.
The company has also been cracking down on businesses using fake engagement tactics, including artificial reviews, to inflate their reputations falsely.
Internationally, Google has begun implementing stricter rules in response to growing regulatory pressure, including in the UK, where it restricts deceptive businesses engaged in review manipulation.
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Google’s parent company, Alphabet, has sealed a $32 billion deal to acquire Wiz, an Israeli cybersecurity powerhouse, marking the largest acquisition in Google’s history. Announced on 18 March 2025, this deal did not just happen overnight; it is a tale of persistence, political shifts, and a fierce battle for dominance in the cloud security landscape. Let’s dive into what this means for cybersecurity, the tech industry, and the broader US-China tech rivalry to focus on what truly matters.
Accelerated negotiations under the Trump administration
The story starts nearly a year ago when Google first tried to snag Wiz for $23 billion in July 2024, but the deal fell through, spooked by fears of harsh antitrust scrutiny under the Biden administration. Fast forward to Donald Trump’s return to the White House in January 2025, and the circumstances shifted. Trump’s inauguration was the game changer. His appointees, Andrew Ferguson of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and Gail Slater overseeing antitrust at the Justice Department, signalled a friendlier stance toward big mergers. For Wiz and Google executives, this was the green light they had been waiting for. Talks that had sputtered since last fall suddenly kicked into high gear, culminating in a deal sweetened by a hefty $9 billion bump and a massive $3.2 billion breakup fee, over 10% of the deal’s value, if regulators block it.
Background on Wiz
Why the rush for Wiz? It is all about cloud security, a field growing more critical by the day as businesses shift online and cyber threats multiply. Wiz, founded in 2020 by ex-Israeli military tech experts, has soared to a $700 million annual revenue stream, with a 70% growth rate that is the industry’s envy. Its tech helps companies spot and fix risks across cloud platforms like Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, and, yes, Google Cloud. For Google, which trails Amazon and Microsoft in the cloud race, Wiz is a golden ticket to beef up its offerings.
Cybersecurity is no longer just a nice-to-have. Last year’s CrowdStrike outage showed how one glitch can cripple industries worldwide. Google’s cloud boss, Thomas Kurian, has relentlessly chased this prize, seeing Wiz as key to closing the gap with rivals.
But this deal is not without controversy. At $32 billion, it is a colossal bet, dwarfing Google’s previous big buy, Motorola Mobility, at $12.5 billion in 2012. The price tag reflects Wiz’s value, sure, but also the risk. Google is already tangled in two Justice Department lawsuits over its search and adtech dominance, and a deal this size could still draw a stern look, even under Trump’s lighter touch. Wiz executives, burned by watching Adobe’s $20 billion Figma bid crash in 2023 over antitrust woes, demanded that sky-high breakup fee as insurance. It is a rare move, most US deals hover around 4-7% for such fees, per a 2023 Fenwick and West study—but it shows how jittery both sides are about regulatory hurdles.
Implications for the cybersecurity landscape
Zoom out, and this acquisition fits into a larger chess game: the USA versus China in tech supremacy. On 17 March, the US Department of Commerce banned China’s DeepSeek AI from government devices, citing fears it could funnel data to Beijing. Wiz’s rise contrasts sharply with DeepSeek’s struggles; while the Chinese firm dazzles with cheap, clever AI models, it is hitting a wall of US restrictions. Google snapping up Wiz is not just about market share; it is a strategic grab to keep cutting-edge cybersecurity tech in Western hands. Israel’s knack for producing security stars—think Siemplify (bought by Google in 2022) or Adallom (snagged by Microsoft in 2015)—only amplifies this angle.
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Looking ahead
Here is the takeaway: our online life is more vulnerable than ever, and companies like Google are racing to lock it down. Wiz’s tools will stay platform-agnostic, meaning they will work across clouds, not just Google’s, a nod to keeping customers happy and regulators at bay. However, the $32 billion question is whether this merger will spark a wave of innovation or just tighten Big Tech’s grip. Experts, like Evelyn Mitchell-Wolf from EMARKETER, warn it will face ‘too much scrutiny to go through completely unimpeded’, given Google’s legal baggage. Others see it as a shot in the arm for startups, with Wiz’s early backers like Sequoia and Index Ventures willing to cash out billions, per PitchBook data.
The cybersecurity world is watching as the deal heads toward a 2026 close. Will Google turn Wiz into a juggernaut that shields us from digital chaos, or will it stumble under its weight, burdened by regulators or rivalries? One thing is clear: Alphabet has made a bold move in the high-stakes game of tech and security, and the board is far from settled.
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The launch of three data centres in Kuala Lumpur is part of Microsoft’s ongoing investment in Malaysia, aiming to turn the country into a hub for cloud and AI innovation.
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Zero draft resolution for Scientific Panel on AI and Global Dialogue on AI Governance published
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Apple faces EU crackdown over closed technology
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UNESCO’s Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence sets a global standard for AI governance. It provides a framework for policymakers to ensure AI development aligns with ethical and inclusive principles.
Google has unveiled a new feature called Mind Maps for its AI-powered research tool, NotebookLM. Mind maps are visual diagrams that help users understand complex subjects by displaying ideas and their connections.
An addition like this follows the recent release of Audio Overviews, which provide AI-generated podcasts summarising key points from documents, articles, and videos.
NotebookLM, which works in both free and paid versions, assists users in summarising content and offering interactive conversations with AI to deepen understanding.
The new Mind Maps feature lets users generate and explore visual connections between ideas. Once created, users can zoom, expand or collapse branches, and click on nodes for detailed information on specific topics.
The feature is particularly useful for students or anyone who needs to absorb a lot of information quickly. With the combined power of Mind Maps and Audio Overviews, NotebookLM offers a multi-faceted approach to learning, making it easier to navigate and retain key insights.
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Google has been charged with two violations of the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), while Apple has been ordered to allow greater interoperability with rival devices.
The European Commission accused Google of restricting app developers from promoting external offers outside its Play Store and favouring its own services, such as Google Flights, over competitors in search results. If found guilty, the company could face fines of up to 10% of its global annual revenue.
The Commission also directed Apple to make its iPhones and iPads more accessible to rival smartphone and accessory makers. Additionally, Apple must respond to app developers’ requests for interoperability with its systems within a set timeframe.
Both companies pushed back against the EU’s findings, with Google arguing that compliance could harm consumers and businesses, while Apple claimed the rules would slow innovation and unfairly benefit competitors.
Regulators have intensified their crackdown on Big Tech despite warnings from the United States government against targeting American firms.
Google has already been fined over €8 billion for previous antitrust violations in Europe, and failure to comply with the latest orders could lead to further penalties for both tech giants.
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Google has agreed to pay $28 million (€25.6 million) to settle a class action lawsuit alleging it favoured white and Asian employees by offering them higher pay and better career progression.
The case, which covered at least 6,632 employees in California between 2018 and 2024, won preliminary approval from a Santa Clara county judge last week.
The lawsuit was led by Ana Cantu, a former Google employee who claimed the company placed white and Asian workers in higher job levels while restricting promotions and pay increases for others.
Cantu, who worked in Google’s people operations and cloud departments for seven years, alleged she was denied career advancement despite performing well. She argued that Google’s practices violated the California Equal Pay Act.
A Google spokesperson confirmed the settlement but maintained that the company had not engaged in discriminatory treatment. A final hearing is scheduled for September, where the court will decide whether to grant full approval of the settlement.
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OpenAI and Google have urged the US government to allow AI models to be trained on copyrighted material under fair use.
The companies submitted feedback to the White House’s ‘AI Action Plan,’ arguing that restrictions could slow AI progress and give countries like China a competitive edge. Google stressed the importance of copyright and privacy exceptions, stating that text and data mining provisions are critical for innovation.
Anthropic also responded to the White House’s request but focused more on AI risks to national security and infrastructure rather than copyright concerns.
Meanwhile, OpenAI and Google are facing multiple lawsuits from news organisations and content creators, including Sarah Silverman and George R.R. Martin, who allege their works were used without permission for AI training.
Other companies, including Apple and Nvidia, have also been accused of improperly using copyrighted material, such as YouTube subtitles, to train AI models.
As legal challenges continue, major tech firms remain committed to pushing for regulations that support AI development while navigating the complexities of intellectual property rights.
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