Meta Platforms and Amazon have announced plans to wind down their diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, reflecting shifting political and legal land scapes as Donald Trump prepares to return to the US presidency. Meta, in an internal memo, revealed it is discontinuing DEI programs related to hiring, training, and supplier selection, while Amazon is phasing out its representation and inclusion efforts, targeting completion by late 2024.
These moves come amid growing conservative opposition to DEI initiatives, which critics argue promote preferential treatment. The trend has gained momentum following a 2023 Supreme Court ruling that struck down affirmative action in university admissions. Meta Vice President Janelle Gale noted the legal shift, explaining that the term ‘DEI’ has become polarising, and courts are signalling changes in their approach to such programs.
Meta has also made high-profile changes to align with conservative leadership, elevating Republican Joel Kaplan as its chief global affairs officer and adding UFC CEO Dana White, a close Trump ally, to its board. The company’s relationship with Trump has softened recently, with Meta pledging $1 million to his inaugural fund in December. These developments mark a departure from the company’s previous focus on inclusive policies following the 2020 protests against racial injustice.
As political and cultural pressures mount, corporate America’s retreat from DEI programs signals a broader shift in how businesses approach diversity and inclusion, navigating the intersection of public sentiment, legal rulings, and political dynamics.
President Joe Biden is preparing to introduce a new executive order aimed at strengthening cybersecurity standards for federal agencies and contractors. The proposed measures address growing threats from Chinese-linked cyber operations and criminal cyberattacks, which have targeted critical infrastructure, government emails, and major telecom firms. Under the draft order, contractors must adhere to stricter secure software development practices and provide documentation to be verified by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA).
The order highlights vulnerabilities exposed by recent cyber incidents, including the May 2023 breach of US government email accounts, attributed to Chinese hackers. New guidelines will also focus on securing access tokens and cryptographic keys, which were exploited during the attack. Contractors whose security practices fail to meet standards may face legal consequences, with referrals to the attorney general for further action.
While experts like Tom Kellermann of Contrast Security support the initiative, some criticise the timeline as insufficient given the immediate threats posed by adversaries like China and Russia. Brandon Wales of SentinelOne views the order as a continuation of efforts across the past two administrations, emphasising the need to enhance existing cybersecurity frameworks while addressing a broad range of threats.
The order underscores Biden’s commitment to cybersecurity as a pressing national security issue. It comes amid escalating concerns about foreign cyber operations and aims to solidify protections for critical US systems before the transition to new leadership.
A US waste management firm has introduced AI-powered electric garbage trucks to reduce fire risks caused by improperly disposed lithium-ion batteries. The vehicles, showcased at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, can detect batteries in rubbish loads before they reach recycling centres, preventing potential fires.
Lithium-ion batteries, commonly used in gadgets like phones and toothbrushes, are highly flammable and often slip through existing detection systems at recycling facilities. Fires linked to these batteries have caused significant damage, with several US recycling centres burning down annually. The new trucks allow drivers to flag sensitive collections and alert facilities in advance.
The advanced trucks, developed by industrial firm Oshkosh, also come with electric arm technology to speed up collections and AI software to spot contamination in recycling bins. These features help reduce risks, improve efficiency, and allow companies to hold customers accountable for improper recycling. Waste management officials see electrification as a key step, as garbage trucks typically travel shorter distances, making them ideal for battery-powered operation.
US antitrust regulators provided legal insights on Elon Musk’s lawsuit against OpenAI and Microsoft, alleging anticompetitive practices. While not taking a formal stance, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and Department of Justice (DOJ) highlighted key legal doctrines supporting Musk’s claims ahead of a court hearing in Oakland, California. Musk, a co-founder of OpenAI and now leading AI startup xAI, accuses OpenAI of enforcing restrictive agreements and sharing board members with Microsoft to stifle competition.
The lawsuit also claims OpenAI orchestrated an investor boycott against rivals. Regulators noted such boycotts are legally actionable, even if the alleged organiser isn’t directly involved. OpenAI has denied these allegations, labelling them baseless harassment. Meanwhile, the FTC is conducting a broader probe into AI partnerships, including those between Microsoft and OpenAI, to assess potential antitrust violations.
Microsoft declined to comment on the case, while OpenAI pointed to prior court filings refuting Musk’s claims. However, the FTC and DOJ stressed that even former board members, like Reid Hoffman, could retain sensitive competitive information, reinforcing Musk’s concerns about anticompetitive practices.
Musk’s legal team sees the regulators’ involvement as validation of the seriousness of the case, underscoring the heightened scrutiny around AI collaborations and their impact on competition.
Taiwan is optimistic about the limited impact of US President-elect Donald Trump’s proposed tariffs on semiconductor exports, citing the nation’s technological edge in the global chip industry. On Friday, economy Minister Kuo Jyh-huei emphasised that Taiwan’s advanced semiconductor processes, led by industry giant TSMC, maintain an irreplaceable position in the supply chain for major companies like Apple and Nvidia.
Despite Trump’s pledges for sweeping tariffs—10% on global imports and up to 60% on Chinese goods—Taiwanese policymakers acknowledged potential challenges for the island’s export-driven economy. However, Kuo reassured that the chip sector’s resilience lies in its technological leadership, which mitigates the risk of significant disruption.
To adapt to the shifting trade landscape, Taiwan plans to help companies relocate parts of their supply chains to the United States if necessary. The island also aims to deepen cooperation in industries like aerospace and advanced technology by fostering ties with US and Japanese firms. This includes establishing a dedicated office in Japan to bolster collaboration on AI and drone development, Kuo said.
Taiwan’s proactive approach reflects its strategic positioning in global trade and its commitment to maintaining robust economic ties amid evolving US policies.
Google and Microsoft have each pledged $1 million to support Donald Trump’s upcoming presidential inauguration, joining other tech giants such as Meta, Amazon, and Apple’s Tim Cook in contributing significant sums. The donations appear to be part of broader strategies by these companies to maintain access to political leadership in a rapidly changing regulatory environment.
Google, which has faced threats from Trump regarding potential break-ups, aims to secure goodwill through financial contributions and online visibility, including a YouTube livestream of the inauguration. Microsoft has also maintained steady political donations, previously giving $500,000 to Trump’s first inauguration as well as to President Joe Biden’s ceremony.
This alignment with Trump marks a notable trend of tech companies seeking to protect their interests, particularly as issues like antitrust regulations and data privacy laws remain in political crosshairs. With both tech giants navigating a landscape of increased government scrutiny, their contributions indicate a cautious approach to preserving influence at the highest levels of power.
These donations reflect a pragmatic move by Silicon Valley, where cultivating political ties is seen as a way to safeguard business operations amid shifting political dynamics.
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has condemned Meta’s decision to discontinue its fact-checking program in the United States, calling it a grave issue. Speaking in Brasília on Thursday, Lula emphasised the need for accountability in digital communication, equating its responsibilities to those of traditional media. He announced plans to meet with government officials to discuss the matter.
Meta’s recent decision has prompted Brazilian prosecutors to seek clarification on whether the changes will affect the country. The company has been given 30 days to respond as part of an ongoing investigation into how social media platforms address misinformation and online violence in Brazil.
Justice Alexandre de Moraes of Brazil’s Supreme Court, known for his strict oversight of tech companies, reiterated that social media firms must adhere to Brazilian laws to continue operating in the country. Last year, he temporarily suspended X (formerly Twitter) over non-compliance with local regulations.
Meta has so far declined to comment on the matter in Brazil, fueling concerns over its commitment to tackling misinformation globally. The outcome of Brazil’s inquiry could have broader implications for how tech firms balance local laws with global policy changes.
Frank McCourt’s Project Liberty, along with a group of partners, has formally proposed a bid to acquire TikTok’s US assets from ByteDance. The consortium announced its intentions just ahead of ByteDance’s January 19 deadline to sell the platform or face a ban under legislation signed by President Joe Biden in April.
The group has gathered sufficient financial backing, including interest from private equity funds, family offices, and high-net-worth individuals, with debt financing from a leading US bank. The proposed value of the deal has not been disclosed.
McCourt stated the goal is to keep TikTok accessible to millions of US users without relying on its current algorithm while preventing a ban. Efforts are underway to engage with ByteDance, President-elect Trump, and the incoming administration to finalise the deal.
Nvidia has voiced strong opposition to a reported plan by the Biden administration to impose new restrictions on the export of AI chips, urging the outgoing president to avoid making a decision that could impact the incoming Trump administration. The company warned that such measures would harm the US economy, hinder innovation, and benefit adversaries like China. Nvidia’s Vice President, Ned Finkle, called the policy a “last-minute” move that would leave a legacy of criticism from both US industry and the global community.
The proposed restrictions, as reported by Bloomberg, aim to limit AI chip exports to certain countries, particularly targeting China to prevent the enhancement of its military capabilities. While some nations would face outright bans, the rules would also cap the computing power that can be exported to others. The Biden administration has yet to confirm the details, and requests for comment from the White House and the Commerce Department went unanswered.
Industry groups, including the Information Technology Industry Council, which represents major tech firms like Amazon, Microsoft, and Meta, have expressed concern about the policy. They argue that it would impose arbitrary limitations on US companies’ global competitiveness and risk ceding market leadership to foreign rivals. Nvidia warned that these restrictions could push international markets toward alternative technologies, undermining the US technology sector.
President-elect Donald Trump, who begins his second term on January 20, previously enacted technology export restrictions to China during his first term, citing national security concerns. Nvidia’s statement reflects apprehension about the continuity of US policy on AI chip exports under the new administration.
A hacker claims to have breached US location tracking company Gravy Analytics, leaking around 1.4 gigabytes of data. The allegation, shared on a Russian-language cybercriminal forum, included screenshots suggesting a data theft. Verification attempts were complicated as Gravy’s website remained offline and the company did not respond to messages.
Cybersecurity experts reviewing the leaked data found the breach credible. Marley Smith from RedSense and John Hammond from Huntress both confirmed the data appeared legitimate, though the hacker’s identity remains unclear.
The FTC expressed concerns that such data could be misused for stalking, blackmail, and espionage but declined to comment on the breach. FTC Chair Lina Khan recently warned that targeted advertising practices leave sensitive data highly vulnerable.
