According to state media reports, Iran has lifted its ban on Meta’s WhatsApp and Google Play, marking a tentative move toward easing internet restrictions. Known for its stringent online censorship, Iran has long restricted access to US-based platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube, though many Iranians bypass these blocks using virtual private networks.
The decision, announced after a meeting led by President Masoud Pezeshkian, reflects a ‘positive majority vote’ to restore access to some popular foreign platforms. Information and Communications Technology Minister Sattar Hashemi hailed the move as the ‘first step in removing internet limitations.’
Social media has played a significant role in Iran, particularly as a tool for organising anti-government protests. In response to such restrictions, the United States has urged Big Tech companies to support efforts to circumvent censorship in countries like Iran.
A recent cybersecurity breach involving US healthcare platform ConnectOnCall has compromised sensitive information belonging to more than 910,000 patients. The telehealth service, owned by Phreesia, experienced unauthorised access between February and May 2024, exposing names, phone numbers, medical details, and in some cases, Social Security numbers. Phreesia promptly took action after discovering the breach, enlisting cybersecurity experts and notifying federal authorities.
ConnectOnCall facilitates after-hours communication for healthcare providers, making the data theft particularly alarming due to the permanent and sensitive nature of health records. Cybercriminals may use this information for identity theft, fraudulent insurance claims, and targeted phishing attacks. Phreesia has since taken the service offline, offering identity and credit monitoring to affected patients, while working to implement more robust security measures.
The breach highlights the growing threat posed by cyberattacks on US healthcare platforms, where data is not only invaluable but also irreplaceable. Experts urge vigilance, such as monitoring accounts, using strong passwords, and employing identity theft protection. With incidents like this on the rise, calls are growing for stricter regulations to safeguard patient information and prevent similar breaches in the future.
Researchers have achieved a milestone in AI, teaching it to predict the complex aromas of whiskies and even identify their origins. The study, conducted in Germany, utilised AI to analyse the molecular makeup of 16 American and Scottish whiskies. It then predicted the five strongest aroma notes and distinguished between the two countries of origin with remarkable accuracy.
The AI surpassed human experts in consistency and precision, identifying aromas like menthol and citronellol for US whiskies and smoky, medicinal notes for Scotch. This innovation could ensure flavour consistency in whisky production, detect counterfeit goods, and even find applications in blending recycled materials to reduce odours.
While promising, the study was limited to a small selection of whiskies, raising questions about its performance on broader varieties or aged batches. Experts also noted that flavour perception depends on external factors, highlighting room for further exploration in this emotive domain. Nonetheless, this blend of technology and tradition signals a new step for the whisky industry.
Ceneo, a subsidiary of Polish e-commerce platform Allegro, has filed a lawsuit against Google and its parent company Alphabet, seeking 2.33 billion zlotys ($567.6 million) in damages. The lawsuit claims Google’s preference for its price comparison services in search results caused significant harm to Ceneo’s business.
Ceneo’s demands include 1.72 billion zlotys for losses incurred and an additional 615 million zlotys in interest from 2013 to November 2024. The company also plans to seek statutory interest from the filing date until damages are paid. The case is tied to the European Union’s $2.7 billion antitrust fine against Google for leveraging its dominance in search to disadvantage smaller rivals.
A Google spokesperson responded to the lawsuit, expressing disagreement and stating the company’s ‘Shopping remedy’ has been effective in supporting brands, retailers, and comparison sites across Europe. Meanwhile, broader efforts to curb Google’s dominance include a US Department of Justice recommendation for Google to divest its Chrome browser and abstain from re-entering the browser market for five years.
Venture funding in Europe may be headed for a flat year overall, but European AI startups are thriving, with AI companies receiving 25% of the region’s VC funding in 2024, totalling $13.7 billion. This marks a significant rise from 15% four years ago and has led to the creation of new unicorns like Poolside and Wayve. According to James Wise of Balderton Capital, breakthrough AI technology in Europe can now attract hundreds of millions, or even billions, of euros at the early stages, similar to the US.
The collective value of European AI companies has doubled in four years, reaching $508 billion, now making up nearly 15% of the region’s entire tech sector. While much of the funding still comes from outside Europe, especially the US, the local AI ecosystem is flourishing with a growing talent pool. In 2024, 349,000 people were employed by AI companies in Europe, a 168% increase since 2020, indicating a buoyant and increasingly productive sector.
Wise suggests that the rise of smaller, highly productive AI companies will be the future, with generative AI tools significantly boosting efficiency in various industries. This growing adoption of AI tools is likely to continue benefiting the European AI sector in the long run, even if the category becomes less distinct in the future.
The Biden administration has initiated a trade investigation targeting Chinese-made legacy semiconductors, which power everyday goods like cars and telecom equipment. This ‘Section 301’ probe aims to address concerns about China’s state-driven expansion in chip manufacturing, which US officials warn could harm American semiconductor producers. Departing President Joe Biden had already imposed a 50% tariff on Chinese semiconductors, set to take effect 1 January, while tightening export controls on advanced AI and memory chips.
Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo revealed that Chinese legacy chips account for two-thirds of semiconductors in US products, with many companies unaware of their origin—a finding she called alarming, particularly for the defence industry. US Trade Representative Katherine Tai stated that China’s subsidised chip pricing threatens global competition, enabling rapid capacity growth and undercutting market-oriented producers.
China’s commerce ministry has criticised the probe, calling it protectionist and a potential disruptor to global supply chains. Meanwhile, a public hearing on the issue is scheduled for March, with the probe expected to conclude within a year. The investigation follows the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on semiconductor supply chains, prompting the US efforts to bolster domestic chip production with $52.7 billion in subsidies.
As the Biden administration transitions to President-elect Donald Trump’s leadership in January, this probe may offer Trump an opportunity to escalate tariffs on Chinese imports, echoing the trade practices he implemented during his prior term. Critics, including the US tech industry, have urged officials to approach the investigation collaboratively to avoid further disruption.
Samsung Electronics, Texas Instruments, and Amkor Technology are set to receive a combined $6.75 billion in chip manufacturing incentives from the US Commerce Department. The funding aims to bolster domestic semiconductor production and strengthen the supply chain.
Samsung will receive up to $4.745 billion, slightly reduced from the initial $6.4 billion estimate, reflecting scaled-down investment plans. The South Korean tech giant plans to invest $37 billion by 2030 to build chip production facilities, a research centre, and a packaging site. These projects are expected to solidify the US as a hub for advanced semiconductor manufacturing.
Texas Instruments has secured up to $1.61 billion for expanding its chip production facilities in Texas and Utah. The company is investing over $18 billion through 2029, creating 2,000 manufacturing jobs. Amkor Technology will receive $407 million to help build a $2 billion semiconductor packaging plant in Arizona, its largest in the US. This facility will cater to chips for autonomous vehicles, 5G/6G, and data centres.
These awards form part of a broader $39 billion subsidy programme for domestic semiconductor manufacturing. Over $33 billion of the allocated funding has now been finalised, with the US positioned as the sole nation hosting all five leading-edge chipmakers.
Officials from the United States and Israel have refuted claims of approving the sale of Israeli spyware firm Paragon to Florida-based AE Industrial Partners. Reports of the transaction surfaced in Israeli media, suggesting both governments had greenlit the deal, but US and Israeli representatives dismissed these assertions.
The White House clarified that the sale was a private transaction with no formal US approval, while Israel‘s Defence Ministry stated it was still evaluating the deal. Paragon, linked to former Israeli intelligence officers, has faced scrutiny in the US market, including a paused $2 million contract with ICE.
The alleged acquisition has drawn attention due to Paragon’s ties to national security and controversial surveillance software. Both AE and Paragon have not yet commented on the situation.
The United States has charged Rostislav Panev, a Russian-Israeli dual citizen, for his alleged role as a developer for the Lockbit ransomware group, which authorities describe as one of the world’s most destructive cybercrime operations. Panev, arrested in Israel in August, awaits extradition.
Lockbit, active since 2019, targeted over 2,500 victims across 120 countries, including critical infrastructure and businesses, extorting $500 million. Recent arrests, guilty pleas, and international law enforcement efforts have significantly disrupted the group’s activities.
Experts say law enforcement actions have tarnished Lockbit’s reputation, reducing its attacks and deterring affiliates. Authorities emphasise the importance of holding cybercriminals accountable.
As President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office, the cryptocurrency industry is urging him to swiftly implement his promised overhaul of crypto policies through executive orders. Industry officials are pushing for measures such as creating a bitcoin stockpile, ensuring crypto firms have access to banking services, and establishing a crypto advisory council. They hope these actions will come within the first 100 days of Trump’s presidency, with some anticipating an order on his first day in office, January 20.
During his campaign, Trump positioned himself as a “crypto president” and promised to support the industry’s growth. In contrast to the regulatory crackdowns under President Joe Biden, which focused on concerns about crime and volatility in the sector, Trump’s team is aiming to reverse course, encouraging innovation and positioning the US as a global leader in cryptocurrency. His crypto policy team, including crypto-friendly figures like Securities and Exchange Commission chair Paul Atkins and White House crypto czar David Sacks, is already taking shape.
One of the most discussed proposals is the creation of a strategic Bitcoin reserve, a plan Trump first mentioned in July. Some in the industry, like the Bitcoin Policy Institute, have even drafted potential executive orders for this purpose, suggesting the Treasury Secretary could spend $21 billion over a year to amass the reserve. However, analysts are divided on whether this can be achieved via executive orders or will require congressional action.
Trump is also expected to address the ongoing challenges that crypto firms face in accessing banking services, as many institutions avoid working with them due to regulatory concerns. While an executive order could signal a shift in policy, some executives caution that it may not have the legal force to immediately change regulations, as federal banking authorities are independent.
