California has introduced three new laws aimed at reducing AI-generated deepfakes ahead of the 2024 election. The legislation, signed by Governor Gavin Newsom, is designed to combat election misinformation and protect the public from deceptive political ads. One law requires online platforms like X to remove false materials and empowers individuals to sue over election-related deepfakes.
However, two of these laws are now facing a legal challenge. A creator of parody videos featuring Kamala Harris claims the legislation violates free speech rights. The lawsuit, filed in Sacramento, accuses California of censoring content, despite assurances from Newsom’s office that the laws do not target satire or parody.
Supporters of the laws argue they are necessary to prevent erosion of trust in US elections, as AI-generated disinformation becomes an increasing threat. Critics, including free speech advocates, believe the legislation overreaches and could be ineffective due to slow court processes, limiting its impact.
Despite the debate, California’s laws could serve as a deterrent to potential violations. Legislators hope the rules will prompt platforms to act quickly in identifying and removing misleading content.
The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has introduced new proposals to regulate AI-generated communications in telecommunications. That initiative, detailed in a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) and a Notice of Inquiry (NOI) released in August, seeks to define and manage the use of AI in outbound calls and text messages.
The NPRM proposes defining an ‘AI-generated call’ as one utilising AI technologies—such as machine learning algorithms or predictive models—to produce artificial or prerecorded voice or text content. The rules would require callers to disclose AI use and obtain specific consent from consumers, ensuring greater transparency and control over AI-generated communications.
In addition to defining and regulating AI-generated calls, the NPRM includes provisions to address the needs of individuals with speech or hearing disabilities. It proposes an exemption from certain TCPA requirements for AI-generated calls made by these individuals, provided such calls are not for telemarketing or advertising. That exemption aims to facilitate communication for those who depend on AI technologies for telephone interactions, balancing regulatory requirements with accessibility needs.
The NOI, on the other hand, seeks feedback on technologies designed to detect, alert, and block potentially fraudulent or AI-generated calls, exploring their development and privacy implications. It questions how these technologies handle call content data and whether current privacy laws are adequate.
The FCC also invites comments on the potential costs and benefits of the proposed rules and asserts that its authority to implement them is grounded in the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA). As the comment deadlines approach, the FCC anticipates a thorough discussion on these regulatory changes, which could significantly impact how AI technologies are managed in telecommunications.
Vietnam’s president and Communist Party chief, To Lam, is preparing for a significant visit to the US next week, where he is set to meet with major US corporations, including Google and Meta. According to sources, this marks Lam’s first trip to the US since his appointment in August as the leader of the party, Vietnam’s most influential political role. Although the details of the meetings remain undisclosed, the discussions are expected to focus on business and technological ties, as Meta and Google already have deep involvement in Vietnam through services like Facebook and manufacturing efforts.
Lam is also scheduled to attend a business forum on 23 September, including representatives from various US companies. The forum, organised by the US-ASEAN Business Council (USABC), highlights Vietnam’s growing importance as a manufacturing hub and a strategic market for American corporations. Over the last year and a half, US businesses have increased their engagement in Vietnam, with major firms such as Boeing, Mastercard, and Amazon actively participating in business missions.
While Lam’s meetings with Meta and Google signal deepening tech collaboration, the larger context of the trip reflects the US and Vietnam’s evolving diplomatic relationship. Washington views Vietnam as a critical partner in diversifying its supply chains, reducing dependency on China, and exploring cooperation in sensitive industries like undersea cables. However, it remains unclear whether Lam will meet US President Joe Biden during this trip, as the White House has not confirmed any plans.
Lam’s US visit comes on the heels of a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping last month, reflecting his role in navigating Vietnam’s relationships with major world powers. After addressing the UN General Assembly, he is expected to fly to Cuba and later, in early October, he will embark on a state visit to France.
Donald Trump has unveiled a new cryptocurrency business, World Liberty Financial, during a live event on X Spaces. However, few details were provided about the company, its formation, or financing. The timing of the launch, just before the upcoming election, is unusual, but Trump aims to attract digital asset advocates.
The former president, once a critic of cryptocurrencies, has now embraced them, pledging to make the US the ‘crypto capital of the planet’. He promises minimal regulation and a national bitcoin reserve. This shift is seen as part of his strategy to appeal to tech-savvy voters.
Trump’s two sons, Eric and Donald Jr., have actively promoted the project, claiming it will revolutionise digital asset finance. Despite these bold statements, specifics about how World Liberty Financial will operate remain unclear.
Trump’s cryptocurrency move, combined with his evolving stance on digital assets, signals his focus on emerging financial technologies as a key aspect of his re-election campaign, looking to capitalise on the growing interest in the sector.
A Russian national has been arrested in Florida on charges of illegally exporting drone-related technology to Russia. Authorities allege that 44-year-old Denis Postovoy, residing in Sarasota, smuggled microelectronic components with military applications to Russia following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
Postovoy is accused of violating US law by shipping technology that could enhance Russia’s military capabilities in the conflict. The Department of Justice stated that the exported components are used in drones and have dual-use potential for military purposes.
To conceal his activities, Postovoy allegedly worked through a network of companies in Russia and Hong Kong. He is said to have purchased the components from US distributors and sent them to intermediary locations before reaching Russia.
While the Russian embassy has acknowledged Postovoy’s detention, it noted no official communication from US law enforcement regarding the arrest has been received.
TikTok and its parent company ByteDance are locked in a high-stakes legal battle with the US government to prevent a looming ban on the app, used by 170 million Americans. The legal confrontation revolves around a US law that mandates ByteDance divest its US assets by 19 January or face a complete ban. Lawyers for TikTok argue that the law violates free speech and is an unprecedented move that contradicts America’s tradition of fostering an open internet. A federal appeals court in Washington recently heard arguments from both sides, with TikTok’s legal team pushing for an injunction to halt the law’s implementation.
The US government, represented by the Justice Department, contends that TikTok’s Chinese ownership poses a significant national security threat, citing the potential for China to access American user data or manipulate the flow of information. This concern is at the core of the new legislation passed by Congress earlier this year, highlighting the risks of having a popular social media platform under foreign control. The White House, while supportive of curbing Chinese influence, has stopped short of advocating for an outright ban.
ByteDance maintains that divesting TikTok is neither technologically nor commercially feasible, casting uncertainty over the app’s future as it faces potentially severe consequences amid a politically charged environment.
The case comes at a pivotal moment in the US political landscape, with both presidential candidates, Donald Trump and Kamala Harris, actively using TikTok to engage younger voters. The judges expressed concerns over the complexities involved, especially with monitoring the massive codebase that powers TikTok, making it difficult to assess risks in real-time. As the legal wrangling continues, a ruling is expected by 6 December, and the case may eventually reach the US Supreme Court.
TikTok is facing a critical legal battle that could determine the future of the app in the US. On Monday, the US Court of Appeals in Washington, DC, will hear arguments from TikTok and its parent company, ByteDance, as they seek to block a new law that threatens to ban the app by 19 January 2024. With around 170 million US users, TikTok’s fate hangs in the balance just as the presidential election ramps up.
Donald Trump, the Republican candidate, and Vice President Kamala Harris are using TikTok to engage with younger voters, underscoring the app’s significant political and social influence. However, the US government remains concerned about national security risks, particularly the potential for China to access American user data through the app. Lawmakers passed the measure, calling for ByteDance to divest from TikTok, citing fears of surveillance.
ByteDance argues that the law violates free speech and insists that divesting from TikTok is not feasible. With a looming January deadline for a sale or a potential ban, TikTok’s legal team is seeking a ruling by early December. This would allow the US Supreme Court time to consider the case before any decision takes effect. President Joe Biden, who signed the law in April, holds the power to extend the deadline if ByteDance shows progress toward selling TikTok.
While the White House maintains that the move is about national security, not eliminating TikTok, the upcoming court ruling will be pivotal in shaping the app’s future in the US and possibly beyond.
Google is facing another antitrust battle in a Virginia court, where the US Justice Department has accused the tech giant of monopolising the online advertising industry. Prosecutors argue that Google controls the infrastructure that handles hundreds of thousands of ad sales each second, using its size and dominance to push out competitors and restrict customer choice.
The trial, which US District Judge Leonie Brinkema is hearing, focuses on claims that Google acquired rivals and manipulated market transactions to gain control over both advertisers and publishers. The government’s case highlights how Google allegedly stifled competition and locked customers into its products, tactics reminiscent of traditional monopolies.
Google’s defence, led by attorney Karen Dunn, refuted the accusations by arguing that the case is based on outdated market conditions. She noted that Google now faces significant competition from other major tech companies like Amazon and Comcast and that its tools have evolved to work alongside its rivals.
As the trial progresses, prosecutors push for Google to be forced to sell off essential parts of its ad business, including Google Ad Manager. The case is part of a broader effort by US authorities to curb the dominance of Big Tech, with other lawsuits targeting companies such as Apple, Meta, and Amazon.
A US federal judge has rejected Coinbase’s attempt to dismiss a class-action lawsuit from shareholders. The lawsuit claims that Coinbase, the largest US cryptocurrency exchange, misled investors by downplaying the chances of facing legal action from the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The ruling comes 15 months after the SEC sued Coinbase for allegedly operating as an unregistered securities exchange, leading to a significant drop in the company’s stock price.
The shareholders argue that Coinbase and its top executives falsely portrayed the company’s position, emphasising that the crypto assets it listed were not securities and thus unlikely to attract regulatory action. Additionally, they allege that the company misled investors about the risks customers faced regarding their assets in the event of bankruptcy. Coinbase’s share price fell sharply after revealing disappointing earnings and adding new disclosures in May 2022.
While the judge dismissed claims that Coinbase falsely denied engaging in proprietary trading, some allegations can proceed, including those about misrepresenting risks to customer assets. Coinbase remains confident in its legal standing and is prepared to defend its case in court.
The US Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations will hold a hearing on Tuesday to examine the use of American-manufactured semiconductors in Russian weapons deployed in Ukraine. The hearing will feature executives from Analog Devices, Advanced Micro Devices (AMD), Intel, and Texas Instruments, who will address concerns about their products being found in Russian military equipment despite US export controls.
Senator Richard Blumenthal, who chairs the panel, has expressed concerns that US semiconductor manufacturers need to enhance efforts to prevent their chips from being misused by the Russian military. The investigation follows reports indicating that US-origin technology, including chips used in various weapons and military equipment, continues to appear on the battlefield.
Intel, AMD, Texas Instruments, and Analog Devices are sending vice presidents responsible for trade compliance to testify. The companies have stated their commitment to complying with export controls and combating illicit diversion of their products, though the effectiveness of these measures will be scrutinised during the hearing.
