Briefing Desk
Latest Briefings
Concise reporting on the developments shaping internet governance and infrastructure. Browse each area for recent news, context and watchpoints.
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Market / Trends / North America Trends / North America Institutional Trends
In this section: 2 briefingsFTC alleges fintech app Dave for misleading marketing fraud
What happened The U.S. Federal Trade Commission sued financial technology company Dave Inc over misleading cash-advance advertisement targeting struggling borrowers. The claim accused Dave Inc over the 500$ cash advance they says to offer but users never receive. As well as the sign-up fee that does…
Meta unleashes revolutionary AI to supercharge US military power
What happened Meta announced on Nov. 4 that it will offer its Llama model to U.S. government agencies and defense contractors. This marks a significant shift in the approach of tech giants when it comes to the military application of AI. Meta has traditionally focused on the consumer market. But is …
Coverage
Market / Trends / Europe and Middle East Trends / Europe and Middle East Cloud Services Trends
In this section: 2 briefingsAffirm launches loan service in the UK, fierce local competition
What happened Affrim launched installment loans in the United Kingdom on Monday, marking the company’s first international growth. Affirm, an American fintech startup, was founded in 2012 and provides flexible pay-over-time payment solutions. The organization claims it underwrites each individual tr…
Celebrating Cybersecurity Awareness Month to build a secure digital future
What happened stc Group, in alignment with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, has launched a comprehensive campaign for Cybersecurity Awareness Month to emphasize the importance of digital security. With the theme #BrowseSecurely, the initiative addresses critical issues such as phishing, malware, and fina…
Coverage
Market / Trends / Global Trends / Global Cloud Services Trends
In this section: 28 briefingsGoogle CEO pledges to be a trusted election source
———————————— What happened In early November, Google CEO Sundar Pichai urged employees to ensure that Google products deliver reliable, neutral election information. He said maintaining trust is essential, especially during elections. The memo, reported by The Verge and The Washington Post, responde…
Google wins case over Google Play gift card fraud
What happened Google successfully won a class-action court case that alleged it unlawfully profited from Google Play gift card scams. U.S. District Judge Beth Labson Freeman dismissed the case on Monday evening. The case accused Google of refusing to return the millions of dollars stolen from victim…
IPv6—The big shift no one’s rushing into
The debate over the necessity of IPv6 adoption is reigniting, with APNIC’s chief scientist, Geoff Huston, challenging the widely held belief that transitioning from IPv4 is essential for the future of the internet. Huston suggests that the internet has mostly relied on Content Delivery Networks (CDN…
Western Digital Corp surpasses quarterly profit estimates
What happened Western Digital Corp surpassed Wall Street’s quarterly profit expectations on demand for its data-storage devices from cloud service providers, driving its stock up 9% in extended trading on Thursday, according to Reuters. Western Digital Corp’s adjusted earnings per share for the firs…
How exoskeleton technology will transform the future of work
I remember watching 127 Hours, a movie about a hiker trapped by a boulder in Bluejohn Canyon. To survive, he had to amputate his arm—a truly intense portrayal of resilience and determination. Aron faces excruciating pain and psychological pressure, remaining calm enough to make life-saving decisions…
The downfall of 23andMe: What will happen to your data?
My experience with 23andMe It was at my college sophomore year 2020, I came across an advertisement online on social media about 23andMe. The ad shows the report of how their ancestry service tells you where you origin, I was quite curious and ordered a kit right away. The kit had detailed instructi…
Perplexity AI raising new investment at $9B valuation
What happened According to the source, venture capital company Institutional Venture Partners (IVP), which also owns a board seat in the startup, is spearheading a fresh investment round for California-based Perplexity that is expected to raise $500 million. In January, the business raised $73.6 mil…
Fox Corp’s revenue soars: Political ads drive surge
What happened Fox Corp announced on Monday (Nov. 4) that its first-quarter revenue exceeded Wall Street expectations. According to data compiled by the London Stock Exchange, the company reported first-quarter revenue of $3.56 billion. That compares with expectations of $3.37 billion. This is largel…
Nvidia becomes the largest company in the world: AI takes over
What happened Nvidia surpassed Apple on Tuesday (Nov. 5) to become the world’s largest company. The company’s dominant position in the semiconductor industry, combined with its strategic focus on AI hardware, has put it ahead of Apple. This shift highlights, in part, the growing dominance of artific…
Why Palantir raises its revenue forecast for the third time
What happened Palantir Technologies on Monday (Nov. 4) raised its annual revenue forecast for 2024 for the third time. It is driven by strong demand for its AI data analytics solutions. The company now expects 2024 revenue to range from $2.805 billion to $2.809 billion. It is up from its previous fo…
Physical Intelligence shakes up AI robots with $400M raised
What happened Physical Intelligence, a startup that develops software for robots, announced on Monday that it raised $400 million. The funding came from Amazon‘s Jeff Bezos, OpenAI, and venture capital firms Thrive Capital and Lux Capital. The company is valued at $2 billion, according to PitchBook.…
The New York Times beats revenue expectations with digital growth
What happened The New York Times on Monday (Nov. 4) reported third-quarter earnings that beat analysts’ expectations, thanks largely to the expansion of its digital offerings. The newspaper publisher reported earnings of 45 cents per share, excluding certain items. The results surpassed Wall Street’…
French families sue TikTok for failing to protect kids
What happened A group of French families has filed a lawsuit against TikTok, accusing the social media platform of failing to protect children from harmful content. The families claim that TikTok’s algorithms and content moderation practices are not sufficient to prevent the spread of damaging mater…
Demand for AI chips boosts Nvidia and TSMC’s market value in October
What happened With the surge in global demand for AI chips, Nvidia and TSMC experienced significant growth in their market capitalisation in October. Nvidia’s market value increased by 9.3%, reaching $3.26 trillion. Meanwhile, TSMC’s market value grew by 6.5%, reaching $832.8 billion. This growth fo…
Apple invests $1.5B in Globalstar for iPhone satellite connectivity
What happened Apple revealed plans to invest $1.5 billion in satellite operator Globalstar to improve the emergency SOS and messaging features of iPhones in areas without cellular network coverage. This investment includes $400 million to purchase 400,000 Class B shares of Globalstar, giving Apple a…
One year on, is WeChat’s palm payment feature a success?
A year ago, WeChat Pay, developed by the Tencent team, launched the innovative palm payment feature. This technology uses “palm print + palm vein” dual-factor authentication. WeChat Pay aims to provide users with a contactless, highly convenient, and secure payment experience. In May 2023, WeChat P…
Nvidia CEO pinpoint the focus of advanced AI chip development with SK hynix
What happened Nvidia‘s CEO emphasized the importance of its relationship with SK Hynix to build more advanced AI accelerators, stating that “aggressive” development of enhanced high bandwidth memory (HBM) processors is required. Huang described SK hynix’s HBM development goal as “super aggressive” b…
Major Crypto firms launch new Global Dollar Network
What happened Anchorage Digital, Bullish, Galaxy Digital, Kraken, Nuvei, Paxos, and Robinhood have unveiled the Global Dollar Network. This network combines the power of major players to encourage stablecoin adoption on a global scale. It will utilize Paxos’ new stablecoin, the Global Dollar (USDG),…
TouchDIVER Pro: haptic tech revolutionizing corporate training
What happened Against the backdrop of the rapid development of augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR), WEART will introduce TouchDIVER Pro on November 30, bringing haptic XR interaction to today’s enterprises. The device is an advanced tactile glove designed to provide users with real tacti…
Gabor Cselle joins OpenAI for secretive new project
What happened Gabor Cselle, former CEO and co-founder of Pebble, announced in a post on X on November 2, 2024, that he had officially joined OpenAI. In the post, Cselle expressed his enthusiasm for his new role and promised to reveal more about his work in the future. Additionally, according to Link…
Infineon unveils DEEPCRAFT to enhance Edge AI solutions
What happened Infineon Technologies has announced the launch of DEEPCRAFT, a new software brand focused on Edge AI and machine learning (ML). The DEEPCRAFT brand portfolio will include the existing edge AI software products DEEPCRAFT Studio and DEEPCRAFT Ready Models (previously known as Imagimob St…
Temera and Zakeke ignite shopping experience with 3D technology
What happened In the latest business update, Temera announced a strategic partnership with Zakeke, which will see Temera integrate Zakeke’s 3D technology and real-time customisation tools into its digital product passport. Officially launched in October 2024. This partnership aims to provide consume…
The Future of Banking in a Digital World
Fintech, short for financial technology, began growing rapidly in the early 2000s. By 2017, 64% of global customers used fintech platforms to manage assets and make transactions online. After the 2008 financial crisis, traditional banks struggled to meet regulations and adapt to digital banking. Now…
Intel’s AI-chip aspirations dim amidst competitive storm
What happened Intel‘s upbeat revenue forecast on Oct. 31 masked a pain point for the beleaguered company: its claimed artificial intelligence chip, the Gaudi accelerator chip, did not meet sales expectations. Intel scrapped the $500 million Gaudi chip sales forecast for 2024. Despite the optimistic …
Walt Disney unleashes AI and AR: A new era begins
What happened Walt Disney has officially launched a new business unit focused on integrating AI and AR into its diversified operations. According to an email seen by Reuters on Friday, the newly created technical support office will be led by Jamie Voris, who previously oversaw the development of Di…
Apple to offer free repairs for iPhone 14 Plus camera issues
What happened Apple Inc. has unveiled a new service plan that offers complimentary repairs for the rear camera preview issue affecting certain iPhone 14 Plus devices. According to Apple’s service programme page, the affected devices were produced between 10 April 2023 and 28 April 2024. Apple stated…
Apple acquires Pixelmator to boost its photo editing features
What happened Pixelmator announced on Friday that it is being acquired by Apple. Regulatory authorities still need to approve the acquisition, and the company has not disclosed the specific financial terms. Entrepreneurs founded Pixelmator in 2007, and they headquartered the company in Vilnius, the …
NTT and Toyota invest $3.3B in AI autonomous driving technology
What happened Japanese tech giant NTT and automaker Toyota Motor Corporation have jointly announced an investment of 500 billion yen (approximately £3.3 billion) to develop AI-driven autonomous driving technology, aiming to eliminate traffic accidents and enhance road safety. This investment plan wi…
Coverage
Market / Trends / Asia-Pacific Trends / Asia-Pacific Institutional Trends
In this section: 2 briefingsJapan’s semiconductor future depends on long-term plan
What happened A subcommittee of Japan’s Fiscal System Council has proposed a shift in the country’s semiconductor aid strategy, urging the government to move beyond ad hoc funding to a more structured, medium-term support plan. This proposal is rooted in the growing recognition of the sector’s impor…
Thailand invests $2B in electronics to boost tech growth
What happened Thailand has approved $2 billion in investments to boost its data centers and electronics manufacturing sectors. The move is part of the government’s strategy to strengthen its digital infrastructure and enhance its role in the global tech market. A large portion of the funding will go…
Coverage
Market / Trends / Asia-Pacific Trends / Asia-Pacific Cloud Services Trends
In this section: 6 briefingsSouth Korea slams Meta with $15M privacy fine
What happened South Korea’s privacy watchdog fined social media company Meta 21.6 billion won ($15 million) on Tuesday (November 5). The company illegally collected sensitive personal information about Facebook users, including their political views and sexual orientation, and shared it with thousan…
US needs to strike at Chinese chipmaker for national security
What happened US lawmaker Mike Gallagher is calling for tougher action against SMIC, a major Chinese chipmaker, over national security concerns. Gallagher, who leads the House Select Committee on China, believes that SMIC could be linked to China’s military, which could pose a threat to US security.…
DeepRoute raises $100M to challenge Tesla’s FSD in China
What happened DeepRoute raised $100 million to accelerate its efforts to surpass Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology in China. The company plans to use this funding to speed up the development of its autonomous driving systems and compete more effectively with Tesla in the Chinese market. In …
Top tech news today: November 5, 2024
Top tech news today: Crypto stablecoin network launch, Foxconn’s $80 million chip investment in Vietnam, and ADNOC’s groundbreaking use of AI in the energy sector. 1. Crypto firms launch global stablecoin network A group of crypto companies, including Robinhood and Kraken, has introduced a worldwide…
SPH Media’s restructuring cut 10% of its tech staff
What happened SPH Media, a leading media company in Singapore, announced on November 4 that it was laying off 34 employees and restructuring the company’s technology division. The layoffs will affect technical staff across teams and levels, representing about 10 percent of the technology department’…
China’s DeepRoute.ai raises $100 mln to drive the future
What happened On Nov 4, 2024, Chinese autonomous driving technology developer DeepRoute.ai has raised $100 million in financing from an automaker to strengthen its development of smart driving solutions. DeepRoute.ai aims to drive mass adoption of its system in cars before Tesla (TSLA.O) does. The i…
Coverage
Market / Trends / Asia-Pacific Trends / Asia-Pacific Datacenter Trends
In this section: 2 briefingsTop tech news today: November 6, 2024
Top tech news today: FTC sues fintech app Dave, RIPE seeks volunteers for NomCom, and Keppel secures AI-ready data center in Japan.Top Tech News; Tech News Summaries FTC sues fintech app Dave over misleading ads The Federal Trade Commission has filed a lawsuit against the fintech app Dave for allege…
SK Telecom unveils exciting revolutionary AI superhighway
What happened SK Telecom announced on Monday (November 4) that it will develop an AI data center hub in South Korea. CEO Young Sang Ryu outlined the vision, calling it an “AI infrastructure highway” for the Asia-Pacific region. This project will focus on creating an integrated AI infrastructure that…
Coverage
Market / Trends / Latin America and Caribbean Trends / Latin America and Caribbean Cloud Services Trends
In this section: 1 briefingODATA invests $1.3B to construct two new data centres in Colombia
What happened ODATA will invest $1.3 billion to build two new data centers to meet the surging demand for high-capacity facilities from AI and cloud providers. The two new expansion plans are named DC BG02 and DC BG03. DC BG02 is in the Zona Franca de Occidente in Mosquera, while DC BG03 is in the
Coverage
Market / Trends / Global Trends / Global Institutional Trends
In this section: 2 briefingsStriking workers weigh new Boeing offer in tense vote
What happened Thousands of striking Boeing workers voted Monday on a new four-year contract. The aircraft giant and the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers agreed on the new contract on Oct. 31, with both sides urging the more than 32,000 IAM members to support the proposal…
Meta extends political ads ban beyond election day
What happened Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has extended its pre-election ban on new ads covering political and social issues until later this week. The policy, which aims to reduce the risk of last-minute misinformation campaigns, was originally scheduled to lift by the end of…
Coverage
Market / Trends / Africa Trends / Africa Cloud Services Trends
In this section: 1 briefingA new chapter in expansion: SBA makes acquisition in Africa
What happened SBA Communications has taken a major step in expanding its global reach by purchasing 7,000 telecom towers from Millicom for $975 million. This acquisition strengthens SBA’s presence in Central America, giving the company a more significant role in the region’s communications infrastru…
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Market / Trends / Global Trends / Global National Telecom Trends
In this section: 1 briefingVodafone and Digi team up to acquire Telekom Romania
What happened Vodafone Romania has entered into talks with Digi Communications for a potential acquisition of certain assets from the former state-owned Telekom Romania. Vodafone confirmed in a filing with the London Stock Exchange that Digi has signed a memorandum of understanding. This agreement i…
Coverage
Governance / CASE FILE
In this section: 1 briefingHow Chinese military AI is advancing with Meta’s open-source tech
What happened A significant move was made in Chinese military AI. Researchers tied to the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) have adapted Meta’s open-source Llama model to create an artificial intelligence tool known as “ChatBIT.” This development, highlighted in recent academic papers, underscores Chin…
Coverage
Market / Trends / North America Trends / North America Cloud Services Trends
In this section: 1 briefingTop tech news today: November 4, 2024
Top tech news today: Crypto ETF inflows rise before U.S. elections, Nvidia seeks EU approval for Run.AI buyout, and Disney unveils an AI and AR business unit. 1. Crypto ETFs see big inflows pre-election Crypto ETFs are attracting investors in anticipation of increased volatility around the upcoming …
Coverage
Market / Trends / Global Trends / Global Datacenter Trends
In this section: 1 briefingAMD shares plummet as the AI revenue forecast dissatisfactory
What happened Shares of AMD (Advanced Micro Devices) fell nearly 10% on Wednesday as its fourth-quarter earnings forecast. It is because that the 2025 revenue target for artificial intelligence data center chips failed to meet the high expectations of AI-focused investors. Since the AI boom took off…