Top tech news stories today: August 21, 2024

Top tech news stories today: August 21, 2024 is profiled by BTW Media because public-source evidence links it to internet infrastructure, governance, operational dependencies, or market visibility.

Fintech

1. Germany seizes almost $28M in crypto ATM sting

German authorities have seized almost 25 million euros ($28 million) in cash in a nationwide operation targeting cryptocurrency ATMs, the country’s financial regulator BaFin said in a statement on Tuesday. (Reuters)

2. Custody giant State Street expands crypto services in new partnership

State Street is partnering with Swiss crypto company Taurus to offer new digital asset services, including turning real-world assets into tradeable tokens. (WestLaw Today)

IT infrastructure

3. EU approves German state aid for $11 billion TSMC chip plant

The large aid award for the project is the biggest approved so far under the EU Chips Act, and the first in Germany. (SCMP)

4. North America sees 70% jump in data center supply in construction, CBRE report says

The amount of data center supply under construction in North America’s top markets jumped by about 70% compared to a year ago to a record 3.9 gigawatts, according to CBRE Group research released on Tuesday. (Arizona Digital Free Press)

5. Swiss engineering firm Schlatter says IT systems back up after cyberattack

Swiss engineering company Schlatter Industries said on Tuesday that its computer network had been back up since Monday following a cyberattack nearly two weeks back. (Yahoo Finance)

6. Netomnia joins Strategic Imperatives to strengthen UK fibre connectivity

Strategic Imperatives has revealed that Netomni has become part of The Fibre Café scheme, following its recent merger with Brsk. (Capacity.)

Tech trends

7. GM lays off over 1,000 salaried software, services employees

GM is laying off more than 1,000 salaried employees globally in its software and services division following a review to streamline the unit’s operations. (CNBC)

8. U.S. says Iran cyber operations targeted Trump, Harris campaigns

The United States on Monday accused Iran of launching cyber operations against the campaigns of both U.S. presidential candidates and targeting the American public with influence operations aimed at fanning political discord. (Reuters)

9. D FACTBOX China-based EV makers hit with European Union tariffs

The European Commission confirmed on Tuesday it would apply additional duties of up to 36.3% on imported electric vehicles made in China as it issued draft definitive findings of its anti-subsidy investigation. (Reuters)

10. BMW’s China-made electric Mini to receive lower 21.3% tariff

BMW said that its joint venture in China which produces the electric Mini was classed as a “cooperating company” in the EU’s latest draft tariff document on duties for China-made EVs, qualifying it for a lower duty of 21.3%. (WIN98.5)

AI

11. Authors sue Anthropic for copyright infringement over AI training

Andrea Bartz, Charles Graeber and Kirk Wallace Johnson allege company misused work to teach chatbot Claude. (the Guardian)

12. AI startup Recogni unveils new computing method to slash costs, power requirements

Recogni introduced a novel computing system named Pareto, which enhances AI chip efficiency by converting complex operations into simpler ones, reducing power consumption. (Economic Times)

13. AMD takes on Nvidia with $4.9bn deal to compete for AI supremacy

Advanced Micro Devices Inc. (AMD) has announced a landmark agreement to acquire ZT Systems, a provider of AI and compute infrastructure for hyperscalers, in a deal valued at £4.9 billion. (Capacity.)