Top tech news stories today: August 22, 2024

Top tech news stories today: August 22, 2024 is profiled by BTW Media because public-source evidence links it to internet infrastructure, governance, operational dependencies, or market visibility.

Fintech

1. MercadoLibre’s fintech launches its own dollar-backed ‘stablecoin’ in Brazil

MercadoLibre’s fintech division, Mercado Pago, just unveiled its dollar-backed stablecoin, Meli Dolar, in Brazil to offer more stability to users. (Finimize)

IT infrastructure

2. UK watchdog shuts down probes into Apple and Google app stores

Britain’s competition watchdog has closed its existing investigations into Apple and Google’s respective app stores, awaiting new laws governing digital markets. (Reuters)

3. Analog chipmaker TI expects free cash flow to jump in 2026

Texas Instruments said on Tuesday its free cash flow (FCF) would jump in 2026 as demand rebounds and the analog chipmaker tightens capital spending after pressure from activist investor Elliott Investment Management. (93.9 the Tech)

Tech trends

4. Tesla issuing new recall for 9,100 Model X SUVs over trim issue

Front and center roof cosmetic trim pieces may be adhered without a primer and could separate, increasing crash risk. (the Guardian)

5. Cristiano Ronaldo launches his own YouTube channel

Cristiano Ronaldo has launched his own personal YouTube presence, taking his already colossal social media presence onto yet another platform. (Yahoo Sports)

6. South Africa’s telco industry calls for tech firms to help fund infrastructure

South Africa’s telecoms industry body is pushing for digital content and service providers to help pay for the roll out of network infrastructure because they generate a huge part of the internet traffic. (Reuters)

7. Russia says DDoS attack disrupts Telegram, WhatsApp

Russian users of Telegram and WhatsApp had trouble accessing the messaging apps on Wednesday due to disruption the state communications monitoring service said was caused by a distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attack. (Ynet news)

8. India minister accuses Amazon, e-commerce firms of predatory pricing

India’s commerce minister accused Amazon and other e-commerce companies of predatory pricing practices and said the sector’s rapid rise should not disrupt millions of brick-and-mortar stores operating in the country. (Today WestLaw)

9. Energix signs long-term solar power deal with Google

To power their rapidly expanding AI data centers, major technology firms like Google are increasingly negotiating electricity supply agreements with energy providers. (Economic Times)

AI

10. Microsoft rejigs reporting on business units, offers clarity on AI benefits

Microsoft on Wednesday restructured how it reports results for its business units, moving some search and news advertising revenue under the Azure cloud-computing unit as the tech giant looks to offer investors a clearer picture on AI contributions. (Yahoo Finance)

11. Lingo Telecom agrees to $1 million fine over AI-generated Biden robocalls

The telecommunications company that transmitted robocalls using artificial intelligence (AI) to mimic President Biden’s voice will pay a $1 million fine, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced Wednesday. (the Hill)

12. OpenAI signs content deal with Condé Nast

The media company joins The Atlantic, Axel Springer, Vox Media, and a host of other publishers who have partnered with OpenAI. (Wired)

13. FPT consortium commences work on $173 mln AI centre in southern Vietnam

Vietnam’s top tech firm FPT and its subsidiaries kicked off construction on a $174 million artificial intelligent project in south-central Binh Dinh province, its latest push to tap into AI sector, the company said on Wednesday. (Market Screener)