Internet

Russia restricts FaceTime, its latest step in controlling online communications

Russian authorities said Dec 4 they have imposed restrictions on Apple's video calling service FaceTime, the latest step in an effort to tighten control over the internetand communications online.

AI

Studies: AI chatbots can influence voters

A brief conversation with a partisan AI chatbot can influence voters' political views, studies published Dec 4 found, with evidence-backed arguments – true or not – proving particularly persuasive.

Technology

LG Elec says Microsoft and LG affiliates pursuing cooperation on data centres

SEOUL, Dec 5 (Reuters) - South Korea's LG Electronics Inc said on Friday that Microsoft and LG affiliates are pursuing overall business cooperation regarding data centres, but no specific deal has been signed at this time.

Technology

Apple appoints Meta's Newstead as general counsel amid executive changes

Dec 4 (Reuters) - Apple on Thursday announced that Meta Platforms' chief legal officer, Jennifer Newstead, will join the company as its general counsel and senior vice president.

Technology

AI's rise stirs excitement, sparks job worries

NEW YORK, Dec 4 (Reuters) - The transformative effects of artificial intelligence dominated discussions at the Reuters NEXT conference in New York, with panelists concentrating on how it may upend work - and job growth - sidestepping concerns about an AI bubble. 

Technology

Australia's NEXTDC inks MoU with OpenAI to develop AI infrastructure in Sydney, shares jump

Dec 5 (Reuters) - NEXTDC Ltd said on Friday it inked a memorandum of understanding with ChatGPT maker OpenAI to collaborate on the development of a hyperscale AI campus and graphics processing unit supercluster in Sydney, boosting its shares.

Technology

SentinelOne forecasts quarterly revenue below estimates, CFO to step down

Dec 4 (Reuters) - Cybersecurity firm SentinelOne on Thursday forecast fourth-quarter revenue below analysts' expectations and said Chief Financial Officer Barbara Larson will step down.

Technology

Hewlett Packard forecasts weak quarterly revenue, shares fall

Dec 4 (Reuters) - Hewlett Packard Enterprise forecast first-quarter revenue below Wall Street estimates on Thursday, due to cautious enterprise spending amid economic uncertainty, sending its shares down 5% in extended trading.

Technology

Microsoft to lift productivity suite prices for businesses, governments

Dec 4 (Reuters) - Microsoft will increase prices for its Microsoft 365 productivity suites globally starting July 2026 for commercial and government clients, the company said on Thursday.

Technology

Bank of America expands crypto access for wealth management clients

Dec 4 (Reuters) - Bank of America will begin allowing its wealth advisers to recommend allocations to crypto in client portfolios from next month, the U.S. lending giant said on Thursday, in a landmark moment for the digital assets sector.

Technology

Italy launches 'in-depth' review of cryptocurrency risks

MILAN, Dec 4 (Reuters) - Italy's Economy Ministry has ordered an in-depth review of existing safeguards against cryptocurrency risks, which are seen potentially rising, the Bank of Italy and other financial regulators said on Thursday.

Technology

FCC approves AT&T $1 billion purchase of spectrum from US Cellular

WASHINGTON, Dec 4 (Reuters) - The Federal Communications Commission said Thursday it has approved AT&T's deal to buy some wireless spectrum licenses from U.S. Cellular in a $1.02 billion deal after the Texas-based carrier committed to end DEI programs.

Technology

Meta to cut up to 30% of metaverse budget, Bloomberg News reports

Dec 4 (Reuters) - Meta is expected to make budget cuts of up to 30% for its metaverse initiative, Bloomberg News reported on Thursday, citing people familiar with the discussions.

Technology

AI startup Flex raises $60 million to offer finance tools for mid-sized businesses

Dec 4 (Reuters) - Flex, an artificial intelligence startup that aims to be a one-stop shop for the financial needs of mid-sized business owners, said on Thursday it has raised $60 million in a Portage Ventures-led funding round.

Technology

Taiwan's UMC in pact with Polar to explore US production of eight-inch chip

TAIPEI, Dec 4 (Reuters) - Taiwan chip maker United Microelectronics Corp (UMC) said on Thursday it had signed a memorandum of understanding with U.S.-based Polar Semiconductor to explore collaboration on manufacturing of 8-inch wafers in the United States.

Technology

Eau de AI: Amazon gives techies a whiff of software-driven perfume

LAS VEGAS, Dec 4 (Reuters) - Amazon.com on Wednesday touted new capabilities for its SageMaker AI service that it says will help customers expedite customizing their artificial intelligence software models.

Technology

Amazon in discussions with USPS about future relationship

WASHINGTON, Dec 4 (Reuters) - Amazon.com said Thursday the e-commerce giant is in discussions with the U.S. Postal Service about its future relationship and considering its options before its current contract expires next year.

Technology

Meta set to face EU antitrust investigation into AI use in Whatsapp -source

BRUSSELS, Dec 4 (Reuters) - U.S. tech giant Meta is set to face a European Union antitrust investigation into use of artificial intelligence in its chat platform Whatsapp, a source told Reuters.

Technology

Russia blocks Apple's FaceTime in mounting push against foreign tech platforms

Dec 4 (Reuters) - Russia has blocked Apple's video-calling app FaceTime, the state communications watchdog said on Thursday, as part of an accelerating clampdown on foreign tech platforms that authorities allege are being used for criminal activity.

Gadgets

Logitech CEO says AI devices are solutions looking for problems

Logitech International SA's chief executive officer said the computer accessory maker is done for now with price hikes, while dismissing other hardware makers' rush to build artificial intelligence-centric gadgets.