Business news

Business

A giant biotechnology company might go bust. What will happen to the millions of people's DNA it holds?

Since it was founded nearly two decades ago, 23andMe has grown into one of the largest biotechnology companies in the world. Millions of people have used its simple genetic testing service, which involves ordering a saliva ...

Business

AI is supposed to be Hollywood's next big thing: What's taking so long?

Earlier this year, OpenAI and other artificial intelligence companies wooed Hollywood studios with the futuristic promise of AI tools that they said could help make the business of creating movies and television shows faster, ...

Business

AI bots easily bypass some social media safeguards, study reveals

While artificial intelligence (AI) bots can serve a legitimate purpose on social media—such as marketing or customer service—some are designed to manipulate public discussion, incite hate speech, spread misinformation ...

Business

Wearable sensors can continuously track fatigue in factory workers

A system of wearable sensors and machine learning can continuously monitor factory workers for signs of physical fatigue. Factory work can be physically strenuous, and a safe and ethical workplace must ensure that workers ...

Business

New York Times takes aim at another AI company

The New York Times has sent a cease and desist letter to Perplexity, a hot AI startup often touted as a promising competitor to Google search, over alleged copyright infringement.

Business

Amazon wants to be everything to everyone

Amazon is bolstering its e-commerce empire while continuing a march deeper into people's lives, from robots to health care and entertainment.

Consumer & Gadgets

Exploring the hidden costs of free apps

Procrastination, sleep deprivation and reduced focus are part of the price we pay for free mobile apps. This is according to researchers at Linköping University and RISE, who have investigated the costs hidden behind the ...

Business

US weighs Google breakup in landmark trial

The US Department of Justice said on Tuesday it would demand that Google make profound changes to how it does business and even consider the possibility of a breakup, after the tech juggernaut was found to be running an illegal ...

Business

T-Mobile to pay $20M after outage led to failed 911 calls

Wireless carrier T-Mobile agreed to pay $19.5 million in a settlement with the Federal Communications Commission over a 12-hour nationwide outage in June 2020 that resulted in thousands of failed 911 calls.

Business

India's cryptocurrency legislation: what we know

The Indian government wants to ban all private cryptocurrencies, with some exceptions, to pave the way for a digital money controlled by the central bank. But this may not be as drastic as it sounds.

Business

India announces bill to ban cryptocurrencies

India's government will introduce a bill to ban private cryptocurrencies and create a framework for a central bank-backed digital money, parliament said in a shock announcement late Tuesday.

Business

Italy hits Amazon, Apple with 200 mn euro antitrust fine

Italy's competition watchdog imposed fines totalling over 200 million euros ($225 million) on Amazon and Apple Tuesday in the latest action taken against US tech giants in Europe over their business practices.

Business

IMF urges El Salvador against using bitcoin as official currency

The International Monetary Fund on Monday warned El Salvador against using bitcoin as official tender given the risks associated with the cryptocurrency, a day after the country announced plans for the world's first "Bitcoin ...

Business

Theranos founder tells US trial she believed in her technology

Fallen biotech star Elizabeth Holmes told her US fraud trial Monday she she believed in her blood testing startup's technology because of researchers' feedback, taking on prosecution charges she was a scammer hiding its flaws.

Business

Amazon agrees to pay $2.5M to settle pesticide sales lawsuit

Amazon has agreed to pay $2.5 million to settle a lawsuit brought by the Washington state Attorney General's Office claiming the company allowed industrial-grade pesticides to be sold illegally through its online marketplace.

Business

Sweden's Ericsson to buy US cloud operator Vonage

Ericsson said Monday it was acquiring US cloud-based communications provider Vonage, in the Swedish company's biggest acquisition in recent memory as it widens its operations beyond its traditional telecommunications equipment ...

Business

WhatsApp pushes privacy update to comply with Irish ruling

WhatsApp is adding more details to its privacy policy and flagging that information for European users, after Irish regulators slapped the chat service with a record fine for breaching strict EU data privacy rules.