Microsoft trumps Amazon in refusal to sell facial recognition software to police June 11, 2020 Microsoft has become the third tech giant to declare a moratorium on selling its facial recognition software to police, as companies weigh in on the global debate surrounding the latter’s use of violence against communities of colour. Though it does not currently sell its technology to police, Microsoft president Brad Smith said that it will [...]
Biden calls on Facebook to rethink fact-checking policy before US election June 11, 2020 Democratic US presidential candidate Joe Biden has called for Facebook to fact check political advertisements on its platform ahead of the November ballot. In an open letter addressed to Facebook chief Mark Zuckerberg, Biden said there should be a two-week pre-election period during which all political ads must be fact-checked before they are allowed to [...]
Apple commits $100m to racial justice initiative June 11, 2020 Apple chief executive Tim Cook has today revealed the firm will spend $100m on a company programme dedicated to racial justice. “The unfinished work of racial justice and equality call us all to account,” Cook said in a tweet. “Things must change, and Apple’s committed to being a force for that change.” It follows in [...]
Uber must classify drivers as employees, California rules June 11, 2020 Drivers operating on ride-hailing platforms such as Uber and Lyft will now be considered employees, regulators in California said today. Under the state’s gig economy workers law, which was passed six months ago, such companies must pay employees for overtime, health benefits and workers’ compensation. Today the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), the ride-hailing sector’s [...]
EU to levy antitrust charges against Amazon over treatment of third-party sellers June 11, 2020 The European Commission is said to be preparing to file formal charges against Amazon over its treatment of third-party sellers on its platform. The Commission will accuse Amazon of accumulating data from third-party sellers and using it to compete against them, people familiar with the matter told the Wall Street Journal. The case could appear [...]
Softbank buyback plan raises doubts about its ‘financial soundness’ June 11, 2020 Credit-rating firm S&P Global Ratings has questioned Softbank’s financial rigour as it pursues a huge share buyback programme. The buyback plan raises doubts about the conglomerate’s intention to adhere to “financial soundness and creditworthiness,” S&P said. Softbank is looking to raise up to $41bn via asset sales. The plan has already come under fire from [...]
Ocado shares slide on plans to raise £1bn amid coronavirus online boom June 11, 2020 Ocado shares fell this morning after the announcement that it plans to raise £1bn to help it capitalise on the online grocery market boom triggered by the coronavirus crisis. The British online supermarket and technology group said yesterday that it would raise about £657m through an equity placing and retail offer, and about £350m through [...]
CityFibre announces 10,000 jobs boost to roll-out infrastructure June 11, 2020 CityFibre has today announced a 10,000 jobs boost as part of its efforts to upgrade the UK’s digital infrastructure to full fibre. The recruitment drive will target those now unemployed as a result of the pandemic and service-leavers. There will also be job opportunities for qualified and experienced telecoms workers. Jobs will be created within [...]
APIs: the invisible wiring pivotal to digital transformation June 10, 2020 | City Talk Unless you work in a technology-focused business, or are particularly technology-minded, it’s unlikely that you will have heard of ‘Application Programming Interfaces’ – or APIs. But as companies, and daily life, become increasingly technology-based – a trend accelerated by coronavirus – and APIs themselves evolve, they are becoming more important to business success. For an [...]
Britain’s tech sector takes in $5.3bn in first half of 2020 June 10, 2020 The UK’s tech businesses have raised more than $5bn in investment so far this year, despite the impact of coronavirus weighing on funds. Startups across the UK took in $5.3bn between January and May 2020, more than the rest of Europe combined at $4.1bn. Data compiled by Tech Nation and Dealroom showed London commanded the [...]