The value of the average data breach fine in the UK doubles in one year October 29, 2018 The average value of fines issued by the UK’s data watchdog doubled over the last year to reach £146,000, according to new figures released today by City law firm RPC. Additionally, the total value of fines imposed by the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) in the twelve months to 30 September 2018 rose to just under £5m. [...]
The comeback kid: HMV tops Amazon in UK physical sales October 29, 2018 British entertainment retailer HMV has staged a comeback in the face of Amazon’s increased dominance to become the largest physical music retailer in the UK. In the 12 weeks to 23 September, HMV experienced market share growth for the second consecutive quarter to a total of 28 per cent, according to data published today by [...]
IBM to buy Red Hat for $34bn in largest software acquisition ever October 28, 2018 Software giant IBM has struck a deal with industry fellow Red Hat to acquire the firm for a total of $34bn (£26.5bn), including debt, the two businesses announced tonight. The transaction marks IBM’s biggest acquisition to date, and the largest software acquisition ever conducted. The deal is said to be a game-changer for the firm, [...]
Apple pulls into focus amid tech sink with fourth quarter results and new Mac and iPad event October 28, 2018 The world's most valuable listed company will be the centre of attention this week, as Apple gears up to launch several new additions to its Mac and iPad lines as well as publish its fourth quarter earnings. Apple is expected to report revenue in the middle of its predicted range at $61.6bn (£48bn) in its results [...]
Facebook revenue growth to be hit by data breach record October 28, 2018 Facebook is expected to report a continued growth slowdown for revenue and profits in its third quarter earnings on Tuesday, as a string of major data breaches weigh heavily on the firm. Facebook finance chief Dave Wehner predicted the deceleration at its last earnings call in July, with consensus estimates as collated by S&P Global [...]
Spotify heads to the Street for third quarter earnings after stock slump October 28, 2018 Music streaming service Spotify is expected to report a slight rise in revenues when it publishes its third quarterly earnings on Thursday, after having dropped below its initial listing price amid a wider stock slump in the sector. Consensus estimates collated by S&P Global Market Intelligence have anticipated revenue of €1.34bn (£1.2bn) for the three [...]
Microsoft says it will sell artificial intelligence and other technology to US military October 27, 2018 Microsoft has announced plans to sell artificial intelligence to the US military, along with any other technology they need "to build a strong defence". It comes just months after Google told the Pentagon it would not sell technology products that could be used for weapons. The debate about AI use in the military comes as [...]
Barclaycard will trial new ‘Transplater’ app to help restaurant-goers understand what they are eating October 27, 2018 Barclaycard has created a new app to help restaurant-goers make light of unfamiliar dishes and ingredients on the menu after nine in ten Brits admitted they aren't always familiar with what they are ordering. Research undertaken by the bank revealed that as many as 42 per cent of people admitted to being unlikely to return [...]
Sony Xperia XZ3 review: The new flagship’s 6-inch QHD OLED display is spectacular to behold October 26, 2018 Think of Sony and you think of three things. The iconic “bwoarrrr” sound that PlayStations used to make when you switched them on, that weird little robot dog that would die if you didn’t feed it a constant supply of batteries, and the best televisions in the world. That it’s taken Sony this long to [...]
Cyber war: Be militant and soldier on October 26, 2018 Last week, the National Cyber Security Centre’s annual review laid bare the UK’s current threat landscape for all to see. But the idea that the government is repelling cyber attacks on a daily basis is not news to me. We know the scale of the threat. The UK has a very clear modus operandi, and [...]