Big tech firms like Google, Amazon and Facebook spent a record amount on political lobbying last year January 24, 2019 Google, Amazon and Facebook's bill for lobbying the US government hit record highs last year, as life under the Trump administration put big tech firms in the spotlight. Google parent firm Alphabet said it spent $21.2m (£16.3m) on political lobbying costs in the US last year, topping its previous all-time high of $18.2m achieved in 2012. It [...]
Shareholders sue Alphabet board over allegations it was complicit in covering up sexual misconduct claims January 11, 2019 Shareholders have filed lawsuits against Google parent company Alphabet over allegations that the company covered up claims of sexual misconduct against top executives. In two lawsuits filed this week, investors claimed that Alphabet's board failed in its duties by not tackling harassment within the company, approving large payouts and acting to conceal allegations, according to Reuters. [...]
Apple analysts have let us down yet again January 8, 2019 Apple analysts, huh, what are they good for? Absolutely nothing. Say it again… Yep, that’s right, I just butchered one of the most powerful lyrics of the past 50 years. Lyrics immortalised by Edwin Starr in the 1970 Vietnam protest song, but for me it kind of grabs your attention and makes the point rather [...]
Google to fork out $1bn on new NYC campus, one week on from Apple’s splurge in Texas December 17, 2018 Alphabet's Google will invest more than $1bn (£793.6m) on building a new campus in New York, following in the footsteps of fellow tech giant Amazon in picking the US financial capital for expansion. Named Google Hudson Square, the new 1.7m square foot campus will consist of leased properties on New York’s technology corridor. The company said [...]
Former Google chief Eric Schmidt: AI could fix the world’s productivity problem November 28, 2018 Eric Schmidt, the former chief executive and chairman of Google, has come out with a message of confidence for the future of tech in the workplace, predicting AI could provide productivity with a much-needed boost. "I can tell you that [in] the future is there’s going to be a much larger number of empty jobs, [...]
Google and DeepMind are playing fast and loose with society’s trust November 20, 2018 Last week, we were greeted by the disturbing news that DeepMind, an artificial intelligence subsidiary owned by Google’ s parent company Alphabet, is moving some of its healthcare activities into the newly formed Google Health. This isn’t the first time that one of the tech giants has been accused of making misrepresentations to consumers, using [...]
Google appoints former Oracle executive Thomas Kurian as new chief of its cloud business November 17, 2018 Google is set to appoint former Oracle executive Thomas Kurian as the new chief executive officer of Google Cloud. Kurian will join the company on November 26 and take over Google's cloud business in January, when current CEO Diane Greene is due to depart. Greene announced on Friday that she would be leaving the role after [...]
Apple loses $50bn in market valuation as fears grow of slowing iPhone sales November 12, 2018 Apple's shares fell five percent tonight after a major supplier cut its financial outlook, leading to fears demand for the iPhone has plateaued. The fall slashed $50bn (£38.9bn) from Apple’s market valuation with shares falling $20.30 to $194.17. The losses mean Apple’s market capitalisation has fallen $190bn since October, more than the entire market value [...]
EU antitrust chief Margrethe Vestager signals decision on Google Adsense investigation November 7, 2018 European competition commissioner Margrethe Vestager has said regulators are close to releasing findings against Google, which could see the tech giant hit with another record-breaking fine. The investigation is the third of its kind into Google and its parent firm Alphabet by the antitrust watchdog in recent years, after the firm was fined €4.3bn (£3.8bn) earlier this year over market [...]
EU leaders split on plans for a European digital tax November 6, 2018 EU member states have failed to reach a consensus on imposing an EU-wide digital services tax, which affects firms such as Facebook and Alphabet, over fears of potential US retaliation. The plan, which requires approval from all 28 EU member states, is opposed by many. The levy would see a three per cent tax placed [...]