The U.S. government is acquiring a 10% stake in Intel. This isn’t just a financial investment; it’s a strategic step to strengthen America’s semiconductor industry. With global chip demand soaring and supply chain risks increasing, this deal aims to boost domestic chip production and reduce dependence on foreign markets—especially in critical sectors like AI, defense, and advanced computing. Experts believe this move will help the U.S. compete with countries like China and South Korea in semiconductor innovation. For Intel, this could mean more stability, government support, and a stronger role in shaping the future of tech manufacturing.
Google has agreed to pay a AU$55 million (US$36 million) fine following regulatory action by Australia’s ACCC for anti-competitive agreements with major telecom companies Telstra and Optus. Between December 2019 and March 2021, Google arranged deals that required these carriers to pre-install only Google Search on Android phones, blocking rival search engines. This practice limited competition and consumer choice. Google admitted the agreements substantially lessened market competition and has pledged to remove such restrictions in future contracts. The Federal Court will soon decide on the penalty’s approval. This resolution aligns with broader efforts to foster competition amid the rise of AI search technologies.
Apple has announced a significant increase in its investment commitment to the United States, raising its total planned spending to $600 billion over the next four years. This announcement, made in collaboration with President Donald Trump, highlights Apple’s dedication to strengthening its American manufacturing and innovation footprint. Originally, Apple had pledged $500 billion earlier this year, but with the new $100 billion boost, the company aims to expand its advanced manufacturing capabilities and supply chain within the US.
A major part of this investment is focused on advanced manufacturing and emerging technologies. Apple plans to open a new state-of-the-art factory in Houston, Texas, dedicated to producing AI servers that power its cutting-edge Apple Intelligence system. The company is also doubling its U.S. Advanced Manufacturing Fund from $5 billion to $10 billion to support skilled manufacturing jobs and innovation. Additionally, Apple is collaborating with key American companies such as Corning, Texas Instruments, and Broadcom to expand domestic production of critical components like glass for iPhones and lasers for facial recognition technology.
This investment also aligns with governmental policies aimed at encouraging domestic manufacturing, particularly in response to potential tariffs on imported semiconductors and other components. Apple’s CEO Tim Cook noted that many parts of their products, including semiconductors and glass, are already made in the US, and the company’s goal is to increase this further. An expansion of research and development activities is included, focusing on silicon engineering and AI.
Apple’s increased commitment is expected to create thousands of high-tech jobs across the country, foster innovation, and solidify its position as one of the largest contributors to U.S. economic growth in the technology sector. The move has been positively received by investors and industry watchers as a strategic step towards reinforcing Apple’s manufacturing base domestically while reinforcing American technological leadership.
Dubai-based fintech Alaan has closed a $48million Series A round, one of the largest in the Middle East and North Africa. Focused on leveraging AI for smarter corporate expense management, Alaan plans to use the funds on product innovation and regional expansion. This robust investment highlights sustained appetite for AI-powered fintech solutions and the growing significance of the MENA market in the global tech scene.
The U.S. government has added OpenAI, Google, and Anthropic to its list of approved AI vendors. Through a revamped Multiple Awards Schedule, federal agencies can now access these leading AI platforms using pre-negotiated contracts, easing procurement and accelerating digital transformation. This move signals a major shift in how governments work with cutting-edge AI tools and the growing recognition of generative AI’s transformative potential across public services.
Meta has been found by a jury to have violated California privacy laws by discreetly collecting sensitive menstrual health data from users of the Flo period tracking app, allegedly without user consent. The class-action lawsuit revealed that Meta used this data for ad-tracking purposes, raising concerns about the handling of personal medical information. The outcome spotlights the increasing scrutiny on tech giants’ privacy practices as regulatory and user expectations evolve.
Spotify has introduced compulsory age checks for UK users to access mature content, complying with the UK’s Online Safety Act effective July 25, 2025. The process, executed via partner Yoti, involves facial recognition or government ID verification to confirm users are over 18 before viewing 18+ music videos. Accounts failing verification within 90 days risk permanent deletion. While aimed at protecting minors, Spotify’s age verification system has sparked privacy concerns and criticism from users. Those declining verification are blocked from adult content but can still use Spotify otherwise. This move aligns with similar measures on platforms like Reddit and Discord.
After the UK’s new Online Safety Act kicked in, requiring adult and sensitive content sites to verify users’ age, VPN downloads in the country spiked—some by over 1,000%. Platforms like Proton VPN and NordVPN reported massive surges in sign-ups. Critics say this trend mirrors what’s happened in heavily censored nations and warns it could lead to overreach. While officials hail progress, digital rights advocates argue that these “quick tech fixes” risk normalizing surveillance and pushing users into a privacy-cat-and-mouse game. The move sparks fresh debate on balancing child safety with online freedom and anonymity.
Trump has signed an executive order banning “woke AI” and any AI tools with ideological bias, especially those promoting DEI values, from receiving federal contracts. The order demands AI must be “ideologically neutral” and “truth-seeking,” but experts warn it could pressure companies to align with political agendas. Elon Musk’s xAI, which promotes “anti-woke” views, may benefit most from the move. Critics argue the order enforces viewpoint discrimination and ignores the reality that true objectivity in AI is nearly impossible, especially when facts themselves are politicized in today’s polarized environment.
