Tag: government bodies and offices

Federal appeals court expands limits on Biden administration communications with social media companies
Technology

Federal appeals court expands limits on Biden administration communications with social media companies

Washington CNN  —  A federal appeals court has expanded the scope of a ruling that limits the Biden administration’s communications with social media companies, saying it now also applies to a top US cybersecurity agency. The ruling last month from the conservative 5th Circuit US Court of Appeals severely limits the ability of the White House, the surgeon general, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the FBI to communicate with social media companies about content related to Covid-19 and elections that the government views as misinformation. The preliminary injunction had been on pause and a recent procedural snafu over a request from the plaintiffs in the case to broaden its sc...
Biden teases forthcoming executive order on AI
Technology

Biden teases forthcoming executive order on AI

CNN  —  The White House plans to introduce a highly anticipated executive order in the coming weeks dealing with artificial intelligence, President Joe Biden said Wednesday. “This fall, I’m going to take executive action, and my administration is going to continue to work with bipartisan legislation,” Biden said, “so America leads the way toward responsible AI innovation.” Biden offered no details on the contents of the coming order, which the White House had first announced in July. But his remarks offer greater insight into his administration’s timing. Biden’s signing of the order would build on an earlier administration proposal for an “AI Bill of Rights.” Civil society groups have u...
The US government and 17 states sues Amazon in landmark monopoly case
Technology

The US government and 17 states sues Amazon in landmark monopoly case

CNN  —  The US government and 17 states are suing Amazon in a landmark monopoly case reflecting years of allegations that the e-commerce giant abused its economic dominance and harmed fair competition. The groundbreaking lawsuit by the Federal Trade Commission and 17 attorneys general marks the government’s sharpest attack yet against Amazon, a company that started off selling books on the internet but has since become known as “the everything store,” expanding into selling a vast range of consumer products, creating a globe-spanning logistics network and becoming a powerhouse in other technologies such as cloud computing. The 172-page complaint alleges Amazon unfairly promotes its own platform a...
Huawei wants to go all in on AI in first strategy update in a decade, says Meng Wanzhou
Technology

Huawei wants to go all in on AI in first strategy update in a decade, says Meng Wanzhou

Editor’s Note: Sign up for CNN’s Meanwhile in China newsletter which explores what you need to know about the country’s rise and how it impacts the world. Hong Kong CNN  —  Huawei has joined the list of companies that want to be all about artificial intelligence. For the first time in about 10 years, the Chinese tech and telecoms giant announced its new strategic direction on Wednesday, saying it would shift its focus to AI. Previously, the company had prioritized cloud computing and intellectual property, respectively, over two decade-long periods. Meng Wanzhou, Huawei’s rotating chairwoman and chief financial officer, made the announcement in Shanghai during a company event. “As...
Elon Musk should be forced to testify on X’s ‘chaotic environment,’ US regulator tells court
Technology

Elon Musk should be forced to testify on X’s ‘chaotic environment,’ US regulator tells court

Washington CNN  —  Elon Musk should be forced to testify in an expansive US government probe of X, the company formerly known as Twitter, the US government said. The government said mass layoffs and other decisions Musk made raised questions about X’s ability to comply with the law and to protect users’ privacy. The US government’s attempt to compel Musk’s testimony is the latest turn in an investigation that predates Musk’s acquisition of X that has intensified due to Musk’s own actions, according to a court filing by the Justice Department on behalf of the Federal Trade Commission. The court filing dated Monday cites depositions with multiple former X executives, including its former ch...
Landmark Google trial opens with sweeping DOJ accusations of illegal monopolization
Technology

Landmark Google trial opens with sweeping DOJ accusations of illegal monopolization

CNN  —  US prosecutors opened a landmark antitrust trial against Google on Tuesday with sweeping allegations that for years the company intentionally stifled competition challenging its massive search engine, accusing the tech giant of spending billions to operate an illegal monopoly that has harmed every computer and mobile device user in the United States. In opening remarks before a federal judge in Washington, lawyers for the Justice Department alleged that Google’s negotiation of exclusive contracts with wireless carriers and phone makers helped cement its dominant position in violation of US antitrust law. The Google case has been described as one of the largest US antitrust trials since the fe...
Huawei Mate 60 Pro: Shares in Chinese chipmaker SMIC plunge as US calls for further sanctions
Technology

Huawei Mate 60 Pro: Shares in Chinese chipmaker SMIC plunge as US calls for further sanctions

Editor’s Note: Sign up for CNN’s Meanwhile in China newsletter which explores what you need to know about the country’s rise and how it impacts the world. Hong Kong CNN  —  Shares in SMIC, China’s largest contract chipmaker, plunged on Thursday, after two US congressmen called on the White House to further restrict export sales to the company. The comments came after Huawei Technologies introduced the Mate 60 Pro, a Chinese smartphone powered by an advanced chip that is believed to have been made by SMIC. Last week’s launch shocked industry experts who didn’t understand how SMIC, which is headquartered in Shanghai, would have the ability to manufacture such a chip following sweeping efforts ...
Biden administration defends communication with social media companies
Technology

Biden administration defends communication with social media companies

Washington, DC CNN  —  The Biden administration on Thursday defended its communications with social media giants in court, arguing those channels must stay open so that the federal government can help protect the public from threats to election security, Covid-19 misinformation and other dangers. The closely watched court fight reflects how social media has become an informational battleground for major social issues. It has revealed the messy challenges for social media companies as they try to manage the massive amounts of information on their platforms. And it has highlighted warnings by independent researchers, watchdog groups and government officials that malicious actors will continue to try ...
Justice Kagan order: Apple doesn’t have to change app store terms while battling Epic in court
Technology

Justice Kagan order: Apple doesn’t have to change app store terms while battling Epic in court

Washington CNN  —  A judicial order forcing Apple to change some of its app store terms will not need to take immediate effect while litigation over the decision plays out, Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan said on Wednesday, handing a temporary defeat to opponents of the company. The order is a setback for “Fortnite”-maker Epic Games as Apple appeals a lower-court ruling that found the iPhone-maker had violated California competition law. Epic Games declined to comment on Kagan’s decision, which occurred in the Supreme Court’s so-called “shadow docket” and was not referred to the full court. Apple didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment. Apple had previously bee...