• Unidentified governments allegedly spy on smartphone users through push notifications on Google and Apple apps, according to U.S. Senator Ron Wyden.
• Senator Wyden expresses concern in a letter to the Department of Justice about foreign officials demanding user data from Google and Apple.
• Push notifications, common in various apps, pass through Google and Apple servers, granting unique insights into user activity.
• Apple seizes the opportunity to share details on government monitoring, updating transparency reporting.
• Google commits to informing users about such requests but provides no specifics.
• Senator Wyden urges the Department of Justice to reconsider policies hindering public discussions on push notification spying.
• Source indicates that foreign governments, including U.S. allies, seek metadata to link anonymous users to specific Apple or Google accounts.
• Duration and extent of data gathering through push notifications remain unclear, raising privacy concerns.
• Push notifications, despite being essential, draw occasional scrutiny for challenges in deploying without sharing data with tech giants.

In a concerning revelation, a U.S. senator has raised alarm about unidentified governments reportedly surveilling smartphone users through push notifications on apps provided by tech giants Alphabet’s Google and Apple. Senator Ron Wyden expressed his concerns in a letter to the Department of Justice, revealing that foreign officials are demanding data from these companies, shedding light on a new avenue for government tracking of smartphones.

Push notifications, commonly used by various apps to alert users about messages, news updates, and other important information, are often overlooked by users. However, these notifications typically travel through servers operated by Google and Apple. According to Wyden, this places both companies in a unique position, providing them with insights into the traffic flowing from apps to users and enabling potential government surveillance on app usage.

Senator Wyden urged the Department of Justice to reconsider or modify any policies hindering public discussions on push notification spying. In response, Apple mentioned that Wyden’s letter allowed them to share more details with the public regarding how governments monitor push notifications. The company stated that, given the public disclosure, they would update transparency reporting to include information about such requests.

Google also expressed its commitment to keeping users informed about these requests and shared Senator Wyden’s concern. However, both companies did not provide specific details about the requests or whether they were prevented from disclosing such information by the Department of Justice.

Wyden’s letter, based on an undisclosed tip, suggested that both foreign and U.S. government agencies have sought metadata related to push notifications. The aim is to link anonymous users of messaging apps to specific Apple or Google accounts. While the source did not identify the foreign governments involved, they described them as democracies allied with the United States.

The duration of such data gathering through push notifications remains unclear. Despite being a vital feature for app engagement, push notifications have occasionally drawn attention from technologists due to the challenges of deploying them without sharing data with Google or Apple. This revelation highlights a potential privacy concern, emphasizing the need for transparency and public awareness regarding government surveillance through commonly used smartphone features.

• Meta Platforms introduces default end-to-end encryption for Messenger and Facebook chats, effective immediately.
• Upgrading all Messenger accounts with this feature may take some time.
• Previously, users could manually enable end-to-end encryption; now, it becomes the default setting for Messenger messages.
• Meta Platforms, Facebook’s parent company, underscores its commitment to enhancing user safety in messaging services.
• Meta’s WhatsApp already employs end-to-end encryption as part of their privacy and security commitment.
• The move signifies a crucial step towards creating a safer communication experience for global users.
• End-to-end encryption sparks debates between tech companies and governments.
• In September, the British government urged Meta Platforms to include safeguards before introducing encryption on Instagram and Facebook Messenger, particularly to protect children from potential risks of sexual abuse.
• Meta reaffirms its commitment to safeguarding user privacy and security in the online space.

In a significant move, Meta Platforms has announced the rollout of end-to-end encryption for all personal chats and calls on Messenger and Facebook. The social media giant revealed that this privacy feature will be available for immediate use, although it may take some time for all Messenger accounts to be updated with default end-to-end encryption.

Previously, Messenger users had the option to manually enable end-to-end encryption, ensuring that messages could only be accessed by the sender and designated recipients. With this recent update, Meta Platforms, the parent company of Facebook, aims to make end-to-end encryption the default setting for messages on Messenger.

While Meta’s WhatsApp platform already employs end-to-end encryption for messages, this move signifies the company’s commitment to enhancing user safety across its various messaging services. Meta asserts that encryption is a vital tool in safeguarding users against potential threats from hackers, fraudsters, and criminals.

However, the implementation of end-to-end encryption has sparked debates between technology companies and governments. In September, the British government urged Meta Platforms not to introduce encryption on Instagram and Facebook Messenger without incorporating safety measures to protect children from potential risks associated with sexual abuse.

As Meta continues to prioritize user privacy and security, the introduction of default end-to-end encryption for Messenger and Facebook marks a significant step toward providing a more secure communication environment for millions of users globally.

• Apple executive Steve Hotelling, key to iPhone innovation, is leaving the company, as reported by Bloomberg News.
• Hotelling played a crucial role in transforming iPhone screen and touch ID technology.
• Credited on multiple patents for iPhone and iPad touch screen features, he is recognized as a Touch ID inventor.
• Hotelling oversaw Apple’s camera engineering team and led projects in depth-sensing technologies for augmented reality.
• His departure coincides with Apple’s significant strides in augmented reality, suggesting potential shifts in focus.
• Hotelling represented Apple in legal trials during his two-decade career with the company.
• Apple has yet to respond to inquiries about the reasons behind Hotelling’s departure.
• Industry experts and Apple enthusiasts are curious about the impact on Apple’s future technological developments and strategic direction.

Apple executive Steve Hotelling, widely recognized for pioneering iPhone’s screen and touch ID technologies, will reportedly depart soon, Bloomberg News reported, citing sources familiar with this matter.

Hotelling’s departure marks an end of an era; his impactful contributions had an incredible effect on how iPhones look and function today. Hotelling holds several patents related to iPhone and iPad touchscreen features and was one of the key inventors behind Touch ID technology, according to Bloomberg report.

Hotelling was best known for his role in overseeing Apple’s camera engineering team and developing depth-sensing technologies essential to augment reality technology advancement. His departure comes amid significant strides by Apple in this space – suggesting potential shifts or new directions within their focus for AR technology advancement.

Hotelling has not shied away from public scrutiny despite his administrative role, having represented Apple in several legal trials over his two-decade career with them, according to Bloomberg.

Apple has yet to respond to Reuters’s request for comments regarding Hotelling’s departure, leaving industry professionals and Apple enthusiasts alike questioning its possible motivations and potential impact on future endeavours of the company.

As Apple continues to advance and innovate, Hotelling’s legacy as the driving force behind some of the iPhone’s iconic features will no doubt be remembered fondly. His departure raises many questions regarding Apple’s future technological developments and strategic direction; thus leaving tech community eagerly awaiting further insight from them.

• Amazon accuses Microsoft of restricting customer choice in the cloud computing market.
• CMA investigates the dominance of Amazon and Microsoft in the UK’s cloud computing industry.
• Changes to Microsoft’s terms of services make it difficult for customers to switch providers or use competitors’ services alongside.
• Financial viability concerns arise as customers may need to purchase a separate license for Microsoft’s software products.
• Google submitted a similar letter last week, expressing concerns about Microsoft’s practices disadvantaging rivals.
• Microsoft responds, highlighting the competitive nature of the UK’s cloud computing market and various sources of competition.
• Ongoing regulatory scrutiny reflects the intense competition and complex dynamics within the cloud computing industry.

Amazon has voiced concerns to Britain’s antitrust authority, accusing its rival Microsoft of adopting business practices that limit customer choice in the cloud computing market. This marks the second major company to criticize Microsoft’s operations in the ongoing probe by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) into the UK’s cloud computing industry.

In a letter published on Tuesday on the CMA’s website, Amazon highlighted changes to Microsoft’s terms of services, making it challenging for customers to switch to alternative cloud providers or utilize competitors’ services alongside Microsoft’s. Amazon argued that purchasing a separate license for many of Microsoft’s software products, even if the customer already owns the software, often renders choosing a provider other than Microsoft financially unviable.

This comes after Google submitted a similar letter to the CMA last week, claiming that Microsoft’s business practices put its rivals at an unfair disadvantage. Google made several recommendations, including pushing Microsoft to enhance interoperability for customers using its Azure service alongside other cloud programs and prohibiting the withholding of security updates from those who switch.

Microsoft responded to the CMA, asserting that the cloud computing market in the UK remains competitive. In its submission, Microsoft emphasized the presence of various sources of competition, including Google, Oracle, IBM, and other cloud players who are investing significantly in global cloud infrastructure to meet demand and compete vigorously for customer workloads.

The ongoing investigation underscores the intense competition and complex dynamics within the cloud computing industry, as major players navigate regulatory scrutiny and work to maintain their market positions.

• Twitch to halt operations in South Korea by February next year
• Decision attributed to high operating costs and network fees
• CEO Dan Clancy cites significant financial losses in the Korean market
• Network fees in Korea reportedly 10 times higher than in other countries
• Despite efforts to reduce costs, Twitch faces financial challenges in the region
• Over 400 layoffs announced in March due to slower-than-expected growth
• Exit highlights the tough economic landscape for streaming services
• Demonstrates the need for platforms to adapt strategies to market conditions

Amazon‘s streaming platform Twitch recently made public their plan to cease operations in South Korea by February next year due to increasing operating costs and network fees that make their business unviable there.

Dan Clancy addressed the situation in a blog post by acknowledging Twitch’s significant financial losses in Korea despite efforts to reduce operating costs; network fees there remain significantly higher than most countries and make continued operations unfeasible.

Twitch announced in March its intention to reduce staff by over 400, due to slower-than-anticipated user and revenue growth. Since then, they had actively worked towards streamlining operations and increasing cost effectiveness, but South Korean regulations proved an obstacle that they cannot overcome.

Twitch’s decision to exit South Korean market demonstrates the difficulty streaming services have in managing costs and adapting to changing market conditions. Their exit signifies the complex nature of streaming industry as platforms must continually evaluate their strategies in light of economic realities.

Wipro Limited, a leading technology services and consulting company, announced that it is working with Amazon Web Services (AWS) to redefine the future of lab processes in the life sciences industry.

The life science and pharmaceutical industries have long struggled with outdated laboratory processes that hinder efficiency and increase costs. Lab technicians, lab associates, and medical specialists often find themselves performing tasks outside of their expertise due to the fragmentation of laboratory operations across various platforms. This lack of cohesion not only results in inefficiencies but also extends the time required to bring new drugs and products to market, subsequently increasing research and development expenses.

Recognizing these challenges, Wipro began working with AWS to create the Lab of the Future. This innovative solution addresses the root issues that have plagued the industry, offering a comprehensive, cloud-based platform that streamlines laboratory processes and enhances collaboration among stakeholders.

“Our vision with launching Lab of the Future, is to deliver holistic lab performance powered by generative AI, advanced analytics, and a consultative business first approach,” said Philippe Dintrans, Senior Vice President & Global Head of Domain & Consulting at Wipro Consulting.

Among the key challenges facing the Life Sciences industry today are decreasing ROI for R&D (R&D returns fell to 1.8% in 2019, down from 10% in 2010¹), increasing cost of bringing new drugs to the market, and the significant amount of time spent on data management, which takes 45% of data scientists’ time, according to recent surveys.²

By introducing the Lab of the Future, Wipro and AWS aim to empower the life sciences industry with a modern, efficient, and collaborative laboratory solution that has the potential to significantly reduce costs and accelerate the development of life-saving drugs and products.

Among 12 leading large-cap biopharma companies, R&D returns fell to 1.8% in 2019—down from 10% in 2010

¹https://www.us.jll.com/en/views/real-estate-as-reagent-how-the-right-life-sciences-space-can-drive-innovation

²https://www.datanami.com/2020/07/06/data-prep-still-dominates-data-scientists-time-survey-finds/

“Wipro has enhanced offerings for clients across the life sciences value chain and our latest Lab innovation with AWS further illustrates our commitment to helping our clients improve business outcomes and enable cost efficiency,” said Srini Rajamani, Senior Vice President & Sector Head – Consumer and Life Sciences at Wipro.

Source: Wipro

• Apple’s concerns about local production targets in India
• Lobbying efforts for exemption or delay in adopting EU-like charging port rule
• Resistance to transition from proprietary lightning connector to universal USB-C
• Significance of India’s PLI scheme for electronic manufacturers, including Apple suppliers
• Impact on consumer preferences for older iPhone models in cost-conscious Indian market
• Compliance timeline with EU charging port rules and India’s targeted adoption
• Apple’s notable growth in India’s smartphone market share
• Anticipated influence on Apple’s production landscape and alignment with international standards

In a recent development, Apple has communicated to Indian authorities that its local production targets may face challenges if India aligns with the European Union’s rule requiring smartphones to have universal charging ports. The company is actively lobbying for an exemption or a delay beyond the proposed EU deadline.

Production Targets at Risk

Apple has expressed concerns that adhering to the EU-like rule on common chargers in India could hinder its ability to meet local production targets. This information surfaced in a closed-door meeting on November 28, chaired by India’s IT ministry.

EU Rule vs. Apple’s Lightning Connector

The EU proposes a universal USB-C charging port for smartphones, a move estimated to save consumers approximately $271 million and reduce electronic waste. Apple, known for its proprietary lightning connector, is resisting this shift.

Apple’s Request to India

During the meeting, Apple requested an exemption for existing iPhone models from the proposed regulations. The company argued that implementing the rule on earlier models would jeopardize its ability to fulfil production-linked incentive (PLI) targets.

PLI Scheme Significance

India’s PLI scheme, a key initiative by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, offers fiscal incentives to electronic manufacturers for investments and incremental phone sales. Apple suppliers, including Foxconn, have utilized this scheme to expand iPhone manufacturing in India.

Market Dynamics in India

India is considered a crucial growth market for Apple, with analyst Ming-Chi Kuo estimating a significant portion of iPhone production to come from India. The country accounts for 6% of India’s smartphone market share, a notable increase from 2% four years ago.

Consumer Preferences and Challenges

Indian consumers often prefer older iPhone models due to cost considerations. The push for a common charger on these older models could impact Apple’s market targets.

Compliance Timeline

While the EU’s charging port rules come into effect in December 2024, India aims for compliance by June 2025. Apple conveyed its ability to comply with the timeline if existing models are exempted but requested an 18-month extension if they are not.

Apple’s lobbying efforts in India underscore the challenges posed by global regulatory changes on the company’s established product design. The outcome of this negotiation will likely influence Apple’s production landscape in India and its ability to align with evolving international standards.

Note: Apple and India’s IT ministry have not provided comments on the matter as of the latest update.

• Project Kuiper’s goal: Establish a global satellite broadband network for high-speed internet from space, challenging competitors like SpaceX’s Starlink.
• Recent achievement: Successful launch of two prototype satellites, indicating progress in the project’s development.
• High costs: Projected expenses exceeding $10 billion raise concerns about financial feasibility and alignment with Amazon’s cost-cutting goals under CEO Andy Jassy.
• Competitive landscape: SpaceX’s Starlink leads with around 5,000 satellites, while Kuiper aims for 3,200, facing strong competition from other players like OneWeb and China.
• First-mover advantages: Early investments crucial; SpaceX claims reduced terminal costs, enhancing accessibility for customers.
• Blue Origin’s role: Bezos’s Blue Origin set to receive a substantial portion of funds, prompting conflict of interest accusations and a shareholder lawsuit.
• Ongoing costs: Replacement of low-orbit satellites every five years indicates continuous and potentially escalating expenses beyond the initial $10 billion projection.
• Potential overcapacity: Influx of global satellite networks raises concerns about overcapacity, reminiscent of challenges during the dot-com era’s fiber-optic boom.
• Space debris concerns: U.S. government report highlights potential hazards of space debris from unused satellites, adding complexity and risk to the project.
• Uncertain payoff: With possible overcapacity, ongoing costs, and potential hazards, the overall success of Project Kuiper remains uncertain, questioning Amazon’s continued involvement in this ambitious space race.

Amazon’s Project Kuiper, a visionary initiative aimed at creating a global satellite broadband network, is facing increasing skepticism. The brainchild of Amazon’s founder, Jeff Bezos, the project recently marked a milestone with the successful launch of two prototype satellites. However, with costs soaring beyond $10 billion and competitors like SpaceX’s Starlink racing ahead, the wisdom of continuing this venture is being called into question, especially under the leadership of current Amazon CEO Andy Jassy.

The allure of global satellite broadband has captivated tech tycoons, from Bezos to Microsoft‘s Bill Gates and SpaceX’s Elon Musk. Yet, this colossal undertaking comes with hefty expenses. To deliver fast and reliable connections, satellites must orbit close to Earth, requiring a significant number to ensure continuous coverage. Starlink, with approximately 5,000 satellites, has taken the lead, while Kuiper aims for 3,200, competing in a market where each new satellite enhances coverage and simplifies user terminals.

However, history warns of the perils of building communication networks in competition with established players. The dot-com era witnessed entrepreneurs investing heavily in fibre-optic cables and local systems, resulting in bankruptcies and poor returns. Amazon’s Kuiper, while not an existential bet for the trillion-dollar company, raises concerns with its earmarked spending exceeding $10 billion, conflicting with Jassy’s cost-cutting agenda.

Adding to the complexity, Blue Origin, Bezos’s rocket company, is set to receive a substantial $2.7 billion share of the allocated funds, prompting a shareholder lawsuit alleging a conflict of interest. Given that low-orbit satellites require replacement every five years, the spending is likely to persist. Moreover, fierce competition looms, with companies like Eutelsat Communications’ OneWeb and China planning expansive satellite networks, potentially leading to overcapacity reminiscent of the fibre-optic boom.

The risk of massive overcapacity isn’t the only concern; a recent U.S. government report has highlighted the potential hazards of space debris. With floating graveyards of unused satellites posing a threat, the uncertain payoff and the risk of efforts burning up on reentry raise questions about the prudence of Amazon’s participation in this seemingly futile space race.

In conclusion, as Amazon’s Project Kuiper competes against well-established players and faces a landscape rife with uncertainties, reconsidering its trajectory might be the pragmatic choice. With a hefty price tag, potential conflicts of interest, and the specter of overcapacity and space debris, the dream of a space-based internet service may need to be grounded for the sake of fiscal responsibility and long-term sustainability.

• Google formally requests UK antitrust action against Microsoft, alleging unfair cloud computing practices amid heightened global scrutiny of major tech players.
• The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) launches an inquiry into the UK’s cloud computing industry prompted by Ofcom’s concerns over Amazon and Microsoft’s market dominance.
• As of 2022, AWS and Azure collectively hold 78%-94% of the British public cloud infrastructure market, compared to Google Cloud’s 5-10% share.
• Google accuses Microsoft of restricting customer choices with licensing practices; Microsoft updates rules, but Google contends changes fall short of addressing concerns.
• Amit Zavery, Google Cloud VP, criticizes Microsoft’s practices, highlighting Google’s commitment to a flexible multi-cloud approach.
• The dispute centers around Microsoft’s altered licensing terms for Windows and other cloud software, resulting in higher costs for customers favouring Google or AWS over Azure.
• Google submits six recommendations to the CMA, including measures to enhance interoperability and restrict Microsoft from withholding security updates for those switching providers.

Google recently petitioned the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), Britain’s antitrust regulator, to intervene and address what it perceives to be anticompetitive business practices by Microsoft in the cloud computing sector. The request comes amid rising global scrutiny of tech titans Microsoft and Amazon regarding their dominant positions within this market segment.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) initiated an inquiry into Britain’s cloud computing industry in October following a referral by media regulator Ofcom, who highlighted Amazon and Microsoft’s market dominance as of 2022. Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Azure together held 78%-94% market share for British public cloud infrastructure services market; by comparison, Google Cloud division held 5-10%.

Google lodged a formal complaint against Microsoft for engaging in licensing practices that prevented customers from choosing alternative services, even alongside Azure. According to Google’s letter addressed to the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), Microsoft had engaged in practices which engaged in unfair licensing practices which dissuaded customers from choosing alternative offerings despite potential advantages provided by competitors in terms of pricing, quality, security, innovation and features.

Microsoft had recently updated its licensing rules in response to such concerns, yet according to Google they failed to adequately address issues or satisfy competitors. A Microsoft spokesperson responded that their company collaborated with independent cloud providers around the world in order to address concerns and create opportunities – this resulted in over 100 providers worldwide benefitting from these changes.

Amit Zavery, Vice President of Google Cloud, voiced criticism against Microsoft’s practices while emphasizing Google’s multi-cloud approach that gives customers the flexibility to switch providers depending on their unique needs. Zavery voiced concerns that without being addressed promptly, these identified issues might shrink the market further and impede innovation and investment opportunities.

At the core of this dispute lies Microsoft’s decision to change terms regarding Windows and other software licenses in the cloud, leading to higher costs for customers choosing Google or AWS over Azure.

Google submitted six recommendations to the CMA, including measures designed to increase interoperability among Azure services, other cloud providers and services offered by other providers; as well as restricting Microsoft from withholding security updates from those switching providers.

The CMA has not provided its response to requests for comments regarding the matter, creating the potential for more developments to emerge in this ongoing antitrust battle.

NVIDIA announced a generative AI microservice that lets enterprises connect custom large language models to enterprise data to deliver highly accurate responses for their AI applications.

NVIDIA NeMo Retriever — a new offering in the NVIDIA NeMo family of frameworks and tools for building, customizing and deploying generative AI models — helps organizations enhance their generative AI applications with enterprise-grade retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) capabilities.

As a semantic-retrieval microservice, NeMo Retriever helps generative AI applications provide more accurate responses through NVIDIA-optimized algorithms. Developers using the microservice can connect their AI applications to business data wherever it resides across clouds and data centers. It adds NVIDIA-optimized RAG capabilities to AI foundries and is part of the NVIDIA AI Enterprise software platform, available in AWS Marketplace.

Cadence, Dropbox, SAP and ServiceNow are among the pioneers working with NVIDIA to build production-ready RAG capabilities into their custom generative AI applications and services.

“Generative AI applications with RAG capabilities are the next killer app of the enterprise,” said Jensen Huang, founder and CEO of NVIDIA. “With NVIDIA NeMo Retriever, developers can create customized generative AI chatbots, copilots and summarization tools that can access their business data to transform productivity with accurate and valuable generative AI intelligence.”

Global Leaders Enhance LLM Accuracy With NeMo Retriever

Electronic systems design leader Cadence serves companies across hyperscale computing, 5G communications, automotive, mobile, aerospace, consumer and healthcare markets. It is working with NVIDIA to develop RAG features for generative AI applications in industrial electronics design.

“Generative AI introduces innovative approaches to address customer needs, such as tools to uncover potential flaws early in the design process,” said Anirudh Devgan, president and CEO of Cadence. “Our researchers are working with NVIDIA to use NeMo Retriever to further boost the accuracy and relevance of generative AI applications to reveal issues and help customers get high-quality products to market faster.”

Cracking the Code for Accurate Generative AI Applications

Unlike open-source RAG toolkits, NeMo Retriever supports production-ready generative AI with commercially viable models, API stability, security patches and enterprise support.

NVIDIA-optimized algorithms power the highest accuracy results in Retriever’s embedding models. The optimized embedding models capture relationships between words, enabling LLMs to process and analyze textual data.

Using NeMo Retriever, enterprises can connect their LLMs to multiple data sources and knowledge bases, so that users can easily interact with data and receive accurate, up-to-date answers using simple, conversational prompts. Businesses using Retriever-powered applications can allow users to securely gain access to information spanning numerous data modalities, such as text, PDFs, images and videos.

Enterprises can use NeMo Retriever to achieve more accurate results with less training, speeding time to market and supporting energy efficiency in the development of generative AI applications.

Reliable, Simple, Secure Deployment With NVIDIA AI Enterprise

Companies can deploy NeMo Retriever-powered applications to run during inference on NVIDIA-accelerated computing on virtually any data center or cloud. NVIDIA AI Enterprise supports accelerated, high-performance inference with NVIDIA NeMo, NVIDIA Triton Inference Server, NVIDIA TensorRT, NVIDIA TensorRT-LLM and other NVIDIA AI software.

To maximize inference performance, developers can run their models on NVIDIA GH200 Grace Hopper Superchips with TensorRT-LLM software.

Availability

Developers can sign up for early access to NVIDIA NeMo Retriever.

Source: NVIDIA