Industry news

To break up social media giants Instagram and WhatsApp from Facebook Inc would cost billions, harm consumers and disregard laws. 

A document investigating Facebook and other companies such as Google and Amazon for antitrust violations is expected to be released by the House Antitrust Subcommittee later this month. This report could include a plan to separate the platforms and to enforce a series of policies.

Facebooks acquisition of Instagram in 2012 and WhatsApp in 2014 were investigated by the Federal Trade Commission. This investigation was closed with no objections.

Many critics argue that the acquisition of Instagram and WhatsApp has illegally reduced competition in the social media industry.

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Benelux Port in Rotterdam is testing out a blockchain-based application for processing containers.

This follows the movement created by Antwerp Port in Belgium where the Secure Container Release Application has replaced the current method of using PIN codes. 

Blockchain uses a digital token instead of a PIN which will reduce fraud and all associated risk as the tokens cannot be copied or stolen. This will make the port more efficient and safer.

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Sony and Kioxia have requested US approval to supply Huawei Technology. This follows as other technology companies such as Intel Corp have recently received licenses from the US.

Sony is one of Huawei’s top customers for their image sensor mobiles. Kioxia is the world's second largest marker of flash memory chips and supplies Huawei.

Without licenses from the US both companies will face risk to their earnings.

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UK tax collector wants to reset its supply chain by allocating its entire £900m annual IT budget to the wider supplier landscapes in order to create a new Technology Sourcing Programme.

This programme is aimed to "deliver a step change in how HMRC delivers IT, works with IT suppliers to procure and utilise technology and how we work more broadly as an organisation.”

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GardaWorld bids £3bn to takeover their rival firm G4S as they believe that the company requires new management.

This news caused G4S shares to jump by 4%. However, the G4S board unanimously rejected the offer as they believe it undervalues the firm. 

The G4S has been looking to revamp their business after a series of issues starting back in 2012 with the London Olympic Games. 

The Canadian firm GardaWorld outlined plans that if they were to takeover the UK security company G4S then they would uphold their headquarters in London and honour all of their UK government contracts.

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Microsoft has launched the Azure for Operators Initiative as they partner with the telecommunications industry in order to improve Cloud and to investigate the requirements of introducing 5G.

The initiative is designed to connect a company with network operators to create new opportunities, provide core infrastructure, combining cloud, cellular and edge resources in order to provide low latency and largest reach at a low cost.

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Really interesting article on LinkedIn from Tim Wright about the HMRC confirming changes to VAT positions when terminating an outsourcing or supply agreement for convenience.

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The EU is preparing to force Big Tech companies to share consumer data with smaller rival firms according to an early draft of the Digital Services Act which is expected by the end of the year.

Regulations are also set to be enforced in order to ensure that the gatekeeper platforms big tech companies use to run their sites should only be able to collect data for narrow purposes. 

By enforcing regulations like this Brussels is hoping to set a global standard for the technology sector and to minimise the advantages Big Tech companies like Google take because there are no rules.

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Fascinating perspective from Sunil Chavan at Computer Weekly on The Race to get Data Analytics Right, worth a read.

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The UK and US have signed a new agreement to cooperate on research and development of artificial intelligence.

This agreement aims to drive technological breakthroughs whilst strengthening the countries collective prosperity and national security. 

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