Antitrust move. The UK and European Commission opens formal antitrust investigations of Google and Meta over ad tech concerns
News Google
China Backed Hackers Compromised Six US State Governments – Mandiant
Prolific Chinese state-sponsored hackers APT41 has compromised at least six US state government networks, Mandiant has warned
Google To Acquire Mandiant For $5.4 Billion
Mandiant is to be acquired by Google, after the Alphabet division agrees to pay $5.4 billion for the cybersecurity veteran
Google Sets 4 April For Staff Return To Offices
Staff at Google have been told to should return to physical offices from 4 April, with hybrid working approaches being adopted
Fitbit Recalls Ionic Smartwatches Over Burn Risk
Google-owned Fitbit recalls more than a million Ionix smartwatches, after burn injuries from overheating lithium-ion battery
Google, YouTube, Facebook Block Russia’s RT, Sputnik
After Google and Facebook blocks ad revenues for Russian state-owned media outlets, further restrictions by tech platforms announced
Google Disables Ukraine Live Traffic Data
Google temporarily disables live traffic data and location features from Ukraine in order to protect local communities, amidst ongoing Russian invasion
Google Relaxes Vaccine Requirement, As It Readies Office Reopening
Major changes at Google as it eases tough restrictions on vaccines, as it prepares to re-open its offices and campuses in the US
Donald Trump’s ‘Truth Social’ App Emerges For Beta Testing
Approximately 500 beta testers have begun using Donald Trump's 'Truth Social' app, which reportedly bears a striking resemblance to Twitter
Google To Limit Ad Tracking On Android Apps
More bad news for advertisers? Google announces the Privacy Sandbox will be expanded from web browser and will include Android apps
Google To Wind Down Currents, Final Remanent Of Google+
Last twitch of the corpse that is Google+ (Google Plus) revealed, as enterprise-focused spin-off Currents is to be wound down
UK Watchdog Accepts Google’s Revised Browser Cookie Pledge
CMA says it will keep “close eye” on Google after it accepted the firm's revised offer concerning the banning of third-party cookies
UK Bosses Rethink Physical Office Spaces, Slack Finds
End of physical offices and the 9 to 5? New research from Slack suggests 98 percent of UK bosses have rethought physical office space needs
Alphabet Posts Record Results, Announces 20 for 1 Stock Split
Google parent Alphabet posts a stunning set of quarterly and annual results, and announces a 20 to 1 stock split in the summer
French Court Upholds 100m Euro Fine On Google Over Cookies
Google has been told by French court it has to pay a $112m fine, over forcing use of advertising tracking cookies on people’s devices
Google Drops FloC For Topics In Cookie Replacement Move
New privacy sandbox change. Google swaps system, as part of its efforts to replace cookies used by Chrome browser for online advertising
Google Sued For ‘Deceptive’ Location Tracking Practices
Four attorneys general in the US are suing Google for allegedly misleading users about when it was able to track their locations
DeepMind Co-Founder Suleyman Departs For Investment Firm
DeepMind co-founder Mustafa Suleyman leaves parent company Google for Silicon Valley venture capital firm after controversial tenure
Google Asks Judge To Dismiss Most Of Texas Antitrust Case
Google asks federal judge to dismiss most counts of antitrust case filed by Texas and other states, saying case presents no proof of wrongdoing
Senate Committee Approves Big Tech Antitrust Bill
Attempt by US lawmakers to tame the power of big tech firms, nudges a step closer after Senate Committee votes to advance competition bill
Google, Facebook Chiefs Signed Off On Secret Deal, Lawsuit Says
Google's Sundar Pichai and Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg signed off on a deal to carve up advertising market, alleges antitrust lawsuit filed by US states
Google Continues Real Estate Push With $1bn London Office Purchase
Despite delaying staff return to its offices, Google spends £728m ($1bn) acquiring office building in London, and will increase UK headcount
YouTube ‘Major Conduit’ Of Misinformation, Fact-checkers Allege
Group of more than 80 fact-checking organisations write open letter to YouTube's CEO, calling platform a major conduit of misinformation
Meta Delays Office Reopening, Orders Booster Shots For Staff
Facebook parent delays office reopening and mandates all returning staff to provide proof of receiving Covid-19 booster vaccinations, amid Omicron surge
India Opens Probe Into Google After Publishers Complain
India's competition regulator launches investigation into Google's market power following complaint by country's digital news media
Google Removes Features After Sonos Legal Win
Google has removed some features related to the control of multi-room audio playback after a major legal win by rival speaker maker Sonos
Mafia Fugitive Captured After 20 Years, Thanks To Google Street View
Italian police arrest a leading mafia fugitive in Spain after he spent 20 years on the run, thanks to an image captured by Google Street View
Google Faces French 150m Euro Fine For Cookie Breach
French regulator imposes 150 million euros ($169m) fine on Googe, and 60m euros fine on Meta, over complexity about refusing online cookies
Alphabet Senior Management Awarded Stock Options, Salary Rises
Senior management at Google parent Alphabet have been awarded huge pay rises and generous stock options, regulatory filings show
Google CEO Pichai To Be Questioned In $5bn Web Tracking Lawsuit
US federal judge rules CEO of search engine giant Google, Sundar Pichai, can be questioned over a lawsuit about tracking web browsing