european commission

Apple has surprisingly sided with Google, cautioning the EU against forcing Android to open up to rival AI services. The tech giant argues the proposed Digital Markets Act measures are rushed, risky, and could compromise user privacy and security. Apple fears this could set a dangerous precedent, impacting its own iOS system next.

Google's top scientist Sergei Vassilvitskii is reportedly furious with the EU's proposal to share search data with rivals, warning it risks exposing private user information. He claims their 'red team' can break the EU's anonymization scheme in under two hours, raising serious privacy and security concerns. Regulators will decide by July 27.

Europe faces a stark warning from Bouygues CEO Olivier Roussat regarding its over-reliance on US technology, particularly in AI and satellite connectivity. He urges the continent to develop its own independent infrastructure, citing risks in these critical future sectors. Roussat emphasized the need for European sovereignty, suggesting alternatives to services like Starlink are essential for technological self-reliance.

European regulators have given Google more time to fix its antitrust issues. The european commission found Google's initial solutions not strong enough. The investigation focuses on Google's Digital Markets Act compliance. Concerns include unfair service prioritization and AI model training. Adtech practices are also under scrutiny. Penalties for violations can be severe.

The EU is preparing a "Tech Sovereignty Package" to reduce reliance on foreign cloud providers for sensitive government data. New rules will mandate European cloud infrastructure for critical sectors, limiting US tech giants like Microsoft, Amazon, and Google. This move aims to bolster European digital control amid growing geopolitical tensions.

Fortnite is back on the Apple App Store globally after a six-year legal fight. Epic Games vows to continue challenging Apple's "anticompetitive" App Store rules, citing ongoing regulatory scrutiny worldwide. Despite new laws in regions like the EU, Epic claims Apple evades them. They await a court decision for Australia's App Store return.

India is pivoting towards Europe as traditional partnerships become unreliable. The burgeoning India-Italy relationship, spearheaded by Prime Ministers Modi and Meloni, is central to this strategy. This partnership is building crucial economic architecture, including the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor and a potential EU Free Trade Agreement, positioning Europe as India's primary strategic focus.

Prime Minister Modi wrapped up his tour in Sweden with a monumental advancement in India-Sweden relations, officially turning it into a Strategic Partnership. Highlights of this collaboration include a detailed action plan for the upcoming years (2026-2030) and a groundbreaking partnership on AI and quantum computing.

The EU is considering new rules to limit children's social media access, with potential proposals coming this summer. An expert panel will report by July on steps to protect minors online, including a possible ban.

The European Union is urging member states to steer clear of telecom equipment from Chinese firms like Huawei and ZTE, citing cybersecurity concerns. This recommendation, part of a broader strategy to bolster network security, could lead to restrictions or bans on 'high-risk' suppliers. While not an immediate mandate, it signals a significant shift in the EU's approach to critical infrastructure.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi begins a significant five-nation tour. He will visit the United Arab Emirates, Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, and Italy. The visits aim to boost India's engagement with Europe and the Gulf region. Discussions will focus on trade, investment, energy, and technology. This tour underscores India's growing global partnerships.

X, formerly Twitter, has pledged enhanced UK protections against hate speech and terrorist content following Ofcom pressure. The platform will now review flagged posts within 24-48 hours, restrict access to banned groups' accounts, and submit quarterly reports. This move addresses concerns over persistent harmful content, particularly antisemitism, amid global regulatory scrutiny.

India's prestigious UPSC exam mirrors global elite recruitment systems for bureaucracy. From ancient China's keju to modern UK's Fast Stream and France's ENA, nations seek sharp minds for government. While methods vary, from written tests to leadership assessments, the pursuit of influential public service roles remains a universal ambition, demanding diverse skills beyond academics.

After a decade-long campaign, two sets of Chola copper plates, held by Leiden University Library for nearly 200 years, have been returned to India. These significant historical artefacts, detailing royal charters for Buddhist shrines, were handed over at The Hague, marking a triumph for citizen-led heritage restitution efforts and diplomatic engagement.

A Bhopal queen's generous donation funded the Shah Jahan Mosque in Woking, England, becoming the UK's first purpose-built mosque. This historical sanctuary, a bridge between empires, was saved from demolition by a legal battle, ensuring a visionary Indian ruler's legacy endures.

A ceasefire between the US and Iran is reportedly still in place despite an Iranian attack on US destroyers in the Strait of Hormuz, prompting US retaliatory strikes. Both sides accuse the other of initiating the exchange, threatening a fragile truce that ended weeks of conflict. Tensions remain high as negotiations continue.

The EU has warned Meta that its safeguards are insufficient to prevent children under 13 from accessing Facebook and Instagram. Regulators found that Meta's efforts to identify and remove underage users are inadequate, potentially leading to fines of up to 6% of global annual turnover if violations are confirmed.

Major European media companies are urging EU officials to reconsider a new law. They fear the Digital Fairness Act, aimed at online consumer protection, could unintentionally damage their businesses. The companies argue that existing regulations already cover their operations. They want the focus to be on large tech firms where responsibility gaps exist, not on established media sectors.

Salesforce and Slack have filed a lawsuit against Microsoft in London, accusing the tech giant of anti-competitive behavior by bundling its Teams app with Office. This follows similar complaints in Europe and an ongoing FTC probe in the US into Microsoft's alleged market dominance. Rivals like Google also criticize Microsoft's practices, though Microsoft defends its business model.

In a landmark decision, the European Union has greenlit an impressive €90 billion loan to Ukraine alongside a new wave of sanctions targeting Russia, effectively breaking a prolonged deadlock. This vital financial support, designated for military and fiscal stability, follows Hungary and Slovakia's recent agreement to resume oil flows through a major pipeline.