Epic Surpasses Google Amid Malaysia's AI Surge
- A U.S. judge ruled that Google must allow alternative app downloads on Android devices, following an antitrust lawsuit by Epic Games.
- Malaysia is seeing increased tech investments, while U.S. police are using facial recognition technology, which has raised concerns about its accuracy.
- The ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia continues to influence cyber activities, with Ukrainian hackers targeting Russian media.
In a significant legal ruling, a U.S. judge mandated that Google must allow Android users to download apps from alternative stores, following an antitrust lawsuit filed by Epic Games in 2020. This lawsuit accused Google of employing anti-competitive practices to dominate the app market, which has resulted in a permanent injunction against the tech giant. Google, which typically takes a substantial cut from app sales, plans to appeal the decision. Meanwhile, Malaysia is experiencing a surge in data center investments, attracting major tech companies like TikTok and Microsoft, thanks to its favorable relations with both the U.S. and China. Additionally, law enforcement agencies across 15 U.S. states have increasingly utilized facial recognition technology in criminal investigations, although the effectiveness of these systems has been questioned due to their higher misidentification rates among people of color and other demographics. In the backdrop of ongoing geopolitical tensions, Ukrainian hackers have targeted Russian media outlets, highlighting the ongoing conflict that has persisted since Russia's invasion of Ukraine nearly three years ago. Samsung is also making headlines with its ambitious plans to outpace Taiwan Semiconductor Co. in chip production by 2030, reflecting the competitive landscape of the tech industry.