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U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren called for breaking up Amazon.com Inc and Indian retailers demanded a government probe of the company after a Reuters investigation showed the e-commerce giant had copied products and rigged search results in India.

The Reuters report, reviewing thousands of internal Amazon documents, found that the U.S. company ran a systematic campaign of creating knockoffs and manipulating search results to boost its own private brands in India, one of the company’s largest growth markets. It also showed that, at least in India, manipulating search results to favor Amazon’s products, as well as copying other sellers’ goods, were part of a formal strategy at Amazon - and that at least two senior executives had reviewed it.

The post U.S. Senator Warren urges Amazon breakup, India retailers want probe after Reuters report appeared first on Reuters News Agency.

Reuters exclusively reported that Apple is set to be hit with a European Union antitrust charge next year over its tap-and-go NFC chip technology, a move that puts it at risk of a possible hefty fine and an order to open its payment system to rivals. The iPhone maker has been in EU antitrust chief Margrethe Vestager’s crosshairs since June last year when she launched an investigation into Apple Pay.

The post Reuters reveals Apple to face EU antitrust charge over NFC chip; market reacts appeared first on Reuters News Agency.

Reuters exclusively reported that Google has sought to settle an EU antitrust investigation into its digital advertising business, aiming to stave off a lengthy review and possible billion-euro fine. The news, which was widely picked up by other media, comes as the tech giant battles a similar crackdown on its business practices around the world, including the United States.  Hours before, Reuters also exclusively reported that the U.S. and EU are planning a more unified approach to limit the growing market power of Big Tech, according to a draft memo seen by Reuters. Combined, these developments signal an acceleration of and an urgency to defuse the tension between global governments and Big Tech.

The post Reuters ahead with key news on regulation of Big Tech appeared first on Reuters News Agency.

Reuters exclusively reported that Snapchat’s owner has hired a longtime online safety advocate as its first global head of platform safety, as the company continues to ramp up efforts around user safety and as social media firms face mounting global pressure from regulators and lawmakers. Snap said that after a long search it hired Jacqueline Beauchere, who will represent its safety work to regulators, lawmakers and partners and help advise on new policies and initiatives. Child safety advocates and U.S. lawmakers have raised alarms on a wide range of issues faced by users of online platforms including mental health impacts and potential abuses from bullying to child sexual exploitation.

The post Reuters exclusively reports Snap Inc hires first global head of platform safety appeared first on Reuters News Agency.

Reuters reported exclusively that a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission investigation into the SolarWinds Russian hacking operation has dozens of corporate executives fearful that information unearthed in the expanding probe will expose them to liability. People familiar with the inquiry say the requests may reveal numerous unreported cyber incidents unrelated to the Russian espionage campaign, giving the SEC a rare level of insight into previously unknown incidents that the companies likely never intended to disclose.

The post Reuters exclusively reports wide-ranging SolarWinds probe sparks fear in Corporate America appeared first on Reuters News Agency.

Reuters revealed that Amazon.com Inc plans to take a more proactive approach to determine what types of content violate its cloud service policies, such as rules against promoting violence, and enforce its removal. According to a Reuters source, over the coming months, Amazon will expand the Trust & Safety team at the Amazon Web Services (AWS) division and hire a small group of people to develop expertise and work with outside researchers to monitor for future threats - a move that could turn Amazon into one of the world’s most powerful arbiters of content allowed on the internet and is likely to renew debate about how much power tech companies should have to restrict free speech.

The post Reuters reveals Amazon considers more proactive approach to determining what belongs on its cloud service appeared first on Reuters News Agency.

In an interview with Reuters, Ericsson’s top executive Borje Ekholm vowed to double down on efforts to regain market share lost in China after Sweden blocked Chinese suppliers from its 5G roll-out, a move that antagonized Beijing and has hit the equipment maker’s business. China accounted for about 10% of Ericsson’s revenue last year, but that fell sharply after the company’s home country of Sweden banned Huawei from its 5G networks, citing security risks – a charge that Huawei has strongly denied.

The post Reuters exclusively reports Ericsson CEO to double down on China as 5G tussle rumbles on appeared first on Reuters News Agency.

Reuters was first to report that Japan’s trade ministry is ready to back Western Digital’s bid to merge with memory chipmaker Kioxia provided that control of cutting-edge technology stays in Japan. The tie-up could give Japan greater leverage in geopolitical rivalries increasingly dominated by technology, including over shortages of chips. It could also help Japan forge deeper semiconductor industry ties with its U.S. ally, a commitment that President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Suga made in April. 

The post Reuters first to report Tokyo ready to back Western Digital-Kioxia deal if key tech stays in Japan appeared first on Reuters News Agency.

Reuters broke the news that Apple Inc is facing an antitrust challenge in India for allegedly abusing its dominant position in the apps market by forcing developers to use its proprietary in-app purchase system. The allegations in India, filed by a little-known, non-profit group, are similar to a case Apple faces in the European Union, where regulators last year started an investigation into Apple’s imposition of an in-app fee of 30% for distribution of paid digital content and other restrictions.

The post Reuters reveals Apple hit with antitrust case in India over in-app payments issues appeared first on Reuters News Agency.

Reuters reported exclusively that Microsoft has warned thousands of its cloud computing customers, including some of the world’s largest companies, that intruders could have the ability to read, change or even delete their main databases. A research team at a security company discovered a vulnerability under which it was able to access keys that control access to databases held by thousands of companies. 

The post Reuters exclusively reports Microsoft warns thousands of cloud customers of exposed databases appeared first on Reuters News Agency.

Reuters was first to report that Chinese regulators are considering pressing data-rich companies to hand over management and supervision of their data to third-party firms if they want U.S. stock listings, as part of Beijing’s unprecedented scrutiny of private sector firms. The plan is one of several proposals under consideration by Chinese regulators as Beijing has tightened its grip on the country’s internet platforms in recent months, including looking to sharpen scrutiny of overseas listings. 

The post Reuters first to report China eyes pushing U.S. IPO-bound firms to hand over data control appeared first on Reuters News Agency.

Reuters was first to report that GlobalFoundries Inc has filed confidentially with U.S regulators for an initial public offering in New York that could value the chipmaker at around $25 billion. The move is the clearest sign yet that GlobalFoundries, which is owned by Abu Dhabi’s sovereign wealth fund, is not eager to accept a potential tie-up with Intel Corp, which was reported last month to be in talks to acquire the U.S. chipmaker. 

The post Reuters first to report chipmaker GlobalFoundries files confidentially for U.S. IPO appeared first on Reuters News Agency.

Reuters reported exclusively that a backlash over Apple’s move to scan U.S. customer phones and computers for child sex abuse images has grown to include employees speaking out internally, a notable turn in a company famed for its secretive culture, as well as provoking intensified protests from leading technology policy groups. Apple employees have flooded an Apple internal Slack channel with more than 800 messages on the plan announced a week ago, workers who asked not to be identified told Reuters. 

The post Reuters exclusively reports Apple’s child protection features spark concern within its own ranks appeared first on Reuters News Agency.

Reuters reported exclusively that Chinese ride-hailing firm Didi Global Inc is in talks with state-owned information security firm Westone to handle its data management and monitoring activities as part of its efforts to placate domestic regulators. The largest Chinese ride-hailing group became the target of an investigation by regulators in the country just days after it raised $4.4 billion in an initial public offering in the United States. 

The post Reuters exclusively reports China’s Didi in talks with state-backed Westone to hand over data control appeared first on Reuters News Agency.

Reuters was first to report that India’s financial-crime agency has asked Walmart’s Flipkart, its founders, investor Tiger Global and others, to explain why they shouldn’t face a penalty of $1.35 billion for alleged violation of foreign investment laws. Flipkart confirmed the notice to Reuters ahead of publication and said it will cooperate with authorities. The notice from the Enforcement Directorate agency is the latest regulatory headache for the online retailer, which is already facing tougher restrictions and antitrust investigations in India.

The post Reuters reveals India warns Walmart’s Flipkart, founders they could face $1.35 billion fine appeared first on Reuters News Agency.

Reuters revealed that Facebook’s acquisition of U.S. customer service startup Kustomer is set to trigger a full-scale EU antitrust investigation in August. The world’s largest social network, which announced the deal in November, is looking to the deal to scale up its instant messaging app WhatsApp, whose usage has soared during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The post Reuters reveals Facebook’s Kustomer deal set to face EU antitrust investigation appeared first on Reuters News Agency.

India’s antitrust regulator has accused Amazon.com Inc of concealing facts and making false submissions when it sought approval for a 2019 investment in a Future Group unit, a letter to the U.S. e-commerce giant seen by Reuters showed. The letter complicates Amazon’s bitter legal battle with Future Group over the Indian firm’s decision to sell its retail assets to Reliance Industries - a matter that is now before India’s Supreme Court.

The post Reuters exclusively reports Amazon accused of concealing facts by India’s anti-trust watchdog appeared first on Reuters News Agency.

Reuters reported exclusively that Alibaba Group Holding Ltd and Chinese state-backed firms are weighing bids for a stake in Unisplendour Corp, a cloud computing infrastructure firm, that could fetch as much as $7.7 billion. People familiar with the matter said chip conglomerate Tsinghua Unigroup, which is saddled with some $31 billion in debt, is looking to divest its 46.45% stake in Shenzhen-listed Unisplendour as more of its bond payments are coming due. 

The post Reuters exclusively reports Alibaba, others explore stake in cloud computing firm appeared first on Reuters News Agency.

Reuters broke the news that stock-trading app Robinhood Markets Inc is giving its billionaire founders four more years to hit share price targets that trigger stock awards worth $1.4 billion. The change could cost Robinhood almost $570 million in accounting expenses over time, according to a regulatory filing and a compensation expert. 

The post Reuters reveals Robinhood gives founders second chance at $1.4 billion windfall appeared first on Reuters News Agency.

Reuters was first to report that digital payments processor Stripe Inc, the most valuable U.S. technology startup, has taken its first major step toward a stock market debut by hiring a law firm to help with preparations. The 11-year-old company, which was valued by investors at $95 billion in a fundraising round in March, has sat out this year’s red-hot market for initial public offerings (IPOs), using private tender offers to allow some of its existing investors and employees to cash out their holdings.  

The post Reuters ahead with Stripe IPO news appeared first on Reuters News Agency.

Reuters was also first with news that Noom Inc, the operator of the popular U.S. weight loss app, has hired investment bank Goldman Sachs Group Inc to lead its preparations for an IPO. The New York-based company, which has seen the popularity of its fitness platform soar during the COVID-19 pandemic, aims to more than double its valuation from its May private fundraising round when investors led by buyout firm Silver Lake valued it at $3.7 billion.

The post Reuters ahead with Noom IPO news appeared first on Reuters News Agency.

Reuters exclusively reported that the company’s chairman and a Chinese state investor plan to take China’s answer to Twitter private. Those gains shrunk to just over 6% after the opening bell. A deal could value Weibo at more than $20 billion, facilitate shareholder Alibaba’s exit and see Weibo eventually relist in China to capitalize on higher valuations.

The post Reuters exclusively reports Weibo chairman, state firm plan to take China’s Twitter private appeared first on Reuters News Agency.

Reuters has been leading the way in coverage of India’s fast-evolving regulatory landscape over the course of the last six months, capped last week by the country unveiling its new so-called “consumer protection” rules, which are set to have far-reaching implications for Amazon and Walmart’s ambitions within India.

Going beyond just e-commerce regulation, Reuters coverage has set itself apart from the competition and put into stark relief the growing acrimony between India and big U.S. tech giants that long viewed it as their biggest overseas growth market.

Reuters reporting has spanned the full gamut - from exclusives to analytical pieces, reaction stories, focuses, explainers and a deeply reported special report that has made waves. Take a look at coverage highlights from this year.

COVERAGE HIGHLIGHTS

The post Special Edition: Reuters delivers comprehensive coverage on India’s shifting regulatory landscape appeared first on Reuters News Agency.

Reuters exclusively reported that a human rights group which had attracted millions of views on YouTube to testimonies from people who say their families have disappeared in China’s Xinjiang region is moving its videos to little-known service Odysee after some were taken down by the Google-owned streaming giant. Atajurt Kazakh Human Rights’ channel has published nearly 11,000 videos on YouTube totaling over 120 million views since 2017, thousands of which feature people speaking to camera about relatives they say have disappeared without a trace in China’s Xinjiang region, where UN experts and rights groups estimate over a million people have been detained in recent years. The channel was blocked on June 15.

Following inquiries from Reuters as to why the channel was removed, YouTube restored it, explaining that it had received multiple so-called ‘strikes’ for videos which contained people holding up ID cards to prove they were related to the missing, violating a YouTube policy which prohibits personally identifiable information from appearing in its content. They reinstated the channel on June 18 but asked Atajurt to blur the IDs.

The post YouTube restores channel after Reuters inquiry into removal of Xinjiang videos appeared first on Reuters News Agency.

Reuters exclusively reported that EU antitrust regulators will open a formal investigation by the end of the year into Google’s digital advertising business, in what could be the biggest regulatory threat to the business that generated $147 billion in revenue last year. An EU probe could result in an order to Alphabet unit Google to change potential anti-competitive practices on top of fines that could reach 10% of its global revenue. Google’s decade-long battle with the EU competition enforcer has already seen it slapped with more than $9 billion in total fines.

The post Reuters reveals Google’s adtech business set to face formal EU probe by year-end appeared first on Reuters News Agency.