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Amazon Wins Partial Dismissal of US Antitrust Lawsuit
Amazon just won partial dismissal of the United States Federal Trade Commission (FTC) lawsuit, even though the details discussing the ruling were not immediately clear. Amazon was accused of keeping illegal monopolies over the market.
The FTC accused the online retailer of conducting anti-competitive tactics and procedures to maintain market dominance. However, in December, John Chun the District Judge, asked to dismiss the case, adding that the FTC had no reason why to believe that those practices were happening. Even more so, he believed that FTC had no reason to believe that customers were harmed in the process.
Last year, Amazon was accused by the FTC he was using its algorithm to push prices to US households which eventually resulted in $1 billion more. However, Amazon stated in a court of law that it had stopped using the program in 2019.
The District Judge even released a sealed ruling that partially granted Amazon’s motion. However, the court records show the FTC will still have the ability to continue to pursue claims in the fields that the judge did not permanently dismiss.
Jhon Chun also decided that the case would be divided into two parts, meaning that he rejected Amazon’s bid to have the Federal Trade Commission present its evidence of the alleged violations and what they propose as remedies in the same trial.
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Meta States that They will Expand the Production of Mixed-Reality Headsets in Vietnam
(Image Credits: Meta)Meta announced on Tuesday that they are expanding their artificial intelligence investment programs in Vietnam. This news came during the visit of Nick Clegg, Meta’s president for global affairs, only a week after he met the Vietnamese President.
Further on, Clegg stated that “Beginning 2025, Meta will expand manufacturing of its latest Mixed Reality device Quest 3S to Vietnam,”. And that, “Vietnam continues to be an important country for Meta. Millions of small businesses and consumers rely on our platforms,”.
Yet, Meta did not disclose the size of their investment or even the scale of it and its opportunities. However, Clegg emphasized the importance of the country to Meta’s overall strategy.
Meta also announced that besides expanding its hardware manufacturing, it will be developing AI technology in Vietnam. By the end of the year, a full integration of the Meta AI technology is expected to begin testing, as Vietnam still remains an important market for the company.
Epic Games accuses Samsung of blocking app Downloads
(Image Credits: Epic)Epic Games accused Samsung and Google of blocking and limiting app downloads in order to blick app rivals.
The creator of the famous video game “Fortnite” accused Alphabet’s Google and the biggest Android manufacturer of creating a conspiracy in order to keep Google’s Play Store. This accusation happened this Monday, Epic Games filed a lawsuit in the U.S. federal court in California alleging that due to Samsung’s Auto Blocker mobile security had the purpose of making it difficult for users to download apps from different sources from Play Store or or Samsung’s Galaxy Store.
With those allegations, Google and Samsung are violating antitrust laws and constraining the customers into choosing another platform and even preventing their competition from getting to their customers. So, even though other companies have or create less expensive apps, they can’t be accessed or downloaded as easily.
Tim Sweeney, the Chief Executive of Epic Games reported “It's about unfair competition by misleading users into thinking competitors' products are inferior to the company's products themselves”. Continued saying “Google is pretending to keep the user safe saying you're not allowed to install apps from unknown sources. Well, Google knows what Fortnite is as they have distributed it in the past.”.
Google's response was that those allegations were “meritless” and that the creator of the devices “are free to take their own steps to keep their users safe and secure".
Yet, Google’s response was not the only one received, Samsung also reported that they are “vigorously contest Epic Games' baseless claims.”. And that “The features integrated into its devices are designed in accordance with Samsung's core principles of security, privacy, and user control, and we remain fully committed to safeguarding users' personal data,”.
The video game company stated that the Auto Blocker from Samsung’s devices was created in order to make the experience harder for the users when it comes to downloading apps from other sources.
Epic has in the past faced off with Google and Apple over their tries to charge up to 30% of the commissions from app store payments. And, after being banned for nearly 4 years, Epic’s Fortnite was again available on iPhones in the European Union and since last month Google’s Android has been available worldwide.
Auto Blocker was introduced on Samsung’s devices in late 2023. The feature has the ability to protect users from downloading apps that can or might contain malware.
Cybertruck Gets Full Self-Driving Mode When Supervised
(Image Credits: Tesla)The rumors are finally true – Tesla’s Cybertruck has now the ability to work in the self-driving mode, yet when being supervised.
Several Tesla Cybertrucks have the ability to drive in the US on highways using hands-free technology. Even more so, after the automaker sent the update to the vehicles this morning.
Ashok Elluswamy wrote on the social media platform X that artificial intelligence also known as Tesla AI will be available for the Cybertrucks, the company also stated had they will receive a “neutral net “ when navigating the highway.
However, I am sure you all have seen pro and contra comments regarding Tesla’s Cybertruck, the majority of them regarding users' trust in the self-driving mode of the car. Yet, drivers who tested this morning the new self-driving mode of the car reported on the social media platform X that it works as it should. This feature can eventually change the entire game when it comes to Tesla and its electric vehicles. So, we can just wait and see if it really pays off.
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