Tech Giants in the Spotlight: Microsoft, Google, Apple, and Elon Musk All Make Headlines
Tags: ai, gamedev, microsoft
Published: 2023-07-15 11:50:47

Here's our weekend look at some of the important things that happened in Tech this week. Microsoft is in the news for the right and the wrong reasons. Their acquisition of Gaming company Activision Blizzard has been resurrected. But Microsoft also got hacked!

Google AI chatbot Bard is now available in the EU and supports over 40 new languages and major updates to how you interact with the AI.

Apple finally launched Tap to Pay on iPhone for UK Businesses. Elon Musk has founded. a new AI company named xAI, and its goal is to "understand the universe". 

Meanwhile, PC sales get a slight bump up, Tech layoffs get tougher as the economy takes a beating and finally, the FTC is preparing to sue Open AI over data privacy concerns.

Here are 5 major talking points for this week's section

- [Government email accounts breached in Microsoft hack.](https://eandt.theiet.org/content/articles/2023/07/government-email-accounts-breached-in-microsoft-hack/)
-  [Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard has been given the green light.](https://eandt.theiet.org/content/articles/2023/07/uk-regulator-changes-course-on-microsofts-55bn-activision-takeover/)
- [Google Bard launches in EU overcoming data privacy concerns in the region.](https://www.computerworld.com/article/3702768/google-bard-launches-in-eu-overcoming-data-privacy-concerns-in-the-region.html) 
- [Apple launches Tap to Pay on iPhone for UK business.](https://www.computerworld.com/article/3702728/apple-launches-tap-to-pay-on-iphone-for-uk-business.html)
- [Elon Musk launches xAI to take on ChatGPT.](https://www.computerworld.com/article/3702708/elon-musk-launches-xai-to-take-on-chatgpt-maker-openai.html)

## Government email accounts breached in Microsoft hack

Microsoft has confirmed that government email accounts have been breached in a hack believed to have been carried out by China-based hackers Storm-0558. The hackers are said to have used a vulnerability in Microsoft Exchange Server and Microsoft Outlook to access the accounts. The breach is thought to have affected government agencies in the United States, Europe, and Asia.

The hackers are said to have been able to access email messages, calendars, and contact lists using forged auth tokens. They are also said to have been able to install malware on the affected computers. Microsoft has said that it has patched the vulnerability that was exploited in the hack. The company also worked with affected customers to help them secure their systems.

The Chinese minister of foreign affairs, Wang Wenbin, has denied the accusations that China was behind the hack labeling it as "disinformation" and even accused the US of carrying out "Cyber Attacks" on China.

## Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard has been given the green light.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) had previously blocked the deal, expressing concerns that it would result in higher prices, fewer choices, and less innovation for the video game market. However, the CMA has now said that it is satisfied that Microsoft's proposed remedies will address its concerns.
These remedies include providing 10-year free licensing deals of Activision PC and console games to competitors.

As such, Microsoft could now finalize the deal with Activision in a matter of days, ahead of a July 18 contractual deadline.
The decision is a major victory for Microsoft,** which has been eager to acquire Activision Blizzard in order to expand its gaming portfolio.


## [FTC reported to be investigating OpenAI for consumer protection violations](https://www.computerworld.com/article/3702709/ftc-reported-to-be-investigating-openai-for-consumer-protection-violations.html)

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is reportedly investigating OpenAI, the non-profit research company that created the artificial intelligence (AI) language model ChatGPT. The investigation is reportedly focused on whether OpenAI violated consumer protection laws by not disclosing the potential risks of using ChatGPT.

The FTC investigation could have a significant impact on OpenAI. If the agency finds that OpenAI violated consumer protection laws, it could impose fines or other penalties. The investigation could also damage OpenAI's reputation. 

The FTC investigation into OpenAI is ongoing. It is unclear when the agency will reach a conclusion. However, the investigation highlights the growing concerns about the potential risks of AI.

## Google Bard launches in EU overcoming data privacy concerns in the region

The chatbot was originally scheduled to launch in the EU in June, but Google delayed the launch after the Irish Data Protection Commission (DPC) raised concerns about the chatbot's data privacy practices.
The DPC is the lead data protection authority for Google in the EU, and it was concerned that the chatbot could collect and use personal data without users' consent.

Google has since addressed the DPC's concerns, and the chatbot has now been launched in the EU. and the chatbot is available in more than 40 languages. The launch of Bard in the EU is a major milestone for Google and it shows that the company is committed to addressing data privacy concerns in the region.

## [PC market shows signs of a turnaround](https://www.computerworld.com/article/3701941/pc-market-shows-signs-of-a-turnaround-after-historic-slide.html)

The global PC market showed signs of a turnaround in the second quarter of 2023, with shipments falling by 16.6% year-on-year, according to preliminary data from Gartner. This is a significant improvement from the 30% decline in shipments seen in the first quarter of 2023.

The PC market has been in decline for several years, as consumers and businesses have shifted to mobile devices. However, the recent decline has been particularly sharp, due to factors such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine, and rising inflation.

There are some positive signs for the PC market, because shipments of premium and high-end PCs were up in the second quarter, as businesses and consumers upgraded their devices. Additionally, demand for gaming PCs remained strong. The PC market is still facing some challenges, but the recent signs of a turnaround are encouraging.

## Apple launches Tap to Pay on iPhone for UK business

Apple has launched Tap to Pay on iPhone in the UK, a new feature that allows businesses to accept contactless payments directly from customers' iPhones.

The feature uses Near Field Communication (NFC) technology to enable payments, and it is compatible with most contactless payment cards and wallets. Businesses that want to use Tap to Pay on iPhone will need to install a compatible payment processor, such as Stripe or Square.

The feature is also expected to boost the use of contactless payments in the UK,** which is already one of the most popular payment methods in the world.

## [Tech layoffs in 2023 ](https://www.computerworld.com/article/3685936/tech-layoffs-in-2023-a-timeline.html)

Tech companies have been hit with a wave of layoffs in 2023, as the industry faces several challenges, including rising inflation, a potential recession, and the war in Ukraine. The layoffs have been widespread, affecting companies of all sizes. Some of the biggest names to announce layoffs include Meta, Twitter, Netflix, and Spotify.

The layoffs have had a significant impact on the tech industry, both in terms of the number of jobs lost and the morale of employees. Many tech workers are now worried about their job security, and some are even considering leaving the industry altogether.

## Elon Musk launches xAI to take on ChatGPT

Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, has launched a new generative AI venture, dubbed xAI, to take on the likes of OpenAI — the maker of ChatGPT and “The goal of xAI is to understand the true nature of the universe,” the company said on its official website.

Musk was a board member of OpenAI at the time of its inception in 2015, but he left the company in 2018 after disagreements with other board members about the direction of the company.

Musk has said that he believes xAI can be used to develop new technologies that will "benefit humanity." He has also said that he wants xAI to be "more transparent and accountable" than other generative AI systems.

It remains to be seen whether xAI will be able to achieve Musk's ambitious goals. However, the company has already attracted some high-profile talent, and it is clear that Musk is serious about making xAI a success.