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Apple workers unite in first Union

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Workers at an Apple store in Maryland have united, becoming the tech giant’s first-ever retail employees to form a union

At the Apple shop of Townson, the motion was passed with a vote of 65 to 33, with about a dozen people abstaining.

This is Apple’s third store to launch a union movement this year, but the very first to succeed.

Dubbed the ‘Apple Core’ union, members say their bid is about gaining access to rights that they do not currently have.

“We did it Towson! We won our union vote! Thanks to all who worked so hard and all who supported! Now we celebrate… Tomorrow we keep organizing,”

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AppleCORE Union

The first Apple U.S. Union follows a string of workers for other giants like Amazon and Starbucks.

Tech giant Apple saw the move coming from employees though, with the director of distribution and human resources, Deirdre O’Brien, addressing employees recently.

“If you’re faced with that decision, I want to encourage you to consult a wide range of people and sources to understand what it could be like to work at Apple under a collective bargaining agreement.”

“I’m worried about what it would mean to put another organization in the middle of our relationship, an organization that does not have a deep understanding of Apple or our business.”

Apple’s director of distribution and human resources, Deirdre O’Brien

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Hollywood agencies criticise OpenAI’s Sora for exploitation

Hollywood agencies criticise OpenAI’s Sora for exploiting creators and infringing intellectual property rights amid rising concerns over AI usage

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Hollywood agencies criticise OpenAI’s Sora for exploiting creators and infringing intellectual property rights amid rising concerns over AI usage

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In Short:
– Top talent agencies, including CAA and UTA, oppose OpenAI’s Sora over client rights and copyright risks.
– Disney and others demand immediate action from OpenAI to address copyright infringements related to Sora.

Top Hollywood talent agencies have expressed strong opposition to OpenAI’s new video creation app, Sora. The Creative Artists Agency (CAA) voiced concerns about significant risks to their clients and intellectual property rights.CAA represents high-profile clients such as Doja Cat and Scarlett Johansson. The agency questioned OpenAI’s commitment to compensating creators for their work, suggesting that their practices might ignore global copyright principles.

They stated, “Control, permission for use, and compensation is a fundamental right of these workers.”

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United Talent Agency (UTA) echoed similar sentiments, labelling Sora’s actions as “exploitation, not innovation.” UTA reinforced that human talent is irreplaceable and affirmed its commitment to defending its clients’ rights. OpenAI has indicated it will implement measures to limit the generation of well-known characters and enhance control for rightsholders.

Industry Response

The memo from WME instructed agents to ensure that all clients are opted out of the latest Sora updates. Disney also took a firm stance, clarifying it had not granted OpenAI permission to use its copyrighted content.

The Motion Picture Association urged immediate action from OpenAI to address copyright infringements related to Sora.

Concerns over generative AI’s impact on copyright have surged within the entertainment industry.

Major companies like Universal and Disney have already pursued legal action against other AI firms over similar issues, highlighting a growing fear regarding the protection of intellectual property.


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OpenAI, Jony Ive’s AI device faces significant delays

OpenAI and Jony Ive’s AI device faces significant delays due to technical and infrastructure challenges ahead of its launch

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OpenAI and Jony Ive’s AI device faces significant delays due to technical and infrastructure challenges ahead of its launch

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In Short:
– OpenAI and Jony Ive face significant challenges for their AI device, delaying its launch to 2026.
– Technical issues include computing power shortages and difficulties defining the AI’s personality and behaviour.
OpenAI and Jony Ive’s collaboration on an AI device is facing significant technical challenges, leading to potential delays in its launch.
The partnership began after OpenAI’s acquisition of Ive’s design studio, io, for $6.5 billion. The current target for release is set for 2026.Banner

The primary obstacle is the need for adequate computing power for widespread deployment. Insiders revealed that OpenAI is struggling to secure enough compute resources for current applications, let alone the device design focused on continuous interaction.

Compute Issues

Development teams are also navigating challenges in defining the AI’s personality and behaviour.

Creating an assistant that is both engaging and appropriately responsive has proven difficult, as the design aims to foster a friendly interaction style without veering into overly chatty or insincere exchanges.

Legal issues add to the complications, including a trademark dispute with audio startup Iyo, resulting in the removal of “io” branding from promotional materials. Manufacturing is ongoing, with partnerships established, including with Chinese company Luxshare.

As OpenAI prepares for the upcoming DevDay 2025 conference, the company is under pressure to showcase progress, especially as competitors like Apple and Google advance their AI projects.

The focus remains on overcoming existing hurdles while optimising development strategies for the future of AI devices.


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Indonesia lifts TikTok suspension after compliance with requests

Indonesia swiftly reinstates TikTok’s licence after compliance with data-sharing demands regarding August protests

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Indonesia swiftly reinstates TikTok’s licence after compliance with data-sharing demands regarding August protests

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In Short:
– Indonesia lifted TikTok’s suspension after it provided required protest-related data to the government.
– The incident underscores increasing tensions between Southeast Asian governments and tech companies over data transparency.
Indonesia has lifted TikTok’s operating license suspension on October 4, one day after imposing the penalty. The decision followed TikTok’s compliance with government demands for data related to protests in August.The rapid resolution illustrates rising tensions between Southeast Asian governments and global tech companies regarding data transparency during politically sensitive events.

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Indonesia’s Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs confirmed that TikTok submitted necessary data on livestream traffic and monetisation during the protests occurring between August 25 and 30, 2025. This submission occurred on the same day of the suspension announcement, restoring TikTok’s registration as an electronic system operator.

The suspension was initially triggered by TikTok’s partial data submission by a September 23 deadline, citing internal privacy constraints on full compliance.

Regulatory Context

The data dispute arose amid violent demonstrations in late August, protesting excessive lawmakers’ allowances and police brutality, particularly following the death of a motorcycle taxi driver on August 28. Authorities found accounts allegedly linked to illegal gambling using TikTok’s livestream feature, prompting TikTok to suspend this function temporarily.

The incident highlights Indonesia’s assertive stance on tech regulation, particularly given its significance as TikTok’s second-largest market globally. The platform has faced various regulatory challenges in Indonesia, including a recent $900,000 antitrust fine for late notification regarding its Tokopedia acquisition.

Despite the suspension, TikTok remained accessible throughout the regulatory process, stating its commitment to comply with local laws.


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