Tech
Tik Tok ban – U.S. house committee makes a unanimous decision
The U.S. House Energy and Commerce committee has given the green light to a bill aimed at cracking down on TikTok and other Chinese-owned social media platforms.
The legislation, which seeks to address national security concerns, is part of a broader effort to safeguard American user data from potential misuse by foreign entities, as reported by Reuters.
Lawmakers aim to expedite the legislative process, with the U.S. House of Representatives considering the bill in the coming weeks.
Tick-tock, TikTok
The 50-0 vote represents the most significant momentum for a U.S. crackdown on TikTok, which has about 170 million U.S. users.
“This legislation has a predetermined outcome: a total ban of TikTok in the United States,” the company said after the vote.
“The government is attempting to strip 170 million Americans of their Constitutional right to free expression. This will damage millions of businesses, deny artists an audience, and destroy the livelihoods of countless creators across the country.”
The legislation’s resistance sets the stage for a potential legal and public relations battle as lawmakers push for the ban.
Chinese ownership
Lawmakers leading the initiative, such as Representative Mike Gallagher and Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi, stress the importance of addressing national security concerns associated with Chinese ownership of TikTok.
“TikTok could live on and people could do whatever they want on it provided there is that separation,” Gallagher said
“It is not a ban – think of this as a surgery designed to remove the tumor and thereby save the patient in the process.”
They propose the legislation as a strategic measure, aiming to remove the perceived threat while allowing the platform to continue operating with new ownership.
The closed-door classified briefing on national security concerns provided lawmakers with insights that likely influenced the unanimous vote, indicating a growing bipartisan consensus on the need to act swiftly and decisively regarding TikTok’s ownership structure.
Broader impact
The legislation’s broader implications extend beyond TikTok, potentially impacting Tencent’s WeChat, which faced a ban attempt by then-President Donald Trump in 2020.
Representative Mike Gallagher refrains from speculating on WeChat but underscores the ongoing debate over which companies might fall under the bill’s purview.
The bill proposes a 165-day window for ByteDance to divest from TikTok, with potential consequences for app stores like Apple and Google if divestment does not occur.
Tech
TSMC posts record profits on AI chip boom
TSMC posts record Q4 profit, driven by strong chip demand, exceeding predictions and signaling market dominance.
TSMC posts record Q4 profit, driven by strong chip demand, exceeding predictions and signaling market dominance.
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) has posted a record net profit for the fourth quarter, driven by strong demand for advanced chips.
Net profit surged 35% year-on-year, exceeding analyst expectations and signalling a dominant position in the semiconductor market.
Quarterly revenue also rose 20.5% compared to last year, supported by robust sales in AI and high-performance computing segments. The company’s success reflects the growing global appetite for cutting-edge semiconductor technology.
Looking ahead, TSMC plans to ramp up capital expenditure, projecting investments of up to $56 billion in 2026. The positive results have sparked an upbeat reaction across global markets, highlighting TSMC’s influence in the tech sector.
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#TSMC #Semiconductors #AIChips #TechNews #HighPerformanceComputing #StockMarket #QuarterlyEarnings #TechInvesting
Tech
X restricts Grok AI as global backlash grows
X restricts Grok AI from creating sexualized images amid global backlash and regulatory concerns, aligning with UK guidelines.
X restricts Grok AI from creating sexualized images amid global backlash and regulatory concerns, aligning with UK guidelines.
X has announced new restrictions on its Grok AI chatbot, preventing it from generating sexualized images of women amid mounting criticism and regulatory scrutiny worldwide.
The move comes after concerns over non-consensual image manipulation sparked widespread backlash from users, advocacy groups, and authorities.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirmed that the platform’s latest changes align with British law, as Ofcom launches a formal investigation to determine whether X has violated the Online Safety Act.
Regulators are closely monitoring the situation, highlighting growing global concerns about the ethical use of AI in image generation. Critics have argued that X’s initial measures were insufficient and did not adequately address the risks associated with sexualized AI content.
The controversy has also prompted action in Southeast Asia. Malaysia and Indonesia have blocked access to Grok entirely, citing the platform’s potential to generate inappropriate content.
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#GrokAI #XPlatform #AIRegulation #OnlineSafety #KeirStarmer #AIControversy #TechNews #DigitalEthics
Tech
AI drives memory prices higher as SK hynix and TSMC expand
Explore the rising global memory market driven by AI demand and hear insights from Brad Gastwirth on industry trends.
Explore the rising global memory market driven by AI demand and hear insights from Brad Gastwirth on industry trends.
The global memory market is on the rise, with prices climbing steadily thanks to booming AI infrastructure demand.
Companies like SK hynix and TSMC are investing heavily in advanced packaging and new facilities to meet this unprecedented growth.
We speak with Brad Gastwirth from Circular Technologies about the forces behind this upward momentum. From the difference between AI-driven and consumer-driven demand to the increasing memory requirements per AI system, Brad breaks down the trends shaping the industry.
We also explore the implications of lean DRAM and NAND inventories, disciplined supply growth, and the challenges of expanding packaging capacity versus wafer fabrication. Tune in to understand why incremental demand surprises can have a huge impact on memory pricing.
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#AIMemory #SKHynix #TSMC #TechInvesting #MemoryMarket #AIInfrastructure #Semiconductors #TickerNews
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