Der Spiegel: AfD Accuses Google of Sabotaging Campaign. “DER SPIEGEL has learned that Google has refused for more than a week to place certain ads for a controversial anti-Merkel website created by the Alternative for Germany. The right-wing populist party says it will respond by spending its budget for the project on Facebook instead.”
Axios: Both parties to move on Facebook and other tech giants
Axios: Both parties to move on Facebook and other tech giants. “Members of Congress in both parties have begun exploring possible legislative action against Facebook and other tech giants, setting the stage for a potentially massive battle in the midterm election year of 2018. Why it matters: Following revelations about fake news and paid Russian propaganda on Facebook during last year’s election, big tech has become a big target, with politicians across the spectrum declaring on Sunday shows that more scrutiny, transparency and restrictions are needed.”
SC Media: Google security veteran warns AI cyber-defences won’t help
SC Media: Google security veteran warns AI cyber-defences won’t help. “Google security veteran Heather Adkins warned artificial intelligence powered cyber-defences won’t help thwart cybe-rattacks adding that companies are better off paying a bunch of junior engineers to patch vulnerabilities all day. Adkins is a founding member of Google’s security team and warned an audience at TechCrunch Disrupt 2017 in San Francisco that AI cyber-defences will produce too many false positives and that AI-powered security software can barely stop 1970’s era attack methods, according to CNBC.”
TechCrunch: Google brings its resources for founders and startups to a single site
TechCrunch: Google brings its resources for founders and startups to a single site. “Google launched ‘Startup with Google’ today, a new site that brings together all the company’s resources for founders and their startups. As the name implies, the focus here is on Google’s own tools, services and initiatives (think everything from Firebase and Android Studio to Analytics and Google’s various cloud security tools), but the site also highlights accelerators and events sponsored by Google but run by third parties. In addition, the new site also showcases Google’s network of Campus coworking spaces and its Launchpad accelerator programs.”
Exclusive: Google offers to treat rivals equally via auction – sources (Reuters)
Reuters: Exclusive: Google offers to treat rivals equally via auction – sources. “Google has already been fined a record 2.4 billion euros ($2.9 bln) by the European Commission for favoring its own service, and could face millions of euros in fresh fines if it fails to treat rivals and its own service equally. In its proposal submitted to the European Commission on Aug. 29, the company said it would allow competitors to bid for any spot in its shopping section known as Product Listing Ads, the sources said.” I was so taken aback at this proposed “solution” that I started wondering if Google was trying to troll the entire EU.
The Guardian: US retaliation feared as Brussels prepares to close Google’s tax loopholes
The Guardian: US retaliation feared as Brussels prepares to close Google’s tax loopholes. “EU leaders have agreed to make ‘swift’ progress on raising the tax bills for digital giants such as Google and Facebook, despite warnings from smaller states that unilateral action could drive business away from Europe.”
Wired: This Cardboard Google Home Only Costs $35
Wired: This Cardboard Google Home Only Costs $35. “GOOGLE HOME IS one of the better smart home speakers you can buy. Along with Amazon’s Echo, Home will duke it out with Apple’s upcoming HomePod later this year. But, even at $130, Google Home is out of reach of many who might want to try it out. Now the electronics retailer Micro Center is selling Google’s officially sanctioned AIY Voice kit, a $35 kit that includes all the parts you need to build your own smart-talkin’ speaker on the cheap.”
