bytedance

China's industry regulator has ordered Meta to cancel its $2 billion acquisition of Singapore-based AI firm Manus, citing national security concerns. This move follows the US announcing a crackdown on foreign tech companies exploiting AI models. China is also reportedly restricting US capital in its leading tech firms without government approval, signaling an escalating AI war.

China has reportedly instructed leading AI firms to reject American capital, implementing a 'state filter' on funding to prevent sensitive AI breakthroughs from reaching US hands. This directive, aimed at bolstering national security, impacts major players like Moonshot AI and bytedance, signaling a shift away from reliance on foreign investment.

China has blocked Meta's acquisition of AI startup Manus, citing national security concerns and potential technology leakage. This move follows reports of Beijing restricting American capital in its AI sector. The decision stems from Manus's "general AI agent" technology, developed in China but moved to Singapore, raising fears of intellectual property transfer to US firms.

Meta's $2 billion AI acquisition of Manus AI has been blocked by China, citing national security and technology transfer concerns. Chinese regulators reviewed the deal, restricted Manus founders from leaving the country, and ultimately ordered the companies to cancel the transaction. This move highlights escalating US-China tensions over advanced AI technology and offshore structures.

WeChat has updated its rules to ban non-human automated content publishing, including AI and scripts, to combat low-effort and speculative posts. This move aims to protect human creators and content quality, with violations leading to penalties. The policy supports AI as an assistant but prohibits fully automated content generation.

As AI slips into rings, eyewear and jewellery, wearable tech is shedding its gadget look and becoming the fastest-growing accessory category in luxury

The world boasts a record 3,428 billionaires, yet wealth is heavily concentrated. The United States leads with 989, followed by China (539) and India (229). Technological advancements and strong market performance are fueling this surge, with AI and consumer goods driving China's growth, while India's stock market performance boosts its billionaires' wealth.

Meta is now mandating top software engineers join its new Applied AI Engineering unit, abandoning voluntary sign-ups. This unit aims to develop AI agents capable of handling significant engineering tasks, reflecting a company-wide push towards AI integration. These compulsory transfers signal a major internal restructuring as Meta prioritizes AI development.

China's DeepSeek AI chatbot experienced its most significant outage since its debut, affecting users overnight. The disruption, which began Sunday evening, lasted several hours before a fix was implemented Monday morning. This extended downtime is unusual for the platform, which has maintained a strong uptime record.

US Senators are demanding bytedance immediately shut down its AI app, Seedance 2.0, citing blatant copyright infringement. The app generates videos of celebrities and characters, sparking concerns over intellectual property theft and potential legal battles. This action highlights growing US apprehension regarding AI companies' data usage and creator rights.

Elon Musk predicts a three-way AI race: Google leading in the West, China dominating globally, and SpaceX conquering space. This follows a critique of Google's AI progress. While Google invests heavily, China's rapid advancements, including bytedance's Seedance 2.0, are raising concerns and drawing attention from US lawmakers over copyright issues.

bytedance has reportedly halted the global launch of its AI video tool, Seedance 2.0, following legal threats from major Hollywood studios. Disney, Paramount, and Netflix have sent cease-and-desist letters, accusing the company of using copyrighted characters and content without authorization to train the model. bytedance stated it respects intellectual property and is strengthening safeguards.

TikTok-parent bytedance is reportedly circumventing US export controls by partnering with Southeast Asian cloud providers like Aolani Cloud. The company is arranging to lease thousands of Nvidia's top-tier AI chips, valued at over $2.5 billion, for deployment in Malaysia. This strategy allows bytedance to access advanced AI hardware without direct ownership, operating within a legal grey area.

A $10 billion payment to the US government from a deal involving TikTok's US operations is being called 'nearly unprecedented' by historians. Investors aligned with the Trump administration are taking control of the app's US business from China's bytedance, with the fee justified by President Trump's role in negotiations and addressing security concerns.

China's tech sector is grappling with OpenClaw, an AI agent that rapidly gained popularity, leading to government warnings about data leaks and misuse. Despite initial enthusiasm and widespread adoption by major companies, security concerns are now paramount. The powerful yet unrefined technology poses significant risks, prompting a swift shift from widespread adoption to cautious removal.

A TikTok US joint venture deal is expected to generate nearly $10 billion in payments for the Trump administration, according to The Wall Street Journal. This fee, paid by investors friendly to the administration, is part of an arrangement for them to control TikTok's US operations.

Apple CEO Tim Cook visited China following a reduction in App Store fees from 30% to 25% amid regulatory pressure. Cook emphasized collaboration with Chinese developers and manufacturers, highlighting shared goals in innovation and sustainability. Despite concessions, Apple is expected to face continued scrutiny over its platform policies.

A new lawsuit targets the US government's approval of TikTok's deal with bytedance, alleging it violates a 2024 law. Filed by retail investors, the suit claims the agreement, which created a majority American-owned venture, was improperly handled by the Trump administration. Plaintiffs seek a renegotiated deal to prevent potential censorship and propaganda, not a ban on the popular app.

Binance founder Changpeng Zhao (CZ) has publicly questioned his Forbes rich list ranking, stating the $110 billion valuation is inaccurate given the sharp crypto price drops. He believes Forbes' methodology lacks common sense and logic, especially when comparing his estimated net worth to others like bytedance's Zhang Yiming. CZ insists his wealth hasn't increased as reported.

Indonesia is set to block social media access for children under 16 starting March 28, targeting platforms like TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and Roblox. The government aims to shield minors from digital dangers including pornography, cyberbullying, and addiction. Tech giants are reportedly in discussions, with some expressing commitment to youth safety while others caution against pushing teens to unregulated sites.

Netflix has sent a cease-and-desist letter to bytedance, accusing its AI tool Seedance 2.0 of "high-speed piracy" by replicating copyrighted content from shows like "Stranger Things" and "Squid Game." The streaming giant demands bytedance implement safeguards to prevent further infringement and remove existing unauthorized content, asserting that the AI's actions constitute willful copyright infringement.

Canada has reversed its ban on TikTok's local operations, allowing the social media giant to continue business under strict, EU-inspired security rules. This decision follows a national security review, with new undertakings to protect Canadian user data and minors. The move also aims to preserve Canadian jobs and boost the country's cultural sector.

bytedance, the company behind TikTok, is responding to Disney's cease-and-desist letter regarding its AI video generator, Seedance 2.0. Accused of using copyrighted material, bytedance has pledged to implement safety filters and prevent unauthorized use of famous characters and celebrities. This move follows similar legal warnings from other Hollywood studios concerned about intellectual property infringement.

Alibaba is forming a dedicated task force to boost its AI model development following key executive departures from its Qwen division. This strategic move aims to consolidate resources and accelerate innovation in foundational AI. The company's Qwen models have seen significant user growth, positioning them as a major player in the AI landscape.

bytedance, the parent of TikTok, is reportedly collaborating with Samsung to manufacture its own AI chips, aiming to reduce dependence on Nvidia. The company plans to produce at least 100,000 units this year.

TikTok users in the US faced significant glitches Tuesday, with the company blaming an Oracle data center issue. This marks the second Oracle-related outage impacting TikTok's US operations since a new joint venture was finalized. Creators experienced posting lags, and the app's reliability is questioned as it navigates a new ownership chapter.

The Trump administration is reportedly considering forcing Chinese tech giant Tencent to divest its stakes in popular US gaming companies like Epic Games and Riot Games over national security concerns. This potential move mirrors the TikTok divestment and could escalate US-China tensions, as these platforms collect vast amounts of user data.

The Mumbai high court on Wednesday granted no immediate relief to China's bytedance in a case where the company has challenged the local tax authority's decision to block its bank accounts in the country. The government has blocked at least two of bytedance's bank accounts for alleged tax evasion, prompting it to ask the court to quash the directive that it fears will hit its operations, Reuters reported on Wednesday.