chinese apps

US lawmakers are investigating Airbnb and AI firm Anysphere over their use of Chinese AI models, citing national security concerns. Concerns stem from potential data risks and vulnerabilities associated with AI trained by China's censorship regime. Airbnb CEO previously highlighted reliance on Alibaba's Qwen model for its speed and cost-effectiveness.

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.

Punjab counter-intelligence has busted two ISI-controlled spy modules, arresting three suspects for using solar-powered CCTV cameras to monitor military locations. Footage was transmitted live to Pakistan-based handlers via mobile apps. The cameras, equipped with 4G connectivity, were strategically placed to bypass traditional wiring for surveillance.

Apple's upcoming iOS 27 update may sideline older iPhones, including the iPhone 11 series and second-gen SE, according to a leaker. Support is expected to begin with the iPhone 12 lineup. While Apple remains silent, this rumour hints at potential compatibility shifts before the WWDC 2026 announcement, focusing on stability over new features.

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.

Meta has launched Muse Spark, its first AI model from Meta Superintelligence Labs, aiming to catch up with competitors. This natively multimodal reasoning model powers the Meta AI assistant and is designed for complex reasoning and everyday tasks. While initially smaller and faster, Meta plans further generations to enhance its capabilities.

Telangana Cyber Security Bureau busted a racket supplying Indian SIM cards to cyber fraud gangs, arresting five individuals including a vendor at RGIA airport. The vendor was apprehended attempting to fly to Cambodia with 198 pre-activated SIMs, intended for use by Chinese gangs in various online scams targeting Indian citizens.

In an odd twist in the realm of ride-hailing, a group of Chinese drivers resorted to chilling profile pictures to frighten passengers into canceling their rides, allowing them to pocket cancellation fees. Furthermore, some drivers would start rides only to leave without passengers or simply go AWOL, racking up additional penalties.

China's e-commerce landscape is transforming with the rise of 'one-person companies,' powered by AI agents like OpenClaw. These tools are empowering solo entrepreneurs on platforms like Alibaba, handling tasks from customer service to product listings. This trend signifies a significant shift, making entrepreneurship more accessible and efficient for individuals.

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.

Apple CEO Tim Cook's China visit coincides with a significant cut in App Store commissions, a move reportedly influenced by Chinese regulators and rising US-China tensions. This concession, alongside strong iPhone sales growth in China, signals Apple's commitment to the market and its manufacturing base amidst complex geopolitical and business dynamics.

Google's Live Translate feature, now out of beta, offers real-time conversation translation in over 70 languages for iPhone users with compatible headphones. This advanced AI aims to make digital communication more natural by preserving the speaker's tone and cadence. The update directly challenges Apple's similar offering, expanding Google's reach in the global translation market.

Chinese authorities have prevented two co-founders of AI startup Manus from leaving the country amid an investigation into its $2 billion acquisition by Meta. The probe, initiated in January, scrutinizes potential violations of foreign investment and national security rules, highlighting Beijing's growing apprehension over sharing advanced AI technology with foreign entities. No charges have been filed yet.

Tencent has integrated an AI agent, ClawBot, into its popular WeChat app, allowing users to command the agent directly within the messaging platform. This move highlights the intense competition among Chinese tech giants in the burgeoning AI agent market, with companies like Alibaba and Baidu also launching their own AI agent solutions.

Delhi Police crime branch has dismantled a sophisticated arms trafficking network operating between Pakistan, Nepal, and Bangladesh, arresting 10 operatives. Seized were 21 high-end foreign weapons, including a Czech submachine gun and specialized pistols, suspected to be destined for criminal gangs for targeted killings across north India.

Ancient Chinese texts and Feng Shui principles highlight the southwest sector as the love corner, crucial for relationships. Clutter, a work desk facing the bedroom door, mirrors opposite the bed, single objects under the bed, sharp furniture edges, and electronics in the bedroom can disrupt harmony, leading to arguments and emotional distance. Addressing these issues can restore balance and intimacy.

India's revised Press Note 3 aims to ease Chinese investment but retains strict joint venture rules, limiting FDI. This approach, seen as economically self-defeating, overlooks China's technological prowess and global investment patterns. Experts argue controlled Chinese investment, not exclusion, could actually enhance India's security leverage.

Apple is slashing its App Store commission fees in China from March 15, reducing the standard rate from 30% to 25%. Developers in special programs will see their fees drop from 15% to 12%. This move, following discussions with Chinese regulators, aims to make rates competitive and is expected to save Chinese developers and consumers billions annually.

Investors are expressing anxiety over significant capital expenditure by Chinese tech giants Alibaba and Tencent on AI infrastructure. Following a similar trend in the US, both companies saw substantial market value drops after failing to clearly articulate AI monetization strategies. This comes amid a Chinese consumer downturn, impacting profitability and raising concerns about the return on AI investments.

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.

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.

Jet fuel prices spiked to a record high of more than $200 a barrel. Airlines have cancelled thousands of flights and some countries have restricted fuel exports while others are rationing fuel.

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.

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.