Cache of the day | Google’s antitrust fight with Epic | Photo credit: REUTERS
(This article is part of Today’s Cache, The Hindu’s newsletter on emerging themes at the intersection of technology, innovation and politics. To receive it in your inbox, subscribe here.)
Google’s antitrust fight with Epic
Google is trying to fight a legal order that would force it to open its app store to rivals, after facing allegations from developers that it would harm competition in the market. U.S. District Judge James Donato issued a landmark injunction on October 7 that will allow third-party apps to access the Play Store, but Google has appealed the decision. The judge’s ruling also prevents Google from leveraging exclusive deals with phone makers to install its Play Store on users’ devices. App developers will also have more freedom to offer alternative payment options, per the judge’s ruling.
On the other hand, Google claimed that this decision could impact consumer privacy and security, in addition to harming competition on mobile devices. This issue became a major point of contention in August 2020 when Fortnite maker Epic Games offered a direct payment option on its app, going against Google’s in-app billing system. Epic CEO Tim Sweeney has clashed with both Google and Apple over their handling of third-party apps in their stores.
AI companies invest in nuclear power
Companies like Google, Microsoft, Amazon and OpenAI are interested in nuclear energy and its potential to power their growing generative AI ambitions and data centers. Nuclear power is considered clean by the US administration and the benefits cited include its 24/7 availability and the development of small modular reactors (SMR), which are expected to be less expensive to build and operate due to their compact design.
However, environmental groups oppose the promotion of nuclear energy and disagree with it being called “clean.” In particular, concerns remain as Microsoft and Constellation have outlined plans to potentially restart Three Mile Island Unit 1. Unit 2 of the station experienced what is considered one of the worst nuclear industrial accidents in the United States in 1979.
Perplexity Fundraising Goals
AI company Perplexity is reportedly in talks to raise funds, with the aim of doubling its valuation to $8 billion or beyond, the Wall Street Journal reported. According to sources, Perplexity AI wants to raise around $500 million in the latest funding round. The company is backed by Jeff Bezos and Nvidia. Its estimated annualized revenue is currently around $50 million, according to the WSJ.
However, the AI company was accused of plagiarism and copyright infringement, after which it implemented a way for publishers to share revenue. The company also received a “cease and desist” notice from the New York Times, it said.
Published – October 21, 2024 at 1:26 p.m. IST
