This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Spotify saw paying subscribers rise 12% to 276 million customers in the second quarter of 2025, the world's top music streaming service said on Tuesday, though profits fell below expectations. When questioned by AFP in late May, Ek insisted that AI did not present a threat to the music industry, and would instead help develop cre ...

Core Points - Spain's competition watchdog, CNMC, has expanded its investigation into Apple's App Store practices, focusing on potential anti-competitive behavior and unfair commercial terms imposed on app developers [2][3][4] - The inquiry, which began in July 2024, aims to determine if Apple has established a pricing schedule that developers must adhere to in order to distribute their apps [2][4] - Apple maintains that its App Store is designed to provide a safe and trusted experience for users while offering a valuable business opportunity for developers [3][4] Regulatory Context - The CNMC's investigation highlights concerns regarding Apple's closed ecosystem, which is seen as conflicting with European competition regulations [4] - The regulator's statement indicates that the practices under scrutiny could be considered restrictive to competition among businesses [3][4]

Core Insights - Palantir, co-founded by Alex Karp, emphasizes a strong American identity and aims to be a leading force in global technology, particularly in defense and data analysis [3][4][8] - The company has secured significant government contracts, including a $373 million deal from the US government in Q1, marking a 45% increase from the previous year [5][8] - Palantir's tools are utilized in military operations, notably in Ukraine, to analyze real-time data for target evaluation [4][5] Government Contracts - In addition to military contracts, Palantir received a $30 million contract from ICE for a platform to track deportations and visa overstays [6] - The company secured nearly $800 million from the US military, including a $480 million contract for the Pentagon's "Project Maven" [7][8] - This billion-dollar contract positions Palantir alongside major government contractors like Microsoft and Amazon [8] Company Philosophy and Culture - Palantir's leadership expresses pride in its defense work, contrasting with traditional Silicon Valley companies that often keep military projects discreet [11][12] - The company has faced internal dissent, with former employees criticizing its alignment with the Trump administration and its military contracts [12][13] - Despite controversies, Palantir's capabilities are seen as indispensable by potential clients, even if they are uncomfortable with the company's rhetoric [16]

Core Viewpoint - The European Union has accused Temu of violating digital regulations by failing to adequately assess the risks of illegal products on its platform [1][2]. Group 1: Regulatory Concerns - EU regulators believe Temu is not sufficiently protecting consumers from dangerous products, indicating a high risk of encountering illegal items on the platform [2]. - A mystery shopping exercise revealed that consumers are likely to find non-compliant products, including baby toys and small electronics [3]. - The EU criticized Temu's October 2024 risk assessment as inaccurate, relying on general industry information rather than specific details about its marketplace [4]. Group 2: User Engagement and Market Presence - Temu has rapidly gained popularity in the EU, boasting 93.7 million average monthly active users since its market entry in 2023 [3][6]. - The ongoing investigation is part of the Digital Services Act (DSA), which mandates that large tech firms enhance consumer protection and content policing [4]. Group 3: Potential Consequences - Temu will have the opportunity to respond to the EU's findings, but there is no specified timeline for the investigation's duration [5]. - If found in breach of regulations, Temu could face fines up to six percent of its total worldwide annual turnover and be required to implement changes to address violations [5]. Group 4: Broader Context of EU Regulations - The DSA represents the EU's efforts to impose stricter regulations on major tech platforms, which has faced criticism from the US government [8]. - The EU is also investigating other platforms, including AliExpress, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, under similar regulatory scrutiny [9].

Netflix's recent use of generative AI to create a building collapse scene in the sci-fi show "El Eternauta" ("The Eternaut") marks more than a technological milestone. It reveals a fundamental psychological tension about what makes entertainment authentic. The sequence represents the streaming giant's first official deployment of text-to-video AI in final footage. According to Netflix, it was completed 10 times faster than traditional methods would have allowed. Yet this efficiency gain illuminates a deeper ...

Core Points - Amazon has shut down its artificial intelligence research lab in Shanghai, which was part of its cloud division, Amazon Web Services (AWS) [1][2] - The closure is attributed to strategic adjustments between China and the United States, as indicated by a scientist from the lab [2] - AWS has announced job cuts across its operations, with reports suggesting that the losses could be in the hundreds [2][3] Company Actions - The decision to close the Shanghai lab aligns with AWS's broader strategy to optimize resources and continue investing in innovation for customers [3] - The dedicated AWS China webpage for the lab was no longer accessible, indicating the lab's operational cessation [3] Industry Context - The lab was established in autumn 2018 with a focus on fostering collaboration with the research community [4] - Other US tech firms, including Microsoft and IBM, have also scaled back their research divisions in China, reflecting ongoing tech competition between Washington and Beijing [4]

Core Points - A court in Argentina has ordered Google to pay approximately $12,500 in compensation to a man whose naked image was captured by a Google Street View camera in his yard [3][4] - The man argued that the invasion of privacy caused him ridicule at work and among neighbors, as his house number and street name were also revealed [2][3] - The judges concluded that the man's dignity was violated, emphasizing that the image was taken within the confines of his home, behind a wall taller than average [4][5] Legal Context - A previous court dismissed the man's claim, stating he was responsible for being inappropriately dressed in his garden [3] - Appeals judges found that Google had a responsibility to avoid such intrusions, highlighting the company's policy of blurring faces and license plates in Street View images [5][4] - The court also absolved other parties, such as a telecom company and a news site, from liability for the image's dissemination, indicating that their actions merely highlighted Google's error [7]

Core Insights - Intel Corp. is undergoing significant workforce reductions and cost-cutting measures as it aims to revitalize its operations amid increasing competition from rivals like Nvidia and AMD [3][4][6] - The company plans to reduce its core workforce to 75,000 by the end of the year, down from 99,500, following a previously announced 15% workforce reduction [4] - Intel is halting planned projects in Germany and Poland and relocating assembly operations from Costa Rica to larger facilities in Vietnam and Malaysia, while maintaining key engineering teams in Costa Rica [5] - The company is also slowing down the construction of a semiconductor plant in Ohio [5] - Intel's market capitalization stands at $98.71 billion, significantly lower than Nvidia's $4.24 trillion, highlighting the competitive landscape [7] - For Q2, Intel reported a loss of $2.9 billion, or 67 cents per share, compared to a loss of $1.6 billion, or 38 cents per share, a year earlier, with revenue remaining flat at $12.9 billion [8]

Core Viewpoint - Tesla Inc.'s core car-making business is facing a deteriorating outlook, which poses a significant challenge for CEO Elon Musk to maintain stock price through his vision of a self-driving future [1] Financial Performance - Tesla is expected to report the sharpest revenue drop in over a decade, with analysts projecting adjusted earnings of 42 cents per share on revenue of $22.6 billion for the second quarter, representing declines of 18% and 11% respectively from the previous year [2][6] - Wall Street has reduced 2025 profit estimates by 28% over the last three months, indicating a significant downward revision in financial expectations [6] Market Dynamics - The company’s sales have been negatively impacted by an aging product lineup and backlash against Musk's political affiliations, leading to a 31% decline in stock value from its December peak [4] - Tesla's auto manufacturing business, which accounted for 90% of revenue in 2024, is facing challenges due to a production pause for retooling and increased competition from local brands in China [7] Regulatory Environment - Upcoming changes in federal incentives, including the removal of a $7,500 tax credit for American-made EVs, are expected to further complicate Tesla's sales environment, with the loss of these credits having generated $2.8 billion in revenue last year [9] Investor Sentiment - Despite the challenges, nearly half of analysts covering Tesla recommend buying the stock, driven by optimism surrounding the robotaxi program, which Musk predicts will see hundreds of thousands of vehicles operational by late 2026 [10] - Approximately 95% of Tesla's share price is linked to future potential, highlighting the company's reliance on long-term growth narratives [11] Competitive Landscape - Tesla faces significant competition in the self-driving space, with companies like Waymo already operating similar services in multiple cities, and partnerships forming between Uber and other EV manufacturers to launch robotaxi fleets [12]

This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: The Instagram logo is seen on a cell phone in Boston, Oct. 14, 2022. Credit: AP Photo/Michael Dwyer, File Instagram parent company Meta has introduced new safety features aimed at protecting teens who use its platforms, including information about accounts that message them and an option to block and report accounts with one tap ...