Microsoft Acquires Nuance for $16bn; China to Ban "Excessive" Data Collection by Apps
In today’s ExchangeWire news digest: Microsoft purchase AI and voice tech firm Nuance for USD $16bn; China ban mobile apps from collecting “excessive” levels of users’ personal data; and daily app usage leaps 30% compared to 2019, finds a study from App Annie. Nuance acquired by Microsoft for USD $16bn Nuance Communications, an AI and speech technology company, are set to be taken over by Microsoft. The USD $16bn (£12bn) purchase reflects the US-based tech heavyweight’s plan to bolster their cloud-computing offering for [...]
EU Contemplates Australia-Style Media Bargaining Code; China Imposes New Antitrust Rules
In today’s ExchangeWire new’s digest: reports surface that the EU will seek to implement legislation similar to Australia’s proposed News Media Bargaining Code, which will force tech platforms to pay publishers for their content; China introduces new regulation to tackle anticompetitive behaviour amongst tech leaders; and Spotify reports strong Q4 2020 results. EU prepared to impose Australian-style code to force digital platforms to pay for news European Union legislators tasked with implementing new digital regulation in the continent want to make it [...]
Kuaishou Goes Public; Univision Bolsters PrendeTV with VIX Acquisition
In today’s ExchangeWire news digest: Chinese streaming ecommerce platform Kuaishou files an IPO; Univision acquires VIX, with plans to merge it with PrendeTV; and Facebook announces a new tool to improve brand safety and suitability for advertisers. Douyin rival Kuaishou goes public Chinese video-sharing app Kuaishou has filed to go public for USD $5.4bn (£3.9bn). The platform has fast emerged as a significant threat to TikTok’s Chinese counterpart, Douyin, in no small part due to its move adoption of “live-streaming ecommerce”, which [...]
CPRA Gets the Vote; Amazon Under New EU Investigation
In this weekly segment, ExchangeWire sums up key industry updates in ad tech from around the globe. In this edition: the CPRA is voted in, meaning tighter data restrictions on how tech firms use consumers’ data; the EU Commission launches a fresh investigation into Amazon, accusing the ecommerce giant of using third-party seller information to give itself a competitive edge; Spotify acquires podcast platform Megaphone for USD $235m; and China lays out new laws to curb the power of the [...]
China Proposes New Ecommerce Rules; WhatsApp Pay Launches in India
In today’s ExchangeWire news digest: the government of China introduces a draft set of news rules to tackle “monopolistic behaviour” amongst the country’s ecommerce leaders; WhatsApp launches its payment service in India; and Bloomberg Media announces the launch of its 24-hour news network, Bloomberg Quicktake. Chinese government introduces draft antitrust laws The governing Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has revealed a draft set of rules that aim to combat alleged anticompetitive behaviour by the country’s leading ecommerce companies. The announcement comes just one [...]
Disney Reshuffle Puts Streaming Front-and-Centre; Huawei Reportedly Looks to Sell Honor
In today’s ExchangeWire news digest: a restructuring of Disney sees the company turn its focus to its streaming output; Huawei is rumoured to be looking to sell off its budget handset unit, Honor; and research from Ampere Analysis finds that AVOD viewership has increased in the US. Disney puts streaming at its heart The Walt Disney Company is directing its energy towards growing its streaming offering, particularly its on-demand platform Disney+. The entertainment behemoth announced on Monday (12th October) that it has [...]
China Set to Investigate Google; Indian Start-Ups Unite to Challenge Google's Play Store
In today’s ExchangeWire news digest: Chinese regulators review a potential antitrust probe into Google; executives from a number of Indian start-ups discuss launching a competitor to Google’s Play Store; and AT&T loses its appeal over DirecTV ‘robocalls’. China prepares antitrust suit against Google China is gearing up for an investigation into Google over allegations of anticompetitive behaviour. According to sources close to the matter, China’s regulator has submitted a case to the State Council’s antitrust committee for review. The prospective probe comes after [...]
AAP Gets $5m Boost from Australian Government; ByteDance to Have No Stake in TikTok Global
In this weekly segment, ExchangeWire sums up key industry updates in ad tech from around the globe. In this edition: the Australian government gives a $5m boost to struggling newswire AAP; Oracle announces that ByteDance will have no stake in TikTok Global; China slams Oracle and Walmart’s acquisition of TikTok’s US arm as “extortion”; and the EU extends its probe into Google’s planned acquisition of Fitbit. Australian government commits $5m to AAP The Australian government has stepped in to provide financial support for [...]
ByteDance to be Excluded from TikTok Global; Cord Cutting Continues in US
In today’s ExchangeWire news digest: Oracle states that ByteDance will have no ownership over newly-formed TikTok Global; research from eMarketer reveals that the number of Americans giving up pay TV is growing; and Amazon releases a new e-commerce offering with a VR feature. ByteDance to be omitted from TikTok Global, says Oracle TikTok Global will be completely divested from original parent company ByteDance, according to a statement issued by executives at Oracle on Monday. The new iteration of the popular short-form video [...]
FTC Could File Facebook Antitrust Suit By End of 2020; China's 5G Users Exceed 110 Million
In today’s ExchangeWire news digest: the Federal Trade Commission could reportedly file an antitrust suit against Facebook before the year is out; China reports its 5G users have climbed to over 110 million; and The Washington Post and Financial Times team up to offer joint digital subscriptions. FTC predicted to file antitrust lawsuit against Facebook The US’s Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is believed to be preparing to file an antitrust lawsuit against Facebook by the end of this year. The anticipated legal [...]