Tiktok removed more than 49m videos for content violations in six months July 9, 2020 Tiktok took down more than 49m videos worldwide in the second half of 2019, it said today in a transparency report, as scrutiny of the platform ramps up. The removed videos represented less than one per cent of all posts on the app in that time. Tiktok said the videos were taken down for violations [...]
UK data watchdog opens joint probe of controversial tech startup Clearview AI July 9, 2020 The UK’s Information Commissioner’s Office today launched a joint investigation with the Australian data watchdog of Clearview AI, a facial recognition startup. The ICO said the probe will focus on the data handling practices of Clearview AI, which scrapes data and biometrics of individuals from photos uploaded onto sites such as Facebook. Clearview AI describes [...]
Apple’s retail network pays just £6.2m tax on £1.4bn UK sales July 9, 2020 Apple’s UK retail arm paid just £6.2m in tax last year, despite raking in sales of almost £1.4bn as demand for its products boomed. Accounts filed today for Apple Retail, which manages its UK store network, showed revenue jumped 15 per cent in the 12 months to September 2019, despite not opening any new stores. [...]
Rolls-Royce shares fall as it burns through £3bn in first half July 9, 2020 Rolls-Royce reported cash outflows today of £3bn for the first half of its financial year, as income fell away amid the coronavirus crisis. The aerospace engineer, which makes engines for the Boeing 787 and Airbus 350 planes, forecast an improvement in the second half which would result in full-year outflows of £4bn. Shares fell more than [...]
Facebook fails to address ad boycott concerns at ‘disappointing’ summit July 8, 2020 Organisers of an advertising boycott against Facebook called a meeting it held with the firm’s executive team “disappointing”, as companies seek to pressure the tech giant into addressing hate speech on the platform. The groups, which includes the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), Free Press, Color of Change and the NAACP, said they saw “no commitment to [...]
British tech firm Arm to offload IoT units to Softbank July 8, 2020 Chipmaker Arm is to spin off its internet of things (IoT) software and services divisions to parent Softbank, as it focuses on its core business. Japanese giant Softbank purchased the Cambridge tech firm in 2016 for £24.3bn. The deal triggered a review of foreign takeover rules in the UK after ministers became concerned the country [...]
Uber launches world’s first Uber Boat with Thames Clippers July 8, 2020 Uber is today revealing its first permanent commuter boat service, launching in London with Thames Clippers. Branded Uber Boats will travel from piers along the Thames from Putney to Woolwich, available in the Uber app. Passengers can book tickets via the app, and then scan a QR code to board the Uber Boat. However the service [...]
Amigo Loans puts former chief Glen Crawford back at the helm July 8, 2020 Amigo Loans’ former chief executive Glen Crawford is to rejoin the business in the same position, following a fraught battle between the board and its multimillionaire founder. Amigo’s share price skyrocketed more than 25 per cent this morning as shareholders reacted to the news. Crawford stepped away from the lender in April last year due [...]
Farewill raises £20m from Matches Fashion backer Highland Europe July 8, 2020 Will-writing tech startup Farewill has today closed a £20m investment led by Highland Europe, tripling its funding to date. New backers Keen Venture Partners, Headspace chief executive Rich Pierson, Broadhaven Ventures, and Venture Founders also participated. They joined previous investors, including London-listed fund Augmentum Fintech, Transferwise co-founder Taavet Hinrikus and Kindred Capital. Farewill, which is [...]
Brazil’s President Bolsonaro tests positive for coronavirus July 7, 2020 President Jair Bolsonaro of Brazil has tested positive for coronavirus, the leader said today. The Brazilian president said he began feeling unwell on Sunday, and later tested positive for Covid-19. He had cleared his public agenda earlier today as he awaited the result of a coronavirus test, with his office saying the far-right leader — [...]