SEP23-29:Welcome to our weekly tech blog, your go-to destination for all things ACM (Association for Computing Machinery) and the latest updates from the tech world. Whether you're seeking career advice, staying updated on ACM events, exploring trending tech news, or getting to know prominent figures in the ACM community, we've got you covered. Join us on this weekly journey as we delve into the dynamic realm of computing, providing you with valuable insights and information to fuel your passion for technology.

Tech News:

1.Apple Exits OpenAI Investment Talks Ahead of $6.5 Billion Funding Round

Apple has reportedly dropped out of discussions to invest in OpenAI's latest funding round, which aims to raise approximately $6.5 billion. This marks a significant shift, as Apple was previously in talks to participate, with the round expected to close next week. Other tech giants like Microsoft and Nvidia remain involved, with Microsoft anticipated to invest an additional $1 billion, building on its previous $13 billion investment in OpenAI.

The decision by Apple to withdraw from these negotiations was described as a last-minute move. Although Apple had shown interest in OpenAI, it remains unclear how much the company might have contributed to the round. Despite this, Apple continues to collaborate with OpenAI in other ways, such as integrating ChatGPT with Siri in iOS .

2.Zomato Co-founder and Chief people Officer Akriti Chopra's Quits

Akriti Chopra, Zomato's co-founder and long-term executive, resigned on September 27, 2024, after a 13-year stint. She joined the company in 2011 as a senior manager in finance, later becoming CFO and then Chief People Officer. Chopra was elevated to co-founder status in 2021 ahead of Zomato’s IPO. Her exit email to CEO Deepinder Goyal expressed gratitude for her journey at the company. This marks the fifth co-founder exit in recent years, following Gunjan Patidar, Mohit Gupta, Gaurav Gupta, and Pankaj Chaddah. Chopra's departure is to pursue other interests, as noted by Zomato in its stock filing.

3.Meta Slapped with €91 Million Fine by Irish Regulators for Plaintext Password Storage

Meta has been fined €91 million by Irish regulators due to serious security lapses involving the storage of user passwords in plaintext, which violates data protection laws. The fine was imposed on September 27, 2024, after it was discovered that Meta had stored passwords without encryption, exposing them to potential security risks.

This significant penalty comes as part of ongoing scrutiny by European regulators over tech companies’ handling of user data. The storage of passwords in plaintext is considered a major breach of data protection standards, as it leaves users vulnerable to hacking and unauthorized access.

The Irish Data Protection Commission (DPC), Meta’s lead regulator in the European Union, has taken several actions against the company in recent years, reflecting the growing enforcement of privacy laws such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

4. OpenAI Set to Transition to For-Profit Model, Sam Altman to Gain Equity Amid Executive Departures

OpenAI is reportedly transitioning to a for-profit model, allowing CEO Sam Altman to gain equity in the company for the first time. This change follows multiple executive departures, including CTO Mira Murati, raising questions about the company's direction. Despite the shift, a non-profit entity will continue to exist, retaining a minority stake in OpenAI.

The restructuring is expected to enhance the monetization of AI products, potentially introducing more paid features for ChatGPT and other tools. This move could boost OpenAI’s valuation to $150 billion, attracting significant investment. However, it has faced backlash, particularly from co-founder Elon Musk, who criticized the conversion from non-profit to for-profit. Musk called the move "deeply wrong" and illegal, citing ethical concerns. High-profile investors like Apple and Nvidia may participate in a new funding round, which aims to raise $6.5 billion. This funding will support advancements in AI models and product capabilities. Overall, the transition marks a significant shift in OpenAI's business strategy.

5.Samsung’s Innovative Call Answering Feature: What to Expect from the Next Galaxy Z Flip Variants

Samsung is reportedly exploring a new approach to enhance the privacy of phone calls on its upcoming Galaxy Z Flip models, addressing a key limitation with foldable clamshell designs. Currently, users must rely on the external speaker to answer calls while the device is closed, preventing private conversations. However, a potential breakthrough involving Samsung's collaboration with LG could soon change that.

According to a report by the Korean news outlet Sisa Journal, the two tech giants are working together to develop an advanced display technology that will replace the traditional ear speaker commonly found in smartphones. This innovation is especially geared toward foldable devices, where space is at a premium, and could eliminate the need to open the phone to answer calls confidentially.

6.X (formerly Twitter) Changes Privacy Rules Blocked Accounts Can Now View Your Tweets

Elon Musk-owned social media giant X (formerly Twitter) will now show blocked users posts from the person they've been blocked by, but they won't be able to engage with those posts.

In contrast, under the current system, blocked users only receive a 'you're blocked' message when they try to view the profile of someone they have been blocked by. They also won't be able to see replies, followers and other profile details about that person.

In response to a post explaining the reasoning behind the change, Musk wrote: "High time this happened... The block feature will prevent that account from engaging with public posts, but will not prevent them from seeing public posts"

7.Airtel Launches AI-Powered Network-Embedded Anti-Spam Tool to Combat Unwanted Calls

Airtel, India’s second-largest telecom operator, has launched an AI-powered anti-spam tool embedded within its network. This new solution automatically activates for all users, requiring no app downloads or service requests. The tool uses a proprietary algorithm to analyze call and SMS patterns in real-time, flagging potential spam based on frequency, duration, and other factors. Customers will now see "Suspected SPAM" warnings for flagged calls and receive alerts about malicious links in SMSes. The AI system also tracks suspicious activities like frequent IMEI changes, helping detect fraudulent behavior. Airtel aims to protect customers from the growing spam menace in India.

8.Google has updated its Fake Engagement Policy to crack down on business profiles with fake reviews and ratings.

Under the new policy, Google will take strict action by removing fake reviews and ratings, blocking profiles from receiving new reviews for a set period, and hiding existing reviews. A warning will also be displayed on flagged profiles, informing customers of the misuse.

Initially launched in the UK, this policy is now being expanded globally. Business owners will receive notifications before restrictions are enforced, with the option to appeal if they believe the decision is incorrect. However, Google has not disclosed how it detects fake reviews, leaving this process somewhat unclear. These new measures aim to maintain the integrity of reviews, ensuring that customers can rely on genuine feedback when choosing businesses.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

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