PERSONAL DATA
Anthropic wants to create new billionaires through its IPO, but American voters are growing tired of Big Tech's wealth explosion
Anthropic is preparing for a significant IPO amid growing public resistance to AI-related infrastructure projects. Investors are discussing a valuation between $1 trillion and $1.5 trillion for the Nasdaq listing. Communities express concerns over environmental impacts and rising electricity costs linked to data centres. Public sentiment is shifting against technology companies, raising questions about economic benefits versus local costs.
Anthropic strikes $3.4bn deal to generate gas-fired power for data centres: Report
The AI startup bought commitments for 1.7 gigawatts of heavy-duty generators for $3.4 billion in late September from OnePWR Solutions, a San Antonio, Texas-based equipment supplier, the report said.
Activists breach Microsoft data centre construction site as protests spread in Europe
Activist groups have announced actions in 16 countries on Friday and Saturday, according to the "Stop Dirty Data Centres" coalition, which is rallying environmental groups and digital rights campaigns behind calls to pause large-scale construction.
Pro Kannada outfit meets Bengaluru airport firms, presses for higher local hiring
Kannada Rakshana Vedike held discussions to address local hiring concerns with companies at Kempegowda International Airport. KRV president T.A. Narayana Gowda emphasised the need for fair employment opportunities for Kannadigas. Several organisations participated in the meeting and expressed commitment to increase local hiring. Chief Minister DK Shivakumar encouraged private employers to utilise Karnataka's talent pool more effectively. The organisation plans further outreach to enhance employment for locals in various sectors.
OpenAI kicks off charm offensive to change voters' view of data centers
Stunning victories by Democrats in US midterm elections this week have been interpreted by many as Americans repudiating tech industry plans to build data centers across the country.
Tata Motors PV says CERT-In-flagged app vulnerabilities addressed through updates
The vulnerabilities identified in the iRA 2.0 and iRA.ev applications have been addressed through software updates and enhanced security measures, a Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles spokesperson told.
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US airlines may face fresh scrutiny as Democrats plan probes into pricing and passenger rights
Following a significant midterm election victory, Democrats intend to scrutinize airlines regarding personalized pricing practices and passenger protection rules. The Federal Trade Commission has requested information from major airlines about the influence of personal data on pricing. Congress plans to revive protections that were previously withdrawn, including compensation for travel disruptions. Legislators are also exploring requirements for transparency in ticket pricing and additional passenger rights.
Meta draws record orders for debut euro bond sale, Bloomberg News reports
Meta Platforms has successfully garnered an impressive €53 billion in investor interest for its inaugural euro bond issuance. With an ambition to raise €9 billion divided into six distinct parts, this move follows their recent $15 billion bond offering in the US market. Citigroup and Morgan Stanley are at the helm of this euro bond sale, with pricing anticipated shortly. As of September 30, Meta's total debt reached $83.67 billion.
Digital recruitment is creating a new cybersecurity risk for employers
Online hiring has made it easier for companies to reach candidates across locations, but it has also exposed recruitment processes to identity fraud, manipulated assessments and misuse of personal information. HR teams are increasingly responsible for protecting the integrity and security of the hiring process.
SK Hynix's New York chip plans hit snag over US restrictions on China, sources say
SK Hynix is seeking US export licenses to equip its Dalian plant, arguing that increased production there would help fund its planned US expansion. But the Commerce Department has yet to approve the new licenses, the people said. Its Solidigm unit plans to invest about $45 billion and build two NAND plants in Marcy, New York, two people said, with investment potentially reaching about $100 billion over time. NAND is memory that retains data even when power is turned off and is used for storage in data centers.
Exit Polls 2026: How to check early Election insights and what they reveal about voters
Exit polls are poised to shed light on voter behavior and preferences during the crucial 2026 midterms. Conducted post-voting, these polls will delve into candidate choices and pressing topics such as economic concerns. Major outlets, including NBC News, will evaluate data from around 100,000 participants across the country. While initial findings may highlight demographic trends, concrete candidate preferences will await the conclusion of polls.
2026 US midterms pre-election voting surpasses 2022 total as Election Day begins
In the 2026 US midterm elections, pre-election ballot casting has exceeded 58.5 million. This surpasses the total recorded in the 2022 elections, indicating significant voter engagement. The data includes information from 47 states and the District of Columbia. Voters have various ways to cast their ballots including in-person and mail-in options. The rules for these voting methods vary by state, affecting how voters can participate.
Dreambeans now in India: What to know about Google’s personalised AI visual stories app
Google has launched its innovative Dreambeans app in India, aimed at transforming personal moments into captivating visual stories. By utilizing data from services like Gmail and Photos, the app crafts unique narratives that resonate with users' experiences. Privacy is prioritized, allowing users to curate what they share and disconnect services anytime.
Govt mulls giving Cert-In enforceable powers to mandate patching
Last month, two critical flaws in the PHP programming language, discovered with the help of AI, created worldwide panic as hackers targeted the vulnerabilities millions of times, and led to governments including the US, UK, France, Germany and Japan taking down public websites. PHP powers 69.3% of websites worldwide.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman questions why people keep so much RAM in their computers; but what happens when the internet goes down?
Altman questioned the efficiency of people keeping large amounts of DRAM in personal computers when that memory is being used only around 5% of the time. He argued that from a global resource-allocation perspective, memory could be used more efficiently in cloud data centres, where multiple users can access shared computing resources.
Elon Musk vs Sam Altman: After OpenAI CEO questions people's RAM usage at home, Musk defends ordinary users with a meme
Elon Musk has taken a dig at OpenAI CEO Sam Altman after the latter questioned why people keep large amounts of RAM in their personal computers when the limited memory supply could be used more efficiently by AI data centres. Sharing a meme on X, Musk defended ordinary consumers. The exchange comes amid a global memory shortage that is driving up prices of PCs, smartphones and other electronic devices.
Smart fridge, security camera, video doorbell, router, car, thermostat: Everyday devices hackers can exploit and how to protect them
Cyberattacks involving supermarket refrigerators and freezers have raised concerns about the security of everyday internet-connected devices. From smart appliances and security cameras to routers, thermostats and connected cars, several products could be vulnerable to hacking. Here is what cybercriminals could do after accessing these devices and the precautions users can take to protect themselves.
India’s small companies need to see AI as more than an artificial promise
India MSME news: India's micro, small and medium enterprises are exploring the adoption of artificial intelligence to enhance productivity. AI is expected to generate significant economic value for these enterprises in manufacturing and services sectors. Various challenges remain regarding the integration of AI into existing workflows and overcoming cost barriers. Collaborative efforts among industry bodies, technology providers, and the government are essential for facilitating this transition.
Zee 5 launches ZAP with Saptharushi to deliver privacy-first audience intelligence
Zee 5 has introduced the Zee 5 Audience Platform, called ZAP, to enhance advertising through targeted audience insights. The platform uses viewing behavior and consented signals from various sectors to optimize campaigns. It allows brands to create precise audience cohorts based on specific business objectives and viewing patterns.
Consent managers search for viable revenue model as registration nears
Consent managers are intended to help individuals manage, review and withdraw consent for the processing of their personal data, and they're required to be registered with the Data Protection Board of India (DPBI). A consent manager is data-blind, and processes metadata, consent artifacts, and cryptographic routing instructions.
AU Small Finance Bank data leak: Salesforce says no vulnerability at its end
Salesforce has stated no vulnerabilities were found concerning a suspected data leak at AU Small Finance Bank. The bank is investigating claims of a breach by hackers, affecting sensitive customer data. Reportedly compromised information includes KYC records and personal identification documents, while the bank assures its core systems are unaffected. Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently warned of increasing cyberattack threats to the economy.
Cathay Pacific reports personal data security incident involving Amadeus IT
Cathay Pacific Airways has reported a data security incident linked to a third-party service provider. The incident reportedly affected around 53,000 bookings associated with the airline, due to unauthorized access to Amadeus' systems. Personal information such as booking references, passenger names, and flight details were accessed during the breach. However, investigations continue, and there is no evidence of access to financial or payment information.
Cyberattacks hit NBFCs; Pine Labs Q2 profit zooms
Cyber criminals are targetting smaller NBFCs with specialised AI toolkits. This and more in today’s ETtech Top 5.
FTC orders Walmart, Delta and others to share how they use personal data to set prices and pay
"We intend to scrutinize the opaque methodology that some companies in these industries may be using to determine how much consumers pay or how much gig workers are paid for the same product or service," FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson said in a statement.
Meesho Q2 loss narrows; Info Edge names Sanjeev Bikhchandani CEO
Happy Thursday! Meesho’s losses shrunk as revenue grew in the second quarter of FY27. This and more in today’s ETtech Morning Dispatch.
PHP scare sparks calls for urgent corp DPDP audits to plug all gaps
The incidents underline the need to identify gaps in companies’ security practices and clarify what constitutes reasonable safeguards before the law takes effect, they said. The DPDP Act is being implemented in phases, with a May 2027 deadline for full compliance obligations.
Government open to media suggestions on Digital Personal Data Protection Act, promises to uphold press freedom
The Government of India is willing to consider suggestions from news organisations about the Digital Personal Data Protection Act. Ashwini Vaishnaw stated that journalistic freedom is guaranteed by the Constitution and will not be affected. Concerns have been raised about the Act's provisions potentially infringing on press freedom and the Right to Information Act. The Digital News Publishers Association argues for exemptions for journalism activities within the DPDP Act.
Centre open to changes in DPDP law to protect press freedom, says Ashwini Vaishnaw
The Centre aims to amend the Digital Personal Data Protection law to address concerns raised by news publishers. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw stated that the law does not limit press freedom. This response follows a Supreme Court notice regarding a petition from the Digital News Publishers Association and others. Publishers argue the lack of exemption for journalism could jeopardize investigative reporting and confidential sources.
Clock’s ticking for data protection, but the boardroom remains empty
Under the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Rules, 2025, the framework for registering consent managers with the DPBI is scheduled to start on November 13. But a government response to a Right to Information (RTI) application shows that the board spent not a single rupee on salaries, office expenses, rent or information and communication technology equipment as of September 30 this year.
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