Silicon Valley Tech News Roundup – September 11th

U. S. government bans companies from building factories in China – 9/8

As a part of the guidelines of the U. S. CHIPS and Science Act, American companies that receive federal funding cannot build “advanced technology” facilities in China for a period of ten years.

Gina Raimondo (U. S. Commerce Secretary) briefed the press on the CHIPS and Science Act guidelines. She stated about the ban: “We’re going to be implementing the guardrails to ensure those who receive CHIPS funds cannot compromise national security… they’re not allowed to use this money to invest in China, they can’t develop leading-edge technologies in China…. for a period of ten years… Companies who receive the money can only expand their mature node factories in China to serve the Chinese market.”

In August, President Biden signed the CHIPS and Science Act. It commits $280 billion to scientific research and high-tech manufacturing. It includes tax breaks for companies that build semiconductor manufacturing plants in the U. S. United States produces 10% of the global supply of semiconductors (down when compared to 40% in 1990).

Apple showcases iPhone 14 Pro and Apple Watch Ultra at the launch event – 9/9

At the launch event held at the company’s Cupertino headquarters, Tim Cook (CEO of Apple) revealed several new Apple products. The audience attended in person for the first time since the start of the pandemic. The event introduced the next generation of iPhones, Apple Watch, and AirPods.

Apple Watch Series 8 introduced several new features like car crash detection, low power mode option, and temperature sensors for tracking ovulation cycles. Since the overturning of Roe vs. Wade, the public has been concerned about the law enforcement accessing people’s data. However, Apple claims the data on its devices will be encrypted and accessible via biometrics or a passcode.

Apple Watch Ultra is crack-resistant, swim- and dust-proof. It also has a larger design face for extreme sports use and up to 36 hours of battery life on a single charge.

iPhone 14 is available in two sizes – iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus. The new iPhones can send an emergency call for help via satellite. The handsets also include a new 12-megapixel camera that can take pictures of fast-moving objects and has a 49% improvement in low-light capturing.

AirPods Pro are easier to locate as each set has a new system for finding individual lost earphones.

Musk tries to use Twitter’s $7 million whistleblower payout to get out of purchase deal – 9/10

The Washington Post reports Elon Musk and his legal team plan to use Twitter’s $7 million whistleblower payout to Peiter Zatko as another argument to get out of the acquisition deal. Previously a judge ruled Musk could use Zatko’s allegations as a part of arguments in the countersuit against the company.

Musk’s legal team argued severance payment of $7.75 million the company made to Zatko violated a provision in the sales agreement. They cited Section 6.1(e) of the merger agreement. It states Twitter promised not to: “grant or provide any severance or termination payments or benefits to any Company Service Provider other than the payment of severance amounts or benefits in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice and subject to the execution and non-revocation of a release of claims in favor of the Company and its Subsidiaries.” Twitter and Musk entered the merger deal in April, and Zatko received his severance payment in June. Musk’s legal team claims Twitter did not ask for Musk’s consent or notify him of the transaction.

Zatko filed a complaint with the Securities and Exchange Commission. He claimed Twitter has ” extreme, egregious deficiencies” in its securities. Likewise, he stated Twitter violated the terms it agreed to when settling a privacy dispute with the FTC in 2011.

Ireland fines Instagram a record $402 million for not protecting children’s data – 9/6

Ireland’s Data Protection Commissioner (data privacy regulator) fined Instagram a record $402 million for not protecting children’s data.

The decision is a result of an investigation started in 2020. It focused on children between the ages of 13 and 17 who were allowed to create and operate business accounts. This included the publication of the user’s phone and/or email address.

Meta spokesperson said Instagram updated its settings over a year ago. It rolled out several new features to ensure increased security for teens and protect their private information. Likewise, the company does not agree with the steep fine and is reviewing the decision and plans to appeal.

Ireland’s Data Protection Commissioner completed the ruling decision in December and shared it with regulators from the other Member States.