Users globally reported Facebook and Instagram outages, with over 17,000 and 9,000 outage reports, respectively, on Downdetector. Facebook users cite troubles with the website (64%), app (22%), and logging service (14%). The outage started at 3 pm and persists at the time of writing. Instagram users also encounter issues, with 88% reporting problems. The cause and resolution timeline are yet to be confirmed. Social media enthusiasts express frustration as the platforms remain inaccessible.

Google reinstated all Indian apps removed from its platform following government intervention, stated ANI. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw criticized the delisting, affirming India's policy to protect startups. Vaishnaw arranged a meeting with Google, emphasizing the impermissibility of such actions. Earlier, Google delisted apps from Info Edge and others for non-compliance with payment policies. Affected companies, like Bharat Matrimony and Kuku FM, expressed concern over Google's dominance. Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar highlighted the need to examine if Google's actions constitute abuse of its market position. The government aims to address potential misuse of power by tech giants.

In an exclusive interview, Bill Gates expressed optimism about job security amid AI advancements, highlighting the world's increased access to jobs. Gates commended India's digital strides, praising the direct transfer of government payments to bank accounts, citing substantial savings. Emphasizing the Gates Foundation's support for India's vaccine industry, he called the nation's contributions during the pandemic "a treasure to the world." Gates addressed breakthroughs in anaemia treatment, where AI aids a one-time infusion. Reflecting on climate change, he noted India's resilience efforts. Lighter moments included Gates enjoying "fantastic chai" in Hyderabad, lauding the morning view.

Regional Passport Officer Anuj Swarup cautions passport applicants against rising cyber fraud, urging them to use only the official website, https://www.passportindia.gov.in. Cybercriminals create deceptive domains resembling the official site, leading to financial scams. Legitimate portals charge Rs 1500, while fraudulent ones demand Rs 4000 to Rs 5000. Swarup emphasizes vigilance, highlighting the importance of awareness campaigns to educate applicants. Authorities must intensify efforts to enhance online security awareness, ensuring individuals can discern between genuine and counterfeit websites, especially in the face of evolving cyber threats.

Apple has reportedly canceled plans to build electric vehicles (EVs) after a decade of secretive development involving around two thousand employees. The project, known as Project Titan, was aimed at creating a fully autonomous vehicle. Instead, many employees will be shifted to Apple's artificial intelligence division. The decision reflects a shift in focus towards AI and away from EVs, as market demand for electric vehicles remains uncertain. Other major players in the EV market, such as Ford and General Motors, have also faced challenges, with some postponing production expansion plans. Tesla, too, has warned of weaker sales growth amid tough competition.

Sony is cutting 900 jobs at its PlayStation unit and closing a London studio due to a sluggish post-pandemic videogame market. This represents about 8% of the division's workforce globally. The company cites changes in industry dynamics for the layoffs. Sales expectations for the PlayStation 5 have been lowered, and no major franchise titles are planned for the next fiscal year. The global videogame market grew by only 0.6% in 2023. Sony's decision aligns with similar moves by Microsoft and Riot Games.

OpenAI claims the New York Times "hacked" its chatbot, ChatGPT, producing misleading evidence for a copyright lawsuit. OpenAI argues that the Times used "deceptive prompts" violating terms of use. In a Manhattan court filing, OpenAI accuses the Times of paying someone to manipulate its products. The Times, suing OpenAI and Microsoft, alleges the unauthorized use of millions of articles. The tech industry insists on fair use, emphasizing the potential harm to a trillion-dollar AI sector. Both parties are yet to comment on OpenAI's request for dismissal. The lawsuit reveals tensions between media and AI over intellectual property.

Japan's government-backed semiconductor research group partners with US startup Tenstorrent to design its first advanced AI chip. Tenstorrent will license its design and collaborate on chip development, aiming to provide an alternative to Nvidia and Arm. The Japanese government is investing $67 billion to reclaim a role in the semiconductor industry. The jointly designed AI chips will be produced by government-backed startup Rapidus Corp. Tenstorrent aims to begin chip production in 2027 and is in close collaboration with the Japanese government and corporations. The partnership also involves international collaboration on AI technology.

Bitcoin reached a two-year high, hitting $57,036, as big players entered the market. This surge was fueled by MicroStrategy's disclosure of buying 3,000 bitcoins worth $155 million. Additionally, the approval of bitcoin ETFs in the US boosted demand and trading volumes, leading to a spike in crypto-linked firms' stocks. Ether also saw gains, surpassing $3,200 for the first time since 2022, reaching $3,275. The market's bullish sentiment is driven by limited supply and strong demand, particularly from US ETFs.

Biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy slammed Big Tech AI creators, pointing fingers at the incentive structures set by employers, following his criticism of Google's AI tool, Gemini. Ramaswamy labeled Gemini a "global embarrassment" for generating historically inaccurate images. The debate surrounds the tool's depiction of genders and races, with accusations of over-correction. Responding to tech guru Marc Lowell Andreessen, Ramaswamy emphasized that Big Tech AI reflects the ideologies of its creators. Google's Jack Krawczyk acknowledged issues with Gemini's historical depictions, pledging immediate improvements. This incident echoes past AI failures, including Google's decade-old photo app mislabeling.