Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

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Jennifer Elias @jennelias.bsky.social · 6d

YouTube served me a Charlie Kirk video after I watched "The People We Meet On Vacation Official Teaser" for some unknown reason.

Creator of ICE agent tracking app asks Apple to rescind ban from online store

Reposted by Jennifer Elias

Lora Kolodny @lorak.bsky.social · 7d

UPDATE: ICEBlock developer Joshua Aaron asked Apple to reinstate the app after the company removed it from the app store under pressure from AG Bondi... www.cnbc.com/2025/10/03/a...

Joshua Aaron has said he created ICEBlock after seeing the Trump administration's deportation efforts, which he said evoked events in Nazi Germany.

Google, Apple drop ICE agent tracking apps from stores after Trump admin complaints

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Jennifer Elias @jennelias.bsky.social · 7d

Google and Apple are removing apps like ICEBlock that can be used to anonymously report sightings of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents and other law-enforcement. cnb.cx/4nwfVoa

Joshua Aaron has said he created ICEBlock after seeing the Trump administration's deportation efforts, which he said evoked events in Nazi Germany.

Google cuts more than 100 design-related roles in cloud unit

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Jennifer Elias @jennelias.bsky.social · 9d

Google has laid off more than 100 employees from design-related roles within the company’s cloud unit. Most are U.S.-based roles working on understanding user behavior. It's the latest group on the chopping block as Google aims to prioritize AI. cnb.cx/3VLxiW6

The latest layoffs come as Google accelerates cuts to focus spending on artificial intelligence infrastructure.

How Google shifted from a bastion of accurate information to a steward of free expression

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Jennifer Elias @jennelias.bsky.social · 14d

Google long touted the need for factual accuracy on its platforms, but recent policy changes a letter submitted to Congress this week demonstrates how the tech company is shifting to prioritize “free expression.” cnb.cx/4mCLQ5h

After years of rolling out features designed to provide users with factual and accurate information, Google is now touting its commitment to "free expression."

Google News launches ‘fact check’ tab in search results just ahead of the US elections

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Jennifer Elias @jennelias.bsky.social · 17d

However, the company was proudly touting its fact-checking programs in 2016, 2017 and then in 2019 and subsequent years.

“We’re excited to see the growth of the Fact Check community and to shine a light on its efforts to divine fact from fiction, wisdom from spin,” Google said at the time.

Google has introduced a fact checking category to its news service, just ahead of the U.S. presidential elections.

YouTube to allow creators banned for Covid-19, election misinformation to apply for reinstatement

Jennifer Elias @jennelias.bsky.social · 17d

Google's counsel also wrote republican representative Jim Jordan, telling him "YouTube has not and will not empower fact-checkers to take action on or label content across the Company's services."

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Jennifer Elias @jennelias.bsky.social · 17d

YouTube on Tuesday said it will soon allow previously banned accounts to apply for reinstatement, rolling back a policy that had treated violations as permanent. www.cnbc.com/2025/09/23/y...

YouTube on Tuesday said it will allow previously banned accounts to apply for reinstatement, rolling back a policy that had treated violations as permanent.

Nvidia just spent over $900 million to hire Enfabrica CEO, license AI startup's technology

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Jennifer Elias @jennelias.bsky.social · 21d

The latest AI talent grab: Nvidia just spent over $900 million to hire Enfabrica CEO and license the AI startup's technology. Good scoop by my colleagues @lorak.bsky.social @jordannovet.bsky.social and @kif.bsky.social cnb.cx/4nw9BwK

In a deal reminiscent of acquihires by Meta and Google, Nvidia hired Enfabrica's CEO and other employees of the startup, and licensed its technology.

Google adds Gemini to Chrome for all users in push to bolster AI search

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Jennifer Elias @jennelias.bsky.social · 22d

Google is making Gemini in Chrome available to U.S. users, touting its browser assistant that claims to help users do tasks like booking a haircut or ordering weekly groceries. It comes weeks after a judge ruled the company doesn't have to divest Chrome after an antitrust decision. cnb.cx/3VoooNW

AI has changed the competitive landscape in search, with OpenAI, Perplexity and Anthropic all diving into the space.

Alphabet becomes fourth company to reach $3 trillion market cap

Jennifer Elias @jennelias.bsky.social · 25d

Google has officially joined the $3 trillion club. Shares of the company jumped more than 4% today, pushing the company into territory occupied only by Nvidia, Microsoft and Apple. Shares also got a lift from a favorable antitrust decision earlier this month. www.cnbc.com/2025/09/15/a...

Google's parent company added hundreds of billions of dollars in value in September following a favorable ruling.

Alphabet, Meta, OpenAI, xAI and Snap face FTC probe over AI chatbot safety for kids

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Jennifer Elias @jennelias.bsky.social · 29d

The FTC is issuing orders to seven companies, including Google, OpenAI, and Meta, to understand how their AI chatbots have potentially negative effects. The agency said AI chatbots are used to simulate human-like communication and intrapersonal relationships with users. cnb.cx/4gjKPh1

The Federal Trade Commission is issuing orders to seven companies to understand how their AI chatbots potentially negatively affect kids and teenagers.

What to know about the Hyundai-LG plant immigration raid in Georgia

Reposted by Jennifer Elias

nilay patel @reckless.bsky.social · Sep 8

Google’s position is now that the open web
Is thriving but open web ads are in rapid decline… because of course all the attention and money leaving a platform is irrelevant to its health lol

Barry Schwartz @rustybrick.com · Sep 8

Google's VP of Global Ads responds to the open web declining story I wrote - story updated at seroundtable.com/google-open-...

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Jennifer Elias @jennelias.bsky.social · Sep 8

White House border czar Tom Homan said the Trump administration would continue focusing on workplaces for immigration raids. cnb.cx/3JQE0Y5

Federal and immigration agents conducted a massive raid on a Hyundai facility in Ellabell, Georgia, last week, arresting 475 people.

‘I’m glad it’s over.’ Google CEO thanks Trump for antitrust 'resolution'

Reposted by Jennifer Elias

Techmeme Chatter @chatter.techmeme.com · Sep 5

This post appeared under this Techmeme headline:

Jennifer Elias @jennelias.bsky.social · Sep 5

Google CEO Sundar Pichai thanked Trump for "dialogue" and "resolution" after the President congratulated him on Google's favorable antitrust ruling this week. "I'm glad it's over," Pichai added. www.cnbc.com/2025/09/04/g...

President Donald Trump congratulated Google CEO Sundar Pichai on “big day” following antitrust ruling.

‘I’m glad it’s over.’ Google CEO thanks Trump for antitrust 'resolution'

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Jennifer Elias @jennelias.bsky.social · Sep 5

Google CEO Sundar Pichai thanked Trump for "dialogue" and "resolution" after the President congratulated him on Google's favorable antitrust ruling this week. "I'm glad it's over," Pichai added. www.cnbc.com/2025/09/04/g...

President Donald Trump congratulated Google CEO Sundar Pichai on “big day” following antitrust ruling.

Google gets to keep Chrome but is barred from exclusive search deals, judge rules

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Reposted by Jennifer Elias

Sal Rodriguez 🕷️ @sal19.bsky.social · Sep 2

Google gets to keep Chrome but is barred from exclusive search deals, judge rules www.cnbc.com/2025/09/02/g... by @jennelias.bsky.social

The ruling comes nearly a year after a U.S. judge ruled that Google holds an illegal monopoly in its core market of internet search.

Google stock jumps 8% after search giant avoids worst-case penalties in antitrust case

Jennifer Elias @jennelias.bsky.social · Sep 2

The remedies verdict is in for the landmark antitrust search case against Google: The search giant can keep Chrome. It can also keep paying smartphone makers to preload its products. Alphabet shares soared more than 8%. www.cnbc.com/2025/09/02/g...

The ruling comes nearly a year after a U.S. judge ruled that Google holds an illegal monopoly in its core market of internet search.

Google has eliminated 35% of managers overseeing small teams in past year, exec says

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Jennifer Elias @jennelias.bsky.social · Aug 27

New: Google has removed a third of its managers that oversee small teams over the last year, we've learned. Some were moved to different roles within the company while others have been cut. The company also plans to continue offering buyouts to employees, many of whom "want a career break."

In Google's continuing effort to run more efficiently, the company has been getting rid of managers who oversee fewer than three people.

Google faces loss of Chrome as Perplexity bid adds drama to looming breakup decision

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Reposted by Jennifer Elias

Sal Rodriguez 🕷️ @sal19.bsky.social · Aug 13

Google's Chrome browser might actually be worth as much as $50 billion www.cnbc.com/2025/08/13/g... the latest from @jennelias.bsky.social & @mackenziesigalos.bsky.social

Perplexity AI's offer of $34.5 billion for Google's Chrome browser is a lot lower than where some analysts value the business.

Google faces loss of Chrome as Perplexity bid adds drama to looming breakup decision

Jennifer Elias @jennelias.bsky.social · Aug 14

As Perplexity's $35B unsolicited bid for Chrome adds drama to a looming breakup decision, we've broken down how Wall Street values key businesses units within Google including Chrome, Cloud, YouTube and Waymo. Some are valued at hundreds of billions. www.cnbc.com/2025/08/13/g...

Perplexity AI's offer of $34.5 billion for Google's Chrome browser is a lot lower than where some analysts value the business.

Democrats question Google's Trump talks over censorship suit and possible 'quid-pro-quo' deal

Jennifer Elias @jennelias.bsky.social · Aug 7

Senate Democrats, including Elizabeth Warren, are asking Google and its YouTube unit whether discussions with President Donald Trump lawyers have included the possibility of settling a censorship suit in exchange for favorable treatment from the administration. www.cnbc.com/2025/08/07/g...

A group of Democratic senators wrote a letter to Google expressing concern over a possible settlement between the company and President Trump.

'What am I falling in love with?' Human-AI relationships are no longer just science fiction

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Jennifer Elias @jennelias.bsky.social · Aug 1

Incredible piece by @sal19.bsky.social, who takes you deep into the stories of people who have AI companions. Human-AI relationships are perhaps, more common than you may think. cnb.cx/4ms9l1j

Since ChatGPT’s late 2022 launch, everyday people have formed emotional connections to chatbots, describing them as deep friendships and even life partnerships.

Google has dropped more than 50 DEI-related organizations from its funding list

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Jennifer Elias @jennelias.bsky.social · Aug 1

New: Google has dropped more than 50 organizations from its government affairs funding list that used terms related to diversity, according to a new report. www.cnbc.com/2025/08/01/g...

The dropped groups had mission statements that included the words "diversity, "equity," "inclusion," or "race," "activism," and "women."