Associated Press

TikTok Parent ByteDance to Pay $92 Million in US Privacy Settlement

Associated Press | Friday February 26, 2021

TikTok's Chinese parent company ByteDance has agreed to pay $92 million (roughly Rs. 670 crore) in a settlement to US users who are part of a class-action lawsuit alleging that the video-sharing app failed to get their consent to collect data in violation of a strict Illinois privacy law.

Facebook Bans All Myanmar Military-Linked Accounts and Advertisements Following Coup-Induced Violence

Associated Press | Thursday February 25, 2021

Facebook announced it was banning all accounts linked to Myanmar’s military as well as ads from military-controlled companies in the wake of the army’s seizure of power on February 1.

Mars Rover Perseverance Carried Secret Binary Code Message on Its Parachute

Associated Press | Wednesday February 24, 2021

The huge parachute used by NASA's Perseverance rover to land on Mars contained a secret message, thanks to a puzzle lover on the spacecraft team.

Microsoft, EU Publishers Seek Australia-Style News Payments From Big Tech Platforms

Associated Press | Tuesday February 23, 2021

Microsoft is teaming up with European publishers to push for a system to make big tech platforms pay for news, raising the stakes in the brewing battle led by Australia to get Facebook and Google to pay for journalism.

Mars Perseverance Rover Landing Video, Audio From Red Planet Released by NASA: 'Stuff of Our Dreams'

Associated Press | Tuesday February 23, 2021

NASA released the first high-quality video of a spacecraft landing on Mars, a three-minute trailer showing the enormous orange and white parachute hurtling open and the red dust kicking up as rocket engines lowered the rover to the surface.

Uber Drivers Entitled to Paid Holidays, Minimum Wage, Says UK Top Court in Landmark Ruling

Associate Press | Saturday February 20, 2021

Uber drivers in UK are entitled to benefits like minimum wage and paid holidays, the country's top court ruled in a landmark judgement. The decision threatens Uber’s business model and holds broad implications for the gig economy.

Facebook Urged by Australia Prime Minister Scott Morrison to Lift News Blockade, Calls Move a ‘Threat’

Associated Press | Friday February 19, 2021

Australia’s Prime Minister Scott Morrison urged Facebook to lift its blockade of Australian users and return to the negotiating table with news publishing businesses, warning that other countries would follow his government’s example in making digital giants pay for journalism.

Amazon Sued by New York State Over COVID-19 Safety Protocols

Associated Press | Thursday February 18, 2021

The New York attorney general is suing Amazon over COVID-19 safety protocols, accusing the company of being more concerned with making money than protecting its workers from getting sick.

Mars Rover Perseverance From NASA Attempting Most Difficult Touchdown Yet

Associated Press | Thursday February 18, 2021

NASA’s Perseverance rover is headed for a compact patch on the edge of an ancient river delta on Mars. The once-submerged terrain also could hold evidence of past life, all the more reason to gather samples at this spot for return to Earth 10 years from now.

Amazon Faces Biggest Union Push in Its History

Associated Press | Saturday February 13, 2021

Amazon workers are holding a vote in the US state of Alabama in the biggest unionisation push the e-commerce giant has faced since it was founded in 1995. A majority of the 6,000 employees have to vote “yes" in order to unionise.

Instagram Blocks Robert F. Kennedy Jr Over COVID-19 Vaccine Misinformation

Associated Press | Friday February 12, 2021

Instagram banned Robert F. Kennedy Jr., son of former presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy, from repeatedly posting misinformation about vaccine safety and COVID-19.

SolarWinds Hack Response Leader Named by White House Amid Criticism

Associated Press | Thursday February 11, 2021

After members of Congress criticised the US response to a massive breach of government departments and private corporations discovered late last year, the White House announced that a senior national security official had been leading the effort since the first day of the Biden administration.

Turkey Unveils 10-Year Space Programme Including 2023 Moon Mission

Associated Press | Wednesday February 10, 2021

Turkey has announced a 10-year space programme that includes an ambitious 2023 moon mission, sending Turkish astronauts into space, and developing internationally viable satellite system.

First Biofuel-Powered Commercial Rocket Successfully Test Launched in Maine

Associated Press | Tuesday February 2, 2021

A Maine company that's developing a rocket to propel small satellites into space passed its first major test on Sunday.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres Calls for Regulating Social Media Companies

Associated Press | Friday January 29, 2021

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres called Thursday for global rules to regulate powerful social media companies like Twitter and Facebook.