WASHINGTON — Facebook's ambitious plan to create a financial eco-system based on a digital currency faces questions from lawmakers, as it's shadowed by negative comments from President Donald Trump, his treasury secretary and the head of the Federal Reserve. Congress begins two days of hearings Tuesday on the currency planned by Facebook,...
State Government's Tech Has Been a Mess for Decades. Can Newsom Fix It?
California government’s technology drastically pales in comparison to Silicon Valley, but Gov. Gavin Newsom is betting $40.8 million and a new office will change that. Even though California is home to innovative tech giants like Google and Apple, its government historically has used technology that can’t handle simple tasks–like accepting...
Google to Acquire Data Firm Looker for $2.6 Billion
NEW YORK — Google is acquiring data analytics firm Looker for $2.6 billion cash in an effort to expand its Google Cloud business. The company says Looker will give its cloud-computing customers more ways to use their data. The companies were already working together and share about 350 customers including...
US Delay to Huawei Ban Gives Tech Sector Time to Adjust
BEIJING — The United States is delaying restrictions on U.S. technology sales to Chinese tech powerhouse Huawei in what it calls an effort to ease the blow on owners of its cell phones and smaller U.S. telecoms providers that rely on its networking equipment. The Trump administration insists the sanctions...
Facebook Limits Livestreaming Ahead of Tech Summit in Paris
PARIS — A dozen countries and global tech giants including Facebook, Google and Twitter pledged Wednesday to find ways to keep internet platforms from being used to spread hate, organize extremist groups and broadcast terror attacks. World leaders led by French President Emmanuel Macron and tech executives gathered in Paris...
Google's Wing Aviation Gets FAA OK for Drone Deliveries
WASHINGTON — Google affiliate Wing Aviation has received federal approval allowing it to make commercial deliveries by drone. It's the first time a company has gotten a federal air carrier certification for drone deliveries. The approval from the Federal Aviation Administration means that Wing can operate commercial drone flights in...
Facebook, Google Face Widening Crackdown Over Online Content
LONDON — Social media giants like Facebook and Google came under increasing pressure in Europe on Monday when countries proposed stricter rules to force them to block extreme material such as terrorist propaganda and child porn. Britain called for a first-of-its-kind watchdog for social media that could fine executives and...
Should Google or Your Taxes Help Pay for Local News?
Whose job it is to revive local journalism in California? Our state’s elites have a clear, if dubious answer: themselves. Last year, Google announced it was putting $300 million into supporting local news. A few weeks ago, Facebook announced its own $300 million local news initiative. Philanthropists and foundations have...
Gov. Newsom Wants Users to Profit From Online Data
SACRAMENTO — California Gov. Gavin Newsom has set off a flurry of speculation after he said the state's consumers should get a piece of the billions of dollars that technology companies make by capitalizing on personal data they collect. The new governor has asked aides to develop a proposal for...
Super Bowl Ad Winners: Bud Light, Amazon
NEW YORK — This year some of the Super Bowl ads that grabbed the greatest buzz were surprises, like Bud Light's "Game of Thrones" teaser. Other crowd-pleasers focused on humor, like Amazon's take on celebrity product testers. While the New England Patriots bested the L.A. Rams on Sunday in Atlanta...