TikTok Confirms Major US Stake Sale as Security and Privacy Issues Dominate Tech Sector

TikTok has confirmed the sale of a significant portion of its US subsidiary to American and international investors in response to regulatory pressures aimed at safeguarding user data. The transaction, involving Oracle and two investment firms, grants them a 45 percent share in a newly formed joint venture. This move is designed to prevent a potential ban of the popular social media platform within the United States, following legislation requiring foreign-owned apps to divest US operations to mitigate national security concerns. The legislation, enacted last year, mandates the separation of US user data from foreign entities and places the platform's recommendation algorithms under domestic oversight. TikTok's legal attempts to challenge this requirement proved unsuccessful, leading to the current agreement.

In the technology sector, concerns over cyber-espionage and data security remain high. Amazon recently identified a North Korean IT worker who had infiltrated the company under a false identity. The individual, who was believed to be based in Arizona, was actually operating remotely from Asia. Security software flagged unusual keyboard response times, which indicated the physical distance and resulted in the discovery. Amazon responded by immediately revoking the individual's access. This incident highlights the sophisticated methods used by North Korean operatives to secure income and access sensitive data through remote work arrangements with Western companies.

In another significant development, Austria's Supreme Court has ruled that Meta Platforms' approach to personalized advertising and third-party data collection in the European Economic Area is unlawful. The court determined that Meta's data gathering practices exceeded legal limits and that the company failed to provide adequate transparency regarding the use and recipients of personal information. The decision follows an eleven-year legal dispute initiated by a privacy rights advocate. The ruling stipulates that Meta cannot tailor advertisements based on collected user data nor harvest information from external websites without clear consent and disclosure. Legal experts anticipate further litigation and potential influence on similar cases in other European jurisdictions.

Elsewhere, French authorities have arrested two crew members--one Latvian and one Bulgarian--on suspicion of attempting unauthorized access to the computer systems of an international passenger ferry. The Latvian individual remains in custody, accused of acting for an unidentified foreign power and facing charges related to hacking and criminal conspiracy. The investigation, led by France's counterintelligence agency, was triggered by the detection of malware aboard the vessel.

Consumers awaiting fiber optic internet installations are advised to secure written commitments regarding completion dates from providers. Delays can arise from poorly coordinated construction work or financial difficulties faced by contractors, potentially disrupting timely access to high-speed internet. Legal and technical considerations surrounding fiber optic connections have been discussed in recent consumer protection podcasts, offering guidance on safeguarding customer interests.

Other notable updates in the technology sector include Micron Technology joining leading companies in supplying memory for artificial intelligence applications, Microsoft enhancing data storage performance in upcoming Windows releases, and the continued expansion of fast-charging infrastructure for electric vehicles, particularly direct current (DC) stations. Additionally, new research demonstrates the use of coffee grounds to filter heavy metals from water, while cybersecurity agencies warn of fresh threats exploiting vulnerabilities in major network hardware brands. The gaming industry also saw a legal resolution between Sony and Tencent over intellectual property concerns, and advancements in robotics are assisting archaeologists in reconstructing ancient frescoes.

These developments underscore ongoing challenges and innovations in global technology, data privacy, cybersecurity, and consumer protection.