San Francisco-based AI startup Perplexity has made a surprising move by offering $34.5 billion to buy Google’s Chrome browser amid current antitrust scrutiny of the tech giant. Perplexity, known for its AI-powered search technology, announced its unsolicited offer to Alphabet, Google’s parent company, hoping to get ahead of a potential government order that could force Google to divest Chrome. This bold proposal came as a result of the federal antitrust cases accusing Google of monopolizing the internet search market. The United States government is considering strong measures like forcing Google to sell Chrome and licensing out search data to competitors to break Google’s grip on the market. While Google plans to appeal the ruling and negotiate softer fixes, these efforts could take years. Industry experts are cautious. Some say the $34.5 billion bid seriously undervalues Chrome, which could be worth almost three times that amount. They also warn that splitting Chrome from Google could harm user experience and reliability. Despite skepticism, Perplexity says it has strong financial backing from major investment funds and recently valued itself at $18 billion after raising $100 million. The startup plans to invest $3 billion over two years to grow Chrome and its open-source Chromium project.Perplexity’s ambitions go beyond this offer, they are preparing to launch their own AI-powered browser called Comet. The company says it won’t make secret changes to Chrome if the deal happens and promises stability for users and advertisers. Analysts like Colin Sebastian describe the offer as a “vast undervaluation” but acknowledge Perplexity’s serious intent and funding. Meanwhile, regulators’ decisions and Google’s responses remain uncertain.
Wikipedia loses legal battle against UK Online Safety Act rules
Wikipedia has lost its challenge against the UK’s Online Safety Act, a law that could require user identity verification on the platform, raising concerns about volunteer privacy and site operations. The Wikimedia Foundation, which supports Wikipedia, took the UK government to court in an attempt to stop regulations that could put Wikipedia in the strictest category under the Act. This category demands platforms verify user identities, a move the Foundation says would undermine the open-editing model that allows anyone to contribute anonymously. It warned that forced identity checks might either reveal editors unwillingly or limit access for UK users by about 75%. However, the High Court ruled against the Foundation, stating Wikipedia could still operate without undue harm under the new rules. The court emphasized the responsibility of the UK regulator Ofcom and the government to protect Wikipedia’s operations and its volunteers’ rights during enforcement. Phil Bradley-Schmieg, Lead Counsel for Wikimedia, clarified that the judgment does not give the government or Ofcom a “green light” to impose rules that would heavily disrupt Wikipedia’s work. He noted that further legal challenges are possible if Ofcom classifies Wikipedia under the strictest category or imposes rules that threaten its functioning. Ofcom, the communications regulator in charge of online safety enforcement, also acknowledged the ruling and said it would continue its work on categorizing online services under the Act. This ruling is significant because Wikipedia, as a global, non-profit knowledge resource, relies on volunteer editors working anonymously or pseudonymously to maintain its breadth and reliability.
Elon Musk accuses Apple of favoring OpenAI on App Store, threatens legal action
Elon Musk has accused Apple of giving special treatment to OpenAI on its App Store, claiming the iPhone maker’s ranking system unfairly blocks other AI apps, including his own, from reaching the top spot. Musk, who owns the X social network and the Grok AI chatbot, said Apple’s behaviour is “playing politics” and amounts to an antitrust violation. In a post on Tuesday, he vowed that his AI company, xAI Holdings, would take immediate legal action against Apple. OpenAI’s ChatGPT app currently holds the No. 1 spot among free iPhone apps in the US, while Musk’s Grok sits at No. 5. This ranking has fueled Musk’s claim that Apple is preventing fair competition in the global app discovery space. The dispute adds to Musk’s long-standing feud with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. Altman dismissed Musk’s allegations and criticized Musk for allegedly manipulating the X platform for his own advantage. He said OpenAI remains focused on building great products. At Apple’s 2025 Worldwide Developers Conference in June, the company announced a stronger partnership with OpenAI alongside new AI features for its apps and devices. These include live translation in Messages, Phone, and FaceTime, and improved visual intelligence that analyzes images and text on iPhones. Apple’s deeper involvement with AI and OpenAI comes amid growing pressure to update Siri and stay competitive in the AI race. This clash marks Musk’s most high-profile confrontation involving AI and Big Tech since his public spat with former US President Donald Trump earlier this year.
Elon Musk’s AI accused of creating explicit Taylor Swift videos without consent
Elon Musk’s AI video tool, Grok Imagine, has been accused of generating sexually explicit videos of Taylor Swift without any user prompt, raising concerns about AI misuse and lack of proper content safeguards. Grok Imagine’s “spicy” mode automatically produced topless clips of the pop star even when users did not request explicit content. Clare McGlynn, a law professor specializing in online abuse, described this not as accidental bias but a deliberate design flaw. She criticized the AI for its misogynistic tendencies and pointed out that proper age verification, now a legal requirement in the UK, was missing in the platform’s paid version. Deepfake technology, which replaces faces in videos, has previously been used to create non-consensual explicit content featuring Taylor Swift. Early in 2024, such deepfake videos circulated widely on social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Telegram. Despite promises to act, X’s controls failed to stop these videos’ spread. When tested by a reporter, Grok Imagine allowed the creation of uncensored, explicit animations of the singer with minimal input, showing how little control users had over the content generated. The UK government is pushing for stronger laws to ban the creation and distribution of non-consensual pornographic deepfakes altogether. Professor McGlynn helped draft an amendment that is yet to become law but aims to protect individuals, celebrities and ordinary people alike, from violations of consent. Officials stress that platforms using AI must implement “technically accurate, robust, reliable, and fair” safeguards, especially to protect minors. Taylor Swift’s team has been contacted for comment, while the tech community watches closely for how the company and regulators will respond next.
Croatia upgrades digital nomad visa stay to three years, opening doors for remote workers
Croatia has upgraded its digital nomad visa to allow remote workers from outside the EU to live and work legally in the country for up to three years, starting March 2025. Originally offering a 12-month stay when launched in 2021, Croatia’s digital nomad visa now permits an initial stay of up to 18 months, with the possibility to extend for an additional six months. After the visa expires, holders must leave the country and wait six months before reapplying. The most recent update has increased the maximum allowed stay to three years, making Croatia one of the most generous European countries for non-EU digital nomads. To qualify, applicants must earn at least €3,295 monthly or show bank savings of €59,310 for the 18-month stay (higher than previous thresholds), and this amount increases by 10% for each added family member. Other requirements include valid private health insurance, a clean criminal record, proof of accommodation, and a passport valid at least three months beyond the intended stay. The visa strictly prohibits working for Croatian companies but allows remote work for foreign employers or clients. Besides the digital nomad visa extension, Croatia has also lengthened the validity of other work permits, including the Regular Work Permit (three years), EU Blue Card (four years), and Seasonal Work Permit (nine months). With its stunning Adriatic coast, vibrant cities like Zagreb and Dubrovnik, reliable internet, and relaxed lifestyle, Croatia is positioning itself as a top destination for digital nomads looking for longer-term stays in Europe without the hassle of frequent visa renewals.
Meta and I.N Official Unveil Africa’s First AI-Powered Fashion Collection at London Fashion Week
Meta and Nigerian fashion brand I.N Official are set to launch the first-ever AI-powered fashion collection at Africa Fashion Week London on Saturday, August 9, 2025. The collection, titled Transcendence, was crafted using Meta AI technology throughout every step of the design process—from fabric and colour choices to storytelling and visualization. Nigerian designer Ifeanyi Nwune, Creative Director of I.N Official, led this innovative project. Using Meta AI’s ‘Imagine’ feature, he generated design inspirations such as a unique silhouette that blends traditional Nigerian Agbada with Japanese Hakama styles. Meta AI also suggested creative accessories for both men’s and women’s fashion, showing how AI can be more than just a tool—it acts as a creative partner in fashion design. Balkissa Idé Siddo, Public Policy Director for Sub-Saharan Africa at Meta, said the collaboration reflects African creativity on the global stage and shows how Meta AI, integrated into everyday apps like WhatsApp and Instagram, helps creators dream bigger and build faster. Africa Fashion Week London, celebrating its 15th year, will run from August 9 to 10 at Space House in London. The event features runway shows, exhibitions, cultural showcases, and shopping halls, spotlighting African heritage and innovation in fashion. This partnership between Meta and I.N Official not only pushes the boundaries of fashion and technology but also reflects Meta’s dedication to empowering African creatives with accessible tools to express themselves and reach global audiences.