📱Apple $95m Settlement in Siri Privacy Lawsuit

Today’s Menu ☕️

📱Apple Agrees to $95 Million Settlement in Siri Privacy Lawsuit
🌾 Olam Group Confirms SALIC’s Interest in Acquiring Remaining Stake in Olam Agri
🏢 Microsoft to invest $80 billion in AI-enabled data centres by June 2025
🧑🏽‍💻 CBN Embraces Digitization, Restructures Workforce with Voluntary Exit of 1,000 Employees

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📱GADGETS & DEVICES

Apple Agrees to $95 Million Settlement in Siri Privacy Lawsuit

Apple has reached a $95 million settlement to resolve a class-action lawsuit alleging that its Siri voice assistant violated users’ privacy. The settlement, filed in Oakland, California, awaits approval from U.S. District Judge Jeffrey White and marks the conclusion of a decade-long controversy over Siri’s inadvertent recording of private conversations.

The lawsuit claims that Siri, Apple’s voice assistant, occasionally activated unintentionally and recorded private conversations, which were subsequently shared with third parties, including advertisers. Plaintiffs provided examples, such as receiving ads for Air Jordan sneakers and Olive Garden after casual mentions of those names and targeted ads for specific medical treatments following private discussions with doctors.

The alleged unauthorized recordings began on September 17, 2014, with the launch of the “Hey, Siri” feature, and continued until December 31, 2024. These incidents raised serious privacy concerns, leading to significant scrutiny of how voice assistants manage user data..….…continue reading

🌾 AGRICULTURE

Olam Group Confirms SALIC’s Interest in Acquiring Remaining Stake in Olam Agri

Singapore-based agribusiness powerhouse Olam Group has confirmed receiving a proposal from the Saudi Agricultural and Livestock Investment Company (SALIC) to acquire the remaining stake in its agribusiness arm, Olam Agri. This follows SALIC’s 2022 acquisition of a 35.4% stake in Olam Agri for $1.24 billion, as part of a Strategic Supply & Cooperation Agreement between the two entities.

In a disclosure to the Singapore Exchange (SGX), Olam Group stated that it has received a non-binding indicative offer from SALIC. Olam is now working with its appointed advisers to evaluate the proposal. The company clarified that discussions are ongoing and no formal agreements or terms have been finalized.

“While we are reviewing and discussing the potential sale of our stake in Olam Agri, it is important to stress that there is no certainty that a transaction will materialize,” the statement read....……continue reading

🏦INFRASTRUCTURE

Microsoft to invest $80 billion in AI-enabled data centres by June 2025

Microsoft has announced plans to invest $80 billion in AI-enabled data centres by the end of its fiscal year in June 2025, a move underscoring the massive capital demands of artificial intelligence (AI) and the intensifying global competition between the United States and China in advanced technologies.

The Vice Chairman and President of Microsoft, Brad Smith, revealed the initiative in a blog post, emphasizing the company’s commitment to bolstering its AI infrastructure. More than half of the investment will focus on building data centres in the United States, reflecting confidence in the American economy while responding to international pressures..……..read more

📺 BANKING

CBN Embraces Digitization, Restructures Workforce with Voluntary Exit of 1,000 Employees

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has embarked on a bold restructuring initiative, marking a significant shift towards digitization. As part of this transformation, 1,000 employees have voluntarily exited the institution, reflecting the bank’s efforts to align its workforce with the demands of a tech-driven banking model.

This development, confirmed by Bala Bello, a deputy director representing CBN Governor Yemi Cardoso, underscores the bank’s commitment to streamlining operations and leveraging technology to enhance efficiency. Speaking before an ad hoc committee of the House of Representatives, Bello highlighted how the global trend of digitization has reshaped operational dynamics, creating new opportunities while addressing redundancies...……continue reading

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