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At Google Antitrust Trial, Documents Say One Thing. The Tech Giant’s Witnesses Say Different

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Google's Latest Spam Update Met with Widespread Criticism Amidst a Year of Turbulent Changes
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Alexandria, Virginia – The judge who will determine whether Google has a monopoly on technology that connects buyers and sellers of online advertising must decide whether to believe what Google executives wrote or what they said on the witness stand.

This week, the Justice Department is winding up its antitrust lawsuit against Google in a federal courtroom in Virginia. The federal government and a coalition of states claim Google has established and maintained a monopoly on the technology used to buy and sell advertisements that show to people when they surf the internet.

Google counters that the government is improperly focussing on a very narrow slice of advertising — essentially the rectangular banner ads that appear on the top and right side of a publisher’s web page — and that in the broader online advertising market, Google is surrounded by competition from social media companies and streaming TV services.

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At Google Antitrust Trial, Documents Say One Thing. The Tech Giant’s Witnesses Say Different

Many of the government’s major witnesses have been Google managers and executives, who have frequently attempted to retract what they have written in emails, chats, and company presentations.

This was notably evident Thursday during the testimony of Jonathan Bellack, a Google product manager who sent an email that government lawyers believe is particularly incriminating.

In 2016, Bellack sent an email asking, “Is there a deeper issue with us owning the platform, the exchange, and a massive network?” The parallel would be if Goldman Sachs or Citigroup bought the NYSE or New York Stock Exchange.

For the Justice Department, Bellack’s description is nearly a flawless representation of their case. It claims that Google’s technology dominates both the market for online publishers to sell available ad space on their websites and the technology utilised by large networks of advertisers to acquire ad space. According to the lawsuit, Google even dominates the “ad exchanges” that act as a middleman in connecting buyers and sellers.

As a result of Google’s dominance in all aspects of the transaction, Justice claims the Mountain View, California-based internet behemoth has shut out competitors and been able to charge outrageous costs of 36 cents on the dollar for each ad impression that passes through its ad technology stack.

On the witness stand Thursday, Bellack characterized his email as “late night, jet-lagged ramblings.” He stated he didn’t think Google’s dominance over the buy side, sell side, or middleman was a problem. Still, he did wonder why certain customers were seeking solutions to Google’s technology.

Most other current and former Google employees who have appeared as government witnesses have also rejected their written statements.

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Earlier this week, another Google official, Nirmal Jayaram, spent a substantial portion of his hearing denying the views represented in emails he wrote or articles and presentations he coauthored.

The Justice Department, of course, claims that what Google employees wrote in real-time is a more accurate representation of reality. It claims that there would be much more incriminating documentary proof if Google had not routinely erased many of the internal chats used by employees to discuss business, even after the corporation was notified that it was being investigated.

According to testimony, Google developed a “Communicate with Care” strategy in which employees were directed to add company lawyers to critical emails to classify them as “privileged” and protect them from disclosure to government regulators.

U.S. District Judge Leonie Brinkema described Google’s document retention rules as “absolutely inappropriate and improper” and noted them during the trial, but she did not impose any specific punishment.

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At Google Antitrust Trial, Documents Say One Thing. The Tech Giant’s Witnesses Say Different

The Virginia trial began on September 9, exactly a month after a judge in the District of Columbia deemed Google’s primary business, its ubiquitous search engine, an illegal monopoly. The trial is still proceeding to see what, if any, remedies the judge may impose.

The ad tech at issue in the Virginia trial does not generate as much revenue for Google as its search engine, but it is nevertheless estimated to generate tens of billions of dollars every year.

The Virginia trial has been progressing significantly faster than the D.C. case. The government has produced witnesses for nine days straight and is almost done with its case. The judge has warned Google that it may expect to begin presenting its own witnesses on Friday.

SOURCE | AP

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Kiara Grace
Kiara Grace is a staff writer at VORNews, a reputable online publication. Her writing focuses on technology trends, particularly in the realm of consumer electronics and software. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for breaking down complex topics. Kiara delivers insightful analyses that resonate with tech enthusiasts and casual readers alike. Her articles strike a balance between in-depth coverage and accessibility, making them a go-to resource for anyone seeking to stay informed about the latest innovations shaping our digital world.

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Canadian Port Workers Back Trudeau Government Into a Corner

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On Sunday, employers at Montreal's port locked out 1,200 unionized workers.

Business groups are urging Justin Trudeau’s government to stop labor unrest at Canada’s main ports, as it did with railways in August, to avoid supply chain disruptions.

Hundreds of dock foremen in British Columbia ports have been on strike for a week. On Sunday, employers at Montreal’s port locked out 1,200 unionized workers after they rejected a contract offer that promised a 20% salary raise over six years.

Businesses report that the work disruptions are harming ports that handle approximately C$1.2 billion ($860 million) of products daily. They want Labor Minister Steven MacKinnon to refer the case to the Canada Industrial Relations Board, which can send the parties to arbitration to settle the disagreement.

He used that technique over two months ago to halt labor stoppages at Canada’s two main railways. However, the government’s use has sparked resentment among some unions.

The Teamsters Canada Rail Conference has filed a court challenge, claiming that the government’s actions in the railway conflict set a dangerous precedent by breaching workers’ constitutional rights.

Soon after, the pro-union New Democratic Party ripped up a legislative arrangement in which it committed to vote with Trudeau’s Liberals to advance critical legislation.

It’s unclear whether the government currently has enough support to enact a back-to-work law, which would be required to end the port issue.

According to Michel Murray, a Montreal Longshoremen’s Union representative, the port employers “act as bullies,” and refusing to talk indicates that “they clearly want the federal government to intervene.”

“Nearly C$6 billion worth of goods are expected to arrive at the port over the next two weeks,” Michel Leblanc, CEO of the Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montreal, said in a statement. “The urgency is real.”

Goldy Hyder, CEO of the Business Council of Canada, stated that the conflicts “continue to weaken Canada’s economy and tarnish its reputation as a reliable trading partner.”

“Canada’s ports will continue to lose market share if the country’s reputation for labor instability is not corrected soon,” Hyder wrote in a letter to MacKinnon and Transport Minister Anita Anand on November 9.

According to a group of port employers, the Montreal offer would have increased the average dockworker’s pay by more than C$200,000 annually.

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Geoff Thomas
Geoffrey Thomas is a seasoned staff writer at VORNews, a reputable online publication. With his sharp writing skills and deep understanding of SEO, he consistently delivers high-quality, engaging content that resonates with readers. Thomas' articles are well-researched, informative, and written in a clear, concise style that keeps audiences hooked. His ability to craft compelling narratives while seamlessly incorporating relevant keywords has made him a valuable asset to the VORNews team.
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Amazon Says a Hacker Breached MOVEIT, Stealing Employee Data. Employee data.

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Marcos del Mazo/LightRocket / Getty Images

(VOR News) – Amazon has verified that employee data was stolen to the extent that it was compromised as a result of a “security event” that took place at a third-party vendor. The event brought about the compromise of data.

According to a statement that was provided to TechCrunch on Monday, the information that pertains to Amazon employees was revealed as a result of a data breach. This information related to Amazon employees was disclosed.

Amazon spokesman Adam Montgomery issued the statement.

When it comes to Amazon’s or Amazon Web Services (AWS) systems, there have been no security breaches that have taken place, and we have not encountered any security problems. An incident that occurred at one of our property management providers and included security was brought to our attention over the course of the investigation.

This problem had an effect on a number of the company’s customers, including Amazon, and we were informed about it. Other customers were also affected. Montgomery asserts that the only information that was disclosed was that of the work contact information of Amazon workers. As far as Montgomery is concerned, there was no further breach of security.

Among the things that were listed in this category were things like work email addresses, desk phone numbers, and the locations of buildings.

The number of employees who were affected by the security vulnerability has not been acknowledged by Amazon, nor has the total number of employees who were affected been released.

Additionally, it was stated that the third-party vendor, which was not named, does not have access to sensitive data such as Social Security numbers or financial information. This information was described as being kept confidential. The information in question was not made public. The vendor has reportedly fixed the security flaw that was responsible for the data breach that took place, according to reports that were received.

Hackers said they posted Amazon data on Breach Forums. It has been determined that the information in question is accurate as a consequence of this declaration. Additionally, the individual alleges that they have more than 2.8 million lines of data, which they allege was stolen during the mass-exploitation of MOVEit Transfer that took place the previous year.

Using the alias “Nam3L3ss,” the threat actor claims that they have disclosed information that was purportedly taken from twenty-five big corporations, as indicated in a study that was carried out by the cybersecurity company Hudson Rock. The analysis was done by Hudson Rock.

The assumption that the threat actor makes is that “the data that you have seen up to this point is less than .001% of the total data that I possess.”

This is the Amazon assertion that they make.

The public will have access to one thousand releases that have never been seen before in the history of record releases. The journal TechCrunch has attempted to get in touch with the other firms that were identified by the threat actor; however, the magazine has not yet received any additional responses to the inquiries that it has made.

It was the MOVEit breach, which took place in 2023, that was the most catastrophic breach that ever took place. The file-transfer software that was developed by Progress Software was vulnerable to a zero-day vulnerability, which allowed attackers to take advantage of the weakness and cause this breach.

More than one thousand businesses were impacted by these incursions, and it is believed that the notorious Clop ransomware and extortion ring was responsible for them. Through the utilization of ransomware, hacks were successfully carried out.

Not only did the data breach affect the Oregon Department of Transportation, which had 3.5 million pieces of information stolen, but it also affected the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing, which had four million pieces of information stolen, and Maximus, which is a giant in the United States government services contracting market, which had 11 million pieces of information stolen.

SOURCE: TC

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Salman Ahmad
Salman Ahmad is a seasoned freelance writer who contributes insightful articles to VORNews. With years of experience in journalism, he possesses a knack for crafting compelling narratives that resonate with readers. Salman's writing style strikes a balance between depth and accessibility, allowing him to tackle complex topics while maintaining clarity. His commitment to thorough research ensures his pieces are well-informed and thought-provoking. Salman's contributions enrich VORNews' content, offering readers a fresh perspective on current events and pressing issues.
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Bitcoin Goes Over $80,000 As Buyers Guess Whether Trump Will Run For President.

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Bitcoin
PHOTO:REUTERS

(VOR News) – The following day, Bitcoin achieved a new record high as a consequence of traders’ wagers on the potential benefits of Donald Trump’s return to the White House for the cryptocurrency.

This was an additional factor contributing to Bitcoin’s recent record-breaking performance.

This resulted in Bitcoin’s first-ever record-breaking high.

The digital currency’s inaugural transaction, valued at eighty thousand dollars, was executed one hundred twenty minutes after twelve o’clock in the afternoon (1200 GMT). This occurred shortly after the timepiece reached twelve.

The conviction that President Trump may reduce laws on digital currencies has increased as a result of his victory in the presidential election that occurred in the United States on Tuesday. This conviction has been bolstered by his election victory. Since the election was won by the Republican nominee, Trump, this mentality has been gradually cultivated.

On Wednesday, the price of bitcoin achieved a new all-time high of $75,000, surpassing the previous all-time high of $73,797.98, which was achieved in March. This item has attained the highest price to date.

It was widely believed that Trump was the politician who embraced Bitcoin during his campaign against Kamala Harris, the Democratic Party candidate. Harris was a candidate for the Democratic Party in the Senate campaign.

Donald Trump employed the term “hoax” to describe cryptocurrencies during his inaugural tenure as president of the United States. However, in the time that has passed since then, he has experienced a substantial change in his viewpoints, which has even resulted in the creation of his own committee platform.

In addition to his pledge to establish the United States of America as the “bitcoin and cryptocurrency capital of the world,” he has also committed to appointing Elon Musk, a tech entrepreneur and right-wing conspiracy theorist, to the role of overseeing a comprehensive investigation into the government’s wasteful practices.

Both of these commitments are components of his strategy to enhance the prosperity of the United States of America. It is crucial to acknowledge that he has made a commitment to both of these.

The administration of President Trump was responsible for the reduction of corporation taxes, which resulted in an increase in market liquidity and facilitated the investment in high-growth assets, such as cryptocurrencies. Through the administration of President Trump’s predecessor, this was accomplished.

The previous administration benefited from a decrease in the tax rate for Bitcoin companies.

In September, President Trump announced that he, his sons, and other organizations would be creating a digital currency platform known as World Liberty Financial. The development of this platform would also incorporate the participation of other businesses. The network would facilitate the conversion of digital currency into corporeal currency.

Nevertheless, it experienced an unsuccessful sales launch earlier this month, with only a small percentage of the tokens that were placed on the market being purchased by consumers. This incident transpired earlier this month. From this, it is possible to infer that the launch was unsuccessful.

Cryptocurrencies have been the subject of numerous news articles since their inception. The FTX exchange platform is the most notable of the numerous industry stalwarts that have fallen, and these stories have covered a wide variety of subjects, including the immense volatility of their pricing. Numerous topics have been addressed in these narratives.

According to reports that circulated in the days preceding the election, he made history by becoming the first former president to utilize bitcoin to conduct a transaction. Donald Trump achieved historical significance by conducting a transaction using bitcoin. This could be considered a significant accomplishment.

He accomplished this by purchasing hamburgers from a restaurant in New York City, which characterized the transaction as “historic.” He succeeded in achieving these objectives. Because of this opportunity, he capitalized on it.

Bitcoin, a digital currency, is transacted on the market every day of the week, including Sundays.

SOURCE: TET

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Subsidies for Electric Vehicles Cut as Consumer Interest Fades

Chewy Slides After Filing Shows 3rd-Biggest Shareholder, ‘Roaring Kitty,’ Sold His Stake

Canada CBC News CEO Catherine Tait Recalled to Parliamentary Committee

author avatar
Salman Ahmad
Salman Ahmad is a seasoned freelance writer who contributes insightful articles to VORNews. With years of experience in journalism, he possesses a knack for crafting compelling narratives that resonate with readers. Salman's writing style strikes a balance between depth and accessibility, allowing him to tackle complex topics while maintaining clarity. His commitment to thorough research ensures his pieces are well-informed and thought-provoking. Salman's contributions enrich VORNews' content, offering readers a fresh perspective on current events and pressing issues.
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