Tecnología

U.S. Federal Trade Commission investigates Microsoft over potential antitrust violations

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has launched an antitrust investigation into Microsoft Corp., covering its cloud computing and software licensing businesses, as well as its cybersecurity offerings and artificial intelligence products.

After more than a year of informal interviews with competitors and business partners, antitrust authorities have crafted a detailed request to compel Microsoft to provide information, according to people familiar with the matter. The request, which consists of hundreds of pages, was sent to the company after FTC Chair Lina Khan gave her approval, one source said. FTC antitrust lawyers are scheduled to meet with Microsoft’s competitors next week to gather more information about the company’s business practices, according to two other sources familiar with the plans, who, like the others, requested anonymity due to the confidential nature of the matter.

Microsoft and the FTC declined to comment.

International

EU launches new probe into X over AI-generated fake nude images

The European Commission announced on Monday the launch of a new investigation into the social media platform X, owned by Elon Musk, over the generation of fake nude images of minors and women by Grok, its artificial intelligence assistant.

Europe will not “tolerate reckless behavior” by digital platforms, including the creation of “fake nude images of women and children,” said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in comments to AFP.

“Our position is clear: we will not entrust consent or the protection of children to technology platforms that violate and monetize them,” von der Leyen said. She added that while safeguards already exist, “we must do more to protect citizens, both online and offline.”

The new investigation aims to determine whether X (formerly Twitter) has violated the European Union’s strict digital regulations, which require platforms to protect users from illegal content.

The Commission also decided to expand the scope of an earlier investigation opened in December 2023 against X under the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA).

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Grok includes a feature that allows users to create fabricated nude images based on real photographs of underage individuals or adult women, raising serious concerns over user safety and compliance with EU law.

International

Science Brings Back the Extinct Direwolf with Successful De-Extinction Project

Science has achieved what was once confined to the realm of fantasy: the direwolf, extinct for over 10,000 years and popularized by the Game of Thrones series, has been brought back to life thanks to an ambitious de-extinction project led by the biotechnology company Colossal Biosciences.

The Texas-based company announced on Monday the birth of three direwolf pups, created through a combination of cloning and genetic editing. The pups include two males, Romulus and Remus, both six months old, and a three-month-old female named Khaleesi, in honor of the character from the HBO series.

The process that led to these wolves began with the extraction of ancient DNA from a 13,000-year-old tooth and a 72,000-year-old skull. Using this genetic material, scientists edited 20 genes in the cells of a modern gray wolf, its closest relative. These cells were then implanted into domestic dog eggs for gestation.

“The birth of these pups is a huge milestone,” said Ben Lamm, CEO of Colossal, who emphasized that this is the world’s first successful de-extinction. “This achievement shows that our technology works and marks the beginning of a new era for species conservation,” he said.

International

NASA’s lunar mission faces setbacks, pushed to mid-2027

NASA announced another delay for its Artemis 3 mission, pushing the first manned lunar landing since 1972 to mid-2027. Technical problems with the Orion spacecraft’s heat shield were cited as the primary reason for the postponement.

“Safety is our top priority, and we won’t proceed until we are ready,” said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson. He emphasized that the delay will still keep the U.S. ahead of China’s plan to send a crewed mission to the Moon by 2030.

Artemis 1 successfully sent the uncrewed Orion capsule around the Moon in 2022, but subsequent missions have faced repeated setbacks.