EU

This decision comes as a direct response to the EU's critique of Apple's restrictive rules, which have limited third-party developers from informing users about alternative, more affordable streaming services outside the iOS ecosystem.

Users will be able to download approved alternative app marketplaces and set them as the default option on their devices. Developers can also choose to use third-party payment systems without paying an additional fee to Apple.

The UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) had expressed apprehensions that the merger could negatively impact competition in the digital design sector, potentially stifling innovation in the field.

Starting in November, individuals in the EU, European Economic Area (EEA), and Switzerland will have the option to pay for a monthly subscription that allows them to use Facebook and Instagram without encountering ads.

With this update, Bard becomes available to users in over 180 countries and territories, supporting 40 languages, including commonly spoken ones as well as regional languages.

The Irish Data Protection Commission (IDPC), the primary regulatory body overseeing data in the EU, has demanded more information from Google regarding how the generative AI chatbot safeguards privacy before granting approval for its launch.

The European Commission has approved Microsoft's acquisition of Nuance Communications, the company whose speech recognition technology was used in Apple's Siri voice assistant. The acquisition cost is $16 billion.