Tech Tensions & Breakthroughs From Antitrust Battles to AI Deals (S4) S23

Subtitle: The week in tech that shook governments, pushed boundaries, and rewired the future.

💡 Welcome from John C. Morley
I’m John C. Morley—serial entrepreneur, engineer, national talk show host, and lifelong tech enthusiast. Every week, I peel back the headlines to reveal what’s really happening in the world of tech—beyond the press releases and politics. On The JMOR Tech Talk Show, we go deeper than the soundbites. Whether it’s AI deals shaking up journalism, rockets gone rogue in orbit, or government crackdowns on surveillance tech, you’ll get the context, clarity, and commentary that matters. This week, we’ve got everything from high-stakes legal fights to interplanetary delays—so buckle up and get ready for one of our most packed episodes yet.

🔍 Google Challenges Antitrust Ruling
Google has officially filed an appeal against a federal antitrust decision that accused it of unlawfully monopolizing online search and advertising markets. Regulators allege that Google’s multibillion-dollar agreements with companies like Apple unfairly cement its dominance by setting it as the default search engine on billions of devices. While the Department of Justice pushes for sweeping remedies—including the breakup of certain business units—Google insists the court misunderstood the competitive landscape. As generative AI reshapes search behaviors and disrupts the very foundation of how we interact with the internet, Google is betting that innovation will be its best defense.

💼 Microsoft Exits Russia with Bankruptcy Filing
Microsoft has confirmed that its Russian subsidiary, Microsoft Rus LLC, will file for bankruptcy—a symbolic but significant step in its gradual exit from Russia. Following the invasion of Ukraine and intensifying Western sanctions, Microsoft had already scaled back most of its operations in the region. The Kremlin’s increasing hostility toward foreign tech firms, including attempts to favor domestic alternatives, made continuing business untenable. Microsoft joins a long list of global tech players—including Google and Zoom—that are either pulling out or being pushed out of Russia’s increasingly isolated tech landscape.

🤖 Zoox Issues Second Robotaxi Recall After Crash
Amazon’s autonomous vehicle division, Zoox, has recalled 270 of its self-driving cars after a collision involving a scooter in San Francisco. The incident, which left the scooter rider with minor injuries, revealed a flaw in the system’s pedestrian detection. Zoox responded with a software update designed to prevent the vehicle from moving if a person is nearby, and paused operations while conducting internal tests. Though no passengers were involved, and the vehicles are not yet in public use, the crash raises serious questions about the readiness of autonomous vehicles for real-world environments.

📰 New York Times Signs First AI Deal with Amazon
In a landmark move, the New York Times has entered a multi-year licensing agreement with Amazon, granting access to select editorial content for use in AI products like Alexa. This includes material from NYT Cooking and The Athletic, marking the Times’ first official AI content deal. With media companies increasingly concerned about copyright violations by AI firms, this partnership is being closely watched. The Times has ongoing lawsuits against Microsoft and OpenAI but appears to be strategically monetizing its content through authorized channels as AI tools become more embedded in everyday life.

🕵️‍♂️ Crypto Investor Indicted in Kidnapping Plot for Bitcoin Access
A New York man has been indicted for an extraordinary crime: kidnapping a business partner for three weeks in an effort to steal his Bitcoin credentials. The alleged mastermind, John Woeltz, and an accomplice reportedly tortured the victim, using electric shocks and violent threats to force access to digital wallets. The ordeal unfolded in Manhattan and ended only when the victim managed to escape. This chilling case highlights how the anonymity and high value of cryptocurrency can turn digital wealth into a dangerous real-world target, drawing attention to the darker side of decentralized finance.

📉 IDC Slashes Global Smartphone Forecast Amid Tariff Concerns
The International Data Corporation (IDC) has sharply cut its 2025 forecast for global smartphone shipments—from a 2.3% increase to just 0.6%. Analysts cite growing uncertainty from U.S.-China trade tensions, inflation, and slowing consumer demand. Apple, in particular, is expected to see a decline in shipments as tariff threats mount. Meanwhile, Android sales are buoyed by subsidies in key markets like China and India. As the market matures, many consumers are holding on to devices longer, or turning to refurbished phones. The outlook through 2029 remains cautious, as tech firms navigate economic and geopolitical minefields.

🛍️ Victoria’s Secret Cyberattack Forces Website Shutdown
Retailer Victoria’s Secret has been hit by a cybersecurity incident that disrupted website operations and some in-store systems. The company quickly activated response protocols, brought in external security teams, and temporarily disabled key online functions. While physical stores remain open, the breach raises major concerns about how prepared legacy retailers are for digital threats. Victoria’s Secret has not disclosed the nature or origin of the breach, but its stock dropped nearly 7% in the aftermath, reflecting investor unease and the growing link between cybersecurity readiness and brand reputation.

🏥 Kaiser Permanente Battles Major Network Disruption
Kaiser Permanente is experiencing ongoing network disruptions affecting crucial systems such as electronic health records, billing, e-visits, and internal communications. While patient care continues through backup protocols, many services—especially pharmacy and lab operations—are seeing significant delays. The source of the outage is still under investigation, though the organization has not confirmed a cyberattack. As healthcare systems become more digitized, this incident highlights how essential it is for providers to build resilient infrastructures that can withstand technical failures or malicious interference.

📹 India’s New Rules Shake Up Global Surveillance Industry
India is shaking up the $3.5 billion surveillance tech market by mandating that all CCTV vendors—foreign and domestic—submit their hardware, software, and source code to government labs for security testing. Officials say the policy aims to reduce dependence on Chinese tech giants like Hikvision and Dahua, citing national security risks. While the move is framed as a defense strategy, critics warn that it’s slowing project timelines, delaying imports, and risking billions in lost contracts. The new rules signal India’s intent to become a self-reliant tech superpower—but not without global fallout.

🚀 NASA Astronauts End Unexpected 9-Month Stay in Orbit
Two NASA astronauts, Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore, were slated for an 8-day test mission aboard Boeing’s Starliner but ended up spending nearly 10 months on the ISS due to technical malfunctions. The spacecraft’s thrusters failed to operate properly after docking, raising fears about whether a return to Earth was even possible. While the media painted them as "stranded," NASA confirmed that backup options were always available. Eventually, they returned safely via a SpaceX capsule. Despite the hiccups, both astronauts expressed trust in the program and readiness to fly Starliner again.

🍏 Apple Says No to iPhone Production in U.S.
Despite increasing political pressure and proposed tariffs from former President Trump, Apple remains firm in its decision not to manufacture iPhones in the U.S. Experts say the U.S. lacks the infrastructure, labor specialization, and scale needed to produce iPhones efficiently. Shifting production stateside would not only raise costs but could also affect product quality and release timelines. Apple is instead investing $500 billion in its U.S. operations, focusing on R&D and support services—areas that don’t require the same scale as hardware assembly.

🛰️ FAA Orders SpaceX Starship Investigation
After a recent SpaceX Starship test flight veered off course and disintegrated over the Indian Ocean, the FAA has launched a formal investigation. The rocket, though it flew longer than past versions, experienced a loss of control during re-entry. Its booster also broke apart during descent over the Gulf of Mexico. Fortunately, debris landed in designated safety zones, and no injuries occurred. Elon Musk has emphasized the need to speed up Starship development for future Mars and Moon missions—but those plans are now on hold pending FAA approval.

📵 Texas Social Media Ban for Minors Stalls
A proposed Texas law aimed at banning social media access for minors under 18 has stalled in the state legislature. Although it passed the House, it failed to gain traction in the Senate amid constitutional concerns and opposition from tech companies. The law would have been one of the strictest in the world, surpassing even Florida’s and Australia's child safety laws. While the bill appears dead for now, it reflects a broader movement among states to regulate social media usage for teens in the wake of growing mental health concerns.

🌐 EU Investigates Adult Sites Over Child Safety Failures
The European Commission has opened investigations into four major adult content platforms, citing violations of the Digital Services Act related to protecting minors. Authorities allege the sites failed to implement sufficient age verification measures, exposing underage users to explicit material. One of the platforms, Stripchat, was declassified as a “very large online platform” but still falls under DSA compliance. The EU is also developing anonymous, secure age-verification tech to further safeguard youth in digital spaces.