GoKawiil
Tech News
OpenAI has responded to a lawsuit from Apple alleging theft of trade secrets, arguing that most of the claims actually stem from Apple's own weak employee offboarding practices rather than any wrongdoing by OpenAI. The ChatGPT maker is pushing back against the legal action, framing it as a dispute rooted in Apple's internal security failures.
OpenAI filed a legal response to Apple's lawsuit accusing former employees Chang Liu and Tang Tan of stealing trade secrets to build an AI hardware device. OpenAI argues that Apple's sloppy internal procedures—like allowing personal iCloud use and giving little time to offboard—are responsible for any data access issues, not wrongdoing by the engineers. This comes a day after Apple presented forensic evidence from Liu's MacBook that it called 'shocking.'
Over his 15 years as Apple CEO, Tim Cook navigated increasingly tense relations between Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump, helping Apple avoid the worst fallout from a US-China trade war while keeping manufacturing operations in China intact. His approach included storing some Chinese user data on mainland servers starting in 2014, complying with Chinese app removal demands, and staging high-profile displays of goodwill with Trump, such as touring a Mac Pro plant together.
September has opened with Poco's F9 Pro and F9 Ultra debuting almost immediately, kicking off what looks like the busiest launch month in years. This week's IFA trade show in Berlin will bring phone reveals from Tecno, TCL, and possibly Xiaomi's first-ever foldable at the event, while Apple has scheduled its own iPhone event for September 9th.
Apple has filed fresh court evidence, including a forensic review of former engineer Chang Liu's old work laptop, alleging he used a confidential Apple circuit schematic and an internally named engineering tool while working at OpenAI. Apple also claims Liu enlisted OpenAI colleague Yu-Ting Peng to destroy evidence once he learned of the investigation, and that he exploited an authentication flaw to retain system access after leaving.
Apple has filed new court documents alleging forensic analysis of a laptop used by former engineer Chang Liu after he joined OpenAI shows he downloaded dozens of confidential Apple files, including a circuit schematic, and used proprietary internal tools. Apple also claims Liu asked a coworker to wipe Apple-issued devices once he learned he was under internal investigation, which Apple frames as an attempt to destroy evidence.
The FTC and a bipartisan coalition of 22 states have sued Amazon, claiming it secretly manipulated its advertising auctions to charge advertisers more than they should have paid under the stated 'second price' bidding rules. The complaint alleges Amazon pocketed roughly $20 billion since 2019 by making Sponsored Products advertisers pay their full winning bid nearly 80% of the time instead of one cent above the next-highest bid. Amazon has called the lawsuit 'misguided' and denies misleading advertisers or consumers.
In its trade-secrets lawsuit against OpenAI, Apple filed new court documents claiming an initial forensic review of former engineer Chang Liu's MacBook found he used a confidential Apple circuit schematic in his OpenAI work and ran simulations with it. Apple also alleges Liu knew about his unauthorized cloud access, that OpenAI colleagues were aware of it, and that Liu instructed a colleague to destroy evidence once he learned of Apple's internal probe, with the colleague agreeing to comply.
The Federal Trade Commission, joined by 22 state attorneys general, filed suit against Amazon alleging it covertly altered its ad auction rules starting in 2019 to overcharge advertisers by more than $20 billion. The complaint targets Amazon's sponsored products, brand, and display ads, claiming the company misrepresented its 'second-price' auction system while quietly adding surcharges. Amazon has rejected the allegations, calling the lawsuit misguided and saying its auction changes actually saved advertisers billions.
A new guide highlights that consumers can drop off old laptops, desktops and printers at major retailers such as Best Buy and Staples for free recycling, regardless of where the device was originally purchased. Some retailers even offer trade-in credit or discounts on new purchases as an incentive. The process is straightforward, but users are advised to fully wipe personal data via a factory reset or dedicated drive-scrubbing tool before handing over devices.
Building trade unions, including Steamfitters UA Local 602, are mobilizing to pressure politicians who oppose new data center construction, with leadership warning members they will withhold political support from officials seen as hostile to the industry. An internal memo obtained by the Wall Street Journal frames the fight as an 'existential moment' for the union, given how much work data centers generate in the Maryland-DC-Virginia corridor known as data center alley.
Google has reduced trade-in credits offered toward Pixel 11 series purchases, ending the launch-window bonuses it previously offered. The Pixel 10 Pro Fold saw the steepest cut, dropping from $1,000 to $850, while most other recent Pixel models lost $50 or less in trade value. Google says these new lower rates will remain in effect through September.