UK
Amazon hit with fresh class action-style suit in UK — $3.4B in competition damages sought for 200,000+ sellers
Amazon is facing another competition lawsuit in the U.K. The latest claim, which was filed Thursday, is seeking more than £2.7 billion in damages — or around $3.4 billion at…
UK and Canada privacy watchdogs investigating 23andMe data breach
Privacy watchdogs in the U.K. and Canada have launched a joint investigation into the data breach at 23andMe last year. On Monday, the U.K,’s Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) and the…
Indian ride-hailing giant Ola quits UK, Australia and NZ in international pullback
Indian ride-hailing giant Ola is shutting down its operations in the UK, Australia and New Zealand, six years after expanding to international markets.
UK confirms in-depth antitrust probe into Three and Vodafone’s planned $19B merger
The U.K.’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has confirmed that it’s launching a formal “phase 2” investigation into the planned merger between Vodafone and Three UK. The CMA says that…
Black people make up 2.5% of the U.K.’s population; proper representation in venture would mean at least 2.5% of funds going to Black-led businesses.
Poshmark to shut shop in India, Australia and UK in abrupt retreat from international markets
Poshmark is shutting down its international businesses — operations in India, Australia and the U.K. — as the social shopping marketplace shifts attention to “core markets,” the company informed customers.…
Consistent policy is key to unlocking the climate tech boom, but the UK’s U-turn isn’t helping
For entrepreneurs, innovators and businesses to thrive and unlock the economic potential that comes from creating new industries, we need a consistent approach from the government.
11xAI closes a $2M pre-seed round to create autonomous AI workers
The company builds automated digital workers that can be used in lieu of human employees.
Bloom Money raises £1M to digitize finance for ethnic communities
The company seeks to digitize the rotating savings and credit association (ROSCA) financial technique often used by ethnic communities.
Materials Nexus raises £2 million seed to discover clean climate material
The company seeks to enhance zero-net technologies in a way that gives higher performance and sustainability at lower costs.
She will be the fund’s first female partner as it seeks to build a “world-class” team.
UK’s early-stage media tech VC GMG Ventures rebrands to Mercuri, closes £50M fund
U.K.-based early-stage media technology venture capital firm GMG Ventures has rebranded to Mercuri. It has also raised £50 million ($81.35 million) for its second fund led by British Business Bank,…
There’s a growing desire in the UK for more Black specialty venture funds
There is an increasing number of funds saying they are dedicated toward backing diverse founders.
Venture firm Black Seed raises £5M inaugural fund to invest in Black founders
Many Black founders in the U.K. are overmentored yet underfunded. This firm cuts straight to the chase by writing checks.
Spotify is launching its AI feature called “DJ” for premium customers in the U.K. and Ireland. The feature is aimed at music discovery and it plays curated music with AI-powered…
The UK’s antitrust watchdog has narrowed its probe of Microsoft’s $68.7 billion bid for video game giant, Activision Blizzard, the regulator said today.
The UK joins other countries in banning TikTok from government devices
The U.K. has become the latest jurisdiction to ban social video app TikTok from government devices, confirming reports that surfaced earlier this week. The ban follows a security review ordered…
UK Spring Budget: Chancellor plans £1M annual AI prize, quantum investments and a new £900M ‘exascale’ computer
The U.K.’s Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt’s spring budget — delivered on the same day that teachers, transportation workers, civil servants and others were on strike across the country…
The UK rolls back controversial plans to open up text and data mining regulations
The U.K. government is seemingly backtracking on plans that would have allowed text and data mining “for any purpose,” plans designed to position the U.K. as a “global AI superpower.”…
Apple takes down Russian social network VK’s app from the App Store
Apple has taken down Russian social network VK’s app from its App Store globally. The social media company said the VKontakte app is “not available for download and update in…
‘Insane’ — UK tech reacts to government moves that might hand UK startups contract to Barclays Bank
Tech Nation is trailing in second place in the race to remain the U.K.’s government-backed “startup champion” after the latter put the £12 million contract out to tender, according to…
TikTok faces $29M fine in UK for ‘failing to protect children’s privacy’
TikTok is facing a £27 million ($29 million) fine after the U.K.’s Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) provisionally found that the company breached child data protection laws for a two-year period.…
UK trumpets roaming caps for travellers to Norway, Iceland and – maybe one day – Liechtenstein
U.K. residents travelling to Norway or Iceland will soon have their mobile roaming fees capped, representing part of a recent trade agreement between the countries. The U.K. signed a free…
Human drivers in UK won’t be liable for accidents when vehicle is self-driving
Manufacturers operating self-driving vehicles in the U.K. will be liable for a vehicle’s actions when in autonomous mode, according to the country’s new roadmap to achieve a widespread rollout of…
UK government pushes ‘social tariffs’ to bring cheaper broadband to hard-up households
The U.K. government is rolling out a new scheme designed to create and promote cheaper broadband for lower-income households across the country. Several internet service providers (ISPs) in the U.K.,…
Despite remote work and the economic downturn, some companies look to London for expansion
Barely a day goes by without news of layoffs emerging from the tech world — from cybersecurity to gaming, no industry is impervious. It’s not limited to any particular size of…
Amazon hikes Prime subscription prices in Europe by up to 43%
Amazon has announced that it’s increasing the prices for its Prime subscription service in Europe, with fees rising by as much as 43% in some markets. The announcement comes some…
The UK wants to boost AI development by removing data mining hurdles
The U.K. is planning to tweak an existing law to allow text and data mining “for any purpose,” in a move that’s designed to boost artificial intelligence (AI) development across…
A UK High Court judge has granted permission for a class-action style privacy lawsuit to proceed against TikTok over its handling of children’s data. The lawsuit was filed back in…
UK wants to squeeze freedom of reach to take on internet trolls
The UK government has announced (yet) more additions to its expansive and controversial plan to regulate online content — aka the Online Safety Bill. It says the latest package of…
