Screenshot – Morning Wire’s new weekly TMT column October 16, 2020 This new weekly column brings you all the biggest stories and trends in technology, media and telecoms This week: ** Media Moment of the Week: Piers Morgan makes a confession ** The OECD, Amazon and a terrible week for tech tax ** All streamed up: What’s next for Netflix? Media Moment of the Week “I [...]
Amazon to escape UK tech tax as global crackdown falters October 14, 2020 Amazon is facing fresh scrutiny over its tax liabilities after it emerged the tech giant will not be affected by the government’s landmark digital services tax. In April ministers unveiled the new tax — which charges a two per cent levy on the revenue of internet companies — saying it would ensure companies contribute their [...]
Amazon Prime Day piles pressure on retailers ahead of Christmas trading period October 13, 2020 Amazon Prime Day has launched today, kicking off the crucial Christmas trading period and piling the pressure on retailers to keep up with online discounting. The Amazon sale, which will see the e-commerce giant slash prices on 13 and 14 October, was postponed from July, bringing it closer to the Black Friday discounting bonanza and [...]
EU regulators draw up ‘hit list’ of tech giants to share data with smaller rivals October 12, 2020 European Union regulators have reportedly drawn up a “hit list” of around 20 tech giants, potentially including Facebook, Apple, Amazon and Google, to reduce their market power. The internet platforms will be hit with tougher regulations than their smaller rivals under the new rules. They will be forced to share data with competitors and be [...]
Big tech faces break-up as Amazon, Apple, Facebook and Google accused of ‘monopoly power’ October 7, 2020 Amazon, Apple, Facebook and Google have all abused their market power and could face a potential break-up, according to a damning new report backed by US Democratic politicians. In a 449-page recommendation released yesterday, the US House Antitrust Committee set out a roadmap for cracking down on the tech giants. The report follows a 16-month [...]
Billionaires’ wealth swells to record $10.2 trillion during pandemic October 7, 2020 The world’s billionaires got a whole lot richer during the pandemic, seeing their collective fortunes rocket to a record height of $10.2 trillion (£7.9 trillion) in the height of the coronavirus crisis. The super-rich cashed in on lockdown shopping trends and a V-shaped economic rebound to boost their wealth more than a quarter from April [...]
Amazon Music launches podcasts as it puts Spotify in its sights September 16, 2020 Amazon Music today said it will add podcasts to its streaming service at no additional cost, as the ecommerce giant looks to muscle in on the booming on-demand audio market. Amazon said it will launch podcasting in the US, UK, Germany and Japan on all tiers of its subscription service. The offering will include existing [...]
Amazon to create 7,000 new UK jobs in latest expansion push September 3, 2020 Amazon today said it will create a further 7,000 new permanent roles across the UK, taking total new jobs this year to 10,000. The Silicon Valley tech giant has already added 3,000 jobs this year across its fulfilment centres, sort centres and delivery stations. The new roles will be spread over 50 sites, including corporate [...]
Amazon expands Morrisons range as it beefs up grocery deliveries August 19, 2020 Amazon today said it will offer the full range of Morrisons products for delivery as the ecommerce giant ramped up its presence in the UK grocery market. The strengthened deal means Morrisons customers will be able to do their full shop through the main Amazon website. Amazon Prime customers will be offered free same-day delivery [...]
Amazon to create 3,500 new jobs as it plots return to office August 18, 2020 Amazon today unveiled plans to create 3,500 new jobs as it gears up to return to office life with an expanded physical presence across the US. The new corporate jobs will be based in the ecommerce giant’s tech hubs in Dallas, Detroit, Denver, New York, Phoenix and San Diego. Amazon said it plans to invest [...]