Intel Bends to U.S., Google Wave Washes Up
It's the end of an era: Intel can no longer offer computer makers perks for using its processors, according to an antitrust settlement that the chip maker reached with the U.S. government. Meanwhile, BlackBerry users in some countries may find their e-mail service terminated if governments are denied access to the network's secure data. Finally, employee paychecks may no longer be safe as hackers look for new revenue sources.
Fri, August 06, 2010
IDG News Service — It's the end of an era: Intel (INTC) can no longer offer computer makers perks for using its processors, according to an antitrust settlement that the chip maker reached with the U.S. government. Meanwhile, BlackBerry users in some countries may find their e-mail service terminated if governments are denied access to the network's secure data. Finally, employee paychecks may no longer be safe as hackers look for new revenue sources.
1. FTC settles antitrust complaints against Intel: Intel and the U.S. Federal Trade Commission reached a proposed settlement over antitrust claims that the agency filed against the chip maker. The settlement prohibits Intel from arranging deals with computer makers to favor Intel chips and exclude competitors' offerings. The deal also bans the company from retaliating against PC manufacturers that use other chip suppliers. The FTC filed its complaint in December and alleged that Intel coerced computer makers into using its products and stifled competition in the processor market.
2. Saudi Arabia to ban BlackBerry service on Friday: Research In Motion's (RIM) international business plans clashed with politics as several governments requested access to the encrypted data on RIM's network. Saudi Arabia threatened to instruct carriers to suspend BlackBerry service on Friday, alleging that RIM's offering violates government regulations. The United Arab Emirates said it will suspend BlackBerry service on Oct. 11 and Lebanon also wants to negotiate with RIM about accessing the company's servers. Having access to data would allow the countries to improve national security and stop terrorism, the nations claimed. RIM said that no back door or master key to the data exists and only the customer can access the information.
3. Net neutrality deal may not see wider support: A report this week claimed that Verizon Communications (VZ) and Google (GOOG) were negotiating a deal on network neutrality. Details on the talks were not available, but the effort goes against recent attempts by the U.S. Federal Communications Commission to lead talks on the topic with ISPs and major Internet players -- talks that the regulator cancelled in the wake of the news:
4. FCC calls off net neutrality negotiations: A day after news of the alleged Verizon and Google network management talks emerged, the FCC announced that it was ending its network neutrality negotiations. Since June the FCC has brought together ISPs and other Web heavyweights in an attempt to develop a network neutrality framework. The FCC's chief of staff called the talks productive, but they did not produce a deal that preserved the Internet's freedom.
