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Alphabet Seeks Dismissal of US Antitrust Lawsuit over Google's Online Ads

Letters spell the word "Alphabet" as they are seen on a computer screen with a Google search page in this photo illustration taken in Paris, France, August 11, 2015. REUTERS/Pascal Rossignol/File Photo
Letters spell the word "Alphabet" as they are seen on a computer screen with a Google search page in this photo illustration taken in Paris, France, August 11, 2015. REUTERS/Pascal Rossignol/File Photo
    Asharq A-Awsat
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Alphabet Seeks Dismissal of US Antitrust Lawsuit over Google's Online Ads

Letters spell the word "Alphabet" as they are seen on a computer screen with a Google search page in this photo illustration taken in Paris, France, August 11, 2015. REUTERS/Pascal Rossignol/File Photo
Letters spell the word "Alphabet" as they are seen on a computer screen with a Google search page in this photo illustration taken in Paris, France, August 11, 2015. REUTERS/Pascal Rossignol/File Photo

Google parent Alphabet asked a US federal judge on Monday to dismiss a Justice Department lawsuit alleging that the search giant illegally abused its dominance of online advertising.

The government, which filed the ad tech lawsuit in January along with eight states, had argued that Google should be forced to sell its ad manager suite. Google has denied any wrongdoing.

The case is being heard by US Judge Leonie Brinkema in the Eastern District of Virginia, Reuters reported.

The Justice Department's ad tech lawsuit follows a separate lawsuit filed in 2020, at the end of the Trump administration, that accused Google of violating antitrust law to maintain its dominance in search. That case goes to trial in September.

The Biden administration has sought to toughen antitrust enforcement. Alongside the Google suit, it also has a long list of merger challenges.

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Technology

Toyota Recalling 1.02 million US Vehicles over Rear Camera Flaw

Toyota logo is seen in this illustration taken July 28, 2025. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration
Toyota logo is seen in this illustration taken July 28, 2025. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration
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Toyota Recalling 1.02 million US Vehicles over Rear Camera Flaw

Toyota logo is seen in this illustration taken July 28, 2025. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration
Toyota logo is seen in this illustration taken July 28, 2025. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration

Toyota Motor said Wednesday it is recalling 1.02 million vehicles in the United States due to a flaw that may cause a rear-view camera to fail, boosting the risk of a crash. The recall covers certain 2022 through 2026 Toyota and Lexus model year vehicles -- including Camry, Highlander, RAV4, Prius and Lexus RX, TX, LS, GX, NX and LX -- as well as Subaru Solterra vehicles equipped with a Panoramic View Monitor system, the automaker said. A software error may cause the camera image to freeze or go blank when the vehicle is in reverse, meaning the vehicles fail to comply with federal rear visibility requirements, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said.

Dealers will update the parking assist software, Reuters reported.

Automakers have recalled millions of vehicles in recent years over rear camera issues. Over the last month, Ford has recalled 3.3 million vehicles for rear camera issues. Stellantis last year recalled nearly 1.2 million vehicles for rear camera problems.

The cameras are mandatory to help prevent drivers from striking people or objects when backing up. Last month Toyota recalled nearly 394,000 US vehicles due to a rear-view camera issue that could reduce drivers' visibility and increase the risk of a crash.

That recall covered several models including certain 2022-2025 Tundra, Tundra Hybrid, and 2023-2025 Sequoia Hybrid vehicles.

Technology

China Poses 'Very Significant' Challenge to German Brands, BMW Leader Says

The new BMW iX3 is displayed during its world premiere ahead of the IAA auto show, in Munich, Germany, September 5, 2025. REUTERS/Angelika Warmuth
The new BMW iX3 is displayed during its world premiere ahead of the IAA auto show, in Munich, Germany, September 5, 2025. REUTERS/Angelika Warmuth
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China Poses 'Very Significant' Challenge to German Brands, BMW Leader Says

The new BMW iX3 is displayed during its world premiere ahead of the IAA auto show, in Munich, Germany, September 5, 2025. REUTERS/Angelika Warmuth
The new BMW iX3 is displayed during its world premiere ahead of the IAA auto show, in Munich, Germany, September 5, 2025. REUTERS/Angelika Warmuth

China poses a "very significant" competitive challenge to German carmakers, the head of luxury carmaker BMW's new Hungarian plant said on Wednesday, with Chinese rival BYD soon to start production in the country.

Under right-wing Prime Minister Viktor Orban, Hungary has become an important trade and investment partner for China, in contrast with some other European Union nations considering becoming less dependent on the world's second-largest economy.

BMW said it would start series production of its iX3 electric model at a plant in the eastern Hungarian town of Debrecen from the end of October, becoming the third major German brand to enter Hungary after Audi and Mercedes-Benz, Reuters reported.

"China constitutes a very significant challenge, all of us can agree on that," BMW's Hungarian Chairman and Chief Executive Hans-Peter Kemser told a conference alongside local leaders from Audi and Mercedes-Benz.

"We must also see that Chinese manufacturers are arriving in Europe. That is a fact," Kemser said through an interpreter.

China's BYD plans to start production at its new electric-vehicle plant in southern Hungary by the end of 2025, while also investing $94 million to triple its local electric bus output.

Michael Breme, Chief Executive of Audi's Hungarian unit, said western manufacturers had lost market share in China and local brands now account for two-thirds of the market there.

"The Chinese market is simply too important to give up on," Breme said. "We need to find new strategies in the local markets."

Zoltan Guth, head of communications and external affairs at Mercedes-Benz Manufacturing Hungary, said the brand also aimed to preserve its market share in China with new or redesigned models to be launched in coming years.

Technology

Reddit, Kick to Be Included in Australia’s Social Media Ban 

The Reddit app is seen on a smartphone in this illustration taken, July 13, 2021. (Reuters)
The Reddit app is seen on a smartphone in this illustration taken, July 13, 2021. (Reuters)
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Reddit, Kick to Be Included in Australia’s Social Media Ban 

The Reddit app is seen on a smartphone in this illustration taken, July 13, 2021. (Reuters)
The Reddit app is seen on a smartphone in this illustration taken, July 13, 2021. (Reuters)

Popular social media website Reddit and streaming giant Kick will be added to a list of websites banned for under-16s in Australia from next month, Canberra said Wednesday.

Australia will from December 10 force social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram and TikTok to remove users under the age of 16, slapping hefty fines of up to Aus$49.5 million (US$32 million) if they fail to do so.

Streaming platform Kick and online forum Reddit will also be included in the new legislation, Minister for Communications Anika Wells said Wednesday.

"Online platforms use technology to target children with chilling control," Wells told reporters.

"We are merely asking that they use that same technology to keep children safe online," she said.

"We want children to have a childhood and we want parents to have peace of mind."

There is keen interest in whether Australia's sweeping restrictions can work as regulators around the globe wrestle with the dangers of social media.

On paper, the ban is one of the strictest in the world.

But some experts are concerned that the law will be merely symbolic.

So far, platforms like Roblox, Discord and WhatsApp will not be banned, but streaming site Twitch is under review.

But Wells said the list of banned platforms was not static and could change.

And eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant said while age restrictions were one "really potent solution" to stopping social media harm, they were not a quick fix.

Social media companies have previously described the laws as "vague", "problematic" and "rushed".

A Kick spokesperson said: "Australia represents a small share of our global audience, but Kick was built here and we'll keep backing our local creators."

"We'll continue engaging constructively on these new rules to support fair outcomes: protecting online safety without compromising privacy or limiting the creative freedom that drives Australia's creator economy," they added.

Kick came under scrutiny in France after a 46-year-old man died during a 12-day livestreaming marathon on his channel that showed him enduring abuse and humiliation dished out by other participants.

The government said earlier this year social media giants will not be required to verify the ages of all users, but must take "reasonable steps" to detect and deactivate underage ones.