Saudi Communications Minister Meets with ITU Secretary-General, Global Tech Leaders

The discussions in Davos focused on stimulating partnerships and initiatives aimed at connecting the world and the importance of seizing opportunities in generative artificial intelligence. SPA
The discussions in Davos focused on stimulating partnerships and initiatives aimed at connecting the world and the importance of seizing opportunities in generative artificial intelligence. SPA
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Saudi Communications Minister Meets with ITU Secretary-General, Global Tech Leaders

The discussions in Davos focused on stimulating partnerships and initiatives aimed at connecting the world and the importance of seizing opportunities in generative artificial intelligence. SPA
The discussions in Davos focused on stimulating partnerships and initiatives aimed at connecting the world and the importance of seizing opportunities in generative artificial intelligence. SPA

Saudi Minister of Communications and Information Technology Eng. Abdullah bin Amer Al-Swaha has discussed with the Secretary-General of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Doreen Bogdan-Martin, ways to enhance cooperation and digital inclusion.

The discussion in Davos on Monday also focused on stimulating partnerships and initiatives aimed at connecting the world, empowering individuals, and protecting the planet.

The meeting, held as part of the Saudi delegation's participation in the annual World Economic Forum meeting, emphasized the significance of expanding partnerships to foster the digital economy's growth.

It also highlighted the importance of seizing opportunities in generative artificial intelligence, developing national digital skills, and enabling digital entrepreneurship.

Al-Swaha also met with various leaders of prominent global technology and innovation companies to enhance partnerships in the digital economy and innovation sectors.

The discussions focused on developing solutions and technologies related to cloud computing, generative artificial intelligence, and enhancing the digital capabilities of Saudis in emerging technologies and localizing digital content.

Additionally, the minister conducted meetings with the founder and CEO of Scale AI, Alexander Wang and President and CEO of the Ericsson Group Borje Ekholm to explore partnerships, exchange expertise, and foster the growth of the digital economy and innovation.



Meta to Offer Less Personalized Ads in Europe to Appease Regulators

Meta to Offer Less Personalized Ads in Europe to Appease Regulators
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Meta to Offer Less Personalized Ads in Europe to Appease Regulators

Meta to Offer Less Personalized Ads in Europe to Appease Regulators

Meta Platforms plans to offer Instagram and Facebook users in Europe the option to receive "less personalized ads," the tech giant announced on Tuesday, in an effort to allay regulators' mounting concerns.

The Menlo Park, California-based company said it is implementing these changes in response to demands from EU regulators.

Over the coming weeks, people in the EU who use the company's social media platforms for free with ads, will be able to choose to see ads based on what Meta calls "context"- content that a user sees during a particular session on the platforms.

According to Reuters, these ads will also target users based on age, gender, and location, with some being unskippable for a few seconds.

Meta also plans to reduce the price of ad-free subscriptions by about 40% for European users.

This move comes as European regulators intensify efforts to curb Big Tech's power and level the playing field for smaller firms, including through the landmark Digital Markets Act (DMA) which came into force earlier this year.

The European Union law aims to make it easier for people to move between competing online services like social media platforms, internet browsers and app stores.

Last month, Europe's top court ruled that Meta must restrict the use of personal data harvested from Facebook for targeted advertising, supporting privacy activist Max Schrems.

The European Union did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.

The developments were first reported by the Wall Street Journal.

Earlier in November, Reuters reported that Apple is set to be fined by the European Union's antitrust regulators under the bloc's landmark rules aimed at managing Big Tech's influence, making it the first company to be sanctioned.