Tesla Halts Driving-Assistance Software Trial in China, Pending Approval 

A Tesla Model 3 vehicle drives using FSD (Full Self-Driving) in Encinitas, California, US, October 18, 2023. (Reuters)
A Tesla Model 3 vehicle drives using FSD (Full Self-Driving) in Encinitas, California, US, October 18, 2023. (Reuters)
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Tesla Halts Driving-Assistance Software Trial in China, Pending Approval 

A Tesla Model 3 vehicle drives using FSD (Full Self-Driving) in Encinitas, California, US, October 18, 2023. (Reuters)
A Tesla Model 3 vehicle drives using FSD (Full Self-Driving) in Encinitas, California, US, October 18, 2023. (Reuters)

Tesla said on Monday it would release its smart driving-assistance feature in China after completing regulatory approval, following complaints that a limited-time free trial of its Full Self-Driving service had been temporarily paused.

"All parties are actively advancing the relevant process and we will push it to you as soon as it is ready. We are also looking forward to it, please wait patiently," Tesla's customer support said on social media platform Weibo.

The message was posted as a comment under a feed of Tesla vice president Grace Tao's Weibo account.

The company said last Monday that it would launch the free trial of its FSD service in China between March 17 and April 16.

FSD is a suite of driving-assistance technologies developed with generative artificial intelligence to cope with more complicated traffic conditions.

Tesla is aiming for a full roll out of FSD this year, and is working with Chinese tech giant Baidu to improve the performance of the system, Reuters previously reported.

Tesla has offered such trials in the United States, where its FSD system does not require navigation maps to be accurate or up-to-date because local training of the AI helps the technology drive better.

But in China, Tesla has been unable to train the system with data from its 2 million EVs because of the country's data laws.

In late February, China's industry ministry issued new rules requiring autonomous driving-related over-the-air software upgrades to be subject to regulatory approval.



TikTok Says to Increase Investment in Britain

Around half the UK population, more than 30 million people, use TikTok each month. Kirill KUDRYAVTSEV / AFP
Around half the UK population, more than 30 million people, use TikTok each month. Kirill KUDRYAVTSEV / AFP
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TikTok Says to Increase Investment in Britain

Around half the UK population, more than 30 million people, use TikTok each month. Kirill KUDRYAVTSEV / AFP
Around half the UK population, more than 30 million people, use TikTok each month. Kirill KUDRYAVTSEV / AFP

TikTok plans to raise its investment in the UK, its biggest community in Europe, with the creation of 500 more jobs, the Chinese-owned social media giant announced Monday.

The news coincided with the start of London's Tech Week, which sees British Prime Minister Keir Starmer welcoming some of sector's biggest firms.

"TikTok's UK workforce will grow to 3,000 this year with the addition of more than 500 jobs," the company said in a statement.

It added that it was investing in a new London office, set to open next year, and whose size will dwarf its current UK head office.

It will take TikTok's investment in UK infrastructure to around £140 million ($190 million), the group said.

Around half the UK population, more than 30 million people, use TikTok each month, making it the platform's "largest user-community in Europe", the statement added.

"Whether through direct investment in jobs and innovation, or the wider economic contribution from millions of British businesses on TikTok, we're pleased to be increasing our investment and presence here in the UK," said Adam Presser, director of TikTok UK and global head of operations and trust and safety.

TikTok has been in the crosshairs of Western governments for years over fears personal data could be used by China for espionage or propaganda purposes.

"What underpins our continued growth is our deep commitment to safety and to creating an enjoyable and secure digital space to sustainably support creators, entrepreneurs and the wider economy, which is why we also invest significantly in safety," Presser added Monday.