European Commission has told Meta it has breached its rules by blocking rival AI chatbots from WhatsApp, while French President Emmanuel Macron urged Europe to assert itself on the world stage, and BP announced cost-cutting measures after a drop in annual profits, according to reports from the BBC. Meanwhile, Apple and Google agreed to change their app stores in the UK following an intervention from the UK markets regulator, and the UK government awarded contracts to a record supply of renewables projects, including 157 solar developments.
The European Commission stated that Meta must make "urgent" changes to WhatsApp after the tech giant blocked rival AI firms' chatbots from the messaging app. The commission claimed that WhatsApp was an "important entry point" for AI chatbots like ChatGPT to reach people, and that Meta was abusing its dominant position by blocking them. A Meta spokesperson told the BBC the EU had "no reason" to intervene, and claimed it had "incorrectly" assumed WhatsApp Business was a key way that people use chatbots.
French President Emmanuel Macron warned that "today Europe faces a massive challenge, in a world of disorder." He urged Europe to start acting like a "power" in the face of growing threats from China, Russia, and the US. Macron stated that the continent faced a "wake-up call" and questioned whether Europe was ready to become a power in economy, finance, defense, security, and democratic systems. He made these remarks ahead of an EU summit in Brussels.
BP reported a drop in annual profits to $7.5 billion in 2023, down from $8.9 billion the year before, after the price of oil fell by about 20%. The oil giant also announced it was suspending its share buyback program and cutting spending as it seeks to strengthen its finances. BP has recently switched strategy away from investment in renewable energy projects to refocus on oil and gas operations.
Apple and Google agreed to make changes to their app stores in the UK following an intervention from the UK markets regulator, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA). The tech giants have committed to not giving preferential treatment to their own apps and will be transparent about how others are approved for sale. The CMA's head Sarah Cardell said the proposed commitments "will boost the UK's app economy" and were the first of many measures.
The UK government awarded contracts to a record supply of renewables projects, including 157 solar developments across England, Scotland, and Wales. The results have been welcomed by climate and clean energy groups, who see solar as a relatively cheap way to reduce the UK's reliance on fossil fuels during the summer months. However, some local communities oppose such large developments.
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