Technologies

US FTC ‘Likely’ To Challenge Microsoft’s $68.7B Activision Deal, Report Says

Politico reported late Wednesday that the US regulator is likely to file an antitrust suit against Microsoft’s blockbuster video game deal.

Microsoft’s blockbuster $68.7 billion purchase of game maker Activision Blizzard may face a new regulatory hurdle, with a report from Politico saying the US Federal Trade Commission is «likely» to file an antitrust suit against the deal.

The story, which was published late Wednesday citing anonymous sources, said the FTC’s commissioners had not yet voted on whether to file a suit against Microsoft. But, the publication added, the FTC’s staff are «skeptical» about each company’s claims of benefits from the deal. An investigation into the deal is reportedly ongoing.

The FTC didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment. A Microsoft spokesperson said the company’s «prepared to address the concerns of regulators.» Microsoft has said in the past that it believes the deal will be approved both in the US and overseas. An Activision spokesperson defended the deal, saying in a statement that it will «benefit gamers and the U.S. gaming industry, especially as we face increasingly stiff competition from abroad.»

If the FTC does ultimately challenge Microsoft’s deal, it’ll be the biggest move made by President Joe Biden’s administration against the tech industry. FTC Chai Lina Kahn has long expressed interest in reigning in tech’s largest companies, who’ve grown to become some of the largest and most highly valued on the planet. And she’s not alone.

Regulators and lawmakers across the globe have increasingly scrutinized the tech world, following a series of privacy and political scandals at Facebook and Google in particular. Amazon has also been targeted as one of the world’s largest retailers, while Apple’s been criticized for the power it wields over the more than 1 billion actively used iPhones.

Microsoft for its part, largely avoided scrutiny despite a US judge famously declaring it a monopolist two decades ago. The company’s executives have spent the past year discussing the Activision deal with regulators around the world, who’ve received concerns from competitors including Sony’s PlayStation division.

Technologies

The Fourth Episode of the VERUM AI Mini-Series Is Out

Verum Messenger has released the fourth episode of its AI mini-series SHADOWS, created using Verum AI. The new episode, titled “No Borders,” continues the story of a team trying to stay out of the OMEGA corporation’s sight.

Following the events of the previous episodes, the team moves between cities and countries while OMEGA continues its search. The new episode puts particular emphasis on Verum Messenger’s capabilities that allow users to conceal their location.

“No Borders” is another chapter in a story about privacy, freedom of communication, and technologies that erase borders between people.

The VERUM AI mini-series consists of seven episodes, released gradually across Verum Messenger’s social media channels.

Episode 4 is now available. Stay tuned for the next chapter.

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Technologies

Verum Messenger Introduces Built-In Verum Chess

Verum Messenger has released a new update for iOS, iPadOS, and macOS, adding another feature to its growing ecosystem — Verum Chess. Users can now play chess directly inside the messenger without switching between different applications.

The new feature allows users to start a game in just a few taps while reinforcing Verum’s vision of a unified digital environment where communication and everyday services come together in a single platform.

Verum Messenger continues to evolve into a multifunctional ecosystem that combines secure chats and calls, AI tools, a built-in VPN, anonymous email, eSIM, financial services, cryptocurrency features, and offline communication. With the introduction of Verum Chess, the platform now also offers a new way for users to interact and spend time together without leaving the app.

The update is now available for iPhone, iPad, and Mac on the App Store.

Technologies

Episode 3 of the VERUM AI Mini-Series Is Now Available

Verum Messenger has released the third episode of its AI mini-series, SHADOWS, created using Verum AI.

The new episode, titled «Ghost Money,» continues the story of the conflict between a team of heroes and the Omega corporation, which seeks to take control of digital communications. This time, the focus shifts to anonymous payments and financial freedom, revealing how privacy can extend beyond messaging.

Like the previous episodes, the new release not only advances the storyline but also showcases the capabilities of the Verum ecosystem, highlighting technologies designed for secure communication and digital privacy.

The mini-series consists of seven episodes, released gradually across Verum Messenger’s social media channels.

Episode 3 is now available. Stay tuned for the next chapter.

Watch on Instagram
Watch on YouTube