European Commission Criticised for Weakly Regulating Big Tech

European Commission Criticised for Weakly Regulating Big Tech

European politicians and advocacy groups are adamant that the region’s legislation is not hardline enough to dismantle the monopolies of Big Tech companies. In the last week, two open letters have been penned to regulators criticising how Apple and Google remain unchecked. On Jan. 16, four digital rights groups responded to the measures proposed by … Read more

UK Considers Banning Ransomware Payments

UK Considers Banning Ransomware Payments

The U.K. government is considering banning ransomware payments to make critical industries “unattractive targets for criminals.” It would apply to all public sector bodies and critical national infrastructure, which includes NHS trusts, schools, local councils, and data centres. Currently, all government departments nationwide are banned from paying cyber criminals to decrypt their data or prevent … Read more

E.U. Partners With Venture Capital Firms to Boost Tech Investment

E.U. Partners With Venture Capital Firms to Boost Tech Investment

The European Union has announced that it is teaming up with 71 investors that will co-invest in innovative tech projects in the region. Together, the venture capital funds, public investment banks, foundations, and corporate venture funds represent over €90 billion of assets. The so-called “Trusted Investors Network” was launched on Monday to help finance “high-risk … Read more

Private equity vows to help the world. Lenders want proof

Private equity vows to help the world. Lenders want proof

LONDON: Words can be cheap in the market for loans, now some lenders want to change that. In recent years, borrowers have been able to get a reduction in their interest costs in return for meeting targets linked to environmental, social and governance (ESG) goals. That trend has been turbocharged this year by private equity … Read more

Thematic ETFs boom, drawing punters and concern

Thematic ETFs boom, drawing punters and concern

LONDON: From cat food to cannabis, it’s boom time for quirky ETFs offering the chance to punt on niche themes in fast-growth sectors, but their huge gains are unnerving some who see them as another price-inflated asset that may threaten market stability. While Reddit “gamestonks” have grabbed recent headlines, retail investors are also credited with … Read more