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Google has agreed to purchase cybersecurity startup Wiz for $32 billion, marking its most significant acquisition to date as the company faces mounting regulatory scrutiny and the threat of antitrust actions. Announced Tuesday, the all-cash deal is part of Google's push into cloud computing amid the ongoing artificial intelligence boom. As demand for AI-driven data centers increases, competition has intensified among Google, Microsoft, and Amazon. If approved by regulators, Wiz will become part of Google Cloud, a division that has gained prominence despite the company’s reliance on search and advertising, which generate most of its $350 billion in annual revenue. The cloud segment has seen rapid growth, with revenue surging from $26.3 billion in 2022 to $43.2 billion in 2023. Founded in 2020 by four Israeli army veterans, Wiz has grown into a major cybersecurity player with operations headquartered in New York. The company, which specializes in cloud security, is expected to generate $1 billion in revenue this year. “Wiz and Google Cloud share a vision of making cloud security more accessible, intelligent, and user-friendly,” said Wiz CEO Assaf Rappaport in a blog post. Google CEO Sundar Pichai emphasized that Wiz’s integration would enhance security while reducing costs. His remarks appeared aimed at regulators likely to scrutinize the deal’s impact on competition and pricing. Reports suggest Google had been in talks with Wiz for some time, with an earlier $23 billion bid rejected in July 2023. At the time, Wiz was considering an initial public offering but ultimately opted for the Google acquisition amid stock market volatility. BYD unveils ultra-fast EV charging system comparable to fuel refueling Analysts at Wedbush Securities described the acquisition as a bold move against Microsoft and Amazon, both of which have made significant investments in cybersecurity to strengthen their cloud services. They noted that Google has lagged in the cloud market but suggested the Wiz deal could shift the competitive landscape. The $32 billion purchase far surpasses Google’s previous record acquisition—the $12.5 billion Motorola Mobility deal in 2012. It also ranks as the largest cybersecurity acquisition in history and among the 20 costliest software deals ever, according to financial intelligence firm Mergermarket. While some of Google’s past acquisitions, such as YouTube and DoubleClick, have been highly successful, others, like Motorola, did not meet expectations. The $5.4 billion acquisition of Mandiant in 2022, however, has contributed to Google Cloud’s growing profitability, which reached $6.1 billion last year. Regulatory Hurdles Loom The acquisition comes as Google faces intense regulatory scrutiny. The U.S. Justice Department has filed multiple antitrust cases against the company, including one targeting its dominance in digital advertising. Another case concluded that Google unlawfully monopolized internet search, with potential penalties under discussion. The Wiz deal is expected to face close examination from antitrust regulators, especially amid growing concerns over tech industry consolidation. While the Trump administration has signaled support for corporate mergers, FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson has expressed skepticism about allowing Big Tech to expand further. Telegram CEO Durov in Dubai amid France's criminal probe Last year, antitrust concerns reportedly led Wiz to abandon discussions with Google. However, analysts at Mergermarket suggest that Google and Wiz are now more confident in regulatory approval under the new administration. Despite this, the watchdog group Demand Progress Education Fund has urged regulators to block the acquisition, warning of further market concentration. “This is a test of whether regulators will stand up to Big Tech,” said Emily Peterson-Cassin, the group’s corporate power director. If approved, Google and Wiz expect to finalize the deal by 2026, pending regulatory clearance and other conditions outlined in the agreement. Source: With input from agency

Alphabet, the parent company of Google, has agreed to acquire cybersecurity startup Wiz for $32 billion in an all-cash transaction. This acquisition will enhance Alphabet's position in the cloud computing sector, currently dominated by Amazon and Microsoft. Once the deal is completed, Wiz will become part of Google Cloud. “Today, businesses and governments that run in the cloud are looking for even stronger security solutions, and greater choice in cloud computing providers,” Google CEO Sundar Pichai stated on Tuesday. He added that the combination of Google Cloud and Wiz will “turbocharge improved cloud security and the ability to use multiple clouds” together. Google leans further into AI-generated overviews for its search engine Wiz, a cybersecurity company founded four years ago and based in New York, creates security tools designed to protect data stored in remote data centers from cyber threats. Google has been interested in Wiz for a while. The purchase price announced on Tuesday exceeds a previously rejected offer of $23 billion made by Google last July.

Chinese tech giant Baidu has introduced two new artificial intelligence (AI) models, positioning them as superior to those of DeepSeek and OpenAI based on certain benchmarks, amid the intensifying competition in large language models (LLMs). On Sunday, Baidu released its multimodal foundational model, Ernie 4.5, and its first multimodal reasoning model, Ernie X1, making them freely available on its website. According to Baidu, Ernie 4.5 outperformed OpenAI’s GPT-4o in several benchmark tests, including CCBench and OCRBench, with its multimodal capabilities covering images, audio, and video. The text performance of Ernie 4.5 also surpassed DeepSeek V3 on multiple benchmarks, while being comparable to OpenAI’s GPT-4.5. Can technology help more sexual assault survivors in South Sudan? Baidu, which launched China’s first LLM in March 2023 following the launch of OpenAI’s ChatGPT, has faced growing competition from other Chinese tech giants in the AI sector. The latest move aims to maintain its foothold in China’s AI market, especially as competitors like DeepSeek, Alibaba, Tencent, and Bytedance have been rapidly gaining business and consumer users. While Baidu did not provide benchmark results for Ernie X1, the company claimed it performs similarly to DeepSeek’s R1 reasoning model but at half the price. The pricing for business access to Ernie X1’s API is set at 2 yuan (US$0.28) per million token inputs and 8 yuan per million token outputs. In comparison, DeepSeek charges US$0.55 per million token inputs and US$2.19 per million token outputs for its reasoning model, R1. The Hangzhou-based startup recently raised its API prices in response to growing demand. Baidu’s founder, chairman, and CEO, Robin Li Yanhong, revealed last month that Ernie 4.5 would become open source by June 30, marking a shift from his previous stance on closed-source AI development. “One thing we learned from DeepSeek is that open sourcing the best models can greatly help adoption,” Li said during an earnings call with analysts in February. “When the model is open source, people naturally want to try it out of curiosity, which helps drive broader adoption.” Despite these advancements in AI, Baidu’s business is still being impacted by weak ad revenue. The company reported a 2% year-on-year decline in total revenue for the fourth quarter, with its full-year revenue down by 1%. Source: South China Morning Post

The European Parliament has prohibited Huawei lobbyists from entering its premises following the arrest of multiple individuals in a corruption probe linked to the Chinese telecom giant, marking another major scandal within the bloc’s legislature. Belgian prosecutors suspect Huawei of bribing EU lawmakers. On Friday, the European Parliament announced that it had suspended the access of Huawei lobbyists as a precautionary measure in accordance with its security regulations. The decision takes effect immediately. The arrests on Thursday followed an investigation by Le Soir and other media outlets, which reported that lobbyists for Huawei were allegedly bribing current and former European Parliament members to advance the company’s business interests in the region. Approximately 100 federal police officers conducted 21 searches across Brussels, as well as in the Flanders and Wallonia regions, and in Portugal. The investigating magistrate overseeing the case also ordered that offices allocated to two parliamentary assistants allegedly involved in the scheme be sealed within the EU Parliament. Huawei stated on Thursday that it is taking the allegations seriously and intends to “urgently communicate” with investigators. The Chinese company, a leading manufacturer of mobile phones and the largest supplier of networking equipment for telecommunications carriers, has been at the center of geopolitical tensions between the U.S. and China over technology and trade. Some European nations have joined the U.S. in banning Huawei’s equipment from next-generation mobile networks due to concerns that it could be used for Chinese espionage. Huawei has consistently denied these allegations. According to the prosecutor’s office, the suspected corruption dates back to 2021. This marks the second major corruption case involving the European Parliament in under three years. In December 2022, a separate scandal erupted when Qatari officials were accused of bribing EU representatives to downplay labor rights concerns ahead of the FIFA World Cup. The incident damaged the reputation of the EU’s only directly elected institution, which represents citizens from all 27 member states.    

The Federal Trade Commission has reversed its request to delay a trial against Amazon, stating that it has adequate resources to proceed with litigation. FTC attorney Jonathan Cohen initially told a federal judge on Wednesday that staffing shortages and budgetary constraints were hampering the agency’s ability to prepare for the case. He requested a postponement of the trial, which focuses on allegations that Amazon enrolled customers in its Prime program without their consent and made cancellation difficult. However, later that day, Cohen retracted his statement in a letter to U.S. District Judge John Chun, admitting his remarks were incorrect. “I want to clarify comments I made today: I was wrong,” Cohen wrote. “The commission does not have resource constraints and we are fully prepared to litigate this case.” FTC Chair Andrew Ferguson echoed this in a statement to The Associated Press on Thursday, emphasizing that the agency remains committed to taking on major technology firms. “The attorney was wrong,” Ferguson stated. “I have made it clear since Day 1 that we will commit the resources necessary for this case. The FTC will never back down from taking on Big Tech.” Amazon declined to comment on the agency’s reversal. Amazon workers in North Carolina vote against joining union Cohen’s initial request came amid broader federal budget cuts under the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk. During the hearing, Judge Chun inquired whether reductions in funding and staffing at federal agencies had impacted the FTC’s ability to proceed with the case. Cohen originally cited employee departures following a January email from the administration titled "Fork in the Road," as well as hiring freezes and restrictions on purchasing court documents and travel. However, with the FTC’s clarification, the case is expected to move forward as scheduled. Source: With input from agency

As the first light of day touched Taishan Mountain in eastern China's Shandong Province, a metallic quadruped robot scaled the treacherous "Eighteen Bends," a 1,460-meter path, with a storage box strapped to its back. While hikers labored to catch their breath, the agile robot skillfully navigated around crowds, balancing itself and effortlessly hauling a 120 kg load up the 45-degree slope. A video of the scene quickly went viral on Chinese social media. Deployed by a logistics company under the Taishan Cultural Tourism Group, this AI-powered robotic dog assists in cleaning up tourist waste and transporting goods, cutting down on logistics costs in the Taishan scenic area. With 8 million visitors generating 24,000 tonnes of waste each year, manual cleanup proves costly and hazardous. "The robotic dog can scale mountains, traverse water, and overcome obstacles while carrying heavy loads, greatly enhancing efficiency," said a company representative. This technological breakthrough at Taishan Mountain highlights China’s rapidly growing consumer robotics market. From the quick sell-out of humanoid robots to the rising popularity of companion robots, AI machines are transitioning from novelties to necessities. Industry experts predict explosive growth, with China’s humanoid robot market expected to reach 5.3 billion yuan (approximately 739 million U.S. dollars) by 2025, potentially growing to 75 billion yuan by 2029, accounting for 32.7% of global sales, according to a 2024 humanoid robot industry conference report. Government policies are accelerating the development of AI robots. A guideline from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology issued in November 2023 aims for breakthroughs in core robotics technology by 2025. Cities such as Chongqing and Shenzhen are investing in projects to enhance embodied intelligence systems, enabling AI to physically interact with the world. AI robots are also addressing societal needs. In Chongqing, for instance, 70-year-old stroke survivor Zhang Li regained mobility through the use of a wearable exoskeleton. "These devices analyze joint movements to predict intentions and adjust motor support, transforming rehabilitation for the elderly and disabled," explained Ge Chengjun, a marketing executive at a Chongqing-based medical technology company. In addition to their practical applications, AI robots are revolutionizing the concept of toys and pets. One popular example is Sirius, a palm-sized robot dog that dances, responds to commands, and even wiggles its hips, capturing the hearts of users with its interactive features. "It is a small, highly integrated, intelligent, four-legged robot capable of understanding and responding to human commands," said Kang Xiaohu, co-founder of Hengbot Innovation Ltd., the company behind the robot. From mountain-climbing waste collectors to family companions, eldercare aides to interactive pets, AI robots are steadily becoming a staple of China’s consumer landscape. "This shift is not just a technological advancement, but also a response to fundamental human needs," said Kang.

Struggling chipmaker Intel has hired former board member and semiconductor industry veteran Lip-Bu Tan as the latest in a succession of CEOs to attempt to turn around a once-dominant company that helped define Silicon Valley. Tan, 65, will take over the daunting job next Tuesday, more than three months after Intel's previous CEO, Pat Gelsinger, abruptly retired amid a deepening downturn that triggered massive layoffs and raised questions about the chipmaker's ability to survive as an independent company. This won't be Tan's first time running a semiconductor company, nor his first association with Intel. He spent more than a decade as CEO of Cadence Design Systems, which makes software that helps designs processors, and joined Intel's board of directors in 2022 before stepping down last August. Tan will rejoin Intel's board in addition to becoming CEO. “Lip-Bu is an exceptional leader whose technology industry expertise, deep relationships across the product and foundry ecosystems, and proven track record of creating shareholder value is exactly what Intel needs in its next CEO,” Intel's interim Executive Chairman Frank Yeary said. Intel has been led by interim co-CEOs, David Zinsner and Michelle Johnston Holthaus, since Gelsinger walked away from a job that he undertook in February 2021. Although Gelsinger arrived at Intel amid high hopes, his tenure was a major letdown as Intel's stock price plunged 60%, wiping out $160 billion in shareholder wealth. Leading up to his departure last year, Intel laid of 17,500 of its employees — about 15% of its workforce — and suspended its dividend to save money on its way to an annual loss of $19 billion. More recently, Intel delayed the opening of two new chip factories i n Ohio to ensure the projects are completed in a “financially responsible manner.” The project is supposed to draw upon the $7.8 billion in funding earmarked for Intel in the CHIPS Incentives Program created during the administration of President Joe Biden. SpaceX delays flight to replace NASA's stuck astronauts after launch pad problem It was the latest sign of distress for Intel, a Santa Clara, California, company that helped launch Silicon Valley by developing the microprocessors that enabled the personal computer revolution under the leadership of its CEO at that time, Andy Grove. But as its leadership changed Intel missed the technological shift to mobile computing triggered by Apple's 2007 release of the iPhone, and it's lagged more nimble chipmakers. Intel's troubles have been magnified since the advent of artificial intelligence — a booming field where the chips made by once-smaller rival Nvidia have become tech's hottest commodity. Nvida now boasts a market value of $2.8 trillion compared to Intel's $90 billion. Intel's stock price rose more than 10% in Wednesday's extended trading after Tan's hiring was announced, indicating investors believe he will revive the company's fortunes. While Tan was Cadence Design's CEO from January 2009 to May 2021, the company's stock price increased by 44-fold. Tan's past accomplishments resulted him being named winner of the Semiconductor Industry Association's 2022 Robert Noyce Award — an honor named after one of Intel's co-founders.

A launch pad problem prompted SpaceX to delay a flight to the International Space Station on Wednesday to replace NASA's two stuck astronauts. The new crew needs to get to the International Space Station before Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams can head home after nine months in orbit. Concerns over a critical hydraulic system arose less than four hours before the Falcon rocket's planned evening liftoff from NASA's Kennedy Space Center. As the countdown clocks ticked down, engineers evaluated the hydraulics used to release one of the two arms clamping the rocket to its support structure. This structure needs to tilt back right before liftoff. Musk’s Starlink aims to expand internet access in remote India Already strapped into their capsule, the four astronauts awaited a final decision, which came down with less than an hour remaining in the countdown. SpaceX canceled for the day. Officials later said the launch was off until at least Friday. Once at the space station, the US, Japanese and Russian crew will replace Wilmore and Williams, who have been up there since June. The two test pilots had to move into the space station for an extended stay after Boeing's new Starliner capsule encountered major breakdowns in transit. Starliner's debut crew flight was supposed to last just a week, but NASA ordered the capsule to return empty and transferred Wilmore and Williams to SpaceX for the return leg.

Skype offers video and voice calling features. These calls can be one-to-one or connect a group. This free software has some paid features too. Millions of people around the world use Skype for personal, professiona and business uses. However, as Skype is shutting down in May 2025, users are looking for reliable communication alternatives. Here are the 10 best Skype replacements, offering high-quality calls, messaging, and collaboration features to suit different needs. Exploring Top 10 Skype Alternatives to Use After May 2025  . Microsoft Teams Microsoft Teams is a collaboration platform developed by Microsoft, designed to support video conferencing, chat, and file sharing for businesses and organizations. It is available for free with limited features or as part of the Microsoft 365 suite with paid plans starting from $4/user/month.  The download size varies but typically is around 300 MB. Teams integrates seamlessly with Microsoft 365 apps, like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, enabling real-time collaboration. Key features include HD video calls, live transcription, file storage, and virtual whiteboards.  It supports up to 100 participants on the free plan. The app's pros include its security, collaboration tools, and integration with Microsoft products. However, its cons include a steep learning curve for new users and the necessity of a Microsoft account. Read more: Elon Musk reacts to 'Bengali' Signboard at London Station Zoom Zoom is a video conferencing software developed by Zoom Video Communications, primarily used for remote meetings, webinars, and online events. The app is available for free, with a 40-minute limit on group meetings, and paid plans start at $14.99/user/month.  The download size is around 20-300 MB, depending on the platform. Zoom offers high-quality video and audio, virtual backgrounds, breakout rooms, and cloud recording. It supports up to 1,000 participants with paid plans.  Pros include its ease of use, reliable performance, and third-party integrations. However, security settings are not maximized by default, and free users face meeting time limits. Despite occasional connectivity issues, Zoom remains one of the most popular video conferencing platforms. Slack Slack, developed by Salesforce, is a communication and collaboration platform designed for teams and businesses. It offers free and paid plans starting at $7.25/user/month. The download size is approximately 300 MB.  Read more: Understanding Zero-Click Hacks: The Growing Cyber Threat to WhatsApp Users Slack is known for its organized channels, real-time messaging, voice, and video calls. It also integrates with over 2,600 apps, including Google Drive, Zoom, and Microsoft 365. Key features include screen sharing, file sharing, and advanced search capabilities.  The app’s pros are its team-centric features and integrations, while its cons include a limited message history on the free plan and expensive pricing for large teams. Slack is best suited for team communication and project management in collaborative environments. WhatsApp WhatsApp, developed by Meta (formerly Facebook), is a free messaging platform that allows users to send text messages, voice notes, and make voice and video calls. Available for Android, iOS, and desktop (via web or app), it supports group chats and media sharing, offering end-to-end encryption for secure communication.  The app is lightweight, with a download size of approximately 60-200 MB. WhatsApp is popular for both personal and business use, offering WhatsApp Business for small businesses to engage with customers. While it is free for personal use, WhatsApp Business and its API come with additional features for enterprise-level communication, available at custom pricing.  Read more: YouTube Video Script Writing: Some Effective Tips and Tricks Pros include free calls, group video chats with up to 32 participants, and its cross-platform availability. Cons include the need for a phone number, limited desktop functionality, and a 32-participant group call limit. Google Meet Google Meet, a product of Google, is a video conferencing tool that offers both free and paid plans. Free accounts allow meetings of up to 100 participants with a 60-minute duration limit. The app integrates seamlessly with Google Workspace apps such as Gmail, Calendar, and Drive, enhancing productivity.  Available for Android, iOS, and web browsers, Google Meet’s download size is around 30MB. The service includes HD video conferencing, real-time captions, smart screen sharing, and live AI transcription. Paid plans start at $6 per user/month and offer additional features like longer meeting durations, more participants, and cloud storage.  Pros include strong security, ease of use, and integration with Google services. Cons include a meeting limit on free plans, fewer features compared to Zoom or Microsoft Teams, and occasional browser freezing. Read more: How to Protect Your YouTube Channel from Getting Hacked Viber Viber, developed by Rakuten, is a free messaging app offering voice, video calls, and messaging services. Available on Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, and Linux, it is a great alternative to Skype for international communication. Viber’s download size is approximately 120MB.  It allows free app-to-app communication and provides low-cost international calls via Viber Out. The app offers group chats, file sharing, stickers, and end-to-end encryption, ensuring secure communication.  Pros include its free voice and video calls, cross-platform support, and privacy features like self-destructing messages. However, Viber is not as widely used as WhatsApp or Skype, and calls to non-Viber numbers require credits. The free version also includes ads, and a phone number is required for registration. Jami Jami, an open-source and decentralized communication platform, provides free voice, video calls, and messaging. It is available for Android, iOS, Windows, Linux, and macOS, with a download size of around 50-150 MB.  Read more: Best Free Online Scriptwriting Courses Developed by Savoir-faire Linux, Jami allows direct calls between users via peer-to-peer networking, which enhances privacy. It supports HD video calling, instant messaging, file sharing, and group chats.  One of Jami’s key features is its focus on privacy, with no need for personal information, and all communication is end-to-end encrypted. While Jami is free, it is not as fully-featured as some Skype alternatives. The lack of server-based calls may affect call quality in some cases, and it lacks some collaborative tools. FaceTime FaceTime, developed by Apple Inc., is a free video and audio calling app exclusive to Apple devices. It integrates seamlessly with iPhone, iPad, and Mac, allowing users to make high-quality calls using only a phone number or email address.  FaceTime supports group video calls with up to 32 participants and provides features like SharePlay for collaborative experiences, spatial audio for natural-sounding conversations, and Portrait Mode with video effects. Read more: How to Increase YouTube subscribers for free? The app is free for Apple users, and FaceTime links allow cross-platform access for Android and Windows users via a browser. However, FaceTime is limited to Apple users, lacks built-in chat or collaboration features, and requires a strong internet connection for optimal performance. Jitsi Jitsi, an open-source platform, offers free and secure video conferencing without the need for account creation. Developed by Jitsi, it is available for web, mobile, and desktop platforms, allowing for unlimited participants and no time limits.  The download size varies depending on the platform, but it is lightweight and runs directly in a web browser. Jitsi supports end-to-end encryption, screen sharing, and remote desktop control, making it ideal for secure business and personal meetings.  While Jitsi is free and highly flexible, it lacks built-in scheduling or meeting management features and may depend on third-party integrations for cloud recording. It also requires self-hosting for full customization, which may limit some users. Read more: How To Be A Popular Instagram Influencer Signal Signal is a free, privacy-focused messaging and calling app developed by the Signal Foundation. It offers end-to-end encrypted voice, video, and text communication, ensuring complete privacy for users. Unlike Skype, Signal does not track or collect user data and is funded by donations.  The app is available on Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, and Linux, with a download size varying by platform (around 100-200MB). Key features include encrypted messaging, high-quality voice and video calls, self-destructing messages, and secure group chats.  Pros include strong encryption, no ads or tracking, and open-source transparency. However, it requires a phone number to sign up, has limited cloud backup options, and lacks business or API features. Despite a smaller user base, it remains a top choice for privacy-conscious users. Webex Webex, developed by Cisco, is a cloud-based communication platform designed for professional use, offering messaging, voice, and video services. It provides a free basic plan for individuals, with paid plans starting at $13 per month for businesses.  Read more: 7 Top AI Writing Tools, Software to Generate Human-Like Text Webex includes features like meeting transcripts, hand gesture recognition, background noise cancellation, and screen sharing. It is well-suited for enterprises, offering advanced collaboration tools and AI-powered features. The platform's seamless integration with other Cisco products makes it ideal for large-scale teams.  However, Webex's pricing is higher than some competitors, and occasional lag or freezing can occur. While the free plan supports basic meetings, businesses will need a paid plan for more comprehensive features.  Wrapping Up Transitioning from Skype is essential as it nears retirement, and there are plenty of alternatives to explore. Microsoft Teams, Zoom, and Google Meet are ideal for professional use, while platforms like Signal and WhatsApp offer more secure and accessible options for personal communication. Choose the one that best suits your needs. Read more: Best Free Websites to Improve English Writing Skill

Elon Musk’s Starlink has struck agreements with India’s leading telecom providers to introduce its satellite internet services across the country, marking a significant step toward connecting millions of people, especially in remote areas. The deals with Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel, which control over 70% of India’s telecom market, come just a day after Starlink announced a similar partnership with Airtel. However, the agreements are contingent on Starlink receiving government approval to operate in India. The announcements follow a meeting between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Musk in Washington. Starlink Devices to Be Available in Stores Nationwide Under the agreement with Jio, Starlink will sell its satellite equipment in Jio’s extensive retail network across India, making the service more accessible. Additionally, Starlink will leverage Jio’s infrastructure to enhance coverage in areas where internet access remains limited. Jio’s statement highlighted that Starlink will complement its existing broadband services by providing fast internet to challenging locations quickly and affordably. Jio will also assist with installation and activation of Starlink’s devices. Regulatory Hurdles and Pricing Challenges for Starlink Despite these agreements, Starlink’s entry into the Indian market is not guaranteed, as it still requires regulatory approval. Local reports suggest that the company’s application is close to receiving initial approval, though concerns over security compliance remain. Indian telecom minister Jyotiraditya Scindia previously stated that Starlink’s license would only be issued once it meets all security norms. Another challenge for Starlink could be pricing, as mobile data in India is among the cheapest globally, and Starlink’s service may face difficulties competing with local providers. Musk says X targeted in ‘massive cyberattack,’ causing outage Expanding Internet Access to Remote Areas Around 40% of India’s population, over 1.4 billion people, currently lacks internet access. With its constellation of over 6,900 satellites, Starlink could play a key role in connecting rural and hard-to-reach regions, offering low-latency broadband to areas previously without internet.