Biden Not to Block TikTok, Apple's Credit Card Dilemma, Google Says No to EU Rules, ...

The Biden administration has decided not to enforce the law that could force TikTok to go dark in the U.S. this Sunday.

Instead, the responsibility is shifting to the Trump administration to take action.

But the situation isn’t simple.

The law doesn’t require TikTok itself to shut down—it places the burden on app stores and internet hosting services. Fines of up to $5,000 per user could be imposed if they continue to support TikTok without meeting specific conditions, such as divesting ownership from ByteDance.

Apple, Google, and Oracle remain silent.

And while the courts weigh in, two presidents with opposing views on TikTok are navigating a deeply polarized issue:

• Biden signed the law, citing national security concerns.

• Trump, despite previously wanting to ban the app, now talks of "saving" it.

What’s next? The Supreme Court and Congress are key players, while millions of TikTok users and businesses wait on edge.

This moment shows us two things:

• How global politics impact daily life and social media platforms.

• The power of collective user voices—170 million active users can’t be ignored.

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Apple's Credit Card Shakeup: What's Next?

The partnership between Apple and Goldman Sachs was a game-changer back in 2019.

Now, as Apple looks to Barclays and Synchrony Financial as potential new partners, the financial world is watching closely. Why? Because deals like these aren’t just about credit cards—they’re about trust, tech, and transforming consumer finance.

Here’s what stands out:

1️⃣ Goldman’s Retreat: Scaling down retail ambitions shows how tricky consumer finance can be—even for Wall Street giants.

2️⃣ Apple’s Next Move: Could Barclays bring the same innovation to the table? Or will Synchrony’s experience win out?

3️⃣ Broader Trends: Financial institutions are cautious about unprofitable terms. A reminder that even big names don’t get free passes in business.

This story is more than headlines—it’s a reminder that even the strongest brands are constantly evolving to find the right partnerships.

Key Takeaway: Innovation thrives on adaptability, and Apple is a masterclass in pivoting for success.

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Starting now, all AI tools in Gmail, Docs, Sheets, and Meet are included in the standard Workspace plans—with no extra charge. ✨

But here’s the catch:

The price of Workspace Business Standard is increasing by $2/month per user, from $12 to $14.

This is a huge win for customers who were paying $20/month extra for the Gemini AI features before. Now, email summaries, automated note-taking, Gemini chatbots, and more are included for everyone. 💡

Key takeaways:

• New Pricing: $14/user/month for the standard plan (effective now for new customers, March 2025 for existing users).

• Small Businesses: Exempt from the price hike (for now).

• Savings: Gemini for Workspace add-on fees will be discontinued after January 31.

This change positions Google to compete head-to-head with Microsoft, which recently integrated AI into its standard Microsoft 365 subscription.

AI is no longer optional—it’s table stakes for modern productivity tools.

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Google Takes a Stand Against the EU's New Disinformation Code.

What happens when innovation meets regulation?

Recently, Google informed the EU it won’t incorporate fact checks into search results or YouTube rankings, defying the new EU Disinformation Code of Practice.

Why?

According to Google, such integrations “aren’t appropriate or effective” for their platforms. Instead, they’re doubling down on existing measures like AI disclosures and tools like SynthID.

The debate highlights a broader tension:

• Can platforms maintain openness without amplifying misinformation?

• Should governments enforce moderation practices for global tech giants?

Google isn’t alone in pushing back:

Meta has reduced its fact-checking efforts, and X (formerly Twitter) has significantly scaled down content moderation under Elon Musk.

As the EU’s Digital Services Act takes effect, we’re witnessing a pivotal moment for tech, trust, and transparency.

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Can Google’s Gemini catch up with ChatGPT?

Let’s break it down:

👉 Market leader ChatGPT: ~300 million weekly users.

👉 Gemini: 106 million total downloads on Android and iOS.

Despite launching months after ChatGPT, Gemini is steadily building momentum.

Here’s what’s helping Google:

1️⃣ Integration into Google’s ecosystem: Gemini powers AI features across Gmail, Google Drive, and Android phones.

2️⃣ High retention rates: ~60% of paid Gemini users keep their subscriptions after six months. (Better than some competitors like Perplexity but not OpenAI or Claude.)

3️⃣ Tech improvements: Gemini recently climbed above ChatGPT in the Chatbot Arena rankings—a big deal in Silicon Valley.

But there’s a long road ahead:

💬 ChatGPT Plus boasts a 300M user base, and the mobile app has been downloaded 465M times.

📉 Google’s Gemini app? Ranked 54th among free apps on iOS last week (vs. ChatGPT’s #4).

The real question: Can Google translate its superior tech into user adoption?

With CEO Sundar Pichai targeting 500M users by 2025, Gemini’s success could reshape Google’s approach to AI.