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Internet and eCommerce Newsfeed – January 31 2025
Online Advertising and Digital Media
- Google Cloud and ORCL to expand Oracle Database@Google Cloud (LINK). On Thursday, Google Cloud and ORCL announced that they are adding 8 additional regions of availability for Oracle Database@Google Cloud across North America, South America, and Asia. Additionally, the companies said that they will be doubling datacenter capacity in certain existing regions and announced new Oracle Database@Google Cloud capabilities such as cross-region disaster recovery support.
- GOOGL makes its open-source marketing mix model available to all (LINK). On Wednesday, GOOGL announced it would be making Meridian, its open-source marketing mix model (MMM) for marketers and data scientists, available to all. Meridian will enable advertisers to access various types of key data such as impressions, clicks, costs on Google Media, as well as additional KPIs like query volume through the MMM Data Platform.
- GOOGL tests new search results display in EU to comply with DMA (LINK). GOOGL has begun testing a new search display option in the EU that is designed to allow users to choose whether to utilize price comparison sites or go directly to supplier websites when making various travel related queries. This comes as GOOGL is looking to adjust its search results in the EU to comply with the Digital Markets’ Act, which outlaws self-preferencing of a company’s own products and services.
- GOOGL bids to overturn €4.3b EU antitrust fine over Android OS (LINK). On Tuesday, GOOGL appeared in court to make a case to overturn the European Commission’s €4.3b antitrust ruling over its Android OS. The fine was originally imposed after the EC ruled that GOOGL unfairly utilized its market position to ensure that its search engine was the default option on Android devices.
- META to reportedly make changes to organizational structure at Reality Labs (LINK).According to media reports, in an internal memo, META announced that it would be reorganizing the reporting structures for teams in the Reality Labs Division to bring them closer to the core business. As part of these changes, the Reality Labs go-to-market teams will reportedly now report to META’s COO, Javier Olivan. In addition, the reports also stated that the heads of several other business units within Reality Labs will now report directly to META executives, such as its CMO, Alex Schultz, and CTO, Andrew Bosworth.
- META reportedly has some AI teams focusing on DeepSeek response (LINK). According to media reports, META has reportedly set up several research teams specifically geared towards understanding the source of efficiency improvements in DeepSeek’s models. This comes as heads of certain AI teams at META have reportedly suggested internally that the company’s next generation Llama AI model may not outperform China’s DeepSeek’s AI models.
- META begins testing ads on Threads (LINK). Last Friday, META announced that it would begin testing ads on Threads with select advertisers in the US and Japan. The ad inventory will be accessible to those testing the ads through META’s Ads Manager without any additional creative required.
- MGNI and Sky New Zealand announce programmatic partnership (LINK). MGNI and Sky New Zealand announced a programmatic partnership in which MGNI will enable programmatic ads on Sky Sport Now, Sky New Zealand’s sports streaming platform. MGNI expects this partnership will enable advertisers to better reach Sky Sport Now viewers through data-driven ad campaigns.
- MSFT reportedly investigating if DeepSeek improperly used OpenAI APIs to develop its models (LINK). MSFT is reportedly investigating whether DeepSeek violated OpenAI’s terms of service in utilizing OpenAI’s APIs to develop its AI models. According to media reports, during fall 2024, MSFT told OpenAI that DeepSeek may have extracted data using OpenAI’s API.
- DeepSeek app becomes most-downloaded app on AAPL’s App Store (LINK). On Monday, the DeepSeek app overtook ChatGPT to become the number one most downloaded free app on AAPL’s app store. This comes after DeepSeek released its R1 model earlier this month, which performs comparably to OpenAI’s o1 reasoning model, is more efficient, and was reportedly significantly cheaper to develop.
- OpenAI reportedly in talks to raise $40b at $340b valuation (LINK). According to media reports, OpenAI is in talks to raise $40b as part of its latest funding round that would value the company at up to $340b. Softbank will reportedly lead the round with an investment of $15b-$25b.
- OpenAI announces ChatGPT Gov for government agency use (LINK). OpenAI announced ChatGPT Gov, a version of its traditional ChatGPT offering, tailored specifically for government agency use. In addition to having most of the capabilities that come standard with ChatGPT Enterprise, ChatGPT Gov allows agencies to self-host the service and more easily implement their own privacy and security frameworks.
- UK CMA considers investigation into AWS and MSFT (LINK). The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority is considering launching an investigation into AWS and MSFT, because, according to its provisional findings, the regulator believes that the competitive environment for cloud services in the UK may be impacted by the sizable market share of the two providers. The CMA plans to continue analyzing these findings before making a final recommendation on whether to investigate in early August.
eCommerce
- AMZN conducts layoffs in its communications department (LINK). AMZN is laying off dozens of employees within its communications department as it looks to further streamline its operations. The company noted that it may rehire certain employees in roles at lower levels or shift some of the headcount to other parts of the company.
- FTC reportedly reached out to Temu regarding AMZN pricing rules (LINK). According to media reports, the FTC has reached out to Temu regarding an AMZN policy that reportedly removes the checkout button from AMZN listings that are being sold for cheaper on Temu. The media reports stated that the FTC sent a list of questions to Temu and spoke to company representatives, though also mentioned that the reported interactions occurred prior to the new US administration taking office.
- AMZN appoints Jason Buechel as VP of Amazon Worldwide Grocery Stores (LINK). AMZN announced that Jason Buechel, the current CEO of Whole Foods Market, will now also serve as VP of Amazon Worldwide Grocery Stores. In his new role, Buechel will be responsible for leading all of AMZN’s global grocery initiatives across the Whole Foods Market, Amazon Fresh, and Amazon Go brands.
- BABA releases latest family of Qwen AI models (LINK). On Monday, BABA released its latest family of Qwen AI models, Qwen 2.5-VL, that can browse the web and automate computer tasks, similar to OpenAI’s Operator model that launched last week. Qwen 2.5-VL can also comprehend various forms of media and analyze data. According to the company’s benchmarking, the Qwen 2.5 VL model outperforms competitors such as GPT-4o, Claude 3.5 Sonnet, and Gemini 2.0 on various metrics.
- JD proposes to acquire all outstanding shares of Dada Nexus (LINK). JD has sent an acquisition proposal to Dada Nexus, a leading on-demand retailer in China, to take the company private for $2.00 per ADS or a ~42% premium to the shares’ prior trading day close. JD already owns more than 60% of outstanding shares in Dada Nexus, which operates the JD NOW on-demand retail platform.
Online Travel & Ridesharing
- Waymo to begin testing in 10 new cities in 2025 (LINK). Waymo announced that in 2025 it plans to test its autonomous vehicles in 10 new cities across the US beginning with Las Vegas and San Diego. While there are not yet any plans for launching a service in these cities, the company is hoping to show that its vehicles can adapt to new roads and conditions with less training than needed initially, after successfully operating them in San Francisco, Phoenix, and Los Angeles.
- UBER reportedly working on price lock feature (LINK). According to a third-party review of the public code powering UBER’s app, the company is working on a price lock feature that would allow commuters to lock in prices for rides ahead of time, like the feature that LYFT launched last year. If released, users would reportedly be able to purchase a monthly price lock pass for $2.99/month.
- FTC reportedly investigating UBER and LYFT regarding NYC driver pay deal (LINK). On Thursday, it was reported that the FTC is investigating whether UBER and LYFT’s deal with New York City violates antitrust law by enabling the companies to coordinate on driver hiring and compensation. Civil investigative demands, which function similarly to subpoenas, were reportedly sent to the two companies just prior to the Biden administration leaving office, and they have 30 days to respond to the reported request.
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