Judge Questions Google's Settlement with Epic Games
A federal judge expressed skepticism regarding Google's proposed settlement with Epic Games in their antitrust case, questioning whether the agreement serves the interests of competition or merely benefits the two companies. The settlement, which includes reforms to Google's Android app distribution practices, mandates lower fees and allows third-party app stores, while a separate $800 million deal grants Google access to Epic's Unreal Engine for cloud and AI enhancements.
Korea's AI Data Center Boom Faces Infrastructure Challenges
Korea is experiencing a significant boom in AI data center construction, driven by government and private sector investments totaling KRW 1.46 trillion to enhance national AI capabilities. However, challenges such as power grid limitations and local opposition hinder progress, with domestic data center power demand projected to rise from 4,461 MW in 2025 to 6,175 MW by 2028. Key projects include the Ulsan AI Data Center, expected to deploy 60,000 GPUs and achieve a capacity of 103 MW by 2029, and the Gumi High-Tech Valley cluster, which aims for a total of 1.3 GW.
Meta Seeks Limited Access to New Mexico Trial
Meta Platforms Inc. is seeking to limit public access to a trial set for February 9 in New Mexico, where the company faces allegations from state Attorney General Raúl Torrez that its social media platforms, including Facebook and Instagram, have endangered children by facilitating sexual exploitation and failing to implement adequate safety measures. The New Mexico Department of Justice opposes Meta's request, arguing for full transparency in the proceedings, which include claims that the company prioritized user growth over safety, despite internal research linking social media use to mental health declines among teens. Meta's legal strategy aims to exclude evidence related to mental health impacts and its founder Mark Zuckerberg's early projects, asserting that such topics could prejudice the jury.
Intel Reports Q4 Loss Amid Supply Challenges
Intel Corporation reported a net loss of $0.6 billion for Q4 2025, despite adjusted earnings per share of $0.15 surpassing analyst expectations. The company forecasted first-quarter revenue between $11.7 billion and $12.7 billion, below the market estimate of $12.5 billion, leading to a 13% drop in share value. CEO Lip-Bu Tan acknowledged challenges in meeting surging demand for server chips used in AI data centers, while CFO David Zinsner noted that supply shortages are expected to peak in Q1 2026.
