Google Scientist Warns EU Data Sharing Proposal Poses Privacy Risk

A top Google scientist sent a warning to EU antitrust regulators on Tuesday that its proposal requiring the company to share search engine data with rivals such as OpenAI risked exposing users' private information. This marks the strongest criticism yet in the ongoing dispute over Google's business model.

Credit: UNSPLASH

Sergei Vassilvitskii, a distinguished scientist at Google since 2012, stated concerns that the European Commission's proposed method for anonymising personal data may not be robust enough. Modern artificial intelligence tools could potentially sift through the data to identify individuals.

Mr. Vassilvitskii will meet EU antitrust officials on Wednesday to present his concerns and suggest a broader approach with better guardrails. Google views the EU proposal as regulatory overreach, arguing it could jeopardise users' privacy and security.

The European Commission, which acts as the EU's competition enforcer, has recently intensified its efforts to regulate Big Tech through various legislation. These measures aim to offer users more choices and create opportunities for smaller rivals.

The Commission had outlined a series of steps a month prior, detailing how Google should allow rival search engines access to data such as ranking, query, click, and view information on fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory terms. The EU proposal will be finalised in the coming weeks after considering feedback from interested parties.

Mr. Vassilvitskii stated, "We are concerned because the EC's approach to anonymization fails to protect Europeans' privacy: our red team managed to re-identify users in less than two hours." Google's AI red team is a group of hackers which simulate a variety of realistic adversary activities to highlight potential vulnerabilities and weaknesses and come up with fixes.

He added, "We are eager to share our technical expertise and work with the EC to establish the right guardrails and protect Europeans from privacy harm." Regulators are expected to decide on the exact measures Google must implement by July 27.

Failure to comply with these measures could lead to Google being charged with breaching the Digital Markets Act. Penalties could include a fine as much as 10% of the company's global annual revenue.

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• A Google scientist warns the EU's data-sharing proposal could expose user privacy.

• Sergei Vassilvitskii suggests the anonymisation method is insufficient.

• Google's AI red team reportedly re-identified users from anonymised data in under two hours.

Source: REUTERS

World’s Smallest Manned Jet Aircraft Broke 25 Years Record

Creator Bu successfully developed and flew what is positioned to be the world smallest manned jet aircraft. This independent engineering project challenged a 25-year record previously held by the BD-5J microjet.

Credit: Aircraft Model Art魔界造物

The aircraft is smaller than both the BD-5J and the famous Cri-Cri. Bu designed the jet as a seaplane to use water surfaces as a safety buffer for the pilot.

The 100 kg aircraft utilises carbon fibre to maintain strict weight limits. Innovative 3D-printed technology was used to manufacture the engine mounts and surface connection hinges. A dual-engine redundant system provides safety during flight.

This system ensures a safe landing even if one miniature jet turbine experiences a flameout. Bu operates the flight control surfaces using a standard handheld remote control unit. This interface allows the pilot to fly the manned, jet-powered aircraft directly.

Aerodynamic stability was tested by strapping the jet to a vehicle roof on a 2,000-metre runway in Xiangxi, Hunan. The vehicle reached speeds exceeding 120 km/h to simulate flight conditions.

The small wing area of the aircraft demands a minimum flying speed of 100 km/h to generate lift. High speeds result in a low margin for error during takeoff and landing. During the manned trial, Bu maintained an altitude of approximately 10 metres. The pilot balanced the flight experience with the risks of high-altitude testing.

This achievement follows 10 years of building and crashing model aircraft. Bu plans to use this design as a step toward flying a homemade aeroplane around the world.

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• The microjet surpasses the size records of the BD-5J and the Cri-Cri.

• Safety features include a seaplane design, 3D-printed components, and a dual-engine system.

• The pilot controls the aircraft using a standard handheld remote control unit.

• Testing included high-speed car roof trials on a runway in Xiangxi, Hunan.

China, Indonesia Launch Cross-Border QR Payments

China and Indonesia have launched a new cross-border QR payment system. This initiative represents a step in Beijing’s drive to build a regional digital payments network. It aims to internationalise the yuan and reduce reliance on the USD.

Credit: ALIPAY

Users can now employ domestic mobile applications, including China’s Alipay, and Indonesia’s QRIS, to scan QR codes. This allows for retail payments in either country using their home currencies.

Chief Economist Alicia Garcia-Herrero for the Asia-Pacific region at French investment bank Natixis described the move as a practical step towards deeper financial ties. Garcia-Herrero stated this would reduce transaction costs and currency risks for both sides.

She commented, "For Beijing, the primary drivers appear to be advancing dedollarisation efforts, promoting the international use of the yuan and strengthening economic integration with key Asean partners amid broader geopolitical pushes for financial autonomy."

Indonesia’s central bank announced the initiative’s launch, according to The Jakarta Globe, a local news outlet, and Xinhua, a Chinese state-run news agency. Beijing has recently increased financial connectivity across ASEAN, its largest trading partner in bloc terms.

Chinese visitors in Thailand have been able to use domestic digital wallets to pay local merchants in yuan since late Oct. Visitors to Vietnam have used UnionPay for payments since Dec., with the service expanding last month to include Alipay. Malaysia and Singapore also have similar services available.

Garcia-Herrero expects Beijing to introduce similar arrangements with more Association of Southeast Asian Nations members and other partners this year. This aligns with China's continued expansion of its digital and financial footprint.

China’s push for cross-border payments aligns with its broader goal of yuan internationalisation. This is considered crucial for reducing reliance on USD-dominated channels. It also addresses concerns over the American currency's weaponisation amid rising bilateral tensions with Washington.

The Cross-border Interbank Payment System, CIPS, is also central to Beijing’s strategy as an alternative to Western-led financial networks. Garcia-Herrero expects global yuan payments growth to remain robust this year. She noted an increasing number of overseas banks are now direct participants in CIPS, which boosts connectivity and settlement efficiency.

Deputy Governor Zhu Hexin of the People’s Bank of China met central bank leaders from ASEAN, Japan, and South Korea in Uzbekistan. They discussed regional cross-border payment cooperation.

A crucial goal of these initiatives is to encourage spending by foreign visitors to China. Domestic, mobile-first payment systems have historically been a barrier for international tourists there.

Tourism between China and Southeast Asia surged last year. This surge was supported by visa-free travel policies and simplified entry requirements.

Indonesia recorded 1.34 million Chinese visitors last year, its highest total in six years. These visitors accounted for 8.7% of all international arrivals, making China Indonesia's fourth-largest source of tourists. China also ranked as the fourth-most popular travel destination for Indonesians last year. It accounted for nearly 6.8% of the country’s total outbound departures.

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• China and Indonesia launched a new cross-border QR payment system.

• Users can make retail payments in either country using apps like Alipay and QRIS.

• The initiative aims to internationalise the yuan, reduce USD reliance, and strengthen regional financial ties.

Source: SCMP