X to Open-Source Algorithm; Faces EU Fines, Probes

X will open its new algorithm to the public, including all code for organic and advertising post recommendations. Elon Musk announced this initiative.

Credit: TESLA

The open-sourcing process will recur every four weeks, accompanied by comprehensive developer notes to explain any changes.

The European Commission extended a retention order previously sent to X, which relates to algorithms and the dissemination of illegal content. This order is prolonged to the end of 2026.

Spokesperson Thomas Regnier informed reporters of the commission's decision. Separately, Paris prosecutors began an investigation in July 2025 into the social media platform for suspected algorithmic bias and fraudulent data extraction.

X described the Paris investigation as a "politically-motivated criminal investigation" that threatens its users' free speech.

Last month, the European Union levied a 120 million euro (USD 140 million) fine on X. Regulators stated the company breached its transparency obligations under the bloc's Digital Services Act.

Credit: X

The fine is connected to X's blue checkmark subscription, a lack of transparency concerning its advertisement repository, and a failure to provide researchers access to the platform's public data.

Elon Musk responded with an obscenity under a European Commission post about the fine.

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• X plans to open-source its new algorithm, releasing all relevant code.

• The algorithm's code will be released every four weeks, with developer notes provided.

• The European Commission extended a content retention order against X until 2026.

Source: REUTERS

India Proposes Source Code Access for Smartphone Security

India is proposing that smartphone manufacturers share source code with the government and implement various software modifications as part of extensive new security measures. This plan has prompted behind-the-scenes opposition from major technology companies, including Apple and Samsung.

The technology firms contend that the package of 83 security standards, which would also include a requirement to notify the government of significant software updates, lacks global precedent. Companies fear these measures risk revealing proprietary details.

The initiative is part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's efforts to enhance user data security as online fraud and data breaches increase. India is the world's second-largest smartphone market, with nearly 750 million phones in use.

IT Secretary S. Krishnan stated that "any legitimate concerns of the industry will be addressed with an open mind," adding that it was "premature to read more into it." A ministry spokesperson noted ongoing consultation with tech companies on the proposals.

Among the most sensitive requirements in the new Indian Telecom Security Assurance Requirements is access to source code. This underlying programming instruction set, which makes phones function, would be analysed and potentially tested at designated Indian laboratories.

The proposals also mandate companies make software changes to permit uninstallation of pre-installed applications. Additionally, apps would be blocked from utilising cameras and microphones in the background to "avoid malicious usage."

A December IT ministry document detailing meetings with Apple, Samsung, Google, and Xiaomi highlighted that "Industry raised concerns that globally security requirement have not been mandated by any country."

The security standards, drafted in 2023, are under consideration for legal enforcement. Officials from the IT ministry and tech executives are due to meet on Tuesday for more discussions, sources said.

Smartphone makers closely guard their source code. Apple previously declined China's request for source code between 2014 and 2016, and U.S. law enforcement has similarly attempted and failed to acquire it.

India's proposals for "vulnerability analysis" and "source code review" would require smartphone makers to perform a "complete security assessment." After this, test laboratories in India could verify their claims through source code review and analysis.

MAIT, the Indian industry group representing the firms, stated in a confidential document responding to the government proposal that "This is not possible... due to secrecy and privacy." The group added that "Major countries in the EU, North America, Australia and Africa do not mandate these requirements."

MAIT asked the ministry last week to drop the proposal, a source with direct knowledge said. The Indian proposals would also mandate automatic and periodic malware scanning on phones.

Device manufacturers would also be required to inform the National Centre for Communication Security about major software updates and security patches before user release. The centre would possess the right to test these updates.

MAIT's document suggests that regular malware scanning significantly depletes a phone's battery. It also describes seeking government approval for software updates as "impractical" due to the necessity of prompt issuance.

India also seeks to have phone logs, digital records of system activity, stored on the device for at least 12 months. MAIT argued in its document that "There is not enough room on device to store 1-year log events."

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• India proposes new security standards requiring smartphone makers to share source code and implement software changes.

• Technology companies, including Apple and Samsung, oppose the plan due to proprietary concerns and lack of global precedent.

• The government aims to enhance user data security amid rising online fraud in India, a major smartphone market.

Source: REUTERS

Xpeng Unveils Hybrid G7 SUV, Expands Global Strategy

Xpeng Motors has launched a new hybrid version of its G7 SUV, which the company states offers the world’s longest range for an SUV. The vehicle can cover 1,704 km on a single charge and fuel tank.

Credit: HANDOUT

The G7 is equipped with a 60-litre fuel tank and a 55.8 kWh battery pack. The company unveiled the updated G7 at an event in Guangzhou.

This model features batteries combined with a small petrol engine, which acts as a generator to recharge the battery. This design allows for extended trips beyond a standard electric vehicle and aims to alleviate concerns about power depletion.

Xpeng also introduced the P7+ sedan, boasting a "super extended range" of up to 1,550 km. Chairman and Chief Executive Officer He Xiaopeng noted the P7+ battery alone supports 430 km, which he stated is the longest of its kind.

The G7 starts at USD 28,000, with both its extended range electric vehicle and pure electric versions priced identically. The P7+ adopts a similar pricing model, with both versions beginning at 186,800 yuan.

Credit: HANDOUT

This marks the second batch of extended range cars from Xpeng, following the updated X9 minivan unveiled in November 2025, which offered a range of up to 1,602 km. In December, shipments of the X9, including its pure electric edition, reached a record 5,424 units, nearly tripling the number from a year earlier.

This performance indicates a significant shift within China’s electric vehicle competition. Xpeng’s annual shipment more than doubled to over 429,000 units in 2025, overtaking rivals Nio and Li Auto. In 2024, Xpeng had ranked last among these three companies.

Xpeng’s expansion into hybrid vehicles addresses uneven global infrastructure, providing a solution for users in areas with developing charging networks. This aligns with the company’s "go-global 2.0 strategy," which targets expansion in Europe, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Africa.

By the end of 2025, Xpeng was present in 60 markets globally. In December it announced its third production base outside China, in Malaysia, following the ones in Indonesia and Austria.

Overseas shipments nearly doubled to more than 45,000 in 2025, He said.

Xpeng sales volume ranked eighth globally among new energy marques in the first 10 months of 2025, according to market research firm Chinese Automotive Data. BYD led with 3.4 million units, followed by Tesla with nearly 1.3 million. Mr. He observed that seven Chinese brands were among the global top 10, highlighting the growing presence of "made-in-China going global."

Beyond vehicle production, Xpeng invests in advanced technologies, including autonomous driving and robots. Its Iron robot made headlines in November for its lifelike walking gait, prompting He to unzip its back on stage to prove there was no person inside.

Earlier this week, Xpeng was among the tech companies that met Chinese Premier Li Qiang in Shenzhen. Mr. He informed Mr. Li that robotics remains in an "early exploratory phase," with a turning point from breakthroughs to large-scale application anticipated in the coming years. He added that widespread commercial deployment was likely between 2028 and 2038.

Xpeng’s robot is powered by its proprietary vision-language-action 2.0 artificial intelligence model, which uses visual data for training and decision-making. The company plans to roll out the model to certain Xpeng cars in the first quarter of 2026, starting with the Ultra editions.

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• Xpeng launched a new hybrid G7 SUV, which the company states has a 1,704 km range.

• The company also introduced the P7+ sedan, offering a "super extended range" of up to 1,550 km.

• Xpeng’s expansion into hybrid vehicles supports its "go-global 2.0 strategy" across Europe, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Africa.

Source: SCMP