Tech Report: Google cracks down on remote work, Intel plans major layoffs, and EU hits
- Google is reportedly tightening its policy on remote work, pushing employees back into the office as it shifts focus toward artificial intelligence and infrastructure upgrades.
(LILAMAX)- Google is reportedly tightening its policy on remote work, pushing employees back into the office as it shifts focus toward artificial intelligence and infrastructure upgrades. According to internal documents obtained by CNBC, remote workers who fail to transition to a hybrid schedule—showing up regularly at their nearest office—may risk losing their jobs. The move comes as Google streamlines operations to stay competitive in the rapidly evolving tech space.
Meanwhile, chipmaker Intel is preparing to announce sweeping job cuts. Bloomberg reports the company may lay off more than 20% of its workforce in a bid to streamline management and return to an “engineering-driven culture.” This comes on the heels of Intel’s previous round of layoffs in 2024, when the company announced plans to eliminate approximately 15,000 jobs.
The European Union is flexing its regulatory muscle once again—this time slapping tech giants Apple and Meta with a combined $800 million in fines under the new Digital Markets Act.
Apple was fined $570 million for restricting app developers from directing users to cheaper alternatives outside the App Store. Meta received a $230 million fine for forcing users of Facebook and Instagram to either accept targeted ads or pay for an ad-free experience. These penalties underscore the EU’s increasing scrutiny of Big Tech’s market dominance and consumer practices.
In a brighter headline, YouTube is officially 20 years old. From humble beginnings filled with viral cat videos, the platform has grown into the second-most visited website globally—trailing only behind its parent company, Google, according to Similarweb.
Today, YouTube hosts over 20 billion videos, ranging from tutorials and music to podcasts and viral shorts. And as traditional web search faces mounting pressure from AI tools like ChatGPT, YouTube remains a vital part of Google’s digital ecosystem.
