Tech News

Chinese Video Game Draws Criticism for Reinforcing Gender Stereotypes

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A new interactive film-style game called Revenge on Gold Diggers (later renamed Emotional Fraud Simulator) has sparked a major sexism debate in China, combining strong sales on Steam with intense online backlash.

Game Overview

It includes over 472 minutes of live-action footage, supports 38 different endings, and initially flew high—hitting the top 5 on Steam global sales, even surpassing titles like Black Myth: Wukong

Released on June 19, 2025, by Front Studio (director Mark Wu), the game features a male protagonist targeting a group called “Cinderella,” a syndicate of manipulative women exploiting men financially thinkchina.sg+2en.wikipedia.org+2sixthtone.com+2.

Criticism: Reinforcing Sexist Tropes

Critics, including gender activists and cultural commentators, argue the game:

  • Labels women as deceitful “gold diggers” and promotes a misogynistic worldview.
  • Uses damaging language in character dialogue one quote reads, “Want to know how much a man loves you? See how much he spends,” reinforcing stereotypes.
  • Depicts women as emotionally manipulative fraudsters, conflating all “gold diggers” with female characters.

Young female voices on social media highlight these concerns:

“It portrays women as underprivileged and needing to please men to survive,”

Developers’ Defense and Support

The developers responded by:

  • Changing the title to Emotional Fraud Simulator, though content remained unchanged.
  • Arguing the game is a role-based interactive anti-fraud tool, encouraging discussion about romantic scams.
  • Describing characters as morally complex rather than one-dimensional caricatures.

Some state media echoed this idea, praising the game’s role in “strengthening awareness of relationship safety”

Public Reaction and Media Split

Opinions diverged sharply:

  • Critics demanded broader condemnation, warning that the game stigmatizes women and stokes gender hostility
  • Supporters defended it as innovative educational content that deals with emotional manipulation realistically.

Netizens dubbed the debate part of China’s broader “gender war,” with polarized discourse and social media bans the game developer’s accounts on Weibo and Bilibili were quickly blocked.

Sales vs. Sensitivity

Despite backlash, the game’s popularity continues to rise, driven by both curious players and controversy fans alike it remains in China’s top 10 PC titles on Steam.

Ongoing issues with gender portrayal in interactive media, not only in China but globally.

The complexity of using gamification to discuss real-world issues some applaud its innovative approach while others see cultural harm.

Echoes of prior controversies, such as those around Black Myth: Wukong, highlighting persistent systemic sexism in China’s gaming culture

The debate around Revenge on Gold Diggers highlights deep tensions in China’s evolving culture: the balance between creative storytelling, educational intent, and social responsibility. As the game continues to sell well, its impact both cultural and commercial offers a cautionary tale for game developers and regulators about gender representation in interactive narratives.

Nationwide Emergency Alert System to Be Tested on UK Smartphones

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The UK government has announced its second nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS), designed to ensure mobile users can receive life-saving notifications during critical events.

The test will take place on Sunday, September 7, 2025, at 3 p.m. BST, reaching approximately 87 million 4G and 5G mobile phones across the UK.

Phones will emit a 10‑second loud siren and vibration—even if on silent mode.

A message stating “This is a test…” will appear, clearly indicating it’s not a real emergency.

The alert is broadcast via cell broadcast technology, meaning it doesn’t require internet or data access and is unaffected by network congestion.

Who Will Receive It

  • All active 4G and 5G smartphones running iOS 14.5+ or Android 11+ in coverage areas en.wikipedia.org+
  • Phones that are powered off, on 2G/3G networks, Wi‑Fi only devices, or those with alerts disabled will not receive the test.

Why It Matters

  • The system has already been used to warn millions during real emergencies like Storm Éowyn, Storm Darragh, floods, and the Plymouth bomb evacuation lbc.co.uk+
  • Regular testing ensures the system works properly in a crisis and builds public familiarity, helping to save lives by enabling fast action ciobulletin.com15.

Public Guidance

  • Drivers are advised not to interact with their phones during the alert. They should find a safe place to stop before reading the message en.wikipedia.org
  • Vulnerable individuals, including domestic abuse survivors, will be shown how to opt out or silence the alert in advance

Wider Preparedness Context

  • This test aligns with broader national resilience efforts that include pandemic exercises, flood defense investments, and biological security upgrades
  • The UK’s move mirrors practices in other countries like Japan, Canada, and the U.S., which conduct similar emergency broadcast drills theguardian.com.

On September 7 at 3 p.m., expect a sudden loud alert from your phone lasting about 10 seconds. It’s a test of the Emergency Alert System to ensure nationwide access to life-saving information, even on silent devices. No action is required—just listen, learn, and prepare.

Chairman Blames Cyber Group ‘DragonForce’ for M&S Security Breach

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Marks & Spencer (M&S) chairman Archie Norman has confirmed that the ransomware attack disrupting the retailer’s online operations in April and May was orchestrated by the cybercriminal syndicate known as DragonForce, as revealed to U.K. lawmakers on July 8, 2025

Taunting Ransom Demand

  • On April 23, M&S CEO Stuart Machin and several executives received an abusive ransom email from a hijacked TCS account, demanding payment via a darknet portal. The message declared: “We have marched the ways from China all the way to the UK and have mercilessly raped your company and encrypted all the servers.”
  • The attackers referenced M&S’s cyber-insurance coverage and threatened to leak stolen data if demands weren’t met thetimes.co.uk+2digitalmarketreports.com+2digit.fyi+2.

Impact and Fallout

About DragonForce

Response and Next Steps

  • M&S declined to pay a ransom and is rebuilding systems from scratch, delaying full recovery but following government cyber guidance.
  • The company has notified affected customers and mandated password resets, while monitoring for potential phishing or fraud attempts moneyweek.com+1mobileidworld.com+1.
  • M&S is ramping up cybersecurity investments, conducting system audits, and working with law enforcement and national agencies to enhance future resilience .

The M&S cyberattack blamed squarely on DragonForce demonstrates the growing threat posed by RaaS groups capable of disrupting major corporations. With millions of customers impacted and hundreds of millions in losses, the case underscores the urgent need for strong cybersecurity protocols, rigorous third-party risk management, and real-time threat detection in modern retail.

Samsung Moves Deeper into Health Tech with Xealth Buyout

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Samsung Electronics has announced its intent to acquire Xealth, a U.S.-based digital health platform known for helping clinicians prescribe digital tools and monitor patient engagement outside traditional care settings. This strategic move signals Samsung’s growing ambition to become a major player in the healthcare technology ecosystem, complementing its portfolio of smart devices, wearables, and AI-driven health initiatives.

What Is Xealth?

Founded in 2017 and backed by healthcare giants like Providence Health and Mayo Clinic, Xealth enables healthcare providers to seamlessly integrate digital health apps, educational content, and remote monitoring tools into electronic health records (EHRs). Its platform is designed to streamline doctor-patient engagement by making digital prescriptions and care plans accessible directly through existing clinical workflows.

Xealth’s tools are already in use across dozens of U.S. health systems, connecting over 100,000 physicians and millions of patients. The acquisition will provide Samsung with direct access to healthcare providers, a massive patient network, and a proven software infrastructure to support next-generation health services.

Samsung’s Strategic Vision in Healthcare

While Samsung is globally known for its smartphones, semiconductors, and consumer electronics, the company has been gradually expanding into digital health over the past decade. The Galaxy Watch series, for example, has added advanced biometric tracking features like ECG monitoring, sleep tracking, and body composition analysis.

By acquiring Xealth, Samsung appears to be doubling down on a strategy to move beyond consumer health tracking into clinical-grade healthcare integration. The acquisition also positions Samsung to compete more directly with companies like:

  • Apple, with its growing HealthKit ecosystem and health research partnerships
  • Google, which owns Fitbit and has invested heavily in AI-powered healthcare analytics
  • Amazon, which has acquired One Medical and launched its own virtual care platform

Samsung’s broader vision likely includes building a comprehensive health platform—one that links wearables, smartphones, and cloud-based analytics with the clinical world, enabling more personalized and proactive care delivery.

Industry Implications

The acquisition comes amid a surge of interest in digital therapeutics, remote patient monitoring, and hospital-at-home models—accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic and the shift toward value-based care. With healthcare providers under pressure to reduce costs and improve patient outcomes, platforms like Xealth are viewed as essential to modern care delivery.

By bringing Xealth into its ecosystem, Samsung can:

  • Embed health services deeper into its mobile and wearable products
  • Expand into enterprise healthcare solutions, targeting hospitals and insurers
  • Leverage AI and sensor data to support clinical decision-making
  • Improve data continuity between patients and providers

This aligns well with global health trends such as aging populations, chronic disease management, and the consumerization of healthcare.

The Future of Samsung Health

Following the acquisition, Xealth is expected to continue operating independently, with its platform being integrated into Samsung’s broader Samsung Health and Samsung Knox ecosystems. The move may also pave the way for Samsung to explore partnerships with major health systems, EHR vendors, or even pharmaceutical companies.

Samsung could also benefit from Xealth’s existing FDA-compliant and HIPAA-secure frameworks, accelerating its compliance and trust-building in regulated health markets.

Samsung’s acquisition of Xealth is more than a financial deal—it’s a strategic investment in the future of healthcare delivery. As digital health continues to transform how care is delivered, tracked, and reimbursed, Samsung is making clear it intends to be more than a hardware company. It wants to be a trusted partner in connected, intelligent, and patient-centered care.

With this move, Samsung joins the ranks of global tech leaders shaping the next frontier in healthcare innovation.

Apple’s Head of AI, Ruoming Pang, Departs for Meta

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In a notable shakeup in the competitive artificial intelligence (AI) landscape, Ruoming Pang, a senior AI executive at Apple, has reportedly left the company to join Meta, according to a report by Bloomberg News. The move marks a significant talent shift between two of Silicon Valley’s biggest rivals as they race to dominate the future of AI.

Who Is Ruoming Pang?

Ruoming Pang is a respected AI researcher and engineer who has played a key leadership role at Apple in advancing machine learning models and AI infrastructure. Prior to Apple, Pang was associated with Google, contributing to foundational work in scalable systems and data science.

At Apple, Pang is believed to have overseen natural language processing (NLP), recommendation algorithms, and AI personalization frameworks used across services like Siri, Spotlight, and Apple Music. His exit could signal a gap in continuity for Apple’s internal AI roadmap—especially as the company begins to integrate more generative AI features across iOS and macOS.

Why This Move Matters

Pang’s transition to Meta comes at a critical time when:

  • Apple has just announced its “Apple Intelligence” suite—a system-wide push to bring generative AI features like AI-powered writing tools, smart search, and on-device reasoning to its platforms.
  • Meta is aggressively expanding its AI division, with a focus on open-source models like LLaMA, image generation tools, and integration of AI across Instagram, WhatsApp, and the Metaverse.

His move may not only accelerate Meta’s internal AI initiatives, but also reflect growing competition for top AI talent as tech giants pivot toward machine learning-led product development.

The AI Talent War Heats Up

Pang’s exit is part of a broader trend:
Top AI engineers and researchers are increasingly being poached, as companies seek to outperform rivals in LLMs, AI assistants, and edge computing. Apple, known for its secrecy and tight control over internal projects, may face challenges in both retaining and attracting AI specialists if more senior departures follow.

What This Means for Apple and Meta

  • For Apple: Pang’s departure may slow the deployment or refinement of AI features unless a strong succession plan is in place. The company has historically kept its AI research private, which may make recruitment more difficult compared to rivals like Meta or Google, who embrace open-source contributions and public AI collaboration.
  • For Meta: The hire represents a strategic win. With increasing investments in AI hardware, open-source models, and productivity tools, Meta is bolstering its AI brain trust at a time when it’s positioning itself as an alternative to proprietary models from OpenAI and Anthropic.

Ruoming Pang’s move from Apple to Meta underscores how critical AI talent has become to the future of tech innovation. As the global AI race intensifies, individual executive movements like this one can have significant ripple effects across product pipelines, investor confidence, and long-term market leadership.

PwC: Copper Constraints May Endanger a Third of Global Chip Production by 2035

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A sweeping new report from PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) warns that by 2035, approximately 32% of global semiconductor output could be disrupted due to copper supply challenges a fourfold increase from today’s risk levels reddit.com+8mining.com+8reddit.com+8. Copper, crucial for tiny wiring in chips, is currently irreplaceable in terms of performance and cost, making the situation deeply concerning for the industry.

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The Role of Copper in Semiconductor Production
Copper plays a vital role in chip production, powering the billions of tiny wires inside every semiconductor. However, copper production requires significant amounts of water, and climate change is exacerbating drought risks in major copper-producing countries.²

Countries at Risk
Major Copper-Producing Countries Affected:

  • Chile: The world’s largest copper producer, Chile is already grappling with water shortages that are slowing down production. By 2035, most of the 17 countries supplying the chip industry will be at risk of drought.
  • Peru: Another significant copper producer, Peru is also facing drought risks that could impact copper production and, in turn, global chip supplies.

Impact on Global Chip Production
The PwC report warns that the risk of copper supply disruptions will increase to between 42% and 58% by 2050. This could lead to:

  • Supply chain disruptions: Droughts affecting copper production could cripple industries reliant on semiconductors.
  • Increased risk of chip shortages: The last global chip shortage, fueled by pandemic-driven demand and factory shutdowns, had a devastating impact on the automotive industry and other chip-dependent sectors.³


The PwC report emphasizes the urgent need for industries to address the risks associated with climate change and copper supply disruptions. To mitigate these risks, companies can explore alternative materials, invest in water conservation efforts, and develop more efficient supply chains. By taking proactive steps, industries can reduce their reliance on copper and minimize the impact of potential supply disruptions.

Tech Sanctions Bite: Samsung Warns of Earnings Decline

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Samsung Electronics, one of the world’s largest technology firms, has warned of a significant drop in second-quarter profits, citing mounting pressure from U.S. export restrictions on AI chip sales to China. The announcement underscores the growing financial impact of geopolitical tensions on the global tech supply chain and raises fresh concerns about how companies will navigate an increasingly fragmented technology landscape.

In its preliminary earnings guidance, Samsung forecast a 39% decline in operating profit for Q2 2025 compared to the same period last year. The company expects to report around ₩4.2 trillion (approx. $3 billion) in operating income, sharply below analyst expectations.

While weakness in the memory chip market was anticipated, Samsung pointed to a more acute and immediate challenge: tightened U.S. export controls on advanced semiconductors used in AI development particularly those destined for Chinese customers.

The Role of U.S. AI Chip Sanctions

In recent months, the U.S. government has imposed new restrictions on exports of high-performance semiconductors and AI chips to China, citing national security concerns. These sanctions have directly affected companies like NVIDIA, Intel, and now Samsung, which supplies chips and memory components used in AI systems, smartphones, and data centers.

Samsung confirmed that several of its Chinese customers had either delayed or canceled AI chip orders due to regulatory uncertainty and component shortages. This disruption has had a direct impact on the company’s semiconductor division, traditionally its most profitable business unit.

Geopolitical Tensions Reshape Tech Trade

The announcement illustrates how geopolitical dynamics are reshaping the global tech sector. With the U.S. and China locked in a long-running battle over technological dominance, companies like Samsung based in South Korea, a key U.S. ally but major supplier to China are increasingly caught in the middle.

Experts say that as technology becomes more politicized, multinational firms will face more tradeoffs, including:

  • Reduced access to certain markets
  • Higher compliance costs
  • Supply chain rerouting
  • Innovation slowdowns due to fractured collaboration

Business Strategy Adjustments Underway

In response, Samsung has begun to diversify its customer base, increase R&D spending on next-generation chips, and explore manufacturing partnerships outside of East Asia, including in the U.S. and Europe. The company also plans to prioritize demand from domestic and non-Chinese enterprise clients for its AI memory products and chip solutions.

However, analysts caution that the loss of Chinese business still one of Samsung’s largest markets will not be easy to offset, especially as competition intensifies in AI hardware and cloud infrastructure segments.

What’s Next for Samsung?

Despite short-term setbacks, Samsung remains a global leader in memory, logic chips, and display technology. The company is investing aggressively in:

  • AI-centric memory (HBM) and edge computing chips
  • Advanced foundry capabilities to compete with TSMC
  • Strategic partnerships with cloud giants like Google and Microsoft

Industry watchers will be looking closely at Samsung’s upcoming full quarterly report, which will offer more insights into the scope of the impact and how the company plans to navigate future headwinds.

Samsung’s profit warning highlights how tech sector performance is increasingly tied to global political decisions particularly as AI and semiconductors become strategic assets. With U.S.-China tensions unlikely to ease in the near term, companies like Samsung must adapt to a future where technology, policy, and profit are deeply intertwined.

As one analyst put it:

“In the AI era, success is no longer just about innovation it’s about resilience in a fragmented global economy.”

Adobe Predicts $23.8 Billion in Online Sales for U.S. During Amazon Prime Day Window

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Adobe has released its latest forecast for Amazon Prime Day, predicting a staggering $23.8 billion in online sales during the promotional event. This significant increase in sales is expected to drive revenue for retailers and shape the future of e-commerce.

Record-breaking sales: Adobe predicts $23.8 billion in online sales, a substantial increase from previous years.

  • Growing demand for online shopping: The forecast highlights the growing demand for online shopping, driven by convenience, flexibility, and competitive pricing.
  • Increased competition: The prediction also underscores the increased competition among retailers, with many offering deep discounts and promotions to attract customers.

What to Expect

  • Increased mobile sales: Mobile devices are expected to play a significant role in driving sales, with many shoppers using their smartphones to browse and purchase products.
  • Growing importance of social media: Social media platforms will likely influence purchasing decisions, with many retailers leveraging these channels to promote their products and engage with customers.

Implications

  • Retailers must adapt: To capitalize on the surge in online sales, retailers must adapt their strategies to meet changing consumer behavior and preferences.
  • Competition will intensify: The predicted sales figures highlight the intense competition among retailers, emphasizing the need for innovative marketing and sales strategies.

Adobe’s prediction of $23.8 billion in online sales during Amazon Prime Day underscores the significance of this promotional event for retailers and the e-commerce industry as a whole. As online shopping continues to grow, retailers must prioritize innovation, customer experience, and strategic marketing to stay competitive.

Tesla Shares Decline as Musk’s ‘America Party’ Comments Stir Investor Concerns

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Tesla Inc. saw a dip in its stock price this week following public comments by CEO Elon Musk regarding the potential formation of a new political movement he dubbed the “America Party.” The remarks, made during a recent interview and amplified on social media, have added fresh uncertainty for investors already navigating Tesla’s volatile performance and Musk’s dual role as both tech innovator and polarizing public figure.

Market Reaction

Following Musk’s comments, Tesla shares dropped nearly 4% in early trading, underperforming major indexes and peer tech stocks. Analysts attribute the decline not to core business fundamentals, but to rising investor unease over Musk’s increasingly visible political engagement.

Market watchers have grown cautious about the reputational and operational risks tied to Musk’s high-profile statements, especially when they intersect with Tesla’s brand image, regulatory posture, or consumer sentiment.

Musk’s Political Messaging

During the interview, Musk floated the idea of launching the “America Party,” which he framed as an alternative to what he sees as ideological extremes in existing U.S. political parties. He positioned it as a centrist or “rational” movement but offered few concrete policy details.

While Musk did not tie the idea directly to Tesla, critics and investors alike expressed concern over potential brand entanglement and distractions for the CEO, who also oversees SpaceX, xAI, and several other ventures.

Investor Sentiment

Institutional investors are becoming more vocal about the risks of CEO key-person dependency and reputational spillover. Musk’s political statements have previously drawn scrutiny, including:

  • His comments on pandemic policy and government spending
  • Public support for controversial political figures
  • Increasing friction with U.S. regulatory bodies, including the SEC and NHTSA

While Musk’s loyal following often views him as a visionary disruptor, institutional stakeholders prioritize predictability and focus, particularly in publicly traded companies like Tesla.

Tesla’s Core Business: A Mixed Outlook

Tesla’s recent operational updates have presented a mixed picture:

  • EV demand is softening in key markets, including China and Europe
  • Cybertruck production remains constrained
  • The company is undergoing cost cuts and reorganization in key business units
  • AI and robotaxi initiatives are still in early-stage execution

Musk’s political focus, even if personal, risks being perceived as diverting attention from these critical execution challenges.

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