Supercharged: EU kills range anxiety, passes law to set up EV charging stations at every 60km

The European Union has approved new regulations aimed at facilitating seamless travel for EV owners throughout Europe and, at the same time, reducing harmful greenhouse gas emissions.

The regulations offer three main benefits for EV and van owners: First, they tackle “range anxiety” by expanding the EV charging infrastructure along Europe’s main highways.

Second, the rules simplify the payment process by enabling users to make payments at charging stations without the need for apps or subscriptions.

Third, the regulations ensure transparent communication of pricing and availability to avoid surprises.

Powering Europe’s EVs
Starting in 2025, the new regulations mandate the installation of fast charging stations with a minimum power capacity of 150kW every 60km along the EU’s Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) highways.

This move is expected to significantly reduce range anxiety for EV owners using the main transport corridor. Moreover, charging stations along the “core” road network, which connects major cities and nodes, must have a total output capacity of at least 400kW by December 31st, 2025, with at least one charging point capable of 150kW output.

To accommodate the deployment of EV fast chargers on the “comprehensive” road network, which connects EU regions to the core network, the regulations set a longer timeframe. By December 31st, 2027, these charging stations must have a total output of at least 300kW, including one charging point capable of 150kW output, for at least 50 per cent of the comprehensive roads.

A Solid Plan
This requirement will be expanded to cover all of these roads by the end of 2030. By December 31st, 2035, charging stations on these roads should have a total output capacity of at least 600kW, with at least two charging points capable of 150kW output.

The new regulations also address the issue of misleading marketing by ensuring that charging stations marketed as 150kW must provide at least one charging point capable of delivering that speed. This is vital for current and future EV models that can handle higher power outputs.

The rules also require charging payments to be made via cards or contactless devices without the need for subscriptions, making it convenient for EV owners to access charging stations across different networks. Operators must clearly display prices, wait times, and availability of their charging points through electronic means.

Apart from electric cars and vans, the regulations also set deployment targets for heavy-duty electric vehicles, address maritime ports and airports, and promote hydrogen refuelling for both cars and trucks.

EU’s Greenhouse Gas Emission Goals
The adoption of these regulations is part of the “Fit for 55” package, a set of initiatives aimed at achieving the EU’s goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 55 per cent before 2030 (compared to 1990 levels) and reaching climate neutrality by 2050.

Transportation, responsible for 25 per cent of the EU’s greenhouse gas emissions, with the majority coming from road use, is a major target for these initiatives.

Before becoming law across the EU, the regulations need to go through further formalities after being formally adopted by the Council.

Raquel Sánchez Jiménez, Spanish Minister of Transport, Mobility and Urban Agenda, expressed optimism about the new regulations, stating that they are a significant step towards providing more public recharging capacity on European streets and motorways, ultimately allowing citizens to charge their electric vehicles as easily as they currently refuel at traditional petrol stations.

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Riding the AI wave, Microsoft reports record-breaking profits, made $20.1 billion last quarter

Microsoft reported a significant 20 per cent increase in quarterly profits, which has bolstered its position in the competition against rivals like Google, Amazon, and Meta (parent company of Facebook) in the field of selling the latest artificial intelligence technology.

The software giant’s fiscal fourth-quarter profit reached $20.1 billion, equivalent to $2.69 per share, surpassing the analysts’ expectations of $2.55 per share. Moreover, it achieved a revenue of $56.2 billion in the April-June period, marking an 8 per cent increase compared to the previous year and exceeding the forecasted revenue of $55.49 billion.

Despite the positive financial results, Microsoft’s CEO, Satya Nadella, acknowledged that the AI features added to their existing products, such as cloud computing services, workplace software, and Bing search engine, have not yet had a significant impact on their financial outcomes.

However, the company has been actively investing in generative AI tools, capitalizing on its investments in OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, to launch a Bing chatbot and other AI tools tailored to business customers. Microsoft is also planning to charge $30 per user for its new AI “Copilot,” which integrates with software like Word, Excel, and email.

The company’s stock experienced a slight drop in after-hours trading despite beating Wall Street’s expectations for profit and revenue. Investors have been closely monitoring Microsoft’s early revenue from AI investments, the performance of its Azure cloud computing platform, and the potential closure of its deal to acquire video game company Activision Blizzard, which could drive more users to Xbox game systems and other Microsoft platforms.

Microsoft’s cloud business segment, with a 15 per cent growth, was the highest-earning in the quarter, generating $24 billion in sales. The flagship Azure platform, along with other cloud services, contributed significantly to this growth.

The company’s productivity software business, led by its Office suite, saw a 10 per cent increase in sales, reaching $18.3 billion for the April-June quarter.

Although AI has captured the attention of the public and investors, Microsoft’s personal computing business, centred around licensing fees for Windows software, remains a crucial revenue stream. This segment earned $13.9 billion in the quarter, down 4 per cent from the previous year, partly due to a decline in PC shipments. However, Gartner suggests that the PC market may stabilize and see growth again in 2024.

While Microsoft’s business-oriented approach has provided some insulation from economic challenges, the company has still undergone workforce reductions, including layoffs of hundreds of workers near its headquarters in Redmond, Washington. Earlier this year, Microsoft cut around 10,000 employees, amounting to almost 5 per cent of its workforce.

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India’s Love For Apple: Edges out Germany, France to enter iPhone’s top 5 market for the first time

Apple is gradually establishing itself as a significant player in the Indian market, with the company making substantial investments to bolster sales and production within the country.

According to research conducted by Counterpoint, India has now become Apple’s fifth-largest market for iPhones, surpassing both Germany and France during the second financial quarter that concluded in June.

While the United States, China, Japan, and the UK continue to be the leading markets for Apple, India’s significance is growing.

During Q2 2023, India accounted for approximately 4 per cent of Apple’s iPhone sales. Though the exact number of units sold in India was not disclosed by Counterpoint, it was noted that there was a remarkable 50 per cent year-on-year growth in iPhone sales in the country.

Additionally, Apple’s market share in the Indian phone segment has also been on the rise, increasing from 3.4 per cent last year to 5.1 per cent now.

Apple CEO Tim Cook had previously expressed his optimism about India’s potential earlier in the year. He mentioned achieving an “all-time iPhone revenue record” in India during Q1 2023 and highlighted the dynamism and vibrancy of the market. Cook also acknowledged the expansion of Apple’s operations in India to better cater to the growing number of customers.

Morgan Stanley analysts recently predicted that India would be a crucial driver of Apple’s revenue over the next five years, projecting that the country could contribute 15 per cent of the company’s overall revenue during that period.

To capitalize on the Indian market, Apple has been making significant investments in the country as it seeks to diversify its production locations beyond China, which faced setbacks due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The company plans to increase its iPhone production capacity in India from 7 per cent in 2023 to 18 per cent in 2025, partly influenced by tax incentives offered by the Indian government.

Notably, Tata Group, a prominent Indian conglomerate, is finalizing its deal to take over Wistron Corp’s factory in Karnataka, making it the first Indian company to produce iPhones in the country.

To enhance accessibility to its premium iPhones, Apple is also focusing on improving its distribution channels in India. The company already operates an online store and has recently opened two physical stores in Delhi and Mumbai.

Two more stores are expected to be launched in India by 2025. These efforts demonstrate Apple’s commitment to establishing a strong presence and tapping into the growing potential of the Indian market.

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Australia slaps Meta with $14 million fine for illegally collecting user data, not disclosing it

A court in Australia has ruled that Meta Platforms, the owner of Facebook, must pay fines totalling 20 million Australian dollars ($13.5m). The fines were imposed because Meta collected user data through a smartphone application called Onavo without disclosing this action to its users.

The court also ordered Meta, along with its subsidiaries Facebook Israel and the now-defunct Onavo app, to pay 400,000 Australian dollars ($270,631) in legal costs to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), which brought the civil lawsuit against Meta.

This legal issue is related to Meta’s handling of user information since the scandal involving data analytics firm Cambridge Analytica during the 2016 United States election. However, another civil court action against Meta by Australia’s Office of the Information Commissioner regarding its dealings with Cambridge Analytica in Australia is still ongoing.

The court’s judgment pertained to Onavo, a virtual private network (VPN) service that Facebook offered between early 2016 and late 2017, promoting it as a tool to protect personal information.

In reality, Facebook used Onavo to collect users’ location, time, and website visit frequency to bolster its advertising efforts.

“The failure to make sufficient disclosures … may have deprived tens of thousands of Australian consumers of the opportunity to make an informed choice about the collection and use of their data before downloading and/or using Onavo Protect,” Abraham wrote.

The potential fine for Meta’s actions could have been significantly higher, probably running into the billions, considering the number of app downloads and breaches of consumer law. The court could have fined Meta hundreds of billions of dollars since Australians downloaded the app 271,220 times and each breach of consumer law carried a fine of 1.1 million Australian dollars ($743,721).

However, the court viewed the contraventions as a single course of conduct and settled on the agreed-upon penalty, ensuring that it carries enough weight to discourage such behaviour as a mere cost of doing business.

In response to the ruling, Meta claimed that the ACCC acknowledged it never aimed to deceive customers and highlighted its efforts to provide greater transparency and control over data usage in recent years.

The ACCC Chair, Gina Cass-Gottlieb, emphasized that Australian consumers should have access to clear information and be able to make informed choices regarding their data.

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‘S3Xy’, 'eXposure,' 'eXult': Elon Musk renames conference rooms to match Twitter’s new X branding

After less than a year of acquiring the social media giant Twitter for a whopping $44 billion, Elon Musk decided to rebrand it as X.com. The transition has already begun at Twitter’s headquarters, where conference rooms have been renamed to reflect the change. According to The New York Times, Musk opted for names like “eXposure,” “eXult,” and “s3Xy” for these rooms. The official unveiling of the new X logo took place at the San Francisco headquarters, replacing the iconic bird logo that had been in use for over a decade.

Interestingly, the famous blue bird logo was also removed from the headquarters cafeteria. Additionally, there were plans to take down the six letters spelling “Twitter” from the building’s exterior, but this was halted by the San Francisco Police Department due to it being considered unauthorized work.

Musk explained the reason behind the rebranding, stating that he chose “X” because he envisions Twitter evolving into an “everything app.” He pointed out that the name “Twitter” made sense in the past when the platform was mainly used for short 140-character messages like birds tweeting. However, with the platform now capable of hosting various types of content, including lengthy videos, a more versatile name like “X” fits better.

In the coming months, Musk revealed that the company has plans to expand its offerings, including “comprehensive communications and the ability to conduct your entire financial world.”

The current CEO of Twitter, Linda Yaccarino, further explained the vision behind the new “X” logo, emphasizing that it represents the future of unlimited interactivity. This interactivity would be centred around various aspects such as audio, video, messaging, payments, and banking, essentially creating a global marketplace for ideas, goods, services, and opportunities. The use of AI would play a significant role in enabling these interactions, connecting people in ways that were previously unimaginable.

The concept of an “everything app” resembles China’s popular WeChat app, which serves as an all-in-one platform for numerous functions. It’s worth noting that Musk has been fond of the letter “X” and has used it repeatedly across his companies. He previously co-founded x.com, an online bank in 1999, which eventually became PayPal. Interestingly, Musk repurchased the domain x.com from PayPal in 2017 due to its sentimental value.

As a result of this rebranding, the domain x.com now redirects to Twitter.

In a memo to employees, Yaccarino shared that the company would now be focusing on developing new features related to audio, video, messaging, payments, and banking. The goal is to transform Twitter into a multifunctional platform, catering to a diverse range of user needs and experiences.

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China ‘strongly urges’ Japan not to be influenced by the US and disrupt global tech industry

The Chinese government has made an appeal to Japan, asking them not to disrupt the semiconductor industry following the implementation of restrictions on exports of Japanese chip-making technology.

These restrictions add to the technology limitations that Washington and its allies have already imposed on China for security reasons.

The recently implemented Japanese restrictions limit China’s access to tools used for etching microscopically small circuits on advanced chips, which are crucial components for smartphones, artificial intelligence, and other applications.

The Netherlands has also joined the United States in restricting access to chipmaking tools, citing concerns that these tools could potentially be used for the development of weapons.

A spokesperson from China’s foreign ministry, Mao Ning, expressed deep dissatisfaction and regret over Japan’s actions. The spokesperson urged Japan to avoid allowing these measures to interfere with the normal cooperation between the two countries in the semiconductor industry.

The appeal comes as the global semiconductor supply chain faces increasing geopolitical tensions and technology-related trade restrictions.

The Chinese Communist Party has made substantial investments, amounting to billions of dollars, in building Chinese chip foundries. However, despite these efforts, China still relies on Western and Japanese technology to manufacture the most advanced chips.

This dependence on foreign technology poses a significant challenge to Beijing’s goal of developing its tech industries.

The United States initiated restrictions on Chinese access to chips and chipmaking technology during the presidency of Donald Trump in 2019. The Biden administration subsequently expanded these controls to include blocking access to chip design and manufacturing tools.

In response, the Chinese government, led by Xi Jinping, has been cautious and deliberate in its actions, possibly to avoid disrupting its emerging tech industries.

However, last month, Beijing caused concern among Japanese and Korean chip manufacturers by announcing an export review process that could potentially lead to restrictions on gallium and germanium, two metals crucial in semiconductor production.

This situation highlights the complex dynamics and tensions surrounding the global semiconductor industry, with geopolitical factors influencing technology access and trade relationships.

China’s ambitions to develop and enhance its tech industries face challenges due to the need for advanced chip technology from Western and Japanese sources and the restrictions imposed by the United States and its allies.

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After Meta’s Threads, TikTok now wants to launch a ‘Twitter Killer,’ gears up for a major overhaul

It looks like TikTok, the Chinese-owned video-sharing platform is next in line to try and take down Elon Musk’s Twitter, just weeks after Instagram Threads tried to do so and failed.

Makers of the controversial video-sharing platform have announced a new update that enables users to post text updates of up to 1,000 characters. Following the trend set by Mark Zuckerberg’s Meta, TikTok is joining the ranks of platforms embracing microblogging features similar to Twitter.

TikTok users can now enhance their text posts by adding sound and location tags. Others can interact with these text updates by commenting and sharing them, just as they would with photo or video posts.

This move allows TikTok to expand its content offerings and provide users with more ways to express themselves and engage with their audience.

TikTok’s recent announcement about allowing text updates came shortly after Meta launched Threads, a text-based companion for Instagram. During this time, Twitter’s owner, Elon Musk, revealed plans to impose limits on daily post views for non-paying users.

Threads quickly gained immense popularity, amassing over 100 million users within its first five days. However, its daily user count reportedly decreased significantly after the initial burst it got at launch.

In the competition to rival Twitter, various smaller apps like Bluesky, Mastodon, and former US President Donald Trump’s Truth Social have made attempts to attract users away from the platform, but without much significant success. Meta’s Threads posed a somewhat threat right when it launched, but within three weeks of its launch, the time spent on the app by user, as well as daily active user on the platform have dipped significantly, by over 50 per cent.

The trend of social media platforms copying each other’s features is not new. For instance, Instagram introduced Stories in 2017 to compete with Snapchat, and shortly afterwards, almost every other platform, including Twitter with its Fleets feature, followed suit.

Similarly, Instagram’s Reels was launched in 2020 to compete with TikTok, while YouTube introduced its own version called Shorts in the subsequent year. This copying of features is a common strategy for platforms to stay competitive and appeal to their users’ evolving preferences.

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Apple’s $1 Billion Headache: Tech giant to get sued by app developers over App Store fees in UK

Over 1,500 developers in the UK have initiated a class action lawsuit against Apple, claiming that the company’s App Store fee is excessive and a consequence of its monopoly in the app distribution market.

Apple charges app developers up to a 30 per cent commission on transactions conducted through its platform, which has been a subject of scrutiny from both governments and developers worldwide, but has managed to withstand such scrutiny thus far.

The lawsuit, led by 1,566 app developers, argues that Apple’s charges are unreasonably high due to the company’s dominant position in distributing apps to iPhones and iPads.

Sean Ennis, a professor at the Centre for Competition Policy at the University of East Anglia and a former economist at the OECD, is spearheading the legal action with the support of the law firm Geradin Partners. He claims that the fees are unjust and constitutes abusive pricing, negatively impacting app developers and consumers.

“Apple’s charges to app developers are excessive, and only possible due to its monopoly on the distribution of apps onto iPhones and iPads,” said Ennis.

Apple had previously addressed its 30 per cent fee during the Epic Games trial and stated that 85 per cent of developers on the App Store do not pay any commission. The company also asserts that its platform enables European developers to reach customers in 175 countries.

Various organizations and governments have opposed Apple’s fee structure, which typically entails developers paying 30 per cent of any transaction that occurs on their platform (reduced to 15 per cent for subscriptions lasting over one year). Apple’s Small Business Program offers a 15 per cent fee for developers earning less than $1 million annually, while the 30 per cent fee applies once the threshold is surpassed.

Facebook and other companies have joined the fight, arguing that Apple’s 30 per cent fee disproportionately impacts small businesses. Previous legal battles have shown that Apple can be influenced by higher courts, as seen in a $100 million lawsuit lost in 2022, where allegations focused on the $100 developer fee and $0.99 increments that purportedly harmed developers.

In response, Apple removed the $100 fee requirement and introduced a free developer account tier, as well as more granular pricing options.

Despite these challenges, it is important to note that a class action lawsuit does not guarantee immediate changes in Apple’s fee policy.

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‘Semicon India result of PM Modi’s vision, happy that 2023 exhibition is taking place in Gandhinagar’: IT Minister

On July 28 in Gandhinagar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be inaugurating ‘Semicon India 2023,’ a prominent exhibition showcasing India’s semiconductor capabilities and chip design advancements. The event will feature renowned companies such as Foxconn, Micron, AMD, IBM, Marvell, Vedanta, LAM Research, NXP Semiconductors, and STMicroelectronics, illuminating India’s impressive progress in fostering a global semiconductor manufacturing and design ecosystem.

This mega event will provide a comprehensive understanding of cutting-edge technologies and innovations in chip-making, bringing together the most prominent players in the semiconductor and technology industry.

VIDEO | “I am very happy that the ‘SemiconIndia 2023’ exhibition was inaugurated today in Gandhinagar. PM Modi will arrive here on July 28 to inaugurate (the main event),” says Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar. pic.twitter.com/VpDmyQsrhx

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 25, 2023

According to an official statement, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology is on the brink of revolutionizing the semiconductor landscape in India, and the inauguration of ‘Semicon India 2023’ in Gandhinagar by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on July 28, 2023, will be a significant milestone in this endeavour.

“I am very happy that SemiconIndia 2023 exhibition is being inaugurated in Gandhinagar. The event exhibition is scheduled to take place across three days 28, 29 and 30 July. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the exhibition on the 28th,” said IT Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar.

“Semicon India in of the most important event in our country’s technology annual calendar. Fifteen months ago, in 2022, India’s first Semicon exhibition was organised in Bengaluru. It was conceptualised, visualised and executed because, in December of 2021, PM Modi presented his vision and his goal to the people of India, of making this country into a major semiconductor nation,” he added.

SemiconIndia 2023 is set to witness the enthusiastic participation of major semiconductor giants, including Micron Technology and Applied Materials. These companies have recently pledged significant investments in India’s semiconductor ecosystem. Micron Technology, for instance, has committed a staggering $825 million towards a semiconductor assembly and test plant in Gujarat, while Applied Materials plans to invest $400 million in their Engineering Collaborative Centre.

The exhibition will be a grand affair with a lineup of 150 stalls representing 80 leading companies. These diverse participants cover the entire spectrum of semiconductors, encompassing the supply chain, global Integrated Device Manufacturers, and domestic majors.

Beyond the established companies, SemiconIndia 2023 will also be a platform for 25 startups to showcase their innovations and network with industry leaders, providing them with valuable exposure and opportunities.

The international appeal of the event is evident with participation from 23 countries and the presence of multiple states, such as Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat, which will showcase their collective efforts in supporting the growth of the semiconductor industry.

Notably, the exhibition will also include showcases from renowned institutions like SCL, ISRO, and the Space Application Centre, emphasizing their contributions to the field. Additionally, esteemed educational institutes like IIT Bombay, IIT Madras, BITS Pilani, Ganpat University, and Nirma University will actively participate, highlighting academia’s vital role in driving India’s semiconductor advancements.

SemiconIndia 2023 stands as a testament to India’s strong commitment to establishing a robust semiconductor ecosystem. Through its grand scale and innovative showcases, the exhibition proudly demonstrates India’s potential as an emerging global hub for semiconductor excellence.

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‘Oppo, Vivo and Xiaomi committed tax evasion of around Rs 9,000 cr’: Rajeev Chandrasekhar in Parliament

Chinese smartphone manufacturers, namely Oppo Mobile, Vivo India, and Xiaomi Technology, have been caught avoiding tax payments amounting to Rs 9,000 crore in India, according to information presented in the Parliament. The data, provided by Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar, the Minister of State for Electronics and IT, revealed that this tax evasion involved customs duty and GST and was detected between the years 2018-19 and 2022-23.

During this period, the government successfully recovered Rs 1,629.87 crore from these companies. The specific tax evasion amounts were as follows:

• Oppo Mobile India Pvt Ltd evaded Rs 5,086 crore, comprising Rs 4,403 crore in customs duty and Rs 683 crore in GST.
• Vivo evaded Rs 2,923.25 crore, including Rs 2,875 crore in customs duty and Rs 48.25 crore in GST.
• Xiaomi Technology India Pvt Ltd’s evasion amounted to Rs 851.14 crore, with Rs 682.51 crore in customs duty and Rs 168.63 crore in GST.

In 2019-20, customs duty evasion of Rs 4,389 crore was detected in the case of Oppo Mobile India Pvt Ltd, of which Rs 450 crore has been recovered. In the same period, Vivo India Mobile Pvt Ltd evaded customs duty of Rs 2,217 crore, with Rs 72 crore recovered in 2020-21. Xiaomi Technology India Pvt Ltd evaded custom duty of Rs 653.02 crore, of which Rs 46 lakh has been recovered. In 2022-23, Vivo Mobile India Pvt Ltd was found to be evading Rs 658 crore, while Lenovo evaded Rs 42.36 crore in GST.

As per official data, the government has managed to recover Rs 1,214.83 crore from Oppo, Rs 168.25 crore from Vivo, and Rs 92.8 crore from Xiaomi.

The minister responded to a question about the number of Chinese handset companies involved in tax evasion and illegal remittances in India.

Chandrasekhar stated that the cumulative turnover of Chinese mobile handset companies in India for the year 2021-22 was estimated to be Rs 1.5 lakh crore, generating more than 75,000 direct employment opportunities in their manufacturing operations, along with around 80,000 sales and operational workforce.

He also said that primarily, these Chinese companies have set up their own manufacturing units.

“However, they work with contract manufacturers like Bharat FIH Limited and DBG Technology (India) Private Limited also which have also set up Electronics Manufacturing Services (EMS) operations in India. The distribution of mobile handsets is mainly handled by Indian companies.

“However, some of the Chinese companies like Oppo and Vivo have some Chinese distributors also,” Chandrasekhar said.

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Twitter staff trying to remove the older logo from their building get detained by the police

Twitter is undergoing a major rebranding exercise and will now be known as “X,” a decision that involves letting go of its iconic and highly valuable blue bird logo, and a brand name in favour of Elon Musk’s personal preference for something he finds cool. Interestingly, although Musk is not officially leading the company in its policies and only leads the technical aspects of it, it sure seems that behind the scenes, he is the one pulling the strings.

As part of the rebranding process, there was an attempt to remove the Twitter sign from its headquarters at 1355 Market Street in San Francisco, by some of the employees.

Welp, @twitter name so coming off the building right now but @elonmusk didn’t get permit for the equipment on the street so @SFPD is shutting it down. pic.twitter.com/CFpggWwhhf

— Wayne Sutton (@waynesutton) July 24, 2023

However, things took a dramatic turn when the police intervened, halted the sign removal shortly after it began, and had to detain a couple of employees for some time.

The exact reason for the police intervention wasn’t immediately clear. One observer, Wayne Sutton, initially tweeted that Musk didn’t obtain a permit for the crane used in the removal process, which might have triggered the police response.

Nevertheless, local police clarified that it was all a misunderstanding. Officers from Tenderloin Station responded to a report of a potential unpermitted street closure around 10th and Market Street at approximately 12:39 PM, local time. After investigating the situation, they concluded that no crime had been committed, and the incident was not within their jurisdiction.

As a result, the rebranding attempt continued, and the Twitter sign was eventually replaced with the new “X” branding, signifying the company’s shift to its new identity.

According to the police on the scene, it was revealed that someone from Twitter had a work order to remove the sign, but they failed to communicate this to the building’s security and property owner. As a consequence, the property manager upon seeing a crane brought to the facilities, alerted the police.

The crane that was initially used for the removal is no longer present near the premises, leaving some passersby to notice that the Twitter sign has now been replaced with the new branding, making the company now appear as “er” to them.

During the incident of removing the Twitter sign at its headquarters, some prominent letters, including a white “W,” were seen lying on the ground. Elon Musk had previously claimed that the white “W” was at the centre of a dispute with the landlord. It’s possible that this dispute was related to unpaid rent by Musk.

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