Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger steps down, company struggling to compete in chip market
From Nasdaq: 2024-12-05 14:56:00
Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger steps down after disappointing run. Focus on GPUs and foundry investment highlighted. Fastly to face fewer rivals in content delivery network market. Podcast discusses surveillance capitalism model and data privacy concerns. Motley Fool offers “Double Down” stock recommendations for potential high returns. Intel’s struggle to compete in chip market under Gelsinger’s leadership. Revenue breakdown shows client computing group dominance. Intel is struggling to diversify revenue and keep up with competitors Nvidia and AMD in the data center market. Under CEO Gelsinger, revenue and gross profit have declined, with the foundry business becoming a major focus. Gelsinger’s successor will need to focus on improving product designs and investing in areas like GPUs to stay competitive in the industry. The x86 architecture remains key for Intel’s future success. Intel is doubling down on its foundry business, planning to make it an independent subsidiary to compete in chip manufacturing. Despite not having many customers yet, they are investing heavily in advanced manufacturing processes. Fastly’s stock rose over 20% after competitor Edgio filed for bankruptcy, leaving them and Akamai as main players in content delivery networks. The market shrink may lead to increased pricing power for Fastly. Akamai secured some Edgio contracts and patents, making them a stronger competitor. A network design shift towards placing equipment at the fastest peering points is being considered as a more efficient strategy. Akamai’s initial focus was on providing streamed movies by storing copies close to users for faster access. The tech industry is watching Intel’s foundry business closely for potential value.
Cybersecurity consultant Dave Hatter raises concerns about Big Tech’s data harvesting practices. A bug in Google’s Pixel 9 phone has been discovered, continuously sending personal data to Google endpoints without user consent. The issue lies in users not fully understanding or consenting to how their data is collected and utilized by companies.
Hatter emphasizes the lack of informed consent by users regarding data collection and monetization practices by tech companies. The downstream impacts of data misuse, such as being denied credit or job opportunities based on unseen algorithms, are worrisome. Transparency and understanding of data usage are crucial as technology becomes more integrated into daily life. Dave Hatter emphasizes the importance of understanding the data collection practices of major companies like Google and Meta, highlighting the trade-off between free services and data collection. He notes that companies like Apple and Microsoft have different business models, primarily focusing on selling hardware and software rather than relying on data collection for revenue. Apple is seen as more privacy-friendly due to its business model.
Ricky Mulvey and Dave Hatter discuss the transparency of data collection practices by tech companies like Google and Meta, emphasizing the need for consumers to be aware of the trade-offs involved in using free services. Hatter mentions that Apple and Microsoft, while also collecting data, have different business models that are not solely reliant on data collection for revenue. The discussion also touches on data brokers like Experian, which track and sell consumer data to various entities. Data brokers are selling personal information obtained from background checks to companies like National Public Data and MC squared. This sensitive data includes places lived, worked, and family members. This information is valuable to advertisers but also to bad actors who can use it for identity theft or phishing scams. Concerns arise about what happens to this data if companies go out of business, leaving a patchwork of regulations and penalties across states.
The lack of a national privacy law allows data brokers to freely buy, sell, and transfer personal data between companies without clear guidelines on usage or protection. This data, including DNA from companies like 23andMe, can be misused or incorrectly shared, leading to potential penalties for individuals based on inaccurate information. The vast amount of detailed information collected, from Google Maps to personal histories, poses risks of misuse and privacy violations.
This conversation with Dave Hatter highlights the complexities of data privacy and security, shedding light on the challenges individuals face in protecting their personal information. The discussion underscores the need for stronger regulations and enforcement to safeguard data from exploitation and misuse by data brokers and other entities. Stay tuned for the second part of this conversation later this week for more insights and recommendations on managing your data privacy. 1. The stock market reached record highs today, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average closing at 32,000 points. Investors are optimistic about the economic recovery, fueled by stimulus measures and vaccination efforts. Tech stocks also saw gains, with Apple and Amazon leading the way.
2. In other news, a new study found that wearing two masks can significantly reduce the spread of COVID-19. Researchers at the University of California, Davis discovered that double masking can block up to 90% of respiratory droplets. Health officials are now recommending the practice to further protect against the virus.
3. On the political front, President Biden signed a $1.9 trillion stimulus package into law, providing much-needed relief to Americans struggling during the pandemic. The bill includes $1,400 stimulus checks, extended unemployment benefits, and funding for vaccine distribution. Democrats are hailing it as a major victory for the country.
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