Today’s highlights include a 14-hour global outage at Ingram Micro disrupting services, Meta and Google advancing privacy-based age verification in Europe, and Microsoft’s plan to remove PowerShell 2.0 from Windows 11. Additionally, the EU moves forward with AI regulations, and TSMC delays its Japan chip plant to bolster U.S. expansion efforts.
▶️ Internet Infrastructure
Ingram Micro’s 14-Hour Global Outage Disrupts Services and Customer Access
Ingram Micro’s global outage lasting over 14 hours disrupted customer orders and services due to unspecified technical issues, with no official communication; staff in Bulgaria were sent home, and customer systems remain inaccessible.
- Ingram Micro experienced a 14-hour+ global outage beginning around 2000 UTC on July 3, 2025, affecting websites and client portals.
- Outages are attributed to “technical difficulties,” with no immediate communication from Ingram Micro.
- Managed service providers reported inability to manage customer services, place orders for critical licenses, and access partner portals; staff in Bulgaria were sent home amid system shutdowns.
Meta and Google Advance Privacy-Based Age Verification to Meet EU Regulations
Meta supports a European “digital majority age” with parental approval, while Google open sourced ZKP tech to enable privacy-preserving age verification, aiding EU digital identity initiatives.
- Meta supports a “digital majority age” requiring parental approval for teens’ social media use, aligning with France’s 2023 law and Macron’s 2024 call for Europe.
- Meta’s principles include parental approval for app downloads under 16, cross-platform consistency, and robust age verification at app store or OS level.
- Google open sourced Zero-Knowledge Proof (ZKP) libraries on GitHub to enable privacy-preserving age verification, supporting Meta’s age assurance goals.
- Google integrated ZKP into its Wallet product in April 2025, allowing users to prove age over 18 without sharing personal data, based on Ligero’s protocol.
- The EU encourages ZKP use in its upcoming Digital Identity Wallet, which could facilitate age verification across member states.
- Both companies face regulatory pressure in Europe over children’s exposure to harmful content, influencing their development of age verification technologies.
▶️ Open Source
Google Releases Open Source Zero-Knowledge Proof Libraries for Privacy-First Digital ID
Google open sourced its ZKP libraries (GitHub) on July 3, 2025, to facilitate privacy-enhancing digital ID solutions, supporting EU age assurance and the European Digital Identity Wallet.
- Google open sourced Zero-Knowledge Proof (ZKP) libraries on July 3, 2025, via GitHub
- The ZKP libraries support privacy-preserving verification, enabling users to prove statements (e.g., age over 18) without sharing additional data
- The release builds on a partnership with Sparkasse to support EU age assurance and aligns with EU eIDAS Regulation effective in 2026
Soham Criticizes Startup for Copying and Re-licensing Open-Source Code
Soham accuses a startup of copying open-source code, re-licensing it under Apache License, and falsely claiming it as a new product, raising concerns about open-source ethics and investor integrity.
- Soham publicly criticizes a startup for allegedly copying open-source code, re-licensing it under Apache License, and claiming it as a new product within four days.
- The startup open-sourced a project called Glass, which is a direct copy of the open-source project Cheating Daddy, with minimal modifications.
- Soham highlights the unethical practice of stealing open-source code and questions the integrity of the investment from Y Combinator and Garry Tan.
▶️ Software Development
Microsoft to Remove PowerShell 2.0 from Windows 11 in Future Updates
Microsoft is removing PowerShell 2.0 from Windows 11, ending its deprecated status since 2017, with future updates expected to eliminate it from Windows and possibly Windows Server.
- Microsoft announced the deprecation and removal of PowerShell 2.0 from Windows 11 via a Windows Insider update
- PowerShell 2.0 was first included in Windows 7 and shipped to Windows Server 2008, Vista, XP; deprecated in 2017
- PowerShell 2.0 remains in Windows 10 and Windows Server 2016, but will be removed in future updates; Microsoft has not specified a timeline for server OS removal
▶️ Management and Leadership
EY’s 2025 AI Strategy Focuses on Seamless Human-Enhanced Enterprise Applications
EY’s AI integration efforts in 2025 focus on AI-enabled enterprise applications that augment human decision-making, emphasizing role-specific interfaces and minimal up-skilling.
- Jason Noel is EY’s CTO for its Americas Consulting division, focusing on AI integration strategies in 2025.
- EY emphasizes developing AI-powered enterprise applications that present role-specific insights and enable human validation.
- The firm is piloting AI-driven systems, such as predictive recommendations for operational adjustments, exemplified by cruise ship guest experience management.
- EY advocates for minimal up-skilling, suggesting employees only need to interact with user-friendly interfaces rather than understand AI technology.
- The approach involves rethinking job functions to enhance efficiency and value, integrating AI seamlessly into workflows without extensive workforce training.
Engineer Worked 140 Hours Weekly Across Multiple Startups Amid Overemployment Controversy
Soham Parekh, an engineer working 140 hours weekly across multiple startups, admitted to overemployment due to financial hardship, leading to multiple hires and dismissals amid industry debate.
- Soham Parekh confirmed working simultaneously for multiple AI startups, including interviews and employment at companies like Digger, Leaping AI, Synthesia, and Antimetal.
- Founders reported hiring Parekh before discovering he was overemployed; he was fired from several for underperformance or background check issues.
- Parekh worked an estimated 140 hours per week, citing financial hardship; he did not use AI or team support to manage workload.
House Approves Major Tax Overhaul with Bonus Depreciation and Energy Credits Changes
The July 3, 2025, House passage of the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” restores full bonus depreciation, terminates IRA green energy credits, and introduces new incentives, significantly impacting tax planning and investment strategies.
- The House approved the Senate’s version of the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” (OBBBA) on July 3, 2025, marking a major overhaul of federal tax policy.
- Restores 100% bonus depreciation for assets placed in service after January 19, 2025, and extends immediate expensing for U.S.-based R&D costs under new Section 174A.
- Terminates numerous IRA green energy incentives, including 179D, 45L, and electric vehicle credits, with 179D ending for properties after June 30, 2026, and 45L for units leased after June 30, 2026.
- Projects relying on Section 48/45 ITC and PTC must begin construction within 12 months; credits for projects after December 31, 2027, are eliminated.
- Increases Section 179 expensing cap to $2.5 million, with a phase-out threshold of $4 million; preserves SALT workarounds and raises SALT deduction cap to $40,000, phased out above $500,000 AGI.
- Eliminates Section 899 retaliatory tax, modifies interest deduction rules under Section 163(j), tightens international tax provisions, and enhances LIHTC allocations.
- Introduces new middle-class deductions for overtime, car loans, and tips, with many provisions effective immediately or retroactively from 2025.
Meta Backs EU Digital Age Proposals for Parental Consent and Age Verification
Meta supports EU-wide digital majority age proposals, advocating for parental approval, device-based age verification, and broad application across online services to enhance teen online safety.
- Meta supports EU proposals for a common digital majority age requiring parental consent for minors to access social media and digital services.
- The proposals include integrating age verification and parental control systems across devices and platforms.
- Meta emphasizes age verification at the app store or operating system level and opposes government bans that limit parental authority.
Microsoft cuts 9,000+ jobs including Xbox projects amid ongoing cost concerns
Microsoft’s latest layoffs over 9,000 staff, including Xbox teams, sparked internal and external criticism; no official connection to AI, but concerns over ongoing cost-cutting and AI funding persist.
- Microsoft conducted a new round of layoffs exceeding 9,000 employees, with no official link to AI initiatives
- Former Microsoft staffer Ned Pyle reacted with “jfc again?” on social media
- Microsoft’s Xbox division cut 10% of staff, canceled projects like Perfect Dark and Everwild, and faced staff fears over job security
Kawasaki and Foxconn Prepare to Launch Nurabot Robot to Address Nurse Shortages
Kawasaki and Foxconn will sell Nurabot in 2026, a robot with dual arms, self-propelling features, and hospital task functions, designed to mitigate nurse shortages and improve healthcare efficiency.
- Kawasaki and Foxconn jointly developed Nurabot, a robotic nursing assistant, expected to be commercially available in 2026
- Nurabot is based on Kawasaki’s “Nyokkey” social robot, featuring two arms, a luggage compartment, self-propulsion, and capabilities to transport samples, guide patients, and educate on hygiene
- Trials conducted at Taiwan’s Taichung Veterans General Hospital; aims to address Taiwan’s nurse shortages and support healthcare services
Single Keypress Fix Saves Critical Presentation
A tech support worker used a single keypress (FN+F3) to fix a laptop display issue during a crucial presentation, demonstrating how simple technical solutions can resolve high-pressure failures.
- An IT support technician used a single keypress (FN+F3) to resolve a laptop display issue during a critical meeting.
- The problem involved the laptop’s video output being disabled until the key combination was pressed, which was common with VGA connectors of that era.
- The incident highlighted how a simple keyboard shortcut fixed a high-stakes presentation failure, exposing managerial overconfidence and technical oversight.
Windows 11 Surpasses Windows 10 in Market Share Ahead of Support End
Windows 11 overtook Windows 10 in market share (50.24% vs. 46.84%) as of July 2025, driven by enterprise upgrades ahead of Windows 10 support ending October 14, 2025.
- Windows 11 market share reached 50.24% in July 2025, surpassing Windows 10 at 46.84%, according to StatCounter
- Windows 10’s share declined from 66.04% a year prior; Windows 11’s share increased from 29.75%
- Support for Windows 10 ends on October 14, 2025; enterprise migration is driven by end-of-support and enterprise planning
TSMC Delays Japan Chip Plant to Focus on U.S. Expansion Amid Trade Tensions
TSMC is delaying its Japan chip plant to accelerate U.S. expansion investments, including Arizona, to mitigate risks from potential Trump administration tariffs and trade policy shifts.
- TSMC delays Japan chip plant construction to prioritize U.S. expansion amid potential Trump tariffs
- Funds are being redirected from Japan to U.S. investments, including Arizona facilities
- The schedule change reflects how U.S.-China trade tensions influence global semiconductor investment strategies
▶️ Technology
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman Criticizes Democrats and Embraces Techno-Capitalism
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman announced he is “politically homeless,” criticizing Democrats’ shift away from supporting innovation and endorsing “techno-capitalism,” amid debates on wealth inequality and billionaires.
- OpenAI CEO Sam Altman stated he is “politically homeless,” criticizing Democrats for abandoning support for innovation and entrepreneurship.
- Altman expressed support for “techno-capitalism,” advocating for wealth creation and redistribution to raise both the ceiling and the floor.
- His comments were in response to NYC mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, who recently said billionaires should not exist, citing inequality concerns.
EU to Finalize AI Regulations by 2025 with Focus on Transparency and Risk Management
EU Commission plans to implement AI regulations by 2025, emphasizing transparency, risk management, and human oversight for high-risk AI systems, including biometric and critical infrastructure applications.
- EU Commission confirms AI regulation will proceed without delay, aiming for adoption by 2025
- Draft legislation includes requirements for transparency, risk assessment, and human oversight
- Proposed rules target high-risk AI systems, including biometric identification and critical infrastructure