Ottawa Blocks Executive Appointment at Chinese-Owned Laser Company in Quebec on Security Grounds

theepochtimes.com Aug 19, 2026

Ottawa Blocks Executive Appointment at Chinese-Owned Laser Company in Quebec on Security Grounds

Curated by Shubham · TechCapsules · Aug 19, 2026

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

Ottawa has blocked the appointment of Xiaokai “Denver” Zeng to the board of CorActive High Tech Inc., a Quebec laser firm owned by China’s Han’s Laser Technology Industry Group, citing security concerns that sensitive technology could be diverted to foreign militaries. The decision follows the 2017 acquisition of CorActive by Han’s Laser, which was subject to federal security conditions allowing Ottawa to approve non‑Canadian board members. CorActive sued, arguing the block is “substantively unreasonable” and seeks judicial review. The company also challenges the renewal of its 2017 security conditions in a separate court case.

💡 Why It Matters

· The ruling underscores Canada’s tightening scrutiny of foreign control over critical technology, potentially reshaping investment flows in high‑tech sectors.

Capsules Policies

Read full article on theepochtimes.com

Germany BESS market in strong position but policy questions on grid fees,…

Germany’s grid‑scale battery market remains robust, with projects growing in size and duration and new revenue streams emerging. Experts Anselm Eicke and Philipp Hesel highlighted that batteries currently profit from day‑ahead market spreads, while future gains could come from dynamic grid fees and a forthcoming capacity market. Policy uncertainties persist over flexible connection agreements, network charges, and the implementation of dynamic grid fees, which BNetzA has slated for 2032 but may face opposition. The first German capacity‑market auction, scheduled for next month, is unlikely to include batteries in its initial 9 GW tenders, though a 2 GW duration‑agnostic round next year may open the door for storage assets.

💡 The debate over dynamic grid fees and capacity‑market inclusion will shape the profitability of Germany’s expanding battery sector, determining whether storage can compete with traditional gas plants in the country’s critical reliability market.

businessworld.in · Aug 19

Meta Rejects Claims It Sought To Hook Children As Landmark US Trial…

Meta Platforms denied allegations that it engineered Facebook and Instagram to addict children as a landmark trial launched by 29 U.S. states commenced on Tuesday. The bipartisan coalition, led by California, Colorado, Kentucky and New Jersey, seeks civil penalties and sweeping reforms, claiming damages could near $200 billion—about three years of Meta’s after‑tax profit. Prosecutors argue the platforms were designed to maximize youth engagement while obscuring mental‑health risks such as anxiety and depression, and that Meta violated federal law by mishandling children’s personal data. Meta’s counsel acknowledged some users experience harm but contested any proven causal link to adolescent well‑being. The eight‑person jury will deliver an advisory verdict, after which Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers will decide liability and potential remedies, including removing likes, curbing infinite scroll and imposing stricter age‑gate protections.

💡 A liability finding could force the tech giant to redesign core features, setting a precedent that reshapes how social media platforms engage minors nationwide.

ww2.kqed.org · Aug 19

‘Meta Hooked Kids’: Federal Trial Against Tech Giant Kicks Off in Oakland

A federal trial began Tuesday in Oakland, with California spearheading a coalition of states accusing Meta Platforms of deliberately concealing internal research that showed its social‑media products foster addiction among minors. Prosecutors argue Meta designed its apps to keep children engaged, despite evidence of harmful and even traumatic experiences. Meta’s lead counsel, Paul Schmidt, acknowledged that some teens struggle with time management on the platforms but denied any intent to hide findings. The lawsuit seeks up to $1.4 trillion in damages—approximately Meta’s market value—and demands sweeping reforms to the company’s youth‑targeted features. The case marks the most expansive state‑led effort to hold a tech giant accountable for alleged child‑harm practices.

💡 A verdict could force the world’s largest social‑media firm to overhaul its products for minors, setting a legal precedent for how tech companies disclose and act on internal safety research.

androidheadlines.com · Aug 19

Apple Pushes Back Hard on DOJ’s Latest Move in Antitrust Case

A federal judge upheld a discovery order granting Apple access to internal documents from 14 federal agencies, a decision the Department of Justice (DOJ) now seeks to reverse. Apple has dismissed the DOJ’s motion as a “rehash that fails at every level,” arguing the agency’s evidence is insufficient to prove monopoly power in its App Store. The case remains part of a broader antitrust lawsuit alleging Apple’s restrictive practices. A special master will decide whether to maintain the original ruling or side with the DOJ, marking the latest procedural battle.

💡 The outcome will shape how much evidence the DOJ can compel from Apple, influencing the strength of its antitrust claims and setting a precedent for future tech‑industry investigations.

business-standard.com · Aug 19

Meta ‘more cautious’ on child abuse matters after strong govt message

The Indian IT Ministry told Meta that child sexual abuse material (CSAM) is a clear violation of Indian law and cannot be shielded by safe‑harbour provisions. Following the ministry’s firm warning, Meta officials said the company has become “more cautious” and is tightening safeguards, with no CSAM content resurfacing on its platforms since the discussion. Ministry sources described the response as “important and significant,” noting that Meta’s algorithms and moderation processes are being reviewed and adjusted. The government emphasized that its aim is compliance with domestic statutes, not censorship, and warned that violations of Section 67 of the IT Act could lead to prosecution. Parallel inquiries are also under way into WhatsApp usernames and broader algorithmic bias concerns.

💡 Meta’s heightened vigilance signals that India will enforce its legal standards on global platforms, forcing tech firms to prioritize local compliance over generic safe‑harbour defenses.

forbes.com · Aug 19

‘Most American’ Robot Doesn’t Yet Pass FCC 65% Made-In-America Rules

Matic, a home‑robot vacuum that responds to voice and gesture commands in more than 70 languages, processes wake words and visual data locally before sending anonymized queries to Google Gemini for interpretation. Marketed as the “most American” robot, it is designed and assembled in California but falls short of the Federal Communications Commission’s new rule that classifies “advanced robotic devices” as foreign unless at least 65 % of their content is domestically sourced. The FCC’s regulation, driven by national‑security concerns, bans such foreign‑linked robots from U.S. markets unless they meet the domestic‑content threshold. Matic’s latest software update, dubbed “Matic Cues,” adds new capabilities, yet the company must redesign hardware components to achieve compliance and avoid a sales ban.

💡 Failure to meet the 65 % rule could force Matic off U.S. shelves, testing the viability of domestically branded robotics amid tightening security‑driven standards.