- Ireland's Data Protection Commissioner confirms deletion of Facebook facial recognition data in the EU Both the Irish Data Protection Commissioner (DPC) and the Hamburg Commissioner for Data Protection and Freedom of Information in Germany have independently confirmed today that all Facebook facial recognition data of European Union citizens has been deleted by the social network.
- Google Shopping will begin paid-for transition this February Google Shopping is beginning its transition to a commercial model in the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Japan, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Brazil, Australia, and Switzerland next month - a transition that was completed in the United States in October 2012 - meaning that, for the first time, merchants in said 10 countries must pay to have their products listed on Google Shopping.
- German watchdog says new Google Maps app breaches data protection law Google's recently released Google Maps app for iOS may be in breach of European data protection law, according to a German data protection firm.
- Twitter partners with satellite providers to ensure continued flow of tweets Twitter has partnered with two of the world's largest satellite communications providers, Iridium and Thuraya, allowing subscribers of both services access to Twitter SMS.
- Cost of Facebook advertising on the rise The cost of advertising on Facebook is rising, with the average cost per click increasing as much as 45% in the fourth quarter of 2011, according to a report from Facebook advertising technology firm TBG Digital.
- iTunes Match now available in Ireland, Germany, United Kingdom and others A little over one month since launching initially in the United States, and Brazil a few days ago, iTunes Match is now available in a number of new countries, including Australia, Canada, Germany, Ireland, Mexico, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and possibly unconfirmed others.
- Google improves Maps for the UK, Germany, Finland and Sweden Google has today announced improved Maps for the United Kingdom, Germany, Finland and Sweden, including improved water bodies and local park coverage.
- iPhone 4S pre-orders go live in 22 additional countries, including Ireland The iPhone 4S is now available to pre-order in 22 additional countries, including Ireland, ahead of its second-phase launch on October 28th.
- German satellite ROSAT will fall to earth this weekend Here we go again. An out of service German satellite is hurtling towards Earth and may re-enter its atmosphere this weekend, according to the German Aerospace Centre. Last month small pieces of NASA's Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite (UARS) crash-landed somewhere in the Pacific Ocean.
- Apple to announce budget iPhone 4 and new iPhone 4S tomorrow, but no iPhone 5? With a little over 24 hours until Apple CEO Tim Cook showcases the next iPhone, evidence is gathering that the rumoured teardrop-shaped iPhone 5 will not make its debut. Instead, a budget iPhone 4 and new iPhone 4S models will be announced for immediate or near-immediate release, with the iPhone 5 now expected to launch at a later date.