Articles by Michael Liedtke

AP Technology Writer

Google to Pay $700 Million to US States, Consumers in App Store Settlement

Google has agreed to pay $700 million and make several other concessions to settle allegations that it had been stifling competition against its Android app store – the same issue that went to trial in another case that could result …

California Regulators Suspend Recently Approved Robotaxi Service for Safety Reasons

California regulators have revoked the license of a robotaxi service owned by General Motors after determining its driverless cars that recently began transporting passengers throughout San Francisco are a dangerous menace. The California Department of Motor Vehicles` indefinite suspension of …

Google’s Search Dominance Challenged in Biggest Antitrust Trial in Decades

Google has exploited its dominance of the internet search market to lock out competitors and smother innovation, the Department of Justice charged Tuesday at the opening of the biggest U.S. antitrust trial in a quarter century. “This case is about …

Two Rival Robotaxi Services OK’d to Operate Throughout San Francisco

California regulators approved an expansion that will allow two rival robotaxi services to operate throughout San Francisco at all hours, despite safety worries spurred by recurring problems with unexpected stops and other erratic behavior. The state’s Public Utilities Commission voted …

Two Rival Robotaxi Services OK’d to Operate Throughout San Francisco

California regulators approved an expansion that will allow two rival robotaxi services to operate throughout San Francisco at all hours, despite safety worries spurred by recurring problems with unexpected stops and other erratic behavior that resulted in unmanned vehicles blocking …

Jury Awards $3.2M to Ex-Tesla Worker in California for Racial Abuse Suit

A federal jury has awarded nearly $3.2 million in damages to a Black former worker at a Tesla factory in California that has been at the epicenter of racial discrimination allegations hanging over the automaker run by billionaire Elon Musk. …

California Utility’s Criminal Probation Ending Amid Ongoing Safety Worries

Pacific Gas & Electric is poised to emerge from five years of criminal probation, despite worries that nation’s largest utility remains too dangerous to trust after years of devastation from wildfires ignited by its outdated equipment and neglectful management. The …

Following Years of Deadly Wildfires, PG&E Again Vows to Do Better

The nation’s largest utility has long vowed to change its reckless ways, but year after year there’s more death and destruction from Northern California wildfires sparked by Pacific Gas & Electric’s equipment. CEO Patricia “Patti” Poppe, who took over in …

PG&E to Pay $150M for Botched Outages, California Wildfires

Pacific Gas & Electric is getting hit with a nearly $150 million bill for neglect that caused Northern California wildfires during the past two years and mismanagement of blackouts designed to prevent the utility’s crumbling power grid from causing more …

PG&E to Pay $43.4M in 3 California Counties Burned by Fraying Grid

Pacific Gas & Electric will pay $43.4 million to government agencies in three Northern California counties to cover bills left behind from wildfires ignited during the past two years by the beleaguered utility’s long-neglected power grid. The settlements announced Wednesday …