The Guardian view on taxing tech: needed and fair | Editorial – If data is the new oil, the state must assert its right to raise revenue from it – and use it for the public good Philip Hammond’s decision, announced in Monday’s budget, to introduce a digital services tax is a brave and welcome […]

Hammond targets US tech giants with ‘digital services tax’ – Tax aimed at likes of Amazon and Google but OBR says it might raise just £30m from each The government has announced a special digital services tax on US technology firms – including Google, Facebook and Amazon – to make sure “these global giants with […]

From click to chic: Amazon trials real-world fashion boutique – The retailer has launched five clothing labels in a year and has ambitions to be a serious player in fashion Bright red lacy dresses, cosy coats and ripped jeans fill a chic central London boutique decorated with neon signage and stripped wood floors. Shoppers bustle […]

Amazon shares sink despite record profit of nearly $3bn – Company sees fourth quarter of profits greater than $1bn but revenue growth is lower than expected Amazon has announced a record profit for the last three months of close to $3bn. But the news on Thursday of a $1bn-a-month bonanza was not enough for Wall […]

Amazon opens pop-up fashion shop in central London – Baker Street store will sell own-label items and other brands during week-long trial Amazon has opened its first British fashion store, in the form of a central London pop-up where the retailer is seeking shoppers’ views on its clothing ranges, prices and store experience. The Baker […]

Facebook fake review factories uncovered by Which? investigation – Firms paying refunds to buyers who write five-star reviews on Amazon, consumer group says Fake review factories that run on Facebook and manufacture misleading five-star reviews that are then posted on Amazon have been uncovered by investigators from Which? The consumer group said two large Facebook […]

Amazon creates 600 technology jobs in Manchester – Online retailer to expand R&D operations in the city as well as in Edinburgh and Cambridge Amazon has said the UK will be “taking a leading role in global innovation” as it announced plans to hire 1,000 more technology, research and other skilled workers by next year. […]

Amazon launches water-resistant Kindle Paperwhite – Update of popular e-reader introduces thinner and lighter design, Bluetooth compatibility and audiobook support Amazon has launched a new version of its popular Kindle Paperwhite e-reader, which is thinner, lighter and now finally water resistant. The new 2018 Kindle Paperwhite is the second Amazon e-ink device to be given […]

Blockchain isn’t about democracy and decentralisation – it’s about greed | Nouriel Roubini – Cryptocurrencies such as bitcoin result in the concentration of wealth, not greater equality With the value of bitcoin having fallen by about 70% since its peak late last year, the mother of all bubbles has now gone bust. More generally, cryptocurrencies […]

The Guardian view on artificial intelligence: human learning | Editorial – Computers can’t be held responsible for anything. So their owners and programmers must be In a modern company like Amazon, almost all human activity is directed by computer programs. They not only monitor workers’ actions but are used to choose who should be employed. […]