Technology Report: Privacy groups ask regulators to halt Facebook's $19 billion WhatsApp deal

	Click to View in Browser 03/6/2014 Privacy groups ask regulators to halt Facebook's $19 billion WhatsApp deal SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Privacy advocates have asked U.S. regulators to halt Facebook Inc's $19 billion acquisition of messaging service WhatsApp until there is a clearer understanding of how the company intends to use the personal data of WhatsApp's 450 million users. Apple loses bid for U.S. ban on Samsung smartphone sales SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - A U.S. judge on Thursday rejected Apple's request for a permanent sales ban in the United States against some older Samsung smartphones, a key setback for the iPhone maker in its global patent battle. Icahn says fight for PayPal spinoff just getting started (Reuters) - Activist investor Carl Icahn told eBay Inc shareholders in a letter on Thursday he has "not yet begun to fight" to get the e-commerce company to spin off its PayPal payments unit. Disney overhauls troubled interactive unit, lays off 700 LOS ANGELES/SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Walt Disney overhauled its struggling interactive division in a sweeping reorganization that will reduce the number of video games it develops and alter its advertising strategy to focus more on the fast-changing mobile market. Growth in global tablet shipments to slow in 2014: research firm SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Tablet shipments will increase this year but at a much slower pace than in 2013 as consumers remain content with the devices they already own, market research firm IDC said on Thursday. Head of Sony's North American PlayStation business to step down SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Sony Corp said on Thursday that the chief executive and president of its North American videogame operations, Jack Tretton, who has played a crucial role in increasing its PlayStation business, will step down at the end of March. China needs to curb risks posed by booming online finance: former ICBC president BEIJING (Reuters) - China needs to regulate booming online financial services firms to curb the risks they pose to the wider financial sector, the former president of Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, Yang Kaisheng, said on Thursday. High-speed trader Infinium Capital winds down: president CHICAGO (Reuters) - High-speed trader Infinium Capital Management has stopped trading and is working to wind down the company after struggling with financial problems, President Mark Palchak told Reuters on Thursday. Bouygues bids for Vivendi's SFR to create telecoms powerhouse PARIS (Reuters) - French conglomerate Bouygues has made an offer for the telecoms arm of Vivendi that would give the seller a bigger potential payday than a rival bid but take longer to arrive and face more regulatory risk. Brazil looks to boost revenue, ease rules in 4G auction: source BRASILIA (Reuters) - Brazil is considering ways to push up the cost of wireless broadcast permits in exchange for accepting worse coverage, a government source told Reuters on Thursday, highlighting the tradeoffs that may be required to hit a tough fiscal target. Related Video 'Eco' coal pellets to help Poland cut emissions Researchers cure diabetes in mice Mediafile A daily digest of breaking business news, coverage of the US economy, major corporate news and the financial markets. Register Today   The latest Reuters articles on M&A, IPOs, private equity, hedge funds and regulatory updates delivered to your inbox each day. Register Today   » MORE NEWSLETTERS - 3 Times Square New York, NY 10036 USA © Copyright 2010 Thomson Reuters Ensure delivery of Reuters Newsmails, add mail@nl.reuters.com to your address book. Details Subscribe to other Reuters newsletters. Unsubscribe from this newsletter. Follow us on Twitter Friend us on Facebook Forward to a friend