Russia Publishes List of Local Apps to Function During Internet Blackouts

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Russia’s Digital Development Ministry on Friday released a list of local apps and services that will remain operational during mobile internet shutdowns—blackouts authorities have often imposed to disrupt Ukrainian drone attacks.

The whitelist includes online government services, marketplaces, the Mir electronic payment system, and state-backed messenger MAX, but omits foreign rivals such as WhatsApp and YouTube, despite their massive popularity in Russia. According to Mediascope, WhatsApp had 97.6 million Russian users in July, making it the country’s most widely used app.

The ministry said a “special technical solution” would keep domestic apps running during shutdowns, claiming the move would minimize disruption for citizens while ensuring “security.” While Ukraine was not explicitly mentioned, governors in Russian border regions have repeatedly said temporary outages are needed to block drones from using mobile networks for navigation.

The decision also fits Moscow’s broader push since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine to expand control over its digital ecosystem and promote homegrown alternatives to foreign tech platforms. VK Group, the state-controlled tech company, has played a central role: its MAX messenger, now pre-installed on all phones sold in Russia, reported 30 million users this week, while its VK Messenger ranks third nationwide with 16.7 million users.

Meanwhile, Telegram, created by Russian-born Pavel Durov and used by 90.9 million Russians, was also excluded from the official list. Analysts see the move as a further attempt by the Kremlin to steer users toward domestically controlled services while sidelining foreign platforms that resist state oversight.

Qualcomm and BMW Unveil Automated Driving System With Hands-Free Features

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Qualcomm and BMW announced Friday the launch of Snapdragon Ride Pilot, a new automated driving system aimed at boosting competitiveness in the fast-growing driver-assistance market. The technology, debuting in BMW’s electric iX3, offers hands-free highway driving, automatic lane changes, and parking assistance.

While advanced, the system does not qualify as fully autonomous “Level 5” driving. The driver remains responsible for supervising the vehicle. Qualcomm said Ride Pilot has been validated in over 60 countries and will expand to more than 100 by 2026, giving it one of the broadest global footprints for such systems.

The collaboration underscores Qualcomm’s aggressive push beyond smartphones into automotive electronics. The company posted 21% growth in automotive revenue in the third quarter, reaching $984 million, and projects $8 billion annually by 2029.

Competition is intensifying, with Nvidia and Mobileye both pitching their platforms to automakers, while Tesla and General Motors continue developing proprietary driver-assistance stacks. By making Ride Pilot available not just to BMW but also to global automakers and Tier-1 suppliers, Qualcomm is positioning itself as a key supplier for the industry’s shift toward automation.

Broadcom Soars on $10B AI Chip Deal, Likely With OpenAI

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Broadcom shares surged 15% Friday after unveiling a $10 billion AI chip order from a new, unnamed customer—an announcement that cements its role as a key custom chip supplier in the race to expand generative AI infrastructure. The blockbuster order immediately sparked speculation that the buyer is OpenAI, with analysts at J.P. Morgan, Bernstein, and Morgan Stanley pointing to the timing and scale of the deal.

If confirmed, the partnership would mark OpenAI’s biggest move yet toward developing its own in-house processors, reducing reliance on Nvidia and AMD, whose stock prices dipped 2% and 5% respectively after Broadcom’s news. Reuters previously reported that OpenAI had been working with Broadcom on a custom chip project.

The deal highlights Big Tech’s broader trend of diversifying away from Nvidia’s costly, supply-constrained GPUs. Microsoft, Amazon, Google, and Meta are already designing their own silicon. Broadcom, which already supplies custom AI chips to Google and Meta, now appears positioned to capture even more of the rapidly expanding market.

The rally added more than $200 billion to Broadcom’s valuation, boosting its market cap above $1.44 trillion. Analysts now forecast Broadcom’s AI revenue could surpass $40 billion in fiscal 2026, far above last quarter’s $30 billion projection.

Adding to investor optimism, longtime CEO Hock Tan confirmed he would remain in charge for at least another five years. Under his leadership, Broadcom has transformed into a central player in the global AI supply chain.