Asian tech roundup: China has a ChatGPT rival

Plus: New sci-tech focus in China, and India's renewed importance at Apple

Welcome to Computing's fortnightly roundup of tech news in Asia. This time we look at China's data plans, Indian data breaches and Indonesian layoffs.

China

• Baidu has launched ERNIEbot, its ChatGPT rival. Executives admitted that the bot is still imperfect, but felt compelled to release it due to high demand. Source
• China is overhauling its state ministries to refocus on science and technology. The country appears to be trying to develop its homegrown semiconductor industry as US restrictions bite. Beijing has also announced plans to establish a National Data Bureau, to oversee and protect the reams of data it collects and holds. Source
• Dell plans to cut all Chinese components from its US-sold devices by 2027, according to a report from Taiwan's Commercial Times. Original source English source
• The Dutch government has announced plans to restrict semiconductor exports to China, echoing moves by the USA last year. The measures will come into force this summer, requiring companies to apply for licences to export their technology. Source

India

• Apple has promised to deepen its commitment to India, promoting Apple India MD Ashish Chowdhary to VP of India, Middle East, Mediterranean, East Europe and Africa. India will become its own sales region in Apple as a result, instead of being part of EMEA. Source
• Apple and Foxconn are among the companies that successfully lobbied to liberalise labour laws in the southern state of Karnataka last month, say sources. The state has passed an amendment allowing shifts of up to 12 hours, from nine previously, and easing rules on night-time work for women. From a previous cap of 72, overtime hours have been lifted to 145. Karnataka is a major Indian tech hub. Source
• HDB Financial Services, a non-bank lending unit of HDFC Bank, announced a data breach on the 6th March. The breach affected a service provider which processes customer information. The firm has not said how many customers are affected, or shared any details about the nature of the breach. Source
• Tata Technologies, a unit of carmaker Tata Motors, has filed for an IPO. The shares to be sold will be supplied by Tata Motors (currently holding a 74.69% stake in Tata Tech), Alpha TC Holdings and Tata Capital Growth Fund I. Source
• At-home salon platform Yes Madam has suffered a data breach, exposing details of both customers and workers. Data in the unsecured server included names, mobile numbers, mailing addresses and location data, as well as profile images for workers using the app. Security researcher Anurag Sen of CloudDefense.ai, who found the breach, said the database contained entries on more than 900,000 users. Source
• India is considering legislation to force smartphone makers to allow the removal of pre-installed apps, aka bloatware, and screen devices to ensure compliance. It is related to the government's concerns about spying and abuse of user data, especially around Chinese phones. Source

Other Asia

• E-commerce platform Shopee has laid off about 200 employees in Indonesia, citing operational efficiency improvements. Source
• Indonesia's largest tech firm, PT Goto Gojek Tokopedia, aka GoTo, has announced 600 job cuts, joining the 1,300 layoffs late last year. The company says the cuts are focused on efficiency. Source
• A rocket launch in Japan has failed because the vehicle's second stage engine failed to ignite. The Japanese Space Agency ordered the H3 rocket, built by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, to self-destruct. MHI has been developing the rocket for around 10 years. Source