The CEOs of Facebook, Google, Amazon and Apple have defended their companies in front of a US Congressional committee considering how to adapt US antitrust laws for the digital age.

Jeff Bezos has set a new record for the world's richest person after shares of Amazon hit an all-time high last week, pushing the company's market capitalization to $1.54 trillion.⁣⁣⁣

Here is why you should pick up a copy of The Guardian on Saturday. Find these stories and much more when you grab a copy of The Guardian on the newsstands on Saturday. ⁣⁣⁣

As many countries roll out contact-tracing apps, we tell you why people are concerned about their medical data and what could happen if it got into the hands of big tech like Google and Amazon. Many citizens are now calling for a balance between privacy and public health.

Rights groups and researchers have long criticized Amazon's facial recognition software, saying it incorrectly identifies people with darker skin. The decision also came amid widespread anti-police brutality protests.

Amazon is one of the big winners of the coronavirus pandemic with a surge in people shopping online during lockdown.

Here is why you should pick up a copy of The Guardian on Monday Find these stories and much more when you grab a copy of The Guardian on the newsstands on Monday.⁣ ⁣

While the Bezos Earth Fund initiative was applauded by many, critics have questioned Amazon's support for oil and gas businesses. He is following a similar path to fellow moguls like Bill Gates and Warren Buffett.

Tech giants could face tougher penalties in the EU if they fail to adequately curb hate speech. The news comes ahead of expected proposals to curb the dominance of companies such as Facebook, Apple, Google, and Amazon.

Land conflict in Brazil's Amazon is coming to a head between indigenous peoples and land invaders who take their lead from the anti-environment rhetoric of ultra conservative President Jair Bolsonaro.

The fires in the Amazon have raised global concern, but above all they have drawn attention to deforestation in the world's largest tropical forest, where indigenous reserves, large landowners, illegal farmers and mining coexist under permanent tension. AFPTV looks back on the fires that have ravaged Amazon and Latin America.

Amazon says it added some 250,000 employees to handle operations for "record" holiday sales. The full and part-time seasonal employees were added in Amazon's "fulfillment network," the sprawling system of warehouses and delivery operations, according to the company, which now has a workforce of 750,000.