Maine passed the country’s second statewide ban on facial recognition. Though the law is the strictest of its kind, it won’t affect federal law enforcement currently using facial recognition to track and identify individuals across the country.
eToro eyes another quarter of strong user acquisition after a record Q1 thanks to sustained retail investing activity and its expensive US expansion—expect other US trading platforms to share similar record user growth in the coming months.
Zoom webinars no more: Three-quarters of brand marketers say they're back to in-person experiential marketing, but events are unlikely to look the same as they did in 2019 as more marketers embrace hybrid in-person and virtual models.
Shopify Unite: At its annual developers conference, Shopify unveiled a flurry of updates to its merchant platform, offering sellers more ways to customize their online storefronts. The ability to create unique brand experiences is a key differentiator between Shopify and Amazon.
Walmart gets in on loyalty: Its partnership with cash-back platform Ibotta is likely an attempt to keep customers shopping online so it can continue to grow its digital ad business.
Sellers have more freedom to customize their online stores with new design and payment tools, which can help Shopify maintain its seller base after the pandemic subsides and ecommerce growth normalizes.
NCR offers crypto trading to hundreds of banks: The banking services provider is teaming up with crypto custodian NYDIG to give trading capabilities to 650 US banks and credit unions, better arming smaller players against aspiring financial super apps like Venmo and Revolut.
Credit Sesame users can build credit with their debit cards: The company is enabling users of its Sesame Cash banking service to develop credit histories through debit transactions—as financial institutions look for ways to foster alternative credit data.
The US regional bank joins other incumbents that have recently added a feature which used to be a differentiator for neobanks—and broadens its safety net for customers in need of short-term financing.
Apple sold more than 100 million iPhone 12 models worldwide in the seven months since their launch. Increased consumer demand for 5G capabilities and aggressive promotions from carriers likely contributed to the sales boost.
The payfac model is a framework that allows merchant-facing companies to embed card payments into their software—which in turn enables their customers to process payments.
Livestreaming was an existing trend that gained newfound relevance during the pandemic. Over the past few months, nearly all of the major US social networks have expanded their services and introduced new livestreaming opportunities, many of which are aimed at boosting commerce on the platforms.
Why telemental health cos should start addressing social health factors like housing: As telehealth cos like Hims & Hers and AbleTo expand their virtual mental health offerings, we unpack why it may not be enough to capture consumers, and how addressing social factors can help them reel in engaged users.