Hulu prioritizes brand relationships over politics: Streamers aren’t bound by the same regulations as linear TV, which allows them to shirk political ads.
Big Tech bands together in New Zealand: Several platforms signed a pact to self-regulate harmful content in the middle of a government review.
EU tightens grip on Big Tech: Consumers will get sweeping data protection and sovereignty, while tech monoliths could be fined or banned unless they adhere to regulations.
100 companies face coronavirus restrictions in China: The Chinese economy is in peril as it scrambles ramp up production of key exports like iPhones and computers in the face of COVID-19 spikes.
Big Tech is lobbying antitrust with big dollars: The biggest technology monoliths collectively spent twice as much as big pharma in lobbying and could gain the upper hand as Congress heads into fall recess
Focusing on TikTok: As the social video platform cuts jobs around the world and deals with the departure of its chief security officer and accusations of data harvesting, we weigh in on what’s next.
FCC needs $3B more to ditch Huawei, ZTE networks: The “rip and replace” initiative is short on funds. Prolonged pushback on reimbursements could result in a dodgy patchwork of suboptimal equipment.
The global effects of China’s economic slump: The world’s factory has been forced to cut down production for months. Tight government regulation has made investors cautious.
The scale of Big Tech’s lobbying efforts: Sides lobbying for and against Big Tech regulation are intensifying their efforts before the Senate’s recess. Companies like Amazon are backing groups to stall regulation.
Chip fab plans are up in the air: Intel, TSMC, and others could pause US chip expansion plans while the $52 billion United States Innovation and Compatition Act languishes.
Social issues can pose opportunities and hurdles for marketers: Brands must exercise care when taking a stand on social issues, recognizing that insincerity can alienate consumers.
Twitter’s value topples: Elon Musk withdraws from the $43.4B deal and causes a $2.5B drop in Twitter’s market value. A lawsuit could produce a range of possible outcomes for both parties.
Activision-Blizzard acquisition rocked by UK antitrust probe: A prolonged investigation could have wide implications as regulators study whether the deal will lead to higher prices, lower quality, and fewer consumer options.
Money, expertise needed to keep pace with cyber threats: Investments in cybersecurity are expected to ramp up to meet surging malware and ransomware attacks—but short-staffed security firms could struggle to keep up.
Repairability could be a key smartphone feature: Google and Apple now allow users to fix flagship phones. This is a huge advantage over competitors that focus on deals for new phones.
Big Tech post-Roe: As tech giants like Google respond to abortion rights loss, they face a quagmire of choices about strengthening digital privacy, censorship, and where to do business.
Tech’s labor tug of war: Big Tech is raising pay and discouraging union efforts, but an increasing number of workers are banking on unions to give them a voice in negotiating working conditions and benefits.
Microsoft dials down facial-analysis AI: The technology can infer people’s emotional state, gender, and other attributes, but the algorithm’s inherent bias makes it prone to inaccuracies that could lead to misuse.
Retailers call for stricter measures to prevent marketplaces from selling stolen goods: Critics say Amazon, Facebook, and eBay lack adequate protections to prevent fraud.
Google feels pressure from the EU’s antitrust streak: The company promised to negotiate to pay publishers who appear in search results after a hefty fine.