European Union antitrust regulator reportedly preparing formal investigation into Google's online advertising business by end of year
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Regulator ‘Deeply Concerned’ Over Live Facial Recognition
Information Commissioner concerned that live facial recognition could be linked to social media to create 'supercharged CCTV'
Facebook Begins Testing Ads In Oculus VR Games
Facebook is to begin testing advertisements in its Oculus virtual reality games, as it seeks to create a 'self-sustaining platform' for VR development
UK Watchdog Agrees ‘Oversight’ On Google’s Cookie Removal
Unhappy advertiser complaint sees CMA taking a key oversight role over Google’s planned removal of third-party cookies (i.e. its Privacy Sandbox project)
Apple FaceTime To Open Up To Android, Windows Users
Apple WWDC announcement reveals Android and Windows users will be able to join FaceTime calls in the Autumn, but only via a browser
Google To Pay £189m, And Change Advertising Businesses
Landmark settlement. Google to pay 220m euros (£189m) in order to settle French antitrust charges, and agrees to make changes
Facebook Faces UK, European Antitrust Probes
Double whammy. The United Kingdom and European Commission have launched two seperate, but formal antitrust investigations of Facebook
Amazon Buys James Bond Studio MGM For $8.5bn
Significant development in the streaming war, as Amazon purchases veteran film studio MGM for $8.45 billion
Twitter Paid Service ‘Twitter Blue’ To Cost $2.99
Monthly subscription costing $2.99 will give Twitter users advanced features, including an 'undo' option and 'collection' facility for tweets
Most Users Opt Out Of iOS App Tracking – Flurry Analytics
Expected blow for advertising industry, as new figures show a clear majority of people refuse to allow iOS apps to gather tracking data
German Regulator Orders Facebook To Stop Using WhatsApp Data
Three month data collection ban. Facebook has been banned by regulator from processing the personal data from German WhatsApp users
Verizon Sells Internet Icons AOL, Yahoo
Expensive ownership of Internet icons AOL and Yahoo comes to an end, after Verizon announces sale to private equity group
Apple iOS Update With Tracking Consent Prompts Mixed Reaction
Apple's release of its iOS 14.5 update this week requires app developers to ask user permission to track their activity online
Snapchat Owner ‘Explored Ways’ Of Violating Apple’s Privacy Rules
Snap, owner of Snapchat, admits it conducted tests into tech that could bypass Apple's privacy controls to track iPhone users
CMA Deepens Probe Of Facebook Giphy Deal, After No Concessions
Facebook refuses to offer any antitrust concessions over Giphy acquisition, prompting in-depth probe by UK competition watchdog
Facebook Lifts Ban On Political Advertising In US
Social network is to resume political, electoral and social issue adverts in the United States, after temp ban for November election
Twitter Confirms ‘Super Follow’ Option, For Paid Content
Money maker. Super follow feature coming soon on Twitter, will allow users to receive tips or digital payments from followers
Google Has Not Updated Its iOS Apps For Two Months
No update for Google's iOS apps including Chrome, Photos, YouTube etc, after Apple insists on privacy 'nutrient label' requirement
Australia To Introduce Publisher Payment Bill Next Week
Facebook called it 'bad legislation' and Google says it is 'unworkable', and threatened to pull out, as Australia gears up to vote on new bill
Twitter Mulls Digital Payment Option For Users
Monetising option. Jack Dorsey reveals Twitter exploring ways to allow users to receive tips or digital payments from followers
More Privacy Safeguards Needed – EU Watchdog
Privacy watchdog EDPS backs European Commission's DMA and DSA draft rules on tech firms, but suggests more safeguards are needed
Popular Barcode Scanner App Transforms Into Adware
Malwarebytes issues warning, after update to a popular barcode scanning app on Google Play, transforms it into adware pusher
Twitter Develops Subscription Fee To Lessen Ad Reliance
Micro-blogging platform Twitter is developing a subscription product, in an effort to lessen dependence on advertising revenues
Google Launches ‘News Showcase’ Scheme In Australia
Service launched down under in bid to neutralise Australian government effort to force firms to pay local content publishers
Alphabet Posts Record Growth During Pandemic
What pandemic? Strong performance in advertising sales and cloud business drives profits and revenues at Google parent Alphabet
Facebook App Pop-up To Explain Benefits Of Data Collection
Response to Apple privacy rule. Facebook testing new pop-up alert for iPhone apps, explaining benefits of data collection
Facebook To Reduce Political Content After Posting Healthy Profit
Mark Zuckerberg admits platform is looking at ways to reduce political content in news feeds, after it posts billion dollar profits
Google Updates Plan To End Cookies In Chrome Browser
Look ma, no cookies. Google says it has made progress in effort to remove third-party cookies from its Chrome web browser
Google Warns It May Withdraw Search Engine From Australia
Nuclear option. Google executive warns it will withdraw search engine from Australia due to 'unworkable' publisher payments law
Google Seeks To Move ‘Meritless’ Collusion Lawsuit To California
Lawsuit by US states filed in Texas, alleging Google collusion with Facebook, should be heard in California instead says Google