california California Mandates Statewide Stay-At-Home Order to Combat COVID-19 California Governor Gavin Newsom issues a mandatory statewide shelter-in-place order requiring residents to stay home to slow the spread of the coronavirus. Essential businesses like grocery stores and pharmacies remain open, while dine-in restaurants and entertainment venues close indefinitely.
netflix Netflix Lowers Streaming Quality in Europe to Prevent Internet Overload Netflix reduces bitrates across European networks to keep the internet running smoothly as coronavirus lockdowns drive a massive surge in home usage.
uber Uber Stock Surges 38% as CEO Claims Worst of Pandemic Impact Has Passed Uber shares skyrocket after CEO Dara Khosrowshahi assures investors the company has enough cash to survive the crisis and points to growing food delivery demand.
coronavirus US Government Taps Smartphone Location Data to Track Coronavirus Spread Federal officials work with mobile advertising firms to analyze anonymous location data, aiming to monitor public movements and slow the pandemic.
facebook Facebook Commits $100 Million to Support Small Businesses During Pandemic Facebook launches a $100 million grant program to assist 30,000 small businesses impacted by the COVID-19 crisis. The tech giant also expands its efforts to curb misinformation and supports various global relief funds.
apple Apple Closes All US Retail Stores Indefinitely Amid Coronavirus Pandemic Apple extends its retail shutdown by closing all US stores until further notice to slow the coronavirus spread. Customers can still purchase products and request repairs online or by phone.
facebook Facebook Pledges $100 Million to Aid Small Businesses During Pandemic Facebook launches a $100 million relief program offering cash grants and ad credits to 30,000 eligible small businesses globally. The initiative aims to help companies cover operational costs and keep workers on payroll amid the coronavirus outbreak.
covid-19 First U.S. Coronavirus Case Confirmed in Washington State Health officials confirm the first known case of COVID-19 in the United States on January 20, 2020. The patient, a Washington state resident, recently returns from travel around Wuhan, China.
covid-19 Six Bay Area Counties Issue Sweeping Shelter-In-Place Order Through April 7 Six Bay Area counties mandate residents to stay home except for essential needs to curb the spread of COVID-19. The strict order impacts over 6.7 million people and remains in effect until at least April 7.
covid-19 Sudden Remote Work Shift Raises Major Security Challenges for Unprepared Firms As the COVID-19 pandemic forces a sudden transition to remote work, many organizations struggle to equip employees and maintain cybersecurity. While tech giants adapt easily, smaller companies and schools face significant hurdles in this rapid workplace exodus.
apple Major Tech Firms Send Bay Area and Seattle Workers Home Over Coronavirus Apple, Facebook, Amazon, and Google instruct employees in the Bay Area and Seattle to work remotely as coronavirus cases rise. The companies prioritize health and safety by canceling business travel and deep cleaning facilities.
fact check Trump Misleads Public on Scope of Google Coronavirus Screening Site President Trump and health officials misleadingly suggest Google is building a nationwide coronavirus screening website, when the project actually belongs to a sister company and is limited to the San Francisco Bay Area.
apple Apple Commits $15 Million to Global COVID-19 Response, Closes Stores Apple is donating $15 million to help treat the sick and mitigate the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The company is also closing all retail stores outside of Greater China until late March to maximize social distance.
facebook Facebook and Instagram Direct Over a Billion Users to Authoritative COVID-19 Facts Facebook aggressively combats COVID-19 misinformation by directing over a billion people to authoritative health resources across its apps. The company provides free ads to the WHO and launches new fact-checking tools on WhatsApp.
apple Apple Launches COVID-19 Screening Tool and Website With CDC Guidance Apple releases a new COVID-19 app and website developed in partnership with the CDC, the White House Coronavirus Task Force, and FEMA to provide trusted health guidance. The tools offer an interactive screening questionnaire and essential resources to help US users navigate the pandemic.