antitrust House Antitrust Report Targets Big Tech Monopolies With Bold Reforms A new House Judiciary Committee report finds that Facebook, Google, Amazon, and Apple hold monopoly power that harms privacy and innovation. The document recommends interoperability requirements and stricter merger oversight as key solutions.
zoom Zoom Begins Phased Rollout of End-to-End Encryption for All Users Zoom launches the first phase of its end-to-end encryption rollout as a technical preview, making the security feature available to both free and paid users globally. The company requires free users to verify a phone number to access the feature and prevent abuse.
covid-19 US State Rollout of COVID-19 Exposure Notification Apps Remains Fragmented A new review explores the development and fragmented state-level deployment of Google and Apple's Exposure Notification system during the COVID-19 pandemic. The technology offers privacy-preserving contact tracing, but faces significant adoption hurdles across the United States.
apple Apple and Google Build Privacy-Focused Contact Tracing Framework Apple and Google develop a decentralized system using Bluetooth to help health authorities track COVID-19 exposure without compromising user privacy. The protocol operates at the operating system level for better background performance.
facebook Facebook Files Legal Challenge Against Irish Privacy Regulator Over Data Transfers Facebook initiates a lawsuit against the Irish Data Protection Commission regarding the ongoing dispute over transatlantic data transfers. The legal action highlights the growing tension between major tech firms and European privacy authorities.
facial recognition Portland Enacts Strictest Facial Recognition Ban in the Nation The Portland City Council unanimously passes sweeping prohibitions on facial recognition technology for both government and private entities in public spaces.
google Google Launches Verified Calls to Combat Spam on Android Google introduces a new Verified Calls feature for Android that displays a business name, logo, and call reason to help users avoid spam. The system verifies caller information in real-time and deletes private data shortly after the check.
facebook Facebook Expands Photo Transfer Tool With Dropbox and Koofr Support Facebook adds Dropbox and EU-based Koofr as new destination options for its encrypted photo and video transfer tool. The expansion stems from the Data Transfer Project and hints at more services and content types arriving soon.
tiktok Global Backlash Against TikTok Grows as Microsoft Offers US Acquisition Plan India and the United States are taking strong actions against TikTok due to national security and privacy concerns tied to its Chinese parent company, ByteDance. Major corporations like Wells Fargo and Amazon are also restricting the app on company devices.
android 11 Android 11 Final Beta Arrives Ahead of Official Consumer Launch Google releases Beta 3 as the final preview of Android 11, reaching platform stability so developers can complete their app testing. The update also includes a special privacy exception for COVID-19 Exposure Notification apps.
coronavirus Google and Apple Coronavirus Contact Tracing Apps See Slow Adoption The Google and Apple Exposure Notification system provides a privacy-focused framework for smartphone-based COVID-19 contact tracing, but public adoption remains sluggish. Health officials and tech advocates still consider the Bluetooth-based technology a crucial tool for pandemic response.
microsoft Microsoft Confirms TikTok Acquisition Talks Amid White House Pressure Microsoft officially confirms discussions to acquire TikTok's U.S. operations from Chinese parent company ByteDance. The tech giant aims to finalize a deal by September 15 following direct conversations between CEO Satya Nadella and President Trump.
microsoft Microsoft Faces Complex Hurdles in Race to Acquire TikTok Microsoft and ByteDance have a tight six-week deadline to finalize a deal for TikTok's operations in the U.S. and three other countries. The companies must navigate complicated technical, political, and privacy questions alongside a divided U.S. government.
microsoft Microsoft Pursues TikTok Acquisition After Trump Talks Microsoft confirms plans to explore a purchase of TikTok in the US and several other countries following direct talks with President Trump. The tech giant promises strict data security measures and aims to finalize negotiations by September 15.
tiktok Trump Vows to Ban TikTok as Microsoft Acquisition Talks Emerge President Trump announces plans to ban TikTok from the U.S. through executive action, rejecting a potential Microsoft acquisition of the app. TikTok pushes back by highlighting its U.S. job creation and data privacy measures.