Tech Digest: A Week of Surprises, Fines, Lawsuits, and Innovation - May 21st, 2023 Edition

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Get ready for a whirlwind week in tech! From surprising resurgences to massive fines, lawsuits, and AI impact, it's been an eventful time. Join our Weekly Recap for a concise summary of the biggest stories and developments in tech and current affairs. Stay informed with key highlights and noteworthy announcements in this comprehensive roundup.

 

China's Misinformation Crackdown

China's Cyberspace Administration (CAC) completed a two-month probe targeting social media activities, resulting in the deletion of over 1.4M posts and 67K accounts. The crackdown focused on issues like impersonation of government officials and spreading misinformation. The CAC's actions raise concerns about online integrity and freedom of expression.

YouTube bids farewell to Stories

YouTube is discontinuing its Stories feature, originally introduced in 2017, due to lackluster adoption. Users will no longer be able to upload new stories, and existing stories will expire after 7 days. YouTube shifts its focus to Community Posts and Shorts to provide alternative content options.
 

Sony announces Project Q handheld

Sony's President and CEO, Jim Ryan, confirmed the development of Project Q, a handheld streaming device for playing PS5 games remotely. Project Q features an 8-inch HD screen and integrates all the buttons and features of the Dual Sense Wireless Controller. It is a streaming-only device and requires game installation on a PS5 console. Additionally, Sony introduced PlayStation Earbuds for wireless lossless audio on PS5 and PC.

Netflix Password Sharing Crackdown Expanding to the United States

Netflix is implementing restrictions on password sharing to offset declining profits and growth. Members within the same household can still share the account and stream from any location. Non-household members must either purchase a separate membership or transfer their profile to a new Netflix account. Netflix is recommending users verify all devices and sign out of unfamiliar ones. The restrictions will also be expanded to markets including Canada, Europe, and the UK. The impact of this crackdown on password sharing and its effect on attracting new subscribers remains to be seen.

Microsoft Announces AI-focused Updates at BUILD 2023 Conference  

Microsoft's BUILD 2023 conference commenced with a keynote speech by Satya Nadella, highlighting the importance of artificial intelligence (AI). The conference unveiled five major announcements, including Bing integration into ChatGPT, introducing Copilot for Windows 11 as the AI assistant, the Copilot Stack for developers, Azure AI Studio for creating custom AI assistants, and Microsoft Fabric, a powerful tool for data analytics. These advancements demonstrate Microsoft's commitment to leveraging AI technology across various domains and empowering developers with innovative tools.
 

Microsoft Bing Surpasses Baidu to Become China's Leading Desktop Search Engine

In a surprising development, Microsoft's search engine, Bing, has overtaken Baidu as the leading desktop search engine in China. Recent data shows that Bing captured a market share of 37.4% in April 2023, marking a significant milestone in the search engine industry. Bing's success can be attributed to its deep integration with Microsoft products, including Windows, Office, and Xbox, as well as its utilization of advanced AI technologies such as the GPT-4 language model. While Google still maintains a smaller market share in China, Bing's rise showcases the dynamic nature of the search engine market and the potential impact of conversational AI on the search paradigm.

TikTok Files Lawsuit Against Montana's Ban Citing Unconstitutional Censorship

TikTok has filed a federal lawsuit against the state of Montana in response to a law that seeks to ban the app within the state's borders. TikTok argues that the ban infringes upon the right to free speech, violating the First Amendment and constituting unconstitutional censorship. The company refutes concerns about data access and harmful content and has collaborated with Oracle on a data-security initiative. While the Montana law has faced criticism and doubts about its feasibility, TikTok is determined to protect its business and the safety of its users.

Meta(Facebook) Fined €1.2 Billion by EU for GDPR Violations

Meta, the parent company of Facebook, has been hit with a record-breaking €1.2 billion ($1.3 billion) fine by the European Union for violating GDPR regulations. The fine was imposed following an investigation by the European Data Protection Board (EDPB), which found Meta's systematic, repetitive, and continuous transfer of personal data from European citizens to Facebook servers in the United States to be a serious infringement. The Data Protection Commission of Ireland initiated the probe, highlighting Meta's failure to implement adequate privacy safeguards. Meta intends to appeal against the decision while the EU sends a strong message about the importance of data privacy and compliance with regulations.

Apple's WWDC Rumors: Mixed Reality Headset, New MacBook Air, and Compliance with EU's Digital Markets Act

Apple's Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC) is generating significant anticipation as rumors swirl around potential announcements. Speculation is focused on Apple's entry into the mixed reality headset market, which could create a new revenue stream for the company. Another rumor suggests the launch of a new MacBook Air with a 15-inch screen. Additionally, Apple is rumored to take steps to comply with the European Union's Digital Markets Act (DMA) by opening its ecosystems. The WWDC keynote, scheduled for June 5th, will be a hybrid event with both in-person and online attendance. CEO Tim Cook and other executives will deliver prerecorded presentations, which will be available for streaming on Apple's YouTube channel and website.




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