Canada Proposes Social Media Ban for Users Under 16, Bluesky is Launching Reddit-Style Communities, and ShinyHunters Claimed Responsibility for Hacking Oracle PeopleSoft Servers at Over 100 Organizations.
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Show Notes
Xbox Plans Major Restructuring and Layoffs
New Xbox CEO Asha Sharma is initiating a major restructuring of the gaming division to address declining revenue, which includes impending job cuts and significant budget reductions following the company’s fiscal year close on June 30. Since taking the role in February, Sharma has emphasized the need to “reset the business,” noting that the unit’s profit, or “accountability margin,” has dropped to 3%.
Read More: Bloomberg
Canada Proposes Social Media Ban for Children Under 16
Canada is proposing a social media ban for children under 16, a move that follows similar legislation in Australia but allows tech companies to avoid the ban if they can prove they have policies to minimize harm to minors. The proposed law, which includes regulations for AI chatbots and “harmful content,” would establish a regulator to ensure compliance, though some groups express concern over potential censorship. This initiative comes ahead of the G7 summit in France, where leaders are expected to discuss online safety for children.
Read More: BBC News
Bluesky to Launch Communities This Year
Bluesky’s head of product, Alex Benzer, has announced that the decentralized social network is launching “Communities” this year, allowing users to create or join smaller, interest-based spaces similar to Reddit. These communities will feature custom URLs and landing pages, with the potential for owners to add personalized tools and apps via the AT protocol. While users will be able to opt into notifications and potentially see community posts in their feeds, further details and development research are ongoing, as Bluesky looks to compete with similar features introduced by Meta’s Threads.
Read More: Engadget
ShinyHunters Claims Oracle PeopleSoft Breaches
The cybercrime group ShinyHunters has claimed responsibility for hacking Oracle PeopleSoft servers at over 100 organizations, predominantly universities, compromising sensitive student and administrative data like home addresses and birth dates. Known for exploiting popular software to execute mass attacks, the group targeted these entities while simultaneously attempting—and failing—to breach FBI servers to deflect accusations regarding recent swatting incidents.
Read More: TechCrunch
Former Fitbit Executive Launches UV-Tracking Necklace
The90, founded by former Fitbit veteran Stacy Salvi, has introduced ‘The Gem,’ a smart pendant necklace that monitors real-time UVA and UVB exposure. The wearable syncs with a companion app to generate a personalized skin profile, offering actionable insights such as sunscreen reminders and customized UV exposure windows. Positioned as a new category of wearable, the device is currently available for an introductory price of $200, eventually retailing at $300.
Read More: Engadget
DoorDash Launches AI Shopping Assistant
DoorDash Inc. has debuted a new AI-powered chatbot designed to streamline the ordering process for both restaurant meals and groceries, while hinting at the technology’s potential to generate fresh enterprise revenue. Accessed through a dedicated “Ask” button within the app’s search interface, the Ask DoorDash feature allows for interaction via voice, text, or visual cues. Beyond just providing answers, the tool integrates interactive buttons that enable shoppers to immediately populate their carts with recommended items.
Read More: Bloomberg
Former xAI Engineer Files Grok Safety Lawsuit
Devin Kim, a former engineer at xAI, has filed a lawsuit against the company and its parent, SpaceX, alleging he was fired in retaliation for repeatedly raising concerns about the safety, potential bias, and discriminatory nature of xAI’s chatbot, Grok. The lawsuit claims that Kim’s former supervisor, xAI co-founder Jimmy Ba, disregarded directives from Elon Musk to implement proper safety and testing protocols in favor of prioritizing rapid development and superintelligence. Kim, who is now the president of the Center for AI Safety, alleges that Ba sought to silence his warnings about unlawful development practices and the risks posed by unvetted models.
Read More: TechCrunch
YouTube Expands In-App Messaging
YouTube is rolling out a new in-app messaging feature across the US, UK, Brazil, and Singapore, allowing users aged 18 and older to connect over videos, Shorts, and livestreams through 1:1 conversations. This system, which requires users to invite contacts via a third-party link valid for seven days, is designed to facilitate private sharing among known connections rather than the broader audience. While users can unsend messages, block others, and report content, the platform enforces strict adherence to Community Guidelines across all interactions.
Read More: 9to5Google
OpenAI Considers AI Price Cuts Amid Anthropic Competition
OpenAI is considering significant price cuts for its AI token services to stay competitive with Anthropic, as both companies ramp up rivalry ahead of their respective IPO filings with the SEC. Following ChatGPT’s record-breaking milestone of reaching 1 billion monthly users, this potential pricing strategy aims to maintain market leadership despite Anthropic’s recent valuation edge.
Read More: CNBC
Cash App Launches Mobile Phone Service
Cash App has launched “Cash App Mobile,” an AT&T-based MVNO service powered by Gigs that offers an unlimited 5G data plan for $40 per month. Designed to integrate with the broader Cash App ecosystem, including the “Green” rewards program and “Families” account management tools, the service aims to provide a flexible, all-in-one financial experience for users. The offering includes unlimited data, talk, and text, as well as a 10GB monthly hotspot, and is currently rolling out to select users with plans for broader availability.
Read More: The Verge
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