FTC
Amazon to Pay $2.5 billion to Settle FTC Allegations it Duped Customers
Amazon settled with the FTC after being accused of tricking customers into Prime memberships and making them hard to cancel.
Associated Press
The Associated Press is a not-for-profit news agency based in New York City. Established in 1846, it is one of the world’s leading news agencies. It has earned more than 50 Pulitzer Prizes.
Social Media
Chair of House China Committee Demands Urgent White House Briefing on TikTok Deal
The request by John Moolenaar, Chairman of Select Committee on the Chinese Community Party, comes after Trump signed an executive order supporting the arrangement.
Social Media
Framework Deal on TikTok Reached Between U.S. and China: Sec. Bessent
Bessent says the objective of the deal would be to switch to U.S. ownership; Trump and Xi to speak Friday, possibly to finalize the deal.
Social Media
FTC Launches Inquiry Into AI Chatbots Acting as Companions and Their Effects on Children
The FTC said Thursday it sent letters to tech companies to understand what steps companies have taken to evaluate the safety of their chatbots when acting as companions.
Mid East
Commercial Shipping Likely Cut Red Sea Cables That Disrupted Internet Access, Experts Say
10 nations, including India and the UAE, affected by the need to re-route internet traffic after an undersea cable cut.
Supreme Court
Chief Justice Lets Trump Remove Members of Federal Trade Commission For Now
Chief Justice John Roberts let President Trump remove an FTC commissioner, hinting at fewer limits on presidential power.
AI
AI Shakes up the Call Center Industry, But Some Tasks Are Still Better Left to Humans
While AI can handle routine tasks, it struggles with more intricate issues. Relying solely on AI can save money, but hurt customer satisfaction.
Mid East
Undersea Cables Cut in the Red Sea, Disrupting Internet Access in Asia and the Mideast
Microsoft said the Middle East may face increased latency. NetBlocks reported degraded connectivity in countries like India and Pakistan.
Antitrust
Google Avoids Breakup in Search Monopoly Case
But U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta ordered other changes in landmark ruling Tuesday.
China
China's Xi Seeks Expanded Role for Shanghai Cooperation Organization at Tianjin Summit
Xi proposed opening China’s BeiDou satellite system, an alternative to the GPS system controlled by the U.S., to 27 member and partner states.
AI
The Success of AI Music Creators Sparks Debate on the Future of the Music Industry
Some artists oppose AI, while others, such as will.i.am, Timbaland, and Imogen Heap have embraced the technology.
AI
AI Apocalypse? Why The Language Surrounding Tech is Sounding Increasingly Religious
Powerful AI could pose existential risks to humanity, even as tech leaders describe it in religious terms of salvation and apocalypse.
Free Speech
Online Age Checks Are Proliferating in Australia, EU, Mississippi and Elsewhere
For example, beginning Friday, Bluesky will no longer be available in Mississippi
Crypto
Trump Family Empire Expands with Crypto.com Partnership
Trump Media is teaming up with Crypto.com to launch a new $1 billion digital asset, deepening the president ventures into cryptocurrency.
AI
Melania Trump Invites K-12 Students to Nationwide AI Challenge Contest
First Lady Melania Trump launched a nationwide contest inviting K-12 students to use artificial intelligence to tackle community challenges.
Study Says AI Chatbots Inconsistent in Handling Suicide-Related Queries
A new study found popular AI chatbots avoid the highest-risk suicide questions but give inconsistent responses to less direct prompts.
