Facebook and Google allegedly cut a deal that reduced ad competition

Posted on 17/01/2021 by Engadget

The antitrust cases against Facebook and Google might have some additional fuel. The New York Times says it has obtained documents from Texas’ antitrust lawsuit elaborating on a “sweetheart deal” (first mentioned by the Wall Street Journal) Google ga...

Facebook temporarily bans ads for gun accessories and military gear

Posted on 16/01/2021 by Engadget

Facebook is continuing its crackdown on potential domestic terrorism at President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration. The social network told BuzzFeed News that it was temporarily banning US ads for gun accessories and military gear, such as holsters and...

Watch the ‘Ratatouille’ TikTok musical encore at 8PM Eastern

Posted on 10/01/2021 by Engadget

The Ratatouille TikTok musical was enough of a hit that it’s coming back. The Verge notes that TikTok is hosting a second showing of the actor- and fan-driven performance tonight (January 10th) at 8PM Eastern. You won’t have to buy tickets, but you’l...

Senator asks social networks, carriers to preserve evidence from Capitol riot

Posted on 09/01/2021 by Engadget

Tech companies are under pressure to support officials investigating the Capitol Hill riot. Senator Mark Warner of Virginia has sent letters to eleven tech companies urging them to preserve evidence linked to the mob that invaded the House and Senate...

Google experiments with surfacing TikTok and Instagram videos in search

Posted on 30/12/2020 by Engadget

It might soon be easier to track down a favorite social video without launching the relevant app. TechCrunch has confirmed reports from Brian Freiesleben, Search Engine Roundtable and others that Google is testing a search feature that highlights cli...

Facebook is winding down some of its Irish tax havens

Posted on 27/12/2020 by Engadget

Facebook is closing some of the companies that were key to its Irish tax havens. The Sunday Times and The Guardian report that Facebook is winding down three Ireland holding companies and moving their intellectual property to the US, increasing the c...

Facebook reportedly offered to help create rivals to avoid antitrust lawsuits

Posted on 22/12/2020 by Engadget

Facebook was reportedly willing to go to great lengths to avoid antitrust lawsuits. Washington Post sources claim the company offered to license its code to others, helping them create rival social networks. This would have underscored Facebook’s “co...

Prosecutors say Trump’s Twitter was ‘hacked’ through simple password guess

Posted on 17/12/2020 by Engadget

The White House has denied that Donald Trump’s Twitter account was compromised on October 16th, but Dutch prosecutors have told a different story. The Guardian and the Washington Post report that the Netherlands’ public prosecutor’s office has determ...