Tech

Parler network founder claims GOP donor, others defamed him

The developer of the conservative social network Parler is alleging he was defamed and improperly ousted by a prominent Republican Party benefactor, two men who replaced him at the company and a political commentator known for his support for former President Donald Trump. John Matze said in a lawsuit he was fired for trying to […]

Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey sells NFT of first tweet for $2.9M

Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey has sold a digital version of his first tweet for more than $2.9 million more than two weeks after he announced a digital auction for the post. The tweet from March 2006, which says “just setting up my twttr,” was bought by Bridge Oracle CEO Sina Estavi, according to Valuables by […]

Report: Extremist groups thrive on Facebook despite bans

A new outside report found that Facebook has allowed groups — many tied to QAnon, boogaloo and militia movements — to glorify violence during the 2020 election and in the weeks leading up to the deadly riots on the U.S. Capitol in January. Avaaz, a nonprofit advocacy group that says it seeks to protect democracies […]

Japan spends billions on technology for absent Olympic fans

Japan’s top telecommunications company is getting 7.3 billion yen — about $67 million — in taxpayer money to design mobile tracking software to curb the spread of coronavirus infections during the Tokyo Olympics. There’s one catch: Few Olympic fans from abroad will be around to use it. Tokyo Olympic organizers and the IOC on Saturday […]

Facebook working on Instagram for kids under 13

Facebook says it is working on a version of its Instagram app for kids under 13, who are technically not allowed to use the app in its current form due to federal privacy regulations. The company confirmed an earlier report by Buzzfeed News on Friday, saying it is “exploring a parent-controlled experience” on Instagram. The […]

ByteDance acquires gaming studio Mooton, flaring up rivalry with Tencent

TikTok parent company ByteDance announced on Monday that its video games arm, Nuverse, has acquired China-based Mooton Technology, as the company looks to further expand within the gaming industry, Reuters reported. ByteDance’s desire to bolster its position within the video gaming industry, places it directly in competition with China’s largest social media and gaming company […]

AI robot vacuum slated for release this spring from Dreame Technology

Beijing-based Dreame Technology, a company specialized in smart home cleaning appliances, plans to launch this spring a new AI robot vacuum cleaner. The Dreame Bot L10 Pro will feature precise navigation, intelligent obstacle recognition and avoidance, as well as simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) for a three-dimensional environment, the company said in a statement. Company […]

China summons technology firms over voice software security

Chinese authorities summoned 11 companies including Alibaba and Tencent for talks regarding the security of voice software, as Beijing steps up scrutiny over the internet sector. The internet watchdog the Cyberspace Administration of China said Thursday that the talks were about security assessments of technology used in voice-based social media and deepfake technology that can […]

Stripe continues cash haul, now valued at $95 billion

The online payment company Stripe continues to attract investors, raising $600 million in funding to reach a whopping company valuation of $95 billion. Stripe is by far the most valuable private fintech company in the world. Robinhood, the trading platform recently making headlines, just raised $3 billion to reach a valuation of around $11.2 billion. […]

Google gets into sleep surveillance with new Nest Hub screen

Google’s next internet-connected home device will test whether consumers trust the company enough to let it snoop on their sleep. New sleep-sensing technology will be a key feature on Google’s latest version of its Nest Hub, a 7-inch smart screen unveiled Tuesday. Like the previous generation, the $100 Nest Hub can display pictures and video […]