An anonymous reader shares a report: When an ad runs on a YouTube video, the video creator generally keeps 55 percent of the ad revenue, with YouTube getting the other 45 percent. This system’s designed to compensate content creators for their work. But when those videos contain false information — say, about climate change — it’s essentially encouraging the creation of…
Tag: brands
What if Amazon’s Sellers Decided They Didn’t Need Amazon?
“Companies are finally getting really good at selling directly to consumers, forcing them to question Amazon’s value to them,” writes a columnist at the Motley Fool: Rather than one single powerhouse, the threat to Amazon comes in the form of hundreds of smaller e-commerce venues that can each take a tiny, collective stab at online shopping’s 800-pound gorilla. Within the past…
How Much Are Cars Spying On Their Owners?
“We’re at a turning point for driving surveillance,” reports the Washington Post (in an article shared by long-time Slashdot reader davidwr ). “In the 2020 model year, most new cars sold in the United States will come with built-in Internet connections, including 100 percent of Fords, GMs and BMWs and all but one model Toyota and Volkswagen.” Often included for free…
TiVo, Xperi to Merge in $3 Billion Entertainment Tech Deal
Xperi and TiVo said Thursday that they have entered a definitive agreement to combine in an all-stock entertainment technology deal with an enterprise value of approximately $3 billion. From a report: Xperi sells audio, imaging and computing technology products. TiVo had previously planned to split into two companies, one focused on products and the other on intellectual property. “The transaction creates…
Instagram, Facebook Bans Influencers From Getting Paid To Promote Vaping, Tobacco, and Weapons
An anonymous reader quotes a report from CNBC: Facebook and Instagram will no longer allow influencers to promote vaping, tobacco products or weapons on its platforms using “branded content.” Instagram announced Wednesday it would no longer allow “branded content” that promotes those goods on either platform. In June, Instagram introduced a change that would let advertisers promote posts from influencers, or…
Verizon Lays Off More Yahoo/AOL Employees
Verizon is laying off 150 U.S. staffers this week across multiple teams in the organization. CNN reports: Verizon Media employs around 10,500 people [across media brands that include Yahoo, AOL, TechCrunch and HuffPost], so these cuts will amount to 1.4% of its work force. It’s unclear which brands will be affected. In January, Verizon Media laid off roughly 800 employees, or…
Millions of SMS Text Messages Exposed In Unencrypted Database
“A massive database storing tens of millions of SMS text messages, most of which were sent by businesses to potential customers, has been found online,” reports TechCrunch. The database belongs to a company that works with over 990 cell phone operators and reaches more than 5 billion subscribers around the world, according to the researchers. TechCrunch writes:
The database is run by…
Taiwan Stops Selling Huawei Phones That Identify It as Part of China
Taiwan suspended sales of three Huawei smartphone models that identify Taiwan as part of China, striking a fresh blow in a long-running conflict over references to sovereignty. From a report: Phone carriers were ordered to stop offering Huawei’s P30, P3O Pro and Nova 5T models starting Thursday because their displays included the words “Taiwan, China” for time zones and contacts, said…
Next in Google’s Quest for Consumer Dominance — Banking
Google will soon offer checking accounts to consumers, becoming the latest Silicon Valley heavyweight to push into finance. The Wall Street Journal: The project, code-named Cache, is expected to launch next year with accounts run by Citigroup and a credit union at Stanford University, a tiny lender in Google’s backyard. Big tech companies see financial services as a way to get…
Google-Funded Library Programs Teaching Google-Provided Curricula
theodp writes: Q. What’s the difference between Andrew Carnegie and Google? A. Andrew Carnegie used his wealth to help build libraries, while Google’s using its wealth to get libraries to help build its brands. “In advance of Computer Science Education Week (CSEdWeek),” announced the American Library Association (ALA), “an annual event to get students excited about coding, ALA will be awarding…