Tech

Facebook advertisers are panicking after iOS cuts off key tracking data

Enlarge Facebook’s ability to track users and show them certain ads appears to be tanking thanks to Apple’s “ask not to track” feature, according to some advertisers. Apple rolled out the privacy prompt in late April with iOS 14. 5. Since then, nearly half of all iOS devices worldwide have at least version 14. 5 […]

Tech

Facebook tries to beat FTC lawsuit by pushing Chair Lina Khan off the case

Enlarge / Lina Khan speaks to the Senate Commerce Committee on April 21, 2021, when her nomination to the FTC was being considered. (credit: Getty Images | Bloomberg) In an attempt to avoid government scrutiny, Facebook today petitioned the Federal Trade Commission to have Chair Lina Khan removed from the antitrust case against the social […]

Tech

Sweeping “Green Deal” promises to revamp EU economy, slash carbon pollution

Enlarge / Industrial climber Torsten Kuehne repairs a wind turbine about 60 meters high in Wulkow, Germany. (credit: Patrick Pleul/picture alliance ) The European Union today unveiled a dozen pieces of legislation that would overhaul the bloc’s economy in an effort to slash carbon emissions. The sweeping “ Green Deal ” proposal would cut carbon […]

Tech

How much do you pay your ISP? Consumer Reports wants to see your bill

Enlarge (credit: Getty Images | uba-foto) With broadband-industry lobby groups implausibly claiming that Internet providers have slashed their prices, Consumer Reports is on a mission to collect and analyze thousands of monthly Internet bills from real customers. In an announcement today, Consumer Reports said it launched the Broadband Together initiative with 40 other groups to […]

Tech

AT&T stops slowing down “unlimited” data—if you buy the most expensive plan

Enlarge (credit: Getty Images | Ronald Martinez ) On Monday, AT& T announced the end of data slowdowns for smartphone users who purchase “unlimited” data—but the perk is only for customers who buy AT& T’s most expensive mobile plan. AT& T will continue to sell two other “unlimited” plans that can be put into a […]

Tech

FCC speed standard that Ajit Pai never updated is too slow, GAO report says

Enlarge (credit: Getty Images | Kittichai Boonpong | EyeEm ) The Federal Communications Commission broadband standard that was implemented under then-Chairman Tom Wheeler in 2015 and never updated by Ajit Pai is now “likely too slow, ” according to a government report issued last week. The Wheeler-led FCC in January 2015 updated the agency’s broadband […]

Tech

$11 billion in 9 days—Texas’ natural gas sellers cashed in on deep freeze

Enlarge / A warning sign for an underground natural gas pipeline stands near Sunray, Texas. (credit: Angus Mordant/Bloomberg via Getty Images ) While Texans froze and natural gas-fired power plants tripped offline during a February cold snap, natural gas traders and pipeline companies made up to $11 billion in just nine days. The handsome profits […]

Tech

Biden urges FCC to undo Pai’s legacy—but it can’t until he picks a third Democrat

Enlarge / Then-Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission Ajit Pai testifies at a Senate Commerce Committee hearing on June 24, 2020 in Washington, DC. Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel, who is now the FCC’s acting chairwoman, looks on. (credit: Getty Images | Alex Wong) President Biden today urged the Federal Communications Commission to restore net neutrality rules […]

Tech

“Bad mergers” and noncompete clauses targeted in Biden executive order

Enlarge (credit: Getty Images | Bloomberg) President Joe Biden announced his anticipated executive order today, and it’s a sweeping document that seeks to counter rising corporate consolidation and foster greater competition in everything from labor markets to mergers, banking, healthcare, device repairs, transportation, broadband, and more. “For decades, corporate consolidation has been accelerating, ” the […]

Tech

GOP’s Big Tech plan ignores consumers, targets “censorship” of Republicans instead

Enlarge / The Republican Party elephant symbol at the Conservative Political Action Conference in National Harbor, Maryland, on Friday, Feb. 28, 2020. (credit: Getty Images | Bloomberg ) Congressional Republicans released an antitrust plan for Big Tech yesterday with an announcement that made it clear their focus is not on boosting competition or reducing harms […]