Meta's Threat to European Users: A Warning Shot Across the Pond

In a move that has sent shockwaves throughout the continent, Meta, formerly known as Facebook, has issued a warning to Europe that it will pull its social platforms out of the EU if they are not allowed to continue storing vast troves of European user data on its US-based servers. The company's threat comes after a European Union court ruling stating that US data protection laws were not up to par with European standards. This decision was made by a regulator in Ireland, who deemed that the steps Facebook was taking to protect user data did not meet the required standards.

The potential fallout of this move is significant, as many Europeans rely on Instagram and Facebook for their online social interactions. However, it's unlikely that they will be too sad to see these platforms go, given the controversies surrounding Meta's handling of user data in the past. The company has been accused of prioritizing profits over users' privacy, and this latest move may be seen as a way to avoid accountability.

The EU's stance on data protection is increasingly stringent, and companies that do not comply risk facing fines or even being forced out of the market. This is a wake-up call for Meta, which has long been criticized for its lax approach to user data protection. The company's decision to store user data on US servers has raised concerns about the potential for data breaches and the exploitation of user information.

The implications of this move are far-reaching, and it will be interesting to see how European regulators respond. Will they stand firm against Meta's threat, or will they negotiate a compromise? One thing is certain: this latest development marks a significant shift in the global debate over data protection and corporate accountability.

The IRS Cancels Plan for Facial Recognition Tech

In a move that has been welcomed by many, the IRS has cancelled its plan to use facial recognition technology to verify citizens' identities when logging into the tax agency's website. The decision comes after members of both US political parties voiced their concerns about the system, which was called ID.me.

The system was designed to use facial recognition software to compare images of taxpayers with existing databases, but it has been met with widespread criticism. Many have argued that the technology is invasive and poses a significant risk to users' privacy. The IRS had planned to launch the system in 2022, but it appears that the project will not go ahead as planned.

The cancellation of the ID.me plan is a significant victory for advocates who have long been opposed to the use of facial recognition technology in public applications. It marks a shift away from the idea that government agencies need to use invasive technologies to verify citizens' identities, and towards a more nuanced approach that prioritizes user privacy and security.

The Future of Streaming Services: Meta's Plan B

In a move that has sent shockwaves through the tech industry, Meta has announced plans to allow other companies to use its streaming technology to offer their own services. The company's plan is for third-party developers to be able to stream games on consoles and PCs using Meta's infrastructure.

This move marks a significant shift in Meta's approach to streaming services. For years, the company has focused on developing its own streaming platform, but it appears that this strategy may not have been successful. By opening up its technology to other companies, Meta is hoping to create a more diverse range of streaming options for consumers.

The implications of this move are far-reaching, and it will be interesting to see how the tech industry responds. Will Sony and other major players join the fold, or will they stick to their own proprietary technologies? One thing is certain: this latest development marks a significant shift in the global debate over streaming services and corporate strategy.

Wi-Fi 6E Routers and Productivity

Despite the emergence of Wi-Fi 6E, which promises faster speeds and improved connectivity, many consumers are still struggling to get their hands on the technology. According to one analyst, this is due to a combination of chip shortages and supply chain issues that have made 6E routers and products hard to come by.

The lack of availability for 6E routers and products has led to a sense of FOMO (fear of missing out) among tech enthusiasts. Many are eager to get their hands on the latest Wi-Fi technology, but it seems that this will be a long-term goal rather than an immediate reality. The good news is that 6E devices are expected to become more widely available next year, and consumers will have plenty of options to choose from.

Nissan's EV Focus: A Shift Towards Sustainability

In a move that has been welcomed by environmentalists and investors alike, Nissan's European division has announced plans to focus on electric vehicles (EVs) after reviewing new European rules regarding car emissions. The company has decided that it would be too expensive to design a new lineup of internal combustion engines on the continent.

This decision marks a significant shift in Nissan's approach to sustainability. For years, the company has been criticized for its lack of investment in EV technology, but it appears that this is changing. By focusing on EVs, Nissan is signaling that it is committed to reducing its carbon footprint and contributing to a more sustainable future.

The implications of this move are far-reaching, and it will be interesting to see how the automotive industry responds. Will other companies follow suit, or will they stick to their traditional approaches? One thing is certain: this latest development marks a significant shift in the global debate over sustainability and corporate responsibility.

Ubisoft's NFT Experiment: A Virtual Hat

In a move that has been met with mixed reactions from gamers and fans alike, Ubisoft has announced plans to offer free virtual hats to its employees as part of an experiment with non-fungible tokens (NFTs). The company had previously faced criticism for its decision to get into the NFT market, but it appears that this latest move is a genuine attempt to engage with its community.

The virtual hat, which can be worn by Ubisoft employees in-game, is seen as a lighthearted way for the company to experiment with NFTs. However, some have argued that this is a PR stunt designed to avoid criticism rather than a genuine effort to understand the technology. Only time will tell whether Ubisoft's experiment will succeed, but it marks an interesting development in the ongoing debate over NFTs and their role in gaming.

A Little AR App: A Good Idea to End This Video

"WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: en- Sure, there is a wayto get your tech newswithout watching this showbut I wouldn't recommend it.I tried it.It's weird.Meh.The company formerly known as Facebook,Meta, has issued a warningto the continent of Europe,the whole thing, that it wouldpull its social platformsout of the EU if they're notallowed to continue storingvast troves of European userdata on its US-based servers.Oh my God, what a threat.No, Facebook, don't.(presenter chuckling)What will Europe do withoutInstagram and Facebook?More likely, they care about WhatsApp.Meta's threat comes after aEuropean Union court rulingstating that US data protection lawsweren't up to par with European standards,which led to a regulatorin Ireland decidingthat the steps Facebook was takingto protect the user data.(people in background laughing)This is turning into a weird accent.We're inadequate.Was it a password123 situation?We don't know.If that decision is upheldlater this year though,Facebook would be forcedto end data transfersfrom the EU to the US.So Europeans, you might be interfacingwith the last IG thirsttrap you'll ever see.(people in background chuckling)(presenter slurps)Enjoy it, thots.- Double tap, again.- Facialrecognition technology has beenstruck another blow in the US with the IRSannouncing the cancellationof a controversial planthat would've required citizensto verify their identityusing the tech when logginginto the tax agency's website.Ha, talk about dystopian.- Verify.(presenter chuckling)- I just wanna do my taxes, man.- Verify.- The walk back comesafter members of bothUS political parties,both, all two of them,voice their concernsto the head of the IRSabout the system called ID.me.It was concerning on a number of levelslike not only would taxpayersbe forced to upload imagesof themselves to a databasethat's already a huge target for hackersbut also it's the IRS.Everybody hates them andnow we're sending selfies.-They don't deserve that.- It's not right.And the US governmentsban on Huawei and ZTE Techcame back to bite them whenthe $1.9 billion set asideby the FCC to help payfor swapping equipmentwas dwarfed by the $5.6billion in requestssent in by carriers.You see, you're not buying themade in China stuff anymore.It's all real leather.- Ohhh.- But it's not like the FCCwas completely out to lunch.Originally, they thought itwould all cost $1.8 billion,but they upped it to$1.9 billion to be safe.- [Background AudienceMember] Perfect cover.Yeah, that's good.- FCC chairwoman, Jessica Rosenwartze,says they'll work with Congressto ensure there's enough funding availableto help everybody.It'll just involve printingsome extra money, is all.- Yeah!- No harm in that. Invest in bitcoin.-In places fun in the pool.- Now it's time for the quick bits,brought to you by JotForm,which helps you designprofessional looking formsfor your website or your businessor your business' website.Speed up and simplify your daily workby automating complex taskswith this wide variety offeatures and integrations.You can also securelycollect online paymentsand recurring subscriptions withover 30 payment gateway options.We use it here at LMG for our job postingsand it's actually helped makesorting all the applicationsa breeze.I really like it so sign up,down at the link belowand get started today,right now.- [Background AudienceMember] Let's do it!- JotForm.- [Background AudienceMember] Jot it down.- Many have tried to catch the quick bits,many have failed.No problem for us, though.- Ha!- This one right there.Although traditional new iPhoneseason isn't until the fall,Apple might just havesomething for you next monthif you're in the marketfor a lower cost deviceand who isn't in this economy?A new iPhone SE is set tobe announced early in March,featuring 5G support, a bettercamera, wireless charging,and even a top end A15 processor,making it the only iPhoneworth getting, in my opinion.Androids have the iMessage reactions now.- Ha ha!- We can do anything.- [Background AudienceMember] What do you want,a lightning connector?- You get a whole new textthat says so and so liked.It sucks.After gutting its Stadia games division,Google is advancing talkswith game developers,such as Capcom and Bunge,to license out Stadia's infrastructure.The idea is,we're giving up on this.(person in background laughing)- The idea is third party developers coulduse it to offer theirown streaming services.Looking at you, Sony, yours sucks.Or offer streaming gameson other platforms,such as consoles.The best part,they don't have to usethe Stadia name anywhere.- [Background AudienceMember] What is that?- You don't like that word?(presenter chuckles)Wi-Fi 6E routers and productshave been a little hard to come byand according to one analyst,that's never going to change.Although, 6E is the newest Wi-Fi standard.The first devices featuringWi-Fi 7 are set tostart coming out next year.And because of the chip shortagesand supply chain issuesaffecting 6E's availability,most consumers don't simply appear to carethat much about Wi-Fi 6Ebecause what is it?Use regular numbers.License plates are confusing.- Tech people could probably help a bit.- It's extra spectrum allocation actually,- Six extra- Six S it works for works for Apple.Nissan's Europeandivision will be focusingon EVs after reviewing new European rulesregarding car emissions anddeciding it would be tooexpensive to design a new lineupof internal combustionengines on the continent.However, this doesn't applyto the US where the rules are looserand demand for gas engines is still highespecially in pick em uptrucks, which isn't surprisingif you've ever sat through a blockof commercials during NFL game.- I have not done that.- Also, capitalism wins in the US.There's a lot of rich people in oil, so- It's a lot of electricity- And Ubisoft has heard the criticismsover its decision to getinto NFTs loud and clearand they're doing something about it.They're offering freeNFTs to their employees.You wish you worked there.Ubisoft's employees were no happier aboutthe company's decision than gamers were.So, the brass tried to change their mindsby giving them NFTs, a virtual hat,- Hey, free hat!- One virtual fedora per crew please.I'm gonna bet this willdo more to cause gripingat the water cooler than itwill to actually convince anyonethat NFTs are a good idea.- Put the hat on thewater cooler in the game,and then everyone's happy.- Yeah. A little AR appyou can look at the hatand it's a good idea to end this video,too much tech news can hurt the brain.Come back on Wednesday more tech news.Yep. Yep.\n"