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| Here's a look at today's tech briefing: - Apple to allow app downloads directly from developer websites in the EU.
- Google restricts chatbot from answering election questions.
- Code suggests TikTok is developing a new photo-sharing app.
- Appeals court upholds Texas pornography age verification law.
Beth
p/beth-duckett | |
| 1 | | Apple will soon let European users download certain apps directly from developer websites, bypassing the App Store. Apple announced the changes to comply with an EU law forcing it to open up parts of its closed ecosystem. More: - The new iOS web distribution option will launch via a software update "later this spring."
- In EU countries, Apple will allow some developers to distribute iOS apps directly from their own websites, as long as they meet certain criteria.
- The apps can only be installed from websites that developers have registered in App Store Connect.
- To qualify, developers must opt in to new App Store regulations, which require them to pay a fee for each user download once certain thresholds are reached.
- They also need to be Apple Developer Program members with good standing for at least two years, with an app that had 1 million+ installs on iOS in the EU in the prior year.
Zoom out: - The changes are a part of Apple's plan to comply with the Digital Markets Act (DMA), an EU law designed to promote fair and open digital markets.
- Under the DMA, Apple has to open up its iOS ecosystem to third-party app stores.
- For example, Apple rival Epic Games plans to launch a competing app store on iPhones in the EU.
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| 2 | | Google has started restricting its Gemini chatbot from answering election-related questions in the U.S. and India. Google says it's making the move "out of an abundance of caution on such an important topic." The restrictions will also extend to other countries with upcoming elections. More: - Gemini users asking election-related questions will receive the response, "I'm still learning how to answer this question. In the meantime, try Google Search."
- In a blog post, Google said it takes its responsibility to provide "high-quality information" for election queries "seriously," adding that it is "continuously working to improve our protections."
- TechCrunch found Gemini can still be manipulated to respond to election queries with typos.
Zoom out: - A rise in AI-generated content online has heightened concerns about election misinformation as voters in over 60 countries head to the polls this year.
- Just over half of Americans think AI-spread misinformation will impact who wins the 2024 presidential election, according to an Axios-Morning Consult poll.
- Trump supporters (47%) were nearly twice as concerned about AI eroding their trust in election results as Biden supporters (27%). Overall, 35% believed AI would lower their trust in election advertising.
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| 3 | | AssembleDebug, a developer with a history of accurate leaks, uncovered code suggesting TikTok is developing a new photo-sharing app to rival Instagram. According to the code, the new "TikTok Photos" platform will launch "soon," alllowing users to sync their existing photos on TikTok to the new app. More: - AssembleDebug found the strings of code in TikTok app 33.8.4., the latest version of the Android app.
- The text reads: "TikTok Photos will be launched soon, we hope to help you gain new audiences in the new app."
- It also says, "If the switch is on, we'll sync your public photos to the new app, whether you close the pop-up or not."
- Other text strings show options like "Open TikTok Photos," "Your post has been shared to TikTok Photos," and "Reach other like-minded people who enjoy photo posts."
- AssmbleDebug also uncovered what could be the new TikTok Photos logo, which looks like a red "P" with a cyan mark next to it.
Zoom out: - The potential app comes as Congress moves forward with a bill to force TikTok's parent company to sell the video-sharing platform or face a ban.
- The House is set to vote as early as Wednesday on the measure that President Joe Biden has said he would sign.
- Whether TikTok Photos could bypass any potential ban remains uncertain.
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| 4 | | Texas can continue to enforce a law requiring adult websites to verify the age of their users, a federal appeals court has ruled. The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals overturns a lower court's injunction blocking the law, though the injunction was put on hold until the new ruling. Background: - Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, a Republican, signed the bill into law last summer.
- It requires online publishers with at least a third of content deemed "sexual material harmful to minors" to verify user age through government ID or transactional data.
- Shortly after, adult industry group Free Speech Coalition filed a lawsuit challenging the law.
- After the injunction to block it was put on hold, Texas started enforcing the law in November.
New ruling: - In its 2-1 decision, the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals found the law doesn't violate the First Amendment.
- The ruling states that Texas's stricter age verification falls within the state's "legitimate interest in preventing minors' access to pornography."
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| 5 | | Gaming industry veterans have launched Emptyvessel, a AAA indie studio developing a dystopian sci-fi shooter game. The Austin-based studio has hired former developers from Naughty Dog, Id Software, and Activision, with experience in titles like "Doom," "Quake," "Call of Duty," and "Borderlands." More: - The studio is led by CEO/game director Emanuel Palalic and COO/GM Garrett Young, who both previously worked at "Doom" maker Id Software.
- Emptyvessel describes itself as a "developer-founded, developer-first studio" that "aims to break from the traditional business models."
- Its first project is a shooter game, powered by Unreal Engine 5, that takes inspiration from dystopian sci-fi films, graphic novels, and games.
- The studio has already secured an undisclosed amount of seed funding in a round led by Sisu Game Ventures, with participation from Raptor Group, Bill Munk, and Dan Bunting.
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| 6 | | Elon Musk announced that his startup, xAI, will make its AI model Grok open-source this week. The move comes after Musk sued OpenAI for allegedly prioritizing profits over its original mission to offer its technology for free to the public. More: - xAI released Grok, its first product, in November.
- The chatbot, to which paid X users have early access, is designed to provide witty and occasionally rebellious answers to questions.
- Musk did not specify which parts of Grok he plans to make open-source.
- In a response to the news, an X user said OpenAI "should do the same," referring to open-sourcing its technology, to which Musk replied, "OpenAI is a lie."
Zoom out: - By giving third-party developers and researchers access to its code, Musk could boost Grok's adoption and gain feedback to make improvements, as noted by The Wall Street Journal.
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| 7 | | QUICK HITS *This is a sponsored post. | | | |
 | AI and technology writer | | Beth is a contributing editor and writer of Inside's AI and Tech newsletters. She has written for publications including USA Today, the Arizona Business Gazette, and The Arizona Republic, where she received recognition with a Pulitzer Prize nomination and a First Amendment Award for collaborative reporting on state pension cost increases. You can reach her at Beth.Duckett@yahoo.com. | | This newsletter was edited by Eduardo Garcia | |
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