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| Here's a look at today's tech briefing: - Florida Governor DeSantis signs bill banning social media accounts for children.
- EU investigating Apple, Meta, and Google over DMA compliance.
- China blocks Intel and AMD chips in government PCs.
- Apple will launch the Vision Pro in China this year.
Beth
p/beth-duckett | |
| 1 | | Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed a law today restricting social media access for users under 16. The law forces certain social media companies to block children under 14 from creating accounts, though it remains unclear which platforms it applies to. More: - Platforms must also delete the accounts of children under 14, with a 90-day window for account holders to dispute a deletion.
- The law signed on Monday allows 14- and 15-year-olds to maintain social media accounts as long as they have parental approval. Those that don't will see their accounts deleted.
- The original bill, which was vetoed by DeSantis this month, would have blocked all minors under 16 from social media.
Zoom out: - The law, effective from July 1, also bans those under 18 from accessing "pornographic or sexually explicit" sites by requiring age verification.
- While it's expected to face legal challenges from trade groups and others, the law brings Florida in line with states like Arkansas, Ohio, and Utah in regulating social media use among children.
- According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, 30 and Puerto Rico have pending legislation this year.
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| 2 | The European Union has opened investigations into Apple, Google, and Meta for possible breaches of its new digital antitrust rules. Lawmakers believe solutions proposed by the three companies don't entirely meet requirements under its new Digital Markets Act, according to EU antitrust chief Margrethe Vestager. More: - The European Commission, the EU's executive arm, outlined specific concerns about how the companies may not be complying with the DMA:
- Lawmakers believe Apple and Google parent Alphabet haven't adequately allowed developers to steer consumers to apps outside of their own stores.
- They are also concerned that Google's search still shows favoritism toward company-owned services, such as Google Shopping and Flights.
- Apple is being investigated for not making it easy for users to uninstall apps on iPhones, change default settings, and choose alternative services for browsers or search engines.
- The commission is also looking into Meta's "pay or consent" model, which charges EU users for an ad-free subscription to Facebook or Instagram unless they agree to be tracked.
Zoom out: - The investigations are the first under the Digital Markets Act, which took effect earlier this month.
- The rules target nearly two dozen services from Amazon, Apple, Alphabet, Meta, Microsoft, and TikTok owner ByteDance. The companies are required to promote fair and open markets and support competition in online search, app stores, and digital advertising.
- Companies that repeatedly break the rules risk fines of up to 20% of their yearly global revenue or possibly a business breakup.
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| 3 | | China is now enforcing guidelines to block Intel and AMD microprocessors from government PCs and servers, potentially jeopardizing billions in sales for the U.S. companies, according to the Financial Times. Beijing's guidance also orders Chinese governments to replace Microsoft Windows and foreign database software with domestic alternatives. More: - China's guidelines, announced in December, aim to phase out China's governmental purchases of Intel and AMD CPUs.
- China's industry ministry identified 18 "safe and reliable" CPUs, operating systems, and databases — all from Chinese companies — that governments can use over the next three years.
- The list includes processors from companies like Huawei and Phytium, both of which are banned in the U.S.
Zoom out: - Beijing has been working to lessen its dependency on foreign companies by expanding its domestic semiconductor industry amid U.S. tech export restrictions.
- The move could take a big chunk out of Intel and AMD's profits. China accounted for 27% of Intel's $54B in revenue last year, making it its biggest market.
- While it's unclear how many chips are used in government versus the private sector, Bernstein analyst Stacy Rasgon forecasts a potential $1.5B hit for Intel.
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| 4 | | Apple CEO Tim Cook said the company's Vision Pro mixed reality headset, already available in the U.S., will launch in China later this year. Cook announced the move while attending this week's China Development Forum in Beijing. More: - China is the first confirmed country outside the U.S. where the $3,500 Vision Pro will be available.
- In China, Apple's AR/VR device will compete with local players like Pico, owned by TikTok's parent company ByteDance.
- The headset may also launch in Australia, Canada, Germany, Japan, South Korea, and the U.K. this year, according to 9to5Mac.
- Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicts the Vision Pro will have its international launch before the company's Worldwide Developers Conference in June.
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| 5 | | Spotify is now testing video-based learning courses in the U.K. Spotify cited data showing that half its premium subscribers engage with educational or self-help podcasts. It's unclear if the video courses will launch in other countries. More: - Both free and premium U.K. users will be able to access the video courses in Spotify's mobile or desktop app.
- Spotify has partnered with BBC Maestro, PLAYvirtuoso, Thinkific Labs, and Skillshare, which will offer video content in the categories of music, creativity, business learning, and healthy living.
- Users will receive at least two free lessons each, though they must pay to access full courses.
Zoom out: - Spotify introduced music videos to paid users in 11 countries, not including the U.S., earlier this month to rival dominant player YouTube.
- The catalog is currently limited, with artists like Ed Sheeran, Doja Cat, Ice Spice, Aluna, and Asak.
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| 6 | | Ericsson is cutting its Swedish workforce by 1,200 employees amid decreased demand for its 5G equipment. The Stockholm-based telecom expects a challenging market for mobile network vendors this year as customers reduce their spending. More: - The company, a major 5G mobile network provider, declined to disclose the potential cash savings from the staff cuts, citing ongoing negotiations with unions.
- In December, Ericsson said it would cut costs by 9 billion Swedish kronor ($880M) by the end of 2023 as it experienced a slowdown in demand for 5G gear, including in North America.
- In addition to layoffs, it plans to shutter facilities, streamline processes, and hire fewer consultants.
- Last year, Ericsson said it would lay off 8,500 employees, or 8% of its total workforce.
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- Rockstar's Grand Theft Auto 6, teased for a spring 2025 release, may be delayed to late 2025 or 2026 due to production challenges.
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 | 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 NO ACCOUNT ASSOCIATED WITH THE EDITOR | |
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