Posts Tagged: sell

Lawmakers have a new plan to force ByteDance to sell TikTok

A group of lawmakers have introduced a new bill that would force ByteDance to sell TikTok in order for the app to remain available in the United States. The “Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act” would prohibit US app stores and web hosting services from distributing TikTok unless it divested from parent company ByteDance.

The bill is the latest in a long line of attempts by lawmakers and other officials to ban or force a sale of the app. Former President Donald Trump attempted to force a sale of TikTok in 2020, but was ultimately unsuccessful. The Biden Administration has also pressured the company to divest. And a US District Court Judge recently blocked an attempt to ban the app in Montana.

The new bill, which comes from a bipartisan group of lawmakers in the House, takes a different approach. It would give ByteDance a six-month window to sell TikTok before app store-level bans would come into effect. It would also require TikTok and other apps to “provide users with a copy of their data in a format that can be imported” into competing apps. And though TikTok is referenced several times in the text of the bill, the legislation would open the door for bans on other “foreign adversary-controlled” apps if the president deemed them to be a national security threat.

“This bill is an outright ban of TikTok, no matter how much the authors try to disguise it,” TikTok said in a statement. “This legislation will trample the First Amendment rights of 170 million Americans and deprive 5 million small businesses of a platform they rely on to grow and create jobs.”

TikTok CEO Shou Chew has maintained that a divestment would not fully address officials’ concerns about US user data. The company has spent years trying to address national security concerns about its service with an initiative called Project Texas. Under the plan, created as a result of years of negotiations with the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), US users’ data would be separated into US-based servers and government officials would be able to oversee audits of TikTok’s source code and other aspects of its operations.

The Washington Post reported last year that TikTok’s negotiations with CFIUS had been recently “revived amid doubts the [Biden] administration has the authority to ban TikTok on its own.” If Congress was able to pass the new bill, it would clear up such questions and create a new process for forcing ByteDance’s hand. 

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and other digital rights groups have criticized the government’s efforts to ban TikTok. In a statement on the latest bill, the ACLU said the proposed measure was “unconstitutional” and would hurt free speech. “Just because the bill sponsors claim that banning TikTok isn’t about suppressing speech, there’s no denying that it would do just that,” senior policy counsel Jenna Leventoff said. 

Columbia University’s nonprofit Knight First Amendment Institute raised similar concerns. “Congress can protect data privacy and security without banning Americans from accessing one of the world’s most popular communications platforms,” the organization’s executive director Jameel Jaffer said in a statement. “It should start by passing a comprehensive privacy law restricting the kinds of information that TikTok and other platforms can collect.” 

Update March 5, 2024 6:50 PM ET: This story has been updated to add comments from the ACLU and Knight First Amendment Institute. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/lawmakers-have-a-new-plan-to-force-bytedance-to-sell-tiktok-220408004.html?src=rss
Engadget is a web magazine with obsessive daily coverage of everything new in gadgets and consumer electronics

Dutch hacker arrested for trying to sell the personal information of nearly every Austrian citizen

Dutch authorities arrested a hacker for obtaining and trying to sell the personal information of nearly every Austrian citizen in May 2020, according to Reuters. It includes almost nine million data sets, roughly lining up with Austria’s population.

The defendant, arrested in November in an Amsterdam apartment, was reportedly already known to international police. The 25-year-old defendant also offered “similar data sets” from Italy, the Netherlands and Colombia. Dutch police waited until now to announce the arrest to avoid hindering ongoing investigations.

Authorities say the hacker posted the information in an online forum. Police say the trove consists of “registration data,” essential info residents must provide to authorities. That includes their full name, address and date of birth — but not financial info, fortunately. Nevertheless, the police confirmed the material’s authenticity, adding that “since this data was freely available on the Internet, it must absolutely be assumed that these registration data are, in full or in part, irrevocably in the hands of criminals.”

Engadget is a web magazine with obsessive daily coverage of everything new in gadgets and consumer electronics

Meta will allow creators to sell NFTs directly on Instagram

Meta is expanding its support for NFTs in a major way. The company is now allowing some creators to make and sell digital collectibles directly on Instagram, Meta announced during its Creator Week event.

The platform has been experimenting with NFTs on Instagram and Facebook since last year. But up until now, Instagram users have only been able to show off their digital collectibles. Now, Instagram will have an “end-to-end toolkit” so creators can make NFT collections and sell them to their fans and followers.

While Instagram has been ramping up commerce features for creatures for some time, this update is the first time Instagram has tried to compete directly with existing NFT marketplaces. Meta says it won’t take a cut of NFT sales until 2024, though 30 percent will be deducted from sales to account for app store fees. Creators can also set a commission rate for resales of their work, ranging from 5% to 25%. 

The new tools are only available to a “small group” of creators in the United States for now, but Meta says it plans to expand to more people and countries “soon.” But the company is updating other NFT features that are more widely available. For collectors, Meta is adding support for the Solana blockchain and Phantom wallet, and enabling video NFTs in Instagram profiles. The app is also adding OpenSea metadata for “select collections.”

The expansion of NFTs on Instagram is part of a broader push by Meta to increase money-making features for the creators in its apps. The company is also expanding Instagram’s subscriptions, and “professional mode” for Facebook. Meta is also bringing Facebook Stars to more places, including photo and text posts, and adding in-app gifting to Reels on Instagram.

Update 7PM ET: Updated with details on Meta’s commission plans for NFT sales.

Engadget is a web magazine with obsessive daily coverage of everything new in gadgets and consumer electronics

Meta will have to sell Giphy after losing UK appeal

Meta will have to unwind one of its significant acquisitions. The UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) regulator has ordered Meta to sell Giphy after it lost its battle at the Competition Appeal Tribunal. While the CMA reviewed the decision in July after the tribunal sided with Meta on one issue (sharing sensitive third-party information), it found that the deal could still hurt competition by limiting rivals' access to Giphy GIFs, requiring unfavorable terms and reducing digital advertising choices.

Meta bought Giphy in May 2020 at an unofficially estimated price of $ 400 million. The company hoped the purchase would improve finding GIFs and stickers in Instagram's Stories and direct messaging. While the firm maintained that Giphy would be "openly available" to others, the CMA launched an investigation a month later and determined in August that year that the buyout would harm competition in social media and advertising. Meta rejected those claims and appealed the November 2021 order to sell Giphy, arguing that the improvements would ultimately offer "more choices for everyone."

A Meta spokesperson told Engadget the company was "disappointed" with the CMA's decision, but that it would honor the outcome and cooperate on selling Giphy. The social network operator added it would still consider acquisitions to provide more "innovation and choice."

The failure of the Giphy deal won't necessarily damage Meta's business. However, it comes as officials reexamine the company's purchases of Instagram and WhatsApp. The Federal Trade Commission has gone so far as to sue over the acquisition of VR workout app developer Within over concerns it might stifle the virtual fitness market. Meta's habit of snapping up companies is under close scrutiny, and the Giphy deal reversal certainly won't alleviate the pressure. You can read Meta's full statement below.

"We are disappointed by the CMA’s decision but accept today’s ruling as the final word on the matter. We will work closely with the CMA on divesting GIPHY. We are grateful to the GIPHY team during this uncertain time for their business, and wish them every success. We will continue to evaluate opportunities – including through acquisition – to bring innovation and choice to more people in the UK and around the world." — Meta company spokesperson

Engadget is a web magazine with obsessive daily coverage of everything new in gadgets and consumer electronics

iFixit will sell replacement parts for almost every Steam Deck component

We knew going into the launch of Valve’s Steam DeckDIY repairs would be easier than most modern electronics. And now it looks like finding replacement parts won’t be difficult either. On Friday evening, iFixit prematurely published a list of components it will offer for Valve’s handheld. The list revealed the company plans to sell spare parts for nearly every component found in Steam Deck, including replacement motherboards complete with the handheld’s custom Aerith chipset from AMD.

As The Verge points out, the company will even sell parts that could be considered upgrades. For instance, if you own the 64GB or 256GB model, you can buy the 512GB variant's display to get the anti-glare screen that comes on that version of the handheld. For any panel replacements, you can also spend an extra $ 5 to obtain a “Fix Kit” that comes with all the tools you need to complete a screen swap.

One part iFixit won’t sell immediately is replacement batteries. It will offer those at a later date. “We don’t have a solution for battery repairs on day one, but we are committed to working with Valve to maintain these devices as they age,” iFixit CEO Kyle Wiens told The Verge. “Battery replacements are going to be essential to making the Steam Deck stand the test of time.”

Other spare parts that won’t be available on day one include replacements for the Steam Deck’s touchpads and face buttons. Most of the components are reasonably priced. For example, you’ll need to spend $ 20 to repair a broken thumbstick. The most expensive part on the list is a new motherboard, which will set you back $ 350. With a complete handheld from Valve starting at $ 400, it won’t be economical to build your own Steam Deck with parts from iFixit, but for most repairs, the company will have you covered.  

Engadget is a web magazine with obsessive daily coverage of everything new in gadgets and consumer electronics

Elon Musk says he tried to sell Tesla to Apple and Tim Cook snubbed him

Elon Musk apparently once tried to sell Tesla to Apple. Replying to a tweet about yesterday’s Reuters report on the Apple’s electric car ambitions, Musk said, “During the darkest days of the Model 3 program, I reached out to Tim Cook to discuss the p…
Engadget

Worried about losing your Galaxy Note 20’s S Pen? Samsung will sell you a new one for $40

Samsung’s recently launched Galaxy Note 20 and Galaxy Note 20 Ultra are now available in the stores and online, and those who pre-ordered one of the new handsets should be receiving their new phones soon. Being of the Note Series, both models come with an S Pen that, if you are like me, is easily […]

Come comment on this article: Worried about losing your Galaxy Note 20’s S Pen? Samsung will sell you a new one for $ 40

Visit TalkAndroid


TalkAndroid

Juul’s pilot program could trace retailers that sell to teen users

Juul has launched an experimental track-and-trace program meant to curb teen vaping, perhaps as an attempt to appease the FDA and other government agencies. The e-cig company has been in authorities' crosshairs since last year due to its products' po…
Engadget RSS Feed

OnePlus finally gets a US carrier to sell phones on store shelves

OnePlus has always tried to sell phones by cutting unnecessary corners to keep costs low, but one of those corners was in full distribution that you see with other manufacturers. You can’t walk into most stores, check out a OnePlus 6, and walk out with a phone in a big and a ton of accessories. […]

Come comment on this article: OnePlus finally gets a US carrier to sell phones on store shelves

Visit TalkAndroid


TalkAndroid

The Galaxy S9 is struggling to sell in Samsung’s home country

The Galaxy S9 really is a fantastic phone, it’s just kind of boring compared to what we usually see from Samsung. Boring phones tend to struggle in the sales department, which is something we’ve already caught wind of, but there’s one key market where the Galaxy S9 is really failing to pick up traction. According […]

Come comment on this article: The Galaxy S9 is struggling to sell in Samsung’s home country

Visit TalkAndroid


TalkAndroid

How HP plans to sell laptops to millennials in 2018

In 2017, HP chose some surprising places to launch its laptops and show off its technology — music festivals like Coachella and Panorama. Here at a more conventional tech launchpad, the company unveiled a couple of new laptops — the Spectre x360 15…
Engadget RSS Feed

A New Way for Artists to Sell Tickets and Update Fans About Upcoming Shows

Cross-posted from the YouTube Artist Blog

At YouTube, we understand the importance of helping artists find ways to build deeper connections with their fans — the ones who not only watch and listen to videos, but are also willing to pay to see live performances. And, with live concerts becoming a bigger driver of revenue for artists, we want to help artists reach those fans, keep them updated about upcoming shows, and sell more tickets.

We’ve been experimenting with ways we can offer a ticketing experience to fans and we’re excited to announce our first ticketing partnership with Ticketmaster. Starting today, we will begin featuring hundreds of artist’s upcoming U.S. tour dates on their YouTube videos. Fans enjoying an artist’s official music video on YouTube can now learn about upcoming concert listings and with a simple click, go to Ticketmaster to purchase tickets.

YouTube’s massive fan base paired with Ticketmaster’s global roster of concerts and security of verified tickets means we can easily connect a fan’s discovery of music on YouTube to their ability to purchase concert tickets.

We’re just getting started. We’ll be rolling out this feature to all artists who have Ticketmaster shows in North America with plans to expand globally. And, as part of our ongoing commitment to support artists, we’ll continue to find additional ways to make meaningful fan and artist connections.

The YouTube Music team


YouTube Blog

Google’s pop-up stores will sell Pixels and Google Homes this year

Google occasionally does pop-up locations in big cities to show off their products and give people a chance to test them out before buying them. The “stores” don’t really sell anything, but the hands-on experience is unique for Google since they don’t really have a physical retail presence in the US like Apple or Microsoft. […]

Come comment on this article: Google’s pop-up stores will sell Pixels and Google Homes this year

Visit TalkAndroid


TalkAndroid

Nike will also sell sneakers on Instagram

Turns out Nike will soon start selling sneakers and other sporting goods not only on Amazon, but also on Instagram. Nike CEO Mark Parker has revealed during the brand's Q4 earnings call that the company will sell goods directly on both platforms, tho…
Engadget RSS Feed

Swiss rail stations will sell bitcoins at ticket machines

Switzerland is stepping up its bitcoin fascination in a big way. Railway operator SBB (with the help of SweePay) is launching a 2-year trial for a service that lets you exchange Swiss francs for bitcoin at any of the company's ticket machines in the…
Engadget RSS Feed

You can now buy and sell things on Facebook using its Marketplace feature

Sketched out by Craigslist? Overwhelmed by eBay? Try Facebook instead. On Tuesday, the social media site expanded its functionality once again, and has now dipped its toe into the waters of digital commerce.

The post You can now buy and sell things on Facebook using its Marketplace feature appeared first on Digital Trends.

Mobile–Digital Trends

G2A makes it harder for scammers to sell shady game codes

G2A is still determined to show that it can do right by developers worried about shady game key sellers. The online marketplace has introduced a new verification process that should make it harder to commit fraud. New sellers will have to provide a l…
Engadget RSS Feed

Best Buy didn’t sell as many smartphones as it wanted to over the holidays

Best Buy chairman and CEO Hubert Jolly announced that the retail chain did not sell as many smartphones as it anticipated during the 2015 holiday season ending January 2. Instead, customers turned to wearables.

The post Best Buy didn’t sell as many smartphones as it wanted to over the holidays appeared first on Digital Trends.

Wearables–Digital Trends

Xiaomi misses 2015 sales target, still manages to sell 70 million phones

Chinese mobile giant Xiaomi has missed its sales target for 2015 by 10 million units, but still managed a 14 percent growth in sales. While it is not a bad sign, it is much smaller than the massive surge in popular Xiaomi noticed in 2014.

The post Xiaomi misses 2015 sales target, still manages to sell 70 million phones appeared first on Digital Trends.

Android Army–Digital Trends

Samsung seems to be all smiles as the Galaxy Note 5 and Galaxy S6 Edge Plus sell well in South Korea

With the company needing a home run with its recently launched Galaxy Note 5 and Galaxy S6 Edge smartphones, Samsung is probably happy to learn that 25,000 units a day, combined, are being sold in the company’s home country of South Korea.

The post Samsung seems to be all smiles as the Galaxy Note 5 and Galaxy S6 Edge Plus sell well in South Korea appeared first on Digital Trends.

Mobile»Digital Trends