π Meta Ends CrowdTangle, DOJ Targets Google, Big Tech's Net Zero Fight
Good morning. Itβs Wednesday, August 14. Today we are covering:
Meta shutters tool used to fight disinformation, despite outcry
US Considers a Rare Antitrust Move: Breaking Up Google
Amazon, Meta and Big Techβs bid to rewrite the rules on net zero
Valve confirms it'll support the ROG Ally with its Steam Deck operating system
Chinese robotaxi startup WeRide gets approval to carry passengers in California
Letβs dive in
Meta shutters tool used to fight disinformation, despite outcry
By Dara Kerr via NPR
Meta is shutting down CrowdTangle, a tool used to monitor and report on disinformation, despite widespread outcry from researchers, regulators, and academics who argue that the tool is crucial, especially with the upcoming U.S. election.
CrowdTangle has been instrumental in helping researchers and journalists track viral false content, including election interference and hate speech. The new tool Meta is offering, the Meta Content Library, is seen as more restrictive and less sufficient compared to CrowdTangle.
More than 50,000 people and various regulators have petitioned Meta to delay the shutdown, highlighting the risks of losing such a valuable resource for monitoring misinformation and security threats during a critical period.
π: Meta is shutting down CrowdTangle, a tool popular among researchers to investigate disinformation on Facebook and Instagram. @mozilla says over 50,000 people have signed letters and petitions asking Meta to stop or pause its plans - Reuters Institute (@risj_oxford)
US Considers a Rare Antitrust Move: Breaking Up Google
By Leah Nylen via Bloomberg
US Justice Department considers breaking up Google after a landmark ruling found the company monopolized online search and ads.
Washington's first potential breakup attempt since Microsoft, with other options including forced data sharing and preventing AI dominance.
Antitrust enforcers are gathering input from external companies to evaluate the best course of action against Alphabet Inc.
π: The US Justice Department is considering a rare move to break up Google - Bloomberg The move would be Washingtonβs first push to dismantle a company for illegal monopolization in 20+ years. - Sawyer Merritt (@SawyerMerritt)
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Amazon, Meta and Big Techβs bid to rewrite the rules on net zero
By Jana Tauschinski via Financial Times
Amazon and Meta are lobbying to rewrite carbon accounting rules, which could allow companies to underreport real-world emissions by using certificates tied to distant or past clean energy production.
Google advocates for stricter rules, matching energy consumption with locally generated clean power, considering time and location, while Amazon and Meta push for more flexible approaches.
The outcome of this debate could significantly impact Big Tech's ability to meet their net zero targets amid rising energy demands from AI development and data centers.
π: One thing Big Tech knows is numbers. When it comes to their net zero pledges, they want to fudge them. - Elizabeth Kolbert (@ElizKolbert)
Valve confirms it'll support the ROG Ally with its Steam Deck operating system
By Sean Hollister via The Verge
Valve confirms support for Asus ROG Ally with its SteamOS operating system, continuing its plan to expand third-party device compatibility.
Progress on SteamOS for handhelds, including the ROG Ally, is ongoing but not yet ready for public release.
Valve is also working on remaining Windows drivers for the Steam Deck OLED, with dual-boot support still a priority but no timeline available.
π: Valve confirms it'll support the ROG Ally with its Steam Deck operating system. As Microsoft looks to try and improve the Windows experience on handhelds, Valve is getting ready to support SteamOS on more devices - Tom Warren (@tomwarren)
Chinese robotaxi startup WeRide gets approval to carry passengers in California
By Rebecca Bellan via TechCrunchΒ
WeRide has received approval to test its driverless vehicles with passengers in California, marking a significant step in its expansion.
The approval comes as WeRide prepares for a potential U.S. IPO valued at nearly $5 billion, amidst rising U.S. concerns over Chinese technology.
WeRide holds two California permits allowing passenger testing with and without a safety driver, but it cannot yet charge passengers or offer the service to the general public.
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