Techmeme
March 12, 2021, 6:55 AM

Top News

Jason Gurwin / The Streamable:
Netflix is running a test cracking down on password sharing, prompting some users to get their own account if they don't live with the owner of the account  —  Earlier this week, some Netflix subscribers began to notice that it might be a bit harder to “borrow” someone's password.
Karen Hao / MIT Technology Review:
Facebook sidelined AI experts and weakened initiatives to clean up misinfo because leadership didn't want to hurt Zuckerberg's desire for growth  —  Joaquin Quiñonero Candela, a director of AI at Facebook, was apologizing to his audience.  —  It was March 23, 2018 …
The Markup:
Citizen Browser project's Split Screen tool shows Facebook's different News Feeds for Trump and Biden voters, based on data from 2,500+ users across the US  —  Facebook's recommendation algorithm shows different news, groups, and hashtags to different users.  But who sees what?
Chance Miller / 9to5Mac:
Apple sues its former materials lead Simon Lancaster for allegedly stealing trade secrets and leaking them to the media  —  Apple is taking legal action against its former materials lead, Simon Lancaster, over allegedly leaking trade secrets to the media.  The lawsuit accuses Lancaster of abusing his …
Matt Burgess / WIRED UK:
UK Home Office confirms trial of web surveillance tool that can track users' browsing history in partnership with two unknown ISPs and National Crime Agency  —  The Investigatory Powers Act, or Snooper's Charter, was introduced in 2016.  Now one of its most contentious surveillance tools is being secretly trialled by internet firms
Jacob Kastrenakes / The Verge:
Mike Winkelmann, the digital artist known as Beeple, sold an NFT of his work for $69M, through a first-of-its-kind auction at Christie's  —  Through a first-of-its-kind auction at Christie's  —  Until October, the most Mike Winkelmann — the digital artist known as Beeple — had ever sold a print for was $100.
Mitchell Clark / The Verge:
Google says it will soon let users add missing roads and realign, rename, or delete incorrect ones in Maps simply by “drawing” on them  —  Missing road?  You can plot it yourself.  —  If you've ever been frustrated by a road simply not existing on Google Maps, the company's now making it easier than ever to add it.
Christian Peña / NBC News:
Uber and Lyft partner with background screening service HireRight to share data on drivers deactivated after being accused of serious offenses  —  Ride-hailing services Lyft and Uber said Thursday that they are partnering with the background screening company HireRight to share data …
Sarah Sluis / AdExchanger:
Google is further integrating the Publisher Provided Identifier into its Ad Manager, aiding publishers' first-party tracking in lieu of third-party cookies  —  The PPID's technical setup works like this: the publisher will create a unique ID for users, based on a first-party cookie or a log-in ID.
Lorenzo Franceschi-Bicchierai / VICE:
Researcher publishes a proof of concept on GitHub that uses vulnerabilities exploited by hackers to breach Microsoft Exchange servers; GitHub deleted the code  —  Microsoft-owned Github quickly deleted the code, which exploited vulnerabilities apparently used by Chinese hackers to break into a series of companies.
Adi Robertson / The Verge:
A look at the history of Twine, an open-source tool for producing web-based interactive fiction and games with text, as it remains a significant force in gaming  —  IN THE VIDEO GAME Howling Dogs, released in 2012, players wake up in a prison with few options: a shower, a nutrient dispenser …
Jessica Bursztynsky / CNBC:
South Korean e-commerce giant Coupang closes its first day of trading at $49.25 a share, down from $63.50, after raising $4.2B in an IPO at a valuation of ~$60B  —  - South Korean e-commerce company Coupang made its market debut Thursday on the New York Stock Exchange through an IPO and is now trading under the ticker symbol “CPNG.”
Sam Biddle / The Intercept:
In a complaint with the EEOC, a Black applicant alleges Facebook rejected her application due to a lack of “culture fit”, despite her qualifications  —  A Black woman passed over for a job at Facebook told federal regulators that even though she was exceptionally qualified for the position …
Tony Romm / Washington Post:
House and Senate Democrats announce a $94B proposal to make broadband internet access more accessible and affordable  —  Thirty House and Senate Democrats unveiled a new $94 billion proposal Thursday to make broadband Internet access more accessible and affordable nationwide …

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