Emma Roth

News Writer

Emma RothOct 31, 2023

Apple is still taking too much commission from in-app subscriptions, Dutch regulator says.

The Dutch Authority for Consumers & Markets (ACM) ruled in July that Apple is charging “an additional and inexplicably higher fee,” to companies that offer in-app subscription services, such as Tinder and Match, according to a confidential decision seen by Bloomberg.

Last year, Apple proposed decreasing the in-app commission it charges dating apps in the Netherlands from 30 percent to 27 percent. But the ACM’s decision reportedly stated that isn’t enough, potentially forcing Apple to lower its fees further.

Apple’s App Charges Violate EU Antitrust Law, Dutch Agency Says

[Bloomberg]

Emma RothOct 30, 2023

MOVEit hackers accessed around 632,000 government emails last year.

Last year, the Office of Personnel Management reported a “major hack” that allowed bad actors to view emails from the Department of Defense and the Department of Justice, according to a report from Bloomberg.

Despite the breadth of the attack, the Office of Personnel Management reportedly said the emails hackers accessed were “generally of low sensitivity” and not classified.

MOVEit Hackers Accessed 632,000 Email Addresses at Defense, DOJ

[Bloomberg]

Sony’s new PlayStation Link earbuds and headset finally have release dates

Emma RothOct 30, 2023

Nearly 400,000 Vonage customers will receive a refund from the FTC.

Vonage agreed to pay $100 million last year to settle the FTC’s claims that it imposed junk fees and made it more difficult for customers to cancel their subscriptions.

Now those refunds are going out to 389,106 customers, with most getting checks by mail. The FTC notes that customers without an address on file will receive a PayPal payment instead.

FTC Sends Nearly $100 Million in Refunds to Vonage Consumers

[Federal Trade Commission]

Emma RothOct 30, 2023

The UK solidifies its plans to crack down on the crypto industry.

In a document published Monday, the UK government outlines how it intends to regulate the digital asset industry, stating that it wants crypto companies and activities to fall under the same regulations as traditional financial services, like banks.

One of those rules would require disclosures on all crypto assets available in the UK, which could include information about the token’s code, known vulnerabilities, and dependencies. The government plans to introduce the new regulations to the Parliament in 2024.

UK confirms plans to regulate crypto industry with formal legislation

[CNBC]

Western Digital is spinning off its flash memory business as sales decline

Emma RothOct 30, 2023

That’s one pricey subscription

Netflix is at an all-time high. Disney is cracking down on password sharing. And Apple TV Plus has doubled its prices. Will the streaming squeeze ever end?

Emma RothOct 28, 2023