NewsBytes Briefing: Google demands its pound of flesh, and more
Google has amply demonstrated there is no such thing as free lunch with its payments app. After getting people accustomed to its convenience, Google Pay will soon monetize users' transaction data. Google claims it will allow users to opt out, but this is the same company that hacked into everyone's home Wi-Fi networks, stole their data, and then refused to delete or surrender it.
Uber, Lyft band together to prevent hiring rapists and murderers
Changing lanes from corporate criminals to individual ones, Uber has recorded more than 3,000 sexual assaults from rogue drivers on its service since 2018. Although these sexual offenders are blacklisted, they play a deadly game of musical chairs by moving from one ridesharing application to another. Thankfully, Uber and Lyft have created a shared directory of violent criminals to work around this problem.
Clubhouse is coming to Android…as Twitter Spaces
Even as the folks at Clubhouse point their smoking pipes at iPhone-less plebs, while peering condescendingly at them through their monocles, Twitter will soon be releasing its Clubhouse clone to the masses. Come April, you won't need to pawn off a kidney (or two) to buy an iPhone to have the Clubhouse experience. All Android users should have access to Twitter Spaces by then.
Netflix drops its socialist façade after users begin sharing accounts
While Twitter regales the masses with its Clubhouse clone, Netflix is doing the exact opposite. The woke streaming platform supports socialism only through its content. But when it comes to its business, Netflix isn't too happy about having the means of entertainment shared liberally. Many Netflix users sharing their friends' accounts have been unceremoniously locked out, with a message to buy their own accounts.
Former employees explain how Apple has Facebook on the ropes
Facebook's entire shtick involves profiting off user data. However, Apple's latest app tracking transparency measures put a spanner in the works by taking away Facebook's capability to track iOS user's activities. This also prevents it from proving to advertisers that they are getting their money's worth. Ex-Facebook employees have come forward confirming that this will put a serious dent in Facebook's fortunes.
