Policy
* Nintendo issued a public statement addressing the Dispatch censorship debacle, but the message provided few concrete details. * The company’s response did not fully explain what actions were taken, why they were taken, or who was responsible. * Media and readers remain confused; calls for clearer transparency and independent reporting are
Policy
* Key Takeaways: * Court filings reveal a previously secretive $800 million deal between Google and Epic Games. * The agreement reportedly involved Epic helping Google market Android. * The disclosure comes as part of an ongoing court saga and raises competition and transparency questions. What the court disclosures say Court documents made public
Policy
* Key Takeaways: * The Federal Trade Commission says the proposed Epic Games–Google settlement “may fail to restore meaningful competition” for Android app distribution. * The FTC’s skepticism signals continuing regulatory scrutiny and could delay or reshape any agreed remedies. * If regulators or courts agree, Google and Epic may need to
Policy
* Valve amended its guidance on AI disclosure and clarified expectations for developers. * The company says developers using "AI-powered tools" must make players aware when generative AI is used. * The update emphasizes transparency and could affect how games and apps describe content creation. * Developers should review the revised guidance
Policy
• Key Takeaways: * A U.S. federal court granted OCLC a default judgment and permanent injunction against Anna’s Archive, barring use of WorldCat data. * The injunction prohibits scraping, storing, distributing or encouraging sharing of WorldCat content and orders deletion of WorldCat-derived files. * Judge Michael Watson based the order on trespass
Policy
* Elon Musk and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth publicly pledged to “make Star Trek real” during an event at SpaceX’s Starbase, Texas campus. * The phrase “Arsenal of Freedom” invoked a Star Trek: The Next Generation episode about a self‑improving AI weapons system that destroys its creators. * Hegseth announced a
Policy
* Key Takeaways: * Leaked documents obtained by The Washington Post show Meta pursued a yearslong strategy to bring teens back to Instagram. * Two weeks after dozens of state attorneys general sued Meta over teen safety and addiction concerns, Instagram head Adam Mosseri circulated a memo urging staff to "bring more
Policy
* Key takeaways: * Google requires developers to enroll by Jan 28 to join its "external content links" and "alternative billing" programs. * Google plans per-install fees of $2.85 for apps and $3.65 for games when a user installs within 24 hours of clicking an external link.
Policy
* Instagram will cap hashtags at five per post for reels and standard posts. * The change aims to reduce spam and encourage targeted tagging for better discovery. * Instagram tested lower limits earlier and now enforces a universal five-tag maximum. * Threads and other Meta products continue to adopt even stricter tag rules.
Policy
* Key Takeaways: * Former Sen. Kyrsten Sinema publicly backed a $2.5 billion AI-focused data center proposal in Chandler, Arizona, warning federal "preemption" could override local rules. * Chandler staff recommended denying the project, citing low job creation and infrastructure strains; Salt River Project is requiring a $242 million up-front
Policy
• Key takeaways: * Australia has enacted a world-first law preventing under-16s from holding accounts on major social platforms. * Platforms including Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X, Snapchat, TikTok, Reddit, YouTube, Kick and Twitch must enforce the rules. * Companies must take “reasonable steps” to verify age (IDs, biometrics, bank details) or face fines up
Policy
* The European Union has fined Elon Musk's social media platform X €120 million (£105 million), citing its paid blue tick system as "deceptive." * Regulators argue the system, which lacks meaningful identity verification, exposes users to scams and impersonation fraud. * The move has sparked outrage from prominent