For the most up-to-date news and information about the coronavirus pandemic, visit the WHO and CDC websites. Back-to-school season is upon us, and districts in many states have unveiled plans for trying to safely reopen schools this fall amid coronavirus spikes. While some studies suggest that younger children are less susceptible to COVID-19, it’s still possible …
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Epic Games put the billions of dollars it’s raked in from its hit Fortnite video game to some use, provoking Apple and Google to kick its title from their respective platforms, then blitzing them with a pair of lawsuits and an online video mocking the two tech giants. And in doing so, Epic drew the tech world’s attention to antitrust …
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Facebook has objected to the 30% fee Apple charges for purchases that take place within apps running on iPhones, a major source of revenue for Apple and an increasingly contentious issue for developers. The fee hurts businesses trying to take advantage of a new feature in Facebook’s app to sell services like video streams or online classes, the social-networking giant …
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This story is part of Elections 2020, CNET’s coverage of the voting in November and its aftermath. Tech giants in the US are continuing to meet regularly to work together on protecting their platforms ahead of the 2020 presidential election. In a joint statement released Wednesday, Facebook, Google, Twitter, Reddit, Microsoft, Verizon, Pinterest, LinkedIn and Wikimedia Foundation said they’re countering …
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An internal Facebook investigation has reportedly uncovered thousands of groups and pages on the social network that support the QAnon conspiracy theory. These groups and pages have more than 3 million members and followers, according to NBC News, which reviewed internal Facebook documents. QAnon is a far-right conspiracy theory alleging there’s a plot by the “deep state” against President Donald …
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Facebook said Tuesday that the coronavirus affected how many people could review posts on the social network for violations of rules against content promoting suicide or self-injury. The COVID-19 pandemic also impacted how many workers could monitor Facebook-owned Instagram for child nudity and sexual exploitation. From April to June, Facebook said in a blog post, it took action on fewer pieces of …
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This story is part of Elections 2020, CNET’s coverage of the voting in November and its aftermath. Facebook is moving to make news on its platform more trustworthy in the lead up to the 2020 election. News publications with ties to political parties or politicians will now be banned from claiming the news exemption for Facebook’s ads authorization process, the company said …
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When news broke that Microsoft was considering buying the rising social media sensation TikTok, many who’ve followed the software maker for years expressed surprise. Even Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates called the potential $30 billion deal “a poisoned chalice.” TikTok would make for an effective fire sale, following a meteoric rise that’s netted the app more than 100 million users in …
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Earlier this week, when Microsoft announced its Project xCloud video game service would be released on September 15 for free to Xbox Games Pass Ultimate subscribers, it said devices powered by Google’s Android software were supported. But the tech giant conspicuously said nothing about Apple in its press materials. On Thursday, it said why. In a strongly worded statement, the …
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Earlier this week, when Microsoft announced its Project xCloud video game service would be released on September 15 for free to Xbox Games Pass Ultimate subscribers, it said devices powered by Google’s Android software were supported. But the tech giant conspicuously said nothing about Apple in its press materials. On Thursday, it said why. In a strongly worded statement, the …
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