The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has accused Amazon of using “dark patterns” to trick customers into subscribing to its Prime service. The FTC alleges that Amazon employs manipulative and misleading user interface designs to tempt consumers into unknowingly signing up for Prime. Additionally, the company purposely complicates the process of canceling Prime subscriptions, making it difficult for customers to opt out. The FTC has filed a lawsuit against Amazon over these practices.
Google is also facing a lawsuit, but from media group Gannett. Gannett, which is responsible for newspapers like USA Today and over 200 local publications, argues that Google’s dominance in the online advertising market has led to decreased revenues for publishers. The media group alleges that Google controls how publishers buy and sell online advertising, giving the company an unfair advantage and preventing healthy competition.
In Germany, individual health insurance companies have been delaying or refusing to release activation codes for digital health applications (DiGA). However, the Federal Office for Social Security has stated that this practice should come to an end. They emphasize that DiGA prescribed by doctors are not subject to approval by the health insurance companies, as they fall under the doctors’ therapeutic sovereignty and patients’ entitlement to care.
Apple has released fresh versions of its operating systems for iPhones, iPads, Macs, and Apple Watches, including older devices, to address serious security vulnerabilities. The company advises all users to install the updates, as the vulnerabilities could potentially be actively exploited for attacks. The vulnerabilities were discovered in the kernel and WebKit browser engine, and Apple has worked to eliminate these zero-day vulnerabilities in its systems.
Nintendo has announced several new games, including Super Mario Bros. Wonder, a 2D platformer that brings Mario back to his classic roots. The game allows for up to four players to embark on cooperative gameplay and experience bizarre transformations with the touch of a magic flower. Additionally, Nintendo revealed Wario Ware: Move It!, a multiplayer game that demands wild contortions from players, as well as Detective Pikachu Returns, an adventure game that explores the origins of the beloved yellow detective.
In other news, Reddit users are currently on strike against the platform’s request for money from developers who create clients for the site. Meanwhile, thanks to artificial intelligence and an old tape recorded with a ghetto blaster, the Beatles are back in action. Additionally, Germany is set to provide Intel with subsidies worth 10 billion euros to build two semiconductor factories in Magdeburg, creating a total of 3000 jobs. The reasons behind the substantial subsidies will be discussed in an upcoming live session on the #heiseshow.
