In yet another win for bigness and big companies, Amazon may be leaving the small suppliers who rely on its platform in the dust.
What's happening: Amazon is culling its supplier list, getting rid of small players in favor of big brands and conglomerates like Procter & Gamble, Sony and Lego, which offer wholesale prices, reports Bloomberg.
The Transportation Security Administration is now allowing passengers to bring Epidiolex, an FDA-approved marijuana-based drug, and some forms of cannabidiol (CBD) oil onboard aircraft.
Details: On Sunday, the TSA updated its "What Can I bring?" list, having learned of Epidiolex, which is used to treat seizures in children with epilepsy. "[A]s long as it is produced within the regulations defined by the law," some CBD oils are acceptable in checked and carry-on luggage. That does not include cannabis-infused products and CBD oils with THC, the psychoactive chemical that makes people feel high. The TSA will refer all questionable products to law enforcement.
MacKenzie Bezos is part of the latest tranche of billionaires to sign on to the Giving Pledge, which commits participants to giving away at least half of their fortunes.
Why it matters: Bezos is estimated to be worth more than $35 billion after her divorce from Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. Her move opens her up to criticism over how the mega-wealthy use philanthropy.
Facebook announced Tuesday it had removed 51 accounts, 36 pages, 7 groups and 3 Instagram accounts that it said originated in Iran and were responsible for "coordinated inauthentic behavior."
Why it matters: The announcement comes as tensions between the U.S. and Iran have escalated in the wake of the Trump administration's withdrawal from a multinational agreement aimed at controlling Iran's nuclear program.
It's been a year since Europe's strict new privacy law, known as GDPR, went into effect.
What's happening: Ireland, which is tasked with investigating potential violations by most of the U.S. tech giants, has launched 19 cross-border probes, including 11 against Facebook, according to the BBC.
A new startup has acquired the assets of defunct augmented reality headset maker Meta. Meta View, as the new company is known, has hired some of the old employees but plans to use the wide-field-of-view headset technology for a particular vertical market (which it isn't identifying).
Why it matters: The once-promising technology has a new home, but its vision of a desktop computer on your face has died with the original Meta. Meta, which had developed two generations of its AR headset, abruptly closed its doors earlier this year.
MacKenzie Bezos, the ex-wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, announced Tuesday that will give half of her personal fortune to charity as a part of Warren Buffett and Bill Gates' Giving Pledge:
"We each come by the gifts we have to offer by an infinite series of influences and lucky breaks we can never fully understand. In addition to whatever assets life has nurtured in me, I have a disproportionate amount of money to share."
By the numbers: After the couple's divorce in April, MacKenzie Bezos retained 25% of their jointly owned shares in Amazon, making her worth an estimated $36.6 billion.
Today's tech giants achieved success and scale by promoting their openness, but the industry's open doors are shutting, one by one.
Why it matters: Being "open" allowed tech innovators and companies to claim a sort of moral high ground. Without it, they are increasingly vulnerable to legal and regulatory restraint and popular disaffection.
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