Game developers aired diverging views this weekend about whether encouraging developers to work "passionately" on a game is cover for inducing them to work too much.
Why it matters: Crunch has been accepted as a real, impactful issue within the game industry, but there still isn't a simple fix applicable to the entire sector.
Chinese regulators on Monday imposed new rules on video game companies that drastically limit the amount of time minors can play to just an hour on Fridays and weekends, Bloomberg reported, citing state media.
Why it matters: The new rules come amid Beijing's broader crackdown on domestic Big Tech companies — including gaming giant Tencent.
Although Apple is making some changes to its App Store policies and setting up a $100 million fund for small developers, critics say that the terms of a class-action settlement don't meaningfully loosen the company's grip on its digital marketplace.
Why it matters: Beyond the pending suit with developers, Apple faces lawsuits from Fortnite developer Epic Games as well as antitrust inquiries in the U.S., Europe and beyond. Korea is also considering legislation that would force Apple to open iOS to alternative app stores.
The biometric ID company CLEAR — which most people know as a quick way to get through airport security and prove vaccination status — is adding new lines to its business, including identity verification for employee background checks.
Why it matters: Background checks can cost up to $100 per hire and take several days, and they're often not available when firms are trying to hire an independent contractor.
Leaders in the LGBTQ community worry that eBay's recent ban on the sale of sexually explicit material could hurt efforts to find and preserve queer history, especially from the pre-Stonewall era.
Why it matters: As the largest marketplace for used goods, eBay has become the default trading ground to find all manner of niche items, including LGBTQ memorabilia and publications.
The antitrust scrutiny of tech giants that began during the Trump era will only intensify this fall as Big Tech critics Lina Khan, Tim Wu and Jonathan Kanter take the lead on competition policy and enforcement in the Biden administration.
Why it matters: Facebook, Google, Amazon and Apple face threats from federal regulators, Congress, state attorneys general and European Union authorities.
