Microsoft and Activision executives said plenty about the so-called metaverse as they promoted yesterday's planned video game mega-deal, but little about another recent gaming buzzword: esports.
Why it matters: Esports may be big, but Activision's portion of it hasn't dominated the way its Call of Duty games have in the traditional gaming marketplace.
The Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) on Wednesday launched a new campaign called "Internet for Growth" that aims to spotlight stories of small businesses which rely on advertising-supported internet platforms.
Why it matters: The push comes amid heightened scrutiny over targeted advertising by D.C. policymakers.
A new memo from House Energy and Commerce Committee Democratic staff lays out why the panel is exploring cryptocurrency-related energy demand and carbon emissions.
Why it matters: It cites estimates that the 2021 CO2 emissions from digital mining for Bitcoin and Ethereum is "equivalent to the tailpipe emissions from more than 15.5 million gasoline powered cars on the road every year."
Microsoft's surprise $68 billion deal to buy Activision Blizzard is adding a fresh twist to the heated debate over which tech companies have monopolies that need to be reined in.
The big picture: The deal could force a question the company has happily ducked for a decade: whether its size and power make it just as deserving of regulatory scrutiny as its Big Tech rivals.
Former New York Post editor Michelle Gotthelf is suing her former employer, its parent company News Corp. and two editors, alleging she was reprimanded after complaining to senior executives that she was sexually harassed by retired N.Y. Post editor-in-chief Col Allan. The N.Y. Post issued a statement denying any wrongdoing.
Why it matters: "I felt that I owed it to myself and I owed it to the news organization and the people who answered to me," Gotthelf, who was a long-time editor at the N.Y. Post, told Axios in an interview.
An activist investor group that previously called on Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick to resign is now raising concerns about the executive’s golden parachute, should he exit the company.
California prosecutors have filed two manslaughter charges against the driver of a Tesla, who ran a red light and killed two people in 2019 while using the vehicle's Autopilot function, AP reports.
Why it matters: The driver, Kevin George Aziz Riad, is the first person in the U.S. charged with a felony for a fatal car crash involving Tesla's advanced driver assist system, according to AP.
Microsoft’s $69 billion deal to buy Activision Blizzard sets the stage for the gaming giant to remove its sexual misconduct scandal from the spotlight, business ethicists say.
Why it matters: Mergers and acquisitions come with cultural shake-ups — and that’s precisely what Activision needs.
Apple is appealing to the members of the Senate Judiciary Committee urging caution on two bills the company said would hurt its ability to offer customers privacy and security, according to a letter obtained by Axios.
Why it matters: Apple's aggressive warning to committee leaders is indicative of a real fear among Big Tech companies that the Senate will pass tech competition bills that would have significant negative consequences for their businesses.
AT&T and Verizon said Tuesday they would delay lighting up its 5G signals near a limited number of airports after renewed opposition from the aviation industry over concerns about signal interference.
Why it matters: The CEOs of leading airlines warned of catastrophic disruption to flights if AT&T and Verizon deployed 5G as planned this week.
The mandatory app athletes and attendees of the Beijing Winter Olympics will use to report their health and travel data contains an encryption flaw that could expose their passport details, demographic information and medical and travel information, according to a study by Citizen Lab.
Why it matters: The security defect could imperil data security for those taking part in this year's Winter Games, which are set to begin on Feb. 4. Censorship mechanisms embedded in the app also raise concerns about social and political surveillance by China's government.
Two lawmakers are urging the federal government to ensure state governments are not procuring telecommunications equipment from Chinese companies deemed a security risk, according to a letter viewed by Axios.
The big picture: Governments around the world are struggling to determine which Chinese tech companies may pose security risks, and how to extricate those products and services from sensitive telecommunications infrastructure.
Snapchat is adding a new safeguard meant to ensure that young users only connect with people on the social network that they know in real life.
How it works: Snapchat is changing its "Quick Add" friends suggestion so that it is impossible to add users under 18 unless there are a certain number of friends in common, a spokesperson told Axios.
Why it matters: While a previous version of the suit also alleged collusion between the two companies, the newly public documents shed new light on the effort, dubbed "Jedi Blue," as well as the extent 0f executive involvement.
The Biden administration wants to capitalize on the Great Resignation to fill thousands of expected government tech and cybersecurity jobs.
Why it matters: The administration wants to remake how government websites deliver services and improve the nation's cybersecurity, but it will need skilled workers to make it happen.
The CEOs of leading U.S. air cargo and passenger carriers on Monday warned the Biden administration there could be "catastrophic disruption" after AT&T and Verizon deploy a new 5G service this week.
Driving the news: They said in a letter to Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and other top federal officials ahead of the C-Band 5G service's deployment Wednesday that "the nation's commerce will grind to a halt" and "could potentially strand tens of thousands of Americans overseas."
