Express VPN removed its virtual private network (VPN) servers in India. The move was in response to an order to a new government mandate that made it mandatory for VPN service providers to keep user data for at least five years and share records with authorities when required. Under the new directions, service providers will have to store users' names, IP addresses assigned to them, usage patterns and other data. Express VPN said that the directions are "incompatible with the purpose of VPNs, which are designed to keep users' online activity private".
Apple recently told staff that it would make work schedules for retail staff flexible amid a push towards unionization, according to reporting by Bloomberg News. The changes will include extending the minimum period between shifts to 12 hours from 10 hours. Apple also told Reuters that it would raise the pay for its employees in the US to $22 per hour or more. Apple’s Atlanta store recently filed a petition to hold a union election, which could make it the first Apple Store in the US to unionize. The move comes amid a wave of unionization in the US as major firms are scrambling to thwart labor organizers as the current support for labor unions in the country has reached an all-time high since 1965. According to Gallup polling, 90 percent of Democrats and 47 percent of Republicans approve of unions, with an overall 68 percent approval. Microsoft recently announced that it would not resist unionization efforts by its employees, as it recognizes their legal right to choose to form or join a union.
Elon Musk’s deal to acquire Twitter came one step closer this week as the US antitrust waiting period for the acquisition ended. The completion of the deal is now subject to remaining customary closing conditions, which include approval by Twitter stockholders and any other regulatory approvals. However, Musk might face another hurdle as advocacy groups launched a campaign to stop the Tesla CEO from purchasing Twitter. Accountable Tech executive director Nicole Gill said in a release, “Elon Musk is a wolf in expensive sheep's clothing whose Twitter takeover is motivated by ego and grievance. If we don't stop this deal, he'll hand a megaphone to demagogues and extremists, who will cheer him as they incite more hate, harm, and harassment.”
Google recently confirmed plans that it was planning on merging its Duo and Meet apps into a single video calling platform. In the following weeks, Google Meet will incorporate most of the features from the Duo app, while the Duo app will be renamed Google Meet later this year. Google Meet features will be available to Google Workspace customers, and legacy G Suite Basic and Business customers, as well as all personal Google accounts.
There has been a rise of around 82 percent in hate speech on social media platform Facebook and an 86 percent jump in violent and inciting content on Instagram, according to a monthly report released by Meta. The majority of the content in the report is based on detection by social media platforms before users report them. According to the report released on May 31, Facebook detected 53,200 hate speech in April, which is 82 percent higher compared to the 38,600 detected in March, on which the platform took action. The report showed that Instagram acted on 77,000 violence and incitement related content in April compared to 41,300 in March.
Xiaomi has announced an organizational reshuffle for Indian operations that it hopes will lead it into the next era of growth in the country. After seven years at the helm, ManuKumar Jain transitioned into a new global role as group vice president last year. He will also be responsible for international strategy and international marketing and PR. In his absence, chief operating officer Muralikrishnan B, chief business officer Raghu Reddy, and chief financial officer Sameer BSRao looked over the Indian business and will continue to do so independently.
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