Meta is acquiring AI startup Manus to boost its AI agent ambitions. The deal includes a full severance of Manus’s Chinese ties, winding down its business in China. This follows US political criticism over the startup’s origins.
Google is finally allowing users to change their primary Gmail address without starting a new account. The feature lets you keep all your data and use the old address as an alias, but it comes with strict lifetime limits and new phishing risks to watch for.
According to a new Pew Research Center survey, TikTok is now the most popular social app for news among young adults in the US. The shift highlights a major change in how Gen Z consumes information, favoring creators over traditional outlets.
NordVPN has already rolled out post-quantum encryption for its VPN connections. Now, its CTO says the next target is securing the authentication phase against future quantum attacks, with a goal for the first half of 2026.
New York is taking direct aim at the design features that keep users hooked. A new law will force platforms to display persistent warnings about addictive feeds and autoplay for young people.
A Texas judge has issued a preliminary injunction against the state’s App Store Accountability Act just days before it was set to take effect. The law would have required platforms like Apple’s App Store to verify user ages before downloads or purchases.
Apple has agreed to allow third-party app stores and payment systems on iOS devices in Brazil to settle a lengthy antitrust case. The agreement with regulator CADE lasts three years and includes a hefty fine for non-compliance.
The next year in data collection will be defined by legal uncertainty over AI training and a major technological pivot. The focus is shifting from hoarding massive datasets to ensuring high-quality, legally compliant information, powered by new AI tools.
TikTok has struck a deal to avoid a US ban by placing its American operations under a new joint venture. Majority control goes to Oracle, Silver Lake, and MGX, with ByteDance retaining just 19.9%. The app’s algorithm will be retrained on US data.
After years of pressure, ByteDance has agreed to a deal that creates a new U.S. joint venture for TikTok. A group of American investors will own 45% and control key operations. The deal is set to close on January 22nd, 2026.
