TikTok’s global security chief is stepping down amid US user data controversy

TikTok’s global chief security officer (CSO) will step down from that position and shift into a strategic advisory role. Roland Cloutier’s change in duties follows concerns about how the company is handling US user data. TikTok recently admitted that employees outside of the country were able to access that information, although “robust cybersecurity controls and authorization” from its US security team were required.

Cloutier will be an adviser on the business impact of TikTok’s security and trust programs. TikTok’s head of security risk, vendor and client assurance, Kim Albarella, will take over as the chief of the company’s worldwide security teams on an interim basis.

“Part of our evolving approach has been to minimize concerns about the security of user data in the US, including the creation of a new department to manage US user data for TikTok,” CEO Shou Zi Chew wrote in a memo to TikTok staff. “This is an important investment in our data protection practices, and it also changes the scope of the global chief security officer role. With this in mind, Roland has decided to step back from his day-to-day operations as global CSO, effective September 2nd.”

A TikTok spokesperson told The Wall Street Journal Cloutier wasn’t overseeing the new team that manages US user data. That department reports to Chew directly. Cloutier’s departure wasn’t related to lawmakers’ concerns over US data security, the spokesperson said, and the shift had been in the works for a couple of months.

Last month, BuzzFeed News reported that China-based engineers at TikTok’s parent company ByteDance accessed non-public data on US TikTok users on multiple occasions between at least last September and January. TikTok said it’s now storing all US users’ data on Oracle cloud servers located in the country and that it was working to remove such private data from its own servers. In a letter to a group of Republican senators this month, Chew wrote that the company is focused on removing “any doubt about the security of US user data.”

Sony completes $3.6 billion deal to buy Bungie

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FCC chair proposes raising broadband standard to 100Mbps

The FCC’s 25Mbps broadband standard seemed fast in 2015, but that was seven years ago — and the agency’s current leadership believes it’s time to raise that baseline. Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel has proposed raising the minimum definition of broadband to 100Mbps for downloads and 20Mbps for uploads. The previous 25/3 benchmark is both outdated and hides just how many low-income and rural internet users are being “left behind and left offline,” Rosenworcel said.

The chair said multiple pieces of evidence supported the hike, including requirements for new network construction stemming from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The FCC had already proposed upgrades to rural speeds through a special program, but this would affect the definition of broadband regardless of where users live in the country.

Rosenworcel also wanted the minimum speed to evolve over time. She proposed setting a much higher standard of 1Gbps down and 500Mbps up for some point in the future. The leader further suggested more criteria for determining the “reasonable and timely” rollout of broadband, including adoption rates, affordability, availability and equitable access.

It’s unclear if the standards change will move forward. Ars Technicanotes any proposed upgrade would require a vote, and the current commission is deadlocked with two Democrats and two Republics. As the Senate has done little to advance commissioner nominee Gigi Sohn, there’s no guarantee Rosenworcel (a Democrat) will get her way. Telecoms might not be thrilled, either. Comcast only last year raised the speed of its $10 Essentials tier to 50Mbps downstream — it and other carriers might have to invest in better networks to reach the 100Mbps minimum in some areas, let alone a possible 1Gbps threshold.

ESPN+ is raising the price of a monthly plan by $3 to $10

Disney is set to increase the price of ESPN+ plans once again. As of August 23rd, a monthly subscription will go up by $3 to $10 (a jump of 43 percent), while the annual option will be $100, up from $70, as first reported by Variety.

That’s a significant price increase at a time when the prices of many goods and services are rising sharply. It’s a far bigger jump than the previous ESPN+ monthly plan increases of $1 in August 2020 and again last year. ESPN+ cost just $5 per month when it debuted in 2019 and, at least at the time, it was a killer deal.

“While it is a significant change to the price, it’s reflective of the increased scope, scale and value of ESPN+ as we continue to add significantly to both live sports and original programs and series, and it is part of an established plan to ensure ESPN+ is a profitable and strong long-term business,” an ESPN spokesperson told The Wrap. “I think you’ll also find, if you look across the sports streaming landscape, ESPN+ clearly remains the best value — in virtually all other sports streaming, you pay this price or more, and get less.” 

For what it’s worth, rival sports streaming services DAZN and Bally Sports+ each cost $20 per month. ESPN+ includes PGA Tour Live, which cost $10 per month when it was a standalone service, and NHL’s Center Ice, which previously cost $25 per month. The platform also offers games from several major soccerleagues (though it’s losing MLS to Apple next year), the NFL, college football and other sports. It’s also home to ESPN original shows and docuseries, as well as various specials. As Bloomberg notes, in the first quarter of 2022, ESPN programming and production costs increased by 48 percent to $454 million.

At least for now, Disney does not plan to increase the price of the Disney Bundle. Along with ESPN+, that provides access to Disney+ and the ad-supported version of Hulu. The bundle costs $14 per month. Subscribing to all three services individually would add up to a monthly bill of $25 after the ESPN+ increase. In addition, there aren’t plans to increase the price of UFC pay-per-view events on ESPN+ at the minute either.

Twitter and Elon Musk have their first court hearing on July 19th

Twitter won’t have to wait long to take Elon Musk to court, in a limited fashion. Reutersreports that Delaware Court of Chancery chancellor Kathaleen McCormick has scheduled the first hearing for Twitter’s lawsuits on July 19th at 11AM Eastern. The 90-minute session will have a judge hear arguments relating to Twitter’s request for a September trial.

The social network sued Musk earlier this week, days after the Tesla chief filed to kill the $44 billion deal. The executive claimed that Twitter falsely represented the volume of bots and other fake accounts on its platform, withholding details to make sure the acquisition goes through. Twitter has denied the allegations. It maintained that it shared the full data pipeline, and that Musk broke the terms of the agreement by backing out with “unreasonable requests” and insults to the company.

There’s still no word of a countersuit from Musk as of this writing. Even if it doesn’t materialize, though, the outcome of Twitter’s lawsuit will have far-reaching implications. If the court sides with Twitter, it could force Musk to either complete the purchase or pay the breakup costs associated with the agreement.

Amazon’s Prime Air drones will soon make deliveries in Texas

Amazon has revealed the second city where it plans to start making drone deliveries later this year. The company says it will start contacting customers in College Station, Texas, to gauge their interest in receiving orders via Prime Air.

Amazon says it was impressed by many elements of the city, including the research being conducted by Texas A&M University, such as work on drone technology. The US Census Bureau estimates the population of College Station was 120,000 as of last July, so while it isn’t the biggest city around, it seems like a decent size for the initially rollout of Prime Air.

“Amazon’s new facility presents a tremendous opportunity for College Station to be at the forefront of the development of drone delivery technology,” Karl Mooney, the mayor of College Station, said. “We look forward to partnering with Amazon and Texas A&M and are confident that Amazon will be a productive, conscientious, and accountable participant in our community.”

Amazon last month announced it will start making drone deliveries in Lockeford, California later this year. It plans to drop packages in customers’ backyards and thousands of products will be eligible for the program. Amazon will start the Prime Air service nine years (and more than two dozen prototypes) after it first revealed plans for drone deliveries.

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Apple Music counters Spotify with live sessions in spatial audio

Apple is no stranger to exclusive tunes, but now it’s using them to more directly challenge its rivals. The company has launched an Apple Music Sessions series that, much like Spotify Sessions, revolves around live performances from big-name artists at in-house venues. Not surprisingly, Apple is wielding its technical clout to reel you in — every song is available in spatial audio, and videos of the performances are available if listening isn’t enough.

The initial sessions cater to country fans, with Carrie Underwood and Tenille Townes playing favorites and covers in Apple’s Nashville studio. Upcoming releases will feature the likes of Ingrid Andress and Ronnie Dunn. There will be releases for other genres, so don’t worry if you prefer live music without a twang.

There’s no mystery to the strategy here. As with Apple’s other exclusives, ranging from early iTunes Originals through to recent spatial audio offerings, this is all about giving you a reason to either switch to the service or stay hooked. The company just isn’t shy about its main competition this time — it’s hoping to draw in some Spotify converts, or at least keep Apple Music fans from jumping ship.

Feline adventure game ‘Stray’ is getting a limited-edition cat backpack

The history of video games is littered with odd tie-in merchandise, from Resident Evil perfume and Xbox body wash to a Call of Duty-themed Jeep and the Xbox Mini Fridge. Annapurna Interactive is adding to that storied legacy with a branded cat carrier for new adventure game Stray.

The publisher teamed up with pet accessories brand Travel Cat for the limited-edition carrier, which it announced just a few days before the game hits PlayStation and PC on Tuesday. “We’ve hinted at it. It’s true. We’re happy to share that limited-edition Stray x Travel Cat merch for your feline companions is up for pre-order!” Annapurna wrote in a tweet spotted by Eurogamer.

It’s a version of a Travel Cat backpack called The Fat Cat with neon and charcoal colors inspired by the cyberpunk setting of Stray. The pet accessory company says the $140 carrier is sturdy and breathable, while there’s space for more than one cat. There’s a bubble attachment so your curious furry friends can look at the outside world, as well as a leash clip (a Stray leash and harness are also available)

You don’t have to limit the contents to cats either. “You could also use the harness and backpack for small/mediumish dogs if you really wanted to,” Annapurna said. “And you can use the backpack for carrying stuff in general too.” Travel Cat will ship the carrier in two batches, one on August 31st and another on September 21st.

There’s been a sizable buzz around puzzle platformer Stray since it first emerged a couple of years ago. You’ll play as a stray cat that has been separated from its family. You’ll make your way home through a dystopian cybercity with the help of a companion drone, all the while knocking over as many things as you can. PlayStation Plus subscribers on the Extra and Premium tiers can play the game at no extra cost.