1.The FTC alleged that Kochava was selling data that could be used to “trace the movements of individuals to and from sensitive locations.” Though Kochava argued in its own lawsuit—that was filed in anticipation of the FTC’s suit—that the FTC’s case is baseless, privacy experts claim that the commission’s argument is so broad that it could, theoretically, put the collection and sale of location data under
the thumb of regulators.
2.Peloton co-founder John Foley is apparently not feeling the love from investors anymore. In a major executive shake-up, Foley is among three C-suite leaders exiting the company. This comes as Peloton tries to grapple with declining sales and a series of public relations mishaps.
Foley founded Peloton in 2012 with the goal of getting people off the couch and into shape. The company's flagship product is
a $2,000 stationary bike that comes with a monthly subscription to live and on-demand fitness classes. Initially, the company found success with its target market of affluent urbanites. But as Peloton has sought to expand its appeal, it has stumbled.
Most recently, Peloton came under fire for an ad featuring a married woman who appeared to be obsessively addicted to working out on her Peloton bike. The ad was widely criticized, and Peloton was forced to apologize. Prior to that, the
company was embroiled in a legal battle with music publishers over the use of copyrighted songs in its fitness classes.
It seems that Foley's vision for Peloton as a mass-market brand has not been realized, and now he will no longer be at the helm of the company. It remains to be seen whether Peloton can turn things around under new leadership.
3.Today is a big day for Twitter. The social network is facing some serious allegations of
security and privacy lapses, and its former head of security is set to testify before the Senate. This is a big deal because, up until now, Twitter has been able to fly under the radar when it comes to online privacy. But that may all change today. It will be interesting to see what kind of damaging information comes out during the hearing, and how Twitter reacts. Stay tuned for updates!
4.In today's economy, it's hard enough to keep
a business afloat, let alone a luxury one. Rent the Runway Inc, a company that allows people to rent designer clothing and accessories for special occasions, is finding this out the hard way. According to recent reports, the company is facing financial difficulties and may have to close its doors for good. This is terrible news for fashion lovers everywhere. However, there is some silver lining to this dark cloud. If Rent the Runway does go out of business, it will be a great
opportunity for thrift stores and consignment shops. So if you're looking for a designer dress on a budget, keep your eye on these places in the coming months!
5. The Wall Street Journal recently did a report on Meta's internal research document, which showed that Reels' engagement has fallen for four weeks straight. Overall engagement is down 13.6%, with "most users having no engagement whatsoever." In fact, only about 20% of
creators on the platform are making content. However, by the views, Instagram users are spending 17.6M hours a day watching Reels. So, while the percentage of people actually creating content may be low, the amount of time people are spending watching it is still high. Perhaps this is because people are more likely to watch a short video than commit to creating one themselves. Or maybe we just like seeing other people's failures more than our own. Regardless, it's clear that Reels still has a
lot of work to do in terms of engagement.
6. Reducing cloud usage at top of the agenda for cost-cutting Netflix. Following two consecutive quarters of subscriber decline, Netflix is looking for ways to cut costs. According to the Wall Street Journal, the most pressing issue for the company is its rapidly rising cloud computing costs. The company has aspirations to reach 500 million global subscribers within the next three years, and
the report says that it is currently spending about $3 billion per year on its cloud infrastructure. In order to achieve its goal, Netflix will need to find ways to reduce its cloud usage. One possibility is to move some of its data and services to less expensive servers. Another option is to use caching techniques more aggressively. Regardless of what solutions it chooses, it is clear that reducing its cloud costs will be a top priority for Netflix in the coming
months.
7. Roku is a company known for making streaming devices that enable users to watch internet video on their televisions. The company has now launched a new program aimed at helping small businesses get involved in advertising on Roku-connected TVs. The Certified Partner Program will provide guidance and support to help small businesses create and run ads on Roku’s OneView ad platform. This should help businesses reach new
customers who are streaming content on Roku devices. In addition, the program will offer discounts on advertising rates for businesses that sign up for the program. This could be a great opportunity for small businesses to get involved in TV advertising and reach a new audience.
8. Former House of Mouse boss Robert Iger's predictions about the future of streaming services were unsurprisingly positive for Disney+, Netflix, and the "deep
pockets" of Apple and Amazon. Iger's lack of predictions for the likes of HBO Max and Peacock was also unsurprising, given the competition in the streaming market. However, Iger's comments on the survival of the streaming fittest were interesting, as they showed a lack of understanding of the importance of content in the streaming world. While deep pockets are certainly important, it is content that will ultimately determine which streaming services survive and thrive in the years to
come.
9. Oxwash, a U.K. startup that’s spent the last few years applying high tech processes to shrink the environment cost of dry cleaning and commercial laundry, has trousered £10 million (~$12 million) in Series A funding to expand its
nationwide footprint. Currently its service is available in five U.K. cities: London, Oxford, Cambridge, Bristol and Manchester but — flush with fresh funding — it’s aiming for broader domestic coverage and eyeing a U.S. launch after that
10.For years, companies have been using AI to gain an edge over their competition. But now, it seems, the tables have turned. The US Federal Trade Commission is turning its
sights on runaway AI, and it's about time. Companies have been using AI to unfairly manipulate markets, engage in commercial surveillance, and take advantage of consumers. But the FTC is finally putting an end to this practice. The regulator is clamping down on the use of AI in unfair and deceptive ways, and it's about time. Experts say that this will level the playing field for companies that have been using AI ethically. So if you're one of those companies, congratulations. Your days of gaming
the system are numbered.
11. Our nation's Senators sure are a up in arms about the gun industry's marketing practices! In a letter to the Federal Trade Commission today, a group of twelve Senators led by Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), and Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) called for an investigation into what they deem as "unfair and deceptive advertising practices."
Apparently, the senators are not pleased with
how gun manufacturers are selling their products to the public. In their letter, they accuse the industry of targeting children and using "scare tactics" to sell guns. They also say that the industry is using marketing strategies that "exploit" people's fears in order to sell more guns.
12. I have some friends who are really into making their own soda. I'm talking about the kind of people who spend hours perfecting their recipe for root beer, who grow their own mint for their
mojitos. For these people, SodaStream is a revelation. It's a machine that lets you make your own soda at home, and it's now getting a major makeover. According to a press release, SodaStream is repositioning its brand with a new logo, color palette, website and line of premium products. Creative and design agency Pearl Fisher and creative advisor Eitan Cohen assisted. The new look is more sleek and modern, and the logo is based on a custom typeface
designed by Cohen. The new website will launch later this year, and the premium products will be available in select retailers. So if you're looking to get into the home soda making game, keep an eye out for the new SodaStream.
