Policy articles

FTC votes to ban most noncompete agreements nationwide, a common practice among big tech corporations

The big picture: Many companies, including those in the tech sector, often use noncompete agreements to prevent employee poaching. However, the US Federal Trade Commission now deems this practice unfair, asserting that companies have alternative methods to safeguard their intellectual property. The commission anticipates that banning nearly all noncompete agreements will enhance working conditions and foster innovation.

Apple will officially implement sideloading in Europe this spring

Airbnb bans indoor security cameras from rentals

Predatory loan apps continue to exploit users despite Google's ban

Google will begin deleting millions of inactive Gmail and Drive accounts in December

Fans boycott Rocket League to protest item trading ban

Chromebooks will now receive 10 years of automatic security updates

Unity closes two offices over "credible death threat" amid runtime fee and insider trading controversies

Xbox new "eight-strike" punishment system is more complicated than it needs to be

Google's policy update confirms that all your posted content will be utilized for AI training

Google says it will start deleting inactive accounts later this year

In brief: Do you have a Google account you've not used for a long time? If it will have sat dormant for two years come this December, wave goodbye as Google will permanently delete it and all your data. The company says it's taking this action to prevent security risks.

New Justice Department guidelines promise not to prosecute security researchers under anti-hacking laws

Amazon to permanently allow phones in its warehouses following tornado, petition

Sony now requires PlayStation developers to include a two-hour trial for games over $34

Apple is removing apps that haven't been updated in a while

Google Play Store plans to hide neglected apps

Apple now allows 'reader' apps to link to their own sites

Twitter drops ban hammer on sharing 'private media' without an individual's consent

Steam's two-hour refund policy forces an indie developer into hiatus

Amazon Games Studios has stopped laying claim to its employees' independently created games

Google is banning sugar daddy apps from the Play Store

Leaked document indicates Apple is cracking down on leaks

Google employees form a union to fight for change Alphabet's ways

Google accused of illegally spying on employees before firing them