theverge--2020-09-18--Google corrects unfortunate ‘Stalkerware’ typo allowing partner-tracking apps

Google is correcting a “ typo ” in its Play Store “ stalkerware ” policy that currently suggests that apps can be used to track spouses .
Stalkerware and other tracking software is dangerous , campaigners say , because it can facilitate domestic abuse and harassment of partners .
As it ’ s written , the policy also mistakenly says parents can not track their children .
The updated developer policy , which comes into effect on October 1st , now explicitly says that Play Store apps which allow parents to track their children are acceptable , but that they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( like a spouse ) without their knowledge or permission .
Here ’ s the relevant section from the current developer policy which is due to be corrected ( emphasis added ) : Here ’ s that same section in the new policy , which comes into effect on October 1st ( again , emphasis added ) .
Google has changed the wording from “ legitimate ” to “ acceptable , ” but more importantly it ’ s switched around which apps are allowed and which are forbidden .
Outside of a couple @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rest of the Stalkerware policy appears to be more or less unchanged from August .
Google ’ s rules state that apps can not mislead users about their tracking functionality .
Apps must “ present users with a persistent notification and unique icon that clearly identifies the app ” and they ’ re not allowed to hide tracking behavior .
They also have to be explicitly designed and marketed as parental monitoring or enterprise management apps , rather than a “ spying or secret surveillance solution.
” Google has confirmed to The Verge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ displayed , even when an app is designed to allow parents to track their children .
Campaigners say these tools can enable abusers Google ’ s rule clarification comes amidst a wider campaign to crack down on stalkerware .
These apps that are frequently marketed as a way for jealous or suspicious partners to keep tabs on another , and are designed to trick users into believing they ’ re not being monitored , according to the Electronic Frontier Foundation ( EFF ) .
The Coalition Against Stalkerware , which the EFF helped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like this can facilitate “ gender-based and domestic violence , harassment and sexual abuse.
” Back in July , Google announced a ban on advertising spyware or surveillance technology with a new ads policy which came into force on August 11th , although a TechCrunch report subsequently found ads for these apps after the ban came into effect .
Alongside yesterday ’ s typo correction , Google also updated its policies around misrepresentation and gambling apps .
It has clarified that “ coordinated activity that misrepresents or conceals the origin of an app @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its policies , and that a government-published gambling app is now allowed in Brazil .
These policies will come into effect on October 21st .

Google is correcting a “typo” in its Play Store “stalkerware” policy that currently suggests that apps can be used to track spouses. Stalkerware and other tracking software is dangerous, campaigners say, because it can facilitate domestic abuse and harassment of partners. As it’s written, the policy also mistakenly says parents cannot track their children.
The updated developer policy, which comes into effect on October 1st, now explicitly says that Play Store apps which allow parents to track their children are acceptable, but that they cannot be used to track adults (like a spouse) without their knowledge or permission.
Here’s the relevant section from the current developer policy which is due to be corrected (emphasis added):
Legitimate forms of these apps cannot be used by parents to track their children. However, these apps can be used to track a person (a spouse, for example) without their knowledge or permission unless a persistent notification is displayed while the data is being transmitted.
Here’s that same section in the new policy, which comes into effect on October 1st (again, emphasis added). Google has changed the wording from “legitimate” to “acceptable,” but more importantly it’s switched around which apps are allowed and which are forbidden.
Acceptable forms of these apps can be used by parents to track their children. However, these apps cannot be used to track a person (a spouse, for example) without their knowledge or permission unless a persistent notification is displayed while the data is being transmitted.
Outside of a couple of other minor wording changes, the rest of the Stalkerware policy appears to be more or less unchanged from August. Google’s rules state that apps cannot mislead users about their tracking functionality. Apps must “present users with a persistent notification and unique icon that clearly identifies the app” and they’re not allowed to hide tracking behavior. They also have to be explicitly designed and marketed as parental monitoring or enterprise management apps, rather than a “spying or secret surveillance solution.” Google has confirmed to The Verge that this persistent tracking notification must be displayed, even when an app is designed to allow parents to track their children.
Campaigners say these tools can enable abusers
Google’s rule clarification comes amidst a wider campaign to crack down on stalkerware. These apps that are frequently marketed as a way for jealous or suspicious partners to keep tabs on another, and are designed to trick users into believing they’re not being monitored, according to the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF). The Coalition Against Stalkerware, which the EFF helped found last year, says that surveillance like this can facilitate “gender-based and domestic violence, harassment and sexual abuse.”
Back in July, Google announced a ban on advertising spyware or surveillance technology with a new ads policy which came into force on August 11th, although a TechCrunch report subsequently found ads for these apps after the ban came into effect.


theverge--2020-09-18--Apple will launch its online store in India on September 23rd

Apple will launch its online store in India on September 23rd , giving customers in India a way to buy Apple products directly from the company for the first time .
“ We ’ re proud to be expanding in India and want to do all we can to support our customers and their communities , ” said Apple ’ s senior vice president of retail and people Deirdre O ’ Brien said in a statement .
“ We know our users are relying on technology to stay connected , engage in learning , and tap into their creativity , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to India , we are offering our customers the very best of Apple at this important time.
” Apple says the Indian online store will offer “ Apple ’ s full range of products and support , ” and that will include the new products announced this week , O ’ Brien said in an interview with The Indian Express .
On Tuesday , Apple announced the Apple Watch Series 6 , a new iPad Air , and more .
India is becoming an increasingly important market for Apple .
In recent years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its devices in the country — Foxconn started building the iPhone 11 near Chennai in India earlier this year , and the company has made other iPhone models in India since as early as 2017 .

“We’re proud to be expanding in India and want to do all we can to support our customers and their communities,” said Apple’s senior vice president of retail and people Deirdre O’Brien said in a statement. “We know our users are relying on technology to stay connected, engage in learning, and tap into their creativity, and by bringing the Apple Store online to India, we are offering our customers the very best of Apple at this important time.”


theverge--2020-09-18--Roku and Comcast reach agreement to carry Peacock on Roku

Comcast and Roku have come to an agreement months after NBCUniversal ’ s Peacock streaming service launched .
Peacock will be available to stream on Roku in the coming weeks .
“ We are pleased to have reached an agreement with Comcast that will bring Peacock to Roku customers and maintains access to NBCU ’ s TV Everywhere apps , ” a Roku spokesperson said .
“ We look forward to offering these new options to consumers under an expanded , mutually beneficial relationship between our companies that includes adding NBC content to The Roku Channel and a meaningful partnership @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Comcast and Roku got into a public argument over the status of dozens of NBCUniversal apps .
Comcast threatened to pull the apps as negotiations over Peacock continued ; this included 11 network apps , 12 NBC-owned stationed apps , and 23 Telemundo apps .
Both Comcast and Roku pointed fingers at each other for walking away from ongoing negotiations at the time , but just hours after the announcement came , word came that a deal , which would include Peacock landing on Roku , was imminent .
Peacock is still unavailable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ linear television , this strategy leads to carriage disputes .
These are periods of time when certain channels and programming are unavailable because the cable providers and the content providers can ’ t agree on a deal .
They ’ re referred to as “ blackout periods.
” In this specific instance , Roku , a streaming aggregator that carries content to TV sets , is the cable provider .
Comcast is putting pressure on Roku to try to make a deal by removing content , while Roku can argue that without its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other ways to watch said content .
For months , neither Roku nor Comcast could come to an agreement over aspects of the deal .
A big part of that had to do with advertising inventory .
This refers to the percentage of ads Roku takes control over once they ’ re served on its platform .
On Roku ’ s website , the company says a channel controls 70 percent of its ad inventory , with Roku controlling the remaining 30 percent .
Despite counteroffers that both parties brought to the table @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s team believed them to be fair .
“ Roku ’ s unreasonable demands ultimately hurt both their consumers and their consumer equipment partners to whom they ’ ve promised access to all apps in the marketplace , ” NBCUniversal ’ s spokesperson told The Verge on September 18th .
Another concern that ’ s been cited in reports by CNBC is how people watch Peacock .
NBCUniversal is “ hesitant about connecting Peacock with third-party ad tech software it can ’ t control , ” a report from CNBC in June @ @ @ @ @ @ @ entirely new form of advertising tech explicitly for Peacock .
The technology NBCUniversal built helps to better track user data , sell hyper-targeted ads , and increase revenue .
“ More than 15 million people signed up for Peacock since its national launch in July and we are thrilled millions more will now be able to access and enjoy Peacock along with other NBCUniversal apps on their favorite Roku devices , ” an NBCUniversal spokesperson said in a statement .
Comcast is far from the only company that Roku has publicly feuded with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ & T and Roku have been at a standstill over WarnerMedia ’ s HBO Max streaming service .
Several changes have occurred to what HBO options Roku customers have as AT & T figures out its plan to bring HBO Max to as many customers as possible , on terms that the company is comfortable with .
HBO Max head Tony Goncalves told The Verge in June , just after HBO Max ’ s launch , that AT & T wants HBO Max to be on Roku — but it wants to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Netflix and Hulu and these other apps are on those platforms , ” Goncalves said .
“ There ’ s a certain business model that exists .
We just want the same one .
I ’ m hopeful that , ultimately , we ’ ll get there , and we ’ ll get there with the consumer in mind .
But we just didn ’ t get there on day one.
” With Peacock finally on Roku , the next question is when AT & T and Roku will find a deal that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Roku customers .
Update Friday September 18th , 6:39pm ET : The story has been updated to include a statement from NBCUniversal .

Comcast and Roku have come to an agreement months after NBCUniversal’s Peacock streaming service launched. Peacock will be available to stream on Roku in the coming weeks.
“We are pleased to have reached an agreement with Comcast that will bring Peacock to Roku customers and maintains access to NBCU’s TV Everywhere apps,” a Roku spokesperson said. “We look forward to offering these new options to consumers under an expanded, mutually beneficial relationship between our companies that includes adding NBC content to The Roku Channel and a meaningful partnership around advertising.”
The decision comes after Comcast and Roku got into a public argument over the status of dozens of NBCUniversal apps. Comcast threatened to pull the apps as negotiations over Peacock continued; this included 11 network apps, 12 NBC-owned stationed apps, and 23 Telemundo apps. Both Comcast and Roku pointed fingers at each other for walking away from ongoing negotiations at the time, but just hours after the announcement came, word came that a deal, which would include Peacock landing on Roku, was imminent. Peacock is still unavailable on Amazon Fire TV devices.
In linear television, this strategy leads to carriage disputes. These are periods of time when certain channels and programming are unavailable because the cable providers and the content providers can’t agree on a deal. They’re referred to as “blackout periods.” In this specific instance, Roku, a streaming aggregator that carries content to TV sets, is the cable provider. Comcast is putting pressure on Roku to try to make a deal by removing content, while Roku can argue that without its platform, millions of people will find other ways to watch said content.
(Disclosure: Comcast, which owns NBCUniversal, is also an investor in Vox Media, The Verge’s parent company.)
For months, neither Roku nor Comcast could come to an agreement over aspects of the deal. A big part of that had to do with advertising inventory. This refers to the percentage of ads Roku takes control over once they’re served on its platform. On Roku’s website, the company says a channel controls 70 percent of its ad inventory, with Roku controlling the remaining 30 percent. Despite counteroffers that both parties brought to the table, neither Roku nor Comcast and NBCUniversal’s team believed them to be fair.
“Roku’s unreasonable demands ultimately hurt both their consumers and their consumer equipment partners to whom they’ve promised access to all apps in the marketplace,” NBCUniversal’s spokesperson told The Verge on September 18th.
Another concern that’s been cited in reports by CNBC is how people watch Peacock. NBCUniversal is “hesitant about connecting Peacock with third-party ad tech software it can’t control,” a report from CNBC in June stated, primarily because NBCUniversal built an entirely new form of advertising tech explicitly for Peacock. The technology NBCUniversal built helps to better track user data, sell hyper-targeted ads, and increase revenue.
“More than 15 million people signed up for Peacock since its national launch in July and we are thrilled millions more will now be able to access and enjoy Peacock along with other NBCUniversal apps on their favorite Roku devices,” an NBCUniversal spokesperson said in a statement.
Comcast is far from the only company that Roku has publicly feuded with over the last few months. AT&T and Roku have been at a standstill over WarnerMedia’s HBO Max streaming service. Several changes have occurred to what HBO options Roku customers have as AT&T figures out its plan to bring HBO Max to as many customers as possible, on terms that the company is comfortable with. HBO Max head Tony Goncalves told The Verge in June, just after HBO Max’s launch, that AT&T wants HBO Max to be on Roku — but it wants to be treated fairly.
“Disney Plus and Netflix and Hulu and these other apps are on those platforms,” Goncalves said. “There’s a certain business model that exists. We just want the same one. I’m hopeful that, ultimately, we’ll get there, and we’ll get there with the consumer in mind. But we just didn’t get there on day one.”
With Peacock finally on Roku, the next question is when AT&T and Roku will find a deal that works for them and bring HBO Max to Roku customers.


theverge--2020-09-18--YouTube’s website now blocks iOS 14’s picture-in-picture mode unless you pay for Premium

One of iOS 14 ’ s big new features is picture-in-picture mode , which lets you watch a video in a small window while you ’ re doing other things on your iPhone .
That could be handy if you , say , wanted to watch a YouTube video in Safari while chatting with your friends or checking email .
But unfortunately , it seems YouTube has done something to stop videos from continuing to play when PIP mode is activated — unless you pay for YouTube Premium , that is .
See for yourself .
Pull up a video @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on your iPhone and take it full screen .
If you tap to pull up playback controls , you should see a picture-in-picture icon in the top-left corner of your screen .
Tap that , and the video briefly goes into its own window before returning to its usual spot on YouTube ’ s site .
And if you try to go back to your home screen while watching a video in full screen , you ’ ll see that it briefly flickers into picture-in-picture mode before disappearing .
Interestingly , as observed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ videos in picture-in-picture mode if they ’ re embedded on a website .
And if you have YouTube Premium , picture-in-picture works as expected .
But it ’ s not functioning properly if you ’ re a free user .
This wasn ’ t the case as recently as yesterday , according to MacRumors , and I remember it working on the iOS 14 betas ahead of the software ’ s official release this week .
Picture-in-picture mode still works with YouTube videos in Safari if you ’ re using an iPad , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a free or Premium account .
It ’ s unclear if this is a bug or if YouTube removed the functionality intentionally .
For its own app , YouTube limits the ability to play videos in the background to YouTube Premium subscribers .
It seems plausible that YouTube wants to restrict picture-in-picture to its paying subscribers .
Google and Apple have not replied to a request for comment .

One of iOS 14’s big new features is picture-in-picture mode, which lets you watch a video in a small window while you’re doing other things on your iPhone. That could be handy if you, say, wanted to watch a YouTube video in Safari while chatting with your friends or checking email. But unfortunately, it seems YouTube has done something to stop videos from continuing to play when PIP mode is activated — unless you pay for YouTube Premium, that is.
See for yourself. Pull up a video on YouTube’s website in Safari on your iPhone and take it full screen. If you tap to pull up playback controls, you should see a picture-in-picture icon in the top-left corner of your screen. Tap that, and the video briefly goes into its own window before returning to its usual spot on YouTube’s site. And if you try to go back to your home screen while watching a video in full screen, you’ll see that it briefly flickers into picture-in-picture mode before disappearing.
Interestingly, as observed by MacRumors, you can watch YouTube videos in picture-in-picture mode if they’re embedded on a website. And if you have YouTube Premium, picture-in-picture works as expected. But it’s not functioning properly if you’re a free user. This wasn’t the case as recently as yesterday, according to MacRumors, and I remember it working on the iOS 14 betas ahead of the software’s official release this week.
Picture-in-picture mode still works with YouTube videos in Safari if you’re using an iPad, regardless of whether you’ve got a free or Premium account.
It’s unclear if this is a bug or if YouTube removed the functionality intentionally. For its own app, YouTube limits the ability to play videos in the background to YouTube Premium subscribers. It seems plausible that YouTube wants to restrict picture-in-picture to its paying subscribers.


theverge--2020-09-18--Procreate 5X adds new filters and a handy reference companion view

Procreate ’ s next big update , Procreate 5X , adds new filters and adjustments that ’ ll be really helpful for those who are trying to do more in Procreate and less in Photoshop .
The update will be available starting September 21st .
The new filters include halftone , gradient map , chromatic aberration , glitch effects , and more .
The iPad illustration app has also added a reference companion window , allowing you to view your whole canvas or another image on the side while you work .
While overall this feels less flashy than the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Assist , a tool that adds a timeline to the app for looping GIFs and animated videos ) , it includes some great features that help to close the gap with Adobe ’ s more powerful desktop software .
The updates that might be most exciting to users are the new filters and how you can apply them .
Procreate 5X has Pencil Filters now , so you can draw in your filters and adjustments as opposed to applying them as an entire layer ( that ’ s still an option ) .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ too .
Included are Glitch , which gives you four types with controls , and Gradient Map , which takes a color gradient and transposes that to the image ’ s color values .
Procreate has also added Chromatic Aberration , Bloom , and Halftone , which has three styles , Full Color , Screen Print , and Newspaper .
You can now use the new Palette Capture to create a custom palette , too , taking an image from your canvas , photo library , or from an Adobe ACO or ASE @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new feature called FacePaint , which lets you paint directly on your face in real-time using your device ’ s camera , as long as it ’ s compatible .
I have a sixth-generation iPad , so I couldn ’ t try this out , but it does look fun .
The biggest update to me is the reference companion .
This is a movable window that lets you continue working zoomed in while seeing the macro image in real time , or you can load in a separate image to use as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ useful .
What ’ s most exciting about this update is seeing how Procreate is continuing to add in features to help users stay in the app more and more .
While I personally love working with lots of apps for my art , the ‘ have to export to add this one effect I can only do in this one other app and then reimport to continue working ’ process can get old fast and be disruptive to a workflow .

Procreate’s next big update, Procreate 5X, adds new filters and adjustments that’ll be really helpful for those who are trying to do more in Procreate and less in Photoshop. The update will be available starting September 21st.
The new filters include halftone, gradient map, chromatic aberration, glitch effects, and more. The iPad illustration app has also added a reference companion window, allowing you to view your whole canvas or another image on the side while you work. While overall this feels less flashy than the Procreate 5 update (which added Animation Assist, a tool that adds a timeline to the app for looping GIFs and animated videos), it includes some great features that help to close the gap with Adobe’s more powerful desktop software.
The updates that might be most exciting to users are the new filters and how you can apply them. Procreate 5X has Pencil Filters now, so you can draw in your filters and adjustments as opposed to applying them as an entire layer (that’s still an option).
The new adjustment filters are great, too. Included are Glitch, which gives you four types with controls, and Gradient Map, which takes a color gradient and transposes that to the image’s color values. Procreate has also added Chromatic Aberration, Bloom, and Halftone, which has three styles, Full Color, Screen Print, and Newspaper.
You can now use the new Palette Capture to create a custom palette, too, taking an image from your canvas, photo library, or from an Adobe ACO or ASE palette.
There’s also a new feature called FacePaint, which lets you paint directly on your face in real-time using your device’s camera, as long as it’s compatible. I have a sixth-generation iPad, so I couldn’t try this out, but it does look fun.
The biggest update to me is the reference companion. This is a movable window that lets you continue working zoomed in while seeing the macro image in real time, or you can load in a separate image to use as a reference, which is also extremely useful.


theverge--2020-09-18--Amazon warns PS5 preorder customers that consoles might arrive after launch day

It seemed a little too good to be true the other night when Amazon successfully processed a bunch of PlayStation 5 preorders after other retailers dropped the ball spectacularly .
And , well , maybe it was .
Today , the company has sent out an email to many who preordered a PS5 — both the regular and Digital Edition consoles — advising that shipments might not arrive in time for the November 12th release date .
“ We ’ re contacting you about your order of PlayStation 5 to let you know in advance that you may not receive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ released due to high demand , ” the email reads .
“ We ’ ll make every effort to get the item to you as soon as possible once released.
” This is probably a situation where not even Amazon yet knows exactly how many PlayStation 5 units it will be receiving , so the retailer is trying to play it safe and warn people that there ’ s no guarantee of launch-day delivery .
Those customers will now be left with a choice to make : you can keep the current preorder @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wind up with a strong supply and manage to hit the November 12th target , or you can try your luck elsewhere .
At least they ’ re not canceling orders , I suppose .
Anyone getting this email seems to be guaranteed a PS5 at some point .
And if any retailer is likely to wind up with extra PS5 stock , you ’ ve got to imagine it ’ ll be Amazon .

It seemed a little too good to be true the other night when Amazon successfully processed a bunch of PlayStation 5 preorders after other retailers dropped the ball spectacularly. And, well, maybe it was.
Today, the company has sent out an email to many who preordered a PS5 — both the regular and Digital Edition consoles — advising that shipments might not arrive in time for the November 12th release date. “We’re contacting you about your order of PlayStation 5 to let you know in advance that you may not receive this item on the day it is released due to high demand,” the email reads. “We’ll make every effort to get the item to you as soon as possible once released.”
This is probably a situation where not even Amazon yet knows exactly how many PlayStation 5 units it will be receiving, so the retailer is trying to play it safe and warn people that there’s no guarantee of launch-day delivery. Those customers will now be left with a choice to make: you can keep the current preorder in place in hopes that Amazon will wind up with a strong supply and manage to hit the November 12th target, or you can try your luck elsewhere.


theverge--2020-09-18--CDC says asymptomatic people should get tested for COVID-19 after all

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said today that individuals who don ’ t have coronavirus symptoms should get tested , reversing guidance that stirred controversy last month .
The reversal follows a report published yesterday by The New York Times which revealed that the initial guidance was pushed by non-scientists in the Trump administration against the objections of public health officials and experts .
The new guidance , issued on the CDC ’ s website on Friday , now clarifies that individuals should seek a COVID-19 test if they feel they ’ ve been in close contact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus , regardless of whether they ’ re displaying symptoms .
“ Due to the significance of asymptomatic and pre-symptomatic transmission , this guidance further reinforces the need to test asymptomatic persons , including close contacts of a person with documented SARS-CoV-2 infection , ” the update says .
The CDC is reversing guidance it published just one month ago In last month ’ s update , the CDC said Americans shouldn ’ t seek a COVID-19 test unless they exhibited symptoms — despite well-established evidence that asymptomatic individuals could contract and spread @ @ @ @ @ @ @ puzzling until The New York Times reported that the guidance was not written by CDC scientists .
Instead , officials at the US Department of Health & Human Services ( HHS ) published the guidance to the CDC website against the protests of the agency ’ s employees .
Earlier this month , The New York Times reported that HHS officials have also been tampering with the CDC ’ s weekly coronavirus findings , like information on the virus ’ s associated death rate , as a way to appease the Trump administration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issuing public health guidance and helping various state and federal organizations combat the coronavirus has been highly controversial throughout the pandemic .
Public health officials and Democratic politicians have expressed concern the agency and its various leaders fumbled the COVID-19 response by deferring to partisan administration officials invested in downplaying the spread of the virus .
When the CDC issued its revised guidance last month , at least 33 states defied it and continued recommending individuals exposed to COVID-19 get tested regardless of symptoms , Reuters reported .
The US response to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ developed countries , almost all of which have pursued an aggressive approach involving social distancing and stay-at-home orders , testing , and contact tracing , as well as mandates around wearing masks .
The US , on the other hand , has struggled to ramp up testing nationwide and has become embroiled in divisive nationwide arguments around mask-wearing , social distancing , and the pace of reopening measures .
Meanwhile , positive case numbers and deaths continue to rise in hotspots throughout the country , particularly in the Midwest and South where schools @ @ @ @

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said today that individuals who don’t have coronavirus symptoms should get tested, reversing guidance that stirred controversy last month. The reversal follows a report published yesterday by The New York Times which revealed that the initial guidance was pushed by non-scientists in the Trump administration against the objections of public health officials and experts.
The new guidance, issued on the CDC’s website on Friday, now clarifies that individuals should seek a COVID-19 test if they feel they’ve been in close contact with those who tested positive for the virus, regardless of whether they’re displaying symptoms. “Due to the significance of asymptomatic and pre-symptomatic transmission, this guidance further reinforces the need to test asymptomatic persons, including close contacts of a person with documented SARS-CoV-2 infection,” the update says.
The CDC is reversing guidance it published just one month ago
In last month’s update, the CDC said Americans shouldn’t seek a COVID-19 test unless they exhibited symptoms — despite well-established evidence that asymptomatic individuals could contract and spread the virus without knowing. This was puzzling until The New York Times reported that the guidance was not written by CDC scientists.
Instead, officials at the US Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) published the guidance to the CDC website against the protests of the agency’s employees. Earlier this month, The New York Times reported that HHS officials have also been tampering with the CDC’s weekly coronavirus findings, like information on the virus’s associated death rate, as a way to appease the Trump administration.
The CDC’s role in issuing public health guidance and helping various state and federal organizations combat the coronavirus has been highly controversial throughout the pandemic. Public health officials and Democratic politicians have expressed concern the agency and its various leaders fumbled the COVID-19 response by deferring to partisan administration officials invested in downplaying the spread of the virus. When the CDC issued its revised guidance last month, at least 33 states defied it and continued recommending individuals exposed to COVID-19 get tested regardless of symptoms, Reuters reported.


theverge--2020-09-18--OnePlus will release an app to make its OnePlus Buds work better with other Android phones

OnePlus released the OnePlus Buds , its $ 79 true wireless earbuds , back in July .
While they have great battery and an affordable price , if you used them with a non-OnePlus phone , you weren ’ t able to manage some settings or get firmware updates .
That should change in the future , though , as a OnePlus Buds app will be coming to other Android devices , according to a Q & A on OnePlus ’ Chinese website ( via 9to5Google ) .
The Q & A doesn ’ t give a timeline as to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ app on other phones , and OnePlus didn ’ t reply to a question about when the app might be released more broadly .
If you want , you can already check out the OnePlus Buds app on Google ’ s Play Store , but the app ’ s description says it can only be installed on OnePlus devices .
In his review of the OnePlus Buds , my colleague Chris Welch found that they have a wide soundstage , though the open-air design means that you ’ ll probably still hear a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ around you while you ’ re using them .
They ’ re also IPX4 water resistant , meaning they should hold up against some sweat or splashes of water .

OnePlus released the OnePlus Buds, its $79 true wireless earbuds, back in July. While they have great battery and an affordable price, if you used them with a non-OnePlus phone, you weren’t able to manage some settings or get firmware updates. That should change in the future, though, as a OnePlus Buds app will be coming to other Android devices, according to a Q&A on OnePlus’ Chinese website (via 9to5Google).
The Q&A doesn’t give a timeline as to when we can expect to see that app on other phones, and OnePlus didn’t reply to a question about when the app might be released more broadly. If you want, you can already check out the OnePlus Buds app on Google’s Play Store, but the app’s description says it can only be installed on OnePlus devices.


theverge--2020-09-18--How to use iOS 14’s App Library to organize your apps

If you ’ re an organization junkie and an iPhone user , then iOS 14 has provided you with a new tool : the App Library , which organizes your apps in labeled groups to make them easier to find .
In fact , all your current apps can now be found there , and any apps you download in the future will be placed there as well .
( You can decide whether you want the apps to also be visible on your home screen ; we ’ ll tell you how later in this article . )
This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ especially if you tend to download a lot of apps .
The App Library appears as a separate page on your home screen .
After you ’ ve updated to iOS 14 , just keep swiping left ; the App Library will be the last page you hit .
It automatically organizes your apps into folders that are labeled with a variety of categories .
For example , just after updating to the new OS , mine included Recently Added , Utilities , Productivity & Finance , Social , Creativity , Information & @ @ @ @ @ @ @ & Fitness , and Travel .
Each folder is divided into four quadrants ; each quadrant shows an icon representing an app .
If a folder holds more than four apps , the remaining icons are shrunk down and grouped into a single quadrant .
You can open an app directly from its icon in the App Library .
If the app is part of a group of smaller icons ( and therefore too small to tap ) , tap anywhere in that quadrant and the entire category will fill your screen so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Long press on any app in the App Library , and a pop-up menu lets you delete it , use one of its features , or — if it isn ’ t there already — copy the icon to your home screen .
( This will not remove it from the App Library ) .
If you can ’ t find an app , select the search field on top ; you ’ ll get an alphabetical list of your apps .
You can either type in the name of the app @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it .
However , you do not get to decide where in the App Library the new app will appear .
For example , I installed an app called NYC 311 , which offers alerts and info for the city .
It landed in the “ Recently Added ” folder and , as far as I could tell , that was that .
I have to assume that , when it ’ s no longer considered recent , it will go to another category automatically .
I couldn ’ t create my own @ @ @ @ @ @ @ different existing category .
If you want to clean up your home screen , you can “ remove ” icons so that they are only visible in the App Library .
For a single app : • On the home screen , long press on the app you want to add .
You can also get rid of a bunch of home screen apps at once by long-pressing an empty area on your home screen .
Tap on the “ minus ” symbol on the corner of each app you want to take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Move to App Library.
” If you want to keep your home screen clean , you can arrange to have newly installed apps appear only in the App Library .
• Choose either “ Add to Home Screen ” or “ App Library Only.
” You can also opt to have notification badges shown in the App Library .
As mentioned , the App Library is an interesting addition to the iOS arsenal , allowing for increased organization of apps and a cleaner , less crowded home screen .
However , its lack @ @ @ @ @ @ @ least , a significant limitation — unlike its Android counterpart , it doesn ’ t allow you to create your own groups or to decide which app should go in which group .
With any luck , Apple will improve the feature over the coming months .

If you’re an organization junkie and an iPhone user, then iOS has provided you with a useful tool: the App Library, which organizes your apps in labeled groups to make them easier to find. Introduced with iOS 14, all your current apps can be found there, and any apps you download are placed there as well. (You can decide whether you want the apps to also be visible on your homescreen; we’ll tell you how later in this article.)
If you haven’t paid any attention to the App Library up until now, here are some ways to begin.
Automatic groupings
The App Library appears as a separate page on your homescreen. Wherever you are on your homescreen, just keep swiping left — the App Library will be the last page you hit.
It automatically organizes your apps into folders that are labeled with a variety of categories. For example, last I looked, mine included Suggestions, Recently Added, Utilities, Photo & Video, Productivity & Finance, Social, Other, Entertainment, and Information & Reading. Each folder is divided into four quadrants; each quadrant shows an icon representing an app. If a folder holds more than four apps, the remaining icons are shrunk down and grouped into their own quadrant.
You can open an app directly from its icon in the App Library. If the app is part of a group of smaller icons (and therefore too small to tap), tap anywhere in that quadrant, and the entire category will fill your screen so you can select the app you want.
The App Library organizes your apps into categories. Tap on a group of small icons, and the category will open.
Long press on any app in the App Library, and a pop-up menu lets you delete it, share it, or use one of its features.
If you can’t find an app, select the search field on top; you’ll get an alphabetical list of your apps. You can either type in the name of the app you want or scroll down to find it.
A long press offers a variety of options. If you can’t find an app, tap on the search box.
However, you do not get to decide where in the App Library the new app will appear.
Clean up your Home Screen
Since most of your apps are available in the App Library, you can, if you wish, remove them from your homescreen and make things a little less cluttered. For a single app:
On the homescreen, long press on the app you want to remove.
Tap Remove App .
. Tap Remove from Home Screen.
To clean up your homescreen, long press the icon and select Remove App. Then just select Remove from Home Screen.
You can also get rid of a bunch of home screen apps at once by long pressing an empty area on your homescreen. Tap on the “minus” symbol on the corner of each app you want to take off the homescreen and select Remove from Home Screen.
If you want to really keep your home screen clean, you can arrange to have newly installed apps appear only in the App Library.
Go to Settings > Home Screen
Choose either Add to Home Screen or App Library Only. You can also opt to have notification badges shown in the App Library and an app search icon show on the Home Screen.
To change where apps first appear, go to the home screen setting. Apps can be downloaded to your home screen or to the App Library.
The App Library is an interesting part of the iOS arsenal, allowing for increased organization of apps and a cleaner, less crowded home screen.


theverge--2020-09-18--Here’s what you need to run Cyberpunk 2077 on PC

Cyberpunk 2077 will be released in a few months , but ahead of its mid-November launch , developer CD Projekt Red unveiled the system requirements needed to run the PC version of the game , and shockingly , you don ’ t need to upgrade your computer to play the game .
The game ’ s recommended specs are not too heavy , requiring only an Intel Core i7-4790 or an AMD Ryzen 3 3200G processor , and either an Nvidia GTX 1060 or an AMD Radeon R9 Fury graphics card .
So if you have not upgraded your rig @ @ @ @ @ @ @ likely still be able to run the game at 1080p .
However , if you are looking to run the game at 1440p or 4K resolution or take advantage of the game ’ s technical features like ray tracing , you will need to upgrade to an RTX 20-series or RTX 30-series GPU .
Cyberpunk 2077 is set to release on November 19th for PC , PS4 , and Xbox One .
If you are buying it on console and plan to upgrade within the same console family , CD Projekt Red confirmed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ S owners will be able to play Cyberpunk 2077 at launch , too .
The developer also promised a free next-gen upgrade at a later date .

Cyberpunk 2077 will be released in a few months, but ahead of its mid-November launch, developer CD Projekt Red unveiled the system requirements needed to run the PC version of the game, and shockingly, you don’t need to upgrade your computer to play the game.
The game’s recommended specs are not too heavy, requiring only an Intel Core i7-4790 or an AMD Ryzen 3 3200G processor, and either an Nvidia GTX 1060 or an AMD Radeon R9 Fury graphics card. So if you have not upgraded your rig in a bit, you’ll likely still be able to run the game at 1080p. However, if you are looking to run the game at 1440p or 4K resolution or take advantage of the game’s technical features like ray tracing, you will need to upgrade to an RTX 20-series or RTX 30-series GPU.


theverge--2020-09-18--Amazon’s fall Alexa hardware event is set for September 24th

Amazon ’ s fall Alexa hardware event is scheduled for September 24th at 1PM ET .
It ’ s not @ @ @ @ @ revealed at the event — an invite sent to The Verge only said that Amazon @ @ @ @ @ team would be sharing “ some news.
” An Amazon spokesperson specified that the event @ @ @ @ @ which suggests it won ’ t be live streamed for the public .
It seems @ @ @ @ @ new smart speakers and smart displays of some kind .
At last year ’ s @ @ @ @ @ Amazon launched the high-end Echo Studio speaker , the Echo Show 8 smart display , @ @ @ @ @ .
But Amazon could also show off some more surprising hardware ; the company revealed @ @ @ @ @ which had Alexa built in , and the Echo Loop , a smart ring , @ @ @ @ @ September .
We ’ ll be covering all the upcoming Alexa and Echo-related news at @ @ @

Amazon’s fall Alexa hardware event is scheduled for September 24th at 1PM ET. It’s not clear exactly what might be revealed at the event — an invite sent to The Verge only said that Amazon’s Devices and Services team would be sharing “some news.” An Amazon spokesperson specified that the event is invite-only, however, which suggests it won’t be live streamed for the public.
It seems likely we’ll see new smart speakers and smart displays of some kind. At last year’s event, for example, Amazon launched the high-end Echo Studio speaker, the Echo Show 8 smart display, and a third-generation Echo speaker. But Amazon could also show off some more surprising hardware; the company revealed the Echo Frames glasses, which had Alexa built in, and the Echo Loop, a smart ring, at its hardware event last September.


theverge--2020-09-19--First PS5 photos show just how big Sony’s next-gen console truly is

Sony ’ s upcoming PS5 hardware has appeared at the FCC , providing us with the first close up photos of the next-gen console .
The FCC has published a variety of images , showing the standard PS5 laying horizontally , the included cables , and the removable base that holds the console in both vertical and horizontal positions .
The photos also show just how big the PS5 truly is .
We learned earlier this week that the PS5 is the biggest game console in modern history , even topping the Xbox One VCR-like shape and Sony ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during its PS5 event this week , but they don ’ t include the “ largest projection ” or the optional base measurements .
It ’ s clear from these FCC photos that it ’ s going to be a challenge to fit a PS5 into entertainment centers , just as it will be with the Xbox Series X .
Both consoles appear to be designed to primarily stand vertically , looking rather unwieldy on their sides .
Unfortunately , the FCC photos don ’ t offer a close look at exactly how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ PS5 .
Sony is allowing PS5 owners to expand storage space , but we still don ’ t have full details on exactly how this will work .
Sony has also teased that the PS5 hardware is customizable in ways that previous generations of PlayStation consoles weren ’ t , so it ’ s possible that at least one side panel of the PS5 is removable .
Sony is launching the PS5 in the US on November 12th , priced at $ 499.99 .
A second disc-less PS5 Digital Edition will also be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ revealed earlier this week that PS5 games will cost up to $ 69.99 .

Sony’s upcoming PS5 hardware has appeared at Taiwan’s National Communications Commission (NCC), providing us with the first close up photos of the next-gen console. The NCC has published a variety of images (PDF), showing the standard PS5 laying horizontally, the included cables, and the removable base that holds the console in both vertical and horizontal positions.
The photos also show just how big the PS5 truly is. We learned earlier this week that the PS5 is the biggest game console in modern history, even topping the Xbox One VCR-like shape and Sony’s own PS3. Sony released official dimensions during its PS5 event this week, but they don’t include the “largest projection” or the optional base measurements.
PS5 laying horizontally. Taiwan’s NCC PS5 laying horizontally. Taiwan’s NCC PS5 laying horizontally. Taiwan’s NCC
It’s clear from these photos that it’s going to be a challenge to fit a PS5 into entertainment centers, just as it will be with the Xbox Series X. Both consoles appear to be designed to primarily stand vertically, looking rather unwieldy on their sides.
Unfortunately, the photos don’t offer a close look at exactly how you access the NVMe slot on the PS5. Sony is allowing PS5 owners to expand storage space, but we still don’t have full details on exactly how this will work. Sony has also teased that the PS5 hardware is customizable in ways that previous generations of PlayStation consoles weren’t, so it’s possible that at least one side panel of the PS5 is removable.
Sony is launching the PS5 in the US on November 12th, priced at $499.99. A second disc-less PS5 Digital Edition will also be available for $399.99. Sony also revealed earlier this week that PS5 games will cost up to $69.99.


theverge--2020-09-19--President Trump says he approves of Oracle’s bid for TikTok ‘in concept’

President Trump says he has approved “ in concept ” Oracle ’ s bid for TikTok , less than a day before a de facto ban he threatened in August was set to go into effect .
“ I have given the deal my blessing , ” Trump said to reporters outside the White House Saturday as he departed for a rally in North Carolina .
“ I approved the deal in concept.
” On Friday , the Commerce Department issued an order to block transactions with both TikTok parent company ByteDance and WeChat , effective September 20th .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on November 12th for TikTok , effectively halting the app ’ s operations .
The details of the deal are still in flux , but the new company , called TikTok Global , would be based in the US and take over processing and storage for all US-based TikTok users .
Trump said the new company would be headquartered in Texas , would hire up to 25,000 people and would contribute $ 5 billion toward US .
education , Bloomberg reported .
“ They ’ re going to be setting up a very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ That ’ s their contribution that I ’ ve been asking for.
” Exactly how the new deal addresses the president ’ s security concerns , wasn ’ t clear Saturday afternoon .
Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross said in a statement that the ban on TikTok that was to go into effect tomorrow will be delayed a week , until September 27th at 11:59PM .
The Chinese government has to sign off on any transaction for it to move forward .
“ We are pleased that the proposal by TikTok , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ security concerns of the US Administration and settle questions around TikTok ’ s future in the US , ” a TikTok spokesperson said in an email to The Verge Saturday .
As part of the deal , Oracle will become TikTok ’ s “ trusted technology provider , ” and will be responsible for hosting all US user data , and securing associated computer systems , the spokesperson added .
“ We are currently working with Walmart on a commercial partnership as well .
Both companies will take part in a TikTok Global @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take up to a 20 % cumulative stake in the company , ” the spokesperson said .
Oracle CEO Safra Catz said in a press release Saturday that Oracle would become a minority investor in TikTok Global , and would be TikTok ’ s “ secure cloud technology provider ” under the deal .
“ Oracle will quickly deploy , rapidly scale , and operate TikTok systems in the Oracle Cloud , ” Catz said .
“ We are a hundred percent confident in our ability to deliver a highly secure environment to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s American users , and users throughout the world.
” TikTok confirmed that the company will bring “ 25,000 jobs across the country ” as part of the deal , and “ will also maintain and expand TikTok Global ’ s headquarters in the US.
” The White House did not immediately reply to requests for comment Saturday .
Update September 19th 7:54PM ET : Added statement from Commerce Secretary that the ban would be delayed

President Trump says he has approved “in concept” Oracle’s bid for TikTok, less than a day before a de facto ban he threatened in August was set to go into effect.
“I have given the deal my blessing,” Trump said to reporters outside the White House Saturday as he departed for a rally in North Carolina. “I approved the deal in concept.”
On Friday, the Commerce Department issued an order to block transactions with both TikTok parent company ByteDance and WeChat, effective September 20th. The order is set to go into effect on November 12th for TikTok, effectively halting the app’s operations.
The details of the deal are still in flux, but the new company, called TikTok Global, would be based in the US and take over processing and storage for all US-based TikTok users.
Trump said the new company would be headquartered in Texas, would hire up to 25,000 people and would contribute $5 billion toward US. education, Bloomberg reported. “They’re going to be setting up a very large fund,” the president said. “That’s their contribution that I’ve been asking for.”
Exactly how the new deal addresses the president’s security concerns, wasn’t clear Saturday afternoon. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross said in a statement that the ban on TikTok that was to go into effect Sunday will be delayed a week, until September 27th at 11:59PM.
The Chinese government has to sign off on any transaction for it to move forward.
“We are pleased that the proposal by TikTok, Oracle, and Walmart will resolve the security concerns of the US Administration and settle questions around TikTok’s future in the US,” a TikTok spokesperson said in an email to The Verge Saturday. As part of the deal, Oracle will become TikTok’s “trusted technology provider,” and will be responsible for hosting all US user data, and securing associated computer systems, the spokesperson added.
“We are currently working with Walmart on a commercial partnership as well. Both companies will take part in a TikTok Global pre-IPO financing round in which they can take up to a 20% cumulative stake in the company,” the spokesperson said.
A Walmart spokesperson said there was “still work to do on final agreements,” but the company has tentatively agreed to purchase 7.5 percent of TikTok Global “as well as entering into commercial agreements to provide our ecommerce, fulfillment, payments and other omni channel services to TikTok Global.” Walmart CEO Doug McMillon would also serve as one of five board members of the newly created company. the spokesperson added, and the company would work toward an IPO in the US within the next year.
Oracle CEO Safra Catz said in a press release Saturday that Oracle would become a minority investor in TikTok Global, and would be TikTok’s “secure cloud technology provider” under the deal.
“Oracle will quickly deploy, rapidly scale, and operate TikTok systems in the Oracle Cloud,” Catz said. “We are a hundred percent confident in our ability to deliver a highly secure environment to TikTok and ensure data privacy to TikTok’s American users, and users throughout the world.”
TikTok confirmed that the company will bring “25,000 jobs across the country” as part of the deal, and “will also maintain and expand TikTok Global’s headquarters in the US.”
The White House did not immediately reply to requests for comment Saturday.
Update September 19th 7:03PM ET: Added comment from TikTok spokesperson.
Update September 19th 7:24PM ET: Added statement from Oracle CEO.
Update September 19th 7:54PM ET: Added statement from Commerce Secretary that the ban would be delayed


theverge--2020-09-19--TikTok files last-minute lawsuit against Trump administration to stave off looming ban

TikTok and parent company ByteDance filed a lawsuit late Friday against the Trump administration to try to fend off a ban on new downloads of the app set to take effect Sunday , The Wall Street Journal reported .
TikTok says in the lawsuit that the Trump administration ’ s decision to ban new downloads of the app , announced Friday , violates free speech protections .
The administration , which includes the Commerce Department , “ took this extraordinary action of prohibiting a popular communication and information-sharing platform without affording its owners … due process of law , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any ‘ unusual and extraordinary threat ’ to the United States , ” according to the suit .
It ’ s not the first time TikTok has argued that the Trump administration acted against it without due process .
The administration called for a TikTok ban earlier this year over what it said were data security concerns , and demanded that ByteDance sell TikTok US operations to an American company by September 15th .
TikTok filed a suit against President Trump in August , arguing that Trump ’ s original order did not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ national security threat to the US .
Beijing-based ByteDance has been in talks with several US companies in recent weeks , working on a plan to create a new entity , TikTok Global , to address the Trump administration ’ s concerns about security .
Oracle and Walmart are the remaining candidates with a shot at a stake in the new TikTok company .
“ We ’ ve already committed to unprecedented levels of additional transparency and accountability well beyond what other apps are willing to do , including third-party audits , verification @ @ @ @ @ @ @ oversight of US data security , ” TikTok said in a statement Friday .
The US is TikTok ’ s second-largest market outside of China following a ban in India , according to analytics platform Sensor Tower , averaging about 7.6 million installs per month from the App Store and Google Play in 2020 .
TikTok added 247,000 new installs Friday , marking a 12 percent increase from Thursday , Sensor Tower ’ s data showed .

TikTok and parent company ByteDance filed a lawsuit late Friday against the Trump administration to try to fend off a ban on new downloads of the app set to take effect Sunday, The Wall Street Journal reported.
TikTok says in the lawsuit that the Trump administration’s decision to ban new downloads of the app, announced Friday, violates free speech protections. The administration, which includes the Commerce Department, “took this extraordinary action of prohibiting a popular communication and information-sharing platform without affording its owners … due process of law, and for political reasons rather than because of any ‘unusual and extraordinary threat’ to the United States,” according to the suit.
It’s not the first time TikTok has argued that the Trump administration acted against it without due process. The administration called for a TikTok ban earlier this year over what it said were data security concerns, and demanded that ByteDance sell TikTok US operations to an American company by September 15th. TikTok filed a suit against President Trump in August, arguing that Trump’s original order did not provide any evidence that TikTok was a national security threat to the US.
Beijing-based ByteDance has been in talks with several US companies in recent weeks, working on a plan to create a new entity, TikTok Global, to address the Trump administration’s concerns about security. Oracle and Walmart are the remaining candidates with a shot at a stake in the new TikTok company.
“We’ve already committed to unprecedented levels of additional transparency and accountability well beyond what other apps are willing to do, including third-party audits, verification of code security, and US government oversight of US data security,” TikTok said in a statement Friday.


theverge--2020-09-19--Turing Award winners endorse Biden, say Trump immigration policy will stifle tech research

Twenty-four winners of the Turing Award are endorsing former Vice President Joe Biden in the upcoming presidential election , The New York Times reported , explaining they ’ re concerned the Trump administration ’ s immigration policies could be detrimental to both computer research and the technology industry over the long term .
“ The most brilliant people in the world want to come here and be grad students , but now they are being discouraged from coming here , and many are going elsewhere , ” David Patterson , a Google distinguished engineer and former professor at the University @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Among the names on the endorsement are Vint Cerf , who co-designed TCP/IP protocols and the architecture of the internet ; Martin Hellman , who invented public key cryptography ; Ed Catmull , co-founder of Pixar ; Facebook AI scientist Yann LeCun ; and Barbara Liskov , known for her work in designing computer programming languages .
“ It is unprecedented for winners of the top prize in computer science , the ACM Turing Award , to endorse a political candidate , but these are unprecedented times , ” Hellman tweeted .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and not representing any one company or organization , and include 24 of the 35 living Turing Award recipients .
Information technology is thoroughly globalized .
Academic computer science departments attract talented students , many of whom immigrate and become American inventors and captains of industry .
We celebrate open source projects , the lifeblood of our field , as exemplars of international collaboration .
Computer Science is at its best when its learnings and discoveries are shared freely in the spirit of progress .
These core values helped make America a leader @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this Information Age .
Joe Biden and Kamala Harris listen to experts before setting public policy , essential when science and technology may help with many problems facing our nation today .
As American computer scientists and as US citizens , we enthusiastically endorse Joe Biden for President and Kamala Harris for Vice President .
The Turing Award , which is often called the “ Nobel Prize of computing , ” is given annually for contributions “ of lasting and major technical importance to the computer field.
” It ’ s named for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Turing .
The Turing winners ’ endorsement is the latest for Biden to come from an unexpected source in the field of science .
On September 15th , Scientific American , which had never endorsed a presidential candidate in its 175-year history , threw its support to Biden as well .
President Trump , the scientific research journal said , “ rejects evidence and science , ” while Biden offers “ fact-based plans to protect our health , our economy and the environment .
”

Information technology is thoroughly globalized. Academic computer science departments attract talented students, many of whom immigrate and become American inventors and captains of industry. We celebrate open source projects, the lifeblood of our field, as exemplars of international collaboration. Computer Science is at its best when its learnings and discoveries are shared freely in the spirit of progress. These core values helped make America a leader in information technology, so vital in this Information Age.
Joe Biden and Kamala Harris listen to experts before setting public policy, essential when science and technology may help with many problems facing our nation today. As American computer scientists and as US citizens, we enthusiastically endorse Joe Biden for President and Kamala Harris for Vice President.


theverge--2020-09-19--WeChat and TikTok see US downloads climb ahead of Trump administration ban

Messaging app WeChat had its biggest one-day download numbers in nearly two years on Friday , ahead of a ban on new downloads from the US Commerce Department expected to take effect tomorrow .
Preliminary data from analytics platform Sensor Tower showed Chinese-based WeChat had 10,000 installs in the US Friday , a 150 percent increase from Thursday and a 233 percent week-over-week increase .
That ’ s the largest number of WeChat installs in the US in one day since October 7th , 2019 .
Video platform TikTok , also facing a US ban , saw its downloads increase @ @ @ @ @ @ @ installs for a 12 percent increase from Thursday , according to Sensor Tower .
TikTok ’ s parent company , Beijing-based ByteDance , has been in talks with US companies over the past several weeks attempting to create a new company , TikTok Global , to assuage concerns about data security from the Trump administration .
President Trump has called for US TikTok operations to be shut down unless sold to a US company by September 15th .
After initial talks with Microsoft , Oracle and Walmart are the remaining candidates to take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The US is TikTok ’ s second-largest market outside of China following a ban in India , Sensor Tower says , averaging about 7.6 million installs per month from the App Store and Google Play this year alone .
For its part , the Chinese government on Saturday described the process for its “ unreliable entities list , ” which would blacklist companies from doing business with the Chinese market , The Washington Post reported .
China didn ’ t specifically mention any companies that would be placed on the list , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Beijing would take steps against large US companies like Apple and Google if US-China relations continue to deteriorate .

Messaging app WeChat had its biggest one-day download numbers in nearly two years on Friday, ahead of a ban on new downloads from the US Commerce Department expected to take effect tomorrow. Preliminary data from analytics platform Sensor Tower showed Chinese-based WeChat had 10,000 installs in the US Friday, a 150 percent increase from Thursday and a 233 percent week-over-week increase. That’s the largest number of WeChat installs in the US in one day since October 7th, 2019.
Video platform TikTok, also facing a US ban, saw its downloads increase Friday as well, adding 247,000 new installs for a 12 percent increase from Thursday, according to Sensor Tower.
TikTok’s parent company, Beijing-based ByteDance, has been in talks with US companies over the past several weeks attempting to create a new company, TikTok Global, to assuage concerns about data security from the Trump administration. President Trump has called for US TikTok operations to be shut down unless sold to a US company by September 15th. After initial talks with Microsoft, Oracle and Walmart are the remaining candidates to take a stake in the new TikTok entity.
The US is TikTok’s second-largest market outside of China following a ban in India, Sensor Tower says, averaging about 7.6 million installs per month from the App Store and Google Play this year alone.


theverge--2020-09-19--Sony apologizes for PS5 preorders mess, promises more stock over ‘next few days’

Sony has apologized for PS5 preorders being a bit of a mess .
“ Let ’ s be honest : PS5 preorders could have been a lot smoother , ” says Sony from the official PlayStation Twitter account .
“ We truly apologize for that.
” Preorders for the new PS5 console began on Wednesday , a day earlier than Sony had said retailers would take orders .
It led to a scramble as Walmart and others started randomly opening up their PS5 preorder slots .
Some preorders even disappeared after around a minute .
Sony now says it will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over the next few days , ” promising that retailers will share more details .
It ’ s not clear if these preorders will be delivered on launch day , and Sony is also promising “ more PS5s will be available through the end of the year.
” Amazon also started warning customers yesterday that some of its PS5 preorders might arrive after launch day , most likely because the retailer doesn ’ t know exactly how many units it will receive .
The chaotic preorder situation kicked off just weeks after Sony @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which looked like it would avoid the messy situation we saw unfold this week .
Eric Lempel , PlayStation worldwide marketing head , had also previously promised “ it ’ s safe to say , we ’ ll let you know when pre-orders will happen .
It ’ s not going to happen with a minute ’ s notice.
” Sony tweeted on Wednesday that preorders were starting on Thursday , and then two hours later Walmart kicked off its PS5 preorders .
We ’ ll share PS5 preorder details as soon as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if you ’ re interested in ordering Sony ’ s next-gen console then we ’ ve rounded up links to the PS5 at all of the US retailers right here .

Sony has apologized for PS5 preorders being a bit of a mess. “Let’s be honest: PS5 preorders could have been a lot smoother,” says Sony from the official PlayStation Twitter account. “We truly apologize for that.” Preorders for the new PS5 console began on Wednesday, a day earlier than Sony had said retailers would take orders. It led to a scramble as Walmart and others started randomly opening up their PS5 preorder slots. Some preorders even disappeared after around a minute.
Sony now says it will release more PS5 consoles for preorder “over the next few days,” promising that retailers will share more details. It’s not clear if these preorders will be delivered on launch day, and Sony is also promising “more PS5s will be available through the end of the year.”
Amazon also started warning customers yesterday that some of its PS5 preorders might arrive after launch day, most likely because the retailer doesn’t know exactly how many units it will receive.
The chaotic preorder situation kicked off just weeks after Sony started an invite-only registration for PS5 preorders which looked like it would avoid the messy situation we saw unfold this week. Eric Lempel, PlayStation worldwide marketing head, had also previously promised “it’s safe to say, we’ll let you know when pre-orders will happen. It’s not going to happen with a minute’s notice.” Sony tweeted on Wednesday that preorders were starting on Thursday, and then two hours later Walmart kicked off its PS5 preorders.


theverge--2020-09-19--Epic says Apple ‘cherry picked’ info about Fortnite’s popularity in new filing

In the ongoing Epic Games vs. Apple saga , Epic says in a new legal filing that Apple made incorrect statements in its own legal filing earlier this week , asserting that Apple “ cherry picked ” Google search results about the popularity of Epic ’ s Fortnite game .
Apple had suggested that Epic started the legal fight over Fortnite in the App Store as a publicity stunt , and that Fortnite had already started to decline in popularity : “ For reasons having nothing to do with Epic ’ s claims against Apple , Fortnite ’ s popularity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2020 , interest in Fortnite had decreased by nearly 70 % as compared to October 2019 .
This lawsuit ( and the front-page headlines it has generated ) appears to be part of a marketing campaign designed to reinvigorate interest in Fortnite.
” Apple kicked Fortnite off the App Store in August over an in-app payment system , which is a violation of App Store rules .
Epic won a temporary restraining order against Apple prohibiting the iPhone maker from retaliating against Epic by terminating the developer account used to support the company @ @ @ @ @ @ @ judge decided in the same ruling that Apple is not required to bring Fortnite back to the App Store .
In its latest filing ( embedded below if you ’ re dying to check out the latest ) , Epic says Apple ’ s statement of declining interest in Fortnite is untrue , citing its own user engagement data .
“ Over the period of time that Apple cherry-picked for its Google search volume comparison ( between October 2019 and July 2020 ) , the number of daily active users on Fortnite actually @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” the filing states .
Apple did not immediately return a request for comment Saturday .

In the ongoing Epic Games vs. Apple saga, Epic says in a new legal filing that Apple made incorrect statements in its own legal filing earlier this week, asserting that Apple “cherry picked” Google search results about the popularity of Epic’s Fortnite game.
Apple had suggested that Epic started the legal fight over Fortnite in the App Store as a publicity stunt, and that Fortnite had already started to decline in popularity:
“For reasons having nothing to do with Epic’s claims against Apple, Fortnite’s popularity is on the wane. By July 2020, interest in Fortnite had decreased by nearly 70% as compared to October 2019. This lawsuit (and the front-page headlines it has generated) appears to be part of a marketing campaign designed to reinvigorate interest in Fortnite.”
Apple kicked Fortnite off the App Store in August over an in-app payment system, which is a violation of App Store rules. Epic won a temporary restraining order against Apple prohibiting the iPhone maker from retaliating against Epic by terminating the developer account used to support the company’s Unreal Engine. But the judge decided in the same ruling that Apple is not required to bring Fortnite back to the App Store.
In its latest filing (embedded below if you’re dying to check out the latest), Epic says Apple’s statement of declining interest in Fortnite is untrue, citing its own user engagement data. “Over the period of time that Apple cherry-picked for its Google search volume comparison (between October 2019 and July 2020), the number of daily active users on Fortnite actually increased by more than 39%,” the filing states.
Apple did not immediately return a request for comment Saturday.


theverge--2020-09-19--Judge throws out defamation case against Tesla by former employee

A judge in Nevada has dismissed a defamation case by a former Tesla employee , who claimed the company spread a false rumor about him after he admitted leaking internal company information to a reporter in 2018 .
Tesla argues in court documents that former employee Martin Tripp violated trade secrets and computer crimes laws when he told a Business Insider reporter that Tesla was wasting a significant amount of raw materials during production of its Model 3 .
Tesla identified Tripp as the source of the leaked information , which Tripp later confirmed .
He was fired , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ unlawfully hacked the company ’ s confidential and trade secret information.
” Tesla CEO Elon Musk emailed Tesla staff telling them an employee had tried to “ sabotage ” company operations .
Musk then reportedly emailed a reporter at The Guardian telling them a tipster had contacted Tesla to say that Tripp might “ come back and shoot people , ” at the Nevada Gigafactory .
The local sheriff determined the threat was not real , but Tesla issued a press release which was picked up by several media outlets .
Tripp @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her ruling , Judge Miranda Du dismissed Tripp ’ s defamation claim , but refused to dismiss Tesla ’ s charge that Tripp violated computer crime law in Nevada .
“ Tripp had a duty not to disclose Tesla ’ s confidential information , ” Du wrote , adding that Tripp knew he was not authorized to share the information with a reporter .
“ A rational trier of fact could reasonably find that Tripp acted in conscious disregard of Tesla ’ s rights.
” The case can now move forward to trial @

A judge in Nevada has dismissed a defamation case by a former Tesla employee, who claimed the company spread a false rumor about him after he admitted leaking internal company information to a reporter in 2018.
Tesla argues in court documents that former employee Martin Tripp violated trade secrets and computer crimes laws when he told a Business Insider reporter that Tesla was wasting a significant amount of raw materials during production of its Model 3.
Tesla identified Tripp as the source of the leaked information, which Tripp later confirmed. He was fired, and Tesla filed a lawsuit claiming he had “unlawfully hacked the company’s confidential and trade secret information.” Tesla CEO Elon Musk emailed Tesla staff telling them an employee had tried to “sabotage” company operations.
Musk then reportedly emailed a reporter at The Guardian telling them a tipster had contacted Tesla to say that Tripp might “come back and shoot people,” at the Nevada Gigafactory. The local sheriff determined the threat was not real, but Tesla issued a press release which was picked up by several media outlets. Tripp later counter-sued Tesla for defamation.
In her ruling, Judge Miranda Du dismissed Tripp’s defamation claim, but refused to dismiss Tesla’s charge that Tripp violated computer crime law in Nevada. “Tripp had a duty not to disclose Tesla’s confidential information,” Du wrote, adding that Tripp knew he was not authorized to share the information with a reporter. “A rational trier of fact could reasonably find that Tripp acted in conscious disregard of Tesla’s rights.”


theverge--2020-09-19--Why it’s important to look for the limitations in coronavirus studies

This week , I got to talk about vaccines and vaccine information with Natalie Dean , and The Verge ’ s Nicole Wetsman and Nilay Patel on The Vergecast .
It was a great conversation with Dean , who is an assistant professor of biostatistics at the University of Florida and an expert in infectious disease epidemiology who has worked on designing vaccine trials .
After the podcast , I got to ask something that had been on my mind : how did she — a person who works with scientific data every day — feel about the flood of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ online ?
And how much attention should the general public be paying to them ?
Before we get to her answer , let ’ s take a quick step back to talk about what these early studies are .
Scientists call them preprints , and they are studies that get posted online before they ’ ve been published in a scientific journal .
They haven ’ t been fully vetted by other experts ( a process called peer review ) .
Preprints are helpful to scientists because they quickly put data out into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other researchers .
The downside ?
They ’ re essentially first drafts , and conclusions could change after the researchers get feedback .
Balancing the need for speedy data with the need for reviewing work before it goes public is especially tricky during the pandemic — and both the pace of publication and attention to preprints has definitely amped up in the past several months .
“ There already were these preprint servers before , but they ’ ve never been used to this degree , ” Dean says .
For a long @ @ @ @ @ @ @ publish a paper if it had been posted elsewhere , which meant scientists kept their research under wraps until they had their final draft .
That ’ s started to change over the last few years as journals have loosened their restrictions .
Now there ’ s a flood of coronavirus-related papers available online , and some can attract a lot of attention — and confusion .
Not all of that attention is a good thing , as Kelsey Piper wrote for Vox back in May : Piper pointed out that there were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — they force data to move at 21st-century speeds instead of staying stuck in the 19th century , and when lots of experts are actively participating in the process , they can cut out a ton of unnecessary downtime .
“ the benefits outweigh the risks in the situation where time is of the essence ” That ’ s especially true in a pandemic .
“ My feeling is the benefits outweigh the risks in the situation where time is of the essence , and we ’ re all learning from each other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pace of academic publishing is so slow , that I just don ’ t think it is still viable.
” But there ’ s still that one big disadvantage .
“ Scientists know how to evaluate the limitations of preprints .
But it ’ s challenging for the public to do so , ” Dean says .
She ’ s got a good tip to help readers start assessing news stories about preprints : look for the limitations .
A story that tells you what the study doesn ’ t is helpful .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ preprints , either : it ’ s good advice for any story about a scientific paper .
All studies have limitations ; good reporters tell you what they are .
In other words , look for the peer review in a news story , especially when it comes to a preprint .
Look for it on Twitter , where Dean and other researchers have thrown cold water on extraordinary claims .
Look for it in dedicated volunteer efforts , like Johns Hopkins ’ 2019 Novel Coronavirus Research Compendium which actively assesses papers that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Look for it at Rapid Reviews : COVID-19 , an open-access journal explicitly devoted to peer-reviewing COVID-19 preprints .
And most of all , as we keep wading through a flood of information , take a beat to look skeptically on claims that seem incredible .
“ The more extreme a result seems , the more evidence we need to support that , ” Dean says .
Here ’ s what else is going on this week : Around 2 percent of Red Cross blood donors have COVID-19 antibodies Only a small number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus , a study from the Red Cross found .
That indicates “ that very few people in the United States have been exposed to the virus that ’ s ravaged the country , ” Nicole Wetsman reports .
( Nicole Wetsman / The Verge ) Coronavirus May Increase Premature Births , Studies Suggest New studies from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found some evidence that coronavirus infections in pregnant women could increase the rate of premature births , but other experts say a lot more information is needed .
( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Times ) Two Pharma Companies Released Their Coronavirus Vaccine Blueprints In A Bid To Regain Public Trust This week , both Moderna and Pfizer released their “ blueprints ” for their respective clinical trials .
The documents cover how the companies have mapped out their trials , and they provide a window into the vaccine development process at a moment when trust in that process is waning .
( Stephanie M. Lee and Dan Vergano / BuzzFeed ) How to Ship a Vaccine at –80°C , and Other Obstacles in the Covid Fight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , FedEx and UPS are installing freezers at hubs around the world .
Also , there ’ s a dry ice shortage .
( David Gelles / The New York Times ) Lilly ’ s Covid-19 antibody helps some patients rid their systems of virus sooner in early analysis Early data from a treatment study involving manufactured antibodies had some promising early results .
But the results are very early and have not been peer reviewed .
( Matthew Herper and Damian Garde / STAT ) Pandemic isolation has killed thousands of Alzheimer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ afar In an effort to protect patients from the coronavirus , nursing homes have closed their doors to visitors .
It ’ s been a devastating road for families trying to care for patients with Alzheimer ’ s or dementia .
( William Wan / The Washington Post ) I Am Not a Brave Person .
I Am Also Patient 1133 .
Writer Molly Jong-Fast writes about her experience as a volunteer in Pfizer ’ s vaccine trial and why she chose to participate in the first place : To the more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , may your road to recovery be smooth .
To the families and friends of the 948,367 people who have died worldwide — 198,306 of those in the US — your loved ones are not forgotten .

This week, I got to talk about vaccines and vaccine information with Natalie Dean, and The Verge’s Nicole Wetsman and Nilay Patel on The Vergecast. It was a great conversation with Dean, who is an assistant professor of biostatistics at the University of Florida and an expert in infectious disease epidemiology who has worked on designing vaccine trials.
After the podcast, I got to ask something that had been on my mind: how did she — a person who works with scientific data every day — feel about the flood of early versions of scientific studies being posted online? And how much attention should the general public be paying to them?
Before we get to her answer, let’s take a quick step back to talk about what these early studies are. Scientists call them preprints, and they are studies that get posted online before they’ve been published in a scientific journal. They haven’t been fully vetted by other experts (a process called peer review). Preprints are helpful to scientists because they quickly put data out into the world that could be useful to other researchers.
The downside? They’re essentially first drafts, and conclusions could change after the researchers get feedback. Balancing the need for speedy data with the need for reviewing work before it goes public is especially tricky during the pandemic — and both the pace of publication and attention to preprints has definitely amped up in the past several months.
“There already were these preprint servers before, but they’ve never been used to this degree,” Dean says. For a long time, prestigious journals would refuse to publish a paper if it had been posted elsewhere, which meant scientists kept their research under wraps until they had their final draft.
A newsletter highlighting the COVID-19 research, developments, and stories that matter. Subscribe here!
That’s started to change over the last few years as journals have loosened their restrictions. Now there’s a flood of coronavirus-related papers available online, and some can attract a lot of attention — and confusion. Not all of that attention is a good thing, as Kelsey Piper wrote for Vox back in May:
The newer, faster pace could mean that badly flawed pre-prints get widely shared and covered in the media, fueling the spread of misinformation and forcing other scientists to waste valuable time by publicly debunking papers that would ordinarily be rejected in the peer-review process.
Piper pointed out that there were plenty of advantages to preprints, too — they force data to move at 21st-century speeds instead of staying stuck in the 19th century, and when lots of experts are actively participating in the process, they can cut out a ton of unnecessary downtime.
“the benefits outweigh the risks in the situation where time is of the essence”
That’s especially true in a pandemic. “My feeling is the benefits outweigh the risks in the situation where time is of the essence, and we’re all learning from each other,” Dean says. And the pace of academic publishing is so slow, that I just don’t think it is still viable.”
But there’s still that one big disadvantage. “Scientists know how to evaluate the limitations of preprints. But it’s challenging for the public to do so,” Dean says.
She’s got a good tip to help readers start assessing news stories about preprints: look for the limitations. A story that tells you what the study doesn’t is helpful. This doesn’t just apply to preprints, either: it’s good advice for any story about a scientific paper. All studies have limitations; good reporters tell you what they are.
In other words, look for the peer review in a news story, especially when it comes to a preprint. Look for it on Twitter, where Dean and other researchers have thrown cold water on extraordinary claims. Look for it in dedicated volunteer efforts, like Johns Hopkins’ 2019 Novel Coronavirus Research Compendium which actively assesses papers that get a lot of media attention. Look for it at Rapid Reviews: COVID-19, an open-access journal explicitly devoted to peer-reviewing COVID-19 preprints. And most of all, as we keep wading through a flood of information, take a beat to look skeptically on claims that seem incredible.
“The more extreme a result seems, the more evidence we need to support that,” Dean says.
Here’s what else is going on this week:
Research
Around 2 percent of Red Cross blood donors have COVID-19 antibodies
Only a small number of blood donors had antibodies to the coronavirus, a study from the Red Cross found. That indicates “that very few people in the United States have been exposed to the virus that’s ravaged the country,” Nicole Wetsman reports.
(Nicole Wetsman / The Verge)
Coronavirus May Increase Premature Births, Studies Suggest
New studies from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found some evidence that coronavirus infections in pregnant women could increase the rate of premature births, but other experts say a lot more information is needed.
(Roni Caryn Rabin / The New York Times)
Development
Two Pharma Companies Released Their Coronavirus Vaccine Blueprints In A Bid To Regain Public Trust
This week, both Moderna and Pfizer released their “blueprints” for their respective clinical trials. The documents cover how the companies have mapped out their trials, and they provide a window into the vaccine development process at a moment when trust in that process is waning. (Stephanie M. Lee and Dan Vergano / BuzzFeed)
How to Ship a Vaccine at –80°C, and Other Obstacles in the Covid Fight
To get ready for a vaccine rollout, FedEx and UPS are installing freezers at hubs around the world. Also, there’s a dry ice shortage.
(David Gelles / The New York Times)
Lilly’s Covid-19 antibody helps some patients rid their systems of virus sooner in early analysis
Early data from a treatment study involving manufactured antibodies had some promising early results. But the results are very early and have not been peer reviewed.
(Matthew Herper and Damian Garde / STAT)
Perspectives
Pandemic isolation has killed thousands of Alzheimer’s patients while families watch from afar
In an effort to protect patients from the coronavirus, nursing homes have closed their doors to visitors. It’s been a devastating road for families trying to care for patients with Alzheimer’s or dementia. (William Wan / The Washington Post)
I Am Not a Brave Person. I Am Also Patient 1133.
Writer Molly Jong-Fast writes about her experience as a volunteer in Pfizer’s vaccine trial and why she chose to participate in the first place:
I am a normal, un-brave person. I am also a part of history now, part of a small group that may be protected from the deadly virus, or who may not be, but whose experience will have something to teach others. I no longer feel I’m simply waiting around to get sick.
(Molly Jong-Fast / The New York Times)
More than numbers
To the more than 30,316,394 people worldwide who have tested positive, may your road to recovery be smooth.
To the families and friends of the 948,367 people who have died worldwide — 198,306 of those in the US — your loved ones are not forgotten.


theverge--2020-09-19--Six people indicted in Amazon Marketplace bribery scheme to help third-party sellers

Six people have been indicted by a grand jury in Washington state on charges they bribed Amazon employees to manipulate third-party seller listings on the e-commerce site , including listings for defective or dangerous products , authorities said .
Starting in 2017 , the people , including two former Amazon employees , paid more than $ 100,000 to have listings of products and accounts that Amazon had blocked or suspended from its Marketplace , which allows third-party sellers to promote and sell their products , the Department of Justice said .
The former employees also provided internal Amazon information that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their accounts , including flooding the sellers ’ product listings with fake negative reviews , authorities said .
The defendants accessed contact information for Amazon employees and customers , which they shared widely , according to authorities .
Three of the people were based in New York , one in Georgia , one in California , and one was in India , “ Realizing they could not compete on a level playing field , the subjects turned to bribery and fraud in order to gain the upper hand .
What ’ s equally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to increase sales of their own products , but sought to damage and discredit their competitors , ” Raymond Duda , FBI Seattle Special agent in charge , said in a statement .
The reinstated product listings included dietary supplements which had been removed for safety complaints , household electronics that had been flagged as flammable , products that had been removed for intellectual property violations , as well as other items .
Some of the reinstated accounts had been suspended for posting deceptive product reviews , while others had been removed for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” as well as other violations of Amazon ’ s policies .
“ Amazon has systems in place to detect suspicious behavior by sellers or employees , and teams in place to investigate and stop prohibited activity , ” the company said in a statement .
“ We are especially disappointed by the actions of this limited group of now former employees , and appreciate the collaboration and support from law enforcement to bring them and the bad actors they were entwined with to justice.
” Amazon ’ s ongoing struggles with third-party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spotlight this summer , as lawmakers questioned CEO Jeff Bezos during an antitrust hearing before the House Judiciary Committee about counterfeit concerns , and alleged anti-competitive behavior from the retailer itself : Amazon has been accused of copying Marketplace products to create its own competing products , a claim the company has denied .
Analysts have estimated third-party sellers account for about half of sales on the site .
Third-party sellers appear in normal Amazon listings , with a line of text to indicate that Amazon itself isn ’ t the actual seller @ @ @ @ @ @ @ face charges of wire fraud , bribery , and gaining unauthorized access to protected computer systems .
The wire fraud charges carry a possible prison sentence of up to 20 years .

Six people have been indicted by a grand jury in Washington state on charges they bribed Amazon employees to manipulate third-party seller listings on the e-commerce site, including listings for defective or dangerous products, authorities said.
Starting in 2017, the people, including two former Amazon employees, paid more than $100,000 to have listings of products and accounts that Amazon had blocked or suspended from its Marketplace, which allows third-party sellers to promote and sell their products, the Department of Justice said. The former employees also provided internal Amazon information that allowed attacks on other third-party sellers and their accounts, including flooding the sellers’ product listings with fake negative reviews, authorities said.
The defendants accessed contact information for Amazon employees and customers, which they shared widely, according to authorities. Three of the people were based in New York, one in Georgia, one in California, and one was in India,
“Realizing they could not compete on a level playing field, the subjects turned to bribery and fraud in order to gain the upper hand. What’s equally concerning, not only did they attempt to increase sales of their own products, but sought to damage and discredit their competitors,” Raymond Duda, FBI Seattle Special agent in charge, said in a statement.
The reinstated product listings included dietary supplements which had been removed for safety complaints, household electronics that had been flagged as flammable, products that had been removed for intellectual property violations, as well as other items. Some of the reinstated accounts had been suspended for posting deceptive product reviews, while others had been removed for making “improper contact with consumers,” as well as other violations of Amazon’s policies.
“Amazon has systems in place to detect suspicious behavior by sellers or employees, and teams in place to investigate and stop prohibited activity,” the company said in a statement. “We are especially disappointed by the actions of this limited group of now former employees, and appreciate the collaboration and support from law enforcement to bring them and the bad actors they were entwined with to justice.”
Amazon’s ongoing struggles with third-party sellers and its Marketplace were under the spotlight this summer, as lawmakers questioned CEO Jeff Bezos during an antitrust hearing before the House Judiciary Committee about counterfeit concerns, and alleged anti-competitive behavior from the retailer itself: Amazon has been accused of copying Marketplace products to create its own competing products, a claim the company has denied.
Analysts have estimated third-party sellers account for about half of sales on the site. Third-party sellers appear in normal Amazon listings, with a line of text to indicate that Amazon itself isn’t the actual seller.