James Farrell
Latest from James Farrell
Meta Platforms Inc. settled a lawsuit with the Department of Justice today over allegations that its algorithm for targeting people with housing ads discriminated against certain people. The company paid $115,054 after allegations emerged that under Facebook’s “Special Ad Audience” advertising certain …
Elon Musk doubles down on ‘freedom of speech’ in first meeting with Twitter employees
Elon Musk had his first online chat with Twitter Inc. employees today, and not surprisingly one thing he wanted to talk about was free speech. Since his $44 billion acquisition of Twitter, a deal still not completely ironed out, he has caused …
Meta is planning some big changes so it might better compete with TikTok
For some time now, Meta Platforms Inc. has been caught in a battle with the immensely popular TikTok app, and today Meta essentially provided confirmation. A leaked memo from April, sent by executives at Meta and viewed by The Verge, told staff …
Massachusetts high court nixes measure to classify gig workers as independent contractors
The highest court in Massachusetts ruled Tuesday that a ballot measure that would ask voters if ride-hailing drivers should considered independent contractors or full-time employees was unconstitutional. The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court said that the ballot measure should never have been certified …
Microsoft signs agreement with CWA that could make it easier for employees to unionize
As the word “union” rings around the offices of American tech companies, Microsoft Corp. today announced that it has signed a labor neutrality agreement that will help union engagement for employees at the almost-acquired Activision Blizzard. As the deal closes for the …
TikTok staff in London are leaving in droves over the ‘toxic’ Chinese work culture
There has been an exodus of TikTok staff at its office in London since it opened late in 2021, with reports saying overwork and comments made by a senior executive sparked the discontent. According to a report in the Financial Times today, …
A new cryptocurrency bill would treat digital assets as commodities under CFTC oversight
Two senators today introduced bipartisan legislation aimed at reining in the “Wild West” of cryptocurrency trading, putting the Commodity Futures Trading Commission as the key regulator. The bill’s sponsors are Democratic Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and Republican Senator Cynthia Lummis, who sit on …
Axon to halt taser drone project after ethics board resigns in protest
The Arizona-based weapons company Axon Enterprise Inc. said on Sunday that it’s no longer going ahead with the development of a taser-equipped drone after most of its ethics board resigned over the matter. The company, which sells weapons technology for the military …
Microsoft says it will offer its support to worker unionization efforts
As talk of unionizing grows among people working in the tech industry, Microsoft Corp. today said it will not stand in the way if its employees go down that road. In a blog post, Microsoft President Brad Smith acknowledged that in some …
After 14 years, Sheryl Sandberg bids adieu to Meta
Meta Platforms Inc. Chief Operating Officer Sheryl Sandberg announced today that she’s leaving the company she helped turn into a global phenomenon. When Mark Zuckerberg started Facebook, he was just 23 years old, and Sandberg (pictured) was 38. She explained in a …