Tech Brew Ride Home Mon. 09/16 - Did Amazon Change its Algorithms to Make Itself More Profitable?
Sep 16, 2019
Amazon's search algorithm changes have sparked debates about profitability versus customer relevance, hinting at antitrust concerns. Exciting tech launches from giants like Google and Apple are on the horizon, with major innovations like Wi-Fi 6 arriving. TikTok's censorship issues are under scrutiny as it grows in the U.S., while the impact of social media on political engagement among youth is explored. The nostalgic closure of MoviePass serves as a reminder of vulnerabilities in popular business models.
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Amazon Prioritizes Profit in Search
- Amazon allegedly changed its search algorithm to prioritize profitability over relevance and best-selling items.
- This decision reportedly faced internal opposition from engineers and lawyers concerned about customer experience and antitrust scrutiny.
Libra Faces Regulatory Scrutiny
- Libra representatives met with central bank officials to discuss regulatory approval for their cryptocurrency.
- Regulators expressed concerns about the risks associated with stablecoins, especially at a global scale, setting a high bar for approval.
TikTok Censorship of Hong Kong Protests
- TikTok's censorship of Hong Kong protest content raises concerns about Chinese-style censorship influencing US audiences.
- The app's lack of transparency regarding content removal and its similarity to its Chinese counterpart, Douyin, further fuel these concerns.