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Last year, Amazon launched Echo Dot Kids — which was essentially the exact same as the company’s other devices, but with the bonus of parental controls. Now, child and privacy advocacy groups claim that Echo Dot Kids violates the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) by recording and storing kids’ conversations. Organizations involved include Campaign for a Commercial Free Childhood (CCFC), Color of Change, Electronic Privacy Information Center, and more. In a complaint submitted to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the groups wrote: “The Echo Dot Kids Edition has the capacity to collect vast amounts of sensitive, personal information from children age 13. For example, voice recordings of children are considered personal information under COPPA. The Echo Dot Kids Edition records children’s voices any time it hears the wake word, and it stores these recordings in the cloud unless or until a parent deletes them.” As its name suggests, COPPA imposes requirements to protect...
Amazon has previously pushed back on critique of its facial recognition software, but it seems public pressure may have caused the company to switch up. In a recent blog post, Amazon asked Congress to develop legislation around the use of facial recognition technology. In the post, Michael Punke, vice president of global public policy at Amazon’s cloud division, AWS, outlined areas where policy surrounding facial recognition technology could be improved, especially when used by police. Punke wrote that the company “supports the creation of a national legislative framework covering facial recognition through video and photographic monitoring on public or commercial premises.” The post comes after Microsoft’s call for federal action on facial recognition in a December speech by Brad Smith, the company’s president. Smith suggested that companies allow assessment from independent third parties through APIs to test their facial recognition technologies for unfair bias and accuracy....
Bryson Lashun Potts, professionally known as NLE Choppa, is one of the fastest rising stars in the rap world . Born on November 1, 2002, in Memphis, Tennessee , Choppa quickly gained popularity for his energetic flow, raw lyricism, and relatable themes. Beyond his music, NLE Choppa has developed his persona into a brand with business ventures, social activism, and a commanding social media presence. This article explores the various sources of his income, career milestones, and what contributes to his estimated net worth in 2025. Early Life And Musical Beginnings NLE Choppa was born and raised in Memphis, a city known for its rich musical heritage. He was exposed to hip-hop culture from a young age and began writing music as a teenager. Inspired by Southern rap legends and the broader hip-hop scene, Choppa developed a distinct style marked by high energy and aggressive beats. His debut single, Shotta Flow, released in early 2019, quickly landed him a spot on the Billboard Hot 100 ....
Issa Rae, the Emmy-nominated actress and producer behind the HBO hit “Insecure,” is once again proving that her impact goes far beyond the screen by partnering with a private equity firm to grow her business footprint. Rae’s company, ColorCreative, has entered into a significant strategic partnership with HarbourView Equity Partners, according to The Hollywood Reporter (THR). Rae was set to announce the deal during the Cannes Lions Festival on Tuesday, the outlet reported. While the terms of the deal have not been made public, the partnership is expected to help ColorCreative grow its talent representation and production capabilities. It will also support the creation and ownership of original content, pushing the company into its next phase of global storytelling. “We built ColorCreative to be a home for visionary talent and distinct, multifaceted stories,” Rae told the Hollywood Reporter. “Partnering with HarbourView allows us to dream even bigger, while staying true to our...
Black women workers lost more jobs than other demographics in April, according to a report. While the overall unemployment rate for April 2025 remained unchanged, stats released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistic show that Black women lost 38,000 jobs and their unemployment went up by 106,000, according to Creative Investment Research. Bloomberg notes the unemployment rate for Black women was a full percentage point higher at 6.1% (compared to 5.1% in March), and this rate has been on the rise since February 2024. Some of the steady decline in their employment is partially attributed to the decline in the workforce as a result of initiatives being pushed by the Trump Administration. As AFROTECH™ previously told you, it struck down diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives at the federal level, and many corporations have followed suit to ensure their policies are in alignment. Black women workers at the federal level have declined by an estimated 33% within the last year...
After more than six decades of leadership, Warren Buffett made a surprise announcement at the close of Berkshire Hathaway’s annual shareholders meeting on Saturday, May 3, 2025. According to CNBC, he revealed that Greg Abel will take over as CEO on Jan. 1, 2026. The board voted unanimously to approve the transition, with Buffett remaining as chairman. As news of the change spread, attention quickly turned to the future of Berkshire Hathaway stock, a long-standing indicator of investor confidence and corporate stability. “Buffett leaves a company that is less reliant on his investing capabilities, with an array of leading businesses with strong cash flows,” Brian Meredith, UBS’ Berkshire analyst, said via CNBC. Berkshire Hathaway Stock Responds To Leadership News Following the leadership announcement, Berkshire Hathaway stock experienced a brief dip of 5%. Class A shares fell 4.9% to $769,960, down from a record $809,350 the day before. Class B shares also declined, closing at...
In a political landscape where economic promises often shift with the news cycle, one topic has managed to grab headlines and public curiosity alike: DOGE checks. Tied to the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) — an initiative linked to Elon Musk and President Donald Trump’s administration — the proposed stimulus would direct billions in alleged government savings back to American taxpayers. But is this an actual policy shift or a high-profile thought experiment? Here’s what we know. What Are DOGE Checks? DOGE checks are a proposed stimulus payout drawn from cost-cutting measures implemented by DOGE. Since its launch in January, DOGE claims to have saved the federal government $130 billion by downsizing federal agencies and eliminating redundancies. According to Newsweek, the Trump administration has set a $2 trillion savings goal, with the potential for Americans to receive direct financial benefits from these efforts. The term “DOGE checks” gained traction following a...
Marvin Sapp has long been a pillar of gospel music — but his story isn’t just about hits and accolades. It’s a calling from the divine, a testament to personal resilience, and an unwavering commitment to one’s purpose. With a voice that rings with power and conviction, Sapp has built a legacy that spans faith, music, and community leadership. Marvin Sapp Is More Than A Singer According to Sapp’s church website, the 58-year-old is often quick to clarify his identity: “Not a singer that happens to preach, but a preacher called by God who is gifted to sing.” That dual calling has shaped every step of his journey. From his start singing at the age of 4 to joining the legendary gospel group Commissioned in 1990, and eventually launching his solo career in 1996, Sapp’s artistry has always been an extension of his ministry. As a solo artist, he released influential projects, including “Grace and Mercy,” “Thirsty,” and “Here I Am.” His 2007 hit, “Never Would Have Made It,” became a cultural...
Atlanta, GA -based Georgia Tech University has joined the list of institutions adapting to federal laws surrounding Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives nationwide. On Feb. 26, 2025, the Georgia Tech Pride Alliance announced that the LGBTQIA+ Resource Center (LRC), the Women’s Resource Center, and the Black Culture, Innovation, and Technology Center would be dissolved and integrated into the Arts, Belonging, and Community Department, according to Rough Draft Atlanta. “We’ve known this was a possibility for years,” GT Pride Alliance said on Instagram. “These centers are losing the ability to distinguish and market themselves as what they are — a resource for marginalized groups. Other DEI programs are already undergoing similar restructuring across campus, but it is unclear when those changes will be fully announced.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by GT Pride Alliance (@gtpridealliance) According to Georgia Tech, the Arts, Belonging, and Community...
Historically, Black communities have moved in pursuit of economic opportunity, from the Great Migration during the 1900s to today’s evolving workforce. Generations before sought dignity through factory jobs, public sector roles, and emerging industries, carving out spaces in a labor market that was never designed for them. In 2025, the landscape remains precarious, demanding strategic maneuvering in a system that continues to shift beneath workers’ feet. The latest employment figures reveal a market struggling under the weight of governmental shifts, corporate hesitancy, and economic uncertainty. According to The Wall Street Journal, February’s 151,000 new jobs were an improvement from January’s 125,000, but still fell short of the projected 170,000. Meanwhile, the unemployment rate inched up to 4.1%, signaling that more people are looking for work but not necessarily finding it. A Workforce Shaped By Policy, Not Just Performance Beneath the surface of job reports lies a deeper...
Salesforce is retracting its DEI goals. Business Insider reports that the major software company removed references to its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) goals in its annual financial report. Regarding hiring, the company says it will now uphold equality as its core value. “While we are not specifying representation goals, we remain committed to our core value of equality,” a Salesforce spokesperson confirmed to Bloomberg. This sentiment was also echoed in the filing, which read, “We value the equality of every individual at our company and in our communities and are dedicated to fostering a workplace that complies with these protections, creating an inclusive culture where every individual feels seen, heard and valued.” Salesforce joins a growing list of companies that have all followed a common pattern in recent months. Google, Amazon, and Meta are other technology-driven companies that are shifting their focus away from DEI. In retail, Walmart, Aldi, and Target have done...
Editorial Note: Opinions and thoughts are the author’s own and not those of AFROTECH™. Last week, President Donald Trump announced that the U.S. would sell “gold card” visas for over $5 million to wealthy foreigners to alleviate the country’s trillion dollars in debt. As he continues to align himself with billionaire oligarchs, sycophants like Vladimir Putin—it’s clear that Trump has never cared for ordinary people. In his statement, he claimed that this new initiative had never been done before. But as always, he is mistaken. Investing large sums of money in citizenship has been in place in various countries across Europe and the Caribbean. The incentive of citizenship for pay—with advantages like limited restrictions and more flexibility—can open the door for wealthy yet dubious individuals to perform illicit activities. While no one can assume that every person who pays upwards of millions of dollars for foreign citizenship is a criminal, the lack of regulations opens up the EU,...
Editorial Note: Opinions and thoughts are the author’s own and not those of AFROTECH™. “Oligarchy” is the word that has been spread across the internet and used to describe what has been observed during Donald Trump’s inauguration. “Oligarchy” is defined as “a country, institution, or organization led by a small group of people.” Observers saw the leaders of the most powerful tech companies in the world not just in attendance but sitting where friends and family sit. They had better seats than Trump’s cabinet. It’s not uncommon for business leaders to convene in Washington D.C. to usher in the exchange of power, but the previous relationship that Trump had with these tech CEOs, and its change to what is seen now, is something to take note of. Mark Zuckerberg, founder and CEO of Meta; Jeff Bezos, founder and CEO of Amazon; Sundar Pichai, CEO of Alphabet; Tim Cook, CEO of Apple; and, of course Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, were all close to the president during his swearing in. Each one of...
TikTok is a home for brands to thrive. The platform, which is home to 170 million active users in the United States alone, is becoming a trusted destination. According to TikTok’s 2025 What’s Next report, 81% of users were exposed to new topics and trends that they were not aware were initially of interest to them. It’s for these reasons that the term “demure” took off in 2024. It was popularized by TikTok creator Jools Lebron through a series of witty videos and was named Dictionary.com’s 2024 Word of the Year. “It’s changed the way we shop. It’s changed the way we travel. It’s changed the way we search. It’s even changed the way we speak,” said Head of North America Business Marketing TikTok Rema Vasan during CES 2025. The Power Of Tuning Into The Comment Section Through TikTok, brands have the ability to strengthen their connection with consumers. In fact, users are primed to see their favorite brands on TikTok, with 68% affirming the importance of brands engaging in their...
Embrace new opportunities in the coming year. The new year often brings a time of reflection and a renewed focus on personal growth and professional development. This includes strengthening one’s professional brand, enhancing skills through customized learning paths, obtaining industry-recognized certifications, and cultivating meaningful connections within one’s field. One key opportunity to consider in the new year is the AFROTECH™ Conference. This event has helped professionals land their dream roles in tech , secure speaking engagements, attract new clients, and open doors to countless other opportunities. The annual event empowers the next generation through insightful discussions led by industry change-makers, hands-on activations, recruitment opportunities from leading companies, and exposure to cutting-edge technologies. This year’s event — held in Houston, TX, at the George R. Brown Center between Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, and Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024 — drew in a crowd of...