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Over time, some tech companies have grown to a massive size, posing antitrust concerns. Now, some of the country’s retail giants are asking the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to open up an antitrust investigation into Amazon and Google. In a letter dated June 30 , the Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) — including companies like Best Buy, Target, and Walmart — wrote to the FTC. Within the letter, the companies focused on one unique aspect: the role that information and data plays. “Our view is that modern antitrust enforcement needs to be driven by a greater recognition that control over information can drive anticompetitive effect just as much as market power and price control,” the RILA wrote. The United States has struggled with managing its big tech companies for some time. Part of the struggle is that these companies have a global reach that people are still trying to understand. However, that’s not an excuse for regulatory practices to not exist —especially at home....
Facebook has faced a lot of heat for its poor privacy practices. In February, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) began negotiating a multi-billion dollar fine with Facebook, due to Cambridge Analytica and the lack of privacy practices following it. There was a lot of hype around the FTC exploring a fine ranging from $3-$5 billion because that would set a record. But last month, Facebook’s first-quarter earnings for 2019 revealed that the company had already set aside $3 billion in anticipation of the fine. Now, Sens. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Josh Hawley (R-MO) are calling on the FTC to do more. On Monday, in a letter sent to the FTC , the two senators made their feelings clear by calling the expected settlement a “bargain.” Blumenthal and Hawley are also looking for long-term consequences for Facebook. The letter urged the FTC “to act swiftly to conclude its investigation of Facebook and to move to compel sweeping changes to end the social network’s pattern of misuse and abuse...
On Monday, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced that Apple and Google removed three dating apps from their stores for allowing kids as young as 12 to access them. The apps in question — Meet24, FastMeet, and Meet4U — are operated by Wildec, a Ukraine-based company. The apps collected users’ birthdates, email addresses, photographs, and real-time location data, the FTC reported. Although each app’s privacy policy claimed to block users who indicated they were under 13, none of the apps actually did so. Instead, young children were able to use the app and be contacted by other people. The FTC did send each of the apps a warning letter, stating that allowing adult users to communicate with children “poses a serious health and safety risk.” In addition, the letter noted that “several individuals have reportedly faced criminal charges for allegedly contacting or attempting to contact minors using Wildec’s apps.” Most alarmingly, the FTC’s letter noted that Wildec seemed to be...
Facebook seems to have a new privacy violation every month. From storing millions of passwords in plain text to the infamous Cambridge Analytica scandal , Facebook keeps on messing up. In February, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) began negotiating a multi-billion dollar fine with Facebook — mainly due to Cambridge Analytica and the lack of privacy practices following it. The FTC focused on whether Facebook had violated a 2011 agreement to improve privacy on the platform. Now, it seems that the FTC fine will become a reality. Facebook has set aside $3 billion in anticipation, as revealed by the company’s first-quarter earnings for 2019. Within the report, Facebook wrote that it set aside the money because the company “reasonably estimated a probable loss.” The company directly identified the FTC’s inquiry into its data practices as the reasoning, adding, “We estimate that the range of loss in this matter is $3.0 billion to $5.0 billion. The matter remains unresolved, and there can...
On Tuesday evening, the Federal Trade Commission announced a settlement in its case against Cure Encapsulations, Inc., owned by Naftula Jacobwitz. According to the FTC, the company paid a third-party website, amazonverifiedreviews.com, for fake Amazon reviews, aiming to keep its rating above 4.3 out of 5 stars. “Quality Encapsulation Garcinia Cambogia Extract with HCA,” the product in question, was sold on Amazon as an “appetite-suppressing, fat-blocking, weight-loss pill.” The proposed settlement imposes a $12.8 million judgement, although it will be suspended when the company pays $50,000 to the FTC and completes “the payment of certain unpaid income tax obligations.” However, the full amount will be due immediately if the judge finds the company misrepresented their financial situation to the FTC. Andrew Smith, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection, said, “When a company buys fake reviews to inflate its Amazon ratings, it hurts both shoppers and companies that play...
Tech develops quickly, which can make it difficult to regulate, but changes are coming. Earlier today, the Federal Trade Commission announced the launch of its new Technology Task Force tackling big tech monopolies. “The role of technology in the economy and in our lives grows more important every day,” FTC Chairman Joe Simmons said, “As I’ve noted in the past, it makes sense for us to closely examine technology markets to ensure consumers benefit from free and fair competition.” The FTC’s Bureau of Competition will use existing staff members to create the task force with a “focus on technology-related sectors of the economy, including markets in which online platforms complete.” In addition, the task force will have 17 staff attorneys looking into anti-competitive behavior. Federal Trade Commission Chairman Joseph Simons Through its task force, the FTC plans to monitor competition in U.S. technology markets, including “investigating any potential anticompetitive conduct”, and it...
After reports of a built-in Nest microphone, Google admits it was an “error on our part” but a simple apology might not cut it. The Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC) is calling on the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to make Google divest from Nest, as reported by Business Insider . In a letter to the FTC , the privacy advocacy group expressed concerns over potential consumer risk, writing, “It is entirely unclear whether Google, a remote hacker, or anyone else enabled the microphones in the Nest devices after they were installed by customers in their homes.” Google says the microphone has never been on, because it only becomes active when users themselves enable the option. However, Google has struggled with devices recording data without permission before. For example, in 2017, a flaw in Google’s mini speaker allowed it to secretly record conversations without users knowing. “The FTC should now commence an enforcement action against Google,” the EPIC wrote, “with the aim...
Expect to have a more seamless experience at this year’s AFROTECH™ Conference. The event, which is the largest gathering of Black tech professionals and entrepreneurs, will t ouch down in Houston at the George R. Brown Convention Center and run Oct. 27–31, 2025. This marks the conference’s second consecutive year in the city and builds on its momentum, having attracted over 40,000 attendees since its inception. It’s clear the conference is the place to be, and you won’t want to miss what’s next. We’re leveling up the experience for ticket holders to help you customize your scheduling for various sessions to ensure you achieve your conference objectives and professional goals. Whatever you’re looking for, we’ve got it. We’re targeting core areas including Cybersecurity and Risk, Engineering, Data, Government and Civic, Product and Design, Future of Work (HR), Esports, Energy and Sustainability, Artificial Intelligence, Fintech, Marketing, and Advertising. And we’re not stopping...
Editorial Note: Opinions and thoughts are the author’s own and not those of AFROTECH™. The culture and energy of the tech industry has changed overnight. The industry once stereotyped as a bastion of liberalism, which has a history of backing more liberal candidates in presidential elections, has changed. This all became more apparent during the 2024 presidential election between Kamala Harris and now President Donald Trump . During the election, the industry was split in a way that felt unprecedented to those who had been in the industry for the past 20 years. When Trump was first elected to office, his presidency appeared to be one that the industry would resist, given his first term as president as well as his 2020 campaign. He had policy views and beliefs that were against what the tech industry stood for, specifically around the topics of immigration, social media moderation, and climate change. What we saw leading up to the 2024 presidential election was not only less...
UX designer Roderick Wilkins strives to make the tech industry more inclusive. Tech Journey The Quincy, FL, native has always had a deep interest in technology and began fixing computers at a young age, which guided his educational pursuits at Florida A&M University (FAMU). He earned a bachelor’s degree in information technology in 2019 and went on to Louisiana State University, where he earned a master’s in digital media art and engineering with a focus on UX in 2021. “When you open that app and you see the first screen, you’re scrolling and you’re interacting with it, I always say someone had to design that,” Wilkins told AFROTECH™. “So I would say, within UX, there are designers, which is what I am, and someone designed that whole page that you’re seeing and you’re interacting with.” While UX includes various verticals one can explore — such as research and accessibility — Wilkins’ interest in graphic design aligned with his goal of becoming a UX designer, which was affirmed...
Awnya Creque’s journey into tech was informed by her mother. The Williamsburg, VA, native, currently residing in Dallas, TX, recalled during an interview with AFROTECH™ where her unconventional entryway into technology began. Her mother had been a branch manager for Bank of America and was robbed at gun point. Creque was 12 years old at the time, and it sparked an interest for criminal justice. “Her whole life changed because she couldn’t sleep. She suffered from PTSD, had to take medication. And from that day forward, I was just like, ‘I wanna take bad people off the street or people who are changing people’s lives for the worst.’ And so that’s where I got my start in my passion for criminal justice. And I knew that I wanted to be an investigator and a police officer as a young teen,” Creque explained. She went on to attend the University of Maryland, earning a bachelor’s degree in criminology in 2009 and completed a one-year master’s program at Norfolk State University between...
In an era where the boundaries between technology, law, and culture constantly shift, Blake Richardson, Esq., is one of the few professionals standing firmly at the intersection. As chief legal officer at Gala Games, Gala Music, and Gala Film, Richardson navigates one of emerging tech’s most complex regulatory environments: blockchain. But her journey — from working behind the scenes at NBCUniversal, Lionsgate, and the Phoenix Suns to helping shape blockchain legal frameworks — is more than a personal evolution. It’s a case study in how legal minds are increasingly essential to the tech sector’s future. Understanding Legal Tech In The Age Of Blockchain At its core, legal tech encompasses tools that streamline how users interact with and interpret the law. From document automation and case law research to e-discovery platforms and client management systems, legal tech is transforming how firms and in-house departments operate. But as Reuters notes, it’s not just about efficiency —...
Here’s a glimpse of what you can expect from the 2025 AFROTECH™ Conference. Returning Oct. 27-31, 2025 , to the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, TX, for its second year, the conferences promises to deliver endless networking opportunities at what has become the largest gathering for Black professionals, entrepreneurs, and disruptors in technology. Be prepared to see top industry leaders grace the stage to share insights on what’s next in culture and technology as well as find empowerment through various workshops. View this post on Instagram A post shared by AFROTECH (@afro.tech) There will be something for everyone, from students and mid-level professionals eager to level up in their industries to founders staying ahead of the curve and C-suite executives driving innovation. Here’s a preview of the upcoming stages to keep on your radar. Innovation/Main Stage The Innovation and Main Stage will highlight dynamic conversations centering leadership, innovation for...
The tech event of the year is approaching once again. For the second year in a row, AFROTECH™ Conference 2025 is making its splash in Houston, TX. Attendees can connect with change-makers and leaders through keynote sessions, panel discussions, and workshops and find community at networking events. “Conferences like AFROTECH™ are full of opportunities you can’t predict, like running into someone hiring for your dream role or stumbling into a session that shifts your perspective completely,” HR leader Arianny Mercedes said in an email Q&A with AFROTECH™. Be among the first to secure your spot with early bird specials, available from the student tier to all-access passes. If you are struggling to decide which ticket level will be the best for your conference needs, we’ve got you covered. View this post on Instagram A post shared by AFROTECH™ Conference (@afrotech.conference) Student Pass Students and recent graduates interested—especially those interested in technology— are...
Considering a sponsor to invest in your career journey this conference season? Terri Evans, a senior technical program manager with a Bachelor of Science degree from North Carolina A&T State University, was able to further her decade-long career thanks to securing a sponsor for her first AFROTECH™ Conference in November 2024. She has worked in several project management roles across companies that include Northrop Grumman, Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, and Equinix. Her next steps within her career were to move into leadership, and this was an incentive to attend the conference. “I’m looking to expand to being in a space of manager of a PMO (Project Management Office) or as director of a PMO. I work primarily in the infrastructure and data center space, so there is a lot of growth in that space due to artificial intelligence (AI) and all of the cool and things that are in machine learning that are coming into the space,” she told AFROTECH™. “So because of that, there is a deep...