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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...
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...
Ramatu Kandakai wants to help you level up ahead of AFROTECH™ Conference 2025. The personal brand consultant leading her own agency attended the annual tech mecca for the second time, but her appearance at its Houston, TX, debut in November 2024 marked her first time attending in person. She invested in her ticket, and through her AFROTECH™ Insider membership at the time, she received a corporate ticket discount. Photo Credit: Ramatu Kandakai Now, Kandakai shares tips and strategies to help future attendees stand out and make lasting impressions. Pre-Planning Before stepping into the conference arena to secure your badge, it is essential to set a clear intention and pathway to success. This includes researching panels and events that align with your career goals, networking opportunities, and personal branding. The AFROTECH™ Connect app is a valuable tool to maximize your experience, offering access to events, tickets, and the ability to create a personalized schedule. “I wouldn’t...
It’s important to surround yourself with friends you can win with, and Software Engineer Jovonne Cameron can attest to this. Cameron is a first-generation American who was initially discouraged from entering the tech industry by a high school guidance counselor. This led her to obtain a bachelor’s degree in business communication from Baruch College. She then went on to pursue a career in special education, working as an educator. However, she still maintained an interest in tech, particularly in computer science. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, she was able to pursue her dream. “The pandemic came, and that was part of my story. I wanted to give myself that chance that I never got growing up and bet on myself. And then, within six months of making the decision, I became a software engineer,” she told AFROTECH™. Cameron now doubles as a software engineer and runs a tech consultancy that helps small businesses integrate artificial intelligence (AI) to streamline their...
Faith is the cornerstone of D’Janae Robinson’s life, shaping both her personal journey and professional endeavors. From our first conversation on LinkedIn, it was clear that her belief in God shapes her outlook on life and drives her decisions. Robinson has always felt a higher calling, though she admits the path forward wasn’t always clear. Raised in a family rooted in spirituality, Robinson grew up under the influence of her praying great-great-grandmother. This gave her an early understanding of God’s presence in her life. However, like many, her faith journey has had its highs and lows — a testament to the complexities of staying grounded while navigating life’s uncertainties. Through it all, Robinson’s unwavering trust in a higher purpose continues to guide her as she discovers how to align her life with her calling. “It wasn’t always easy being a believer, and I can say with my chest because I’ve been delivered from it. I didn’t always believe. I didn’t always believe that I...
Richard Merritt II had a clear vision for his next career step. Journey In Technology Richard Merritt II’s journey in technology began at the age of seven when he showed interest in old Dell computers and learned to code graphing calculators in math class. “I was actually pretty interested in how computers work. In math class, they gave me those graphing calculators, and I was able to code them to do calculations for me. So, I kind of always wanted to do something with computers,” he told AFROTECH™. Between 2007 and 2012, Merritt attended Texas Tech University. He initially pursued a degree in computer engineering but pivoted to business administration in management information systems after realizing he wanted to explore the intersection of technology and people. Immediately after graduating, Merritt jump-started his career as an IT Analyst Intern at Valero Energy Corporation, as noted on his LinkedIn profile. This internship led to a full-time role as a Technical Product Manager...
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...
Having a game plan always pays off. Anderson Douglas, a Houston, TX-based professional with a background in engineering, has spent nearly a decade working as a sales consultant. At one point in his career, he transitioned into the tech industry but stepped away for some time until November 2024. “I felt like the position that I was in, it was great pay. I just wasn’t maximizing my potential in regards to having an engineering background,” he told AFROTECH™. Douglas applied to countless tech roles and was receiving rejection emails. However, his fate would change during his attendance at AFROTECH™ Conference held in November 2024 in Houston, TX. Douglas purchased a corporate ticket, and his approach for the conference was to build authentic connections rather than focus solely on leaving with an offer. By engaging on the expo floor and having less formal follow-up conversations at events, he strengthened his connections with recruiters. He also leveraged a 15-second elevator pitch,...
Kawana Jefferson is living out her dreams with three hospitality ventures under her belt. The Virginia State University alum began her journey into hospitality during her college years, taking on roles like bartending and hosting, as reported by MadameNoire. While her early experiences hinted at a career in hospitality, Jefferson ultimately pursued psychology, earning a Bachelor’s degree in the field in 2003 and a Master of Science in school psychology in 2011, her LinkedIn mentions. Jefferson spent eight years working as a school psychologist, but she also maintained an aspiration to become a businesswoman and venture into the restaurant space. “I’ve always had an entrepreneurial spirit inside of me and hospitality spoke to me. It was something that I’ve always wanted to do. It was kind of like an itch that just wouldn’t go away. So I just took the leap of faith,” she said, according to the outlet. Sweet Brooklyn Bar And Gril In 2016, Jefferson became the proud owner of Sweet...