The situation in the U.S., particularly in the Seattle area, is likely worse than it appears; Microsoft and Amazon should take action. Then, the U.S. needs to rely on the private sector, and publishers need to remember why people pay.
COVID-19 Cancellations; Apple, China, and Data; What We (Might) Know
Tech companies are starting to cancel event and unnecessary travel as the coronavirus starts to spread in the United States and Europe. This is the correct decision, even if most economic activity should probably carry on.
The Iowa Fiasco, The Best Feature, Three Lessons
The fiasco surround the Iowa caucuses is an occasion to learn three lessons: what is a tech company, technology is hard, and why Facebook is like Microsoft.
Epic Systems and Electronic Health Records, Aggregators and Data Portability, Epic’s Privacy Objections
Epic Systems, an electronic health records company, is protesting a mandate that they make consumer health care available via API. Their arguments highlight the tension between interoperability and privacy.
AB 5 and Health Care, Project Connected Home Over IP, Ecosystem Pragmatism
A more flexibility economy would benefit from a stronger safety net. Then, a new standard that actually has real potential. It’s a win for some companies, but questionable for others.
Apple App Store Changes, Google to Remove French News Excerpts, Europe Bans Content Worldwide
Apple is softening App Store lock-in by the barest amount possible. Then, Google shows its power in France, but a case against Facebook shows how limited that power is.
Libra’s Questionable Benefits, Facebook’s Hidden Costs, Philosophical Objections
While Facebook, Libra, and the Long Game was about analysis, this Daily Update is about opinion: I don’t think Libra is a good idea.
Huawei CFO Arrested, Australia’s Awful Law
Huawei’s CEO is arrested, and U.S. companies — including Apple — should be at least a little nervous. Then, Australia passed a terrible law that will compromise the security of Australians — and possibly everyone else.
Microsoft and ICE; Tech and Trump, Revisited; Lines and Responsibilities
Microsoft is facing both internal and external pushback for its contract with ICE in the light of the Trump administration decision to separate families at the border; it is time for tech executives to decide where the line is between rhetoric and action.
The Difference Between Google and Facebook, Facebook’s Pedantry, Facebook and the Value of Data
More on the fallout from Facebook and Cambridge Analytica: why Google and Facebook are different, why that explains how they treat data, and why Facebook seems so oblivious.