Striking Back vs. 'No Comment'
"And all of those horrible things happening to you aren't karma. It's me."
Google's search algorithm secrets leaked; PayPal plans to use its customer data for an ad business led by Uber’s former ad chief; North Korea drops 260 balloons filled with poop on South Korea; Adam Neumann abandons his bid to reacquire WeWork; Billie Eilish breaks her own Hot 100 record with "Lunch"; streaming services are “reinventing the cable bundle everyone cut the cord to escape”; A24’s “Bring Her Back” adds new cast members; and your Apple headphones may be giving you tinnitus.
Google won’t comment on a potentially massive leak of its search algorithm documentation, The Verge
A massive leak of 2,500 internal Google documents reveals detailed insights into how its search algorithm operates, suggesting Google may have misled the public about its practices. SEO expert Mike King stated, “‘Lied’ is harsh, but it’s the only accurate word to use here,” challenging the credibility of Google's transparency on search operations.
PayPal Is Planning an Ad Business Using Data on Its Millions of Shoppers, The Wall Street Journal
PayPal is launching an ad business using its extensive user data to drive growth. Led by former Uber exec Mark Grether, the new division will use AI and purchase data to target ads. PayPal processed 6.5 billion payments from 400 million customers in Q1. Grether stated, "We know who is buying the products where, and we can leverage the data."
North Korea drops trash balloons on the South, BBC
North Korea dropped 260 balloons filled with rubbish, including suspected feces, across South Korea, sparking health concerns and public outrage. South Korea condemned it as a "clear violation of international law" and a threat to public safety. This retaliatory act against anti-Pyongyang leaflets exemplifies the bizarre, escalating propaganda war between the two nations.
Adam Neumann gives up on his plan to buy back WeWork, Business Insider
Adam Neumann is giving up on his ambitious plan to reacquire WeWork, criticizing the company's bankruptcy strategy as "unrealistic and unlikely to succeed." Once the visionary behind WeWork's $47 billion valuation, Neumann now watches from the sidelines as WeWork opts for a $450 million equity funding deal, dismissing his $650 million bid through his new venture, Flow.
Billie Eilish Beats Her Own Hot 100 Record With Her New Single, Forbes
Billie Eilish's new single "Lunch" debuts at No. 5 on the Hot 100, surpassing her previous highest debut with "My Future" at No. 6. This marks her third top 10 debut and sixth top 10 hit overall. Her album "Hit Me Hard and Soft" debuts at No. 2 on the Billboard 200, behind Taylor Swift's "The Tortured Poets Department."
The Cable Bundle Strikes Back, Rolling Stone
Streaming services are reverting to cable-like bundles, resembling the system many cut the cord to escape. Companies like Disney, Warner Bros., and Fox are joining forces, offering combined packages similar to traditional cable. This shift, driven by the unsustainable nature of multiple standalone subscriptions, may lead to higher costs and fewer choices, echoing the old cable model's drawbacks.
A24's horror film "Bring Her Back," starring Sally Hawkins and directed by the dynamic Philippou brothers, is shaping up to be a must-watch. The cast now includes Billy Barratt, Jonah Wren Phillips, Sally-Anne Upton, Stephen Phillips, and newcomer Sora Wong. Given that Philippous' last film, "Talk to Me," became A24’s highest-grossing horror hit, expectations are high. Production kicks off this summer—get ready for another horror sensation from A24!
Apple wants to know if you’re hearing things because of tinnitus, The Verge
Apple is funding a major study on tinnitus, with preliminary data showing over 77% of participants have experienced it. Conducted by the University of Michigan, the study aims to understand tinnitus causes and impacts, particularly from noise exposure via headphones. Findings could guide efforts to mitigate tinnitus and develop new hearing solutions.
How’s your Wednesday?
Tiktok failed to load.Enable 3rd party cookies or use another browser