This week on This Week in Tech, host Leo Laporte and guests discuss a variety of topics, including Australia’s ban on social media for under 16s, the latest in smart home technology and Matter protocol, CES 2024 expectations, Black Friday sales records, Elon Musk’s legal battles, the FTC’s consumer protection efforts, and the growing threat of infrastructure sabotage.
Australia’s decision to ban social media for those under 16 sparks a debate on age verification and its impact on children’s social lives. The panel also explores the progress and challenges of the Matter protocol, the future of smart home technology, and the impact of potential tariffs on consumer electronics prices.
Black Friday sales hit a record $74.4 billion, with a surge in online shopping and mobile device purchases. Elon Musk’s legal battles, including a dispute with OpenAI and X’s link throttling, are also discussed.
The panel delves into the implications of social media platform ownership, the rise of alternative platforms like Bluesky, and the need for transparency in the lifespan of smart devices. The FTC’s efforts to combat tech support scams and potential liability for ISPs regarding piracy are also highlighted.
Concerns over infrastructure sabotage, including a Chinese ship’s suspected involvement in cutting Baltic cables, are raised. Meta’s plans to build a $10 billion subsea cable to support its services are also mentioned.
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