Tech Roundup: Apple AirTags, Instagram Abuse Protections & More

[A recurring feature on the latest in Science & Technology.]

• The European Union publishes a new framework to regulate the use of artificial intelligence and foster the development and use of "secure, trustworthy, and human-centered artificial intelligence."
• Microsoft launches xCloud game streaming service on iOS and PC as an invite-only beta via web browsers for Game Pass Ultimate subscribers.
• Google says it will audit WebView and implement a WebView "Safe Mode" after a widespread bug impacting WebView and Chrome caused many apps to crash last month; announces updates to Meet, rolling out next month on desktop, including a new UI, improved presentation features, and background replacement.
• Apple debuts new iMac, 11" and 12.9" iPad Pro with Apple M1 chips, and Apple TV 4K with redesigned Siri remote; officially launches AirTags item tracker for US$ 29 (interestingly, AirTags will be readable by any NFC-enabled device, including Android devices, when in Lost Mode), announces new subscription tier in Podcasts for premium and ad free content, to release iOS 14.5 next week and tells developers that all iPhone, iPad, and Watch apps submitted to the App Store must adhere to Apple's App Tracking Transparency rules effective April 26.
• Discord ends deal talks to sell itself, including rejecting a US$ 12 billion bid from Microsoft, as it resumes planning for a potential IPO.
• PayPal-owned payments company Venmo rolls out new feature that allows users to store, buy, and sell popular cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, Bitcoin Cash, and Litecoin.

YouTube tests new Explore tab on desktop web

• Facebook-backed Diem (previously Libra) aim to launch a pilot with a single stablecoin pegged to the U.S. dollar later this year; launches new tools to filter out abusive direct messages in Instagram based on keywords and emojis, and to preemptively block people, even if they try to contact the user in question over a new account using a "variety of signals" to detect such new accounts from those users.
• On demand streaming service Netflix hits 208 million paid subscribers, up from 204 million last quarter, as subscriber growth slows in the wake of ongoing coronavirus pandemic, which forced the company to delay some of its high-profile shows and films.
• ByteDance-owned TikTok faces fresh lawsuit in the U.K. over concerns that illegally collects the personal information of child users because "kids can't give consent."
• Music streaming platform Spotify calls Apple's App Store restrictions "an abusive power grab," adding "Apple abuses its dominant position as a gatekeeper of the ‌App Store‌ to insulate itself from competition and disadvantage rival services like Spotify"; Apple reiterates its tight controls over which apps are allowed are aimed at meeting privacy, safety and performance standards.
• U.K.-based online banking startup Revolut readies for India expansion by 2022 as it invests US$ 25 million in the market and taps Paroma Chatterjee, a former executive for Indian start-ups Flipkart, Via.com and LendingKart, to lead its operations in the country.
• Twitter rolls out the option to upload and view 4K images on Android and iOS to all users, after testing the feature earlier this year.