Tech Roundup: Facebook Ray-Ban Stories, Tinder Redesign & More

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

• Encrypted emails service ProtonMail removes "we do not keep any IP logs" from its privacy policy following revelations that the company was forced to log and turn over IP address and browser fingerprint (aka metadata) to Swiss authorities concerning a ProtonMail account operated by the Parisian chapter of Youth for Climate; replaces it with one saying, "ProtonMail is email that respects privacy and puts people (not advertisers) first."
• Facebook-owned WhatsApp rolls out cross-platform chat history transfer tool to Samsung devices running Android 10 or higher, enabling users to move their chats from iOS to Android.
• Twitter begins testing a "remove this follower" tool on the web that will allow users to remove followers without blocking them and without their knowledge; pilots emoji reactions for tweets in Turkey, support for edge-to-edge pictures and videos in tweets on iOS to better support visual and text-based conversations, "Automated Account" label for profiles to self-identify as bots (or bot accounts), and debuts new "Communities" feature that's meant to take on Facebook's popular Groups with invite-only topic-based public feeds curated by moderators.
• New investigation by ProPublica finds that Facebook has over 1,000 contractors moderating private WhatsApp messages and images reported by users as improper, as the messaging app tests giving users the option to adjust the visibility of their "Last Seen" status on a contact-by-contact basis.
• When a user is reported, WhatsApp notes that it "receives the last five messages sent to you by the reported user or group, and they won't be notified," and that it "also receives the reported group or user ID, information on when the message was sent, and the type of message sent (image, video, text, etc.)."
• The exact mechanism used to receive the decrypted messages is unclear, but it implies the company is resorting to some sort of a copy-paste function by relying on the fact that the chats are not encrypted on device.
• Amazon launches mobile apps to provide real-time information on crops to Indian farmers as well as buy seeds and farming tools on its platform, as it looks to tap into the produce market that accounts for the bulk of India's retail spend, which includes fruit, vegetables and other groceries.
• Financial technology firm PayPal to acquire Japan-based Paidy, a buy now, pay later service, for US$ 2.7 billion in an all-cash deal that's aims to boost its cross-border e-commerce payment services.

• ByteDance's TikTok surpasses YouTube with regards to the time users spend time each month watching content, with U.S. users on Android viewing over 24 hours of content per month, compared with 22 hours and 40 minutes on Google's video platform, as U.K. watch almost 26 hours of content a month, compared to less than 16 on YouTube.
• Stock photography provider Shutterstock acquires Seattle-based online photo editing and graphic design tool service PicMonkey in a deal worth US$ 110 million.
• Google unveils Workspace updates, including Spaces for collaboration, Meet calling within Gmail, and 27" and 65" video calling devices by Logitech and Avocor.
• Popular productivity solution Notion purchases Hyderabad-based Automate.io, an Indian startup that builds connectivity and integrations with over 200 services, making the company's first-ever acquisition as it aims to "offer the same integration and automation experience to a broader set of users across the globe."
• Facebook takes on Snapchat's Spectacles with new smart glasses named Ray-Ban Stories in partnership with the luxury sunglasses maker for US$ 299 with capabilities to listen to music, answer phone calls, and capture video and photos (by pressing a physical button or just saying "Hey Facebook, take a video") that are then synced with a companion camera roll app called Facebook View, from where clips can be edited and shared to other apps on the phone.
• Amazon announces updates to its Luna game streaming service, including Chromebook support and a US$ 2.99/month family tier for 35 games.
• Online dating platform Tinder redesigns its app to put a larger emphasis on its social, interactive features with the launch of "Explore," a new section that will feature events as well as ways to discover matches by over 15 interests and dive into quick chats before a match is made.
• Microsoft enters into a "multi-year strategic alliance" with Oyo to work with the Indian startup to co-develop "next-generation" travel and hospitality products and tech.
• Germany's Federal Criminal Police Office confirms it bought NSO's Pegasus spyware in 2019 and used it in operations on terrorism and organised crime since March.
• Microsoft acquires in-browser video editing software startup Clipchamp, which is used by 17 million registered users across more than 390,000 companies as of July, for an undisclosed amount; launches Microsoft Start, a personalised news product via www.microsoftstart.com, Windows integrations, new mobile apps, and as part of Microsoft Edge's new tab page.
• Fortnite maker Epic to shut down Houseparty, the video chat app it acquired in 2019, in October, along with Fortnite Mode, and urges Apple to reinstate its developer account in South Korea following the passage of a Korean bill forcing app stores to allow alternative payment systems; says it "intends to re-release Fortnite on iOS in Korea offering both Epic payment and Apple payment side-by-side in compliance with the new Korean law."
• India's Jio and Google delay the launch of JioPhone Next citing chip shortages, with plans to release the low cost smartphone in early November.