Tech Roundup: Amazon Visa Ban U-Turn, Netflix Price Jump & More

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

• New unsealed court documents filed in the U.S. allege that Facebook and Google struck a secret 2018 deal called Jedi Blue giving the former advantages in Google's ad auctions; also claim that Google misled publishers and advertisers for years about ad pricing by deflating sales for some while increasing prices for buyers as part of internal initiative called Project Bernanke that supposedly used "privileged access to detailed information regarding what advertisers historically bid to help advertisers using Google Ads beat the advertisers bidding through competitors' ad buying tools."
• Video streamer Netflix raises its monthly subscription price to US$ 15.49, up from US$ 13.99, in the U.S. and to C$ 16.49, up from from C$ 14.99, in Canada; mark the first price increases since October 2020.
• The U.S. Federal Trade Commission is reportedly investigating Meta's acquisition of Oculus VR headset maker in 2014 for possible antitrust violations as the company continues to buy out several successful VR game makers as part its ambitious metaverse building efforts, effectively dominating the growing VR hardware market with more than 75% of global headset sales.

• Apple will let dating app developers in the Netherlands offer alternative payment options, complying with a December 2021 order to do so by January 15 or face fines, days after reports emerged that the company plans to offer alternative payment systems in South Korea following the passage of a law that bans app store operators from requiring developers to use their own in-app purchase systems.
• Amazon reverses its earlier plan to ban the use of Visa credit cards in the U.K. (set to start on January 19), citing high transaction fees; says it's "working closely with Visa on a potential solution that will enable customers to continue using their Visa credit cards on Amazon.co.uk."
• Spain to start requiring influencers and sponsors promoting cryptocurrencies to pre-notify the National Securities Market Commission (CNMV) at least 10 days in advance and warn of investing risks starting February 17, 2022 or face fines of up to €300,000 (around US$ 342,000) for breaching the rules.
• Meta-owned WhatsApp tests new drawing tools for images and videos in its built-in image editor that allows users to draw or scribble thicker lines and blur sensitive portions.