Tech Roundup: Google RCS Push, Meta Privacy Center & More

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

• Google publicly pressurises Apple to support RCS, a new standard that aims to replace the insecure SMS communication protocol, on iOS and end iMessage lock-in, adding the iPhone maker is "holding back" the messaging experience for not just Android but its own users by not supporting RCS in iMessage; comes in the wake of a Wall Street Journal report detailing the lock-in and peer pressure Apple's walled garden is creating among U.S. teens, turning the messaging platform into a social status symbol that excludes Android users.
• For what it's worth, Google has had multiple attempts to rein in its scattershot messaging strategy, but instead what the consumers are left with is a confusing patchwork of options across different apps that don't really talk to one another: Google Messages/RCS, Google Chat/Hangouts, Google Voice, Google Photos Messages, Google Pay Messages, Google Maps Business Messages, Google Stadia Messages, and Google Assistant Messaging.
• Apple, for its part, has every incentive to intentionally withhold iMessage from being truly cross-platform, but supporting RCS — despite its lack of end-to-end encryption support (although it can be made to) — may not be such a bad idea. If it truly cares about the privacy and security of its users, that is.)
• E-commerce giant JD.com says it will support e-CNY on its shopping platform and budget app Jingxi, following similar moves by WeChat Pay, as the Chinese government encourages wider adoption of the digital yuan.

• Meta rolls out a new version of Facebook's Privacy Center to select U.S. desktop users, breaking down its settings into five categories: Security, Sharing, Collection, Use and Ads, while putting the onus on users to learn about its security and privacy controls; starts rolling out support for profile pictures in iOS message notifications.
• Uber to shut down Uber Eats restaurant delivery in Brazil starting March 7, shifting its efforts in the country to online grocery deliveries through Chile-based Uber subsidiary Cornershop and via Uber Direct, as the ride hailing company continues to trim its unprofitable business units.
• India's antitrust watchdog, the Competition Commission of India, orders an investigation into Google after complaints from news publishers that the company is abusing its news aggregation dominance to impose unfair conditions on the outlets.
• Price of bitcoin falls to $39,771.91, its lowest level since September 2021, with Ether, the second-largest cryptocurrency by market cap, tumbling to US$ 2,940.
• Apple introduces new "Collections" feature along with a new “Time to Run” series starting on January 10 in its Fitness+ service, with the former a curated series of workouts and meditations to help users reach a goal; says developers selling digital goods and services have earned more than US$ 260 billion since the App Store launched in 2008, up from $200 billion a year ago (i.e., effectively a US$ 60 billion jump), as the company increasingly bets on an expanding portfolio of services to lock users into its ecosystem.

• China’s all-purpose WeChat app, owned by Tencent Holdings, doubles down on mini apps and short video to drive future growth as its user base reaches saturation point and amid increased regulatory scrutiny in the country and fierce competition from rival ByteDance.
• Apple briefly teases new Shazam extension for Chrome users, which can be used to identify songs that are playing using the popular music recognition service; quietly discontinues Beats Pill+ Bluetooth speaker.
• European telecom carriers voice opposition to Apple's Private Relay, as T-Mobile users opting for plans and features with content filtering (e.g., parental controls) are blocked from using the VPN-like service in the U.S.; claim that the privacy feature would their ability to efficiently manage networks and infringes upon E.U. "digital sovereignty."
• Privacy-focussed message app Signal sees CEO shuffle as Moxie Marlinspike steps down and is replaced by WhatsApp co-founder Brian Acton will act as the interim CEO while the search for a permanent replacement begins.
• Video game giant Take-Two, the company behind game titles such as Grand Theft Auto, Red Dead Redemption, BioShock, and Borderlands, to acquire Zynga, which develops FarmVille and Words With Friends, for US$ 12.7 billion.