Tech Roundup: Meta Builder Bot, Reddit Discover & More

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

• China's Supreme Court ruled Thursday that virtual asset transactions constitute "illegal fundraising," paving the way for judicial prosecution of the cryptocurrency industry.
• Meta showcases a concept for voice-controlled VR space generation called "Builder Bot" and plans for a universal language translator, as the company hopes to draw more people into Meta’s Horizon "metaverse" virtual reality experiences.
• Reddit revamps its Android and iOS apps with a new personalised Discover tab feature to find communities of interest; publishes its 2021 transparency report, noting that 297 million pieces of content were removed out of a total 5.8 billion, with 2,813 users and 2,625 subreddits permanently banned from the platform.
• Cloudflare acquires email protection startup Area 1 Security in a deal worth $162 million.
• Amazon's Twitch launches the Ad Incentive Program to pay select streamers a guaranteed monthly minimum ad revenue based on amount of ads run per hour and hours streamed.
• WordPress-owned Tumblr launches an ad-free tier for US$4.99/month or US$39.99/year on desktop and in its mobile apps.
• Social audio application Clubhouse begins rolling out an optional in-room chat feature to its voice rooms, enabling users to join the discourse via text.
• Motorola debuts Edge Plus Android smartphone with a 6.7" display and up to a 144Hz refresh rate, optional Smart Stylus, and 30W wired charging for US$ 999.
• On-demand video streaming service Netflix reportedly has just 5.5 million subscribers in India, far below its 100 million goal from 2016, behind Amazon Prime Video's 16 million and Disney+ Hotstar's 50 million.