Tech Roundup: Google Meet-Duo Merger, Instagram AMBER Alerts & More

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

• China's National Radio and Television Administration (NRTA) to enforce strict licensing rules for online shows before making them available to the public; says the "purpose of this rule is to prevent the internet platform from becoming a place where disqualified content can circulate without regulation."
• Google officially announces plans to combine two of its video-calling apps, Duo and Meet, into a single platform later this year, as it continues to streaming its messaging efforts. (Both Duo and its companion messaging app Allo were announced in 2016, but it was discontinued two years later in June 2018.)
• Google Chrome hits 3.4 billion active users (including both desktop and mobile), as Apple's Safari surpasses 1 billion in users, according to an estimate by Atlas VPN.
• Facebook to complete its rebranding to Meta by changing it stock ticker to "META" on June 9, 2022; adds a new calls tab to Messenger's Android and iOS apps alongside Chats, People and Stories, pilots new feature in WhatsApp that lets users edit sent messages and brings AMBER alerts to Instagram users to help locate missing children in 25 countries over "the next couple of weeks."
• Enterprise technology company Salesforce, which owns Slack, reports Q1 2022 revenue of US$ 7.41 billion, up 24% YoY, and net income down 94% YoY to US$ 28 million.
• Google temporarily disables RCS Business Messaging feature — which allows brands to send messages directly to customers — in India following reports that the feature is being abused by local companies to deliver an increasing number of spam messages.

• Amazon to discontinue Cloud Cam smart home camera and its companion apps after nearly five years in favour of products from its acquisition of connected camera and doorbell makers Blink and Ring.
• ByteDance-owned TikTok begins testing a new feature called "Clear mode" that would allow for a distraction-free scrolling experience on the app by getting rid of captions and buttons when viewing videos.
• Twitter tests the addition of the ability to toggle between For You and Latest timelines within Communities.
• Apple claims that the App Store prevented 1.6 million risky and untrustworthy apps from defrauding users in 2021.
• Amazon removes in-app purchases from its Kindle and Music apps for Android, and support for direct audiobook purchases from Audible following new Google Play Store policy effective June 1 that requires all developers to process payments involving “digital goods and services” through the Play Store billing system.
• Google launches Google TV streaming hub for iOS, after moving the Movies and TV section from the Play Store to the Google TV app, letting users use their phone as a TV remote.
• Messaging platform Discord enables a new dedicated text chat feature for voice channels.
• Cybersecurity company Lookout expands into password management with the acquisition of eight-year-old Slovakian company SaferPass.