Tech Roundup: E.U. Crypto Rules, Google Password Manager & More

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

• Google faces fresh complaints from consumer groups in Europe for using "deceptive design, unclear language and misleading choices" in its sign-up process; says users are being "placed on a fast track to surveillance" forcing users to "navigate through a longer process and a mix of unclear and misleading options" to "benefit from privacy-friendly settings."
• E.U. agrees on new crypto rules, including measures guarding against market abuse and requiring crypto firms to disclose environmental impact of their assets.
• Meta's Instagram adds the ability for iOS users to delete or deactivate their accounts from within the app in order to comply with updated guidelines for Apple’s App Store; tests change that shares video posts as Reels as part of a limited pilot and launches support for digital collectibles like NFTs on Facebook with select creators.
• Apple begins allowing third-party app developers in South Korea to use alternate payment systems to bypass Apple and Google's 30% commission on in-app purchases; still intends to charge a high commission — in this case, 26% — for transactions outside its payment system, which is 1% less than what it charges Dutch dating apps using a similar method.

s

• Google consolidates its Chrome and Android password managers for a unified experience alongside automatically grouping multiple passwords for the same sites or apps, create unique, strong passwords, check for compromised, weak and re-used credentials, and an option to manually add passwords.
• Ride hailing company Uber receives 3,824 reports of sexual assault and misconduct in 2019 and 2020, down 38% from 2017 and 2018; rate of fatal physical assaults rises 18% for the same period.
• Google's YouTube announces new measures that prevents channels from hiding subscriber counts starting on June 29 to fight fake accounts; rolls out an "increase strictness" comment moderation setting.
• Amazon restricts LGBT-related products and search results (e.g., "lgbtq," "pride," "closeted gay," "transgender flag," "queer brooch," and "chest binder for lesbians") in the U.A.E. to comply with local government laws. (It's notable that consensual same-sex sexual relations are criminalized in the country.)
• Google to pay US$ 90 million to settle a lawsuit with U.S. app developers that accused the company of abusing its control over app distribution via the Play Store to charge an unfair fee of 30% for app and in-app purchases. (In July 2021, in a concession and in response to this suit, Google cut this fee to 15% for the first US$ 1 million in annual revenue earned through any app.)