Tech Roundup: Apple's Encryption Expansion, Google Simple ML & More

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

• The E.U. sets an official deadline of December 28, 2024, by when all smartphones in the region must have a USB-C port for wired charging.
• The Court of Justice of the E.U. rules Google must delete search results about claimants who can prove the information in the content is "manifestly inaccurate"; says "the right to freedom of expression and information cannot be taken into account where, at the very least, a part – which is not of minor importance – of the information found in the referenced content proves to be inaccurate."
• Google announces Memory Saver and Energy Saver modes "so Chrome uses up to 40% and 10GB less memory to keep your tabs running smoothly, and extend your battery when it’s running low."
• Meta's Instagram unveils transparency tools to let users with professional accounts, like businesses and creators, know if their content is ineligible to be recommended.
• Apple debuts new "Advanced Data Protection" for iCloud that enables end-to-end encryption for data backups, Notes, and Photos; announces "Contact Key Verification" feature in iMessage for users to "verify that they are messaging only with the people they intend," and Apple ID support for hardware security keys, as it officially kills plans for scan users' photo libraries for child sexual abuse material (CSAM).
• Google launches Simple ML in beta, offering a no-code machine learning add-on for Google Sheets, which helps users apply machine learning to their data.
• Microsoft launches Discord-like communities in Teams for Android and iOS, letting users organize groups with its calendar, meeting, and chat features for free; tests a built-in screen recording option in Windows 11 with the Snipping Tool.
• Web browser Vivaldi brings Mastodon integration to its sidebar on desktop.
• Disney rolls out its ad-supported Disney+ tier for US$ 7.99 per month after signing up 100+ advertisers; increases the cost of ad-free tier to US$ 10.99 per month.
• Epic launches Cabined Accounts, a new type of account for kids under 13 that needs parental consent and aims to offer a "tailored experience that is safe and inclusive for younger players using the store or launcher."
• Amazon rolls out Inspire, a TikTok-like photo and video feed in its app that lets customers "like" and buy products, initially to select customers in the U.S.
• The U.S. Federal Trade Commission sues to block Microsoft's proposed US$ 68.7 billion Activision Blizzard acquisition, charging that the deal announced in January may suppress Microsoft's gaming competitors.
• DocuSign reports Q3 2022 revenue up 18% YoY to US$ 645.5 million and billings up 17% YoY to US$ 659.4 million.