The US Supreme Court has agreed to hear TikTok owner ByteDance’s appeal against a law that could ban the app. The Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act is set to take effect on January 19, one day before President-elect Donald Trump is sworn in.
ByteDance claimed the law violates free speech rights, a position the ACLU has backed. The Justice Department defended the law in lower courts, citing concerns that the Chinese government could influence the company and collect data about US citizens.
The Supreme Court’s response was swift – only two days after the company filed its appeal. Oral arguments are scheduled for January 10.
YouTube is teaming up with CAA, one of the world’s largest talent agencies, to help its high-profile actors and athletes monitor their AI likeness. The platform will test its “likeness management technology” with unnamed award-winning actors and top NBA and NFL athletes. Going forward, it will announce further testing for top YouTube creators, creative professionals, and other talent agencies. Its main aim is to remove depictions of their likenesses.
Apple is shelving its plan to offer iPhones for monthly subscriptions, according to a Bloomberg report. The idea of an Apple hardware subscription was first rumoured in 2022, but hardware subscriptions may require Apple to “follow the same rules as credit card companies.”
This is part of a retreat from financial services headaches. Apple Pay Later shut down in June 2024, replaced by the Affirm loans feature in Apple Pay as part of iOS 18, while Apple Card is also reportedly in limbo as it tries to find a replacement partner for Goldman Sachs.
LG’s transparent wireless OLED TV is now available. The 77-inch OLED T features 4K resolution, the company’s wireless transmission technology for video and audio, and the ability to shift between transparent and opaque modes with the push of a button. And you only pay $60,000 for the privilege. Here’s what we thought when we saw it earlier this year.