According to a recent survey, more than forty percent of Americans distrust Facebook and TikTok, but sixty-five percent believe Google to be trustworthy. ZDNet reports that according to a survey of 1,057 American residents by SeoClarity to gauge trust in tech companies, forty percent of American’s are distrustful of Facebook and TikTok while many appear to trust Google, Amazon, Microsoft, and Apple. Google edged out Amazon as the most trusted company among the Masters of the Universe. According to SeoClarity’s survey, the majority of U.S. citizens believe that social media firms need regulation but have huge faith in Google. ZDNet reports that according to the survey: 65.7% of US residents say Google is trustworthy followed by Amazon at 65.1%, Microsoft at 64.9% and Apple at 63.6% and Samsung at 62.3%. 1 in 5 Americans will always trust Google results. 61% believe medical answers from Google have been vetted by medical professionals. Other key figures in the report … [Read more...] about Survey: Americans Don’t Trust Facebook or Tiktok – but Do Trust Google
Lobbyists for Apple, Google Swarm Arizona Over App Store Reform Bill
Lobbyists for Apple and Google have reportedly descended on Arizona as the state considers legislation that would allow app developers to use third-party payment systems to circumvent the 15 to 30 percent cut that Apple and Google demand from app sales. Protocol reports that Arizona State Rep. Regina Cobb (R) had not yet even formally introduced her app store legislation last month when suddenly Apple and Google lobbyists descended on the state. Apple worked extremely fast, having its own lobbyist Rob Diridon begin lobbying in Arizona before hiring Kirk Adams, the former chief of staff to Arizona Governor Doug Ducey and speaker of the Arizona House of Representatives to negotiate with Cobb on behalf of the firm. Apple quickly joined the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and began lobbying against the bill while lawyers for both Google and Apple went to the Arizona House’s lawyers to argue that the bill was unconstitutional. Cobb stated: “We went through a very difficult weekend … [Read more...] about Lobbyists for Apple, Google Swarm Arizona Over App Store Reform Bill
Cuomo relaxes some NY COVID restrictions with one-shot J&J vaccines set to arrive
close Video Texas, Mississippi business owners react to coronavirus restrictions being lifted La Boutique Excentrique owner Wylea Brown and Half Shell Oyster House owner Kevin Fish on the impact of reopenings. Gov. Andrew Cuomo will relax some of the state’s limits on indoor and outdoor gatherings as officials prepare to receive the first shipments of the new Johnson & Johnson coronavirus vaccine , which they hope will dramatically speed efforts to inoculate New Yorkers . The scandal-rocked governor announced the tweaks to the Empire State’s social distancing regulations as he made his first public remarks since two more women came forward with detailed allegations of unwanted advances from Cuomo — all of which unfolded as his administration continues to battle questions about how its policy directives exacerbated the COVID outbreaks in nursing homes last spring. "The light at the end of the tunnel is in sight, but we can’t stop … [Read more...] about Cuomo relaxes some NY COVID restrictions with one-shot J&J vaccines set to arrive
Facebook Lifts Ban on Political Ads
Social media giant Facebook has finally lifted its ban on political ads this week, ending a months-long restriction set by the site after the November 2020 general election. Politico reports that Facebook has announced that it will be lifting its ban on political ads on the site this week after it stopped all political ads on platform following the November 2020 general election. Facebook’s decision comes just one week after Google decided to allow political advertisements back on its platform. Facebook and Google, which combined attracted more than $3 billion in political spending during the 2020 cycle, both instituted political and issue-advocacy ad bans in an effort to curb election “misinformation.” But the ban on political ads has lasted well into the first months of the Biden administration and was only partially lifted ahead of the Georgia Senate runoffs in early January. The removal of the ban apparently shocked digital strategists for both Democrats and Republicans … [Read more...] about Facebook Lifts Ban on Political Ads
COVID Schools: Santa Cruz County Will Have Offered Vaccine to All K-12 Educators by Friday
SANTA CRUZ (CBS SF/BCN) — Officials from Santa Cruz County say they will have offered the vaccine to all of K-12 educators and staff in the county by Friday. That means by the end of the week 100% of the roughly 5,000 K-12 teachers and staff who want the vaccine would have at least one dose offered, Santa Cruz County Office of Education Superintendent Faris Sabbah said. READ MORE: SF Corruption Probe: Recology Agrees To $100 Million Settlement, Refunds For Trash, Recycling Overcharges Many surrounding counties have just started offering the vaccine to education staff, in addition to other essential workers, at the end of February, so how did Santa Cruz County beat them to the punch? “We had already been partnering with Dignity Health since the beginning of February,” Sabbah said. Dignity Health is a multi-county entity that gets its own vaccine allocation in the state. By early February it had already vaccinated its clients 65 years and older, so it had a slew of extra … [Read more...] about COVID Schools: Santa Cruz County Will Have Offered Vaccine to All K-12 Educators by Friday