Tech Reporter Weighs on TikTok Deal & META's Smart Glasses

TikTok and Oracle Deal - The deal involving TikTok and Oracle is seen as a peculiar solution to the concerns raised by U.S. lawmakers regarding potential spying and influence by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) through the app's algorithm [3][4][5] - Despite the establishment of a new American board of investors, ByteDance remains the majority shareholder, retaining control over the algorithm and intellectual property [3][4][7] - The data handling processes remain unchanged, continuing to route through Oracle's data centers, which raises questions about the effectiveness of the new arrangement [4][5][6] Meta's New Initiatives - Meta is focusing on augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) devices, such as the new Ray-Band branded smart glasses, despite these not being significant revenue generators currently [10][11] - The company is heavily influenced by CEO Mark Zuckerberg's interests, particularly in the metaverse and AI, which has led to a shift in its branding from Facebook to Meta [11][12][14] - Concerns have been raised regarding the safety of Meta's AI, especially in interactions with children and teens, highlighting weaknesses in their safeguards [17][18][19] Consumer Sentiment and Trust Issues - There is skepticism among consumers regarding Meta's handling of data, with many expressing reluctance to purchase new products due to trust issues [20][21] - The ongoing scrutiny of Meta's AI capabilities and their implications for user safety is a significant concern for the company as it develops new technologies [19][22]