Tag Archives: initiates

EPA initiates staff reductions for environmental justice workers

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The Environmental Protection Agency has initiated significant staffing changes by beginning the process of reducing hundreds of staff through a “power reduction” process.

Last month, the agency announced a large-scale rollback of environmental regulations, including key components of the Clean Air Act, with administrator Lieseldin vowing to undermine the fight against climate change.

In February, the EPA placed environmental justice staff on administrative leave and terminated some probationary workers. Many employees are now working remotely or engaging in telework.

The latest action by the agency involves the beginning of the termination process for around 280 workers who were involved in environmental justice and diversity, equity, and inclusive programs. Additionally, 175 EPA employees have been reassigned to new roles.

“Today, the EPA has informed employees focusing on diversity, equity, and inclusion and environmental justice of the agency’s necessity to reduce personnel through the handbook and federal regulations governing the RIF procedure,” said EPA spokesperson Molly Vaseliou in an email statement. “Certain employees have also been notified of their reassignment to different offices as part of this process.”

NBC News has obtained a memorandum sent to employees affected by the power reduction, indicating that the reduced staffing levels at the EPA will come into effect on July 31st.

“President Trump’s election was a call to action from the American people, which includes issuing executive orders for significant changes within the federal bureaucracy to benefit American families, workers, taxpayers, and the government as a whole,” the memorandum explains. “We appreciate your understanding and cooperation during this transitional period.”

Source: www.nbcnews.com

EU initiates probe into TikTok concerning online content and child safety

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The EU is launching an investigation into whether TikTok has violated online content regulations, particularly those relating to the safety of children.

The European Commission has officially initiated proceedings against a Chinese-owned short video platform for potential violations of the Digital Services Act (DSA).

The investigation is focusing on areas such as safeguarding minors, keeping records of advertising content, and determining if algorithms are leading users to harmful content.


Thierry Breton, EU Commissioner for the Internal Market, stated that child safety is the “primary enforcement priority” under the DSA. The investigation particularly focuses on age verification and default privacy settings for children’s accounts.

In April last year, TikTok was fined €345 million in Ireland for violating EU data law in its handling of children’s accounts. Additionally, the UK Information Commissioner fined the company £12.7 million for unlawfully processing data from children under 13.

Companies that violate the DSA can face fines of up to 6% of their global turnover. TikTok is owned by Chinese technology company ByteDance.

TikTok has stated that it is committed to working with experts and the industry to ensure the safety of young people on its platform and is eager to brief the European Commission on its efforts.

The commission is also examining alleged deficiencies in TikTok’s provision of publicly available data to researchers and its compliance with requirements to establish a database of ads shown on the platform.

A deadline for the investigation has not been set and will depend on factors such as the complexity of the case and the degree of cooperation from the companies being investigated.

This investigation of TikTok is the DSA’s second, following a December 2021 formal investigation into Elon Musk’s social media platform X, which was previously known as Twitter. The case against X focuses on failure to block illegal content and inadequate measures against disinformation.

Apple is reportedly facing a substantial fine from the EU for its conduct in the music streaming app market. The European Commission is investigating whether US tech companies blocked music distributors from informing users about cheaper subscription options outside of their own app stores.

According to the Financial Times, the city of Brussels plans to fine Apple 500 million euros, marking a significant decision following years of complaints from companies offering services through iPhone apps.

Apple was previously fined 1.1 billion euros by France in 2020 for anti-competitive agreements with two wholesalers, a fine that was later reduced by an appeals court.

Big technology companies like Apple and Google have come under increased scrutiny due to competitive concerns. Google is appealing against fines of more than 8 billion euros imposed by the EU in three separate competition investigations.

Apple has successfully defended against a lawsuit by Fortnite developer Epic Games alleging that its app store was an illegal monopoly. In December, Epic won a similar lawsuit against Google.

Last month, Apple announced that it would allow EU customers to download apps without using its own app store, in response to the EU’s digital market law.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Spotify initiates ‘divestment’ in France in response to new music streaming tax

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Spotify is withdrawing support from two music festivals in protest of a controversial new tax on the French-operated music streaming platform, with further action expected in the coming months. is threatening.

Antoine MoninManaging Director of Spotify in France and Benelux, took me to X This week we will criticize new tax All music streaming services will be subject to a levy of 1.5% to 1.75%, the proceeds of which will be donated to the National Music Center (CNM). Founded in 2020 To support the French music sector.

All major music streaming platforms have joined together to oppose the new law, including Apple, Google’s YouTube, and local company Deezer, but Spotify has been the most vocal.Following last week’s announcement, Spotify the movement said said it was a “real blow to innovation” and was assessing its next move.

The company has now given a first look at what these moves will look like, with Monin saying it will withdraw its support: Francofolie de la Rochelle And that Printemps de Bourges We are supporting the festival starting in 2024 through financial and other on-site resources. “Other announcements will follow in 2024,” Monin added, but did not elaborate on what those measures would be.

Tete a Tetes

It’s worth noting that Spotify has recently gotten into trouble. Tete a tete Negotiations are underway with the Uruguayan government over a new law that promises “fair and equitable” remuneration for all artists involved in recordings. Spotify would have to pay rights holders twice for the same track under this law, Therefore, stop operating in that country. The company then made a 180-degree turn after receiving assurances from the government that music streaming platforms would not be expected to incur any additional costs resulting from the law.

France is different in that it is probably a much larger market for Spotify and an exit is not a viable course of action. And, as Monin hinted last week, that action plan is likely to focus on reallocating resources to other markets.

“Spotify will have the means to absorb this tax, but Spotify will stop investing in France and invest in other markets,” Monnin said. in an interview Last week on France Info. “France does not encourage innovation or investment.”

Source: techcrunch.com