Apple and Google have agreed to modify their app stores in the UK following intervention from the UK's markets regulator, while Discord will soon require age verification for access to adult content, and Spotify reported increased subscriber numbers despite artist criticism. Additionally, Ford revealed it incurred an extra $900 million in tariff costs last year, and senior Co-op staff have voiced concerns about a "toxic culture" at the company's executive level.
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) announced that Apple and Google have committed to not giving preferential treatment to their own apps and will be transparent about how others are approved for sale. This agreement comes seven months after the regulator stated that the tech giants held an "effective duopoly" in the UK app market. According to the CMA's head, Sarah Cardell, these commitments "will boost the UK's app economy."
Discord will implement age verification measures globally, requiring users to verify their age via face scan or ID upload to access adult content. This move, set to roll out worldwide from early March, is designed to protect users and place them in a teen-appropriate experience by default. The online chat service has over 200 million monthly users.
Spotify saw its paid subscribers jump by 9 million in the last three months of 2025, reaching 290 million. This growth helped the music giant's net profit rise to $1.17 billion. However, the platform continues to face criticism from artists who claim they are not paid enough for their music. Spotify stated that it paid almost $11 billion to artists.
Ford executives reported that the US carmaker's tariff costs were $900 million higher than expected last year due to a last-minute change to the Trump administration's tariff relief program. The scheme was intended to help car firms offset levies, but a revised effective date led to fewer gains from the credits. Ford CEO Jim Farley said the company spent double what it had expected on tariffs.
Finally, senior managers at the Co-op have expressed concerns about a "toxic culture" at the executive level, citing "fear and alienation" among staff. A letter to Co-op board members, seen by the BBC, revealed that senior staff felt scared to raise concerns. Sources also indicated that a culture discouraging challenge has led to poor decisions, resulting in declining morale and a drop in profits.
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