Children are being bombarded with advertisements for weight loss products online, according to a new report, while tech giants Apple and Google face scrutiny over their app store practices. In other news, hospitality bosses are urging the government to scrap plans for a holiday tax in England, and Lloyds Banking Group announced the closure of another 95 branches.
A report by the children's commissioner for England revealed that young people are routinely exposed to ads for weight loss injections and pills online, despite such advertising being banned. Dame Rachel de Souza, the children's commissioner, stated that these posts were "immensely damaging" to young people's self-esteem and called for a ban on social media advertising to children, according to BBC Technology.
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) announced that Apple and Google have agreed to make changes to their app stores in the UK following an intervention from the UK markets regulator. The tech giants committed to not giving preferential treatment to their own apps and will be transparent about how others are approved for sale, according to BBC Technology. This comes seven months after the regulator said Apple and Google had an "effective duopoly" in the UK over their dominance in the sector. The CMA's head Sarah Cardell said the proposed commitments "will boost the UK's app economy."
Meanwhile, plans for a tax on people taking holidays in England are facing opposition from hospitality and leisure bosses. Over 200 business leaders have urged the government to scrap the proposal, according to BBC Business. The government is considering allowing mayors and other local leaders in England to introduce a "modest" tourist tax, or visitor levy, to raise revenue. Major holiday providers, including Butlin's, Hilton, and Travelodge, have told the government its proposals would drain money from local businesses. "Holidays are for relaxing, not taxing," the hospitality bosses stated.
In related news, the head of Instagram defended his platform against claims it caused mental health damage to minors, arguing in a California court that social media use seen as excessive for one person could be normal for another. Adam Mosseri, who has led Instagram for eight years, testified in the landmark trial that began this week, according to BBC Business. The trial is expected to last six weeks and aims to hold tech firms accountable for impacts on young people.
Lloyds Banking Group announced it would close another 95 branches between May this year and March 2027, as many banks continue to reduce their presence on the High Street. The group said 53 Lloyds, 31 Halifax, and 11 Bank of Scotland sites would shut, according to BBC Business. Lloyds, the biggest banking group in the UK, said it offered a range of options for people to manage their money. A spokesperson for Lloyds said: "Customers want the freedom to bank in the way that works for them and we offer."
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