Apple and Google have agreed to make changes to their app stores in the UK following intervention from the UK markets regulator, while Lloyds Banking Group announced plans to close another 95 branches. Additionally, Russia moved to block WhatsApp, and the head of Instagram testified in court regarding claims of addiction. Hospitality bosses also urged the government to scrap proposals for a holiday tax in England.
According to the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), 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 said the tech giants had an "effective duopoly" in the UK over their dominance in the sector. The CMA's head, Sarah Cardell, stated the proposed commitments "will boost the UK's app economy."
Lloyds Banking Group announced it would close another 95 branches between May this year and March 2027. The closures include 53 Lloyds, 31 Halifax, and 11 Bank of Scotland sites. This is in addition to an ongoing closure program that will see 49 sites shut by October. Once all the announced closures are complete, Lloyds will have 610 branches remaining. A spokesperson for Lloyds said, "Customers want the freedom to bank in the way that works for them."
In Russia, regulators have moved to block WhatsApp, with Meta-owned WhatsApp stating the move aims to push over 100 million of its app users in Russia to a "state-owned surveillance app." This follows further restrictions on Telegram, citing a lack of security.
The head of Instagram, Adam Mosseri, testified in a California court, defending his platform against claims it caused mental health damage to minors. He argued that even seemingly excessive use of social media does not equal an addiction. The landmark trial, expected to last six weeks, is a test of legal arguments aimed at holding tech firms accountable for impacts on young people.
Finally, over 200 hospitality and leisure bosses have urged the government to scrap plans for a tax on people taking holidays in England. Major holiday providers, including Butlin's, Hilton, Travelodge, and the owner of Alton Towers theme park, have told the government its proposals would drain money from local businesses.
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