Royal Mail is facing criticism as postal workers report significant delays in letter delivery, with some letters reportedly sitting undelivered for weeks while parcels are prioritized, according to BBC Business. This comes as Lloyds Banking Group faces scrutiny over its use of staff data in pay negotiations, and a bedding company abandoned its trademark bid after an appeal from pop star Taylor Swift. Other news includes the world's largest shipping company, MSC, facilitating trade from Israeli settlements, and a controversy surrounding Ring's "Search Party" feature and its potential impact on privacy.
Postal staff from various Royal Mail delivery offices told the BBC that daily rounds were being missed, and parcels were taking precedence over letters due to capacity issues. The BBC reported that the Communication Workers Union described Royal Mail as "a company in crisis." Hundreds of people have contacted BBC Your Voice to express frustration over delayed mail, citing issues like missed hospital appointments. Royal Mail responded by stating that the "vast majority of mail is delivered as."
Meanwhile, Lloyds Banking Group's CEO, Charlie Nunn, acknowledged concerns over the use of staff bank account data in pay negotiations, as reported by BBC Business. The bank was criticized for comparing employees' spending habits to the wider public to assess their resilience during the cost-of-living crisis. Nunn stated that "we have definitely listened" after the criticism.
In other business news, a bedding company, Cathay Home, withdrew its application to trademark "Swift Home" for a line of bedding products after an appeal from Taylor Swift to the US patents office, according to BBC Business. Swift's team argued that similarities between the singer's trademarked designs and the company's mark could mislead consumers.
Al Jazeera reported that the shipping company MSC has been facilitating trade from Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank and Syria's occupied Golan Heights.
Finally, The Verge discussed the controversy surrounding Ring's "Search Party" feature, advertised during the Super Bowl. The feature, designed to help find lost dogs, has sparked a backlash due to concerns about its potential for surveillance and privacy invasion.
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