Brewdog employees are expressing concern about the potential sale of the craft beer giant, while Lloyds Banking Group faces scrutiny over its use of staff data in pay negotiations, and ByteDance is curbing its AI video app after a legal threat from Disney. These developments, along with government action on social media and the debate surrounding pharmaceutical advertising, highlight a range of current business and technology issues.
According to the Unite union, Brewdog staff are "really concerned" about their futures after learning the company could be sold off. Financial experts AlixPartners have been brought in to attract new investors, a move that could lead to the Aberdeenshire-based firm being broken up. Staff reportedly received only a single email from senior management, with some learning of the potential sale through press reports. Brewdog, in an email to staff seen by BBC Scotland News, called the decision a "normal and prudent step."
Meanwhile, Lloyds Banking Group's chief executive, Charlie Nunn, acknowledged concerns over the use of staff bank account information in pay negotiations. The bank was criticized for comparing employees' spending habits to the wider public to assess how they weathered the cost-of-living crisis. According to Archie Mitchell, a BBC Business reporter, Nunn stated, "we have definitely listened" after the criticism.
In the technology sector, Chinese tech giant ByteDance pledged to curb its AI video-making tool, Seedance, following a cease-and-desist letter from Disney. Disney accused ByteDance of copyright infringement, citing the proliferation of realistic videos made using the app.
The government is also taking action on social media. Sir Keir Starmer pledged to respond more quickly to close loopholes in laws designed to protect children online, according to Zoe Kleinman, Technology editor at BBC. The government's proposals include measures requiring tech giants to preserve all data on a child's phone if they die.
Finally, the impact of pharmaceutical advertising is under scrutiny. According to the New York Times, Tamar Abrams, 69, turned to the diabetes medication Ozempic after seeing television commercials. The ads, which she remembered as joyful, promoted the medication and its weight loss benefits.
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