Despite how consumers feel about it, politics remains a core part of the social media experience. This report explores how marketers should navigate social in the aftermath of the 2020 US presidential election.

YouTube isn’t just for the smallest screens as more viewing takes place on other connected devices and mobile use declines. Streamers are taking in more upfront ad dollars. Netflix is shaking things up after subscription drops.

Peacock made audience gains as the streaming space gets more crowded.

Deepfake AI training blocked at Google: Some face-altering AI models are being refused but others can still run in Google’s Colaboratory, revealing a porous approach to AI self-regulation.

Big Tech post-Roe: As tech giants like Google respond to abortion rights loss, they face a quagmire of choices about strengthening digital privacy, censorship, and where to do business.

Tech’s labor tug of war: Big Tech is raising pay and discouraging union efforts, but an increasing number of workers are banking on unions to give them a voice in negotiating working conditions and benefits.

$52B chip bill stuck in legislative limbo: The CHIPS for America Act would help offset some of the losses suffered by American chipmakers or allow them to pursue expansion plans.

Fragmented, overlapping strategies could cause broadband delays: The Government Accountability Office says the US needs a national broadband strategy to effectively distribute grant requests and close the digital divide.

A proposed antitrust bill could end Amazon Prime as we know it: The retail giant is ramping up its fight against “degrading” regulations as it seeks to maintain its ecommerce dominance.

Big Tech has a role to play in abortion legislation: Tech firms have taken pro-choice stances, but state laws could complicate their position.

Values are important, but just one of many drivers. Consumer behavior is also influenced by factors such as price, convenience, and availability of products.

AI replaces metal detectors: Amid alarming rates of gun violence, Evolv Technology is deploying AI scanners to track guns in public places. But it has a lot of learning to do.

Social platforms struggle to contain violent footage, misinformation: Two recent mass murders have exposed longstanding cracks in harmful content policies.

Didi gets short shrift, again: Forced to delist from NYSE, the ride-hailing giant was made an example of by Beijing’s ruling. Now that China is loosening controls, Didi remains in delisting limbo.

Bipartisan anti-Google bill doesn’t bode well: The measure may not become law, but support for it could be a sign that tech regulation may eventually materialize.

Canada ramps up 5G security: Huawei and ZTE solutions are banned. Critics say the move comes a little too late as telecoms bear the burden of replacing without disruption by June 2024.

Mineral moon pies: Humans haven’t set foot on the moon in half a century, but plans are accelerating to return, this time for resource extraction. Geopolitical conflict could be a barrier.

Brands are unsure how—or if—to speak out about abortion: Some firms have taken strong stances, while others consider how to respond.

During the 2022 midterm elections, more than $1 billion will be spent on OTT and CTV ads, research projects. With the right tools and approach, political marketers can capture opportunities within this growing landscape.

China orders replacement of foreign-branded PCs, software within two years: Government agencies and state-backed businesses will need to switch to domestic alternatives, which could mean losses for Dell, HP, and Microsoft.

Lower internet costs, faster speed could propel broadband adoption: The White House, members of Congress, and 20 ISPs are on board to connect low-income households, but ongoing fiber shortages could delay efforts.

Amazon workers in Staten Island vote against unionizing: The labor movement isn’t over yet, but the defeat could stall momentum in Big Tech as companies redouble efforts to bust unions.

Chinese government looks to scale back regulation: Beijing eases controls on Big Tech companies, leading to a stock rally and optimism that short-term recovery can offset losses from factory closures.

Is AI becoming Big Brother? Human presence and emotional-state detection technologies are raising civil rights alarms bells. Although they could have merits for productivity, they’re also invasive and error-prone.