Thursday, September 21, 2023

Talking Tech: New iOS 17 features that can keep you safe, Fortnite settlement reached

Read in browser

Talking Tech

Thu Sep 21 2023

Apple released its latest mobile operating system, Fortnite players can claim refunds in a settlement and fired Black TikTok workers allege a culture of discrimination in civil rights complaint. Here's the latest tech news:

iOS 17. Apple's latest operating system, iOS 17, was released Monday at the start of a major week for the tech giant.

The release of the operating system is the first product from Apple's "Wonderlust" event that consumers are able to put their hands on with the iPhone 15 and Apple Watch Series 9 coming to stores this Friday.

And iOS 17 brings new features to Apple's flagship product. While new features such as "Standby mode" and live voicemail are the most notable additions, there are also upgrades that are useful to help keep iPhone users safe.

Read more about the key updates in iOS 17 that can help keep you safe.

Fortnite settlement. Fortnite players − and in some cases, their parents − may be entitled to cash payments as part of a settlement reached between the game's parent company, Epic Games, and the U.S. Federal Trade Commission.

The agency said Tuesday that it has begun notifying people who may be entitled to compensation stemming from a settlement finalized in March over allegations that Epic Games used "dark patterns and other deceptive practices" to trick players into making unwanted purchases.

See more on the settlement and how to apply for a refund.

TikTok complaint. Two former Black TikTok employees have accused parent company ByteDance of terminating them because they complained about racial discrimination.

In a complaint filed Thursday with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Nnete Matima and Joël Carter said they faced retaliation for calling out discrimination that is "emblematic of a systemic problem in Silicon Valley and more generally in large American companies."

In their EEOC complaint, Matima and Carter said that they faced a "pattern or practice of retaliation against workers who complain about discrimination." Both said they were the only Black employees in their roles for most of their employment.

For nearly a decade, the technology industry has worked to improve the representation of women and people of color among its workers and leaders with little progress.

Read on for more of the latest tech news this week.