MS NOW launches a subscription app with unique anchor access, while Grindr settles a UK data privacy lawsuit for $35 million and LG faces scrutiny over smart TV surveillance.

Key Points

• MS NOW introduced a subscription service priced at $7.99 monthly, featuring exclusive live Q&A sessions with news anchors like Rachel Maddow.
• Grindr agreed to a $35 million settlement regarding allegations that it shared sensitive user data, including HIV status, with third-party advertisers before 2020.
• Security researchers discovered that LG smart TVs can record audio and track location data via automatic content recognition technology, even while in standby mode.
• OpenAI CFO Sarah Friar is reportedly developing an advertising strategy for ChatGPT that combines the data-driven models of Google and Meta.
• Meta continues to face criticism for allowing ads containing child sexual abuse material to run on its platforms despite implementing new AI detection tools.

Why it Matters

These developments highlight the growing tension between corporate data monetization strategies and consumer privacy expectations across media, social, and hardware sectors. As companies integrate more invasive tracking and advertising technologies, they face increasing regulatory scrutiny and potential reputational damage from users and security researchers.