Global Tech Roundup: Pornhub Bans Video Downloads

Hi Guys! It’s the end of another busy week in the world of tech. From Twitter’s acquisition of ‘Squad’ to Uber’s selling its self-driving arm, there were several interesting happening across the global tech space during the week.

Here is a quick roundup of some of the major stories around the globe you might have missed.

HBO Max hits 12.6 million subscribers

Popular streaming service HBO Max has hit 12.6 million subscribers. According to AT&T CEO John Stankey, the streaming service is seeing “improved traction,” growing from 8.6 million activations at the end of September to 12.6 million.

Those activations include cable subscribers enabling the expanded service on their accounts and AT&T wireless customers who use the app.

The increase in subscribers comes as HBO Max prepares for the Christmas debut of Wonder Woman 1984.

Microsoft and Coca-cola join Amazon’s climate change initiative

Microsoft, Coca-Cola European Partners and 11 other companies have joined Amazon’s Climate Pledge to hit net zero carbon emissions by 2040.

Amazon and Global Optimism co-founded the Climate Pledge last year. The project aims to meet the climate goals of the United Nations Paris Agreement a decade early.

Earlier this year, Microsoft committed to becoming carbon negative by 2030.

The other companies who just joined the Climate Pledge include Unilever, UK broadcaster ITV and Coca-Cola European Partners.

There are now 31 companies from around the world that have signed The Climate Pledge. Previous signatories include Uber, Best Buy, Siemens and Verizon.

Pornhub bans downloads

Pornhub is ending uploads from unverified users and banning the ability of users’ to download much of the site’s content.

This comes after the New York Times highlighted how the site’s poor enforcement of its policies has enabled child exploitation. Similarly, payment giants Visa and Mastercard have pledged to investigate their relationship with Pornhub’s parent company MindGeek. 

The new rules will now impose limits on who is able to upload content and also block the ability for most of its content to be downloaded.

However, the company will still allow users who have completed an “identification protocol” to upload their own videos, beginning next year. The site will also include “paid downloads within the verified Model Program.”

Suggested read: 365 Days Vs Fifty Shades; A Better Love Story or Porn on Big Screen

Tesla files to sell $5B in stock 

Tesla is filing to sell $5 billion in shares after investors bid its equity to record levels. According to the filing, Tesla will sell these shares “from time to time” and “at market prices.”

Tesla’s current market capitalization is about $608 billion, meaning the stock sale is representing less than 1% of its value.

The company is working with Goldman Sachs, Citigroup, Barclays, BNP Paribas, BofA, Credit Suisse, Deutsche Bank, Morgan Stanley, SG Americas Securities and Wells Fargo,

Tesla said it will pay the banks a “commission of up to 0.25% of the aggregate gross proceeds” of the shares that they sell.

This latest filing is the second time that the company has filed to sell its shares. In September, Tesla said it would sell $5 billion in shares from “time to time,” according to an SEC filing.

Uber sells its Self-Driving unit

Uber is giving up on its self-driving dream. This week the company sold its self-driving unit to the self-driving-tech developer, Aurora.

However, Uber will invest $400 million in Aurora as part of the deal, bringing Aurora’s valuation to $10 billion. Dara Khosrowshahi, Uber’s current CEO, will also take a seat on Aurora’s board.

In retrospect, Aurora isn’t planning to build a self-driving car or truck itself. Instead, it’s developing complex software that will power autonomous vehicles. It has signed deals with global carmakers like Hyundai, the electric vehicle company Byton, and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles.

You can check out other news that happened during the week here. Have a nice weekend!!