News

CFPB
CFPB: Student Banking Products Have Unusually High Fees
December 19, 2023

American college students’ first bank accounts might end up being their worst bank accounts. A recent report by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) finds that many college-sponsored credit cards and deposit accounts have higher fees and worse terms and conditions than comparable products. “Many students get their first...

Artificial Intelligence
How AI Firms Plan to Build, Then Control, Superhuman Intelligence
December 19, 2023

At the center of many of humanity’s most compelling problems and innovations lie inscrutable paradoxes.  Nearly the entirety of advanced mathematics, for example, is built around the concept of imaginary numbers. Without them, the field would collapse.  It is the same with physics: Were it...

Security & Fraud
Comcast Reports Hack Exposed Data of Nearly 36 Million Xfinity Customers 
December 19, 2023

Comcast says hackers stole personal data from millions of customers during a recent breach. The data breach involved customers of the company’s cable and internet business Xfinity, Comcast announced Monday (Dec. 18). According to a news release, Xfinity had learned of a vulnerability from software provider Citrix in October, which...

eCommerce
Tokens.com Launches Platform for Advertising Within Virtual Gaming Worlds
December 19, 2023

Tokens.com has launched a proprietary eCommerce platform that allows product placement and advertising within virtual gaming worlds like Roblox and Fortnite.  The new Valor platform within Metaverse Group enables players within these environments to scan branded items, claim offers and earn points that can be redeemed for rewards, the company said in a...

Artificial Intelligence
Amazon Merchants Give Low Marks to AI-Powered Review Highlights
December 19, 2023

Earlier this year, Amazon began using artificial intelligence to feature the highlights of customers’ product reviews. However, some sellers apparently think this AI tool seems to focus too much on the lows, Bloomberg reported Tuesday (Dec. 19). Merchants said the AI provides inaccurate product descriptions...

Investments
Carlyle and Insight Partners Invest in Supply Chain Firm Exiger
December 19, 2023

Funds managed by global investment firm Carlyle and global software investor Insight Partners have entered into a definitive agreement to provide majority investment in Exiger, a software-as-a-service (SaaS) firm focused on helping corporations, government agencies and banks manage supply chains. With this investment, Exiger will...

Retail
Why Sally Beauty Is Investing in Free Services for Frugal Customers
December 19, 2023

Beauty retailer Sally Beauty has introduced Licensed Colorist OnDemand, a digital consultation service allowing individuals to confidently color their hair with recommendations from licensed professionals. The service, available for free, aims to address the education gap surrounding at-home hair color.  But why invest in free...

Retail
Ebay to Take on Poshmark, The RealReal for Luxury Resale Spend 
December 19, 2023

In a bid to draw consumers to its eCommerce platform, eBay is exploring new retail avenues. The online retailer served as a go-to site for online shopping in the past, offering a wide range of products, from rare collectibles to everyday items. However, as eCommerce...

Retail
Farfetch Acquired by Korean eCommerce Giant Coupang
December 19, 2023

Struggling luxury retailer Farfetch has been purchased by Coupang, the South Korean eCommerce giant. The deal gives Coupang greater access to the personal luxury goods space, while offering Farfetch $500 million to remain in operation, the companies announced Monday (Dec. 18). “Farfetch is a landmark of the luxury landscape and...