1. Companies Battle for Your Spit
23andMe filed a lawsuit against Ancestry to establish who the real boss is. 23andMe is a DNA testing kit offered directly to consumers. In fact, they were the first to offer this convenient kit. Now that DNA testing is becoming more and more popular, expected to reach $7.7B in 2020, 23andMe is ready to mark its territory. The lawsuit claims Ancestry copied 23andMe’s patented saliva-based relative discovery method (AKA — Family Tree Spit Cup). They also want Ancestry to remove its trademark, claiming the name is too “generic.” It’s a new era of spitting wars. #spitfire
(Source: The Hustle)
2. Social Media Gets Taxed
Imagine paying $19/year to use Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. This pricey scenario is a reality for Uganda. While only about 40% of people in Uganda actually use the internet, especially Facebook, the tax will be a major change. This tax will take effect in July. “It’s intended to curtail the ever-increasing central role of social media in political organizing,” said lawyer Nicholas Opiyo. We’re on the edge of our Tweets as we wait for Uganda to react. If the tax spreads to the rest of us, we might have to cut back on our Venti Skinny White Chocolate Mochas with two pumps… #basic
(Source: BBC & The Star Online)
3. Netflix Has No Chill
Netflix may not be worth more than Disney anymore, but as of last week, they are now worth more than Comcast by about $2B. It’s most likely due to Netflix’s original shows and movies, like Stranger Things, 13 Reasons Why, and Mud Bound, which are readily available online. These original films attract more subscribers and keep old subscribers coming back for more, as new content is constantly being pushed out. Netflix’s net worth will continue to grow as they increase the amount of their original content. Start popping your popcorn and watch the race to $160B.
(Source: Social Media Week)
