Big Tech Compliance Tracker: China Demands ‘Walled Gardens’ Opened; Fortnite Still Banned From South Korea App Store

Here’s the latest news from the technology industry, which is coming under increasing global scrutiny.

Facebook Blasts Britain’s Concerns About Its Giphy Acquisition

Facebook defended its Giphy acquisition and said it’s not planning to sell the company in its response to Britain’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), after the British regulator pointed to access and competition concerns that would come out of the social media platforms getting together.

CMA last month suggested that Facebook might need to spin off the recently acquired Giphy based on its preliminary findings that showed the merger would cause harm to the display ad market and other social media networks.

Apple Rejects Fortnite’s Bid For App Store Return In South Korea

Apple has rejected Epic Games’ plea to reinstate Fortnite in the App Store ahead of South Korea’s landmark law that grants app developers the right to offer their own payment methods, according to multiple media reports.

South Korea’s National Assembly passed an amendment to the Telecommunications Business Act, called the “Anti-Google law,” on Aug. 31. It is expected to be signed by President Moon Jae-in and to go into effect on Wednesday (Sept. 15). South Korea is the first country to legislate how Apple Pay and Google Pay payments are processed.

China’s Regulator Orders Tech Companies to Open ‘Walled Gardens’

A China regulator has ordered tech giants Alibaba, Tencent and others to stop blocking one another’s website links on their respective platforms in the latest chapter in an ongoing regulation boost China is leveling against companies, Reuters reported.

If the companies don’t comply with the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology edict, there could be other actions taken. Regulators have been accusing the companies of restricting the choices for customers and trying to build monopolies, according to the Reuters report.

Facebook Launches Smart Glasses Line, Ray-Ban Stories

Facebook on Thursday (Sept. 9) announced the launch of Ray-Ban Stories smart glasses, which give the wearer new ways to take photos and videos, take calls and listen to music.

Offered through a partnership between the social media giant and EssilorLuxottica and selling for $299, Ray-Ban Stories will be available online and in select stores in the U.S., Australia, Italy, Canada, Ireland and the U.K.

Apple Taps Watch Head for Self-Driving Car Project

Apple has asked the head of its smartwatch efforts, Kevin Lynch, to lead its fledgling self-driving car program, according to Bloomberg News, which noted that former project leader Doug Field recently left Apple for Ford.

This is the latest change to Apple’s Project Titan autonomous car initiative, which has also seen turnover in management, shifts in strategy and layoffs of engineers. Lynch also oversees Apple’s health-related software, such as the Health app on the iPhone.