Free trials trigger pricey tribulations
The survey found that 65% of millennials said they forgot to cancel at least one trial subscription during the year. Credit: Getty Images
A CNET survey found that 48% of users who signed up for a free trial subscription for an online paid service forgot to cancel it before the trial period expired, often resulting in monthly charges for the no longer “free” service. Even worse, 19% said this happened to them numerous times a year.
Millennials were the most lax in managing their trial subscriptions, with 65% saying they forgot to cancel at least one trial subscription during the year. Perhaps not surprisingly, millennials also rang up the highest monthly subscription bills at $119 a month. Overall, the survey found that Americans who subscribe to paid services spent a total of $91 per month for all their subscriptions.
Microsoft breach poses ‘unacceptable risk’
The federal Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency ordered U.S. agencies to beef up security after the recent breach of Microsoft’s corporate email systems by Russia-backed hackers. CISA says the breach “presents a grave and unacceptable risk” to government systems. The breach resulted in stolen passwords, potentially containing credentials from Microsoft clients. The U.S. government is a major customer for Microsoft’s Windows, Outlook and Azure software.
WhatsApp is the world’s most-used messaging app. Credit: Sipa USA via AP / SOPA Images / Budrul Chukrut
Apple removes WhatsApp in China
Apple says it has pulled WhatsApp and several other U.S. messaging apps from its App Store in China after the Chinese government ordered the removal because of “national security” concerns. WhatsApp, owned by Facebook parent Meta, is the world’s most-used messaging app. The move is believed to be in reprisal for the U.S. government’s threats to ban TikTok unless its parent company, Chinese technology firm ByteDance, sells it.
Walmart is looking to sell software that helps other companies deliver goods more efficiently. Credit: NurPhoto via Getty Images
Walmart offers A.I. delivery software
Walmart is looking to sell software that helps other companies deliver goods more efficiently as part of efforts to broaden its business activities. The company is offering the software after using it internally over the past 2 ½ years. The software uses artificial intelligence to map more efficient routes for trucks making deliveries to stores to help orders arrive on time. — BLOOMBERG NEWS
