Digital loot boxes in video games are designed to be "exploitative and predatory," concludes a new report backed by consumer groups in 18 European countries. The report focuses on what it calls "deceptive design" in video games, which it says can exploit people's behavioral and cognitive biases to incentivize spending. It calls for changes, including all in-game purchases to be shown in real-world currency and a ban on loot boxes in games marketed to minors. More: - The report cites case studies of loot boxes and other "tricks" designed to exploit users in FIFA 22 and Raid: Shadow Legends.
- Loot boxes, in particular, are often advertised aggressively for their potential rewards, it said. The virtual treasure chests contain hidden items such as skins or new weapons and are often purchased with real money.
- It calls for changes including a ban on "deceptive design," more algorithmic transparency, and greater enforcement of consumer rights in video games.
- The report, commissioned by the Norwegian Consumer Council, is backed by 20 consumer protection agencies across Europe.
Zoom-out: - On Thursday, multiple groups urged the U.S. Federal Trade Commission to investigate EA for its loot boxes in the game "FIFA: Ultimate Team".
- The consumer advocacy groups claim the game "aggressively" entices users to buy the packs so they can earn special players.
GAMESINDUSTRY.BIZ 
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NASA awarded contracts to two private companies — Axiom Space and Collins Aerospace — to develop new spacesuits that astronauts will wear at the International Space Station and on the moon. After years of technical challenges, NASA is taking steps to develop its first new spacesuits in decades. More: - The next generation of spacesuits will be worn by ISS crew members for spacewalks, as well as astronauts who land on and explore the lunar surface.
- The more versatile suits will require testing in simulations and/or the ISS but are expected to be ready as early as 2025.
- NASA's Artemis program seeks to bring astronauts, including the first woman and first person of color, to the lunar south pole by 2025.
Zoom-out: - Combined, the contracts have a ceiling of $3.5B through 2034. Most of the funding will be paid through task orders.
- Axiom Space, a private space infrastructure developer, has planned private missions to the ISS and is building its own private space station.
- Collins Aerospace, a Raytheon Technologies subsidiary, helped develop NASA's current suits.
SPACE.COM
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Meta COO Sheryl Sandberg said she will focus on philanthropy and women's rights issues after leaving the company. On Wednesday, Sandberg announced that she will step down as Meta's COO after 14 years. Her replacement is Javier Olivan, who is currently Meta’s chief growth officer. More: - Sandberg is one of the world's most high-profile female executives and is considered Mark Zuckerberg's "second-in-command."
- The Harvard graduate will step down as COO this fall but will continue serving on Meta’s board of directors.
- In interviews, Sandberg said it's "probably time" for her to have more flexibility with her time.
- Speaking with Fortune, Sandberg said now is "a really important moment for women" and she would like to do more in philanthropy and her foundation.
- “This job and that kind of thought process really can’t coexist," she said.
- The Sheryl Sandberg & Dave Goldberg Family Foundation has two initiatives: LeanIn.Org to help women "achieve their ambitions" and OptionB.Org to help people "find meaning in the face of adversity."
FORTUNE
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Apple says it prevented close to $1.5B in potentially fraudulent transactions on its App Store last year. In all, the company says it prevented 1.6 million risky and vulnerable apps and updates from defrauding users. Apple shared the updates in a news release on Wednesday. More: - According to the company, it deactivated 170 million+ customer accounts linked to fraudulent and abusive activity in 2021.
- Apple also rejected 343,000 apps from its store due to privacy violations. Another 34,500 apps were turned down for having "hidden" features and 157,000 because they misled users or were considered spam or copycat apps.
- The company terminated 800,000 fraudulent developer accounts.
- On the moderation side, Apple says it blocked 94 million+ reviews and 170 million ratings for failing to meet its standards. It also removed 610,000 reviews after publication.
Zoom-out: - The company claims the efforts make its App Store “the safest place to find and download apps.” Despite that, it has still faced criticism over its strict App Store policies and the 30% standard commission it takes on apps and in-app purchases.
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Microsoft lowered its financial forecasts for the quarter, citing unfavorable foreign exchange rates as demand for the dollar surges. The software giant, which has significant international operations, is the latest company to warn about the financial impacts of a stronger dollar. More: - On Thursday, Microsoft cut its revenue guidance for the fourth quarter.
- It now expects between $51.9B and $52.7B, down from the previous $52.4B to $53.2B.
- It also changed its earnings per share forecast to $2.24 to $2.32, down from $2.28 to $2.35.
- Microsoft's lower guidance will likely be a theme for many larger software companies due to their heavy sales outside of the U.S., according to Bloomberg analyst Anurag Rana
- In April, Microsoft reported an 18% rise in revenue for the quarter that ended March 31. Azure, its cloud computing service, reported growth of 46%, higher than forecasts. Its personal computing business, including Windows and Xbox, rose 11%.
- Last month, the company announced a slowdown in hiring in its Windows, Office, and Teams groups.
THE WALL STREET JOURNAL
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Ford Motor announced plans to invest $3.7B in manufacturing factories in the Midwest, where it will produce both EVs and gas-powered vehicles. The investment will allow it to revamp plants in Michigan, Ohio, and Missouri to build a new electric commercial vehicle as well as new gas-powered Mustangs and Rangers. More: - Through the investments, the automaker intends to add 6,200 hourly jobs and convert 3,000 temporary employees into full-time workers.
- Ford said it will also hire to boost production of its Ford F-150 Lightning electric pickups.
- It plans to start production on the new electric commercial vehicle in Ohio by mid-decade but didn't reveal further details.
- Of the $3.7B total, about $2.3B will go toward EVS. Ford recently announced plans to spend $50B on EVs through 2026, up from the $30B it had announced previously.
- The company is seeking to build about 2 million EVs a year by late 2026, or about a third of its overall production.
CNBC
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 |  | Beth is a writer and analyst at Inside.com covering artificial intelligence and daily tech news. Since starting work at Inside, she has covered various topics including virtual reality, drones, and e-commerce. Prior to that she was a public policy and investigative reporter for The Arizona Republic, where she won a Pulitzer Prize nomination and First Amendment Award for reporting on the rising costs of pensions. Reach her at Beth.Duckett@inside.com. |   | | Editor | Eduardo Garcia is a writer and editor based in New York. He is the author of "Things You Can Do," an illustrated book about climate action. Bylines in The New York Times, The Guardian, Slate, Scientific American, and others. In one of his previous lives, Eduardo worked as a Reuters correspondent in Latin America for nearly a decade. | |
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