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Google dodged a bullet Tuesday when a federal judge ruled the company does not need to sell off the Chrome browser or Android as part of the landmark antitrust case against it. While Google faces penalties meant to boost competition, it avoided the most severe outcomeand that reprieve is giving hope to other Big Tech players. Google is the only tech giant with a judgment so far, but the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) still has cases pending against others. Meta went on trial earlier this year in a case that could force it to divest Instagram and WhatsApp. (The judge is weighing that decision now.) The suit, which was filed in 2020, alleges Meta overpaid for the two apps to preserve its dominance in social networking. Amazon, meanwhile, is set to face trial in October 2026 for the FTC’s antitrust suit. And Apple isnt in the clear either: the Justice Department and 16 state and district attorneys general sued the company last March, accusing it of monopolizing the smartphone market. The Google penalty should give allow all of those companies to take a collective breath, as Judge Amit Mehta accepted in full Googles proposed remedies, only tacking on a few modifications, while largely ignoring the governments suggestions. In fact, Mehta called the proposal to divest Chrome or Android an overreach on the part of the government. As part of his 226-page decision, Mehta wrote the rise of generative AI has changed the course of this case, acknowledging that services like ChatGPT have upended the tech world. That line could be key in upcoming antitrust cases. If the case seems to be leaning against Big Tech, invoking AI and changing market conditions could be the corporate equivalent of a get out of jail free card. Amazon, for example, could argue AI shopping agents drive consumers to the lowest prices, boosting competition. It also doesn’t hurt that Amazon’s competitors are showing gains: Walmarts online sales jumped 22% last year and rose again in the second quarter, while Shein, Temu, and TikTok Shop are also chipping away at market share. Meta, which is in the process of increasing its emphasis on AI, could make a similar argument. The company argues that todays social media looks very different than it did when it acquired rivals. Its recent addition of a friends-only tab on Facebooka way to restore a clean feed from people you actually knowreflects how much the industry has changed. Still, some experts worry regulators are missing the bigger picture. By focusing narrowly on search or social dominance, they risk overlooking broader forms of platform power. My concern with the Justice Department is do they know how to measure the power of these platforms beyond as a service? I dont think so, Ram Chellappa, Professor of Information Systems & Operations Management at Emory Universitys Goizueta Business School told Fast Company. After all, this week’s precedent aside, the AI argument does seem to have some holes. Google remains the clear leader in search, despite advances from AI companies. Amazon still controls just under 40 percent of the U.S. ecommerce market and has a vast network of third-party sellers. And Meta remains a social media giant.
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E-Commerce
On Tuesday night, if you were browsing Sheins selection of pastoral style gentleman shirts for every day, you might have noticed a familiar face modeling the clothing: a smiling Luigi Mangione. Mangione, the prime suspect in the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, is currently in jail at the Brooklyn Federal Prison as he awaits trial. Given his imprisonment, its unlikely that Mangione posed for the photo or even knew his likeness was being used. Shein regularly uses AI to generate models for its site and to power its fast-fashion business by projecting consumer demand, instituting dynamic pricing, and getting consumers’ recommendations to help them navigate the thousands of clothes available on the site. [Screenshot: Shein] It’s possible that the unusual choice of model could be chalked up to the actions of a rogue employee or vendor (Mangione has become, to some, a folk hero)especially as the lighting on the face and awkward positioning of the head on the body suggests photoshopping rather than AI generation. The listing has since been taken down, and Shein has not responded to Fast Companys request for comment. A representative from the company told the BBC, The image in question was provided by a third-party vendor and was removed immediately upon discovery, adding that the company is investigating the oversight. The development comes at a bad time for Shein as the company deals with President Trumps decision to close the de minimis loophole, which had allowed businesses like Shein to ship products to the United States for free if the orders were under $800. Now, the company will likely have to pay extra to ship items and may pass on some costs to its already price-sensitive consumers. Shein is not a public company, but has been preparing an IPO for the second half of this year.
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E-Commerce
Rather than a headache and hangxiety, a new viral cocktail recipe is claiming to lower cortisol levels and reduce stress. The nonalcoholic drink, known as the cortisol cocktail, has racked up millions of views, with influencers saying it can lower stress hormones, boost energy, and balance adrenal function. @tennesseegirlx #cortisolcocktail #health #healingtiktok #cortisilbalancecare #viralcortisolcocktail original sound – tennesseegirlx Recipes differ, but most include orange juice, coconut water, and sea salt. Some add extras like cream of tartar or sparkling water. The idea is that vitamin C from juice, potassium from coconut water or cream of tartar, and sodium from sea salt help replace nutrients depleted by stress. @liveleantv Cortisol Cocktail = The viral adrenal drink to help you chill Heres how to make it + the science behind it. #CortisolCocktail #StressRelief #cortisol #AdrenalSupport #WellnessTrends #LiveLeanTV #fitnesstips original sound – Live Lean | Fitness Tips Daily But does it actually deliver? The cocktail takes its name from cortisol, a hormone produced by the adrenal glands in response to stress. Cortisol is essential for survival, but both excess and deficiency can cause health problems. Still, Everlywell senior medical director Gabe Gaviola urges caution with quick fixes that promise to fix cortisol levels. Some ingredients in these cortisol cocktails like electrolytes or coconut water can provide a quick energy lift and help with hydration, Gaviola tells Fast Company. Thats why you might feel better short-term, but you may just be masking symptoms rather than addressing the real root cause. Theres no scientific research to support the cocktails broad claims, and the suggested doses are unlikely to meaningfully affect cortisol. That said, the ingredients do have recognized benefits. Vitamin C supports immune health, tissue repair, collagen production, and iron absorption. Potassium helps regulate blood pressure, nerve signaling, and muscle function, and high-potassium diets are linked to lower risks of hypertension and stroke. Sodium, in moderation, supports fluid balance, nerve activity, and muscle contraction. But overdoing it has downsides. “Too much of these ingredients that are high in sugar and sodium can stress your body further, impact your sleep, or even raise your blood pressure, Gaviola warns. Stress levels in the U.S. continue to climb, with nearly half of Americans49%reporting they frequently feel stressed. To manage it effectively, Gaviola recommends consistent sleep, mindful movement like yoga or walking, balanced nutrition, and stress-reduction practices such as meditation or journaling. The best way to support healthy cortisol isnt a trendy cocktail, he adds. Its daily habits backed by science.
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E-Commerce
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