CES 2022 to end a day early amid COVID-19 surge

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We have been reporting about different companies opting out of making an in-person appearance at CES this week. And a few days before the event kicks off, the organizer Consumer Technology Association announced that CES 2022 will now close a day early, meaning it'll run from January 5 to 7. The move is "an additional safety measure to the current health protocols that have been put in place." As usual, January 3 and 4 are the media-only days for the event, when press conferences and keynotes will happen.

Some of the protocols for the event include masks and proof of vaccination. The CTA also recently announced it would provide Abbott BinaxNOW COVID-19 tests at badge pickup. Attendees are asked to complete a rapid test 24 hours before entering a CES venue. Those who experience symptoms while at the venues are advised to report to a first aid station for testing. Attendees must also provide PCR tests by their destination before departure from Las Vegas.

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TikTok content moderator sues platform over trauma caused by graphic videos

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A TikTok content moderator sues the platform and its parent company ByteDance over mental trauma caused by graphic videos she's screened for the app. In a proposed class-action lawsuit, moderator Candie Frazier cites she's screened videos showing violence, fatal falls, school shootings, and even cannibalism. "Plaintiff has trouble sleeping and when she does sleep, she has horrific nightmares," the lawsuit states.

Adding on to this issue, TikTok allegedly requires its moderators to work 12-hour shifts with only an hour lunch break and two 15-minute breaks. According to the complaint, the moderators were only permitted to screen videos for no more than 25 seconds, and they had to view three to 10 videos simultaneously. 

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Tesla plans to disable in-dash video games while cars are in motion

Source: Tesla

Following pressure from US auto safety regulators, Tesla accedes to releasing a software update that prevents passengers from playing games on the centre console while the car is in motion. The announcement was made by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration a day after the agency announced it was launching a formal investigation into distracted driving concerns about Tesla's in-dash video games. Some of the games were still playable even while the cars were being driven.

Tesla is known for not having a media relations department, so there is no comment coming through from them. Even with the update, the NHTSA still plans to investigate the feature.

Source: The Guardian

Apple closes 3 stores in North America amid COVID-19 surge

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Apple stores in the US and Canada have been temporarily shuttered because of increasing COVID-19 exposure and outbreak among employees. Shops in Ottawa (Rideau Centre), Annapolis (Annapolis Mall), and Miami (Brickell City Centre) will remain closed until either December 18 or 19. It is unclear how many staff contracted the virus. Apple reiterated in a statement to Bloomberg that it "regularly monitor[s]" the pandemic conditions and has a "comprehensive" store safety initiative that includes daily health checks, paid sick leave, masks, and extra cleaning. The employees will be tested before they can return to work.

As Engadget noted, the closures remind us of the ongoing risks that retail staff at many stores are exposed to. They can't exactly avoid sick customers. And while stores can help minimize risks, they can't completely avoid it given the rising infection rates.