Reddit banned a forum dedicated to President Donald Trump, CEO Steve Huffman announced Monday, citing repeated violations of policies prohibiting promoting hate. Reddit banned subreddit r/The_Donald because it “has consistently hosted and upvoted more rule-breaking content than average,” antagonized the platform and other subreddits, and “its mods have refused to meet our most basic expectations,” Huffman wrote. “Until now, we’ve worked in good faith to help them preserve the community as a space for its users -- through warnings, mod changes, quarantining, and more.” He cited rules against identity attacks, racism, harassment, bullying and threats of violence: “Communities and people that incite violence or that promote hate based on identity or vulnerability will be banned.”

Apple may have breached EU competition law by requiring app developers to use its proprietary in-app purchase (IAP) system and restricting them from telling iPhone and iPad users about other, cheaper purchasing possibilities outside of apps, the European Commission said Tuesday. The antitrust probe concerns the application of the rules to all apps that compete with Apple's apps and services. The investigation follows complaints by Spotify and an e-book/audiobook distributor on the impact of App Store rules on competition in music streaming and e-books/audiobooks. Apple appears to have a "gatekeeper" role in the distribution of apps and content to users of its devices, said EC Executive Vice President Margrethe Vestager, who handles competition policy. The EC wants to ensure the rules don't distort competition in markets where Apple competes with other app developers, such as with its music streaming service or Apple Books. The commission is also looking into whether the tech giant's conduct on Apple Pay violates competition rules. The opening of a formal investigation doesn't prejudge its outcome, the EC noted. Apple didn't comment. The App Store makes it possible for thousands of small European developers to create and distribute their products and services worldwide, emailed ACT|The App Association Chairperson Mike Sax. ACT wants to ensure the EC "hears the voice of small app makers." An EC decision shouldn't affect the U.S. unless presumptive presidential candidate Joe Biden wins, emailed Cowen's Paul Gallant. Apple "appears to have forged the best relationship with Trump among Big Tech CEOs," but if Biden wins, all four tech platforms will face more Democratic scrutiny, the analyst said: If the EC forces Apple to allow non-IAP payments next year, a Biden DOJ is likely to ask, "Why not for US consumers too?"

As of March 31, 437,965 CableCARDs were in service across the Comcast, Charter Communications and Cox footprints, NCTA reported. It posted Wednesday in FCC docket 97-80. In Q1 2019, there were 474,032.

The Zigbee Alliance and the Digital Illumination Interface Alliance are working together to bring standardization and system interoperability to the IoT luminaires space, they said Wednesday. The effort will help stakeholders realize benefits of combining wired Digital Addressable Lighting Interface-based control systems with wireless Zigbee networks as the IoT advances. The organizations are collaborating on developing a gateway specification to support a future certification program. “The intersection of wired and wireless is where industry can work better together during this IoT transition to benefit those invested in both technology camps" and consumers, said Zigbee CEO Tobin Richardson.

Garmin asked the FCC to allow provisional certification of RF devices, which the agency declined to do in a July 2017 order reshaping Part 2 equipment authorization rules (see 1707130032). Garmin representatives met with Office of Engineering and Technology staff, including acting Chief Ronald Repasi, said a filing posted Tuesday in docket 15-170. “Provisional certification would provide no shortcuts from the current rigorous testing and certification.” Such certification would expire in 90 days or when the device is delivered to users.

The canceled NAB Show would have been April 18-22. See our calendar.

Daytime TV watching levels are up almost 10% at 6 a.m. compared with a year ago, and growth continues through morning and daytime, Comscore said Tuesday. Data comes from New York, Dallas, Atlanta, Sacramento and Indianapolis markets, it said. In 2019, viewership levels peaked at around 8 a.m. and stay flat through much of the day. The COVID-19 pandemic seems to have changed things, viewership growing until noon and plateauing then, it said. The biggest jumps are during "commute-heavy hours" of 7-9 a.m. There's big daytime growth in smaller markets, with Wilkes Barre-Scranton-Hazleton in Pennsylvania rising more than 30% for local newscasts during daytime, early fringe, prime access and late news periods.

Additional MVPDs endorsed requests there be no blackouts of TV station programming on pay TV during the COVID-19 pandemic. FCC Chairman Ajit Pai and NAB CEO Gordon Smith and others sought similar pledges (see 2003180036). Comcast agrees, a spokesperson emailed Wednesday. "We all need to work together to avoid service disruptions during this time.” Dish Network "is committed to ensuring that our customers have access to critical local news coverage regarding COVID-19,” said Senior Vice President-Programming Andy LeCuyer in a statement. “We appreciate the cooperation of broadcasters who share our goal, and together we've restored 49 channels across 39 markets, while continuing to work toward long-term agreements."

Ericsson followed LG, pulling out of MWC 2020 on coronavirus concerns Friday, citing its responsibility for the health and safety of employees, customers and other stakeholders. Demo and content created for the Barcelona event “will be showcased close to customers at local events, called ‘Ericsson Unboxed,'" it said. LG will hold separate events “in the near future” to announce its 2020 mobile products, said the company Wednesday. LG cited safety of its employees, partners and customers. Despite social media reports to the contrary, ZTE reaffirmed its commitment to attend the mobile industry’s Feb. 24-27 global event, saying employee and customer health is a priority. ZTE adopted prevention and control measures and safeguards in accordance with guidelines from China's health department and the World Health Organization, it said. ZTE will ensure all employees from mainland China, including non-Chinese nationals, have no symptoms two weeks before departure and arrival at the trade show, it said. All ZTE employees are required to undergo two weeks of “self-isolation” to ensure the health and safety of employees, it said. ZTE’s senior executives participating in high-level meetings in Barcelona will isolate themselves in Europe for at least two weeks before MWC, said the company, which will also ensure exhibit equipment is “disinfected daily.” Booth staff will be “all from countries outside China, and mainly from Europe,” it said.

Apple didn’t respond Thursday to queries about a Nikkei Asian Review report that three AirPods suppliers are facing shortages of materials and components from coronavirus-forced plant shutdowns in China. The report said suppliers have a maximum two weeks’ supply of components for assembly. Apple had ordered suppliers to produce up to 45 million units of the true wireless headphones in first half 2020 to keep up with surging demand, it said. Thursday, Apple.com showed earliest availability of the $249 AirPods Pro, in short supply since the holiday season, as March 6. Standard AirPods were available for next-day delivery.