WordPress.org lifts ban on WP Engine, albeit temporarily

Here is the compilation of the five biggest tech and AI news during the last 48 hours.

1)

WordPress.org lifts ban on WP Engine, albeit temporarily

WordPress.org has announced that it is lifting the ban on hosting provider WP Engine till October 1. This temporary reprieve comes after many WP Engine customers complained on X that the blockade on accessing WordPress tools and plugins is hindering their user experience. There has been apparently breakdown in relationship of the both companies, with WordPress co-founder Matt Mullenweg openly calling “WP Engine a cancer” to WordPress ecosystem. WordPress has levelled several accusations on WP Engine including using WordPress trademark without proper licensing and profiting from the open-source community’s work.

2)

ChatGPT’s subscription price could reach $44 by 2029

According to a report published in The New York Times (NYT), OpenAI is planning to increase the subscription price of ChatGPT Plus to $44 in next five years. The subscription price could very well increase from $20 to $22 by end of the current year, the report further claimed. The NYT cited OpenAI internal document, which it is circulating to the investors for raising fresh funds. The company is currently in talks with several investors including Apple for raising nearly $7 bn at nearly $150 Bn valuation.

3)

Threads add location sharing feature to its post

Meta’s microblogging platform Threads seems to have added a location tagging feature that would allow users to add location to their posts. However, apparently this feature is currently available only to select users. By giving Threads access to your location, users can see nearby places that they can tag in their posts. This feature can also help the microblogging platform to improve its search functionality, which many claim is still not up-to-the mark. Moreover, it can be equally useful as and when Threads introduces ads on its platform. In order to compete with X, Threads has launched slew of new features in recent months, like insights, multiple drafts, scheduling and mention button.

4)

X needs to pay $1.9 Mn fine to end its ban in Brazil

Elon Musk’s X (previously known as Twitter) could see its ban revoked in Brazil, if it agrees to pay additional $1.9 Mn. This is on top of the $3.4 Mn fine levelled on the microblogging platform levelled by the Brazilian Supreme Court. For several months, X was locked in legal battle with Brazil’s top court over its alleged role in spreading misinformation during Brazilin election last year. Few weeks back, the popular microblogging platform had ultimately to shut down its operation in Brazil, after it failed to comply with tough conditions imposed by Brazilian supreme court.

5)

YouTube has blocked the several videos of Adele & Bob Dylan in US (here’s why)  

YouTube users in the US are unable to access videos of several popular artists like Adele, Bob Dylan and Green Day. This is the result of ongoing dispute between YouTube and SESAC. YouTube’s licensing agreement with SESAC for US content has expired. However, despite efforts to renew the licensing agreement, both parties were not able to reach satisfactory deal. SESAC is performing rights organization that collects royalties on behalf of artists and music publishers. It represents more than 3,500 music artists and publishers.