Google DeepMind employees began unionization negotiations Wednesday, but reported that executives are resisting meaningful engagement with the effort.
Talks between the tech workers and management revealed significant friction over the company's approach to the unionization process. Employees expressed frustration at what they characterized as a lack of genuine willingness from leadership to discuss union representation.
The negotiations mark an escalation in efforts by DeepMind staff to organize collective representation. Worker concerns at major tech firms have increasingly focused on compensation, workplace culture, and decision-making transparency.
DeepMind, Google's AI research subsidiary, employs hundreds of researchers and engineers. The unionization attempt comes amid broader labor organizing trends across the technology sector, where employees at companies like Amazon and Starbucks have pursued similar efforts.
No further negotiation dates have been publicly announced. The outcome of these talks could signal broader labor dynamics within Google's research divisions.
Meta has settled a nationwide lawsuit by agreeing to implement significant new safeguards on Instagram and Facebook for teen users. The changes will restrict how teens interact with the platforms and limit usage during certain hours.
Bluesky has increased its maximum video upload length to 10 minutes, while also boosting file size limits and improving upload speeds across the platform.
SoundCloud now allows artists to sell music directly from their profiles in beta, eliminating the need for third-party services and ensuring 100% of revenue goes to creators.
SoundCloud is expanding its platform to let users purchase music directly from artists. The feature aims to create a new revenue stream for creators beyond streaming payments.