The state of California has approved new laws under its Consumer Privacy Act to prohibit the use of 'dark patterns' in website design. Dark patterns are design techniques used to trick or confuse users into choosing options or service settings that suits the site best, whether through colours, layouts or confusing language. The new rules will also aim to institute a new standardised Privacy Options icon to make it easier for users to find such information.

In the face of sanctions in many Western markets, Huawei has announced it will start using its portfolio of 5G patents to begin charging royalties to major manufacturers including Apple and Samsung. The company announced a royalty rate of up to US$2.50 per device. According to Reuters, Huawei expects to earn $1.3 billion in revenue from patent licensing between 2019 and 2021.

Google has announced the Play Store will reduce its cut of revenue on the first million dollars earned by Android app developers. Last year Apple made a similar move while under pressure from the developer community over enforced use of the App Store payment system, reducing the percentage of revenue from 30% to 15% on the first $1M earned. Google's new offering is more generous, operating like a progressive tax so that all developers keep 15% of that first million while Apple takes 30% of ALL revenue once you cross the million dollar threshold.

Instagram has announced a number of measures to improve safety for teens on the service. New accounts being created by teenagers will be encouraged to make their account private rather than public, and the Facebook owned network will also block adults from direct messaging teens that don't follow them back. If an adult can message a teen but has been quote "exhibiting potentially suspicious behaviour" the recipient will be offered safety prompts helping them understand they don't have to reply, they can block and report the message, and other advice on safety.

Google has announced an upgrade to its Nest Hub, the company's 7-inch smart display device for the home. Apart from a number of general upgrades under the hood to make the unit performance snappier the biggest upgrade is a new radar chip that allows for gesture controls as well as a sleep sensing system that allows for detailed sleep analysis without a wearable required nor a creepy camera staring at you. The 2nd Generation Nest Hub launches March 30 priced at $149.

GoPro users are getting a new name for the app that connects the camera to your smartphone along with new features. In an update today, the app will now be called Quik - the name for another app also by GoPro that will be discontinued as of this change. Along with connecting and controlling your GoPro cameras, the app will also let you bring together video shot on any camera and perform edits, including some automatic edit features, as well as new themes and filters. An unlimited cloud backup service is also available as a subscription. This also means the software has potential for people who don't own a GoPro at all.

Rockstar Games, makers of Grand Theft Auto and Red Dead Redemption games, has paid a community mod creator $10,000 after they made the online version of GTA load significantly faster. The modder discovered a bottleneck in the game's code that, once rectified, helped the game to load 70% faster. The company will implement the change into official code and made the payment as a thank you for their assistance.

Turning to esports, in the League of Legends Circuit Oceania, Perth's Pentanet continuing its unbeaten run with a ninth straight victory over third placed Dire Wolves. The LCO replaced the previous Oceanic Pro League after Riot Games closed its Australian office at the end of 2020.

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