The 11th Hour Dispatch — Thursday, August 30, 2018
BIG BUSINESS
A number of apps, most notably Snapchat, were vandalized with anti-Semitic messages this morning after open source mapping platform Mapbox was hacked. In a number of apps of Mapbox clients, the “New York City” label was offensively changed to “Jewtropolis.” Some of the most notable apps and outlets to be affected are Snapchat, The Weather Channel, CitiBike, and Street Easy. In a statement, Mapbox noted that the “hate-speech attack” was initially blocked by its AI, but a human reviewer then approved the change, a move that Mapbox is now investigating. Snap tweeted that Snap Map, its feature that was affected with the term, “relies on third party mapping data which has unfortunately been subject to vandalism. [Snapchat is] working with [its] partner Mapbox to get this fixed immediately.” The offensive label was reportedly removed “within an hour” this morning by Mapbox.
BINGE WATCH
Amazon has reportedly held talks with Sony and Paramount Pictures to discuss co-financing films in exchange for “certain online rights.” Other options on the table include development funds and general film production finance. Amazon Prime has not found the popularity that its competitors Netflix and Hulu have (though you could argue that it has had more critically acclaimed films). A more fleshed out film roster, especially with the firepower of a major film studio, could help draw in the paying subscribers. This wouldn’t be the first time that Amazon and Sony specifically have worked together. When Sony released Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle last year and Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation earlier this summer, Amazon Prime subscribers were given the opportunity to stream the films before they hit theaters.
YOUNG MONEY
In other Amazon news, dang, it’s good to be rich. Amazon stock hit an all-time high of $2,000 a pop this morning. This brings the tech giant even closer to the $1 trillion market cap, which Apple became the first of any U.S. company to hit earlier this year. Amazon is about 2.5% — roughly $50 — away from joining the club, so don’t get too anxious. I’m sure Jeff Bezos will be richer than you can even begin to fathom any day now.
NOTHIN’ BUT ‘NET
If you have a bun in the oven, maybe name it “Harland.” You could get an $11K check from KFC for honoring Colonel Harland David Sanders.
SUBSCRIBE TO THE 11TH HOUR DISPATCH
The 11th Hour Dispatch is your daily dose of all things media without the boredom but with all the snark. We mash what you need to know with what we truly think into one hot mess of knowledge, just for you. Subscribe to get it live and in color in your inbox every weeknight.
