In today’s Digest, we discuss Fox agreeing to a USD$22bn Roku Deal to boost streaming, Pinterest adding Amazon storefront links, and e-commerce giant Coupang being fined a record sum over a data breach.

Fox strikes $22bn Roku deal 

Fox Corporation has agreed to acquire Roku in a cash-and-stock deal valued at about USD$22bn (£17.38bn), marking a major strategic shift as the broadcaster accelerates its move into streaming and connected TV advertising. The acquisition gives Fox access to more than 100 million households using Roku’s platform, strengthening its ability to distribute content and target advertising as audiences continue migrating away from traditional cable television.

The deal is Fox’s first major acquisition since CEO and chairman Lachlan Murdoch consolidated control of the company, and he described it as a “defining moment” that combines premium live content with a leading streaming distribution platform. Roku, which generates the bulk of its revenue from advertising, reported $613 million in ad revenue in the latest quarter, up 27% year-on-year. 

Government bans social media for under-16s 

The UK government has announced plans to ban social media platforms from offering services to children under the age of 16, in what it describes as a world-leading effort to improve online safety and reduce excessive screen time. The proposed rules would apply to major social platforms including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Snapchat and X, while excluding messaging services such as WhatsApp and Signal. The government said the measures are intended to give children “their childhood back” and support parents concerned about the impact of social media on young people.

Alongside the ban, the government plans to introduce broader protections including restrictions on livestreaming, communication with strangers and certain AI chatbot features for under-16s, with some safeguards extending to 16- and 17-year-olds by default. AI “romantic companion” chatbots will be restricted to adults aged 18 and over. The proposals will be supported by stronger age-verification requirements and enhanced enforcement powers for Ofcom, which has been tasked with reviewing effective age-assurance measures. Further details, including potential overnight curfews and limits on infinite scrolling, are expected to be outlined next month.

Pinterest adds Amazon Storefront links 

Pinterest has introduced a new feature that allows eligible creators to showcase their Amazon Storefront handles directly on their Pinterest profiles, creating a closer connection between content discovery and online shopping. The integration also simplifies affiliate marketing by automatically applying creators’ Amazon affiliate information when they tag Amazon products in Pins, removing the need to manually add affiliate links or tracking IDs.

By streamlining product promotion and attribution, the partnership aims to help creators monetise their content more effectively while making it easier for users to discover and purchase recommended products.