Taobao
Coverage of Taobao in the Nexus archive.
- AI Summaries Are Susceptible to Manipulation — and That's Both a Business and a National Security Problem
AI summaries are vulnerable to manipulation through Generative Engine Optimization (GEO), where adversaries exploit data voids to seed propaganda. Examples include fake reviews for the Apollo-9 fitness tracker and Russia's 'Project 2026,' which aims to influence AI systems by shaping perceived reliable sources.
- Whatnot is in talks to raise a new funding round at a $20 billion valuation
Live shopping startup Whatnot is in talks to raise a new funding round at a $20 billion valuation, up from $11.5 billion last year. The company reported $8 billion in live sales in 2023 and is backed by investors including Andreessen Horowitz and Sequoia Capital.
- Can Pop Mart sustain the Labubu juggernaut as China sales cool?
Chinese toymaker Pop Mart experienced a 5% year-on-year decline in domestic online sales in May 2024, with sales also dropping 14% from April and 25% below the average monthly level. The decline raises concerns about the sustainability of demand for its intellectual property, including the Labubu character.
- China scolds e-commerce giants
Chinese regulators accused leading e-commerce platforms like Alibaba and JD.com of misleading marketing tactics ahead of the 618 shopping bonanza, causing their shares to decline. Regulators also criticized aggressive price wars and cited issues with AI features providing inaccurate product information.