Business

As coronavirus quarantine measures force millions indoors, mobile game downloads surged globally by 39% in February. China experienced an unprecedented 80% weekly increase, with Tencent's games like Mahjong and Game For Peace seeing significant user growth, reflecting people's digital entertainment strategies during pandemic restrictions.

The world's largest gambling hub, Macau, saw casino revenues plummet 88% in February as COVID-19 forced a 15-day business shutdown. The Gaming Inspection & Coordination Bureau reported a dramatic decline from previous year's earnings, marking a significant economic impact for the region's gambling industry.

Amazon removed millions of products from its platform due to price gouging and false coronavirus cure claims. Prices for essential items like N95 masks skyrocketed, with 10-pack masks rising from $41 to $128, prompting the company to take strict action against unethical sellers.

Apple agrees to pay up to $500 million to settle claims of intentionally slowing down older iPhone models. The settlement covers iPhone 6, 6 Plus, 6s, 6s Plus, 7, 7 Plus, and SE devices running iOS 10.2.1 or later, with consumers receiving approximately $25 per device.

Samsung Electronics and LG Innotek have closed manufacturing plants in Gumi, South Korea, following confirmed coronavirus cases among workers. Samsung's Gumi factory, which produces Galaxy Z Flip and Galaxy S20 phones, will remain closed until Sunday evening, with disinfection measures in place. LG Innotek similarly shut down one of its five factories after detecting a positive COVID-19 case.

Major car manufacturers like BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Tesla are rapidly expanding their online sales platforms in response to coronavirus disruptions. With physical showrooms closed and consumer behavior changing, automotive companies are leveraging digital channels to reach customers and sustain their business operations during the global pandemic.

Facebook has filed a federal lawsuit against oneAudience, a New Jersey marketing company accused of unauthorized user data collection. The firm allegedly used malicious SDK to exploit Facebook's login feature, gathering personal information from multiple internet platforms without user consent.

Tech giant Apple receives government approval to launch its first Indian store, with CEO Tim Cook expressing strong belief in the country's market potential. The company will now be able to sell directly to consumers after a decade of operating through local partners and marketplaces.

Disney shares dropped 2.1% after Bob Iger unexpectedly stepped down, with analysts questioning new CEO Bob Chapek's content experience and strategic capabilities in leading the media entertainment company's complex global operations.

Major Singapore companies like CapitaLand and Temasek Holdings are responding to coronavirus economic pressures by suspending wage increases and implementing pay cuts. Senior management is taking leadership by reducing their own compensation to demonstrate solidarity during this challenging period.