Linus Tech Tips: Raid Shadow Legends, WhatsApp, and Intel News

The Raid Shadow Legends Controversy

The episode opens with an open discussion regarding the widespread negative reception among the Linus Tech Tips community towards a recent sponsorship by Raid Shadow Legends.

• Linus addresses the community backlash: He acknowledges that a significant portion of the audience was unhappy with the ad spot, citing previous questionable interactions the game's parent company had with their own community.
• Integrity of sponsorships: The team discusses their internal due diligence process, emphasizing that while they do not personally play every game they sponsor, they ensure the product 'does what it says on the tin.'
• Moving forward: Linus expresses frustration that community feedback regarding the ad overshadowed the actual content of the video. He concludes that they will pause working with this sponsor for the time being to maintain community rapport.

Should You Leave WhatsApp?

Linus and Luke pivot to a discussion on the viral privacy concerns surrounding WhatsApp and its data-sharing policies with Facebook.

"I would still just move over to Signal personally. I think that's still the answer."

• Clarification on data: The hosts clarify that private, end-to-end encrypted messages with friends and family are not being shared with Facebook; the changes primarily concern business-related communications, which are optional.
• The case for privacy: Despite the clarifications, they express deep-seated distrust for Facebook's track record and recommend platforms like Signal for users seeking better privacy and security.

Tech Industry Updates and Store Announcements

Intel Leadership

The hosts discuss the hiring of Pat Gelsinger as the new Intel CEO, taking over from Bob Swan. They emphasize the optimism surrounding his strong engineering-first background, hoping it marks a return to Intel's more aggressive and innovative roots.

Google and Fitbit

Following EU regulatory scrutiny, Google has officially acquired Fitbit for $2.1 billion. The acquisition comes with strict conditions, including prohibitions on using health and GPS data for targeted advertising.

New Gear

The segment wraps up with news from the LTT Store, including the debut of limited edition "Lambo" beanies and shirts, alongside updates on future products like the Swacket V2.