Fox is buying Roku for $22 billion, Trump threatened a 100 percent tariff on French wine over the country’s tech tax, and the UK will ban social media for children under 16

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Fox is buying Roku for $22 billion.
Trump threatened a 100% tariff on French wine over the country's tech tax.
And the UK will ban social media for children under 16
It's Monday, June 15th. And here's a quick look at some of the news happening in and around tech this morning from Engadget.
The Fox Corporation announced it will be acquiring Roku, best known for its streaming device ecosystem. Subject to approval, Fox will pay about $22 billion for Roku, or $160 per share. The two companies claim that Roku will still operate as its own partner-friendly platform. The Roku channel currently serves over 100 million households worldwide. Fox stated that it will have a greater scale with Roku, reaching audiences for live content and streaming. It also gives Fox access to the high growth area of advertising and streaming subscriptions. On that note, the company pointed to the deal enhancing its long-term growth profile across streaming and TV. Fox is paying with a combination of cash and some of its Class A common stock. The companies claim that combined, it could create the third largest entity in US TV based on viewer share.
Ahead of the G7 conference in France, President Donald Trump is once again threatening massive tariffs on France if it does not remove its 3% digital tax on US tech companies. The news may come as a surprise to the French government and wine industry as sources close to French President Emmanuel Macron recently said that the issue was no longer up for debate. It's likely to become a point of contention at the G7 as the French government probably will not repeal the tax. France's tax on Google, Apple, Facebook, Amazon and Microsoft is on gross, not net revenue earned by those tech giants. Imposed in 2019 as part of a deal with the first Trump administration, it takes in around $700 million per year in revenue. France's wine and champagne sales in the US are worth at least $2 billion. France's lower house recently voted to double the digital tax to 6 percent, but that was vetoed by ministers over the risk of US reprisals. Eliminating the tax would be a political gamble in France as a large chunk of voters in the nation are concerned about a dependence on US tech. Trump is increasingly seen as an attack dog for big tech, using tariffs as a cudgel to force nations to drop digital taxes and levies. US companies have also urged Trump to punish nations like Australia over social media bans and the use of news media and search results. Canada, for one, repealed its digital tax in 2025, following pressure from the Trump administration. Other blocks have resisted, though, including the UK, which has retained its own 2% digital services tax. The US president often makes tariff threats, so the latest could be another taco bluff designed to extract concessions in other areas. And if the wine levy was applied, it could be quickly slapped down on a trade court like Trump's previous tariffs. Still, it will no doubt precipitate one or more sit-down sessions between the US and French heads of state.
Following a consultation, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced that the UK is banning young people under 16 from social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram. The government is aiming to pass the legislation by the end of this year and start enforcing it by the spring of 2027 The plan includes not only a ban from major social media platforms, but also restrictions on gaming apps as well. Those include barring children under 16 from chatting with strangers, live streaming and using romantic chatbots. The government press release said that these restrictions go further than any other country. The UK will follow a similar model as the social media ban in Australia. Platforms like Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook and X will be required to disable access for under 16 users by default. Chat apps like WhatsApp or Telegram will not be affected. The government is also looking at limited restrictions for youths under 18, like overnight curfews and breaks and infinite scrolling. Starmer acknowledged that kids will find ways around the ban, but said that was not a good excuse for not enacting a law. In January, the UK government launched the Growing Up in the Online World consultation into social media for kids, requesting feedback on mother and how to enforce that limit. The results of the UK consultation showed that nine in ten parents supported a minimum age of 16 for accessing social media apps. At the same time, the prime minister added that the ban does not mean the UK is anti-tech. The government has yet to release details on ID or other enforcement mechanisms.