Tech Report: Credit reports begin to include buy now, pay later loans

Affirm is now reporting "Buy Now, Pay Later" loans to the credit bureau Experian, marking a shift in how these types of loans are tracked.

(LILAMAX)- Affirm is now reporting “Buy Now, Pay Later” (BNPL) loans to the credit bureau Experian, marking a shift in how these types of loans are tracked. While the addition of these loans won’t immediately affect credit scores—since traditional credit scoring models haven’t yet been updated to account for this new type of debt—it highlights the growing influence of BNPL services. In 2022 alone, more than 277 million BNPL loans were opened, reflecting the surge in popularity of these payment options.

TikTok is under a tight deadline to determine its future in the U.S. Bloomberg News reports that President Trump will meet on Wednesday to discuss potential investors who could buy a stake in the popular app. Trump has previously expressed confidence, saying he is “pretty certain” a deal will be reached, though the situation remains fluid as the Saturday deadline approaches.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is raising alarms over the bankruptcy of 23andMe, particularly its planned sale. The FTC’s Chairman, Andrew Ferguson, sent a letter to U.S. Trustee Program representatives, warning that the company holds sensitive consumer data—such as genetic information, DNA samples, contact details, and payment information. The FTC is concerned that the sale could put millions of American consumers’ personal information at risk. In response, 23andMe has assured that any buyer will be required to comply with its privacy policies and relevant consumer data laws.

Tinder is enhancing its user experience with a new interactive AI chat game designed to help users improve their flirting skills. The game uses charm, humor, and wit to help users score dates, rating their performance on a “3-flame” scale. Powered by OpenAI’s real-time API, the game ensures that user data is not used to train AI models, offering a fun and secure way to practice dating skills.