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Starbucks to open DC store with focus on sign language

By John Aaron

WASHINGTON — Starbucks is about to open its first U.S. location where the primary way of communicating is through sign language.

The so-called “Signing Store” will land in D.C. in October at 6th and H Streets, Northeast, near Gallaudet University.

In a news release, Starbucks said the store format “promotes accessibility and offers employment and career advancement opportunities for deaf and hard of hearing people.”

All employees at the location will be fluent in American Sign Language. Starbucks also said the location will provide an open environment with low glare reflective surfaces to help aid sign language communication.

Starbucks said the location will also offer communication options for customers new to sign language.

While this is the first Starbucks of its kind in the U.S., the company opened a similar store in Malaysia in 2016.

Massachusetts court hears arguments in lawsuit alleging Meta designed apps to be addictive to kids

By The Associated Press
BOSTON (AP) — Massachusetts' highest court heard oral arguments Friday in the state's lawsuit arguing that Meta designed features on Facebook and Instagram to make them addictive to young users. The lawsuit, filed in 2023 by Attorney General Andrea Campbell, alleges that Meta did this to make a profit and that its actions affected hundreds of thousands of teenagers in Massachusetts who use the social media platforms. “We are making claims based only on the tools that Meta has developed because its own research shows they encourage addiction to the platform in a variety of ways,” said State Solicitor David Kravitz, adding that the state's claim has nothing to do the company's algorithms or failure to moderate content. Meta said Friday that it strongly disagrees with the allegations and is “confident the evidence will show our longstanding commitment to supporting young people.” Its attorney, Mark Mosier, argued in court that the lawsuit “would impose liabilities for performing traditional publishing functions” and that its actions are protected by the First Amendment.
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