Good Morning, Builders.

Today we cover intense shifts in travel, tech, and consumer trends: U.S. social media checks for tourists, Google’s AI news previews, Thrive Market’s mocktails pivot, and Reddit’s verification updates. Let’s get to work.

The U.S. government will require some tourists to submit up to five years of social media history as part of their travel applications, including those from Visa Waiver Program countries like the U.K., France, Japan, and Australia. Applicants will also need to upload selfies to improve identity verification. The proposed rule, posted by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, also calls for additional personal data, such as emails, phone numbers, and family details. This move expands President Trump’s recent travel restrictions and is intended to tighten screening for foreign visitors. The rule is currently open for public comment and may see revisions before being finalized. (CNBC)

Google is testing AI-powered article overviews on select Google News pages in partnership with publishers such as The Guardian, The Washington Post, and El País. The AI summaries provide readers with more context before clicking on articles, while participating publishers receive payments from Google to offset potential traffic loss. The pilot also includes audio briefings, the global rollout of the “Preferred Sources” feature, and contextual introductions for links, aiming to make news consumption more engaging while highlighting users’ chosen sources. (TechCrunch)

Online grocer Thrive Market is removing all alcohol from its platform, replacing it with over 100 nonalcoholic beverages including beers, wines, and mocktails. The move reflects shifting consumer habits, with U.S. alcohol consumption at historic lows and the nonalcoholic beverage market projected to reach $5 billion by 2028. Thrive’s internal data shows rising interest in alcohol-free options among its 1.7 million members, and the change also simplifies shipping logistics, allowing nationwide delivery of these products. CEO Nick Green frames the decision as a health-conscious pivot aligned with evolving consumer attitudes and wellness trends. (CNBC)

Reddit is rolling out a new grey checkmark for verified profiles in a limited alpha test, aimed at helping users confirm the identity of public figures, journalists, and brands. This update replaces the “official” badge introduced in 2023, offering more clarity on who users are engaging with during AMAs, news updates, or brand communications. The test is currently limited to a small, curated group, with plans for broader expansion in the future. Verified users will also have the option to use pseudonyms, and the move reflects Reddit’s effort to restore trust in verification amid widespread platform confusion over what checkmarks actually signify. (Social Media Today)

A new investigation alleges Instacart’s AI is charging different shoppers different prices for the exact same items, sometimes as much as 20% apart. Consumer Reports and Groundwork Collaborative found that Instacart’s algorithm tests how “price sensitive” each user is, leading to identical eggs, cereal, and staples costing anywhere from $2.99 to $4.79, depending on who’s looking. Every single tester in the study was hit with these experiments, which could add up to $1,200 a year for heavy users. Instacart says only a small subset of retailers run short-term tests and that online prices are already marked up, but at a time when groceries are climbing thanks to tariffs, weather, and labor costs, shoppers say the last thing they need is surprise surge pricing on breakfast. (CNN)

If you’re trying to get to the 2026 soccer matches without paying sky-high airfare, Citi might secretly be your MVP. Citi ThankYou Points transfer directly to American Airlines (a rare perk no other major bank offers), giving you access to AAdvantage redemptions and far more award seats than you’ll find through partner bookings. All you have to do is open a Citi Strata Elite or another ThankYou-earning card, snag the six-figure welcome bonus, and funnel those points into AA to cover flights to any of the 16 host cities. With demand set to spike, Citi’s AA transfers could be the cheapest (and only) way to score flights before prices surge. (CNBC)

To the Arena,
- Nathan

Know another Builder? Forward this brief.