Author: Barbara Ortutay
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Landmark trial accusing social media companies of addicting children to their platforms begins
LOS ANGELES (AP) — The world’s biggest social media companies face several landmark trials this year that seek to hold them responsible for harms to children who use their platforms. Opening statements for the first, in Los Angeles County Superior Court, begin this week. Instagram’s parent company Meta and Google’s YouTube will face claims that…
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What to know about the deal to keep TikTok in US
TikTok has at last finalized a deal to keep the popular video sharing platform operating in the U.S. after years of uncertainty, but questions remain about whether users’ experience will change and whether the changes actually address security concerns around the app. Here’s what to know about the deal, which created a new TikTok U.S.…
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TikTok signs deal to sell US unit to American investors, including Oracle, Silver Lake
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — TikTok has signed a deal to sell its U.S. business to three American investors — Oracle, Silver Lake and MGX — ensuring the popular social video platform can continue operating in the United States. The deal is expected to close on Jan. 22, according to an internal memo seen by The…
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Tinder, Hinge and other dating apps encourage ‘compulsive’ use, lawsuit claims
Tinder, Hinge and other dating apps are designed with addictive features that encourage compulsive use
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You have until Friday to submit claim for Facebook’s $725 million settlement
U.S. Facebook users have just a few days left to apply for their share of a $725 million privacy settlement that parent company Meta agreed to pay late last year. Meta is paying to settle a lawsuit alleging the world’s largest social media platform allowed millions of its users’ personal information to be fed to…
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Trump is reinstated to Facebook after 2-year ban
WASHINGTON • Facebook parent Meta is reinstating former President Donald Trump’s personal account after a two-year suspension following the Jan. 6 attack. The company said in a blog post Wednesday it is adding “new guardrails” to ensure there are no “repeat offenders” who violate its rules. “In the event that Mr. Trump posts further violating…
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Trump is reinstated to Facebook after 2-year ban
WASHINGTON • Facebook parent Meta is reinstating former President Donald Trump’s personal account after a two-year suspension following the Jan. 6 attack. The company said in a blog post Wednesday it is adding “new guardrails” to ensure there are no “repeat offenders” who violate its rules. “In the event that Mr. Trump posts further violating…
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Facebook board upholds Trump ban, just not indefinitely
WASHINGTON • Four months after Facebook suspended former President Donald Trump’s accounts, having concluded that he incited violence leading to the deadly Jan. 6 Capitol riot, the company’s quasi-independent oversight board upheld the bans. But it told Facebook to specify how long they would last, saying that its “indefinite” ban on the former president was…
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Facebook launchingTikTok clone called Instagram Reels
Facebook’s Instagram is officially launching its answer to the hit short video app TikTok — Instagram Reels. The new Instagram feature will let users record and edit 15-second videos with audio, and will let users add visual effects. Users will be able to share Reels with followers in Instagram in a dedicated section called Reels…
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Twitter bans political ads ahead of 2020 election
SAN FRANCISCO — Twitter, reacting to growing concern about misinformation spread on social media, is banning all political advertising from its service. Its move strikes a sharp contrast with Facebook, which continues to defend running paid political ads, even false ones, as a free speech priority. “While internet advertising is incredibly powerful and very effective…