Today: October 30, 2024
Today: October 30, 2024

Social Media

Technology|US

Florida lawmakers prepare for Gov. DeSantis to veto a social media ban on children under 16

Florida lawmakers are bracing for Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis to veto a bill banning social media for children under 16 and finding a way to make him more comfortable with its language

Florida lawmakers prepare for Gov. DeSantis to veto a social media ban on children under 16
Business|News|Technology|US

Supreme Court takes up regulation of social media platforms in cases from Florida and Texas

The Supreme Court is taking up challenges to state laws Monday that could affect how Facebook, TikTok, X and other social media platforms regulate content posted by their users

Supreme Court takes up regulation of social media platforms in cases from Florida and Texas
News|Technology|US

Florida gets closer to banning social media for kids under 16

Florida is on the verge of passing one of the nation’s most restrictive bans on minors’ use of social media

Florida gets closer to banning social media for kids under 16
Asia|News|Technology|World

Pakistan blocks X for the sixth day as activists criticize the social media platform's shutdown

Pakistan’s media regulators have blocked the social media platform X, formerly Twitter, with users across the country enduring the sixth day of sweeping disruptions, partial and complete shutdowns

Pakistan blocks X for the sixth day as activists criticize the social media platform's shutdown
Europe|News|Technology

TikTok faces European Union scrutiny for possible breaches of strict new digital rulebook

The European Union is looking into whether TikTok has broken the bloc’s strict new digital rules for cleaning up social media and keeping internet users safe

TikTok faces European Union scrutiny for possible breaches of strict new digital rulebook
Business|Economy|Europe|Technology

The European Union expands digital crackdown on toxic content, dodgy goods to all online platforms

The European Union is expanding its strict digital rulebook to almost all online platforms in the bloc

The European Union expands digital crackdown on toxic content, dodgy goods to all online platforms
Election|Lifestyle|Technology|US|Videos

Americans divided on TikTok ban even as Biden campaign joins the app, AP-NORC poll shows

President Joe Biden’s campaign is embracing TikTok to court younger voters ahead of the presidential elections, but U.S. adults have mixed views about whether the video-sharing app should even operate in the country

Americans divided on TikTok ban even as Biden campaign joins the app, AP-NORC poll shows
Education|Lifestyle|News|Sports|US

Utah Legislature votes to reprimand school board member who questioned a student's gender

The Utah Legislature has voted to censure a conservative member of the state Board of Education whose social media post questioning the gender of a high school basketball player triggered a firestorm of derogatory comments

Utah Legislature votes to reprimand school board member who questioned a student's gender
Lifestyle|Technology

‘It is hijacking my brain’ – a team of experts found ways to help young people addicted to social media to cut the craving

You can free yourself from some of the time you spend online in as little as four weeks.

‘It is hijacking my brain’ – a team of experts found ways to help young people addicted to social media to cut the craving
Opinion|Science|Videos

Wildlife selfies harm animals − even when scientists share images with warnings in the captions

The caption may say that only scientists and trained professionals should handle wild animals, but viewers remember the image, not the words.

Wildlife selfies harm animals − even when scientists share images with warnings in the captions
News|Technology|US

Biden's campaign joins TikTok, even as administration warns of national security concerns with app

President Joe Biden’s 2024 campaign is now on TikTok, even though he has expressed national security concerns over the platform and banned it on federal devices

Biden's campaign joins TikTok, even as administration warns of national security concerns with app
Business|Technology

Bluesky, a social network championed by Jack Dorsey, opens for anyone to sign up

The Twitter-like social network championed by Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey has emerged from its cocoon and is now allowing anyone to create an account and join the service

Bluesky, a social network championed by Jack Dorsey, opens for anyone to sign up
News|US

Oversight board urges Meta to rethink its policy on manipulated media in high-stakes election year

An Oversight Board is criticizing Facebook owner Meta's policies on manipulated media as “incoherent” and insufficient to address online disinformation in a major election year

Oversight board urges Meta to rethink its policy on manipulated media in high-stakes election year
Arts|Europe|Opinion|World

Too pretty? Easter poster depicting a handsome, fresh-faced Jesus prompts criticism in Spain

A poster in the southern Spanish city of Seville that depicts a young, handsome, Jesus wearing only a loincloth has unleashed a storm on social media

Too pretty? Easter poster depicting a handsome, fresh-faced Jesus prompts criticism in Spain
Business|Technology

Songs by Taylor Swift, Drake and more are starting to disappear from TikTok. Here's why

TikTok may look (or sound) a little different when you scroll through the app going forward

Songs by Taylor Swift, Drake and more are starting to disappear from TikTok. Here's why
Technology

Are social media apps ‘dangerous products’? 2 scholars explain how the companies rely on young users but fail to protect them

As legislators rail against social media companies, the companies continue to put millions of young people at risk. Here’s how − and what can be done about it.

Are social media apps ‘dangerous products’? 2 scholars explain how the companies rely on young users but fail to protect them
Business|Technology

Mark Zuckerberg's long apology tour: A brief history

Mark Zuckerberg has accumulated a long history of public apologies, often issued in the wake of crisis or when Facebook users rose up against unannounced — and frequently unappreciated — changes in its service

Mark Zuckerberg's long apology tour: A brief history
Business|Lifestyle|Technology|US

Nevada attorney general launches go-it-alone lawsuits against social media firms in state court

Nevada’s attorney general has launched a go-it-alone legal fight accusing TikTok, Snapchat and Meta of creating what one lawsuit calls “an addiction machine” that exploits children too young to have self-control

Nevada attorney general launches go-it-alone lawsuits against social media firms in state court
Crime|News|Technology

A beheading video was on YouTube for hours, raising questions about why it wasn't taken down sooner

A graphic video from a Pennsylvania man accused of beheading his father that circulated for hours on YouTube has put a spotlight yet again on gaps in social media companies’ ability to prevent horrific postings from spreading across the web

A beheading video was on YouTube for hours, raising questions about why it wasn't taken down sooner
Celebrity|Entertainment|Technology

Deepfake explicit images of Taylor Swift spread on social media. Her fans are fighting back

A scourge of pornographic deepfake images generated by artificial intelligence and sexualizing people without their consent has hit its most famous victim, singer Taylor Swift

Deepfake explicit images of Taylor Swift spread on social media. Her fans are fighting back
Business|News|Stock Markets|Technology|US

Court takes new look at whether Musk post illegally threatened workers with loss of stock options

A group of federal appeals court judges in New Orleans is mulling whether a 2018 social media post by Tesla CEO Elon Musk unlawfully threatened Tesla employees with the loss of stock options if they decided to be represented by a union

Court takes new look at whether Musk post illegally threatened workers with loss of stock options
Business|News|Technology

TikTok is laying off dozens of workers as the tech industry continues to shed jobs in the new year

TikTok is laying off dozens of workers in its advertising and sales unit, becoming the latest tech company to trim jobs in the new year

TikTok is laying off dozens of workers as the tech industry continues to shed jobs in the new year
Health

A TikTok ‘expert’ says you have post-traumatic stress disorder − but do you? A trauma psychiatrist explains what PTSD really is and how to seek help

Post-traumatic stress disorder can’t be diagnosed over social media.

A TikTok ‘expert’ says you have post-traumatic stress disorder − but do you? A trauma psychiatrist explains what PTSD really is and how to seek help
Business|Finance|Stock Markets

Trump-linked stocks soar after DeSantis throws in the towel

Shares of Digital World Acquisition, the blank check firm set to take former U.S.

Trump-linked stocks soar after DeSantis throws in the towel
Business|Economy|Finance|Technology

Global watchdog to report in October on how social media fuels bank runs

Global financial regulators will present the G20 in October their findings from a "deep dive" on how social media can speed up bank deposit outflows and whether changes

Global watchdog to report in October on how social media fuels bank runs
News|Technology

Court documents underscore Meta's 'historical reluctance' to protect children on Instagram

Newly unredacted documents from New Mexico’s lawsuit against Meta underscore the company’s historical reluctance to keep children safe on its platforms

Court documents underscore Meta's 'historical reluctance' to protect children on Instagram
Business|Lifestyle|Technology|US

Iowa is the latest state to sue TikTok, claims the social media company misrepresents its content

Iowa has become the latest state to sue TikTok over claims that the social media company deceives consumers over the amount of “inappropriate content” that children have access to via the platform

Iowa is the latest state to sue TikTok, claims the social media company misrepresents its content
Australia|Business|Technology

X Corp. has slashed 30% of trust and safety staff, an Australian online safety watchdog says

Australia’s online safety watchdog says the owner of the social media platform formerly known as Twitter has slashed its global trust and safety staff by 30% including an 80% reduction in the number of safety engineers since billionaire Elon Musk took over in 2022

X Corp. has slashed 30% of trust and safety staff, an Australian online safety watchdog says
News|Technology

TikTok restricts tool used by researchers - and its critics - to assess content on its platform

TikTok has restricted one tool researchers use to analyze popular videos

TikTok restricts tool used by researchers - and its critics - to assess content on its platform
Business|News|Technology|US

A group representing TikTok, Meta and X sues Ohio over new law limiting kids' use of social media

A trade group representing TikTok, Snapchat, Meta and other major tech companies has sued Ohio over a pending law that requires children to get parental consent to use social media apps

A group representing TikTok, Meta and X sues Ohio over new law limiting kids' use of social media
Europe|Technology

Official suggests Polish president check social media security after odd tweet from private account

Poland’s minister of digital affairs has suggested that President Andrzej Duda check the security of access to his social accounts after a bizarre tweet went out that was almost immediately removed

Official suggests Polish president check social media security after odd tweet from private account
Celebrity|Europe|News

A court in Romania rejects Andrew Tate's request to visit his ailing mother in the UK

A spokesperson for Andrew Tate says a court in Romania has rejected the divisive influencer's request to leave the country to visit his mother in the U.K. after she had suffered a heart attack

A court in Romania rejects Andrew Tate's request to visit his ailing mother in the UK
Sports

NFL players face pressure as never before, in the digital-age surge of betting and fantasy

The intensity of NFL fandom that increased with the surge of fantasy football has spiked further in the age of online betting

NFL players face pressure as never before, in the digital-age surge of betting and fantasy
Business|News|Technology|US

A group representing TikTok, Meta and X sues Utah over strict new limits on app use for minors

A trade group that represents TikTok and other major tech companies has sued Utah over its first-in-the-nation laws requiring children to get parental consent to use social media apps

A group representing TikTok, Meta and X sues Utah over strict new limits on app use for minors
Europe|News|Technology

European Union investigating Musk's X over possible breaches of social media law

The European Union has made Elon Musk’s online platform X the first tech company to face an investigation under Europe’s tough new regulations designed to clean up social media and protect people from toxic online content

European Union investigating Musk's X over possible breaches of social media law
Health|News|Science|Technology

Health misinformation is rampant on social media – here's what it does, why it spreads and what people can do about it

Studies show that health misinformation on social media has led to fewer people getting vaccinated and more lives lost to COVID-19 and other life-threatening diseases.

Health misinformation is rampant on social media – here's what it does, why it spreads and what people can do about it
Health|Opinion|Technology

Pew survey: YouTube tops teens' social-media diet, with roughly a sixth using it almost constantly

Teen usage of social media hasn’t dropped much, despite rising concerns about its effects on the mental health of adolescents

Pew survey: YouTube tops teens' social-media diet, with roughly a sixth using it almost constantly
Business|News|Technology|US

Federal judge upholds Texas' TikTok ban on state-owned devices

A federal judge in Texas has upheld the state’s TikTok ban on official devices and networks

Federal judge upholds Texas' TikTok ban on state-owned devices
News|Opinion|Technology

Disinformation is rampant on social media – a social psychologist explains the tactics used against you

Disinformation campaigns often use a set of rhetorical devices that you can learn to spot, like conspiracy narratives, good versus evil framing, and revealed secrets.

Disinformation is rampant on social media – a social psychologist explains the tactics used against you
Business|Crime|Lifestyle|Technology|US

Facebook parent sued by New Mexico alleging it has failed to shield children from predators

New Mexico's attorney general is suing the parent company of Facebook and Instagram claiming it failed to protect underage users from exposure to child sexual abuse material and let adults solicit pornographic imagery from them

Facebook parent sued by New Mexico alleging it has failed to shield children from predators
Entertainment|Lifestyle|Technology

‘Get Ready With Me’: Video genre that focuses on everyday life is everywhere — and not slowing down

More than a decade after debuting on the once-nascent YouTube creator community, “Get Ready with Me” videos have inundated social media

‘Get Ready With Me’: Video genre that focuses on everyday life is everywhere — and not slowing down
Business|News|Technology|US|World

Russia puts the spokesman for Facebook owner Meta on a wanted list

Russia's interior ministry has added the spokesman of U.S. technology company Meta to a wanted list according to its online database

Russia puts the spokesman for Facebook owner Meta on a wanted list
Business|News|Technology|US

Senate panel subpoenas CEOs of Discord, Snap and X to testify about children's safety online

A Senate committee has issued bipartisan subpoenas to the CEOs of Discord, Snap and X, demanding that the heads of the three companies testify at a December hearing on protecting children online

Senate panel subpoenas CEOs of Discord, Snap and X to testify about children's safety online
Business|Entertainment|Technology

IBM, EU, Disney and others pull ads from Elon Musk's X as concerns about antisemitism fuel backlash

Advertisers are fleeing social media platform X over concerns about their ads showing up next to pro-Nazi content, hate speech on the site in general or billionaire owner Elon Musk’s own posts endorsing an antisemitic conspiracy theory

IBM, EU, Disney and others pull ads from Elon Musk's X as concerns about antisemitism fuel backlash
Crime|Europe|News

France blames Russia for a digital effort to whip up online controversy over Stars of David graffiti

France says it has been the target of a Russian online destabilization campaign that used bots to whip up controversy and confusion about spray-painted Stars of David that appeared on Paris streets

France blames Russia for a digital effort to whip up online controversy over Stars of David graffiti
Lifestyle|Science|Technology

People dig deeper to fact-check social media posts when paired with someone who doesn't share their perspective – new research

A new study unexpectedly found a way to help people assess social media posts with less bias and more care – pairing them up with partners who have a different perspective.

People dig deeper to fact-check social media posts when paired with someone who doesn't share their perspective – new research
Crime|MidEast|News|Political|World

The family of a Palestinian activist jailed for incitement says young woman's account was hacked

The family of a prominent Palestinian activist is fighting Israel's arrest of the young woman, saying she is being punished for an online post she didn't write

The family of a Palestinian activist jailed for incitement says young woman's account was hacked
Opinion

It's not just about facts: Democrats and Republicans have sharply different attitudes about removing misinformation from social media

One person’s content moderation is another’s censorship when it comes to Democrats’ and Republicans’ views on handling misinformation.

It's not just about facts: Democrats and Republicans have sharply different attitudes about removing misinformation from social media
Election|News|US

A federal judge reimposes a limited gag order in Donald Trump's 2020 election interference case

The federal judge who reimposed a narrow gag order on Donald Trump in his 2020 election interference case in Washington says one of his social media posts about ex-chief of staff Mark Meadows constituted an “attack.”

A federal judge reimposes a limited gag order in Donald Trump's 2020 election interference case
Opinion|Technology

Why Elon Musk is obsessed with casting X as the most 'authentic' social media platform

With identity the most lucrative commodity social media platforms trade in, their fetishization of authenticity remains ironclad.

Why Elon Musk is obsessed with casting X as the most 'authentic' social media platform
Business|Technology

Twitter takeover: 1 year later, X struggles with misinformation, advertising and usage decline

One year ago, billionaire Elon Musk walked into Twitter’s San Francisco headquarters with a white bathroom sink and a grin, fired its CEO and other top executives and began transforming the social media platform into what is now known as X

Twitter takeover: 1 year later, X struggles with misinformation, advertising and usage decline
Health|Technology|WrittenByLAPost

When Influencers Become Imaginary BFFs

As social media expands its reach, many people are developing intense one-sided relationships with influencers and media figures they follow online. These so-called “parasocial relationships” provide a sense of connection but rarely reflect reality. Jessica Grose, a journalist and novelist, recently found herself fixated on the drama unfolding among cast members of the Bravo reality show “Summer House.” She spent time analyzing their disputes and motivations with friends over text. “The kind of one-way friendship I have with these reality stars has a name in the sociology world: It’s called a ‘parasocial relationship,’” said Grose. This term was first coined

When Influencers Become Imaginary BFFs
Opinion|Technology

Let the community work it out: Throwback to early internet days could fix social media's crisis of legitimacy

In the days of online bulletin board systems, community members decided what was acceptable. Reviving that approach to content moderation offers Big Tech a path to legitimacy as public spaces.

Let the community work it out: Throwback to early internet days could fix social media's crisis of legitimacy
News|Opinion|Technology|US|World

The Supreme Court allows the White House to continue work to combat controversial social media posts

The Supreme Court says it will indefinitely block a lower court order curbing Biden administration efforts to combat controversial social media posts on topics including COVID-19 and election security

The Supreme Court allows the White House to continue work to combat controversial social media posts
Crime|News|US

Judge fines Donald Trump $5,000 after post maligning court staffer is found on campaign website

Donald Trump has been fined $5,000 after his disparaging social media post about a key court staffer in his New York civil fraud trial lingered on his campaign website for weeks after the judge ordered it deleted

Judge fines Donald Trump $5,000 after post maligning court staffer is found on campaign website
Europe|MidEast|News|Technology|World

EU demands Meta and TikTok detail efforts to curb disinformation from Israel-Hamas war

The European Union has demanded Meta and TikTok detail their efforts to curb illegal content and disinformation during the Israel-Hamas war

EU demands Meta and TikTok detail efforts to curb disinformation from Israel-Hamas war
Business|Finance|Technology

Musk's X tests $1 fee for new users in the Philippines and New Zealand in bid to target spam

Elon Musk’s social media platform X is charging a $1 fee to new users in the Philippines and New Zealand

Musk's X tests $1 fee for new users in the Philippines and New Zealand in bid to target spam
Sports

Haley Cavinder enters transfer portal, AP source says. She played at Miami last season

A person with knowledge of the move says Haley Cavinder has entered the transfer portal

Haley Cavinder enters transfer portal, AP source says. She played at Miami last season
Europe|MidEast|News|Technology

EU asks Musk's X for information on hate speech and 'illegal content' related to Israel-Hamas war

The European Commission has made a formal, legally binding request for information from Elon Musk’s social media platform X over its handling of hate speech, misinformation and violent terrorist content related to the Israel-Hamas war

EU asks Musk's X for information on hate speech and 'illegal content' related to Israel-Hamas war
Business|Technology|US|Videos

TikTok and content creators challenging Montana's ban face off with the state in federal court

TikTok and Montana faced off in federal court in a case filed by the video sharing app and five content creators who want the court to temporarily block the state's ban on the platform before it takes effect on Jan. 1

TikTok and content creators challenging Montana's ban face off with the state in federal court
News|Technology|World

Social media is awash in misinformation about Israel-Gaza war, but Musk's X is the most egregious

While Twitter has always struggled with combating misinformation about major news events, it was still the go-to place to find out what’s happening in the world

Social media is awash in misinformation about Israel-Gaza war, but Musk's X is the most egregious
Celebrity|News|Opinion|Technology

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle say social media is harming kids' and teens' mental health

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are calling for social media platforms to adopt better content-moderation policies and other fixes

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle say social media is harming kids' and teens' mental health
Crime|MidEast|News|Technology

X promises 'highest level' response on posts about Israel-Hamas war. Misinformation still flourishes

The social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, says it is struggling with a flood of posts sharing graphic media, violent speech and hateful conduct about the latest war between Israel and Hamas

X promises 'highest level' response on posts about Israel-Hamas war. Misinformation still flourishes
Arts|Food|Technology

From Coke floats to Cronuts, going viral can have a lasting effect on a small business

Lexington Candy Shop has had a line outside for over a year since a TikTok of its Coke float went viral

From Coke floats to Cronuts, going viral can have a lasting effect on a small business
Business|News|Technology

X removes article headlines in latest platform update, widening a rift with news media

X, formerly known as Twitter, has stopped showing headlines on articles shared on the platform

X removes article headlines in latest platform update, widening a rift with news media
Business|Election|Political|Technology|US

Meta and X questioned by lawmakers over lack of rules against AI-generated political deepfakes

US Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota and U.S. Rep. Yvette Clarke of New York sent a letter Thursday to Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and X CEO Linda Yaccarino expressing “serious concerns” about the emergence of AI-generated political ads on their platforms and asking each to explain any rules they’re crafting to curb the harms to free and fair elections

Meta and X questioned by lawmakers over lack of rules against AI-generated political deepfakes
Asia|Business|Technology

TikTok ends retail business in Indonesia after ban on social media shopping

Chinese-owned video platform TikTok says it will halt its online retail operation in Indonesia to comply with the country’s decision to ban e-commerce transactions on social media platforms

TikTok ends retail business in Indonesia after ban on social media shopping
Business|Celebrity|News|Technology|US

Elon Musk facing defamation lawsuit in Texas over posts that falsely identified man in protest

A California man who says he was harassed after Elon Musk amplified social media posts that made false claims about him is suing the billionaire

Elon Musk facing defamation lawsuit in Texas over posts that falsely identified man in protest
News

NOT REAL NEWS: A look at what didn't happen this week

Social media users shared a range of false claims this week

NOT REAL NEWS: A look at what didn't happen this week
Celebrity|Crime|Europe|News

Romanian court eases geographical restrictions on divisive influencer Andrew Tate

A court in Romania’s capital on Thursday has eased geographical restrictions on Andrew Tate, the divisive social media influencer who is charged with rape, human trafficking and forming a criminal gang to sexually exploit women

Romanian court eases geographical restrictions on divisive influencer Andrew Tate
Asia|Business|Economy|Finance|Technology

TikTok says it regrets Indonesia's decision to ban e-commerce sales on social media platforms

Chinese-owned app TikTok says it regrets the Indonesian government’s decision to ban e-commerce transactions on social media platforms and particularly the impact it would have on the millions of sellers who use TikTok Shop

TikTok says it regrets Indonesia's decision to ban e-commerce sales on social media platforms
Lifestyle|Travel

Leaf-peeping social media users are clogging a Vermont back road. The town is closing it

Social media users take note: You'll no longer be able to snap that fall foliage selfie in your autumn attire at one popular Vermont spot

Leaf-peeping social media users are clogging a Vermont back road. The town is closing it
News|US

Arizona’s governor hasn’t been 'indicted' by the state senate, contrary to viral claim

Social media users are falsely claiming Arizona’s governor has been “indicted” by local lawmakers

Arizona’s governor hasn’t been 'indicted' by the state senate, contrary to viral claim
News|Political|Technology|US

To TikTok or not to TikTok? One GOP candidate joins the app even as he calls it 'digital fentanyl'

Republican presidential hopefuls have largely shunned TikTok, the hugely popular video-sharing app that many conservatives accuse of being a spy mechanism for China

To TikTok or not to TikTok? One GOP candidate joins the app even as he calls it 'digital fentanyl'
Election|Technology|US|Videos

RNC's livestreaming partner for the GOP debate is a haven for disinformation and extremism

The exclusive online livestream for the second Republican presidential debate this week will take place on Rumble, an alternative video-sharing platform that has been criticized for allowing far-right extremism, bigotry, election disinformation and conspiracy theories

RNC's livestreaming partner for the GOP debate is a haven for disinformation and extremism
Entertainment|Lifestyle|Opinion|Technology

4 reasons teens take part in social media challenges

Peer pressure, amusement and the desire for attention help explain why young people participate in risky social media challenges.

4 reasons teens take part in social media challenges
Crime|News|Sports|US

Vikings RB Mattison calls out racial slurs directed at him on social media after loss to Eagles

Minnesota Vikings running back Alexander Mattison said he received more than 60 “disgustingly disrespectful messages” through social media that included racial slurs and encouraged suicide in the aftermath of the team's recent loss

Vikings RB Mattison calls out racial slurs directed at him on social media after loss to Eagles
Business|Europe|News|Technology

TikTok is hit with $368 million fine under Europe's strict data privacy rules

European regulators have slapped TikTok with a $368 million fine for failing to protect children's privacy

TikTok is hit with $368 million fine under Europe's strict data privacy rules

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