The main topic of the article is the response of the UK's data protection watchdog, the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), to Meta's announcement that it will offer Europeans the choice to deny tracking for ad targeting but won't be asking UK users for their consent. The key points are:
- The ICO is assessing the impact of Meta's decision on the information rights of people in the UK and considering a response.
- The ICO is not pleased that Meta is not giving UK users the same level of respect for their data rights as users in the EU.
- Meta's decision comes at a time when UK data protection law is still based on the pan-EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
- The ICO is now responsible for defending domestic data protection rules without the support of the Court of Justice of the EU.
- Meta's decision is a result of recent CJEU rulings and GDPR enforcement by EU data protection regulators.
- The ICO has failed to act on similar complaints about adtech tracking in the past.
- The ICO has the power to enforce UK law on adtech companies operating in the UK.
- Privacy campaigners are urging the ICO to regulate adtech giants like Meta directly.
- Meta's decision suggests it believes privacy enforcement in the UK is weak enough to ignore.
The main topic is Meta's decision to block Canadian access to news links and stories on Facebook and Instagram in response to a new law that would require them to pay publishers for their content. Key points include the passing of the Online News Act in Canada, Meta's decision to end news availability in Canada, Google's plans to follow suit, the decline of the news industry and the controversy surrounding the new laws. The article also mentions Meta's previous financial contributions to the news industry and the potential impact of these laws on social media platforms in the future.
Meta Platforms (formerly known as Facebook) is planning to roll out a web version of its micro-messaging service, Threads, which caused investors to trade Meta's stock up by over 2%.
Meta is introducing non-personalized content feeds on Facebook and Instagram for users in the European Union in order to comply with the Digital Services Act, allowing users to switch off AI-driven "personalization" features that track and profile individuals. The move comes ahead of the August 25 deadline and follows a similar announcement by TikTok.
A threat actor has been using paid Facebook ads to distribute a malicious Chrome extension, targeting business social networking managers and marketing specialists by promising AI technology and access to Google Bard. Meta has taken down the fraudulent ads and pages, but users are urged to remain cautious and scan files downloaded from the internet.
Meta, the company behind Facebook, is taking a different approach from other AI developers by releasing its AI models for download and free commercial use, sparking a larger debate about access control to AI models and their potential risks and benefits.
Meta, the creator of Facebook and Instagram, has introduced a privacy setting that allows users to request that their data not be used to train its AI models, although the effectiveness of this form is questionable.
Facebook's parent company, Meta, plans to remove the News tab in the UK, France, and Germany, prioritizing short-form video content instead. This follows previous actions to devalue news on the platform and emulate TikTok. Facebook News will only remain in the US and Australia after the changes take effect. Users will still see news article links on their feeds, and publishers can utilize Reels and the ads system to reach broader audiences. Meta will fulfill existing obligations with publishers until December, but no new deals or products will be offered in those countries. Meta is also considering ad-free paid subscriptions in Europe to address data collection and privacy concerns.
Facebook's parent company Meta is pulling the plug on Facebook News in the U.K., Germany, and France, as part of its efforts to align investments with its most valued products and services.
Meta has partnered with celebrities and influencers to transform them into AI-powered chatbots with distinct personalities and profiles, including Snoop Dogg, Charli D’Amelio, Tom Brady, and Paris Hilton. These celebrity chatbots will be available on Instagram and Facebook, providing entertainment and connection, with voice capabilities expected in the future. Additionally, Meta has announced AI image-editing features for Instagram and new customized stickers across its platforms.
Meta Platforms used public Facebook and Instagram posts, excluding private and sensitive information, to train its Meta AI virtual assistant, according to the company's president of Global Affairs, Nick Clegg.
Social media company Meta Platforms is reportedly considering a plan to charge European Union users up to $14 per month for ad-free versions of Instagram or Facebook, or offer personalized ads for free versions, as it seeks to comply with evolving regulatory requirements.
Meta has expanded its "Activity Off-Meta Technologies" tool to Instagram, allowing users to control and manage their data, including blocking specific companies from collecting data or deleting all collected data at once.
Meta is expanding its ability to block data tracking on Instagram, allowing users to review, disconnect, or clear collected information from businesses sharing data with Meta across various apps and websites. Users can now access this feature called "Activity Off-Meta Technologies" in the Accounts Center, and Meta has also announced the ability to transfer photos and videos from Instagram to other services through the platform.
Instagram users now have the ability to block tracking of their activity across the web, as Meta introduces this privacy feature to the platform.
Meta, the company behind Instagram, is introducing new features that allow users to manage their data and control how their activity is tracked across sites and apps. These tools include options to review and disconnect specific activity, as well as transfer information to other platforms.
Instagram has introduced a new feature called Activity Off-Meta Technologies, allowing users to block data collection on other apps and websites, while also offering the ability to download data from Facebook and Instagram accounts simultaneously.
More than 30 states have filed a federal lawsuit against Meta, the owner of Facebook and Instagram, alleging that the platforms' apps are addictive and harmful to children's mental health, potentially leading to changes in platform design and marketing as well as imposing fines.
A coalition of 34 U.S. states is suing Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, alleging that the platforms manipulate children and harm their mental health through features like the "Like" button, with the lawsuit demanding damages and compensation for each state.
Meta is testing a new toggle on Instagram that filters posts to only show content from verified accounts, a move that aims to encourage more users to pay for the Meta Verified service which allows users to unlock extra features for a monthly fee, and the company is also considering launching a subscription plan to remove advertisements from Instagram and Facebook, starting in Europe.
Meta Platforms Inc., the parent company of Instagram and Facebook, is being sued by 41 states and Washington, D.C. for knowingly designing features that addict children to its platforms and harm their mental health.
Dozens of states are suing Meta, alleging that its platforms, including Facebook and Instagram, have profoundly altered the psychological and social realities of young Americans through addictive features and data harvesting.
