Brussels, Belgium | AFP | The European Commission said Thursday that certain social media companies need to do more to fully comply with EU consumer rules, singling out in particular Facebook and Twitter. “While Google’s latest proposals appear to be in line with the requests made by consumer authorities, Facebook …
Read More »Facebook bans ads for cryptocurrencies
Washington, United States | AFP | Facebook says it is banning all ads related to cryptocurrencies in an effort to fight scams. The social media giant said it is barring ads for “financial products and services that are frequently associated with misleading or deceptive promotional practices, such as binary options, …
Read More »Facebook acknowledges social media’s risks to democracy
Washington, United States | AFP | Facebook acknowledged Monday that widespread use of social media can be harmful to democracy, while pledging to work to minimize these risks. The world’s biggest social network’s comments were the latest response to persistent criticism for its role in allowing the spread of misinformation, reinforcing …
Read More »Facebook to let users rank ‘trust’ in news sources
San Francisco, United States | AFP | Facebook announced Friday it will ask its two billion users to rank their trust in news sources, in its latest attempt to combat the spread of misinformation on the social network. The change comes as the online giant seeks to address charges that …
Read More »Facebook top choice for Philippines wildlife traders: monitor
Manila, Philippines | AFP | Facebook has emerged as the top site for wildlife trafficking in the Philippines, a watchdog said Friday, with thousands of endangered crocodiles, snakes and turtles illegally traded in just three months. Monitoring network TRAFFIC said Facebook had not done enough to shut down the trade, …
Read More »Facebook joins Europol talks to fight Islamist propaganda
The Hague, Netherlands | AFP | Facebook took part this week in key talks with European police agencies on how to stop and eliminate violent and terror-related Islamic jihadist posts, in an evolving battle against such propaganda. Representatives from the giant social network travelled to The Hague for Thursday’s unprecedented …
Read More »Facebook, Twitter face deadline in Brexit fake news probe
London, United Kingdom | AFP | Social media giants Facebook and Twitter are facing a deadline in Britain to cooperate with an inquiry into so-called fake news in the Brexit referendum campaign, a parliamentary committee chairman said Friday. The companies have been given until January 18 to share information requested …
Read More »Facebook promises personalized music in first label deal
New York, United States | AFP | Facebook announced a licensing deal Thursday with Universal Music Group, its first with a major label, as the social media giant promised more personalized, interactive music features for its two billion users. The move marks a new foray into music by Facebook, which despite …
Read More »France orders WhatsApp to seek permission for data transfer
Paris, France | AFP | France’s data protection agency on Monday told messaging app WhatsApp it needs to obtain users’ permission to transfer some information to its parent company Facebook and gave it a month to comply. “Should WhatsApp fail to comply with the formal notice within the specified timescale” the …
Read More »THIS WEEK: Popular DP supporter Mboowa charged over Facebook posts
THIS WEEK: Popular DP supporter Mboowa charged over Facebook posts Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | A Democratic Party (DP) supporter who became popular in September during the launch of the ‘K’ogikwatako’ campaign against removal of presidential age limits – Moses Mboowa becomes the second person to be charged recently after …
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