Elon Musk’s opposition to Australia’s plan to prohibit children under 16 from using social media has ignited significant discourse on digital governance and free speech. The proposed legislation, put forth by Australia’s center-left government, aims to implement stringent age-verification mechanisms. It proposes fines of up to A$49.5 million (approximately $32 million) for platforms that fail […]
Meta Prepares to Launch Ads on Threads App in Early 2024
Meta Platforms, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, is poised to introduce advertisements on its Threads app in early 2024. Launched amidst the uncertainties surrounding X (formerly Twitter), Threads has quickly gained traction, boasting 275 million monthly active users as of October 2023. However, despite this impressive growth, Meta does not foresee ads becoming […]
Meta’s Zuckerberg Not Liable in Lawsuits Over Social Media Harm to Children
In a significant legal judgment, U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers ruled that Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta Platforms, is not personally liable in a series of lawsuits accusing the company of responsible practices that allegedly contribute to addiction among children on social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram. This decision comes amidst growing concerns […]
Australia's Proposed Ban on Social Media for Under-16s Sparks Global Debate on Youth Digital Exposure
In an unprecedented move, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has introduced a legislative proposal aimed at banning children under 16 from accessing social media platforms. This initiative, announced on Thursday, seeks to require social media companies to verify users’ ages and ensure that minors are not able to use their services. Failure to comply would […]
Australia's Landmark Move: Social Media Ban for Children Under 16
In a bold step towards enhancing child safety in the digital realm, the Australian government has announced its plans to introduce a comprehensive ban on social media access for children under the age of 16. This pioneering legislation, expected to pass by late next year, aims to address the significant concerns surrounding the adverse effects […]
Mozambique and Mauritius: Social Media Shutdowns Amid Political Turmoil
In recent weeks, Mozambique and Mauritius have come under fire for blocking access to social media platforms during politically charged periods. Many experts, advocates, and citizens are questioning the implications of these shutdowns for democratic freedoms and digital rights. In Mozambique, the government imposed bans on popular platforms such as Facebook and WhatsApp following widespread […]
Musk's Platform Faces Scrutiny Over Inadequate Fact-Checking
Elon Musk’s social media platform, X, is encountering significant backlash from critics concerning its fact-checking capabilities, particularly in light of the upcoming U.S. presidential election. The Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH) recently released a report highlighting deficiencies in the platform’s Community Notes feature, which is designed to allow users to flag and correct misleading […]
EU Decision Gives X Flexibility Amid Big Tech Regulations
The European Commission has recently announced that X, the social media platform owned by Elon Musk, will not be classified as a “gatekeeper” under the stringent requirements of the Digital Markets Act (DMA). This decision, made during an investigation that commenced in May, grants X considerable operational flexibility by exempting it from additional regulatory burdens […]
Britain to Publish Online Safety Demands for Platforms in December
In an increasingly digital world, the UK government is taking a vital step towards enhancing online safety, particularly for young users. Britain’s media regulator, Ofcom, has announced that it will specify the actions required from social media companies to combat illegal content on their platforms starting in December. This announcement signals a turning point in […]
UK Police Scale Back Presence on X Over Misinformation Worries
In a significant shift, several British police forces are reducing their presence on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, due to rising concerns over the dissemination of extremist content and misinformation. This comes on the heels of riots that erupted in the UK this past summer, largely fueled by false claims circulating […]