Topic
social media
Technology Bombay High Court to Hear Gadkari's Suit Against Meta, X, Google Over Deepfakes on August 5
The Bombay High Court has scheduled August 5 for hearing Union Minister Nitin Gadkari's civil suit against Meta, X Corp, Google LLC and unknown persons over defamatory deepfakes and AI-generated posts. Gadkari alleges the fake content falsely portrays him as personally responsible for the ethanol-blending programme and claims financial benefit to him and his family, causing irreparable harm to his reputation and personality rights.
Technology Instagram, Facebook Ran AI ‘Nudify’ Ads from China, Report Says
According to the Tech Transparency Project, Meta’s Facebook and Instagram ran thousands of ads for AI “nudify” apps that can create non-consensual intimate images, delivered by Beijing-based advertising partner GatherOne. The ads violated Meta’s own policies against sexually suggestive content. Meta says it prohibits such apps and takes action, but the report suggests revenue priorities may be overriding enforcement.
Technology France Approves Social Media Ban for Under-15s, Mandating Age Verification from 2027
France's parliament has approved a law banning social media for under-15s from January 2027, making it the first European country to do so. The law mandates age verification for all social media accounts, with tools approved by the French privacy regulator. The move follows Australia's ban and aligns with UK and EU proposals, but experts raise privacy and enforcement concerns.
Technology Trump Media Plans Truth PSI Premium Feed for Faster Access to Truth Social Posts
Trump Media & Technology Group announced Truth PSI, a premium data feed allowing Wall Street firms to access Truth Social posts in milliseconds. The service, launching next month, would include posts from President Trump, whose announcements on tariffs, Iran, and ICE crackdowns affect financial markets and supply chains. Critics raise conflict-of-interest concerns as Trump, the largest shareholder, directly benefits. The stock has fallen 70% since he took office.
YouTube and X Act as Gateways to Nudify Apps, New Report Finds
A report from the Institute for Strategic Dialogue (ISD) reveals that YouTube and X are the top referral sources for nudify apps, collectively driving over 3 million visits. The findings highlight enforcement gaps in platform policies against nonconsensual intimate imagery.
Technology Meta Appeals Landmark Verdict in Social Media Addiction Lawsuit Over Platform Design
Meta has appealed a landmark social media addiction verdict in Los Angeles, challenging the jury's finding that its platform design harmed a young user. The appeal follows a $3 million damages award plus $3 million in punitive damages. A similar New Mexico case resulted in a $375 million penalty against Meta.
Meta Faces Privacy Backlash Over AI Tool That Generates Images from Public Instagram Profiles
Meta's new AI image generator, Muse Image, allows users to create pictures using other people's public Instagram profile pictures without telling them. Privacy groups and regulators have criticised the feature, warning it facilitates non-consensual AI-altered images. Meta says users can opt out via a separate setting.
Technology BBC Finds Instagram Running Paid Ads Promoting Child Sexual Abuse Material in India
A BBC Eye investigation found Instagram running paid adverts that promote child sexual abuse material in India, using terms like 'rape video' and 'child video'. The ads link to Telegram channels where material is sold for about $1. Meta initially said one reported ad did not violate guidelines but later disabled ads and suspended accounts. Telegram said it removed over 274,000 related groups/channels in 2026.
Technology WhatsApp to Let People Chat with Usernames Without Revealing Phone Numbers
WhatsApp is introducing usernames, allowing users to chat without sharing phone numbers. The feature rolls out over months; users can reserve a name now. Privacy experts warn about Meta's data collection despite end-to-end encryption.
Business Kunal Shah: Indian Fintech Founder Appointed to Lead WhatsApp After Meta's $900m Cred Investment
Meta has appointed Kunal Shah, founder of Indian fintech start-up Cred, as the new head of WhatsApp. The appointment follows Meta's $900m investment in Cred and comes as WhatsApp seeks to expand beyond messaging into payments, business services, and AI. Shah, who built FreeCharge and Cred, brings deep startup ecosystem experience.
Business Meta Invests $900 Million in Cred, Elevates Founder Kunal Shah to Lead WhatsApp Globally
Meta Platforms is investing $900 million in fintech Cred, valuing it at $4.5 billion, and elevating founder Kunal Shah to lead WhatsApp globally. Shah will succeed Will Cathcart, relocating to California, while Miten Sampat becomes interim Cred CEO. The deal underscores Meta's push to monetize WhatsApp in India through payments and business messaging.
Simulating Language Evolution Under Regulated Social Media Using LLMs and Genetic Algorithms
A new research paper presents a multi-agent framework using Large Language Models and genetic algorithms to simulate how language strategies evolve under regulated social media platforms. The framework, tested on a password game and an illegal pet trade scenario, shows significant improvement in uninterrupted dialogue turns and information transmission accuracy over increasing rounds. A user study with 40 participants validated the realism.
New Hybrid Neuro-Symbolic Framework Achieves 78.1% Accuracy in Irony Detection Without Fine-Tuning
Researchers propose the Robust Dual-Signal (RDS) Fusion framework, a hybrid neuro-symbolic architecture for irony detection in social media texts. Evaluated on TweetEval and iSarcasm datasets, RDS achieves 78.1% accuracy and a Macro F1 of 0.777, matching fine-tuned BERTweet without supervised fine-tuning.
Technology Facebook's New AI Tools Offer Photo-Editing and Question-Answering, But Little That's New
Meta announced a suite of AI tools for Facebook, including a question-answering chatbot called AI Mode and photo-editing features like collage cutouts and video montages. The tools draw data from Meta's apps and are powered by Muse Spark, but offer little novelty compared to existing AI assistants.
Technology Instagram expands algorithm personalization, but not for accounts you follow
Instagram has expanded its algorithm personalization feature to the main feed, allowing users to control which topics they see more or less of. However, the feature does not support requests to see more posts from accounts the user follows, a limitation that frustrates creators and businesses. Instagram chief Adam Mosseri explained that the change is powered by large language models and aims to give users more agency, but acknowledged that the decline of the 'following' feed was a consequence of shifting user behavior.
Technology Momfluencers Pitch AI as a Better 'Coparent' Than Men, Highlighting Gender Gap in Tech Adoption
A growing wave of momfluencers is promoting generative AI tools as a superior 'coparent,' using custom GPTs to offload mental labor. However, the trend underscores a 20% AI gender gap, raising questions about inclusive design and enterprise adoption strategies.
Technology Threats Against Politicians Skyrocketed After Meta Changed Its Speech Rules
After Meta overhauled its content moderation rules last year, abusive and racist comments targeting lawmakers tripled, with violent threats and hate speech quadrupling, according to new research from the Center for Countering Digital Hate. The findings highlight the real-world consequences of platform policy changes.
Meta confirms thousands of Instagram accounts were hacked by abusing its AI chatbot
Meta confirmed that hackers abused a flaw in its AI chatbot to reset passwords for thousands of Instagram accounts, affecting at least 20,225 users. The attack exploited a bug that allowed the chatbot to send password reset links to unverified email addresses. This incident underscores the security risks enterprises face when deploying AI chatbots for account management and authentication.
Technology Meta Platforms Hit by Major Outage: Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram Down
On June 12, 2026, Meta's social media platforms – Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Messenger – experienced a significant outage starting around 9 AM ET. Down Detector reported over 120,000 user complaints for Facebook alone. Meta's VP of Communications confirmed the company is aware and working on the issue.
Regulations & Compliance UK Enforces Online Safety Act After Belfast Riots
Following the Belfast riots, the UK has reiterated the obligations of social platforms under the Online Safety Act 2023 to mitigate illegal content. Ofcom's open letter emphasizes the need for platforms to address hate speech and misinformation.
Technology The Social Reckoning Trailer: Jeremy Strong's Zuckerberg Faces Whistleblower Fal
The first trailer for Aaron Sorkin's The Social Reckoning has been released, featuring Jeremy Strong as a defiant Mark Zuckerberg. The film centers on whistleblower Frances Haugen and the fallout from leaked documents. Meanwhile, another Meta whistleblower, Sarah Wynn-Williams, was silenced days before the trailer launch.
Technology OpenAI: fake China-linked accounts used ChatGPT to turn Americans against AI dat
OpenAI has banned accounts it says were part of two China-linked influence campaigns that used ChatGPT to generate social media content opposing AI data centers and US tariffs. The campaigns, named 'Data Center Bandwagon' and 'Tech and Tariffs,' failed to gain significant traction, but highlight the use of AI in foreign influence operations.
Technology Hackers Use TikTok Videos Promising Free Spotify Premium to Deploy Malware
A report from ReversingLabs reveals hackers are using TikTok and Instagram Reels videos offering fake free subscriptions to Spotify Premium, Windows, Office, and Adobe to trick victims into running malicious PowerShell commands. The attack installs the Vidar infostealer, which steals passwords, cookies, session tokens, and cryptocurrency wallet data. This marks a shift from email phishing to social engineering on short-form video platforms.
Technology Social Media Lawsuits: Four Cases That Could Reshape Digital Trade
Thousands of lawsuits pending in US courts accuse social media platforms of harming children, misleading users, and enabling scams. Four bellwether trials set for the next year could force changes in platform design, data collection, and advertising, affecting how international businesses use digital channels for trade.
Technology Bluesky to Launch Reddit-Style Communities Feature This Year
Bluesky will launch communities this year, creating smaller topic-specific spaces within the decentralized social network. Head of product Alex Benzer announced the feature, which will allow users to create or join communities, post, and receive updates. Communities will have custom handles and landing pages, and posts may appear on the Discover feed or a dedicated feed.
Regulations & Compliance Canada Bans Social Media for Under 16s with New Bill
Canada has introduced the Safe Social Media Act, banning social media use for those under 16 and imposing new safety standards on platforms. The Digital Safety Commission of Canada will enforce these regulations.
Technology Snap Limits Public Visibility of Teens' Spotlight Videos
Snapchat will restrict younger teens from sharing publicly viewable Spotlight videos. This move aims to enhance privacy and reduce social pressure on teens. The change reflects Snap's ongoing efforts to improve safety and privacy for its youngest users.
Regulations & Compliance China Tightens Controls on Micro Drama Content
Effective June 2026, China's National Radio and Television Administration enforces stricter content regulations on micro dramas, targeting violence and misogyny. This move aims to promote healthier social norms.
Regulations & Compliance Malaysia Bans Social Media for Under-16s
Effective June 1, 2026, Malaysia enforces a ban on social media accounts for children under 16. Platforms with over 8 million users must implement age-verification systems or face penalties.
Regulations & Compliance Social Media Firms Settle $27M Lawsuit with Kentucky Schools
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Technology Cockroach Janta Party Faces Social Media Lockout Amidst Campaign
The Cockroach Janta Party, led by Abhijeet Dipke, has lost access to all its social media accounts following a series of alleged hacking incidents. This comes amidst their campaign against Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over systemic failures.