#platform-algorithm-penalties
#platform-algorithm-penalties

Law

Why the Social Media Addiction Case Isn't Over Yet - EdSurge News

6 hours ago

EU data protection

These are the countries moving to ban social media for children | TechCrunch

Online marketing

Why Keywords Are Replacing Hashtags As The Social Media North Star

fromwww.scientificamerican.com

The Next Disruption In Social Media: Impact Over Attention

Future social networks will prioritize action-oriented platforms that foster real-world collaboration and value creation using AI and impact-based rewards.

Intellectual property law

What the Meta and Google verdict means for social media design

fromMedium

11 hours ago

Web design

Social media on trial

fromEdSurge

Why the Social Media Addiction Case Isn't Over Yet - EdSurge News

Meta and Google were found negligent in designing apps that contribute to youth mental health issues.

6 hours ago

These are the countries moving to ban social media for children | TechCrunch

Countries are implementing social media bans for children to address risks like cyberbullying and mental health issues.

Online marketing

Why Keywords Are Replacing Hashtags As The Social Media North Star

The era of hashtags for social media discoverability is fading, replaced by social SEO driven by intent-based keywords.

Intellectual property law

The Next Disruption In Social Media: Impact Over Attention

Future social networks will prioritize action-oriented platforms that foster real-world collaboration and value creation using AI and impact-based rewards.

fromwww.scientificamerican.com

What the Meta and Google verdict means for social media design

Meta and Google found negligent for social media design, awarded $6 million in damages, raising legal questions about social media's safety and liability.

more#social-media

10 hours ago

It's Helpful to Treat Sharing Fake News as a Moral Issue

Explicitly discussing the ethics of sharing fake news reduces the intention to share it.

Tech industry

fromFortune

5 hours ago

Facebook Gets a Networking Facelift in Time for the Holiday Photo Rush | Fortune

Facebook is replacing its 40-gigabit switches with new 100-gigabit switches to enhance data processing capacity in its data centers.

fromNieman Lab

3 hours ago

Do links hurt news publishers on Twitter? Our analysis suggests yes

Links in tweets negatively impact engagement for news publishers on Twitter.

#child-safety

Parenting

fromComputerWeekly.com

Tech can't wait for regulation to protect children online | Computer Weekly

Harmful online content for children results from profit-driven algorithms, not parenting or education failures.

OpenAI releases a new safety blueprint to address the rise in child sexual exploitation | TechCrunch

OpenAI has introduced a Child Safety Blueprint to combat AI-enabled child exploitation and enhance child protection efforts in the U.S.

Parenting

fromComputerWeekly.com

Tech can't wait for regulation to protect children online | Computer Weekly

Harmful online content for children results from profit-driven algorithms, not parenting or education failures.

OpenAI releases a new safety blueprint to address the rise in child sexual exploitation | TechCrunch

OpenAI has introduced a Child Safety Blueprint to combat AI-enabled child exploitation and enhance child protection efforts in the U.S.

Greece to ban social media for under-15s from next year

Greece plans to ban social media access for under-15s to address youth anxiety and sleep issues, effective January next year.

Europe news

Greece announces social media ban for under-15s, citing anxiety and sleep problems

Greece will ban social media for under-15s starting January 1, addressing concerns over anxiety and addiction.

The list of countries banning young teens from social media keeps getting bigger. Here's the latest

Greece plans to ban social media use for under-15s starting January 1, 2027, citing concerns over mental health and addiction.

Greece will ban all kids under 15 from using social media

Greece will ban children under 15 from using social media starting next year due to concerns over mental health and screen time.

Greece to ban social media for under-15s from next year

Greece plans to ban social media access for under-15s to address youth anxiety and sleep issues, effective January next year.

Europe news

Greece announces social media ban for under-15s, citing anxiety and sleep problems

Greece will ban social media for under-15s starting January 1, addressing concerns over anxiety and addiction.

The list of countries banning young teens from social media keeps getting bigger. Here's the latest

Greece plans to ban social media use for under-15s starting January 1, 2027, citing concerns over mental health and addiction.

Greece will ban all kids under 15 from using social media

Greece will ban children under 15 from using social media starting next year due to concerns over mental health and screen time.

more#greece

#ai

fromWIRED

4 hours ago

Meta's New AI Model Gives Mark Zuckerberg a Seat at the Big Kid's Table

Meta launched Muse Spark, an advanced AI model aimed at creating personal superintelligence and enhancing creativity and productivity.

Mental health

fromKqed

Google Updates Suicide, Self-Harm Safeguards in Gemini as AI Lawsuits Mount | KQED

Google's Gemini chatbot will direct users to a support hotline during potential crises related to suicide or self-harm.

What the heck is wrong with our AI overlords?

Sam Altman promotes an optimistic view of AI's future, emphasizing rapid technological progress and adaptation despite potential job losses.

fromTheregister

Meta's latest AI improves its terrible content moderation

Meta's AI outperforms humans in content moderation, detecting scams and violations more effectively.

fromWIRED

4 hours ago

Meta's New AI Model Gives Mark Zuckerberg a Seat at the Big Kid's Table

Meta launched Muse Spark, an advanced AI model aimed at creating personal superintelligence and enhancing creativity and productivity.

Mental health

fromKqed

Google Updates Suicide, Self-Harm Safeguards in Gemini as AI Lawsuits Mount | KQED

Google's Gemini chatbot will direct users to a support hotline during potential crises related to suicide or self-harm.

What the heck is wrong with our AI overlords?

Sam Altman promotes an optimistic view of AI's future, emphasizing rapid technological progress and adaptation despite potential job losses.

fromTheregister

Meta's latest AI improves its terrible content moderation

Meta's AI outperforms humans in content moderation, detecting scams and violations more effectively.

Privacy professionals

Ex-Meta worker investigated for downloading 30,000 private Facebook photos

fromTNW | Apps

13 hours ago

Former Meta engineer probed over 30,000 private Facebook photos

A former Meta engineer is under investigation for extracting 30,000 private Facebook photos by bypassing security checks.

Social media marketing

Instagram's awkward 'link in bio' work-around might be on its way out

EU data protection

UK Meta employee reportedly downloaded 30,000 private photos from Facebook users

Social Media Companies Fined for Harming User

Meta and YouTube were ordered to pay $6 million for creating addictive products that caused psychological harm to a user.

Weakening Speech Protections Will Punish All of Us-Not Just Meta

Meta and YouTube face legal challenges, but lowering First Amendment protections could harm user speech rights.

Ex-Meta worker investigated for downloading 30,000 private Facebook photos

A former Meta employee is under investigation for downloading 30,000 private Facebook images using a program to bypass security checks.

fromTNW | Apps

13 hours ago

Former Meta engineer probed over 30,000 private Facebook photos

A former Meta engineer is under investigation for extracting 30,000 private Facebook photos by bypassing security checks.

Instagram's awkward 'link in bio' work-around might be on its way out

Meta will allow creators to link products directly in Reels, ending the 'link in bio' practice for shopping.

UK Meta employee reportedly downloaded 30,000 private photos from Facebook users

A former Meta employee is under investigation for illicitly downloading 30,000 private photos from Facebook using software to bypass security.

Social Media Companies Fined for Harming User

Meta and YouTube were ordered to pay $6 million for creating addictive products that caused psychological harm to a user.

Weakening Speech Protections Will Punish All of Us-Not Just Meta

Meta and YouTube face legal challenges, but lowering First Amendment protections could harm user speech rights.

more#meta

Silicon Valley

Porn, dog poo and social media snaps: the taskers' scraping the internet for Meta-owned AI firm

Scale AI, part-owned by Meta, employs thousands to train AI using personal data from social media, raising ethical concerns about data scraping.

US Elections

fromThe Nation

The Great AI Grift

Trump's AI Action Plan aims to establish U.S. dominance in artificial intelligence, prioritizing industry interests and technological infrastructure.

6 hours ago

Selling Mass Surveillance | EFFector 38.7

Police surveillance technology often expands beyond its original purpose, leading to concerns about privacy and civil liberties.

Intellectual property law

fromThe Globe and Mail

15 hours ago

Opinion: Ads are coming to AI chats. Behold as the Internet is ruined all over again

OpenAI is expanding its advertising efforts in AI, following trends set by social media companies to generate revenue.

As YouTube grows on TV, it eyes more interactive video across formats | TechCrunch

YouTube is enhancing interactive features for TV viewing as connected TVs account for a growing share of its watch time.

Three YouTubers accuse Apple of illegal scraping to train its AI models

YouTube creators filed a class action lawsuit against Apple for allegedly scraping copyrighted videos to train AI models.

Television

fromAndroid Authority

17 hours ago

YouTube's ad problem just got worse: Users now seeing 90-second unskippable ads!

YouTube is reportedly serving 90-second unskippable ads on its TV app, violating its own ad format rules.

Television

Intellectual property law

As YouTube grows on TV, it eyes more interactive video across formats | TechCrunch

YouTube is enhancing interactive features for TV viewing as connected TVs account for a growing share of its watch time.

Three YouTubers accuse Apple of illegal scraping to train its AI models

YouTube creators filed a class action lawsuit against Apple for allegedly scraping copyrighted videos to train AI models.

Television

fromAndroid Authority

17 hours ago

YouTube's ad problem just got worse: Users now seeing 90-second unskippable ads!

YouTube is reportedly serving 90-second unskippable ads on its TV app, violating its own ad format rules.

20 Sneaky Tactics Advertisers Use To Take Advantage Of You - TheZenParent

Understanding marketing psychology helps consumers recognize subtle tactics that influence purchasing decisions.

Toronto startup

fromAol

11 hours ago

Russia sees China's WeChat, Douyin as models for its homegrown Max messenger

Russia aims to develop its Max messaging app by modeling it after Tencent's WeChat and Douyin to enhance its functionality and user base.

Software development

Bluesky users are mastering the fine art of blaming everything on "vibe coding"

AI coding tools are often blamed for tech issues despite their growing acceptance among professional coders.

Reddit Benefits From Strong User Growth: A Sign for More Upside?

Reddit's user growth and enhanced advertising strategies are driving significant revenue increases and expanding its market reach.

Reddit is moving on from r/all

Reddit is deprecating r/all to enhance Home feed personalization and simplify the platform.

fromtechsciencetoday

Reddit Revealed How It Plans to Deal With Its Growing AI Content Problem

Reddit is addressing the rise of AI-generated content to maintain user trust and authenticity on the platform.

Growth hacking

fromQuartz

Reddit Benefits From Strong User Growth: A Sign for More Upside?

Reddit's user growth and enhanced advertising strategies are driving significant revenue increases and expanding its market reach.

Reddit is moving on from r/all

Reddit is deprecating r/all to enhance Home feed personalization and simplify the platform.

fromtechsciencetoday

Reddit Revealed How It Plans to Deal With Its Growing AI Content Problem

Reddit is addressing the rise of AI-generated content to maintain user trust and authenticity on the platform.

more#reddit

fromApaonline

How to Deal with Online Virtue Signaling

Virtue signaling often manifests in social media posts that aim to elevate one's moral standing without genuine commitment to the cause, leading to frustration among observers.

Philosophy

UX design

fromSmashing Magazine

fromwww.socialmediatoday.com

Identifying Necessary Transparency Moments In Agentic AI (Part 1) - Smashing Magazine

Designing for agentic AI requires balancing transparency and simplicity to build user trust without overwhelming them with information.

#tiktok

Music production

TikTok and ACRCloud partner on Derivative Works Detection system

TikTok's SoundOn enhances copyright protection for musicians by incorporating advanced audio recognition technology to detect potential copies of their work.

fromDigiday

TikTok's Khartoon Weiss to exit the platform as its head of global business

Khartoon Weiss is leaving TikTok to pursue a new opportunity, ensuring continuity in the ad business during the transition.

fromwww.businessinsider.com

TikTok ran ads for AI apps that let users undress strangers

TikTok hosted over 50 sexually suggestive ads for apps promoting nonconsensual deepfake images, raising concerns about moderation failures.

fromwww.npr.org

US politics

Researchers say no evidence of TikTok censorship, but they remain wary

Tech industry

Disastrous start for US TikTok as users cry censorship

fromBusiness Insider

fromwww.socialmediatoday.com

US politics

The new US TikTok probably isn't censoring anti-Trump views. But how could you tell if it was?

Music production

TikTok and ACRCloud partner on Derivative Works Detection system

TikTok's SoundOn enhances copyright protection for musicians by incorporating advanced audio recognition technology to detect potential copies of their work.

fromDigiday

TikTok's Khartoon Weiss to exit the platform as its head of global business

Khartoon Weiss is leaving TikTok to pursue a new opportunity, ensuring continuity in the ad business during the transition.

fromwww.businessinsider.com

TikTok ran ads for AI apps that let users undress strangers

TikTok hosted over 50 sexually suggestive ads for apps promoting nonconsensual deepfake images, raising concerns about moderation failures.

fromwww.npr.org

US politics

Researchers say no evidence of TikTok censorship, but they remain wary

Tech industry

Disastrous start for US TikTok as users cry censorship

fromBusiness Insider

Online Community Development

US politics

The new US TikTok probably isn't censoring anti-Trump views. But how could you tell if it was?

more#tiktok

fromPoynter

Fact-checking has to go where misinformation actually spreads - Poynter

Fact-checking must evolve from traditional metrics to address the fragmented and informal nature of today's information ecosystem.

2 hours ago

LinkedIn scanning users' browser extensions sparks controversy and two lawsuits

LinkedIn faces lawsuits alleging lack of user consent for data collection practices.

fromwww.dw.com

Media industry

Stop blaming Big Tech. Start rebuilding journalism

Fighting Big Tech for compensation is not the main battle for journalism's survival; rebuilding trust and embracing technology is essential.

14 hours ago

Digital Hopes, Real Power: How the Arab Spring Fueled a Global Surveillance Boom

The 2011 Arab uprisings shifted power dynamics but also led to enhanced state surveillance using digital tools.

fromEMARKETER

Most consumers say ads would undermine the trust they're placing in AI search results

63% of US adults trust AI search results less when ads are present.

The case for banning cookie banners

Cookie banners have become bloated and useless, creating a new kind of interaction that means trouble all over the web. The only solution is to get rid of them, and do it now.

Digital life

It's finally happened: I'm now worried about AI. And consulting ChatGPT did nothing to allay my fears | Emma Brockes

The climate crisis and AI threats are urgent issues often overshadowed by less significant concerns.

fromTechRepublic

New FBI Warning: Chinese Apps Could Expose User Data

FBI warns Americans about potential data risks from foreign apps, especially those developed in China.

fromThe American Prospect

Why We're Removing Our Programmatic Ads - The American Prospect

Programmatic advertising will be removed from The American Prospect's website to respect reader privacy and improve user experience.

fromnews.bitcoin.com

Apple Removes Jack Dorsey's Bitchat From China App Store

Apple removed Bitchat from the China App Store on February 28, 2026, citing local legal violations. The Cyberspace Administration of China claims Bitchat violates Article 3 of its security assessment provisions.

Privacy technologies

I always considered social media evil': big tobacco whistleblower on tech's addictive products

Jeffrey Wigand compares social media companies' practices to the tobacco industry's targeting of children and negligence regarding addiction and harm.

BadClaude: Serious ethics issues arise as users abuse Anthropic AI with slurs and a digital whip

Users are encouraged to be rude to AI chatbots for better responses, exemplified by the creation of a tool called 'BadClaude'.

fromAdExchanger

What Regulators Talk About When They Talk About Ad Tech | AdExchanger

Privacy regulators emphasize protecting children, honoring opt-outs, and ensuring companies are transparent about data collection practices.

fromExchangewire

5 days ago

The Stack: AI Surges while Social Platforms Face Scrutiny

AI is growing rapidly, streaming models are evolving, and regulatory pressures on platforms are increasing globally.

fromBuffer: All-you-need social media toolkit for small businesses

3 weeks ago

Replying to Your Comments on Facebook Boosts Engagement

Engaging with comments on Facebook posts can increase reactions by approximately 9.5%.

fromAdExchanger

Keyword Blocking Demonetized More Than Half Of Reuters' Brand-Safe Stories | AdExchanger

Advertisers should abandon keyword blocklists to improve ad placements and reach loyal news audiences.

The Facebook insider building content moderation for the AI era | TechCrunch

Brett Levenson advocates for 'policy as code' to improve content moderation at Facebook, addressing deeper issues beyond technology.

Meta will move away from human content moderators in favor of more AI

Meta will drastically reduce human content moderators over the next few years, replacing them with AI-based systems while maintaining human oversight for critical decisions like account appeals and law enforcement reports.

5 days ago

The Facebook insider building content moderation for the AI era | TechCrunch

Brett Levenson advocates for 'policy as code' to improve content moderation at Facebook, addressing deeper issues beyond technology.

Meta will move away from human content moderators in favor of more AI

more#content-moderation

fromFuturism

China Cracking Down on the Types of AI That Are Tearing America Apart

China is implementing strict regulations on AI personalities to protect children and prevent addiction.

fromDigiday

In graphic detail: The long road to accountability for social media platforms

Big tech giants are now held accountable for harming children, marking a significant shift in social media regulation.

fromWIRED

Europe Gets Serious About Age Verification Online

Five EU countries are testing a digital wallet for age verification, but progress varies significantly among them.

fromDailywire

Is This The Beginning Of The End Of Big Social Media?

Gen Z faces addiction to social media, paralleling past cigarette use, with legal actions emerging against tech companies for harmful design practices.

fromFortune

I helped build Facebook and saw it go wrong. AI is headed the same way | Fortune

Public control of AI is essential to ensure it serves the public interest and reflects democratic values.

fromEntrepreneur

What the Meta-YouTube Ruling Means for Founder Responsibility

Platforms can be held liable for how their design shapes user behavior, regardless of intent.

fromLindsey Gamble

Meta Launches New Shopping & Affiliate Tools for Creators, Signaling a Bigger Push Into Affiliate Marketing - Lindsey Gamble

Meta introduces new affiliate marketing features on Facebook and Instagram to streamline creator earnings and enhance shopping experiences.

TikTok's policy for AI ads isn't working

Companies claiming transparency fail to disclose AI-generated content in advertisements, leading to consumer distrust.

What could six fictional voters teach us about how social media really works?

Exploring online content through six fictional voters during the Senedd election reveals diverse political perspectives and the influence of social media algorithms.

It started with a tip-off': how a Guardian investigation exposed child sex trafficking on Facebook and Instagram

Child sexual abuse trafficking surged during the pandemic, with platforms like Facebook and Instagram being exploited for these crimes.

fromInc

In the AI Era, Transparency Is the New Currency on Social Media

AI-generated content is inevitable, but brands must use it thoughtfully to maintain trust and engagement.

fromThe New Yorker

The Scandal of the Sharenting Economy

Kidfluencers face challenges as their childhood experiences become public and transactional, often leading to complex emotional and legal implications.

The Guardian view on social media in the dock: tech bros move fast society is trying to catch up | Editorial

Recent jury decisions against Meta and YouTube highlight the importance of content delivery methods in addressing online harms.

fromThe Motley Fool

This Is a Troubling Trend Meta Platforms Investors Should Watch Out for in Future Quarters | The Motley Fool

Meta Platforms faces challenges as expenses grow faster than revenue, impacting earnings growth and stock performance.

The Landmark Verdict Against Social Media Got It Right

Social media platforms contribute to radicalization and mental health issues among youth, necessitating offline community building to prevent mass violence.

#social-media-algorithms

fromThe Mercury News

US politics

Letters: Social media's tactics, not its content, are in question

fromwww.mercurynews.com

Environment

Letters: Social media's tactics, not its content, are in question

fromThe Mercury News

US politics

Letters: Social media's tactics, not its content, are in question

fromwww.mercurynews.com

more#social-media-algorithms

Environment

Letters: Social media's tactics, not its content, are in question

fromCurtis Sliwa & Larry Mendte In The Morning

AI videos of sexualised black women removed from TikTok after BBC investigation

The BBC and researchers from the independent AI publication Riddance found dozens of accounts on the two platforms featuring highly sexualised black female digital characters or avatars. The images and videos were generated by AI but not labelled as such, in apparent breach of the platforms' guidelines.

Social media marketing

The Pros And Cons Of Major Social Media Apps | 710 WOR | Curtis Sliwa & Larry Mendte In The Morning

Discord and similar social media platforms face criticism for inadequate monitoring of private communications, enabling both harmful activities like terrorist recruitment and positive community building.

fromThe Atlantic

The New Shadowbanning Panic

Over the past several days, TikTok users have found themselves at a loss. Literally, I mean: They lost their audiences, and their view counts showed "0." Some people who attempted to upload content about anti-ICE protests or the killing of Alex Pretti alleged that the platform was intentionally blocking them from doing so. Others were able to get their videos uploaded, but alleged that TikTok was not distributing them.

US politics