#social-media-removal
#social-media-removal

Europe's Online Age Verification App Is Here

The European online age verification app ensures anonymous age verification using ID cards or passports, protecting children from harmful content.

fromThe Verge

fromTNW | Government-Policy

Age verification is a mess but we're doing it anyway

Age verification methods on the internet are flawed, leading to challenges in effectively preventing underage access to inappropriate content.

Privacy technologies

The EU says its age verification app is ready

The European Commission's age verification app uses zero-knowledge proof technology to confirm user age without exposing personal data.

fromAbove the Law

19 hours ago

438 Experts Said Age Verification Is Dangerous. Legislators Are Moving Forward With It Anyway. - Above the Law

Age verification mandates for the internet are technically flawed, threaten privacy, and may cause more harm than good, according to 438 researchers from 32 countries.

Europe's Online Age Verification App Is Here

The European online age verification app ensures anonymous age verification using ID cards or passports, protecting children from harmful content.

fromThe Verge

Age verification is a mess but we're doing it anyway

Age verification methods on the internet are flawed, leading to challenges in effectively preventing underage access to inappropriate content.

fromTNW | Government-Policy

The EU says its age verification app is ready

The European Commission's age verification app uses zero-knowledge proof technology to confirm user age without exposing personal data.

more#age-verification

Books

fromSlate Magazine

A New Kind of Scandal Is Growing Online. It's Ruining Careers-and Aimed at the Wrong Target.

A.I. detection controversies highlight concerns over authorship and the impact of technology on writing.

Russo-Ukrainian War

1 hour ago

Russian blogger's fierce critique of Kremlin goes viral: People are afraid of you'

Vladimir Putin's approval ratings are declining as a celebrity blogger criticizes the Kremlin's governance and highlights various societal issues in Russia.

Relationships

My friend keeps sending me unsettling social media videos. How do I tell her to stop? | Leading questions

Friendship dynamics can shift when communication preferences are not respected, leading to feelings of disconnect.

#social-media

Why Are We So Dependent on Social Media?

Social media's addictive design and users' need for identity and community contribute to deep dependence on these platforms.

Media industry

20 hours ago

SaySo is a new short-form video app that aims to restore users' trust in news | TechCrunch

SaySo is a new app that curates news from vetted creators to combat misinformation and enhance user trust.

Mental health

The Verdict on Social Media Addiction

Recent verdicts against Meta and YouTube indicate social media harm is linked to platform design, particularly affecting adolescents' mental health.

Digital life

Social media has positive benefits for teens

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.

Web design

fromMedium

Social media on trial

Social media companies face legal consequences for targeting vulnerable children with addictive design, leading to addiction and mental health issues.

Why Are We So Dependent on Social Media?

Social media's addictive design and users' need for identity and community contribute to deep dependence on these platforms.

Media industry

20 hours ago

SaySo is a new short-form video app that aims to restore users' trust in news | TechCrunch

SaySo is a new app that curates news from vetted creators to combat misinformation and enhance user trust.

Mental health

The Verdict on Social Media Addiction

Recent verdicts against Meta and YouTube indicate social media harm is linked to platform design, particularly affecting adolescents' mental health.

Digital life

Social media has positive benefits for teens

Teens prefer TikTok for entertainment and product information, while Snapchat is favored for connecting with friends and private conversations.

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.

fromMedium

Web design

Social media on trial

more#social-media

#cybersecurity

fromArs Technica

14 hours ago

Man with @ihackedthegovernment Instagram account tells judge, "I made a mistake"

Moore accessed the Supreme Court's filing system and other accounts using stolen credentials, publicly posting sensitive personal information of individuals online.

Now you can break up with big tech at a bar: cybersecurity disguised as a party'

Imani Thompson hosts cybersecurity events at bars to help people mitigate surveillance risks while having fun.

fromArs Technica

14 hours ago

Man with @ihackedthegovernment Instagram account tells judge, "I made a mistake"

Moore accessed the Supreme Court's filing system and other accounts using stolen credentials, publicly posting sensitive personal information of individuals online.

Now you can break up with big tech at a bar: cybersecurity disguised as a party'

Imani Thompson hosts cybersecurity events at bars to help people mitigate surveillance risks while having fun.

more#cybersecurity

Women in technology

4 hours ago

Online abuse is silencing women on a staggering scale it's a democratic crisis | Sharon Kechula

Susan Kihika faced severe online abuse after maternity leave, highlighting gender-based violence and double standards in political scrutiny against women.

Meta isn't setting its Oversight Board free just yet

The Oversight Board has taken steps to formalize its long-contemplated desire to work with other companies, but Meta has thus far declined to move forward with that process.

Artificial intelligence

UK politics

What are the UK government's plans to regulate social media for under-16s?

Keir Starmer demands social media firms prioritize children's safety and implement stricter regulations to protect them from harmful content.

Information security

fromHarvard Gazette

13 hours ago

Time for government, business leaders to figure out AI cybersecurity regulation - Harvard Gazette

Agentic AI poses both opportunities for cybersecurity and risks to personal data, economy, and national security, necessitating regulation by leaders.

fromPrivacy International

fromSearch Engine Roundtable

Voter Disenfranchisement: A Privacy Issue

Democratic institutions face challenges in privacy protection and voter disenfranchisement during elections, exacerbated by technology and data usage.

Online marketing

22 hours ago

Google Ads Removed 8.3 Billion Ads - Up Over 60%

Google removed 8.3 billion ads in 2025, a 63% increase from 5.1 billion ads removed in 2024.

SF LGBT

fromElectronic Frontier Foundation

The Influencers Normalizing Not Having Sex

Abstinence from sex is rising among both genders, with young women experiencing a significant increase in celibacy.

Digital Hopes, Real Power: The Rise of Network Shutdowns

In 2024 alone, authorities imposed 304 internet shutdowns across 54 countries - the highest number ever recorded. This reflects a growing trend of governments treating connectivity as a weapon.

World politics

Google is now targeting bad ads over bad actors | TechCrunch

Google blocked 8.3 billion ads in 2025, utilizing AI to enhance detection while suspending fewer advertiser accounts than expected.

fromThe Hacker News

21 hours ago

Google Blocks 8.3B Policy-Violating Ads in 2025, Launches Android 17 Privacy Overhaul

Google announced Play policy updates to enhance user privacy and combat fraud, including new contact and location permission features.

Marketing tech

Google is now targeting bad ads over bad actors | TechCrunch

Google blocked 8.3 billion ads in 2025, utilizing AI to enhance detection while suspending fewer advertiser accounts than expected.

fromThe Hacker News

21 hours ago

Google Blocks 8.3B Policy-Violating Ads in 2025, Launches Android 17 Privacy Overhaul

Google announced Play policy updates to enhance user privacy and combat fraud, including new contact and location permission features.

London startup

Is Bluesky down? Here's what we know.

Boston

Bluesky is having some issues in one of its 'reginos'

fromMashable

17 hours ago

Information security

Bluesky outage: Why it happened

Information security

It's not just you - Bluesky is (sorta) down | TechCrunch

fromMashable

London startup

Is Bluesky down? Here's what we know.

Boston

Bluesky is having some issues in one of its 'reginos'

fromMashable

17 hours ago

Information security

Bluesky outage: Why it happened

Information security

It's not just you - Bluesky is (sorta) down | TechCrunch

The Deepfake Nudes Crisis in Schools Is Much Worse Than You Thought

AI-generated deepfake nude images are impacting nearly 90 schools and over 600 students globally, causing severe emotional distress among victims.

fromPetaPixel

Apple and Google Direct Users to AI 'Nudify' Apps: Report

Apple and Google facilitate access to nudify apps that create deepfake nude images despite policies against nonconsensual sexualized content.

Education

The Deepfake Nudes Crisis in Schools Is Much Worse Than You Thought

AI-generated deepfake nude images are impacting nearly 90 schools and over 600 students globally, causing severe emotional distress among victims.

fromPetaPixel

Apple and Google Direct Users to AI 'Nudify' Apps: Report

Apple and Google facilitate access to nudify apps that create deepfake nude images despite policies against nonconsensual sexualized content.

Apple secretly threatened to pull Grok from the App Store over deepfake nudes

Apple threatened to remove xAI's Grok app from the App Store due to non-compliance with content guidelines regarding non-consensual deepfakes.

fromNature

Researchers: here's how to audit your fragmented digital identity

A search for 'Guo Wei' in ORCID returned 616 profiles, none affiliated with the Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, highlighting the difficulty in verifying academic identities.

Higher education

Intellectual property law

Majority of Australian kids are still on banned social media platforms, study finds

These results raise major questions about the effectiveness of Australia's social media ban and show it would be a high stakes gamble for the UK to follow suit now.

Public health

fromwww.businessinsider.com

Motorola sues social platforms and creators over posts, raising speech concerns in India | TechCrunch

Motorola's lawsuit against social media platforms and creators raises concerns about limiting critical coverage of the company.

Silicon Valley food

This TikTok vigilante is calling out what he says are obnoxious influencers and getting legal threats

Jay became a prominent influencer critic after mocking entitled influencers, helping to grow his family's snack brand on TikTok.

US politics

The Guardian view on AI politics: US datacentre protests are a warning to big tech | Editorial

Voters across the political spectrum are uniting against big tech's influence, particularly regarding AI datacentres and their environmental impact.

#privacy

18 hours ago

Privacy technologies

Privacy, power, and encryption: why end-to-end security matters | Computer Weekly

fromKqed

fromElectronic Frontier Foundation

What Is the Point of California's Privacy Laws if Big Tech Ignores Them? | KQED

Google's non-compliance with the Global Privacy Control opt-out signal is evident in network traffic.

Privacy technologies

How Push Notifications Can Betray Your Privacy (and What to Do About It)

Push notifications can reveal personal information, and both Apple and Google have restrictions on sharing this data with law enforcement.

fromMIT Technology Review

Building trust in the AI era with privacy-led UX

Well-designed consent experiences enhance trust and business performance, evolving privacy into an ongoing relationship rather than a one-time transaction.

18 hours ago

Privacy, power, and encryption: why end-to-end security matters | Computer Weekly

Privacy is a fundamental human condition, and end-to-end encryption is essential for protecting communications in a surveillance-heavy world.

fromKqed

What Is the Point of California's Privacy Laws if Big Tech Ignores Them? | KQED

Google's non-compliance with the Global Privacy Control opt-out signal is evident in network traffic.

fromElectronic Frontier Foundation

How Push Notifications Can Betray Your Privacy (and What to Do About It)

Push notifications can reveal personal information, and both Apple and Google have restrictions on sharing this data with law enforcement.

fromMIT Technology Review

Building trust in the AI era with privacy-led UX

Well-designed consent experiences enhance trust and business performance, evolving privacy into an ongoing relationship rather than a one-time transaction.

more#privacy

fromFuturism

15 hours ago

There Are Signs of a Massive AI Backlash

Public outrage against the tech industry's AI focus is escalating, leading to protests and political backlash against data centers and AI development.

#facebook

Facebook wants to scan users' camera rolls for content

Facebook introduces a new opt-in feature to recommend photos from users' camera rolls for sharing and editing.

fromSocial Media Examiner

Facebook's 2026 Rules for Reach & Relevance : Social Media Examiner

Facebook is prioritizing original content and Reels, impacting reach for creators and marketers.

Facebook wants to scan users' camera rolls for content

Facebook introduces a new opt-in feature to recommend photos from users' camera rolls for sharing and editing.

fromSocial Media Examiner

Facebook's 2026 Rules for Reach & Relevance : Social Media Examiner

Facebook is prioritizing original content and Reels, impacting reach for creators and marketers.

Social media leaders called to Downing Street over children's safety

Social media executives are meeting with UK leaders to discuss children's online safety and responsibilities of tech companies.

Media industry

fromFast Company

The stigma around AI in journalism may be easing, but trust is still fragile

There is a growing acceptance of AI in journalism, despite initial reluctance and a recent controversy over AI-generated content.

fromExtremeTech

Google, Microsoft, and Meta Ignore Your Ad Tracking Opt-Outs, Audit Reveals

Google, Microsoft, and Meta track users' browsing habits despite opt-out requests, violating privacy regulations.

Parenting

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.

Marketing tech

fromBloomberglaw

Meta Cases Put Social Media Platforms at Securities Fraud Risk

Social media platforms face new legal challenges regarding their role in facilitating fraudulent securities schemes.

Women in technology

Online abuse is a daily reality for women in public life | Letters

Women in public life face pervasive online misogynistic abuse, which includes defamation, threats, and criticism of appearance.

fromTechRepublic

19 hours ago

AI Upgrades, Security Breaches, and Industry Shifts Define This Week in Tech - TechRepublic

AI innovation and security threats are reshaping technology and corporate strategies across various platforms and applications.

#meta

Social media marketing

Meta defends content moderation policies, touts usage of AI to track Holocaust denial

fromForbes

Law

Inside Landmark Verdict In Social Media Addiction Trial- And What It Means For Future Of Big Tech

fromFuturism

Privacy professionals

Huge Group of Experts Warns Meta That Its Pervert Glasses Will Enable Terrible Crimes

Meta's Ray-Ban AI glasses face backlash for privacy violations and plans for facial recognition technology, prompting outrage from civil rights groups.

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.

Meta defends content moderation policies, touts usage of AI to track Holocaust denial

Meta is actively combating online antisemitism by enforcing policies against Holocaust denial and distortion.

fromForbes

Inside Landmark Verdict In Social Media Addiction Trial- And What It Means For Future Of Big Tech

Meta and Google were found liable for negligence in designing addictive apps that harmed a young girl's mental health.

fromFuturism

Huge Group of Experts Warns Meta That Its Pervert Glasses Will Enable Terrible Crimes

Meta's Ray-Ban AI glasses face backlash for privacy violations and plans for facial recognition technology, prompting outrage from civil rights groups.

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.

Dangerous Apps In the Web of Data Brokers

Smartphone apps collect detailed location data, often shared with data brokers, posing security risks to users, including soldiers and government officials.

UK reliance on US big tech companies is 'national security risk', claims report | Computer Weekly

The UK is at risk due to over-reliance on US tech companies for critical infrastructure, impacting national security.

#ai

fromBusiness Matters

An SEO's guide to ethical AI use

AI in SEO offers speed and analytical power but raises significant ethical concerns that must be addressed for long-term success.

fromTheregister

Artificial intelligence

Make bad moves on AI and face voter backlash, govts warned

fromBusiness Matters

An SEO's guide to ethical AI use

AI in SEO offers speed and analytical power but raises significant ethical concerns that must be addressed for long-term success.

fromTheregister

fromwww.independent.co.uk

Make bad moves on AI and face voter backlash, govts warned

The UK government must demonstrate AI benefits to the public to mitigate backlash and concerns over job losses and risks associated with the technology.

more#ai

UK politics

Social media companies must step up' on child safety, Starmer says

The Independent emphasizes the importance of accessible journalism and the need for accountability from social media companies regarding child protection.

X's Big Bot Purge Wiped Out a Lot of People's Secret Porn Feeds

X's crackdown on bots has led to the suspension of many human accounts, including those used for private content curation.

fromZDNET

A data removal service helped me reclaim my privacy - see if you need one, too

Personal data is collected and sold by brokers, making removal services essential for protecting sensitive information.

6 days ago

TikTok publishes first transparency report on EU hate speech removal

TikTok's transparency report reveals its efforts in combating illegal hate speech, showing high rates of content review and removal.

#instagram

Instagram expands Your Algorithm tool to Explore

Instagram expands its Your Algorithm feature, allowing users to control content recommendations in Explore and Reels.

Instagram fails to remove nearly all reported extremist content after Meta moderation rollback, ADL study finds

Instagram failed to remove 93% of extremist content, linked to Meta's rollback of content moderation policies, leading to increased antisemitism.

Instagram expands Your Algorithm tool to Explore

Instagram expands its Your Algorithm feature, allowing users to control content recommendations in Explore and Reels.

Instagram fails to remove nearly all reported extremist content after Meta moderation rollback, ADL study finds

Instagram failed to remove 93% of extremist content, linked to Meta's rollback of content moderation policies, leading to increased antisemitism.

more#instagram

UK politics

Starmer tells social media firms in No 10 meeting things can't go on like this'

Keir Starmer emphasizes the need for social media reform to protect children, advocating for potential age restrictions and limitations on app features.

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.

Marketing tech

fromExchangewire

2 weeks 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.

fromSecurityWeek

BrowserGate: Claims of LinkedIn 'Spying' Clash With Security Research Findings

LinkedIn allegedly scans users' computers to collect data on browser extensions, raising concerns about corporate espionage.

Digital life

fromCbsnews

Is your phone listening to you?

Phones are not listening to conversations; targeted ads are based on user behavior and interests.

fromThe Verge

13 hours ago

Anthropic's new cybersecurity model could get it back in the government's good graces

Anthropic's relationship with the Trump administration has improved due to its new cybersecurity model, Claude Mythos Preview.

from404 Media

Google, Microsoft, Meta All Tracking You Even When You Opt Out, According to an Independent Audit

Microsoft, Meta, and Google may be violating California privacy laws by failing to honor user opt-out requests for ad cookies.

fromPrivacy International

What is digital fingerprinting: Is my device ever truly anonymous?

Digital fingerprinting is a tracking technique that monitors how browsers and devices communicate online.

fromDigital Trends

Damning report finds Apple and Google's app stores boosting nudify apps

Apple and Google are promoting harmful nudify apps through their search and advertising systems, despite policies against adult content.

fromPew Research Center

Teens' Experiences on TikTok, Instagram and Snapchat | Pew Research Center

Teens' experiences and views on social media vary significantly across platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat.

from404 Media

App Stores Push Users Toward Nudify Apps, New Research Shows

Google and Apple's app stores actively promote harmful nudify and undress apps, contrary to their stated policies.

fromAdExchanger

Rewards App Faces Data Broker Accusations; Apple Loves Advertising, Apparently | AdExchanger

Freecash faced allegations of extracting sensitive user data while promoting itself as a rewards app, leading to its removal from the App Store.

fromFortune

From Molotov cocktails to data center shutdowns, the AI backlash is turning revolutionary | Fortune

Recent violent incidents against AI leaders highlight escalating tensions surrounding artificial intelligence and its perceived threats to humanity.

Social media was once a great global conversation. Now it's just individuals locked into their own private worlds | Tom Whyman

Twitter once felt like a global conversation platform that shaped personal relationships and values, but usage has significantly declined over time.

fromGadgets 360

Over 75 Privacy Orgs Urge Meta to Not Develop Facial Recognition Feature

Meta's development of AI-powered facial recognition for smart glasses has sparked privacy concerns, prompting 77 organizations to urge its halt.

Digital life

fromDigiday

2 weeks ago

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.

fromFortune

2 weeks ago

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.

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.