Tag: Facebook

  • Meta Purged Over 17 Mn Pieces Of Bad Content On FB, Insta In India In April |

    New Delhi: Meta said that it took down over 11.6 million pieces of bad content across 13 policies for Facebook and more than 5.4 million pieces of objectionable content across 12 policies for Instagram in India in April. In April, Facebook received 17,124 reports through the Indian grievance mechanism and said that it provided tools for users to resolve their issues in 9,977 cases.

    These include pre-established channels to report content for specific violations, self-remediation flows where they can download their data, avenues to address account hacked issues, etc, Meta said in its monthly report in compliance with the IT (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021. (Also Read: Lava Yuva 5G Smartphone Launched With 5000mAh Battery For Under Rs 10,000; Check Specs And Availability)

    “Of the other 7,147 reports where specialised review was needed, we analysed content as per our policies and took action on 4,303 complaints in total. The remaining 2,844 grievances were reviewed but may not have been actioned,” Meta added. (Also Read: SpaceX Will Enable Anyone To Travel To Moon, Mars: Elon Musk)

    On Instagram, the company received 12,924 reports through the Indian grievance mechanism. “Of these, we provided tools for users to resolve their issues in 5,941 cases,” it said. Of the other 6,983 reports where specialised review was needed, Meta analysed content and took action on 3,206 complaints in total. The remaining 3,777 reports were reviewed but may not have been actioned.

    Under the new IT Rules 2021, big digital and social media platforms, with more than 5 million users, have to publish monthly compliance reports. “We measure the number of pieces of content (such as posts, photos, videos or comments) we take action for going against our standards. Taking action could include removing a piece of content from Facebook or Instagram or covering photos or videos that may be disturbing to some audiences with a warning,” said Meta.

  • Swiggy Launches ‘Smart Links’ Tool To Boost Restaurant Online Visibility |

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  • Will Your WhatsApp Stop Working? Meta Threatens To Stop Chat App Services In India Over Privacy Row |

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  • Apple Removes Meta-Owned WhatsApp And Threads From Its App Store In China; Know Why? |

    New Delhi: The Cupertino-based tech giant Apple has removed the Meta-owned WhatsApp and Threads from its App Store in China. The company has made this move after the request of the Chinese government. 

    According to The Financial Times reports, the iPhone manufacturer company asserted that the country’s internet regulator Cyberspace Administration of China had ordered the applications’ removal from the App Store because of ‘national security concerns’. 

    “We are obligated to follow the laws in the countries where we operate, even when we disagree,” Apple was quoted as saying. According to the report, Meta’s other communications platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and Messenger are still available on the App Store in the country. (Also Read: Apple Showcases 5 Indian Filmmakers Chosen For ‘MAMI Select-Filmed on iPhone’)

    According to Rich Bishop, chief executive of the leading international app publisher in China, AppInChina, the apps were delisted after the Chinese government’s internet regulator and the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology announced a deadline of April 1 for app developers to register with the government.

    In China, Apple saw a double-digit decline in overall smartphone unit sales in the first six weeks of 2024. iPhone sales fell 24 per cent over the period because of stiff competition, according to Counterpoint Research. (Also Read: Apple Watch Series 9 Available For Only Rs 7,080 On Amazon; Here’s How To Grab Deal With Bank Discount)

    According to Senior Analyst Mengmeng Zhang, “Although the iPhone 15 is a great device, it has no significant upgrades from the previous version, so consumers feel fine holding on to the older-generation iPhones for now”.

    Apart from this, Apple has recently launched the latest beta version of its iOS operating system, termed as iOS 17.5 Beta 2. The new version packs with the new features and functionalities. It will be available to eligible iPhone models after its public release next month. (With Inputs From IANS)

  • Zuckerberg Courts Google Deepmind Engineers For Meta: Report |

    New Delhi: Meta, the parent company of Facebook, is making significant strides in bolstering its artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities. CEO Mark Zuckerberg is reportedly taking a hands-on approach, personally reaching out to experts from rival companies like Google’s DeepMind to join Meta’s AI endeavors.

    Direct Recruitment

    Sources familiar with the matter reveal that Zuckerberg has been sending direct emails to researchers, urging them to switch sides. Meta is also said to be offering jobs without formal interviews and negotiating salaries and incentives to attract top talent, according to reports from The Information. (Also Read: Good News For MGNREGA Employees! Centre Announces Pay Hike: Check State-Wise Wages Here)

    Video Recommendations

    Meta’s AI ambitions are centered around revolutionizing its platform’s video recommendations. Tom Alison, head of Facebook, disclosed Meta’s plan to consolidate recommendation systems into a single powerful AI model. (Also Read: Big Blow To Home Loan Borrowers! HDFC Bank Raises Lending Rates To 9.8%)

    Consolidation Of AI Models

    Previously, Meta used different AI models for various features like Reels, Groups, and Feed. However, the company is now experimenting with more advanced AI methods to bring all recommendations under one system.

    Chip Shortage

    Despite Meta’s ambitious AI plans, the company faces challenges due to a shortage of computer chips. Meta has been a significant buyer of Nvidia’s H100 chips, having spent $4.5 billion in 2023.

    However, with the release of Nvidia’s new Blackwell (or B200) chip, demand has surged, leading to delays in shipments. Meta anticipates waiting until 2025 for shipments, exacerbating their chip shortage predicament.

  • Meta Will Stop Suggesting Political Content To Users On Both Instagram And Threads |

    New Delhi: Instagram users can now expect relief from unwanted political content flooding their feeds. According to Variety, Instagram announced in a blog post that it will no longer “proactively recommend” political content from accounts that users have not already followed. This policy extends to Threads, the Twitter-like app introduced last summer under the Instagram brand.

    The Meta-owned company said “We want Instagram and Threads to be a great experience for everyone. If you decide to follow accounts that post political content, we don’t want to get between you and their posts, but we also don’t want to proactively recommend political content from accounts you don’t follow,”. (Also Read: OpenAI Introduces Watermarking For AI-Generated Images Via DALL-E 3; Check Details)

    Both apps will introduce a setting that allows users who wish to continue seeing political content recommendations to opt-in. According to the post, a similar control will be implemented on Facebook at a later time. Instagram defines “political content” as content potentially associated with topics such as laws, elections, or social issues. (Also Read: Tech Layoffs Surges By 136% In 2024; Is AI To Blame? Check What Study Claims)

    “Our goal is to preserve the ability for people to choose to interact with political content, while respecting each person’s appetite for it,” Adam Mosseri, the head of Instagram, stated in a post on Threads.

    The updated policy to discontinue recommending political content applies to areas of Instagram including Explore, Reels, In-Feed Recommendations and Suggested Users. Meta has already been deprioritising political content across its social apps, including on Facebook.

    “People have told us they want to see less political content, so we have spent the last few years refining our approach on Facebook to reduce the amount of political content – including from politicians’ accounts – you see in Feed, Reels, Watch, Groups You Should Join, and Pages You May Like,” the company explained in a post on its Transparency Center site, Variety reported.

    The Instagram blog post noted that professional accounts on the app can check the Account Status setting to see if their posts are eligible to be recommended — based on whether they recently posted “political content.” If Instagram has blocked an account’s posts from recommendations, pro users may edit or remove recent posts to regain eligibility or request a review if they disagree with Instagram’s designation. (With ANI Inputs)

  • Facebook-Instagram Chief Mark Zuckerberg Just Apologised To America For THIS Reason. But What About India? |

    Social media platforms have been a boon for many but at the same time, it has severely affected children and minors across the globe. Young people and children have faced not only harassment but also bullying on social media by strangers. Some even faced extortion threats and died by suicide. Now, tech CEOs who head various social media platforms faced a heated hearing in the US Senate where they were accused of having blood on their hands. Meta Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg apologized to families over the impact of social media on children. 

    As the hearing kicked off, the committee played a video in which children spoke about being bullied on social media platforms. Senators recounted stories of young people taking their own lives after being extorted for money after sharing photos with sexual predators. Zuckerberg not only apologised but also promised industry-wide efforts to make sure no one has to go through the things those families have had to suffer.

    While Zuckerberg apologised to the US people, what about those in India who have faced similar harassment and abuse? While leaders in the United States have been critical of social media platforms, the same intensity and seriousness are not seen among Indian political leadership. It may be because such incidents are not widely reported in India. In the past, it has been seen that the Indian government has been reactive and not proactive to harms caused by social media, be it the case of TikTok or Twitter. 

    In December last year, the Indian Ministry of Information Technology issued notices to various social media platforms, including Telegram, YouTube, and X, instructing them to promptly remove any child sexual abuse material and groups involved in the circulation of such content.

    The notice was issued for content or material which is violative of Rule 3(1)(d) and Rule 4(4) of the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 (IT Rules, 2021). Union IT Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar had earlier said that the days of ‘free pass’ for the social media sites were over.

    The government of India brought new IT rules in 2021 which provided for stricter punishment in case of violative materials on social media sites. The government had said that non-compliance with the requirements as per new rules will be deemed a breach of Rule 3(1)(b) and Rule 4(4) of the IT Rules, 2021. The IT rules under the IT Act lay down strict expectations from social media intermediaries that they should not allow criminal or harmful posts on their platforms. If they do not act swiftly, their safe harbour under section 79 of the IT Act would be withdrawn and consequences under the Indian law will follow.

    The Information Technology (IT) Act of 2000, provides the legal framework for addressing pornographic content, including CSAM. Sections 66E, 67, 67A, and 67B of the IT Act impose stringent penalties and fines for the online transmission of obscene or pornographic content.

    While the rules are in place, their full-throttle implementation has not been ensured in the absence of a proper monitoring and implementation system. While the Indian government has shown its intention to ensure free, fair and safe social media platforms, not only the social media platforms but even the users need to be aware of their rights. Social media users should also come out and report violative materials available on these platforms. Only a collective effort can lead to a safe internet ecosystem but there is no doubt that the government and the tech firms will have to play a greater role in that.

  • FB, Instagram Collect All The Data They Can: Report |

    New Delhi: Meta-owned Facebook and Instagram are the two most privacy-invasive apps out there, a new report has revealed. The cybersecurity company Surfshark conducted research analyzing 100 popular apps, and they discovered that Facebook and Instagram were the most “data-hungry” of all.

    It ranked apps according to 32 criteria that are included in Apple’s privacy policy, such as payment information, browsing history, and exact location.” Since Instagram and Facebook are products of Meta Platforms, it’s no surprise these two apps collect and handle data the same way,” the researchers said. (Also Read: ‘We Have To Make Tough Choices’: Google CEO Sundar Pichai Hints More Layoffs In Coming Time)

    “Both apps collect all 32 data points defined by Apple and are the only two to do so,” they added. Facebook and Instagram used seven of the 32 user data points, including name, physical address, and phone number — for tracking. (Also Read: YouTube Trims Workforce, Lets Go Of 100 Employees In Latest Layoff Season)

    The remaining were connected to user identity but not used for tracking, the report noted. Although X (formerly Twitter) gathered less user data, it was the least reluctant to share it with outside parties.

    Nearly half of the 22 data pieces it gathered and associated with individuals were used for tracking. Overall, 10 social media and messaging applications were included in the research, and it was discovered that these apps collected more user data than the average amount.

    Meanwhile, a US judge has ruled that Meta founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg must participate in a deposition as part of an ongoing lawsuit in Texas concerning the company’s face recognition technology.

    According to a ruling made by Justice Jeff Rambin on Tuesday, the state court has rejected Meta’s recent appeal “seeking relief from an order compelling the oral deposition” of Zuckerberg at an undisclosed date, reports CNBC.

  • Trolling a Marketing Strategy: A Closer Look with Trolls Official’s Yash Vashishtha | Internet & Social Media News

    In the realm of social media platforms such as Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and Instagram, you may have come across pages devoid of followers, whose primary activity revolves around trolling individuals. But is this intentional?

    The Dynamics of Troll Marketing

    Troll marketing involves companies deliberately posting controversial content on their digital channels. While commonly executed through tweets, as illustrated in the examples below, this tactic is not exclusive to Twitter.

    The core idea is to incite conflict swiftly, thereby drawing attention to the post. The ultimate goal is for the content to go viral and captivate widespread attention. Leveraging controversy, troll marketing has a unique ability to cut through the noise in the digital landscape.

    Moreover, the burgeoning popularity of memes enables troll marketing to resonate effectively with younger audiences, particularly millennials.

    Yash Vashishtha: A Driving Force Behind Trolls Official

    In a world saturated with content, only a select few possess the ability to leave a lasting impact on our minds. Yash Vashishtha is one such individual, recognized for his exceptional talent and dedication. As the Channel Head and Executive Producer at Trolls Official since 2014, he has played a pivotal role in the success of the platform.

    Drawing inspiration from a blend of fantasy and reality in various personalities, Vashishtha transforms intriguing encounters into captivating content. He emphasizes the crucial role of mutual understanding within his team as a key factor behind the success of their content. Managing numerous successful projects and with more ventures in the pipeline, Vashishtha has established himself as a talented asset for Trolls Official.

     

    As Trolls Official continues to defy norms and standards in the entertainment sector, their dedication, efficiency, and pursuit of perfection have served as inspiration for countless individuals. In an ever-changing industry, Trolls Official, led by Yash Vashishtha, remains committed to staying at the forefront.

  • HC refuses to quash criminal proceedings against man for objectionable comment against Lord Shiva

    Express News Service

    LUCKNOW: The Allahabad High Court has refused to quash criminal proceedings against a man accused of posting an objectionable comment on social media site Facebook against Lord Shiva, observing that such offences which had a tendency to promote hatred between classes of people or communities should be put down with an iron fist.

    Dismissing a petition filed by Asif of Aligarh district, Justice JJ Munir observed: “Offences of the kind that have a tendency to promote hatred between classes of people or communities have to be put down with a heavy hand. These offences cannot be permitted to flourish in society by adopting a soft-pedalling approach at the cost of widespread damage to the community.”

    The allegation against the applicant was that he had posted objectionable comments on his Facebook account regarding Lord Shiva, by using objectionable language which had hurt religious sentiments of the Hindu community. There have been further comments fomenting communal hatred by the other co-accused in the comments section of the FB account.

    ALSO READ | Supreme Court to hear Gyanvapi mosque plea on April 14

    After investigation, the police had submitted a charge-sheet against the applicant on the basis of material collected. Thereafter, the Judicial Magistrate-II, Aligarh took cognizance of the offence and issued summons to the applicant on January 3, 2023. However, the applicant challenged the summons and also the resultant proceedings through the present application filed under Section 482 (inherent powers of High Court) of Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC).

    During the court proceedings, the counsel for the applicant took the plea that the comments posted on the applicant’s Facebook were merely forwards by another person and that they were not the applicant’s authorship.

    Rejecting the plea, the court said, “If there is a comment which has the tendency to promote enmity between different groups on the ground of religion, then posting it on one’s facebook would certainly constitute an offence. The words employed in the post clearly are ones made with deliberate and malicious intention of outraging the religious feelings of a particular section of the community or a class of citizens of the country. Even if the said comments have been endorsed by the applicant by posting them on his Facebook, it does not matter whether he is the author or the exponent of the comments.”

    Dismissing the application, the court in its order dated April 6, said, “In the opinion of this court, there is absolutely no good ground to quash the proceedings in exercise of powers under Section 482 of CrPC. Hence, this application is accordingly dismissed.”

    LUCKNOW: The Allahabad High Court has refused to quash criminal proceedings against a man accused of posting an objectionable comment on social media site Facebook against Lord Shiva, observing that such offences which had a tendency to promote hatred between classes of people or communities should be put down with an iron fist.

    Dismissing a petition filed by Asif of Aligarh district, Justice JJ Munir observed: “Offences of the kind that have a tendency to promote hatred between classes of people or communities have to be put down with a heavy hand. These offences cannot be permitted to flourish in society by adopting a soft-pedalling approach at the cost of widespread damage to the community.”

    The allegation against the applicant was that he had posted objectionable comments on his Facebook account regarding Lord Shiva, by using objectionable language which had hurt religious sentiments of the Hindu community. There have been further comments fomenting communal hatred by the other co-accused in the comments section of the FB account.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    ALSO READ | Supreme Court to hear Gyanvapi mosque plea on April 14

    After investigation, the police had submitted a charge-sheet against the applicant on the basis of material collected. Thereafter, the Judicial Magistrate-II, Aligarh took cognizance of the offence and issued summons to the applicant on January 3, 2023. However, the applicant challenged the summons and also the resultant proceedings through the present application filed under Section 482 (inherent powers of High Court) of Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC).

    During the court proceedings, the counsel for the applicant took the plea that the comments posted on the applicant’s Facebook were merely forwards by another person and that they were not the applicant’s authorship.

    Rejecting the plea, the court said, “If there is a comment which has the tendency to promote enmity between different groups on the ground of religion, then posting it on one’s facebook would certainly constitute an offence. The words employed in the post clearly are ones made with deliberate and malicious intention of outraging the religious feelings of a particular section of the community or a class of citizens of the country. Even if the said comments have been endorsed by the applicant by posting them on his Facebook, it does not matter whether he is the author or the exponent of the comments.”

    Dismissing the application, the court in its order dated April 6, said, “In the opinion of this court, there is absolutely no good ground to quash the proceedings in exercise of powers under Section 482 of CrPC. Hence, this application is accordingly dismissed.”