News Analysis India

Tag: Meta

  • Digital Markets Act: EU Starts Probe Into Apple, Meta, Google Under New Digital Law |

    New Delhi: The European Union (EU) has started an investigation into big tech giants Apple, Google parent Alphabet and Meta, in its first probe under the sweeping new Digital Markets Act (DMA) tech legislation. The EU has started the investigation after the potential breaches of the newly enacted anti-trust law. 

    The suite of probes announced are the first under the EU’s Digital Markets Act law, which took effect earlier this month. 

    The DMA has categorized six major tech firms — Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, ByteDance, Meta, and Microsoft — as gatekeepers, mandating their adherence to specific provisions to boost more competition in digital markets, including allowing third-party app stores.

    The European Commission announced five investigations into Apple, Google, and Meta’s compliance with the DMA, with completion expected within 12 months. (Also Read: iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus Get Price Cuts In India On Flipkart, Starting At Rs 56,999)

    Apple and Alphabet (Google’s parent company) will undergo EU scrutiny regarding how they enable app developers to shift consumers to third-party app stores without charges. Adding further, the European Union will also examine changes that Google made to how its search results appear in Europe. 

    Another investigation will focus on Apple’s adherence to rules facilitating the easy removal of apps and changes to default settings on iPhones, along with how the company presents choice screens for alternative search engines and browsers.

    Meta’s ‘pay or consent’ model, requiring users to pay for data protection and ad-free experiences on Facebook and Instagram, will also be examined.

    The EU’s recent law, effective this month, mandates major tech companies to follow numerous new rules, aiming to enhance competition from smaller entities in digital advertising, online search, and app ecosystems.

    Earlier, the Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday that Apple, the tech giant, plans to add new fees and restrictions for third-party software downloads outside its App Store. (Also Read: Tesla CEO Elon Musk Thought That OpenAI Would Fail: OpenAI CE0 Sam Altman)

    This development follows the enforcement of the Digital Markets Act (DMA) by the European Union, aimed at targeting the market clout of big technology companies and making it easier for people to move between competing services. 

  • Instagram Down: Check Funniest Memes For Social Media App's Outage

    Check out some of the funniest responses to Instagram’s outage.

  • How To Transfer WhatsApp Chat Backup From Android To iPhone? Here’s Step-By-Step Guide |

    New Delhi: When you get a shiny new iPhone, the next big task is transferring all your data from your old device, especially your WhatsApp chats. While moving from one iPhone to another is straightforward, switching from an Android device to an iPhone can be tricky.

    But fear not, as there’s a solution: the “Move to iOS” app. One thing to note before moving forward is not all WhatsApp data can be transferred. WhatsApp call history cannot be moved to the new iPhone. (Also Read: Good News For 2.56 Lakhs Gramin Dak Sevaks; Centre Announces Pay Hike For Time Continuity)

    What You Need To Know Before Transferring?

    Before you start the transfer process, ensure that your iPhone is either brand new or has been reset to its factory settings. (Also Read: Big Bonanza For LIC Employees; Government Approves 17% Wage Hike)

    Also, make sure both your Android and iOS devices are plugged into chargers and connected to the same Wi-Fi network. If needed, you can connect your Android device to your iPhone’s hotspot.

    How To Transfer WhatsApp Chat Backup From Android To iPhone:

    – On your Android phone, download the ‘Move to iOS’ app from the Google Play Store.

    – Follow the on-screen instructions to install it.

    – When prompted for a code, enter the code displayed on your iPhone.

    – Tap on “Continue” on both devices and follow the on-screen instructions.

    – On the transfer data screen, select “WhatsApp” as the data you want to transfer.

    – On your Android smartphone, tap on “Get started” and wait for WhatsApp to export the data.

    – Once it’s ready, you’ll be signed out of WhatsApp on your Android device.

    – Return to the ‘Move to iOS’ app on your Android device, tap on “Continue,” and wait for the transfer to complete.

    – After the transfer is done, open the WhatsApp app on your iPhone and log in with your registered phone number.

    – Tap on ‘Start’ and wait for the transfer process to finish.

    – Once it’s done, all your chats and other WhatsApp data will appear on your new iPhone.

  • 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)

  • Meta’s X Rival Threads Has 130 Million Active Users Now |

    New Delhi: Meta’s CEO Mark Zuckerberg shared that Threads, Meta’s text-based conversation app, has achieved a milestone with over 130 million monthly active users. This figure surpasses the peak levels Threads experienced immediately after its launch in July 2023.

    During Meta’s earnings call, Zuckerberg expressed his optimism regarding Threads’ continued growth, emphasizing ongoing improvements and increasing user engagement. He highlighted that the current active user count exceeds the initial surge observed at the app’s launch. (Also Read: Dating In Digital Era: Russian Man Unveils ChatGPT’s Role In Crafting His Love Story, Read)

    Back in July 2023, Zuckerberg had ambitious plans for Threads, envisioning it as Meta’s next billion-user platform alongside established platforms like Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Messenger. While it’s still early days, Threads seems to be making significant strides. (Also Read: India’s Stock Exchanges Cut Paytm Daily Trading Limits To 10% After Rout)

    In comparison to X (formerly Twitter) with around 550 million monthly active users, Threads has room for growth. Meta is actively investing to scale the app, addressing initial usage decline issues by swiftly introducing key features like keyword search and multiple account support.

    Meta’s focused efforts on enhancing Threads with features such as editing capabilities, voice posts, improved discovery, and more have yielded positive results.

    Daily downloads nearly tripled to 28 million in December. The app’s expansion into the EU and increased integration with Instagram profiles further contributed to its growth.

    Looking ahead, Meta’s CFO stated that the company is committed to scaling Threads’ community even further by introducing additional features and enhancements throughout 2024.

  • Meta Boss Mark Zuckerberg Issues Dramatic Apology To US Senate For THIS Reason | world news

    WASHINGTON: In a grueling session at the Senate Judiciary Committee, CEOs from tech behemoths faced a barrage of questions regarding the perilous influence of their platforms, with Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg taking center stage in a momentary apology, extending remorse to families grappling with the repercussions of influence. social media usage, particularly on teenagers.

    Mark Zuckerberg’s Mea Culpa

    Addressing a tense audience, Zuckerberg’s apology resonated with families scarred by the adverse impacts of social media. “I’m sorry for everything you have all been through,” Zuckerberg empathized, acknowledging the anguish endured by affected families and vowing continued efforts to alleviate such distressing experiences. Amidst a charged atmosphere, his words struck a chord, reflecting the gravity of the situation.

    The Grilling of Tech Titans

    The inquiry extended beyond Zuckerberg, encompassing a spectrum of tech leaders including Snap’s Evan Spiegel, X’s Linda Yaccarino, TikTok’s Shou Chew, and Discord’s Jason Citron. As scrutiny intensified, Missouri Senator Josh Hawley demanded financial restitution for affected families, amplifying the gravity of the accusations against these industry titans.

    ‘Blood on their hands’

    Senator Lindsey Graham’s impassioned address set a confrontational tone, condemning tech CEOs for purportedly having “blood on their hands.” Graham’s call for the repeal of Section 230, coupled with poignant anecdotes of familial tragedy, underlined the urgency for accountability and reform in the tech sector.

    ‘Perils Of Social Media’

    The hearing underlined bipartisan consensus on the need to address the perils of social media. Echoing rare unity, lawmakers emphasized the imperative to combat abuse facilitated by tech platforms, underscoring a shared commitment to safeguarding vulnerable users.

    Perspective Of Parents

    CEOs endeavored to humanize their corporate personas, emphasizing their roles as parents in safeguarding online spaces. Yet, Zuckerberg’s omission of explicit references to his paternal responsibilities raised eyebrows, highlighting the delicate balance between personal accountability and corporate stewardship.

    Beyond Apologies: Demands For Action

    Amidst the emotive testimonies, lawmakers resolutely pushed for tangible outcomes, advocating for regulatory oversight and, in certain instances, financial redress for aggrieved parties. As the hearing concluded, it became evident that mere apologies would not suffice; Substantive action and accountability were imperative in addressing the profound societal impacts of social media platforms.

    The Senate Judiciary Committee’s deliberations have concluded, but the reverberations of this momentous session are likely to endure, igniting a global discourse on the ethical obligations of tech giants amid mounting concerns over online safety and accountability.

  • Instagram Faces Outage In United States; Social Media Flooded With Memes |

    New Delhi: Instagram users in the United States were hit by a service outage on Friday, causing inconvenience to many who reported issues with sending or receiving direct messages (DMs). Complaints flooded social media platforms, especially X (Twitter), with users expressing frustration over the disruption.

    Downdetector, an internet outage tracking portal, recorded a peak in reports around 6 PM EST, with more than 1500 users reporting problems. (Also Read: In Pics: From Aziz Premji To Sajjan Jindal, Where Are Next Gen Of These Biz Tycoons Are Studying, Or Have Studied From; Check Here)

    User Complaints On Social Media

    Social media users voiced their concerns about the Instagram outage on X, highlighting the inability to respond to DMs. (Also Read: HDFC And Axis Bank Closed On January 22 For Ayodhya Ram Temple Event)

    Some complained about the issue persisting for hours, seeking prompt resolution from Instagram. The majority of complaints, about 85 percent, were related to issues with the application, while 12 percent reported problems with the website, and 3 percent faced feed-related problems.

    No Response From Meta Yet

    As of now, Meta, the parent company of Instagram, has not issued a response or statement regarding the reported outage. Users are awaiting an official acknowledgment and solution from the platform.

    Previous Server Connection Issues

    This is not the first time Instagram has faced technical difficulties. In November last year, over 10,000 users globally, including around 1000 in India, reported server connection problems, impacting the user experience.

    New Feature For Teen Accounts

    In a separate development, Instagram is introducing a new feature called “nighttime nudges” for teen accounts. This feature aims to encourage responsible usage and limit screen time on the application for younger users.

  • 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.