facebook Facebook Acquires AI Customer Service Startup to Support Calibra Wallet Facebook purchases Israeli startup Servicefriend to bolster the customer service capabilities of its upcoming Calibra digital wallet and Libra cryptocurrency.
facebook Facebook Unveils Independent Oversight Board to Handle Content Disputes Facebook introduces a new independent Oversight Board to act as a supreme court for difficult content moderation decisions. Critics question how a small group of members can adequately represent the diverse views of billions of global users.
facebook Facebook Suspends Tens of Thousands of Apps Over Data Hoarding Concerns Facebook suspends tens of thousands of apps created by 400 developers for improperly collecting and exposing user profile data. The sweeping ban reflects the ongoing fallout from the Cambridge Analytica scandal and increasing regulatory scrutiny.
facebook Facebook Unveils Portal TV to Turn Any Screen Into a Video Chat Hub Facebook expands its Portal hardware lineup with a $149 clip-on camera that transforms televisions into immersive video calling devices. The new range also includes cheaper, sleeker smart screens that aim to bring social interaction to the living room.
facebook Facebook Expands Portal Lineup With TV Dongle and Slimmer Displays Facebook introduces three new Portal devices, including a $149 Portal TV that transforms any television into a giant video chat screen. The updated standalone Portal and Portal Mini smart displays also feature a sleeker, picture-frame design.
facebook Facebook Establishes Binding Oversight Board to Review Content Decisions Facebook creates an independent Oversight Board whose content moderation decisions are binding, even if CEO Mark Zuckerberg disagrees. The board serves as a new check on executive power but also raises concerns about potential corporate shielding.
google All 50 US States Launch Joint Antitrust Probe Into Google A bipartisan coalition of 50 state attorneys general opens a major antitrust investigation into Google's search and advertising practices. The inquiry adds to growing federal efforts to curb the market dominance of major technology companies.
facebook State Attorneys General Launch Antitrust Investigation Into Facebook's Size A coalition of state attorneys general opens a bipartisan probe to determine if Facebook holds a monopolistic grip on the social media market. The investigation explores whether the tech giant stifles competition and harms consumers.
election security US Intelligence Agencies and Tech Giants Unite to Secure 2020 Elections The FBI, DHS, and ODNI meet with major tech companies like Facebook and Google to coordinate strategies against election interference and misinformation.
facebook Facebook Considers Hiding Like Counts to Improve User Mental Health Facebook is prototyping a feature that hides public Like counts on News Feed posts, following similar ongoing tests on Instagram. The goal is to reduce unhealthy social comparison and encourage users to share more freely without fear of judgment.
spotify Spotify Enables Direct Music Sharing to Facebook Stories Spotify rolls out a new integration that allows users to share 15-second song previews directly to Facebook Stories. The feature aims to help artists promote their music while driving traffic back to the Spotify app.
facebook Facebook Suspends Netanyahu Campaign Chatbot Over Hate Speech Violation Facebook temporarily suspends an automated chatbot on Benjamin Netanyahu's official page for spreading hateful messages about Arab politicians. The social network enforces a 24-hour ban after determining the bot violates hate speech policies.
facebook Facebook Overhauls Infrastructure to Launch Off-Facebook Activity Tool Facebook rolls out its new Off-Facebook Activity tool, allowing users to view and disconnect off-site data shared by third-party apps and websites. This launch requires a massive infrastructure redesign to overcome the challenge of decentralised data storage.
facebook Facebook Employs Contractors to Transcribe User Audio Clips Facebook pays hundreds of human contractors to listen to and transcribe audio snippets from its users. This practice raises significant privacy concerns among consumers and regulators.
facebook Facebook Faces Backlash Over Secret Audio Transcriptions by Contractors Facebook reportedly uses third-party contractors to transcribe user audio from Messenger without explicit permission. The social giant halts the practice as it joins Amazon, Google, and Apple in facing audio privacy scrutiny.