facebook Facebook Uses Two-Factor Phone Numbers for Profile Lookups Without Opt-Out Facebook faces backlash for using phone numbers provided for two-factor authentication to let anyone look up user profiles, with no option to completely disable the feature. Critics warn this practice sacrifices user privacy under the guise of security.
facebook Facebook's Cryptocurrency Faces Familiar Adoption Hurdles Facebook plans to launch a WhatsApp-based stablecoin cryptocurrency later this year, but the company's history of failed virtual currencies raises doubts. The true value of this blockchain-based payment system remains highly questionable unless it offers unprecedented privacy features.
facebook Facebook Sues Chinese Firms Over Mass Fake Account Sales Facebook files a federal lawsuit against four Chinese companies and three individuals for selling fake accounts and followers in bulk. The social network seeks $100,000 in damages per offending website.
facebook Facebook Removes 1.5 Million Christchurch Attack Videos Amid Growing Backlash Facebook reports removing 1.5 million videos of the Christchurch mosque shooting, but faces intense criticism for failing to prevent the initial live stream. Major companies are now considering pulling their advertisements from the social media platform.
facebook FTC Negotiates Multi-Billion Dollar Fine Against Facebook Over Privacy Violations The FTC is negotiating a record-breaking multi-billion dollar fine against Facebook for privacy infractions. The massive penalty aims to financially impact the tech giant rather than serve as a minor inconvenience.
facebook Social Platforms Struggle to Halt Viral Spread of New Zealand Shooting Video Major tech companies face an ongoing battle to remove live-streamed footage of a deadly mosque attack in New Zealand as copies rapidly multiply across the internet.
facebook Massive Facebook and Instagram Outage Resolved After Server Configuration Error Facebook and Instagram experience a major global blackout affecting users across multiple countries. The social media giant blames the extended disruption on a server configuration change rather than a cyberattack.
instagram Instagram Bans Graphic Self-Harm Images Following Teen Tragedy Instagram and Facebook officially ban graphic self-harm content like cutting after the tragic 2017 suicide of Molly Russell. The platforms also bury non-graphic related posts to prevent unintentional promotion while keeping spaces open for those seeking help.
facebook Facebook Reveals Ad Partner Details in New Transparency Update Facebook updates its "Why am I seeing this?" ad feature to show exactly which marketing partners upload and share user contact information.
instagram Instagram Tests Main Account Feature to Rival Facebook Login Instagram is developing a "Main Account" feature that lets users link multiple profiles under a single login, potentially positioning the app as Facebook Login's successor.
facebook European Regulator Demands Urgent Briefing on Facebook Messaging Integration Ireland's data protection commission requests an urgent briefing from Facebook over privacy risks tied to merging the backend infrastructure of Messenger, Instagram, and WhatsApp.
apple Apple Cracks Down on Facebook and Google Over Misused Enterprise Certificates Apple revokes special developer certificates from Facebook and Google after the companies use them to distribute data-collecting apps outside their organizations. The punishment causes widespread internal app downtime for both tech giants.
facebook Snopes Exits Facebook Fact-Checking Program as AP Renegotiates Role Snopes pulls out of Facebook's fact-checking initiative, citing inefficient tools and a lack of meaningful engagement. The Associated Press is simultaneously renegotiating its own position within the partnership.
apple Apple Restores Facebook's Enterprise Certificate After Data Privacy Scandal Apple reinstates Facebook's internal app access after a two-day suspension triggered by a secret data collection program, while Google faces similar punishment for its own snooping app.
apple Apple Briefly Revokes Google's App Access Over Data Collection Rule Violation Apple temporarily blocks Google's internal iOS apps after discovering the company used a special enterprise certificate to distribute a data-collecting app outside the App Store. Both companies resolve the issue quickly, restoring access to employee tools like Gmail and YouTube.