US election: Where do Trump and Biden stand on tech issues? October 28, 2020 The bosses of Facebook, Twitter and Google are this afternoon appearing in front of a US Senate committee to face questions over key issues of tech regulation. With tech titans facing increased scrutiny in their home country, the topic is likely to be a key policy issue in the run-up to the presidential election. So [...]
Tech bosses to defend key internet law in front of US Senate October 27, 2020 The bosses of the world’s biggest tech giants will tomorrow launch an impassioned defence of a key law, arguing that it is crucial to maintaining freedom of expression online. During an appearance in front of the Senate commerce committee, the chief executives of Facebook and Twitter will defend Section 230, a provision of the 1996 [...]
Tech firms demand legal safeguards over content moderation October 26, 2020 Tech giants including Google and Facebook have called on the EU to introduce a “legal safeguard” to limit their liability when proactively tackling harmful content. Brussels is currently drafting rules under its upcoming Digital Services Act that would increase companies’ responsibility for removing illegal material posted to their platform. But in a report released today, [...]
Facebook takes on Google and Amazon with cloud gaming launch October 26, 2020 Facebook has launched a free cloud gaming feature on its platform, becoming the latest tech giant to move into the lucrative games market. The social media site today said users will be able to stream games such as Asphalt 9: Legends and PGA Tour Golf Shootout on the Facebook app and browser with no download [...]
US Senate committee votes to subpoena Twitter and Facebook bosses October 22, 2020 Top US lawmakers today voted to subpoena the chief executives of Twitter and Facebook after both platforms blocked controversial tabloid stories about Joe Biden’s son. Republicans on the US Senate judiciary committee approved the motion to haul in Jack Dorsey and Mark Zuckerberg unopposed today. Democrats on the committee had boycotted the meeting over the [...]
Fishing for likes: Facebook takes on Tinder as it rolls out dating service October 22, 2020 Facebook is ramping up the pressure on apps such as Tinder and Bumble as it rolls out a new dating feature. Facebook Dating was first launched in the US and 19 other countries last month, but will now be available to users in the UK and across Europe. The social media platform said the new [...]
Zoom and Instagram brand values jump as tech firms get Covid-19 boost October 20, 2020 Zoom, Instagram and Youtube have all swept into the rankings of the world’s 100 most valuable brands for the first time this year as the pandemic sparked a major boost for tech companies. Social media and streaming companies have enjoyed booming demand as millions of people have been forced to stay at home during the [...]
EU opens probe into Instagram over exposure of children’s data October 19, 2020 The EU has launched an investigation into Instagram over its handling of children’s data following accusations the platform exposed the contact details of millions of under-18s. The Irish Data Protection Commission (DPC) today said it was opening two probes into Facebook, which owns Instagram, over claims that users’ phone numbers and email addresses were made [...]
UK watchdog ramps up pressure on tech giants as it sets one-year ultimatum October 19, 2020 The UK competition watchdog has urged the government to step up plans for a new digital regulator as it warned it is preparing to take action against tech giants such as Facebook and Google. Andrea Coscelli, chief executive of the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), said his organisation was “actively considering” potential enforcement cases in [...]
Swipe card: Social media accounts for quarter of all online purchases October 14, 2020 Almost a quarter of all online purchases are now made through social media, new data has revealed, as more and more people use their favourite messaging platforms for shopping. Research by Visa showed almost a fifth of Brits use social apps to shop, while one in 10 has made a purchase this way since the [...]