Coronavirus: BBC calls for right to publish news directly on Whatsapp June 4, 2020 The BBC should be allowed to publish directly on chat platforms such as Whatsapp to help counter fake news about the Covid-19 crisis, one of the broadcaster’s top bosses has said. Jamie Angus, director of the BBC World Service Group, urged tech giants to open their platforms to trusted news providers as part of their [...]
Facebook launches new tool to help users hide old posts June 2, 2020 Facebook has today launched a new tool designed to help users hide old posts that could harm their job prospects. The new privacy tool, labelled Manage Activity, will allow Facebook users to either hide certain posts from public view and store them in an archive or remove them from the site completely. “Whether you’re entering [...]
Facebook blasted by civil rights leaders over Donald Trump riot post June 2, 2020 Facebook has been accused of setting a “dangerous precedent” after refusing to remove a post from US President Donald Trump that has been widely condemned for inciting violence. Trump’s post, which referred to protests against the killing of George Floyd in police custody last week, was flagged by Twitter for “glorifying violence”. But Facebook boss [...]
Facebook and Snapchat condemn racism in US as protests continue June 1, 2020 Tech giants Facebook and Snapchat have joined a growing roster of companies to have condemned racism in the United States as protests over the death of George Floyd in police custody entered their sixth day. Last week the unarmed Floyd was killed in Minneapolis when a white police officer knelt on his neck for nine [...]
Half of Facebook employees could work remotely by 2030, says Zuckerberg May 21, 2020 Half of Facebook’s workforce could be working remotely in the next five to 10 years, chief executive Mark Zuckerberg has said. The social media boss today said his company would embrace a more permanent work from home policy even after the coronavirus crisis ends. In an internal townhall live streamed on Facebook, Zuckerberg said the [...]
Facebook launches new shopping feature to help small firms move online May 19, 2020 Small businesses will be able to open a single online store selling products through Facebook and Instagram thanks to a new feature launched by the tech giant today. Facebook Shops, which will be rolled out over the coming months, allows customers to buy products through a firm’s business Facebook page or Instagram profile, or through [...]
France to force tech giants to remove harmful content within the hour May 13, 2020 Social media companies will be forced to remove the most harmful content from their platforms within an hour or face hefty fines under new French laws passed today. Firms such as Facebook, Google and Twitter could be fined up to four per cent of their global revenue if they fail to comply with the new [...]
Facebook and Instagram launch digital gift cards for small businesses May 11, 2020 Facebook and Instagram users will now be able to support local businesses during the Covid-19 crisis by purchasing digital gift cards on the social media platforms. From today businesses will be able to promote gift cards on their Facebook pages and in news feed posts, as well as in Instagram stories and on their profiles. [...]
Facebook earnings: Shares leap despite lowest growth since 2012 April 30, 2020 Facebook’s shares jumped almost 10 per cent in after hours trading following a surprisingly upbeat set of first quarter results from the tech giant. Following Alphabet’s figures earlier this week, all eyes were on Facebook to see how the Covid-19 crisis has hit social media. Here are three key takeaways from the numbers: 1. The [...]
Facebook poaches top social media regulator from Ofcom April 29, 2020 Facebook has ramped up its defence against upcoming social media regulation by poaching a top executive from media watchdog Ofcom. Tony Close, Ofcom’s director of content standards, has been closely involved in drawing up rules to regulate tech giants such as Google and Facebook amid rising concern about online harms. The government is set to [...]