Tech

WhatsApp to feature in-app purchases, cloud hosting services: Facebook

Editorial Bureau October 22, 2020

SAN FRANCISCO (US) – In a bid to bolster revenue from its app WhatsApp, Facebook said on Thursday that it would offer in-app purchases and hosting services. The social media behemoth has been exploring ways to boost sales from higher-growth units such as Instagram and WhatsApp, which it

Tech

Facebook’s handling of children’s data on Instagram comes under probe in Ireland

Editorial Bureau October 19, 2020

DUBLIN (IRELAND) – Ireland has initiated two investigations into Facebook Inc after there were concerns about the manner in which the social networking firm handled children’s personal data on Instagram. The Data Protection Commission, which is the major online information regulator in the EU, received complaints from users and found “potential

Asia

Hate speech against Rohingya refugees still remains on Facebook in Malaysia

Editorial Bureau October 14, 2020

KUALA LUMPUR (MALAYSIA) – When the pandemic spread across Malaysia, it triggered a wave of hate speech and false information on Facebook targetting Rohingya Muslim refugees. This prompted human rights groups to lodge a complaint with the social media firm. However, even after six months, many of the posts against the Rohingya remained on the […]

Tech

EU urges Facebook, Google, Twitter to take action against fake news

Editorial Bureau September 10, 2020

BRUSSELS (BELGIUM) – After agreeing to a self-regulatory practice code to tackle disinformation, Facebook, Alphabet’s Google, Twitter and other tech rivals must strive to be more effective, the European Commission said on Thursday. Fake news related to COVID-19 making rounds on social media has led to increased calls to be more active in facing the […]

Asia

Facebook cracks whip on politician of Indian ruling party for flouting norms

Editorial Bureau September 3, 2020

NEW DELHI (INDIA) – Facebook Inc has banned a prominent member of India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party for flouting its policies regarding violence and hate. This comes as the social media giant is embroiled in a political debate over alleged bias while handling content in its largest Asian market. The firm banned politician Raja Singh […]

USA

Facebook removes ban on Biden ad citing ‘enforcement error’

Editorial Bureau September 1, 2020

SAN FRANCISCO (US) – Facebook Inc said on Monday it had committed a mistake in blocking a pro-Biden ad submitted by Democratic political action committee Priorities USA. It initially told the group that the video violated its policy against “sensational” content. A spokesman for Facebook said it was an “enforcement error” and that the social

Tech

Facebook’s failure to take down a militia page was ‘operational mistake’: Zuckerberg

Editorial Bureau August 29, 2020

NEW YORK (US) – Social media giant Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg said on Friday that the firm committed an “operational mistake” in not acting quick enough to remove the page of a militia group that gave a call for armed action in Kenosha, Wisconsin. The firm said it had removed the page of the Kenosha […]

Tech

Apple rejected attempt to inform users of App Store levy, says Facebook

Editorial Bureau August 28, 2020

NEW YORK (US) – Facebook said on Thursday that Apple Inc rejected its bid to inform users that the iPhone maker would take a 30% sales cut in a new online events feature. This forced Facebook to remove the message to get the tool to users. According to the social media firm, the iPhone maker […]

Asia Tech

Facebook blocks access to a group that raised voice against Thai monarchy

Ren Leen August 25, 2020

BANGKOK (THAILAND) – Facebook blocked its access within Thailand to a group that has 1 million members which had gone on to criticise the country’s king. The move comes after youth-led protests against the government which had the former military junta chief leading them. The “Royalist Marketplace” group was created in April by Pavin

Tech

French audit: Facebook agrees to pay $110 million in back taxes

Editorial Bureau August 24, 2020

PARIS (FRANCE) – The French subsidiary of Facebook has expressed willingness to pay back taxes amounting to more than 100 million euros (90 million pounds) and that includes a penalty. This comes after a ten-year audit of its accounts by French tax authorities, the firm said on Monday. France is trying hard to revamp international […]