Business

Facebook to buy renewable energy from India’s local firm

Editorial Bureau April 15, 2021

SINGAPORE – In the first of its kind deal in a South Asian nation, Facebook has signed a deal to buy renewable energy in India from a local firm’s wind power project deal. The 32 megawatt wind power project, located in southern Karnataka state, is part of a larger portfolio of wind

Tech

Venezuela accuses Facebook of Maduro ‘digital totalitarianism’

Editorial Bureau March 28, 2021

CARACAS (VENEZUELA) – Venezuela’s government on Sunday accused Facebook Inc of “digital totalitarianism” after President Nicolas Maduro’s page witnessed a freeze for 30 days over violation of its policies against spreading misinformation about COVID-19. Facebook told Reuters this weekend it had also taken down a video in which Maduro promoted

Tech

Facebook to allow content creators monetise short-form videos

Editorial Bureau March 11, 2021

NEW YORK (US) – Facebook Inc said will allow content creators on its platform to fetch revenue from short-form videos via advertisements, on Thursday. The announcement was made in a blog where the company explained its plans, which will pave way for creators to diversify their revenue from the platform.

Tech

Russia sues social media platforms for not deleting protest content

Editorial Bureau March 9, 2021

MOSCOW (RUSSIA) – Five social media platforms are being sued by the Russian authorities for allegedly failing to delete posts urging children to take part in illegal protests. While Twitter, Google, and Facebook each have three cases against them, with each violation punishable by a fine of up to 4 million roubles (around $54,000), cases have […]

Tech

US lawmakers urge Facebook for details on advertising practices

Editorial Bureau March 8, 2021

WASHINGTON (us) – A group of 23 US House Democrats on Monday asked Facebook Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg for answers on the social media site’s advertising practices over targeted ads for gun accessories and protective equipment. The lawmakers, led by House Energy Commerce Committee chairman Frank Pallone, cited reports the ads were shown “next to […]

Europe

Russia accuses Facebook of violating citizens’ rights

Editorial Bureau March 8, 2021

MOSCOW (RUSSIA) – In the latest standoff between a government and Facebook, Russia has accused the social media giant of violating citizens’ rights by blocking some media outlets’ content. Communications watchdog Roskomnadzor at the weekend threatened Facebook with a minimum 1 million rouble ($13,433) fine and demanded it restore access to content posted

Tech

US agency probes Facebook for ‘systemic’ racial bias in hiring, promotions

Editorial Bureau March 6, 2021

NEW YORK (US) – A US agency investigating Facebook Inc for racial bias in hiring and promotions has designated the probe as “systemic,” attorneys for three job applicants and a manager who claim the company discriminated against them told on Friday. A “systemic” probe means the agency, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, suspects

Tech

Facebook withdraws accounts influenced by Thai military-linked information

Editorial Bureau March 3, 2021

BANGKOK (THAILAND) – Facebook Inc has taken down 185 accounts and groups engaged in an information-influencing operation in Thailand run by the military, the company said on Wednesday, the first time it has removed Thai accounts with ties to the government. The Thailand-based network removed in the latest sweep of “coordinated inauthentic behaviour” on

Tech

Following Australia row, Facebook teams up with partners for German news product

Editorial Bureau March 1, 2021

MELBOURNE (AUSTRALIA) – Facebook said on Monday it had signed up a string of German media partners to provide content for a local news product, in a success for the US social network following a row over payment for news content in Australia. Described as a “dedicated venue for journalistic content”, Facebook News will feature […]

Tech

India introduces tougher rules for social networking platforms such as Facebook, Twitter

Editorial Bureau February 25, 2021

NEW DELHI (INDIA) – India announced new rules on Thursday to rein in big social media firms, such as Facebook and Twitter. This comes, as part of latest efforts by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government to impose tighter curbs over Big Tech firms. The rules come after Twitter sidestepped orders to take off content on […]