Israel vs Hamas War: EU Warns Facebook and Instagram to Remove Hamas Content or Face Consequences

Israel vs Hamas War: EU Warns Facebook and Instagram to Remove Hamas Content or Face Consequences

Israel vs Hamas War: EU Warns Facebook and Instagram to Remove Hamas Content or Face Consequences

/ EU warns Meta to remove Hamas content or face consequences in ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. Urgent action required by Meta

By Babloo Farkade.

Oct 12, 2023, 16:56 PM IST

European Commissioner Thierry Breton has delivered an ultimatum to Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, warning them to swiftly remove pro-Hamas content from their platforms or face potential consequences under new EU regulations. The move comes in the wake of the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas and amid concerns of the dissemination of illegal content and disinformation across the European Union.

In a strongly-worded letter addressed to Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Commissioner Breton called for heightened vigilance in policing content related to Hamas and cautioned that failure to do so could lead to the company’s violation of new European Union regulations. Breton demanded that Zuckerberg respond to the EU’s concerns within a strict 24-hour timeframe.

The letter emphasizes the urgency of removing illegal terrorist content and hate speech from Meta’s platforms in light of the escalating conflict in Israel. Commissioner Breton underlined that “following the terrorist attacks carried out by Hamas against Israel,” there is clear evidence that Meta’s platforms are being exploited to disseminate illegal content and disinformation within the EU. He further revealed that the European Commission has witnessed a surge in such content within the EU and urged Meta to take immediate action.

“I urgently invite you to ensure that your systems are effective. Needless to say, I also expect you to be in contact with the relevant law enforcement authorities and Europol and ensure that you respond promptly to any requests,” the letter states. Breton stressed the importance of Meta’s strict compliance with the Digital Services Act (DSA) rules, especially in terms of service, timely and diligent response to notices of illegal content in the EU, and the implementation of proportionate and effective mitigation measures.

In response to these grave concerns, Meta released a statement through a company spokesperson. The statement revealed that Meta had established a “special operations center with experts, including fluent Hebrew and Arabic speakers” in response to the recent Hamas attacks on Israel. The spokesperson also highlighted the company’s commitment to working tirelessly to ensure the safety of their platforms, taking swift action against content that breaches their policies or local laws, and cooperating with third-party fact-checkers in the region to curb the spread of misinformation. Meta assured the public that these efforts would continue throughout the ongoing conflict.

Notably, Commissioner Breton did not limit his warnings to Meta alone. He sent a similar letter to Elon Musk, owner of X, expressing concerns about illegal content being spread on Musk’s social network. Breton called upon Musk to take prompt and necessary action to address these issues, underlining the gravity of the situation.

The ultimatum issued by the EU signifies the increasing pressure on tech giants to curb the dissemination of illegal content and disinformation during times of international conflict. Meta’s response and its subsequent actions will likely play a pivotal role in determining the future relationship between tech companies and regulatory bodies in the European Union.

Say-Good-Bye-to-Fake-Reviews-Mozilla-Firefox-Comes-for-Rescue.-Heres-how

Say Good Bye to Fake Reviews, Mozilla Firefox Comes for Rescue, Here’s how

Say Good Bye to Fake Reviews, Mozilla Firefox Comes for Rescue. Here’s how

Say Good Bye to Fake Reviews, Mozilla Firefox Comes for Rescue. Here's how

Discover how Mozilla Firefox is taking on fake online reviews with its revolutionary “Review Checker” feature.

By Babloo Farkade.

Oct 12, 2023, 15:44 PM IST

In an era where user reviews hold considerable sway over consumer choices, the issue of fake reviews has been a persistent thorn in the side of online shoppers. Mozilla, the renowned company behind the popular Firefox web browser, appears to have a solution in the works. According to a recent report by MS Power User, Mozilla is gearing up to introduce a groundbreaking “Review Checker” feature within its Firefox browser, which promises to distinguish genuine reviews from fraudulent ones.

This innovative development comes on the heels of Mozilla’s acquisition of Fakespot, a startup specializing in combating fake online reviews. The integration of Fakespot’s technology into Firefox is slated to debut this November.

Online reviews have become an indispensable part of the modern consumer experience, impacting purchasing decisions in various industries. Unfortunately, fake positive reviews have become an all too common problem on e-commerce platforms. Mozilla’s strategic move to tackle this issue is a welcomed step forward in ensuring transparency and reliability in the world of online shopping.

One significant aspect of this development is that the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to craft product reviews is projected to become a prevailing trend in the online marketplace. Even e-commerce giant Amazon has announced its intent to employ generative AI to summarize product reviews. Remarkably, Mozilla is rolling out the Review Checker feature initially for three major e-commerce platforms: Amazon, Walmart, and Best Buy.

The November update for the Firefox browser promises to be a game-changer for consumers who value honest and authentic feedback.

Despite its innovative approach to addressing fake reviews, Mozilla faces stiff competition in the web browser market. Chrome, developed by Google, currently dominates the field as the most widely used browser, while Firefox holds the fourth position in terms of popularity.

So, how will the Review Checker feature work? Mozilla’s explanation sheds light on its use of a sophisticated artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) system. This system is designed to discern patterns and similarities within reviews, enabling it to flag those that are most likely to be deceptive. In a recent blog post, Mozilla stated, “Using Fakespot, a buyer is able to quickly see where deceptive reviews may be artificially inflating a product’s ranking in search engines.”

The adoption of Fakespot’s capabilities aims to equip Firefox users with the tools needed to identify and dismiss deceptive reviews effectively. Mozilla has expressed its commitment to enhancing the online shopping experience, with a spokesperson stating, “The addition of Fakespot’s capabilities will make Firefox customers the best-equipped to cut through deceptive reviews and shop with the confidence of knowing what they’re buying is high-quality and authentic.”

With the Firefox Review Checker feature set to debut in November, consumers can look forward to more informed and trustworthy shopping experiences, as Mozilla takes a proactive stance against the proliferation of fake reviews in the online marketplace.

Facebooks-New-Multiple-Personal-Profiles-Feature

Facebook’s New Multiple Personal Profiles Feature: What You Need to Know

Facebook’s New Multiple Personal Profiles Feature: What You Need to Know

Meta is set to revolutionize the way users manage their online identities with the introduction of multiple personal profiles on Facebook.

By Nilesh Badwar.

Sep 25, 2023, 22:20 PM IST

In a recent announcement, Meta, the parent company of Facebook, revealed its plan to launch a groundbreaking feature that will allow Facebook users to create and seamlessly switch between multiple personal profiles on a single account. This innovative update aims to provide users with greater control over their online presence and content consumption.

Why Multiple Personal Profiles?

The idea behind this feature is to enable users to compartmentalize their online lives effectively. Whether you want to keep your personal and professional relationships separate, maintain one profile for your hobbies and interests, or simply organize your online interactions more efficiently, multiple personal profiles offer the flexibility to cater to various aspects of your life.

Meta articulated this idea by stating, “Creating multiple personal profiles lets you easily organize who you share with and what content you see for the various parts of your life. Think one profile for the foodie scene you love and another one to keep up with your friends and family.”

Key Features

Here are some key aspects of this upcoming feature:

  1. Up to Five Profiles: Users will be able to create up to five personal profiles in addition to their primary account. This will provide ample flexibility to manage different aspects of their online presence.
  2. Seamless Switching: Switching between profiles will be effortless, without the need to log out and log back in. Users can access a menu by tapping their profile picture on the bottom right of the toolbar, allowing for quick transitions.
  3. Unique Feeds: Each profile will have its unique Feed, ensuring that the content you see aligns with the interests and connections associated with that particular profile.

Limitations and Rollout

Although this feature promises enhanced control over one’s Facebook experience, there are certain limitations to consider. To start with, features like Facebook Dating, Facebook Marketplace, and Professional Mode will not be accessible from the additional profiles initially. Additionally, the Messenger app will not support these profiles at launch.

Meta emphasized that these multiple profiles should not be used for impersonation or violating community standards. Users are expected to adhere to Facebook’s guidelines regarding identity representation.

User Feedback and the Path Forward

Meta’s decision to introduce multiple personal profiles on Facebook comes after a year of experimentation and extensive user feedback. The company’s motivation behind this innovation is to offer a more organized and tailored experience for users. It aims to address the need for a clearer separation of friends, groups, and interests, empowering users to engage with their chosen audience more freely.

The rollout of this feature is expected to take place over the next few months, gradually reaching Facebook users worldwide. As the implementation progresses, Meta will likely gather further feedback and make adjustments to enhance the user experience.

Conclusion:

Meta’s introduction of multiple personal profiles on Facebook is poised to revolutionize the way users manage their online identities. This innovative feature offers greater control, organization, and customization for users, allowing them to tailor their Facebook experience to different aspects of their lives.