INSTAGRAM EUROPE RULES
Meta halts new business terms after backlash over data scraping and AI use
Meta has postponed the rollout of new terms affecting its business accounts due to significant backlash. Critics claimed these changes could lead to unauthorized data scraping and unfair competition against news publishers. A Norwegian court granted an injunction on the terms, highlighting concerns over Meta's market dominance. The U.K. competition authority has also initiated an investigation into these new business conditions.
Meta tells Brazil's electoral court it treats Lula and Flavio Bolsonaro equally ahead of Sunday vote
Meta has taken steps to comply with a court order for equal treatment of presidential candidates in Brazil. The electoral court directed the company to ensure balanced platform coverage before the upcoming runoff election. This follows allegations from President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's campaign regarding biased algorithms favoring his opponent, Flavio Bolsonaro. Meta has implemented measures to uphold electoral advertisement regulations amidst growing tensions.
EU chief to unveil social media, gaming curbs for under-15s
EU chief Ursula von der Leyen will on Wednesday unveil long-awaited plans to protect children from online harm by curbing access to social media, video-sharing platforms, games and AI chatbots for under-15s. Von der Leyen will use her annual keynote speech to the European Parliament to outline new EU legislation, which according to a draft document will set strict limits on access to social media, AI chatbots and online gaming for under-15s.
Crypto's shopping hack; Centre eyes Meta child safeguards
Indians are buying groceries, fuel, food and gold via gift cards on overseas crypto platforms. This and more in today's ETtech Top 5.
China's Temu may have spent as much as $962 millionon Meta ads in the UK and Europe, with 73 of its top 100 creators likely fake
Temu may have spent nearly one billion dollars on Meta ads promoting products. Research suggests many boosted accounts likely do not represent real influencers. These accounts, often based in Russia and China, promoted Temu products extensively. This practice raises legal questions regarding misleading commercial practices in Europe. The findings also highlight challenges posed by AI and automated content in digital advertising.
Meta's paid subscription: Soon you have to pay more for Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp Plus to access new features
Meta subscription: Meta has introduced paid subscription plans for Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp. These plans offer users extra features for a monthly fee. Instagram Plus and Facebook Plus cost $3.99, while WhatsApp Plus is $2.99. The company is also developing subscription plans for businesses and creators. This move comes as Meta faces pressure over its AI spending.
- Go To Page 1
EU plans new rules targeting addictive design on TikTok, Meta, to protect children
The European Union is creating new regulations to safeguard children from addictive social media platform designs. These rules will target harmful features and manipulative practices. The European Commission plans to propose the Digital Fairness Act later this year. This initiative aims to protect young users from potential negative impacts of social media use.
TikTok challenges EU 'gatekeeper' status at Europe's top court
TikTok is fighting its EU 'gatekeeper' status in court. The company argues it does not meet the strict criteria set by the Digital Markets Act. This case could significantly impact how Europe regulates big tech firms. A ruling is expected in the coming months.
Dutch court upholds ruling forcing Meta to offer chronological feeds in Netherlands
A Dutch court has ruled that Meta must allow users in the Netherlands to see posts chronologically on Facebook and Instagram. This decision comes after a digital rights group argued that current feeds harm public debate. Meta, which complied with an earlier ruling, plans to challenge this in full proceedings. The group hopes the ruling will eventually extend across Europe.
The European laws curbing big tech... and irking Trump
Following a trade truce, the EU faces renewed pressure from Donald Trump, who threatens tariffs in response to the bloc's efforts to regulate big tech. Brussels' Digital Markets Act and Digital Services Act, designed to curb the power of tech giants, have drawn Trump's ire. The EU insists on its regulatory autonomy, setting the stage for a potential trade conflict.
European project Eurosky aims to reduce reliance on US tech giants
The project, spurred partly by polling data showing strong demand in Europe for locally based social media, launches on Tuesday and plans to use a decentralised moderation platform, similar to that behind the Bluesky social media network.
Meta says will appeal 'unlawful' EU fine
Facebook owner Meta said it will appeal a 200-million-euro fine slapped on it by the EU after the bloc accused the company of breaking digital competition rules. The EU fined Meta in April over its "pay or consent" system because of how it said the company used personal data on Facebook and Instagram.
Nigerian tribunal upholds $220 million fine against Meta
FCCPC chief executive officer Adamu Abdullahi said investigations carried out in conjunction with the Nigeria Data Protection Commission between May 2021 and December 2023 revealed "invasive practices against data subjects/consumers in Nigeria". Abdullahi accused Meta of discriminatory practices, abuse of market dominance, sharing Nigerians' data without authorisation and denying Nigerians the right to determine how their data are used.
Digital rights activists file complaints in Europe over Meta's targeted ads
In light of Europe's data protection rules, the US tech giant introduced ad-free versions of Facebook and Instagram in Europe that require a paid subscription, and people who agree to be tracked - most users - get a free service funded by ad revenues. Europe's Data Protection Board (EDPB) questioned that policy in 2024 but has not taken action.
Meta to offer less personalised ads in Europe to appease regulators
Over the coming weeks, people in the EU who use the company's social media platforms for free with ads, will be able to choose to see ads based on what Meta calls "context"- content that a user sees during a particular session on the platforms.
Meta to start using public posts on Facebook, Instagram in UK to train AI
Meta will use public posts including photos, captions and comments to train its generative artificial intelligence models, it said on Friday, adding that the training content will not include private messages or information from accounts of users under the age of 18.
Meta, Spotify CEOs take aim at European AI regulations
Europe, which "has more open-source developers than America", is well placed to make the most of the open-source AI wave, the CEOs said in a joint statement on Friday. "Yet its fragmented regulatory structure, riddled with inconsistent implementation, is hampering innovation and holding back developers." The CEOs said the tech industry in Europe faces "overlapping regulations and inconsistent guidance on how to comply with them" instead of clear rules.
EU accuses Meta of breaking digital rules with paid ad-free option
Meta introduced a no-ads subscription service for Facebook and Instagram in Europe last November. The company stated that users who agree to tracking receive a free service supported by advertising revenue, while those who opt out can choose to pay to keep their data private.
Meta Platforms to use social media posts from Europe to train AI
Meta Platforms plans to incorporate social media content from Europe to train its generative AI models using Llama large language models. NYOB challenges the move in Europe due to insufficient notifications about data usage.
EU privacy watchdogs urged to oppose Meta's paid ad-free service
Privacy enforcers should oppose Meta Platforms' no-ads subscription service in Europe, according to a joint letter by 28 organizations. The service requires users to pay a fee for privacy, but users who consent to be tracked get a free service funded by advertising revenues.
Instagram, Facebook users to get more choices to comply with DMA, Meta says
The world's largest social network is the latest to make changes to comply with the DMA after Google outlined efforts to comply with the new EU technology rules that could hurt revenues for some companies.
Threads countdown teases app's potential EU launch
Meta-owned Instagram launched Threads in the United States and elsewhere in July but EU users cannot access the platform because the company was wary of Brussels' regulatory oversight before any roll-out.
Meta may allow Instagram, Facebook users in Europe to pay and avoid ads
Those who pay for Facebook and Instagram subscriptions would not see ads in the apps, said the people, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the plans are confidential. That may help Meta fend off privacy concerns and other scrutiny from EU regulators by giving users an alternative to the company's ad-based services, which rely on analyzing people's data, the people said.
Meta may allow Instagram, Facebook users in Europe to pay and avoid ads
This may help Meta fend off privacy concerns and other scrutiny from EU regulators by giving users an alternative to the company’s ad-based services, which rely on analyzing people’s data.
Big tech to face full force of new EU law
The Digital Services Act (DSA) forces companies to more aggressively police digital content and protect online users from disinformation and hate speech, or face the risk of heavy fines.
Big Tech crackdown looms as EU, UK ready new rules
The updates help solidify Europe's reputation as the global leader in efforts to rein in the power of social media companies and other digital platforms.
Meta explores ban on political ads in Europe
EU lawmakers in February agreed to tougher rules on targeted political advertising aimed at countering misinformation during elections. The proposed rules require U.S. tech giants to provide more data on their targeted political ads, with fines up to 4% of their global turnover for breaches.
Irish regulator moves closer to possible ban on Facebook, Instagram EU-US data flows
Europe's highest court ruled in 2020 that an EU-US data transfer agreement was invalid, citing surveillance concerns. That prompted Ireland's Data Protection Commission (DPC) to issue a provisional order to block the mechanism Meta uses to transfer data.
Irish regulator could halt Facebook, Instagram EU-US data flows in May
Europe's highest court ruled in 2020 that an EU-US data transfer pact was invalid due to concerns that US government surveillance may not respect the privacy rights of EU citizens.
Load More
