SNAPCHAT USERS
Snapchat starts disabling friend-finder feature for UK children, regulator says
Ofcom said the change would make it harder for strangers to contact children on the image-sharing social media platform, one it considers among the largest and most popular online services used by children in Britain.
Google, Meta, TikTok sue to block California youth social media law
The law, known as Assembly Bill 1709, prohibits such platforms from offering underage children "psychologically exploitative features" that could lead to compulsive use, such as providing personal recommendations and sending videos through autoplay features. It also requires the deletion of children's accounts with those features.
Does Snapchat cause depression, anxiety, eating disorders? A court trial that tells bold story against social media platforms
Social media companies face thousands of lawsuits in federal and state courts brought by individuals, school districts, municipalities and other government entities alleging the companies knowingly sought to addict children to their platforms.
Refurbished iPhones gain popularity in India as new smartphone prices rise; iPhone 13, 14 and 15 lead demand
India's refurbished smartphone sector is booming as shoppers lean towards affordable options. With skyrocketing prices on new models, older favorites like the iPhone are gaining traction. Retailers such as ControlZ and Cashify are witnessing a sales surge, notably among premium devices. This upward trend is observable in both urban hubs and smaller towns, with trade-in values on the rise.
How to permanently delete your Snapchat account: Follow these steps on Android, iPhone and computer to deactivate your account
To permanently delete a Snapchat account, users must navigate through the Snapchat Accounts Portal and follow a designated procedure. Initially, the account undergoes a 30-day deactivation phase, during which reactivation is possible. After this window closes, the account is permanently deleted. It's essential to back up any important memories, as account data will be irretrievably lost.
Meta settles with teen during trial testing claims social media caused depression, eating disorders
Meta Platforms has settled with a teen plaintiff who accused the company of designing Instagram and Facebook to be addictive, causing her mental health problems

Instagram challenges Youtube with 90-minute videos: All you need to know
Instagram is testing a new long-form video format called 'Features' to allow content creators to upload 90-minute videos. This format is currently available to select users in the United States and Brazil. Instagram aims to integrate long-form content into its existing Reels ecosystem to attract more creators. The platform is exploring various options to help long-form creators earn revenue.

Meta, Snap head to trial in another case about social media's harms
Jury selection is expected to begin on Wednesday in Los Angeles for another landmark trial about the alleged harms of social media on young users, with Meta and, for the first time, Snap as defendants. Meta and YouTube lost the first so-called bellwether case earlier this year, when a jury found them collectively liable for harming a young user known by the initials KGM, and ordered the tech companies to pay a combined $6 million penalty.

WhatsApp and Telegram to stop working for these user from Jan 1: Govt announces new rule. What you should know
WhatsApp New Rule: WhatsApp and Telegram users may face account restrictions from January 1, 2027, under the government's proposed SIM-binding rules. Here's how the requirements could affect users who remove their registered SIM cards, use secondary devices or rely on eSIMs.

A reckoning on social media addiction came late for many kids. Will AI safety be different?
When Meta agreed to changes to its social media platforms and enhanced safeguards in an $18 billion settlement, it made progress by "getting at what we've known for years" about the dangers, said Kristin Bride, a parent advocate who has fought for social media reform since the death of her teenage son. "How are we going to get at what we don't know is coming?"

Robinhood stock tokens turbocharge a new era of meme trading
Traders are actively engaging in memecoin and stock token swaps on Robinhood's platform, blurring traditional investment lines. The SEC has allowed temporary tokenized stock trades, reflecting a growing retail trend. Companies like AMC have expressed concerns over tokens trading without their involvement. As these trades evolve, stock prices may become detached from their underlying assets. This shift signifies a potential change in how risk is perceived by day traders.

Louisiana brothers accused of channeling $1.7 million to Hamas through Gaza aid campaigns, NYPD undercover operation exposes network
Abdel Adhami and Omar Adhami have been arrested for allegedly raising over $1.7 million intended for humanitarian aid to Gaza, with a significant portion sourced from the US. The prosecution asserts that the siblings utilized social media to promote propaganda and receive donations for Hamas. An NYPD undercover officer was involved in the investigation.

Is AI becoming a silent partner in US Mass shootings? Report details dangerous gaps
A new report from Everytown for Gun Safety says chatbot companies may be overlooking warning signs that could help prevent US mass shootings.

Bengaluru woman says man on a date asked for her LinkedIn instead of phone number: 'I don't want to invest time...'
A 23-year-old Bengaluru woman says a man she met at an Indiranagar cafe asked for her LinkedIn profile instead of her phone number or Instagram. She claimed he wanted to check her “professional background” and ensure their “career trajectories” matched before investing time. The unusual encounter sparked debate on Reddit, with some joking he wanted a referral, while others defended LinkedIn as a less intrusive way to stay connected. One user, however, claimed the story never happened.

What is the ‘Cat in the Hat’ trend? Inside the creepy AI-fuelled phenomenon now triggering US school warnings, police action and arrests
A new trend on social media featuring the Cat in the Hat character has triggered serious police investigations. Initially surfacing in the UK and Ireland, it has now permeated North America. Posts containing threats aimed at specific schools and students have alarmed officials, leading to criminal charges for several teenagers.

Flipkart's new Minutes app; Anthropic employee sounds alarm
Flipkart has launched a standalone app for its quick commerce unit Minutes. This and more in today’s ETtech Top 5.

Ajit Mohan steps down as Snap's chief business officer
The company has elevated Ronan Harris, who has led its business across Europe, the Middle East and Africa for nearly four years, to the role of chief commercial officer.

Proposed Australian law would let social media users opt out of algorithms
The proposed legislation would also protect children from content that promotes eating disorders, hostile ideas about women, pornography, crime, dangerous stunts and that causes serious mental health distress.

Snap sees opportunity as Indian advertisers look beyond Google, Meta: CBO Ajit Mohan
Advertisers are looking beyond Google and Meta as concerns over dependence on the two platforms grow, Snap’s Ajit Mohan told ET. Snapchat has crossed 250 million users in India, while domestic advertisers have grown 10x in two years. Snap is also expanding its advertising and subscription businesses to diversify revenue.
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