Tag: Meta

  • Meta Quest 4 and Quest Pro 2: Latest Insights from Analyst

    Meta Quest 4 and Quest Pro 2: Latest Insights from Analyst

    Currently, Meta has two virtual reality (VR) headsets available: the Quest 3 and Quest 3S, which is priced at $299 on Amazon. The company stopped selling the Quest 2 and Quest Pro back in September. As per the insights from Mark Gurman, Meta is reportedly working on two more VR headsets, though they may not be direct successors to the current Quest models.

    Possible Future Models

    Gurman hints that Meta might be revisiting its earlier strategy of having both standard and ‘Pro’ versions in the VR headset market. He predicts the launch of the Quest 4 along with a new high-end model to take the place of the poorly received Quest Pro. This suggests a return to a more diverse lineup of VR products.

    The Status of Previous Models

    Although Meta launched the headset known as ‘Ventura’ as the Quest 3S, there were rumors that they had cancelled the Quest Pro 2 prototype, which was under development and called ‘La Jolla’. It’s unclear at this point if the La Jolla initiative has been resumed or if it has been completely scrapped for a new design.

    Release Timeline and Other Products

    There’s no clear timeline for when the Quest 4 or Quest Pro 2 might be available, nor what their pricing will be. Meanwhile, some reports indicate that Meta could unveil its latest attempt at ‘Smart Glasses’ later this year.

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  • Facebook Bans Linux Posts, Labels FOSS as Cybersecurity Threat

    Facebook Bans Linux Posts, Labels FOSS as Cybersecurity Threat

    With the Valve Steam Deck increasing in popularity, conversations about Linux are booming among PC gamers. However, it seems that Facebook and its parent company, Meta, are not keen on these discussions continuing.

    Ban on Linux Mentions

    DistroWatch, a well-known site that focuses on various Linux topics, has reportedly faced a ban on posts that mention Linux. After DistroWatch appealed to restore its removed content, Facebook reviewed the posts but decided not to reinstate them. Furthermore, a post from Tom’s Hardware suggests that DistroWatch is not the only one experiencing this issue. Other communities and pages have also been shut down, and some users have even had their personal accounts disabled for discussing Linux.

    Reason Behind Removal

    The alleged justification for these removals is that Linux content “may facilitate the sharing, creation or hosting of malicious content.” Initially, it appeared that Linux-related posts would be completely banned. However, posts have been made on DistroWatch’s Facebook page since the ban on January 20. A simple test was conducted by posting a public message containing a DistroWatch link and the word “Linux,” which surprisingly was not taken down. Thus, the exact cause of these bans and removals remains uncertain.

    A Contradictory Situation

    Interestingly, this situation arises just weeks after Mark Zuckerberg of Facebook announced that the platform would ease its content moderation rules to encourage discussions on more “controversial topics.”

    Meta’s community standards outline what constitutes “malicious software” and related issues:

    We prohibit:

    Unauthorized attempts to access accounts, including trying to get into accounts or profiles that don’t belong to you through deceptive means or without permission from the owner.

    Acquiring or asking for another user’s login or sensitive information to gain unauthorized access, which includes tactics like phishing—creating fake communications to trick users into giving private information.

    Attempts to share or create harmful code, which means encouraging users to download files or applications that can compromise their security, like malware, spyware, or ransomware designed to harm systems or steal money.

    Lack of Clarity on Violations

    It’s not clear if DistroWatch’s posts have broken any of these Meta community guidelines, but none of the recent posts appear to be particularly harmful upon initial review.

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  • Indonesia to Enforce Social Media Age Restrictions Soon

    Indonesia to Enforce Social Media Age Restrictions Soon

    Last year, Australia introduced a law to prohibit social media usage for children below the age of 16, enacting it in a matter of months. Major companies in the social media sector, such as Meta, are now exploring ways to implement these new rules. Meanwhile, Indonesia is also taking steps to protect its young users, although it will take some time for the law to be officially enacted. A top official from the communications ministry has indicated that temporary child protection guidelines will be rolled out soon.

    Recent Discussions in Indonesia

    On Monday, President Prabowo Subianto talked about this issue with Meutya Hafid, the communications minister. Hafid mentioned that there will be a minimum age established for social media users shortly, but he didn’t disclose what that age will be. Alexander Sabar, a senior official who communicated with Reuters, stated,

    “What the minister is saying is that the government is aiming for stricter age limit regulations through new laws.”

    As was the case in Australia, the specifics regarding Indonesia’s upcoming measures are not yet clear.

    Protecting Children Online

    Indonesian officials plan to safeguard children from various dangers, whether they be physical, mental, or moral, that can arise from social media, but they aren’t looking to completely ban access. A recent study showed that approximately 50% of children under 12 in Indonesia are using platforms like Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok.

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  • Meta Ends Fact-Checking Program and Eases Content Restrictions

    Meta Ends Fact-Checking Program and Eases Content Restrictions

    Meta has announced a significant overhaul of its content moderation approach for Facebook, Instagram, and Threads. The company is returning to its initial aim of promoting freer expression among users. They will be eliminating their third-party fact-checking system in the U.S. and introducing a new community notes feature, inspired by X’s model.

    New Community Notes System

    Mark Zuckerberg, the CEO of Meta, pointed out that the existing moderation framework has resulted in too many posts being removed—estimations suggest that 10-20 percent of these removals could be errors. The revamped community notes feature will require feedback from users holding diverse perspectives before adding any extra context to posts, which is expected to reduce potential bias in the moderation process.

    Changes to Content Rules

    The adjustments extend beyond just fact-checking. Meta will also remove restrictions on discussions surrounding topics such as immigration and gender identity. In future, the automated moderation system will primarily focus on identifying illegal content and serious violations, including terrorism, child exploitation, drug-related posts, fraud, and scams. Less urgent issues will not be flagged unless users bring them to attention.

    Relocation of Teams and Political Content

    In a significant shift, Meta is relocating its Trust and Safety and Content Moderation teams from California to Texas and other locations across the nation. They are also revising how they manage civic topics, which have been limited since 2021. The platform plans to provide users with more personalized political content based on their interactions, such as clicks and reactions. These updates are anticipated to be implemented in the U.S. over the next few months.

    These alterations represent the most substantial change in Meta’s policies since the initiation of the fact-checking program in 2016, and they could potentially impact how billions of individuals engage with and share content on Meta’s social media platforms.

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  • Nick Clegg Exits Meta; Joel Kaplan Becomes Global Affairs Chief

    Nick Clegg Exits Meta; Joel Kaplan Becomes Global Affairs Chief

    Nick Clegg, who is the president of global affairs at Meta, has declared he will resign to allow his deputy, Joel Kaplan, to take the helm.

    Background of Clegg and Kaplan

    Before his role at Meta, Clegg was the deputy prime minister of the UK and led the Liberal Democrats party. Joel Kaplan, the new president, has been with Meta since 2011, where he managed US public policy. He has a history in politics, having worked under former US President George W. Bush.

    Clegg’s Departure Announcement

    Clegg shared his decision on Facebook, noting it was “the right time” for him to leave. He described his time at Meta as “an adventure of a lifetime!” and recognized the “significant scrutiny and controversy” the company has dealt with during his tenure.

    “I feel proud of the work I’ve done leading and supporting teams throughout the company, ensuring that ongoing innovation can go together with greater transparency and accountability, along with new forms of governance,” stated Clegg.

    Implications of the Leadership Change

    Many observers interpret this change as Meta’s effort to rebuild its relationship with President-Elect Donald Trump, who is set to assume office this month. Trump had been banned from Facebook and Instagram in 2021 after the Capitol riots, but Meta reinstated his accounts in 2023.

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  • Meta Plans On-Screen Display for Ray-Ban Smart Glasses

    Meta Plans On-Screen Display for Ray-Ban Smart Glasses

    Meta is working on enhancing its Ray-Ban smart glasses by integrating a display, as reported by the Financial Times (via Engadget). These glasses have unexpectedly become popular among users and continue to receive updates that introduce additional functionalities.

    Recent Updates

    In April, Meta incorporated the Meta AI assistant into the glasses for users in the US and Canada. Just recently, an update brought features like Live Translations, allowing the Meta AI to view what the users are observing, and integration with the Shazam music recognition app.

    Future Enhancements

    Looking ahead, Meta intends to revamp the glasses by adding a display that will allow users to see notifications or messages directly. Previously, users depended on voice commands to send messages or manage other features of the device through the assistant.

    New Design and Features

    The new displays are expected to be smaller, with Meta aiming to launch the updated glasses in the latter half of 2025. In September, Meta unveiled a concept for Augmented Reality (AR) glasses named Orion, which features micro LED projectors. This design includes seven cameras to monitor hand and eye movements and can project images onto the lenses with a field of view measuring 70 degrees.

    Engadget | Financial Times

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  • Meta to Compensate Australians $50 Million Over Cambridge Analytica

    Meta to Compensate Australians $50 Million Over Cambridge Analytica

    Meta has struck a deal to settle for $50 million with the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) regarding the Cambridge Analytica incident from 2018. This settlement is aimed at compensating Australians whose Facebook data was collected and used for targeted political advertising.

    Breach of Privacy Act

    The OAIC issued a statement, highlighting, "The personal information of some Australian Facebook users was disclosed to the This is Your Digital Life app in violation of the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth)." As part of the agreement, the OAIC will drop the civil penalty proceedings that have been in effect since February 2024.

    Payment Scheme Details

    Meta will implement a payment scheme that will be managed by an independent third-party administrator. The company plans to announce this mediator at the beginning of next year. The compensation will be available for individuals who meet these criteria:

    1) They had a Facebook account from November 2, 2013, to December 17, 2015.

    2) They were in Australia for more than 30 days during that timeframe.

    3) They either installed the This is Your Digital Life app or were friends on Facebook with someone who did.

    Two-Tier Payment System

    There will be two levels within this payment system. The first tier allows individuals to apply for a base payment "if they feel they experienced generalized concern or embarrassment because of the matter." The second tier is for those who can provide evidence of loss or damage due to the incident, making them eligible for a higher compensation amount.

    "Today’s settlement marks the largest payment ever made to address privacy concerns for individuals in Australia," stated Commissioner Elizabeth Tydd in a press release.

    "It signifies a major resolution to the privacy issues raised by the Cambridge Analytica situation, offers affected Australians a chance to seek compensation through Meta’s payment program, and puts an end to a prolonged court process," Tydd further explained.

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  • Meta to Face Spanish Media Trial Scheduled for October 2025

    Meta to Face Spanish Media Trial Scheduled for October 2025

    Spain’s Asociación de Medios de Información (AMI), or the Association of Media Outlets, filed a lawsuit against Meta in December 2023, claiming the company violated EU data protection laws. AMI is taking this legal action on behalf of more than 80 media organizations from Spain.

    Allegations Against Meta

    The media companies argue that Meta holds an unfair edge in the advertising market because it can access user data from platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp to deliver tailored advertisements. According to a report by Fortune, AMI claims that Meta has “systematically” broken the law from May 2018 to July 2023, running personalized ads with “an illegitimately obtained competitive advantage.” EU regulations state that firms must obtain user consent before utilizing their data for advertising purposes.

    Court Dates Set

    A court in Madrid has confirmed the trial dates for October 2025. AMI aims to recover €550 million ($581 million or £456 million) as part of the lawsuit. The trial is scheduled for October 1 and 2, 2025.

    Meta’s Defense

    Meta’s legal team contends that the company has not violated any EU regulations. They assert that Meta does not utilize personal data for its targeted advertising, and therefore, it does not receive any competitive advantage.

    In addition, Spanish radio and television networks have initiated their own lawsuit against Meta on similar claims. They are pursuing €160 million ($169 million or £132 million) in damages.

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  • Australian Social Media Bill: Google and Meta Call for Delay

    Australian Social Media Bill: Google and Meta Call for Delay

    Google and Meta are suggesting that the Australian government should delay passing the new social media bill until a trial on the proposed age-verification systems is completed. This bill, which has generated a lot of debate, is backed by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and aims to enforce a strict prohibition on social media use for individuals under 16.

    Age Verification Concerns

    To enforce this, the government is looking at an age-verification system that could involve biometrics or checking government-issued identification. Many people are unhappy with this proposal, believing it gives the government too much control over access and forces them to share personal identification with social media platforms.

    Rushed Legislation

    As reported by Reuters, the bill was introduced in parliament last week and public feedback was requested for just one day. Independent lawmakers have criticized the government for pushing this bill through parliament too quickly, raising concerns about the lack of thorough discussion.

    Responsibilities of Social Media Platforms

    The legislation also requires social media companies to establish an age-verification system by the end of the year or face significant fines. In their responses to the bill, Google and Meta have called on the government to conduct a trial of the age-verification systems prior to implementation.

    Meta stated in its response, "Without these results, neither the industry nor Australians will grasp the extent or nature of age assurance demanded by the bill, nor the consequences of these actions on Australians." The company also pointed out that, in its current state, "the bill lacks consistency and effectiveness."

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  • Ads Expected on Threads in 2025: What to Know

    Ads Expected on Threads in 2025: What to Know

    While the alternative to X/Twitter, called Bluesky, took over three years to reach 15 million users, Meta’s Threads achieved that milestone in about 10 hours. Although Threads is currently having difficulty reaching the 300 million user mark, it seems that “more than 250 million” users is sufficient to initiate plans for monetization. In mid-2023, Mark Zuckerberg mentioned that Threads has the potential to be the next social network from the company to reach 1 billion users, suggesting that advertising would come after achieving “hundreds of millions,” though he did not specify a clear figure. Recent info suggests that this could happen next year.

    Advertising Plans for Threads

    As per “three sources with direct knowledge of the plans” who talked to the Information, advertising is expected to launch on Threads in early 2025. Last month, Zuckerberg referred to 275 million monthly active users while discussing Threads and its future prospects. The three insiders also noted that only a limited group of advertisers will be allowed on the platform during the initial phase, set to begin in January 2025.

    Future Features and Revenue Expectations

    Conversely, Meta’s CFO Susan Li addressed this topic in a post-earnings call in October, indicating that Threads is not anticipated to be “a significant revenue driver for 2025.” She also shared that the app will receive additional features soon, but unfortunately, she did not reveal any specifics about these new additions. With Facebook currently dealing with numerous scams and questionable advertisements while often enforcing unnecessary censorship on various opinions, Threads could serve as a remedy for these issues. However, it’s possible that Meta could repeat its previous mistakes, leaving us to wonder what 2025 will hold for users of this platform.

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