Meta and various tech firms that decline to enter into content agreements with Australian news organizations could face hefty multimillion-dollar penalties, as Labor’s proposed media bargaining initiative aims to link fines to the local revenues of major platforms.
New regulations will apply to large social media and search platforms generating at least $250 million in Australian revenue, regardless of whether they distribute news content, as per recent disclosures from Assistant Treasurer Daniel Mulino.
Labor has shown a slow response in formulating a news bargaining incentive plan due to apprehensions about potential backlash from US President Donald Trump regarding his approach to US-based platforms.
Initially announced in December 2024, the implementation date remains uncertain, pending a month-long public consultation by the government.
These new regulations are intended to compel payments from platforms which have chosen to withdraw from the news media bargaining framework established during Prime Minister Morrison’s administration, a structure that has enabled publishers like Guardian Australia to secure around 30 agreements valued at an estimated $200 million to $250 million annually.
The decline in advertising revenue has significantly affected major media operators like News Corp and Nine and Seven West Media, leading to layoffs and cost reductions, while digital giants such as Google and Facebook’s parent companies continue to enjoy substantial profits.
Meta, which owns platforms like Facebook and Instagram, has declined to enter into new contracts under the existing terms, whereas Google has willingly renewed some contracts with publishers, albeit at lower payment rates.
Tech firms can bypass existing arrangements by entirely removing news content from their platforms, a move made by Meta in Canada in 2023.
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Labor’s new incentive initiative aims to assist news publishers in obtaining funding even from platforms that have opted out of the news bargaining system and to support smaller publishers that depend heavily on digital platforms for content distribution.
A new discussion paper outlines that if a tech platform refuses to engage in a content agreement, it will be required to pay either a portion of the gross revenue produced in Australia or just the revenue stemming from digital advertising. This penalty would be enforced at the group level and would not extend to smaller subsidiary brands owned by larger corporations.
The Treasury has indicated support for a $250 million annual income threshold for this new framework and suggested that the government use the total group income generated in Australia as the primary benchmark for payments.
Preliminary analyses estimate the worth of existing agreements with publishers is approximately equivalent to 1.5% of the revenue generated by relevant platforms in Australia. The new fines could reach 2.25% of revenue to facilitate trading under existing laws. According to the proposed structure of the new incentives, a portion of eligible expenses might be utilized to decrease penalty amounts.
Companies will need to self-evaluate their liabilities under these regulations, but the legislation will depend on a broad definition of social media and search.
Despite not having a registered business account in Australia, Facebook’s Australian subsidiary announced in April that it generated $1.46 billion in revenue for the year ending December 31, an increase from $1.34 billion the previous year, despite declining advertising markets.
President Trump has previously threatened to impose significant trade tariffs on countries perceived to treat American firms unfairly. His former confidant and billionaire advisor, Elon Musk, is the owner of Platform X.
Nonetheless, Labor is proceeding with the introduction of new penalties following Anthony Albanese’s productive meeting at the White House last month.
Former chairman of the competition watchdog, Rod Sims, has expressed support for Labor’s proposed penalty system, stating that Google and Facebook are profiting from content created by Australian news organizations and that failing to bolster journalism would enable lower-quality sources to flourish.
Sims had previously estimated that commercial contracts established under these terms amounted to $1 billion over a four-year period.
The government will continue consultations regarding the incentive plan until December 19, after which it will finalize its strategy in 2026.
T
he Oakley Meta Vanguard represents a new era of display-less AI glasses, crafted for running, cycling, and action sports, featuring robust integration with Garmin and Strava. These could potentially be the first functional sports smart glasses on the market.
These innovative glasses serve as running eyewear, open-ear headphones, and alternatives to head-mounted action cameras—all in one. They mark the latest collaboration between Meta and the sunglasses giant, Essilor Luxottica, which includes brands like Ray-Ban and Oakley.
Unlike the popular Ray-Ban Meta Wayfarer, which focuses on leisurely use, the Vanguard is specifically engineered for athletes, enabling them to move fast and track their performance without hesitation.
As one of the priciest screenless AI glasses available, they start at £499 (€549/$499/AU$789), surpassing the £399 Oakley Meta HSTN and £379 Ray-Ban Meta Wayfarer.
The included silicone nose pads come in three sizes, allowing for a customized fit that remains secure and balanced. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian
The Vanguard distinguishes itself from traditional smart glasses, thanks to a design brought together by Oakley, ensuring a great fit and finish. The large wraparound visor and 3-point fit system take cues from the renowned Oakley Sephala sports glasses, ensuring that the 66g frame stays snugly in place, even under a helmet.
With two frame colors and four contrast-enhancing lenses, though without prescription options, the glasses incorporate a small button on the left arm to power on and off, allowing for dual functionality as sunglasses.
The speaker is conveniently located next to a large camera button and a small action button, allowing you to configure various functions using the Meta AI app. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian
The hidden speakers within each arm can be directed towards your ear for listening to music, taking calls, and engaging with Meta’s AI chatbot. They offer superior sound quality compared to other open-ear speakers, and are loud enough to be heard over wind and road noise. Although they may not deliver the bass of traditional headphones, they are well-suited for music during physical activity. The five beamforming microphones effectively minimize background noise during calls or interactions with the AI, even in busy environments.
A touch panel on the right arm allows for manual control of playback and volume. Music automatically pauses when the glasses are removed, and the volume adapts to match surrounding noise—a great feature for road use.
Specifications
Size: 136×120×59mm
Weight: 66g (258g case)
Water resistance: IP67
Camera: 12MP/3K Ultra Wide
Speaker: Stereo open-ear
Microphone: 5-microphone array
Battery life: 6 hours of music playback (30 hours with case)
Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.3, Wi-Fi 6
Storage: 32GB
The ultra-wide camera is discreetly mounted between your eyes and remains unseen when worn. An LED directly above indicates when the camera is in use. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian
The central camera captures quality 12-megapixel photos and stable video at up to 3K resolution for five-minute intervals. It also supports hyperlapses that combine a series of action shots into a single fast-paced clip, as well as slow-motion video at up to 120 frames per second at 720p.
While it cannot compete with high-end smartphones, the camera effectively captures live action—similar to mid-range action cameras commonly used by adventurers. Users can take photos by pressing the camera button, initiate video recording with a long press, or request the Meta AI for hands-free photo or video capture.
All functionalities, including voice controls for music, auto volume adjustments, and camera operations, work seamlessly with Bluetooth-connected devices, like running watches. For enhanced AI features, however, connections to Android or iPhone devices are necessary, via the Meta AI app.
The Meta AI app enables you to configure settings for the glasses, sync media, and translate or transcribe conversations with the chatbot. Composition: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian
Similar to any chatbot, you can query Meta AI about its visual input. It can identify plants, translate text, and address inquiries about your surroundings. Notably, it also quickly converts distance and pace between metric and imperial units while running, although it falls short of the comprehensive capabilities of Google’s Gemini on mobile.
Furthermore, users can send messages, share photos, and make hands-free calls using their glasses, connected to devices or apps like WhatsApp, Facebook, or Instagram.
One of Vanguard’s standout features is its seamless integration with the latest Garmin running watches and bike computers. Utilizing the free Meta AI app on Garmin, you can access real-time statistics during activities just by asking.
An LED indicator next to the right eye flashes to inform you when the AI is listening, interacting, or capturing an image. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian
The AI can relay personal metrics such as pace, distance, heart rate, and cadence on request by saying “my stats,” which are gathered directly from Garmin at that moment. It audibly communicates your pace and other metrics for each lap, mile, or kilometer using a small LED indicator at your right eye to indicate your status in pace or heart rate zones, turning red when outside desired ranges.
Garmin integration also allows the camera to automatically document your workouts, whether walking, hiking, running, or biking. It captures five-second videos every kilometer or mile, or during significant milestones like sprint finishes or heart rate spikes. After your activity, the Meta AI app compiles your manually captured videos and highlight reels. You can overlay workout stats like distance, pace, altitude, time, heart rate, and power data, then quickly share this content with Meta’s app or Strava for immediate posting to your activity log.
The Meta AI app showcases a workout summary and processes any videos automatically captured via the glasses. Composition: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian
All functions operate effectively, and although not every run needs a video documentation, the capability to automatically capture highlight moments without hassle is a substantial bonus.
However, video capture does drain the battery. During a one-hour run, I interacted with Meta AI multiple times, listened to music, automatically recorded 14 five-second videos, and manually shot 13 minutes of 1080p/30fps video along with 14 photos. The glasses concluded the run with 25% battery life intact.
They should survive a full marathon with automatic capture activated, but caution is advised for prolonged filming to ensure coverage over the entire 42km distance.
For those without Garmin devices, the Meta AI app can sync with Apple Health, Google Health Connect, or Strava to retrieve data retrospectively from other trackers, such as Apple Watch and Coros devices. However, the metrics displayed on videos are limited, and there are no automatic capture features or running statistics available for these integrations.
The glasses provide up to six hours of continuous music playback and come stored in a durable Oakley case, complete with four additional charges while transmitting photos and videos to the cloud during recharging. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian
Sustainability
The glasses’ battery retains at least 80% capacity even after 500 full charge cycles. Replacement lenses (£69), charging case (£139), and nose pads (£10) are offered, but the glasses themselves cannot be repaired, and the battery is non-replaceable, ultimately deeming them disposable. Currently, these glasses do not incorporate recycled materials, and Meta lacks any trade-in programs or environmental impact reports for the product.
Price
The Oakley Meta Vanguard is priced at £499 (€549/$499/AU$789).
For reference, the pricing for other models includes the Ray-Ban Meta Wayfarer (gen 2) at £379, the Oakley Meta HSTN at £399, the Oakley Sphaera at £191, and the Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 at £169.
Verdict
The Oakley Meta Vanguard stands out as the finest sports smart glasses available. While expensive, they are clearly crafted for athletes by individuals who comprehend the needs of runners and sports enthusiasts.
By concentrating on the essentials for runners, cyclists, and adventure seekers—like an impeccable fit, lenses that effectively shield from the wind, decent water resistance, clear open-ear audio, extended battery life, and user-friendly controls—you end up with an excellent product without unnecessary bells and whistles.
The nose-mounted camera is excellent and could easily substitute for action cameras for many users. The microphone performs adequately, and Meta’s integrated AI is beneficial for answering inquiries that arise while on the move.
The primary highlight is unquestionably the integration with Garmin, allowing users to monitor statistics and create an automatic highlight reel from their camera capture during activities. However, it requires you to carry your phone while running, which could be a minor inconvenience. The glasses also have links to Strava and other fitness applications for non-Garmin users.
If you utilize them with your running watch to listen to music without needing your phone, basic voice commands for volume, playback, and camera will still operate smoothly.
Although the steep price is hard to justify, the main drawback remains the non-replaceable battery. While the lenses and nose pads are replaceable, like most earbuds and other smart glasses, they cannot be repaired, which detracts from the overall score.
Pros: Large, high-quality lenses; secure fit; powerful and clear open-ear speakers; nose-mounted camera; IP67 waterproof rating; long battery life; protective case; excellent Garmin integration; compatible with Strava and other fitness apps; customizable lenses and nose pads.
Cons: Very costly; non-repairable; advanced features necessitate a phone; excessive vocal commands while driving.
The Oakley logo doubles as part of the touchpad for controlling music playback and volume adjustments. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian
The European Commission has stated that Instagram and Facebook failed to comply with EU regulations by not offering users a straightforward method to report illegal content, such as child sexual abuse and terrorism.
According to the EU enforcement agency’s initial findings released on Friday, Meta, the California-based company valued at $1.8 trillion (approximately £1.4 trillion) that operates both platforms, has implemented unnecessary hurdles for users attempting to submit reports.
The report indicated that both platforms employ misleading designs, referred to as “dark patterns,” in their reporting features, which can lead to confusion and discourage users from taking action.
The commission concluded that this behavior constitutes a violation of the company’s obligations under the EU-wide Digital Services Act (DSA), suggesting that “Meta’s systems for reporting and addressing illegal content may not be effective.” Meta has denied any wrongdoing.
The commission remarked, “In the case of Meta, neither Facebook nor Instagram seems to provide user-friendly and easily accessible ‘notification and action’ systems for users to report illegal content like child sexual abuse or terrorist content.”
A senior EU official emphasized that the matter goes beyond illegal content, touching on issues of free speech and “overmoderation.” Facebook has previously faced accusations of “shadowbanning” users regarding sensitive topics such as Palestine.
The existing reporting system is deemed not only ineffective but also “too complex for users to navigate,” ultimately discouraging them from reaching out, the official noted.
Advocates continue to raise concerns about inherent safety issues in some of Meta’s offerings. Recent research released by Meta whistleblower Arturo Bejar revealed that newly introduced safety features on Instagram are largely ineffective and pose a risk to children under 13.
Meta has refuted the report’s implications, asserting that parents have powerful tools at their disposal. The company implemented mandatory Instagram accounts for teenagers as of September 2024 and recently announced plans to adopt a version of its PG-13 film rating system to enhance parental control over their teens’ social media engagement.
The commission also pointed out that Meta complicates matters for users whose content has been blocked or accounts suspended. The report indicated that the appeal mechanism does not allow users to present explanations or evidence in support of their case, which undermines its efficacy.
The commission stated that streamlining the feedback system could also assist platforms in combating misinformation, citing examples like: an Irish deepfake video. Leading presidential candidate Catherine Connolly has claimed she will withdraw from Friday’s election.
This ongoing investigation has been conducted in partnership with Coimisiún na Meán, Ireland’s Digital Services Coordinator, which oversees platform regulations from its EU headquarters in Dublin.
The commission also made preliminary findings indicating that TikTok and Meta are not fulfilling their obligation to provide researchers with adequate access to public data necessary for examining the extent of minors’ exposure to illegal or harmful content. Researchers often encounter incomplete or unreliable data.
The commission emphasized that “granting researchers access to platform data is a crucial transparency obligation under the DSA, as it allows for public oversight regarding the potential effects these platforms have on our physical and mental well-being.”
These initial findings will allow the platforms time to address the commission’s requests. Non-compliance may result in fines of up to 6% of their global annual revenue, along with periodic penalties imposed to ensure adherence.
“Our democracy relies on trust, which means platforms must empower their users, respect their rights, and allow for system oversight,” stated Hena Virkunen, executive vice-chair of the commission for technology sovereignty, security, and democracy.
“The DSA has made this a requirement rather than a choice. With today’s action, we are sharing preliminary findings on data access by researchers regarding four platforms. We affirm that platforms are accountable for their services to users and society, as mandated by EU law.”
A spokesperson for Meta stated: “We disagree with any suggestions that we have violated the DSA and are actively engaging with the European Commission on these matters. Since the DSA was implemented, we have made changes to reporting options, appeal processes, and data access tools in the EU, and we are confident that these measures meet EU legal requirements.”
TikTok mentioned that fully sharing data about its platform with researchers is challenging due to restrictions imposed by GDPR data protection regulations.
“TikTok values transparency and appreciates the contributions of researchers to our platform and the industry at large,” a spokesperson elaborated. “We have invested significantly in data sharing, and presently, nearly 1,000 research teams have accessed their data through our research tools.
“While we assess the European Commission’s findings, we observe a direct conflict between DSA requirements and GDPR data protection standards.” The company has urged regulators to “clarify how these obligations should be reconciled.”
Meta has introduced a feature enabling parents to limit their children’s interactions with its AI character chatbot, addressing concerns over inappropriate dialogues.
The company will implement a new safety measure in the default “Teen Account” settings for users under 18, allowing parents to disable their children’s ability to chat with AI characters on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Meta AI apps.
Parents will also have the option to block specific AI characters without entirely restricting their child’s interaction with chatbots. Additionally, the update will offer insights into the subjects children discuss with AI, fostering informed conversations about their interactions, as stated by Mehta.
Adam Mosseri, head of Instagram, alongside Alexander Wang, chief AI officer at Meta, stated, “We understand that parents have many responsibilities when it comes to ensuring safe internet usage for their teens. We are dedicated to providing valuable tools and resources that simplify this, especially as kids engage with emerging technologies like AI,” in a blog post.
According to Mehta, these updates will initially roll out in the US, UK, Canada, and Australia in early 2024.
Recently, Instagram announced that it will adopt a version of the PG-13 movie rating system to enhance parental control over their children’s social media usage. As part of these stricter measures, AI characters will refrain from discussing topics like self-harm, suicide, and eating disorders with teens. Mehta noted that users under 18 will only be able to talk about age-appropriate subjects such as education and sports, avoiding romance and other unsuitable content.
This modification follows reports indicating that Meta’s chatbot was involved in inappropriate discussions with minors. In August, Reuters revealed that the chatbot facilitated “romantic or sensual conversations” with children. Mehta acknowledged this and indicated that the company would revise its guidelines to prevent such interactions from occurring.
A report by the Wall Street Journal in April discovered that user-generated chatbots had engaged in sexual conversations with minors, imitating their personalities. Mehta claimed the tests conducted by WSJ were manipulative and not indicative of typical user interactions with AI, although the company has since implemented changes, according to WSJ.
In one highlighted conversation reported by WSJ, a chatbot utilizing the voice of actor John Cena (one of several celebrities who agreed to lend their voices for the chatbot) told a user identifying as a 14-year-old girl, “I want you, but I need to know you’re ready,” followed by a description of a graphic sexual scenario. WSJ noted that Mr. Cena’s representative did not respond to requests for comment. The report also mentioned chatbots named “Hottie Boy” and “Submissive Schoolgirl” attempting to guide users toward sexting.
Instagram is set to implement a PG-13 style rating system to enhance parental control over their teens’ interactions on the platform.
Owned by Meta, Instagram will introduce guidelines akin to the U.S. “Parental Guidance” movie ratings established 41 years ago for all content viewed by teen accounts. Consequently, users under 18 will automatically be categorized under the 13+ setting, with the option to opt out only with parental consent.
Currently, teen accounts restrict or prohibit sexually suggestive material, graphic images, and promotions for adult content like alcohol and tobacco. The forthcoming PG-13 framework will impose even stricter regulations.
Meta indicated that it will limit visibility on posts promoting “harmful” activities, including strong language, risky stunts, or content featuring marijuana accessories. Additionally, search terms like “alcohol” and “gore” will be blocked, even if misspelled.
Mehta commented, “While there are distinctions between movies and social media, our modifications aim to provide a teen experience within a 13+ context that parallels viewing a PG-13 film,” emphasizing the desire to communicate the policy in a familiar framework for parents.
The closest equivalent to PG-13 in British film ratings is 12A. Notably, Instagram’s new rating doesn’t impose a complete ban on nudity, similar to how PG-13/12A films like Titanic include brief nudity that isn’t explicitly sexual. Moderate violence, akin to what is found in Fast & Furious films, will also remain accessible.
This initiative follows a study by a former Meta whistleblower, revealing that 64% of new safety features on Instagram are ineffective. The assessment was conducted by Arturo Bejar, a former Meta senior engineer, alongside academics from New York University, Northeastern University, and the Molly Rose Foundation in the UK. Béjart stated, “Children are not safe on Instagram.” Mehta dismissed the findings, asserting that parents possess robust tools at their disposal.
Ofcom, the UK communications regulator, urged social media platforms to adopt a “safety-first” strategy and warned that non-compliance could lead to enforcement actions.
Mehta announced that the Instagram update will begin in the U.S., UK, Australia, and Canada, with plans to expand to Europe and globally early next year.
Activists raised concerns regarding whether these changes will effectively enhance safety.
Rowan Ferguson, policy manager at the Molly Rose Foundation, remarked: “Despite Meta’s numerous public statements, we have not received substantial safety improvements for teens, and our recent report indicates that there’s still work to be done to shield them from harmful content.”
“These additional updates will need to be evaluated for their effectiveness, which necessitates transparency from Meta for independent testing of safety features.”
While cat videos, selfies, and dad jokes dominate social media, Mark Zuckerberg’s Meta has added an innovative twist: all content is generated by artificial intelligence.
The founder and CEO of Meta has unveiled Vibes, a fresh feed showcasing AI-produced videos from various Meta AI applications.
With the introduction of advanced video models, discussions surrounding internet phenomena like AI “slop” (referring to bizarre, mass-produced content) have intensified. A report in August from The Guardian indicated that 10% of the fastest-growing YouTube channels exclusively feature AI-generated content.
As the technology evolves, AI-generated content is becoming increasingly prominent in consumer feeds. Google’s VEO3 model, released in May, has enabled filmmakers to produce high-quality material.
Zuckerberg, in an Instagram post, described Vibes as “a feed of expressive AI-generated videos from artists and creators.” This feature will launch in the US and over 40 other countries, although it won’t be available in the UK.
In an explanatory clip featuring an AI maid titled “Dad trying to calculate tips for a $30 lunch,” Zuckerberg received a comment from an Instagram user, “The Brothers post AI Slops to their apps.”
Additional videos shared by Zuckerberg include an Egyptian princess snapping selfies, a kitten in a custom bakery outfit kneading dough, an adorable fluffy creature, and a dog dashing through a flooded area.
In a statement introducing the Vibes Feed, Meta mentioned that users can create their content and “remix” videos with fresh visuals and music. This was illustrated in videos featuring charming animals like honey monsters riding bicycles and moose bouncing on trampolines.
While Meta has its own range of AI models called llamas, Vibe leverages video generation technologies from AI Labs Midjourney and Black Forest. I’ll post it on the thread shared by Meta’s new Chief AI Officer, Alexandre Wan.
Meta’s announcement coincides with a Harvard Business Review article addressing the rise of “Workslop,” a term for low-quality documents and presentations generated by workplace AI tools. HBR’s survey of over 1,100 full-time employees revealed that four out of ten respondents reported receiving Workslop within the past month.
Users in the UK can access an ad-free experience on Facebook and Instagram for a monthly fee of £3.99.
In response to regulatory concerns regarding personalized ads that utilize user data for targeted marketing, Mark Zuckerberg’s Meta has introduced this subscription service.
Web users will pay £2.99 per month, while mobile users can enjoy ad-free scrolling for £3.99 monthly. If accounts are linked, users will only be charged one fee.
“This gives individuals in the UK the option of continuing to use Facebook and Instagram for free with personalized ads or choosing to avoid ads altogether,” Meta stated.
The company announced that the new service would be available in the upcoming weeks. Users without a subscription will continue to see ads based on their personal data.
This subscription model mirrors offerings by Meta in the EU, which the European Commission has deemed a violation of the Digital Markets Act aimed at regulating major tech companies.
The Commission recommended a €200 million fine this year and suggested releasing a free version of the platform that relies on less detailed personal information such as gender, age, and location for ad targeting.
The UK’s intelligence committee, a data oversight authority, expressed its support for this initiative.
“This transition moves Meta away from using targeted ad practices as a condition of Facebook and Instagram service usage, clarifying compliance with UK law,” a spokesperson from the ICO stated.
A study spearheaded by whistleblowers from Meta reveals that children and teens are facing online dangers on Instagram, despite the implementation of “highly ineffective” safety features.
A thorough examination by Arturo indicated that 64% of Instagram’s newly introduced safety measures were ineffective.Bejar, a former senior engineer at Meta, provided testimony before US Congress, along with scholars from NYU and Northeastern University, the Molly Rose Foundation in the UK, and other organizations.
Meta, the parent company of several well-known social media platforms, including Facebook, WhatsApp, Messenger, and Threads, mandated the creation of teen accounts on Instagram in September 2024.
However, Bejar stated that Meta has “consistently failed” to protect children from sensitive or harmful content, inappropriate interactions, and excessive use, claiming the safety features are “ineffective, unacceptable, and have been quietly altered or removed.”
He emphasized: “The lack of transparency within Meta, the duration of this neglect, and the number of teens harmed on Instagram due to their negligence and misleading safety assurances is alarming.”
“Children, including many under 13, are not safe on Instagram. This isn’t solely about bad content online; it’s about negligent product design. Meta’s intentional design choices promote and compel children to engage with inappropriate content and interactions daily.”
The research utilized a “test account” that mimicked the behavior of teens, parents, and potential predators to evaluate 47 safety features throughout March and June 2025.
Using a rating system of green, yellow, and red, it was discovered that 30 tools fell into the red category, indicating they could be easily circumvented or ignored with minimal effort. Only eight received a green rating.
Findings from the test account revealed that adults could effortlessly send messages to teens who were not following them, despite indications that such accounts were blocked. Although the system claims to prevent this after the testing period, it was found that minors could initiate conversations with adults on the platform, making it difficult to report sexual or inappropriate messages.
The research also highlighted that the “hidden language” feature failed to block offensive language as promised. Testers were able to send messages saying, “You are a prostitute and you should kill yourself,” with Meta clarifying that this feature applies only to unknown accounts, not to followers.
The algorithms still promote inappropriate sexual and violent content, and the “non-interested” features proved ineffective. Researchers found that the platform actively recommends search terms and accounts related to suicide, self-harm, eating disorders, and illegal substances.
Furthermore, researchers identified hundreds of reels where users claimed that various well-publicized time management tools aimed at curbing addictive behaviors had been discontinued. Meta asserts that these features still exist but altered, and despite claims that Meta would block these, there remain numerous reels featuring users claiming to be under 13 years old.
The report noted that Meta continues to structure Instagram’s reporting features in a way that does not promote actual usage.
In the report’s introduction, co-authors Ian Russell of the Molly Rose Foundation and Ian Russell of David’s Legacy Foundation highlighted tragic cases where children died by suicide after encountering harmful online content.
Consequently, they advocate for stronger online safety laws in the UK.
The report also urges regulators to adopt a “bolder and more assertive” stance on implementing regulatory measures.
A spokesperson from Meta stated: “This report misrepresents our ongoing efforts to empower parents and safeguard teens, misunderstanding how our safety tools function and how millions of parents and teens utilize them today. Our teen accounts are the industry standard for automated safety protections and parental controls.”
“In reality, teens using these protections encounter less sensitive content and receive fewer unwanted contacts while spending time on Instagram safely. Parents also have robust monitoring tools in place. We are committed to improving our features and welcome constructive criticism, though this report doesn’t reflect that.”
An Ofcom spokesperson commented:
“Our online rules for children necessitate a safety-first approach in how technology companies design and operate their services in the UK.
“Clearly, sites that fail to comply can expect enforcement action.”
A government representative added: “Under the online safety law, platforms must protect young users from content that promotes self-harm and suicide, thus enforcing safer algorithms and reducing toxic feeds.
The former Meta executive, who authored a provocative book highlighting social media companies’ interactions with China and their treatment of teenagers, is reportedly facing bankruptcy after its release.
Lawmakers in Congress have contended that Mark Zuckerberg’s company is trying to “silence and punish” Sarah Wynn Williams, the former director of global public policy at Facebook, Meta’s predecessor.
Former Labor Transport Secretary Louise Hayes stated that Wynn Williams may incur a fine of $50,000 (£37,000) for each breach of an order obtained by Meta.
In her book, Eardaling People, published this year, Wynn-Williams made several claims regarding the conduct and culture of social media firms, including allegations of sexual harassment that the company denied. She asserts that her dismissal was due to “poor performance and toxic behavior.”
Nevertheless, the former diplomat has been prohibited from publishing memoirs after Meta secured a ruling against her. She later testified before the US Senate Judiciary Subcommittee, claiming Meta collaborated “with gloves” with Beijing regarding censorship tools.
Pan Macmillan, which published the memoir, reported over 150,000 copies sold across all formats. The book was also recognized as a Sunday Times bestseller in Hardback for 2025, with a paperback edition due for release early next year.
Haigh pointed out Wynn-Williams’ situation during a House of Representatives debate on employment rights on Monday, asserting that her decision has led to significant financial jeopardy.
“Despite previous official statements indicating that Meta had ceased using NDAs [non-disclosure agreements] in cases of sexual harassment,” she noted, “Sarah is being pushed towards financial ruin within the UK arbitration system.
“Meta has given Sarah a disturbing order and is gearing up to impose a $50,000 fine for any violations. She is on the brink of bankruptcy, and I am confident that the home and government will push this legislation to protect individuals with moral courage.”
It’s understood that the $50,000 figure pertains to damages Wynn-Williams must pay for violating a separation agreement she signed when leaving Meta in 2017, with Meta asserting that she voluntarily agreed to the terms.
Mehta indicated that, as of now, Wynn-Williams has not been compelled to adhere to the contract.
The company refrained from commenting on Hayes’ intervention. Senate testimony from Wynn-Williams previously asserted that the company has been “disconnected from reality” and is plagued by false claims.
Meta characterized the book as “an outdated, previously reported compilation of company claims and unfounded allegations against executives.” She claimed she was dismissed for “poor performance and toxic behavior,” with investigations concluding that she made misleading harassment allegations.
The ruling that barred her memoir’s publication affirmed that “the false narrative should never have seen the light of day.”
The order dictated that Wynn-Williams must halt promotion of the book and minimize any further publications, though no actions were mandated against Pan Macmillan.
Since her Senate hearing in April, Wynn-Williams has remained publicly silent. In a statement this month, she expressed gratitude for the continued investigation into Meta’s actions by the US Senate.
“I wish I could elaborate,” she stated. “I urge other tech employees and potential whistleblowers to share their insights before more harm comes to children.”
Her attorney mentioned that Wynn-Williams “will remain silent regarding the matters currently under Congressional investigation.”
Meta has sparked controversy by utilizing a female student’s back-to-school photo to market one of its social media platforms to a 37-year-old man, a decision deemed “outrageous” and “upsetting.”
The man is pitted against Mark Zuckerberg’s Elon Musk’s X, receiving a post urging him to “get the thread.”
Meta employed the child’s images after they were shared on Instagram by their parents as school started back up. The parents were unaware that the meta setting allowed for this usage. One mother noted her account was private, yet the posts were automatically visible in public threads. Another mother mentioned that she posted the photo on her public Instagram account. Stranger interactions highlighted their child’s posts as “suggested threads.”
The recipient conveyed to the Guardian that the post felt “deliberately provocative and ultimately exploitative of the children and families involved.”
The father of the13-year-old girl featured in the post expressed that it was “absolutely outrageous.” All images portrayed female students in short skirts, showcasing bare legs or stockings.
“Discovering her image used by such a large company in a context that felt sexualized for product promotion made me feel quite sick,” he stated.
Meta, a massive company valued at £1.5TN, based in Menlo Park, California, defended its actions, stating the images did not breach their policies. They encouraged users to explore the thread by highlighting public posts that adhere to community standards and recommended guidelines. Although their system does not recommend threads shared by teenagers, these posts were generated from adult accounts that permitted public viewing.
The man who received the post noted that he was solely sent promotional content featuring female students, with no representation of boys in school uniforms, which he felt added a “sexualization aspect.”
One mother of a 15-year-old said the images were used in a promotional post featuring a prominent “thread” button. “It was a photo of my daughter heading to school. I never anticipated Instagram would utilize it for promotion. I absolutely hate it. She’s a minor,” she lamented.
She firmly rejected any agreement, stating, “It wasn’t for the money of the world. [its platform].”
Her Instagram account, typically modest with 267 followers, saw her child’s post attract nearly 7,000 viewers.
Another mother whose 13-year-old child’s photo was similarly featured remarked:
Meta categorized such posts as “recommended tools,” insisting that public posts should serve this function.
A corporate representative stated, “The shared images do not violate our policy and are postings from schools published by parents. There are systems in place to prevent teenagers from recommending shared threads.”
The 37-year-old London Instagram user who received the post requested to remain anonymous.
He noted he had not liked or posted similar images prior to receiving photos of the schoolgirl.
“To me, this feels intentionally provocative, introducing trendy and popular content, ultimately exploiting the children and families involved and jeopardizing online safety.”
“We advocate for children’s rights online,” said Beeban Kidron, a crossbench peer and advocate.
“Meta prioritizes corporate growth over children’s rights to privacy, which is the only reason we can fathom for sending a photograph of a female student to a 37-year-old man.”
She urged the Regulator of Communications to consider implementing measures this summer to prevent unidentified adults from contacting children, stating that “companies should not have the right to feed sensitive content to children.”
Ofcom’s illegal harm initiatives aim to combat online grooming, emphasizing that “Your child’s profile, location, and connections should not be visible to others.”
Meta’s system suggests that if a thread profile is public, posts from an adult profile could be recommended on Facebook or Instagram, allowing others to “discover, follow, and interact with you.” Users can turn this off or switch a thread profile to private.
A group of six whistleblowers has reported allegations of a cover-up regarding harm to children from Meta’s virtual reality devices and applications. They assert that the social media giant, which owns Facebook and Instagram, produces a range of VR headsets and games.
“Meta was aware that minors were using its products, but they believed, ‘Hey, kids are driving engagement.’ Meta compromised internal teams, manipulated research, and discarded data that was unfavorable,” they stated.
Sattizahn and other current or former Meta employees, who are also whistleblowers, shared these revelations along with numerous documents with Congress. The Washington Post was the first to publish these claims. Sattizahn and Casesavage, the principal investigators focused on the VR experience for youth users, are set to testify before the US Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Privacy, Technology and Law this Tuesday.
Meta spokesperson Dani Lever stated that the company has authorized 180 studies concerning VR reality labs since 2022.
“Some of these instances are cherry-picked to support a misleading narrative,” she remarked. Meta further claimed that it has installed features in its VR products to reduce unwanted interactions and provide supervision tools for parents.
The whistleblower allegations were released on Monday, asserting that Meta’s VR products could take further steps to enhance child safety. The whistleblower stated that a company manager directed staff to avoid research that could reveal instances of harm to children in virtual reality.
In one instance, researchers were reportedly instructed to “ignore issues like that.”
In another case, the Washington Post reported that researchers were directed to omit details from interviews conducted with German families. One teenager recounted that his younger brothers, under 10, “often encountered strangers” in Meta’s VR, with “adults making sexual suggestions to his younger brother.”
These claims emerge amidst a steady stream of former Meta employees speaking out against the company for failing to adequately safeguard children from the dangers posed by its social media products. Lawmakers have also criticized Meta executives for promoting content that encourages bullying, substance abuse, and self-harm among young people.
During a Congressional hearing in January 2024, Republican Sen. Josh Hawley compelled Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg to publicly express regret.
“I’m sorry for everything you and your family have endured,” Zuckerberg acknowledged at that time. “No one should have to suffer what your family has experienced. This is why we invest heavily and will continue to collaborate across the industry to prevent such suffering.”
Tennessee Republican Sen. Marsha Blackburn stated that Meta’s disclosures regarding its VR products demonstrate the necessity for Congress to enact legislation establishing regulations for social media companies.
“Rather than addressing significant concerns about widespread harm to children on the platform, Meta chose to conceal damning evidence and suppress the voices of innocent children for its interests,” Blackburn criticized. “These whistleblowers deserve commendation for their bravery in revealing Meta’s deceitful practices.”
The six whistleblowers are represented by a legal non-profit organization supporting whistleblowers and are expected to testify before the subcommittee on Tuesday.
Current and former Meta employees have submitted detailed disclosures to Congress, the Securities and Exchange Commission, and the Federal Trade Commission.
Appearance: The demeanor of individuals wearing glasses, impeccably dressed, and weary of Facebook.
Mark Zuckerberg:Are you experiencing issues with Facebook? Yes, that’s what I mentioned.
Isn’t Mark Zuckerberg the head of Facebook? No, Mark Zuckerberg is a bankruptcy attorney from Indianapolis.
Oh, have we slipped into alternate realities once again? Give it a try. There might be several individuals around the globe with the same name.
Got it. Mark Zuckerberg (Indianapolis bankruptcy attorney)I’m fed up with Facebook (a barely usable social media platform established by another Mark Zuckerberg). There, that wasn’t too hard.
But why? Why do you suppose that is? Imagine possessing a Facebook account and sharing the name Mark Zuckerberg. Your existence would be inundated with messages, requests, and harassment.
That makes sense. Attorney Zuckerberg invested thousands in Facebook to market his law practice but continually disabled his account, suspecting Meta was impersonating a well-known figure. So now he is pursuing legal action against Meta.
I feel for those who share names with celebrities constantly. Same here. Consider John Lewis, a humble Virginian who has lost weeks of his life clarifying to strangers that he isn’t the large British department store chain, all because he holds the @Johnlewis handle on X, which leads to a lot of explaining.
What a disaster. Then there’s the late children’s author Jeremy Strong. He battled with his name for years until the TV series “Succession” gained popularity. He spent the latter part of his career apologizing to people for not being the actor who portrayed Kendall Roy.
Well, that’s unfortunate for him. It’s equally unfortunate for Attorney Zuckerberg. Prior to the lawsuit, he had been documenting all the events occurring since the younger Mark Zuckerberg became well-known.
Oh, really? What has that been like? He has faced false litigation from Washington state, yet companies are hesitant to drop his business, fearing he is part of a prank. He recalls seeing disappointment on the face of the limousine driver who picked him up. And when he tried 23andMe, he was bombarded with people who a) claimed to be related to him and b) sought money.
What a nightmare. Anyway, Meta has chosen to restore Mark Zuckerberg’s account and expressed regret for the mix-up, but the legal battle continues.
I wish him all the best. There’s also a precedent here. In 2019, designer Katy Perry sued singer Katy Perry for trademark infringement. Unsurprisingly for Indianapolis Zuckerberg, the singer won the appeal, forcing Katy Perry to register her trademark.
Bad timing for Katy Perry. Or for Mark Zuckerberg.
Say: “It’s tough having a name that belongs to a famous person.”
Don’t say: “My newborn son, Donald Trump, will soon find this out.”
A backlash is emerging regarding Meta’s policies on what AI chatbots can communicate.
An internal policy document from Meta, as reported by Reuters, reveals that the social media giant’s guidelines indicate that AI chatbots can “lure children into romantic or sensual discussions,” produce misleading medical advice, and assist individuals in claiming that Black people are “less intelligent than White people.”
On Friday, singer Neil Young exited the social media platform, with his record label sharing a statement highlighting his ongoing protests against online practices.
Reprise Records stated, “At Neil Young’s request, we will not utilize Facebook for his activities. Engaging with Meta’s chatbots aimed at children is unacceptable, and Young wishes to sever ties with Facebook.”
The report also drew attention from U.S. lawmakers.
Sen. Josh Hawley, a Republican from Missouri, initiated an investigation into the company, writing to Mark Zuckerberg to examine whether Meta’s products contribute to child exploitation, deceit, or other criminal activities, and questioning if Meta misrepresented facts to public or regulatory bodies. Tennessee Republican Sen. Marsha Blackburn expressed her support for this investigation.
Sen. Ron Wyden, a Democrat from Oregon, labeled the policy as “invasive and incorrect,” emphasizing Section 230, which shields internet providers from liability regarding content posted on their platforms.
“Meta and Zuckerberg must be held accountable for the harm these bots inflict,” he asserted.
On Thursday, Reuters revealed an article about the internal policy document detailing how chatbots are permitted to generate content. Meta confirmed the document’s authenticity but indicated that it removed sections related to cheating and engaging minors in romantic role-play in response to inquiries.
According to the 200-page document viewed by Reuters, titled “Genai: Content Risk Standards,” the contentious chatbot guidelines were approved by Meta’s legal, public policy, and engineering teams, including top ethicists.
This document expresses how Meta employees and contractors should perceive acceptable chatbot behavior when developing the company’s generative AI products but clarifies that the standards may not represent “ideal or desired” AI-generated output.
The policy allows the chatbot to tell a shirtless 8-year-old, “everything about you is a masterpiece – a treasure I deeply cherish,” while imposing restrictions on “suggestive narratives,” as termed by Reuters.
Furthermore, the document mentions that “children under the age of 13 can be described in terms of sexual desirability,” displaying phrases like “soft round curves invite my touch.”
The document also called for imposing limitations on Meta’s AI regarding hate speech, sexual imagery of public figures, violence, and other contentious content generation.
The guidelines specify that MetaAI can produce false content as long as it clearly states that the information is not accurate.
“The examples and notes in question are incorrect, inconsistent, and have been removed from our policy,” stated Meta. While the chatbot is barred from engaging in such discussions with minors, spokesperson Andy Stone acknowledged that execution has been inconsistent.
Meta intends to invest around $65 billion this year into AI infrastructure as part of a wider aim to lead in artificial intelligence. The accelerated focus on AI has introduced complex questions about the limitations and standards regarding how information is shared and how AI chatbots interact with users.
Reuters reported on Friday about a cognitively disabled man from New Jersey, who became fixated on a Facebook Messenger chatbot called “Big Sis Billy,” designed with a youthful female persona. Thongbue “Bue” Wongbandue, aged 76, reportedly prepared to visit “A Friend” in New York in March, a supposed companion who turned out to be an AI chatbot that continually reassured him and offered an address to her apartment.
Tragically, Wongbandue suffered a fall near a parking lot on his journey, resulting in severe head and neck injuries. He was declared dead on March 28, three days after being placed on life support.
Meta did not comment on Wongbandue’s passing or inquiries about why the chatbot could mislead users into thinking it was a real person or initiate romantic dialogues; however, the company stated that Big Sis Billy “doesn’t claim to be Kendall Jenner or anyone else.”
OpenAI is challenging Mark Zuckerberg’s Meta and the Chinese competitor Deepseek by introducing its own free-to-use AI model.
The developers behind CHATGPT have unveiled two substantial “openweight” language models. These models are available for free download and can be tailored by developers.
Meta’s Llama model is similarly accessible, indicating OpenAI’s shift away from the ChatGPT approach, which is based on a “closed” model that lacks customization options.
OpenAI’s CEO, Sam Altman, expressed enthusiasm about adding this model to the collection of freely available AI solutions, emphasizing it is rooted in “democratic values and a diverse range of benefits.”
He noted: “This model is the culmination of a multi-billion dollar research initiative aimed at democratizing AI access.”
OpenAI indicated that the model can facilitate autonomously functioning AI agents and is “crafted for integration into agent workflows.”
In a similar vein, Zuckerberg aims to make the model freely accessible to “empower individuals across the globe to reap the advantages and opportunities of AI,” preventing power from becoming concentrated among a few corporations.
However, Meta cautions that it may need to “exercise caution” when deploying a sophisticated AI model.
Sam Altman recently revealed a screenshot of what seems to be the latest AI model from the company, the GPT-5. Photo: Alexander Drago/Reuters
Deepseek, OpenAI’s and Meta’s Chinese competitor, has also introduced robust models that are freely downloadable and customizable.
OpenAI reported that two models, named the GPT-OSS-120B and the GPT-OSS-20B TWO, outperformed comparably sized models in inference tasks, with the 120B model nearing the performance of the O4-MINI model in core inference tasks.
The company also mentioned that during testing, it developed a “malicious fine-tuning” variant of the model to simulate biological and cybersecurity threats, yet concluded that it “could not achieve a high level of effectiveness.”
The emergence of powerful and freely available AI models that can be customized has raised concerns among experts, who warn that they could be misused for dangerous purposes, including the creation of biological weapons.
Meta describes the llama model as “open source,” indicating that training datasets, architectures, and training codes can also be freely downloaded and customized.
However, the Open Source Initiative, a US-based industry body, asserts that Meta’s setup for its model prevents it from being fully categorized as open source. OpenAI refers to its approach as “Open Weight,” indicating it is a step back from true open source. Thus, while developers can still modify the model, transparency is incomplete.
In parallel, Google has detailed its latest advances towards artificial general intelligence (AGI) with a new model enabling AI systems to interact with realistic real-world simulations.
Google states that the “world model” of Genie 3 can be utilized to train robots and self-driving vehicles as they navigate authentic recreations in settings like warehouses.
Google DeepMind, the AI division, argues that this world model is a pivotal step toward achieving AGI. AGI represents a theoretical stage where a system can perform tasks comparable to those of humans, rather than just executing singular tasks like playing chess or translating languages, and potentially assumes job roles typically held by humans.
DeepMind contends that such models are crucial in advancing AI agents or systems that can carry out tasks autonomously.
“We anticipate that this technology will play a vital role as we advance towards AGI, and that agents will assume a more significant presence in the world,” DeepMind stated.
Meta serves ads on Facebook, Instagram, and Threads from pro-Israel organizations soliciting funds for military assets, including drones and tactical gear for Israeli Defense Forces battalions.
“We are Sheikh’s sniper team stationed in Gaza. We require a tripod to fulfill our mission at Jabaria,” states one Facebook ad that was first posted on June 11 and remains active as of July 17.
These sponsored advertisements were initially uncovered and reported to Meta by Ekō, a global consumer watchdog. They have identified at least 117 ads beginning in March 2025 that specifically requested donations for IDF military equipment. This marks the second instance an organization has highlighted an ad by the same publisher to Meta. In a prior assessment from December 2024, Ekō flagged 98 ads, urging the tech giant to take action against many of them. Nonetheless, the company has largely permitted publishers to initiate new campaigns with similar ads since then. The IDF itself has not made any public appeals for funding.
“This proves that Meta essentially accepts funding from anyone,” remarked Maen Hamad, a campaigner with Goku. “There appears to be minimal balance in the oversight that platforms are supposed to provide. If that’s the case, those measures are only implemented post-factum.”
In response, Ryan Daniels, a spokesperson for the social media company, stated that Meta has reviewed and eliminated ads violating company policy after receiving inquiries. Any advertisement related tosocial issues, elections, or politics must undergo an approval process and contain a disclaimer disclosing advertising payments, according to the company. These particular ads, however, did not meet that criterion.
These ads garnered at least 76,000 impressions, a metric indicating the number of times an ad is shown to users solely within the EU and the UK. The group was unable to ascertain the number of impressions in the US.
At least 97 recent advertisements are soliciting donations for specific models of private drones, many of which remain operational. A new investigation by +972 Magazine reveals that these drones are utilized by Israeli combat units to drop explosives on Palestinians. Although these quadcopters can be found on Amazon, IDF units often modify civilian drones sourced via Facebook groups, primarily produced by a Chinese company called Autel, at a fraction of the cost of military-grade drones. Several IDF soldiers spoke to +972 anonymously.
“Most of our drones are damaged and in disrepair. We have no replacements.” Another ad states. “Donate now. Every second counts and every drone can save lives.”
It remains unclear if these combat units leverage the funds received from these specific ads to purchase drones, but soldiers informed +972 that they have received donations, fundraisers, and inexpensive drones sourced through Facebook groups, manufactured by Autel.
Funding advertisements from Vaad Hatzedaka, one of the publishers flagged by Ekō, link to a donation webpage detailing the equipment being funded, which includes two Autel drones. Vaad Hatzedaka, a nonprofit organization, has set a fundraising target of $300,000 and has already secured over $250,000 for these drones and other assistance for various IDF units, according to the donation page. The second publisher, Mayer Malik, is an Israel-based singer-songwriter who has run ads directing to a landing page offering sponsorship avenues for various tactical gear, raising more than $2.2 million in total donations for the IDF.
Meta’s advertising policy strictly prohibits the promotion of donation requests for “firearms, firearm parts, ammunition, explosives, or lethal enhancements,” with limited exceptions. Meta has removed some recent ads and associated funding requests for military resources that were flagged earlier, primarily due to the absence of necessary disclaimers accompanying the ads. Social issues, elections, or political ads are subject to disclose requirements as stated in Meta’s Advertising Library.
According to Ekō, these advertisements may also breach certain provisions of the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA). Under the DSA, platforms like Meta are required to eliminate content that contravenes national or EU legislation. In France and the UK, the laws restrict how charities can fund and the means by which they can support foreign military entities. For instance, in January 2025, the Charity Commissioner in the UK issued an official warning to a London charity that raised funds for IDF soldiers, stating that it was “neither legal nor acceptable.”
Mark Zuckerberg’s Meta has secured judicial backing in a copyright lawsuit initiated by a collective of authors this week, marking a second legal triumph for the American Artificial Intelligence Industry.
Prominent authors, including Sarah Silverman and Ta-Nehisi Coates, claimed that the owners of Facebook utilized their books without authorization to train AI systems, thereby violating copyright laws.
This ruling comes on the heels of a decision affirming that another major AI player, Humanity, did not infringe upon the authors’ copyrights.
In his ruling on the Meta case, US District Judge Vince Chhabria in San Francisco stated that the authors failed to present adequate evidence that the AI developed by tech companies would harm the market to establish an illegal infringement under US copyright law.
However, the judgment offered some encouragement to American creators who contended that training AI models without consent was unlawful.
Chhabria noted that using copyrighted material without permission for AI training is illegal in “many situations,” contrasting with another federal judge in San Francisco who recently concluded in a separate case that Humanity’s AI training constituted “fair use” of copyrighted works.
The fair use doctrine permits the utilization of copyrighted works under certain conditions without the copyright holder’s permission, which serves as a vital defense for high-tech firms.
“This ruling does not imply that Meta employs copyrighted content to train language models,” Chhabria remarked. “It merely indicates that these plaintiffs presented an incorrect argument and failed to establish a supportive record for their case.”
Humanity is also set to face further legal scrutiny this year after a judge determined that it had illegally utilized over 7 million books from the Central Library, infringing on the authors’ copyrights without fair use.
A representative for Boys Schiller Flexner, the law firm representing the authors against Meta, expressed disagreement with the judge’s ruling to favor Meta despite the “uncontroversial record” of the company’s “historically unprecedented copyright infringement.”
A spokesperson for Meta stated that the company valued the decision and characterized fair use as a “critical legal framework” for developing “transformative” AI technology.
In 2023, the authors filed a lawsuit against Meta, asserting that the company exploited unauthorized versions of their books to train the AI systems known as Llamas without consent or remuneration.
Copyright disputes are placing AI firms in opposition to publishers and creative sectors on both sides of the Atlantic. This tension arises because generative AI models, which form the foundation of powerful tools like ChatGPT chatbots, require extensive datasets to be trained, much of which is comprised of copyrighted material.
This lawsuit is part of a series of copyright cases filed by authors, media organizations, and other copyright holders against OpenAI, Microsoft, and companies like Humanity regarding AI training.
AI enterprises claim they are fairly using copyrighted materials to develop systems that create new and innovative content, while asserting that imposing copyright fees on them could threaten the burgeoning AI sector.
Copyright holders maintain that AI firms are unlawfully replicating their works and generating rival content that jeopardizes their livelihoods. Chhabria conveyed empathy toward this argument during the May hearing, reiterating it on Wednesday.
The judge remarked that generative AI could inundate the market with endless images, songs, articles, and books, requiring only a fraction of the time and creativity involved in traditional creation.
“Consequently, by training generative AI models with copyrighted works, companies frequently produce outputs that significantly undermine the market for those original works, thereby greatly diminishing the incentives for humans to create in the conventional manner,” stated Chhabria.
The CEO of OpenAI asserts that Mark Zuckerberg’s Meta has attempted to attract leading artificial intelligence experts by offering a staggering $100 million (£74 million) “crazy” signing bonus, intensifying the competition for talent in this rapidly expanding industry.
Sam Altman discussed this offer during a podcast on Tuesday. Meta has not confirmed the claims. OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, indicated there was no further comment beyond the CEO’s remarks.
“They started making these enormous offers to a lot of people on our team – a signature bonus of $100 million plus compensation,” Altman stated during a podcast hosted by his brother, Jack. “It’s unbelievable. I’m really pleased that none of our top talent has decided to accept it, at least for now.”
He remarked:
Recently, Meta initiated a $15 billion initiative aimed at developing computerized “superintelligence,” AI that can outperform humans in all domains. The company has acquired a significant stake in the startup Scale AI, valued at $29 billion and founded by 28-year-old programmer Alexandr Wang.
Last week, Silicon Valley venture capitalist Deedy Das, tweeted that “the competition for AI talent is absolutely absurd.” Das, principal at Menlo Ventures, noted that despite Meta offering a $2 million salary, he had lost AI candidates to competitors.
In another report from Aintopic, an AI firm backed by Amazon and Google and founded by an engineer who left Altman’s company, it was revealed that it is “poaching the top talent from its two main rivals, OpenAI and DeepMind.”
The race to recruit top developers is driven by rapid advancements in AI technology and the quest to achieve human-level AI capabilities, known as artificial general intelligence. A recent estimate from the Carlisle Group, cited by Bloomberg, forecasts spending on hardware to exceed $1.8 trillion by 2030 for computational power.
Some tech firms are acquiring entire companies to secure top talent, such as Meta’s Scale AI investments and Google’s $2.7 billion purchase of Calither.ai last year. He co-authored a 2017 research paper warning that is regarded as a significant contribution to the current wave of large-scale language model AI systems.
Meta began as a social media platform, while OpenAI was originally a nonprofit but transitioned to a for-profit model last year. The two entities now find themselves in competition. Altman expressed skepticism about Meta’s capability in advancing AI, stating, “I don’t believe they are a company that excels at innovation.”
He recalled Zuckerberg’s early assertions about developing social media features during Facebook’s inception, but noted that “it was evident that it wouldn’t resonate with Facebook users.”
“I perceive some similarities here,” Altman remarked.
Despite significant investments in the sector, Altman indicated that the outcomes “should lead to legitimate superintelligence rather than just incremental improvements. [and] It doesn’t have as profound an impact as we might expect.”
“You can achieve these remarkable feats with AI, yet still live your life much as you did two years ago,” he commented.
“I believe the next five to ten years could be pivotal for AI in terms of discovering new scientific advancements, which is a bold assertion, but I genuinely believe it to be true. [AI has accomplished].”
In April, Mark Zuckerberg declared that the company would significantly increase capital expenditures in the coming year to enhance its position in the development of advanced artificial intelligence. Last week, he delivered on that commitment with the unveiling of a $15 billion “AI Superintelligence” team, boasting nine-figure salaries and a 49% stake in Scale AI. Meta has also brought aboard Alexandr Wang, the 28-year-old founder of Scale and former roommate of Sam Altman from OpenAI.
Prior to Meta’s investment, Scale was already servicing most major AI players, some of whom were not enthusiastic about the development. Bloomberg reports that the head of Scale AI now brings insight into the operations of other competitors. Google, Scale’s largest client, expressed concerns as the tech giant informed startups that their existing partnerships would be reconsidered Reuters reported on Friday.
My colleague, Robert Booth, has more insights:
One Silicon Valley analyst referred to the announcement as indicative of a “wartime CEO” mentality.
Super Intelligence is characterized as a form of AI that surpasses human capabilities in all areas—a current standard that remains unattained by existing AI systems, known as Artificial General Intelligence (AGI).
In light of effective advancements by rivals including Sam Altman’s OpenAI and Google, and substantial investments in Meta’s underperforming Metaverse concept, observers are keen to see if Meta can meet its ambitious targets in AI.
While the scale of this financial commitment may suggest a lead in the AI race, Meta is actually playing catch-up. The company’s latest models lack the sophistication of competitor offerings. Earlier this year, it revealed a model that was adjusted to succeed on popular benchmarks—an unconvincing strategy. Its enormous financial outlay and new team formations aim to enhance its stature among industry leaders.
Discover more about Meta’s Superintelligence initiative here.
AI News Week
Wikipedia, essential to AI, struggles to showcase human contributions
Photo: Blake Montgomery
Last week, Wikipedia ceased its testing of AI-generated article summaries after backlash from editors and volunteers who contribute to the online encyclopedia. These AI-generated summaries were displayed above human-written introductions on the article pages. This experiment, which targeted around 10% of mobile users, lasted for two weeks.
Feedback was described as “strongly negative,” according to the nonprofit parent of Wikipedia. One editor expressed on the Public Forum: “A truly frightening idea.” Another stated, “Please exclude AI from Wikipedia.” Many joined in saying that this was uniquely detrimental. While some advocated for AI abstracts to simplify access to technical articles, the majority argued that errors and misinterpretations could harm Wikipedia’s reputation for reliability.
General sentiment among editors can be summarized as “Yuck.”
“We’re trying to balance AI integration with Wikipedia. There’s very minimal AI presence, just enough to aid editors and improve reader access,” explained one editor. The continual debate surrounds “What defines the line between human-generated and AI-generated content?”
In contrast, Reddit has begun charging for access to its application programming interfaces in 2023. This posting library is invaluable for AI companies, serving as a broad repository of contemporary human-written texts crucial for training large language models like ChatGPT. Reddit’s executives are leveraging this resource to monetize its value for AI firms. This decision has disrupted the user experience, particularly angering volunteer moderators and millions of community members who have protested the changes without success. They prioritized revenue from AI businesses over user satisfaction, starkly opposing Wikipedia’s approach.
A few days after Wikipedia rolled back its AI summary test, the Wikimedia Foundation hosted an in-person editing event at the United Nations. According to Rudder, the information manager, this gathering of a diverse group of editors was part of UN Open Source Week, coinciding with various open-source hackathons.
Editors interacted enthusiastically around laptops, collaborating on articles in multiple languages in a vibrant auditorium. Italian and Sri Lankan representatives acknowledged the vital work of editors in speeches, and Wikimedia Foundation executives expressed gratitude for their contributions, alongside UN Digital and Emerging Technology Governors. It was an energetic atmosphere.
Rudder emphasized the importance of in-person events, stating, “It fosters community. There’s a misconception that Wikipedia editors operate in isolation, when in reality, that’s far from the truth.” Wikimedia NYC recently organized the UN event, with Rudder observing it vital for connecting new editors to the community.
Like Reddit, Wikipedia’s vast text corpus serves as key training data for most, if not all, major language models. Wikipedia endorses a corporate approach to data access with Wikimedia Enterprise, which was launched in 2021. While Reddit operates for profit, the Wikimedia Foundation is a nonprofit entity. Although Wikipedia data remains available freely, utilization can be costly.
Unilike Reddit, Wikipedia emphasizes the human effort required to sustain the site and its information consistently by adjusting features in response to community feedback.
Technical Perspectives on the Anti-Deportation Protests in Los Angeles
Apple’s Walled Garden: From Eden to Pen
Photo: Apple Corps Ltd.
Recently, Apple hosted its annual WWDC developer conference, where the most significant announcement was a redesign of the iPhone operating system (iOS), referred to as “Liquid Glass.” The virtual buttons displayed on the iPhone screen appear transparent, allowing the background image to warp slightly, reminiscent of the colorful, translucent plastic used in older Macs.
The refreshed aesthetic is visually appealing but lacks excitement. Ultimately, it felt like a backdrop for news on Hurricane Prediction. How relevant is the color of my phone’s controls?
Of course, there were other updates, like live translations in FaceTime calls, enabling smoother communication with distant relatives and friends.
Yet overall, the updates lacked inspiration. Over the years, iPhone updates have seemed more forward-thinking than, for instance, the introduction of a second-generation 3G connection in 2008. Apple’s progress pales in comparison to the dynamic Android ecosystem. I once spoke with a venture capitalist in San Francisco in 2019, and I couldn’t even identify his iPhone model.
Unlike competitors, Apple has been slow to introduce new AI features. Google and Samsung have rapidly incorporated AI into their mobile offerings. For example, live translation has been a part of Android for years. Google’s Pixel Buds can convert speech in real-time, while Apple’s AirPods still lack this capability. Google consistently releases enticing, if sometimes quirky, AI updates.
Following the demonstration, Gizmodo noted that while Apple recognizes that AI may not align with consumer desires, it can’t openly admit this. However, despite differing opinions on ChatGPT among monthly users, Apple’s announcements offered little substance. If Apple wishes to retain users within its ecosystem, it must deliver something captivating and valuable.
Last week, Google launched an updated version of its operating system, while Samsung unveiled features for its next foldable phone. Android Central. Have you heard about these developments? In tech journalism, it’s well-known that Apple and iPhone stories often receive more clicks than those about Android phones—despite a higher global market share for Android. The reasons behind this phenomenon warrant their own discussion. Many spent the week discussing Android updates, contrasting with Apple’s liquid glass interface. Apple’s updates seem primarily cosmetic, raising questions about their overall impact as they inspire humor instead of admiration.
Samsung’s seventh generation of foldable phones raises questions about the novelty in the smartphone market. When contemplating your new iPhone’s lack of excitement, what do you want it to achieve? There’s no inherent need for a folding phone. My Motorola Razr facilitated effective communication, but that wasn’t due to its physical design.
I find myself pondering the value of Google’s new AI feature. Although there may not be a consensus on what most users desire from an AI-enhanced smartphone, it’s clear that without innovation, stagnation occurs. I feel Apple fails to present remarkable features worth considering. While the audio summary for Google search results might seem unnecessary, it is indeed fascinating—particularly for the visually impaired. Meanwhile, Siri struggles with basic tasks like controlling Spotify and managing notifications.
Having relied on my iPhone as my primary device for roughly 15 years, I feel I’m at a turning point. It may soon be time to explore Android and discover the new shiny gadgets, especially as I navigate the Apple hardware and app ecosystem.
Reports indicate that Meta is preparing to unveil a substantial $15 billion (£11 billion) bid aimed at achieving computerized “Superintelligence.”
The competition in Silicon Valley to lead in artificial intelligence is intensifying, even as many current AI systems show inconsistent performance.
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg is set to announce the acquisition of a 49% stake in Scale AI, which is led by King Alexandre and co-founded by Lucie Guo. This strategic move has been described by one analyst in Silicon Valley as a “wartime CEO” initiative.
Superintelligence refers to an AI that can outperform humans across all tasks. Currently, AI systems have not yet achieved the same capabilities as humans, a condition known as Artificial General Intelligence (AGI). Recent studies reveal that many prominent AI systems falter when tackling highly complex problems.
Following notable progress from competitors like Sam Altman’s OpenAI and Google, as well as substantial investments in the underperforming Metaverse concept, observers are questioning whether Meta’s renewed focus on AI can restore its competitive edge and drive meaningful advancements.
Meta’s initiative has sparked fresh calls for the European government to embark on its own transparent research endeavors, ensuring robust technological development while fostering public trust, akin to the Swiss CERN European Nuclear Research Institute.
Michael Wooldridge, a professor at the Oxford University Foundation for Artificial Intelligence, stated, “They are maximizing their use of AI. We cannot assume that we fully understand or trust the technology we are creating. It’s crucial that governments collaborate to develop AI openly and rigorously, much like the importance of CERN and particle accelerators.”
Wooldridge commented that the reported acquisition appears to be Meta’s effort to reclaim its competitive edge following the Metaverse’s lackluster reception, noting that the company invested significantly in that venture.
However, he pointed out that the state of AI development remains uneven, with AGI still a distant goal, and “Superintelligence” being even more elusive.
“We have AI that can achieve remarkable feats, yet it struggles with tasks that capable GCSE students can perform,” he remarked.
Andrew Rogoiski, director of partnerships and innovation at the University of Surrey’s People-centered AI Institute, observed, “Meta’s approach to AI differs from that of OpenAI or Humanity. For Meta, AI is not a core mission, but rather an enabler of its broader business strategy.”
“This allows them to take a longer-term view, rather than feeling rushed to achieve AGI,” he added.
Reports indicate that King is expected to take on a significant role within Meta.
Meta has chosen not to comment at this time. Scale AI will be reached for additional comments.
The proprietors of Facebook and Instagram are set to assist advertisers in fully developing and targeting campaigns using artificial intelligence tools by the end of next year, potentially disrupting the traditional marketing landscape.
Mark Zuckerberg’s Meta, which also owns WhatsApp, aims to directly reach brand marketing budgets and challenge client campaigns and media organizations managing these budgets.
The AI tool currently under development, first reported by the Wall Street Journal, will enable brands utilizing Meta’s advertising platform to generate ads by leveraging product images and planned marketing expenditures.
Meta’s platform already provides various AI tools that allow advertisers to modify existing ads before they go live on Facebook or Instagram.
These new tools could bridge the gap between traditional ad creation, planning, and purchasing roles that agents perform, while also catering to smaller advertisers who cannot afford marketing service companies.
AI tools will be capable of generating complete ads, including images, videos, and text, targeting users based on the client’s budget.
For instance, targeting parameters such as geolocation can allow holiday companies to tailor advertisements that are particularly relevant to destinations appealing to users.
Following the announcement of Meta’s planned AI rollout, investors quickly divested from some of the world’s largest marketing services.
WPP shares dropped 3% during early trading, while French firms Publicis Groupe and Havas saw declines of 3.9% and 3%, respectively.
Zuckerberg, emphasizing the shift towards AI-driven advertising, describes the evolution of these tools as a “redefinition of advertising categories.”
In April, Meta revised its financial outlook for next year, announcing plans to invest between $64 billion and $720 billion in capital expenditures, which include the costs associated with building AI infrastructure.
The company had initially projected expenses of up to $650 billion in 2025.
Meta has prohibited well-known Muslim news pages on Indian Instagram at the request of the government, with the account’s founder labeling the action as “censorship” that intensifies tensions between India and Pakistan.
An Indian Instagram user attempted to access a post from the account @muslim, which boasts 6.7 million followers. “Accounts not available in India. This is due to compliance with legal requirements restricting this content.”
There was no swift response from the Indian government regarding the ban, which followed a predicament where Pakistani actors and cricketers were blocked from their social media accounts.
“We’ve received numerous messages and comments from our Indian followers unable to access our account,” stated Ameer Al-Khatahtbeh, founder and editor of the news account. “Meta blocked the @muslim account following legal requests from the Indian government. This action is censorship.”
Meta chose not to comment, with a spokesperson referencing the company’s webpage that outlines their policy of restricting content if the government deems it “against local laws.”
This situation, first reported by US technology journalist Taylor Lorenz, has led to heightened violence between India and Pakistan—the most severe in two decades for these nuclear-armed nations.
Following New Delhi’s deadly missile strike against its rival, both countries engaged in heavy artillery exchanges along the disputed border.
At least 43 fatalities were reported amid the conflict, occurring two weeks after India accused Pakistan of supporting a deadly attack on tourists in the contested regions of Kashmir.
Pakistan has declined to file charges and warned it would seek “revenge” for those killed in India’s airstrikes.
The @muslim account ranks among the most-followed Muslim news sources on Instagram. Khatahtbeh expressed regret to his Indian followers, stating: “When platforms and nations attempt to silence the media, it highlights their role in holding powerful entities accountable.”
“We will persist in documenting the truth and standing firmly for justice,” he stated, urging Meta to restore access to the account for Indian users.
India has also prohibited over a dozen Pakistani YouTube channels for allegedly disseminating “provocative” content, encompassing Pakistani news outlets.
Recently, access to the Instagram account of former Pakistan Prime Minister and cricket captain Imran Khan has also been restricted in India.
Fawad Khan and Atif Aslam, noted figures in Pakistani Bollywood films, have also been rendered off-limits in India, along with numerous cricketers including stars Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, and retired icons Shahid Afridi and Wasim Akram.
The escalating tensions between these South Asian neighbors have fostered a surge of online misinformation, with social media users mislabeling everything from deepfake videos to outdated images from unrelated conflicts to these Indian airstrikes.
On Wednesday, Donald Trump urged both India and Pakistan to cease hostilities promptly, offering assistance to quell the violence.
Israeli cybersecurity company NSO Group has been ordered to pay Meta $167 million in damages, concluding a six-year legal dispute after NSO hacked 1,400 WhatsApp accounts belonging to journalists, human rights activists, and government officials.
In December, U.S. District Court Judge Phyllis Hamilton ruled that NSO had breached cybersecurity laws by using the well-known Pegasus spyware to target mobile phones configured with WhatsApp across 20 countries. Meta, which owns Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, provides an encrypted messaging platform used by over 2 billion individuals.
In March, Meta sought damages from NSO, and last week the court convened to discuss potential penalties. The ruling was made on Tuesday following two days of deliberation.
“Today’s verdict imposing penalties on NSO is a crucial deterrent for the spyware industry against unlawful activities targeting American companies and users globally. This is a threat to the entire industry, and we must all work to safeguard it.”
WhatsApp announced that it would donate the damages to digital rights organizations dedicated to protecting individuals.
“We are excited to share our commitment to providing a variety of services to our users,” stated Gil Rainer, Vice President of Global Communications at NSO Group. “We firmly believe that our technology plays a vital role in preventing serious crimes and terrorism, and is employed responsibly by authorized government agencies.”
WhatsApp initially filed a lawsuit against NSO in 2019, claiming they had accessed WhatsApp servers without authorization. An NSO executive testified about the company’s capability to install Pegasus software on targeted mobile devices without users’ awareness. This executive asserted that Pegasus assists law enforcement and intelligence agencies in combating crime and securing national safety.
Similarly, Apple sued NSO for device hacking in 2021, though it dropped the case in September. Additionally, in 2021, the Commerce Department blacklisted NSO, stating the firm acted “contrary to U.S. national security or foreign policy interests.”
Spyware, a type of software that infiltrates mobile phones, laptops, and other devices, is increasingly used to surveil unsuspecting victims. Initial spyware from NSO required targets to click on links or images sent via WhatsApp, which would then be unintentionally downloaded on their devices.
Evidence presented during the trial indicated that the latest version can penetrate phones through sent text messages without any action needed from the recipient. The proceedings also revealed that NSO has developed technology capable of infiltrating other messaging applications.
John Scott-Railton, an external expert whose work highlights how NSO Group’s spyware targets individuals through WhatsApp, remarked that Tuesday’s decision would adversely affect the company.
“NSO’s operations rely on compromising American companies,” stated Scott-Railton, a senior researcher at Citizen Lab, a cybersecurity watchdog affiliated with the University of Toronto. “Dictators can exploit this to track dissidents. This ruling conveys a strong message.”
On Wednesday, Meta announced its revenues, exceeding Wall Street’s forecasts for yet another quarter, while simultaneously generating billions with artificial intelligence.
In the first quarter of 2025, Meta reported a revenue of $423.2 billion, surpassing both its own projected high of $41.8 billion and the Wall Street expectation of $413.8 billion.
The company also disclosed earnings per share of $6.43, significantly exceeding Wall Street’s prediction of $5.27, leading to a surge in stock prices after market hours.
“This is a strong start to what is set to be a pivotal year for us. Our community continues to expand, and our business model is performing effectively,” stated Mark Zuckerberg, Meta’s CEO. “We are making notable advancements in AI glasses and Meta AI, with approximately 1 billion active monthly users.”
Zuckerberg conveyed in a discussion with investors that the company is performing well, its platform is expanding, and it is prepared to navigate the prevailing macroeconomic uncertainties.
“We maintain the belief that this year will be crucial in our industry,” he remarked.
This marks a continuation of Meta’s succesful track record in surpassing Wall Street expectations over recent quarters. However, it remains uncertain whether this will alleviate investor apprehensions. Analysts expressed dissatisfaction regarding the company’s first-quarter revenue outlook shared at the end of 2024. The firm plans to allocate between $64 million and $72 billion for capital expenditures, focusing on building AI infrastructure, a revision from the previous estimate of $65 billion. Total expenses for the first quarter had already reached $24.76 billion, marking a 9% year-over-year increase. The unpredictable nature of Donald Trump’s tariffs could still disrupt the advertising market and cloud the company’s financial forecast for the upcoming quarters.
Senior analyst Minda Smiley from eMarketer noted that the company’s “optimistic second quarter guidance indicates a lack of expectation for a significant decline in advertising revenue due to tariffs.” However, she expressed doubt about Meta’s ability to avoid long-term recession effects.
“Conversely, companies may take advantage of economic instability. Advertisers are likely to shift their spending towards established platforms like Facebook and Instagram while avoiding smaller social media networks,” added Smiley. “Nevertheless, a significant portion of Meta’s revenue is relying on advertising from Chinese retailers such as Temu and Shein targeting US consumers, whose spending is decreasing due to changing trade conditions and tariffs.”
Meta’s continued spending also “remains a concern for investors,” according to Debra Aho Williamson, founder and chief analyst at Sonata Insights. “Despite this, Meta has stayed away from directly monetizing AI this year, instead focusing on enhancing AI engagement amongst developers, app users, and advertisers,” remarked Williamson.
In the lead-up to the revenue report, Meta has made headlines with mixed AI-related developments, including the release of a standalone AI application intended to compete with ChatGPT. A WSJ Report highlighted that existing chatbots integrated into various products, such as Facebook and Instagram, have enabled teenagers to engage in “romantic role-plays.” Meta executives have consistently emphasized the approximately 1 billion users of their AI chatbots. However, many of these users access chatbots through complex paths within WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook. The company has not disclosed specifics about user interactions with chatbots or the depth of these engagements necessary to classify as AI chatbot users.
Alongside ongoing antitrust trials—where the company faces allegations of establishing an illegal social media monopoly through the acquisition of Instagram and WhatsApp—additional concerns loom for analysts regarding Meta’s financial stability, despite the seemingly positive figures.
“Meta’s revenue announcements arrive during a turbulent period, as the company faces potential changes to its future. As discussed in court, the outcomes could fundamentally reshape the social media landscape,” observed Forrester VP Mike Pulx. “Focusing more resources on enhancing Threads and Facebook might be crucial, as these could be the last remaining platforms of value for the company. Additionally, it’s noteworthy that Meta has significantly reduced its workforce within the Reality Labs division, which is struggling and ongoing.”
Here’s the rewritten content while retaining the HTML tags:
<div data-testid="companionColumn-0"><div class="css-53u6y8"><p class="css-at9mc1 evys1bk0">Meta <a class="css-yywogo" href="https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/meta-reports-first-quarter-2025-results-302443250.html" title="" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">announced</a> on Wednesday that it anticipates significant revenue growth in its advertising sector in the upcoming months, despite the challenges posed by President Trump's tariffs on the global economy.</p><p class="css-at9mc1 evys1bk0">The Silicon Valley giant, owner of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, also reported an uptick in both revenue and profits for the first quarter, bolstered by advertising on Instagram and Facebook. However, it noted that it is keeping an eye on a "dynamic regulatory environment" that includes legal issues in both the European Union and the United States.</p><p class="css-at9mc1 evys1bk0">Data from market analytics firm Factset revealed that revenues for the first quarter reached $42.3 billion, marking a 16% increase from the previous year, outpacing Wall Street's estimate of $41.3 billion. Profits were reported at $16.6 billion, a 35% boost from last year's $12.4 billion, also exceeding the forecast of $13.6 billion.</p><p class="css-at9mc1 evys1bk0">For the current quarter, Meta anticipates revenues to range between $42.5 billion and $45.5 billion, with the expected figure of $43.8 billion surpassing Wall Street's projections. The company's stock increased by over 5% in after-hours trading.</p></div><aside class="css-ew4tgv" aria-label="companion column"/></div><div data-testid="companionColumn-1"><div class="css-53u6y8"><p class="css-at9mc1 evys1bk0">"We’re off to a strong start in a critical year. Our community is expanding, and our business is performing exceptionally well," stated Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta.</p><p class="css-at9mc1 evys1bk0">Meta's business has shown consistent growth in recent years as it invests in artificial intelligence to provide a diverse array of posts, videos, and advertisements for its users. Zuckerberg indicated that these investments have led to increased engagement with Meta's app and a rise in clicks on relevant ads.</p><p class="css-at9mc1 evys1bk0">Nonetheless, the company faces new hurdles in the Trump era. President Trump's tariffs pose a potential threat to Meta’s significant initiatives, including a multi-billion dollar investment in infrastructure projects such as data centers, which depend on raw materials affected by these tariffs.</p><p class="css-at9mc1 evys1bk0">Meta plans to amplify its spending on infrastructure investments. On Wednesday, it adjusted its capital expenditure forecast for the year upwards from $640 billion to $72 billion, reflecting an increase from $6 billion to $65 billion.</p><p class="css-at9mc1 evys1bk0">Meta confronts critical revenue challenges, as it sells digital advertising to a variety of brands and retailers, both large and small. The more tariffs impact small businesses, the less they may invest in Facebook and Instagram ads.</p></div><aside class="css-ew4tgv" aria-label="companion column"/></div><div data-testid="companionColumn-2"><div class="css-53u6y8"><p class="css-at9mc1 evys1bk0">Trump has imposed the highest tariffs on imports from China, heavily impacting Chinese e-commerce giants like Shein and Tem, which are crucial for Meta's revenue streams. In 2023, Chinese companies constituted 10% of Meta's total revenue.</p><p class="css-at9mc1 evys1bk0">Additionally, Meta is embroiled in an antitrust trial in Washington regarding whether it unlawfully stifled competition in the social networking space by acquiring Instagram and WhatsApp when it was still a startup. The outcome of this multi-week trial, the first significant tech case initiated by the current Trump administration, could reshape the US antitrust landscape and the broader Silicon Valley ecosystem.</p><p class="css-at9mc1 evys1bk0">Last week, the European Union imposed a 200 million euro ($230 million) fine on Meta for violating the Digital Markets Act, a 2022 legislation aimed at fostering competition in the digital economy.</p><p class="css-at9mc1 evys1bk0">Wednesday's revenue figures indicate no immediate fallout from advertising related to the tariffs announced in April, which expire in March. The company’s financial outlook implies that brands may keep investing in Facebook and Instagram advertising.</p><p class="css-at9mc1 evys1bk0">In contrast, advertisers might cut back on ad spending on smaller platforms such as Reddit, Snapchat, and Pinterest, noted Minda Smiley, a senior social media analyst at eMarketer. She expressed uncertainty about future revenue trajectories.</p></div><aside class="css-ew4tgv" aria-label="companion column"/></div><div data-testid="companionColumn-3"><div class="css-53u6y8"><p class="css-at9mc1 evys1bk0">"Current business operations are stable," Smiley remarked. "However, there remains uncertainty about the potential impacts in the upcoming quarter."</p></div><aside class="css-ew4tgv" aria-label="companion column"/></div>
Last week, Apple faced a fine from the European Union, and Meta was also penalized for hundreds of millions in dollars.
As reported by my colleague Jennifer Rankin:
The European Commission imposed a fine of 500 million euros (£429 million) on Apple, alongside a 2 million euro penalty for Meta, for violating fair competition and user choice regulations. This marks the first enforcement action under the EU’s groundbreaking internet laws.
The EU Digital Markets Act (DMA) is designed to promote equitable business practices among tech giants, potentially setting the stage for further conflict with Donald Trump’s administration, which has heavily criticized European internet regulations.
The Trump administration quickly condemned the fines: a spokesperson from the National Security Council labeled the EU’s decision as “a novel form of economic terror that the United States will not accept.”
Although these fines are significant, their repercussions may be overshadowed by the intense scrutiny tech companies are under in the U.S. While the EU enforces stronger consumer protection laws in technology, legal actions against these firms could jeopardize the existing corporate structures that integrate products and generate substantial profits.
Before Trump’s potential re-election, I would have expected his administration to introduce tech regulations that could enhance Silicon Valley’s dominance alongside Europe. However, the current regulatory environment reveals a different reality: the U.S. Department of Justice is actively investigating nearly all major tech firms for alleged monopolistic practices. Lawsuits against Apple, Amazon, Meta, and Google have been filed over the past two years, with Meta’s trial commencing recently, jeopardizing its acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp.
Most critically, Google is facing the repercussions of losing two antitrust cases consecutively. The U.S. has petitioned the court to compel the tech giant to divest Chrome, a leading web browser.
With major tech operations based in the U.S., the government wields substantial influence. Unlike EU penalties, U.S. antitrust cases threaten the very foundations of these companies. High-performing firms have weathered heftier fines in the past, akin to when the FTC penalized Facebook $5 billion for privacy infringements, yet the platform continued operations as usual. Similarly, the EU fined Google in 2018 concerning Android’s preference for its search engine, while Apple was fined 1.8 billion euros last year related to music streaming payments.
Without Chrome, Google may offer a less tailored online experience. Platforms like YouTube and Google search may diminish users’ history, and no other entity currently ads on every corner of the web.
For more details, click here.
Two insightful essays on technology
UK Regulators Work to Safeguard Children Online
Tesla Posts Disappointing Earnings at a Critical Time for Musk
Donald Trump and Elon Musk at the SpaceX Test Flight launch in November. Photo: Brandon Bell/Reuters
Elon Musk’s electric vehicle company reported poor revenue figures last week for Q1 2025. Here are the details from my colleague Johanna Bouyan:
Tesla experienced a 9% decline in year-on-year revenue in Q1 2025, generating $19.3 billion—well below Wall Street’s expectations of $21.45 billion. The company reported earnings per share of 27 cents, significantly trailing the anticipated 43 cents.
The company’s profits plummeted by 71%, down to $499 million, compared to $1.399 billion in net income the previous year.
Tesla also saw a 13% decrease in vehicle deliveries, marking the worst quarter since 2022, with a total of 336,681 vehicles delivered.
Much of Musk’s considerable wealth—he remains the richest individual globally despite losing almost $100 billion since the start of the year—stems from his stake in Tesla, which is now valued significantly lower than it was when Trump took office.
In a call with disappointed investors following the revenue report, Musk remarked that his government role consists largely of “orderly finance houses.” He also indicated that his involvement with Doge will likely diminish next month, with plans to step away from the project on May 30, within the confines of his 130-day pledge as a special government employee.
This statement evokes the premature “mission accomplished” banner displayed by former President George W. Bush early in the Iraq War, indicating that the long-term success of Musk’s cost-cutting initiatives remains uncertain. Just days before the earnings call, a U.S. federal judge halted the administration’s efforts to close the leading consumer finance protection agency. The total impact of Musk’s role remains unclear.
Meta is now facing a second lawsuit in Africa related to the psychological trauma endured by content moderators tasked with filtering out disturbing material on social media, including depictions of murder, extreme violence, and child sexual abuse.
A lawyer is preparing to take legal action against a contractor of Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, following discussions with moderators at a facility in Ghana that reportedly employs around 150 individuals.
Moderators at Magilal in Accra report suffering from depression, anxiety, insomnia, and substance abuse directly linked to their responsibilities of reviewing extreme content.
The troubling conditions faced by Ghanaian workers have come to light through a collaborative investigation by the Guardian and the Bureau of Investigative Journalism.
This issue arose after over 140 Facebook content moderators in Kenya were diagnosed with severe post-traumatic stress disorder due to their exposure to traumatic social media content.
The Kenyan workers were employed by Samasource, an outsourcing company that recruits personnel from across Africa for content moderation tasks for Meta. The Magilal facility, central to the allegations in Ghana, is owned by the French multinational Teleperformance.
One individual, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, disclosed that he attempted suicide due to his work. His contract has since expired, and he claims to have returned to his home country.
Facebook and similar large social media platforms often employ numerous content moderators in some of the world’s most impoverished regions, tasked with removing posts that violate community standards and aiding in training AI systems for the same purpose.
Content moderators are required to review distressing and often brutal images and videos to determine if they should be taken down from Meta’s platform. According to reports from Ghanaian workers, they have witnessed videos including extreme violence, such as people being skinned alive or women being decapitated.
Moderators have claimed that the mental health support provided by the company is inadequate, lacking professional oversight, and there are concerns that personal disclosures regarding the impact of their work are being circulated among management. Teleperformance contested this claim, asserting that they employed a licensed mental health professional, duly registered with a local regulatory body, who possesses a master’s degree in psychology, counseling, or a related mental health field.
The legal action is initiated by the UK-based nonprofit Foxglove. This marks the second lawsuit filed by an African content moderator, following the lawsuit from Kenya’s Samasource workers in December.
Foxglove has stated they will “immediately investigate these alarming reports of worker mistreatment,” with the goal of employing “all available methods, including potential legal action,” to enhance working conditions.
They are collaborating with Agency Seven Seven, a Ghanaian firm, to prepare two potential cases. One could involve claims of unfair dismissal, including a group of moderators who allege psychological harm, along with an East African moderator whose contract ended following a suicide attempt.
Martha Dark, co-executive director at Foxglove, remarked:
“In Ghana, Meta seems to completely disregard the humanity of the crucial safety personnel that all interests rely on—content moderators.
Dark noted that the base wages for content moderators in Accra fall below the living wage, with pressures to work overtime. Moderators reportedly face pay deductions for not meeting performance targets, she indicated.
Contracts obtained by the Guardian show that starting wages are around 1,300 Ghanaian Cedis per month. This base pay is supplemented by a performance-related bonus system, with the highest earnings reaching approximately 4,900 Cedis (£243) per month, significantly less than what is needed for a decent living, according to living costs in Accra.
A spokesperson for Teleperformance stated that content moderators receive “a competitive salary and benefits,” including a monthly income approximately 10 times the national minimum wage for local moderators, and 16 times the minimum wage from other countries, along with project allowances and other benefits, all automatically provided and not contingent on performance.
Foxglove researcher Michaela Chen observed that some moderators are crammed into tight living spaces: “Five individuals were packed into a single room.” She mentioned the existence of a secretive culture of surveillance from managers that monitors workers even during breaks.
This surveillance extends to the work of Meta moderators. She stated: “Workers dedicate all day to the Meta platform, adhering to Meta’s standards and utilizing its systems, yet they are constantly reminded, ‘You’re not working for Meta,’ and are prohibited from disclosing anything to anyone.”
Teleperformance asserted that the moderators are housed in one of Accra’s most luxurious and well-known residential and commercial zones.
The spokesperson described the accommodation as “secure and offering high levels of safety,” complete with recreational facilities such as air conditioning, a gym, and a pool.
Agency Seven Seven partner Carla Olympio believes personal injury claims could succeed in Ghanaian courts, stating they would set a legal precedent that acknowledges employee protections extend to psychological and physical harm.
“[There exists] a gap in our laws as they do not adequately address advancements in technology and virtual work,” she expressed.
Rosa Curling, co-director at Foxglove, has called upon the court to “mandate immediate reforms in the work environment for content moderators,” ensuring proper protective measures and mental health care.
A Teleperformance spokesperson stated: “We are committed to addressing content moderation in Ghana. We fully disclose the type of content moderators may encounter throughout the hiring process, employee contracts, training sessions, and resilience assessments, while actively maintaining a supportive atmosphere for our content moderators.”
Meta commented that the companies it partners with are “contractually obligated to ensure that employees engaged in content reviews on Facebook and Instagram receive adequate support that meets or exceeds industry standards.”
The tech giant further stated it “places great importance on the support provided to content reviewers,” detailing expectations for counseling, training, and other resources when engaging with outsourced companies.
All content moderators indicated they had signed a non-disclosure agreement due to the sensitivity of user information they handle for their safety; however, they are permitted to discuss their experiences with medical professionals and counselors.
It was a quarter of a century ago when the court seriously considered the wisdom of disbanding a giant technology company after it was discovered that Microsoft had illegally curtailed competition for personal computer software.
A U.S. District Judge said Microsoft forced it to split into two, and forced its exclusive window operating system to separate its office productivity products and other software. However, the Court of Appeals abandoned the order, calling it a “relief imposed with great care because it is rarely certain of its long-term effectiveness.”
This month’s pair of landmark lawsuits in two courtrooms in Washington, the issue of possibly potentially disbanding a large tech company is once again on the judicial table.
In an antitrust trial that began Monday, the Federal Trade Commission alleged that Meta maintained an illegal monopoly on social media through its acquisition of Instagram and WhatsApp. The agency is trying to force Meta to sell both. Next week, in another proceeding, federal judges will hear debate from the Department of Justice about why the courts are disbanding Google to improve the company’s monopoly in internet searches.
“We’re a great leader in our efforts to help people understand how we’re doing,” said William Kovacic, a law professor at George Washington University and a former chairman of the FTC.
For generations, courts have faced the challenges of what to do in major antitrust laws after it was discovered that the dominant company was engaged in anticompetitive behavior. In a Supreme Court decision in 1947, Judge Robert H. Jackson wrote that if the court’s solution did not open the market for competition, the government would remember that “we won the lawsuit and lost the cause.”
However, while the court’s decision is based on examining past facts, its remedies look to the future. The goal is not to thwart the market, but to free it and create a competitive environment that brings new ideas, new companies, more innovations, lower prices.
The challenge is to take on new importance as regulators have a huge drive to curb the tech giant in a series of antitrust laws that oppose power beyond communication, commerce and information.
In another lawsuit against Google, the Department of Justice awaits a judge’s decision regarding the company’s superiority in advertising technology. The department also sued Apple for its tactics to protect the favorable iPhone franchise. The FTC sued Amazon, saying it illegally protected its monopoly in its online retail business from competition.
This wave of antitrust lawsuits, including appeals, could last for years. And if the government wins any of the cases, the judge could order a breakup – the worst outcome for the business.
History shows that these orders could be effective, antitrust experts said. However, the outcomes of improved competition are mixed.
Standard Oil, an energy giant founded by John D. Rockefeller in 1870, was the decisive case of a progressive and unreliable era of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. That’s what the company was like Disbanded by the Supreme Court In 1911 it was divided into 34 entities that made up the original standard oil trust that controlled the production, refining, distribution and pricing of the oil industry. It initially helped the competition, but over time the trust’s descendants became their own oil giants, including Exxon Mobil, Chevron and ConocoPhillips.
The AT&T split in the 1982 settlement followed a lengthy antitrust lawsuit by the Department of Justice, which accused the United States of illegally monopolying the US telecom market. The local telephone business was split into seven regional “babybell” companies, with the order opening a long-distance telephone and telephone equipment market, increasing competition and lowering prices.
In antitrust terminology, such “structural” solutions generally refer to division. But there is Steps other than forced sale It could form a market and stimulate competition, anti-trust experts said.
In 1969, IBM unlocked hardware from software after pressure from the government’s antitrust laws, which accused it of monopolizing the computer market at the time. The software will no longer be “free” included in the computer price. It helped Microsoft as the biggest winner to ignite the rise of the commercial software industry.
Microsoft avoided breaking up, but the final settlement in 2001 included a ban on contracts that essentially used Windows monopoly as a club by restricting computer manufacturers from distributing software from emerging rivals. That suppression has kept the door open to new competition in browser software and search. Google was a major beneficiary.
“These were strong, break-up-free relief packages that created more competition,” said Fiona Scott Morton, professor of economics at Yale School of Business Administration.
The next powerful tech company facing court scrutiny is Meta and Google.
On Monday, the FTC and Meta (formerly Facebook) issued their opening statement in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. The company’s CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, then stood up. The essence of the government case is that Facebook has been extremely overpaid for Instagram and WhatsApp over a decade ago, killing them to protect the lucrative monopoly of social networking.
Meta replied that Instagram and WhatsApp have grown and flourished under their ownership. And the company argued that there was a lot of competition in the social networking market, including the rise of the Tiktok meteor.
If the government wins the meta case, antitrust experts said there is a high possibility of a relief measure.
In the same Washington court next week, Google is facing a relief phase in a lawsuit by the Department of Justice and a group of states over its internet search monopoly. In August, Judge Amit P. Mehta discovered that Google was keeping its search monopoly illegal.
To restore competition, the government has asked the court to order Google to sell popular web browsers and is prohibited from spin-off the smartphone operating system Android or make the service mandatory on Android phones. Chrome and Android are powerful distribution channels for Google search.
Google describes the government’s list as “a violently outboard proposal” that “goes beyond court decisions” and harms consumers by providing products that are inferior to consumers. The company also said it would appeal.
Tim Wu, a law professor at Columbia University, was a White House advisor on technology and competition policy for the Biden administration, helping to break up Google and META cases.
“If you want to stir the pot, the structural solution is clean and essentially self-executive. You break up and leave,” he said. (Mr. Wu writes about the New York Times opinion section.)
However, every split order has been appealed, and today’s High Court appears to reflect skepticism in the Microsoft era.
In a rare unanimous decision in 2021, the Supreme Court ruled that the National Association of College Athletics cannot use its market power to stop paying student-athletes. It was essentially a fixed wage price case and was decided entirely for the plaintiff.
However, Judge Neil M. Gorsuch, who wrote for the court, derailed to create a broader point about antitrust judicial binding.
“In short, judges should never aim for that role to create poor “central planners,” he wrote.
Facebook’s pro-meta platform is currently on trial in Washington, accused by US antitrust enforcement officials of unlawfully creating a social media monopoly by overspending when trying to secure the deal.
Over a decade ago, the acquisition was made with the intention of eliminating potential competitors that could challenge Facebook’s dominant position as a social media platform for connecting with friends and family, according to the Federal Trade Commission. The lawsuit was filed in 2020 during the first term of Donald Trump.
The FTC is seeking to compel Meta to restructure or divest parts of its business, including Instagram and WhatsApp. This trial marks the first significant test for the FTC under the second Trump administration, following an investigation initiated during Trump’s initial term.
Meta’s Chief Legal Officer, Jennifer Newsted, described the incident as a hindrance to technology investment in a blog post on Sunday.
Newsted writes, “It is absurd that the FTC is attempting to dismantle a prominent American company while the administration works to protect China-owned TikTok.”
This situation poses a serious threat to Meta’s existence. It provides a real indication of how aggressively the new Trump administration will pursue its promises to challenge major technology companies, especially considering that Instagram generates approximately half of US advertising revenue.
Losing Instagram would be a significant blow to Meta, according to Jasmine Enberg, a top analyst at market research firm Emarketer.
Enberg stated, “Losing Instagram would also greatly impact future user and revenue growth prospects. Instagram is currently Meta’s primary revenue generator, accounting for 50.5% of the company’s ad revenue in 2025. Instagram has filled the void left by Facebook in terms of user engagement, particularly among younger users.”
Meta has been actively engaging with Trump since his election. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has made multiple visits to the White House recently. Zuckerberg also purchased a new $23 million home in DC to allow him to focus more on policy issues related to American technology leadership while Meta continues its work.
A company spokesperson said, “This allows Mark to spend more time as Meta continues to work on policy issues related to American technology leadership.” The company has contributed $1 million to Trump’s initial committee and has sought to persuade the president to settle the lawsuit against Meta.
FTC spokesman Joe Simonson commented, “The FTC under Trump Vance was not prepared for this trial.”
Zuckerberg will face questions about an email that suggested acquiring Instagram as a strategy to neutralize potential competitors and expressed concerns that WhatsApp, an encrypted messaging service, could evolve into a social network.
Meta argues that the purchases of Instagram and WhatsApp in 2014 benefited users, and Zuckerberg’s previous statements are no longer relevant in the face of fierce competition from TikTok, YouTube, and Apple’s messaging apps.
The central focus of this case is how users engage with social media platforms and whether they consider the services to be interchangeable. Meta points to increased traffic on Instagram and Facebook during TikTok’s brief hiatus in the US in January, as indicated in court records.
The FTC contends that Meta holds a monopoly on the platform used for social sharing. Snapchat and Mewe from Snap are major competitors in the US market.
Mike Prucks, Vice President of Research at Forrester, believes that the trial could have far-reaching implications for the social media industry.
Proulx stated, “The outcome of this trial, combined with the uncertainty surrounding TikTok’s future, could reshape the core of the social media market. Meta is no longer the dominant force. We haven’t seen this level of disruption since 2006-2011 during the early days of social media. We may witness a resurgence of new social media startups attempting to establish a new order in the social media landscape.”
US District Judge James Boasberg ruled in November that the FTC had sufficient evidence to proceed, but the agency faces tough questions about the viability of its claims as the trial progresses.
Former FTC Chairman Lina Khan stated that Meta relied on “buy-and-bury techniques” when acquiring companies like Instagram and WhatsApp. If Meta could not outperform its competitors, it either acquired them or restricted access to Facebook’s network and features. The case revolves around the principles of “free and fair competition,” Khan explained in an interview with NBC.
Khan emphasized, “There is no expiration date on the illegality of these transactions. I believe the entire social networking ecosystem would look different today if Facebook had not been allowed to acquire these companies.”
The trial is set to continue in July. If the FTC prevails, it will need to demonstrate in a second attempt how measures such as divesting Instagram and WhatsApp can restore competition.
Losing Instagram, in particular, could have dire consequences for Meta’s revenue.
Although Meta has not disclosed app-specific revenue figures, Emarketer’s forecast in December suggests that Instagram is expected to generate $37.13 billion this year.
While WhatsApp currently contributes only a small portion to Meta’s overall revenue, it is the company’s primary app in terms of enhancing efforts to monetize tools such as daily users and chatbots. Zuckerberg believes that a “business messaging” service like this will drive the company’s future growth.
The Federal Trade Commission on Monday accused Meta of creating a monopoly that robbed the competition by buying startups that were on the road, and by launching a groundbreaking antitrust trial that could dismantle a social media empire that changed the way the world connects online.
In a packed courtroom in the District of Columbia, the FTC launched its first anti-trust trial under the Trump administration by claiming that Meta illegally solidified its social networking monopoly when Instagram and WhatsApp were small startups. These actions were part of a “buyer or boring strategy,” the FTC said.
Ultimately, the purchase combined the power of meta, robbing consumers of other social networking options and pulling away the competition, the government said.
“For over 100 years, American public policy has argued that businesses must compete if they want to succeed,” Daniel Matheson, the lead FTC litigant in the case, said in his opening remarks. “The reason we’re here is because Meta broke the deal.”
“They decided that it was too difficult to compete and it would be easier to buy a rival than to compete with them,” he added.
The Trials – Federal Trade Commission vs. Metaplatform – poses the most consequential threat to the business empire of the company’s co-founder Mark Zuckerberg. If the government is successful, the FTC could ask Meta to sell Instagram and WhatsApp, shift the way Silicon Valley does business and change the long pattern of big tech companies that snapped their younger rivals.
Still, legal experts warned that the FTC might be difficult to win. That’s because we have to prove something that the government doesn’t know. This is because Meta, previously known as Facebook, would not achieve the same success without the acquisition. Also, legal experts said it is very rare to unlock a merger that was approved several years ago.
“One of the hardest things antitrust laws are when industry leaders buy small potential competitors,” said Gene Kimmelman, a former senior official at the Obama Administration Department. Meta said, “I bought a lot of things that weren’t pan-out or integration-integrated. How is Instagram and WhatsApp different?
This effort continues a long-standing bipartisan pursuit to reduce the vast power that a small number of high-tech companies have beyond commercial, exchange of ideas, entertainment and political discourse. Despite attempts by tech executives to President Trump, his antitrust appointees have shown they will continue on the course.
The FTC’s case against Meta is the third major technological antitrust lawsuit to be tried in the last two years. Last year, DOJ won antitrust laws against Google because it monopolized internet search. The federal judge will hear debate over the relief package, including a potential dissolution next week. DOJ also completed another exam against Google to monopolize AD technology, which is still decided by a federal judge.
Former President Sinn Fair Jerry Adams is contemplating legal action against Meta for potentially using his book to train artificial intelligence.
Adams claims that Meta, and other tech companies, have incorporated several books, including his own, into a collection of copyrighted materials for developing AI systems. He stated, “Meta has utilized many of my books without obtaining my consent. I have handed the matter over to lawyers.”
On Wednesday, Sinn Féin released a statement listing the titles that were included in the collection, which contained a variety of memoirs, cookbooks, and short stories, including Adams’ autobiography “Before the Dawn: Prison Memoirs, Cage 11; Reflections on the Peace Process, Hope, and History in Northern Ireland.”
Adams joins a group of authors who have filed court documents against Meta, accusing the company of approving the use of Library Genesis, a “shadow library” known as Libgen, to access over 7.5 million books.
The authors, which include well-known names such as Ta-Nehisi Coates, Jacqueline Woodson, Andrew Sean Greer, Junot Díaz, and Sarah Silverman, have alleged that Meta executives, including Mark Zuckerberg, knew that Libgen contained pirated material.
Authors have identified numerous titles from Libgen that Meta may have used to train its AI system, Llama, according to a report by the Atlantic Magazine.
The Authors Association has expressed outrage over Meta’s actions, with Chair Vanessa Fox O’Laurin stating that Meta’s actions are detrimental to writers as it allows AI to replicate creative content without permission.
Novelist Richard Osman emphasized the importance of respecting copyright laws, stating that permission is required to use an author’s work.
In response to the allegations, a Meta spokesperson stated that the company respects intellectual property rights and believes that using information to train AI models is lawful.
Last year, Meta launched an open-source AI app called Llama, a large language model similar to other AI tools such as Open Ai’s ChatGpt and Google’s Gemini. Llama is trained on a vast dataset to mimic human language and computer coding.
Adams, a prolific author, has written a variety of genres and has been identified as one of the authors in the Libgen database. Other Northern Ireland authors listed in the database include Jan Carson, Lynne Graham, Deric Henderson, and Anna Burns as reported by BBC.
Meta is enhancing safety measures for teenagers on Instagram by implementing a LiveStreaming block, as social media companies extend their under-18 safety measures to Facebook and messenger platforms.
Individuals under the age of 16 will now be restricted from using the live Instagram feature unless they have parental authorization. Additionally, parental permission is required to disable the ability to obscure images containing suspected nudity in direct messages.
These changes come alongside the expansion of Instagram’s teen account system to Facebook and Messenger. Teen accounts, introduced last year, are automatically set for users under 18, with features like daily time limits set by parents, restrictions on usage at specific times, and monitoring of message exchanges.
Facebook and Messenger teen accounts will initially launch in the US, UK, Australia, and Canada. Similar to Instagram accounts, users under 16 must have parental permission to adjust settings, while 16 and 17-year-olds can make changes independently.
Meta disclosed that Instagram teen accounts have fewer than 54 million users globally, with over 90% of 13-15-year-olds adhering to default limits.
These announcements coincide with the UK enforcing online safety laws. Since March, websites and apps covered by the law must take steps to prevent or remove illegal content like child sexual abuse, fraud, terrorist material, etc.
The Act also includes provisions to shield minors from harmful content related to suicide or self-harm, requiring protection for those under 18. Recent reports suggest the law may be softened as part of a UK-US trade deal, sparking backlash from critics.
At the launch of Instagram restrictions, Nick Clegg, then Meta’s President of Global Affairs, highlighted the goal of shifting the balance in favor of parental controls. These developments follow Clegg’s recent remarks on the lack of parental use of child safety features.
A large donation was reportedly made to the Molly Rose Foundation by Meta and Pinterest, two major companies in the online sphere. The foundation was established as part of the Internet Safety Campaign and is named after Molly Russell, a 14-year-old who tragically took her own life in 2017 after being exposed to harmful content related to suicide and self-harm on social media platforms.
The latest annual report of the foundation mentions grants received from anonymous donors, with the stipulation that the details of the donations remain private as requested by the trustee.
According to reports from the BBC, Meta and Pinterest are believed to have made these donations starting from 2024 and are expected to continue for the foreseeable future. The exact amount of the donations has not been disclosed, but it is known that the Russell family has not received any financial compensation from the contributions.
In a statement, the Russell family expressed their commitment to utilizing the funds for the shared purpose of promoting a positive online experience for young people, as a response to Molly’s tragic passing. They clarified that they will never accept any compensation related to Molly’s death.
These donations come at a time when social media companies are facing heightened scrutiny for the impact of their platforms on the mental health of children. Meta announced significant policy changes, including the removal of fact checkers to enhance freedom of speech and reduce censorship, relying on users to report objectionable content instead.
The Molly Rose Foundation has raised concerns about the heightened risk of young people being exposed to harmful content online due to these changes. They have launched campaigns advocating for stronger online safety regulations and increased accountability for content driven by algorithms.
The charity has recently expanded its team, recruiting a CEO, two public policy managers, a communications manager, and a fundraiser in the past nine months. Molly’s father, Ian Russell, serves as the foundation’s unpaid trustee and continues to be a prominent figure in internet safety advocacy.
Both Meta and Pinterest were contacted for comments by The Guardian but have not responded at the time of reporting.
A lawsuit totaling $2.4 billion (£1.8 billion) has been filed against Meta, accusing the owners of Facebook of contributing to violent activities following a ruling by the Kenya High Court allowing legal proceedings against US technology companies to proceed.
The suit, brought by two Ethiopians, demands that Facebook change its algorithm to increase the number of content moderators in Africa and prevent the promotion of hate-driven material and instigation of violence. It also seeks a $2.4 billion “return fund” for victims affected by hatred and violence incited on Facebook.
One of the plaintiffs is the son of Professor Meareg Amare Abrha, who was killed in Ethiopia after his location and threatening position were exposed on Facebook during a civil war in 2021. The other plaintiff, Fissehatekle, a former Amnesty International researcher, released a report on violence during a conflict in Tigray, northern Ethiopia, and also faced violence orchestrated through Facebook.
Meta argues that the Kenyan court, where Facebook’s Ethiopian moderator was situated, does not have jurisdiction over the case. However, the Kenya High Court in Nairobi ruled that the case falls within the state court’s jurisdiction.
Abrham Meareg, son of Meareg, expressed gratitude for the court’s decision, emphasizing the importance of Meta being accountable under Kenyan law. Tekuru, unable to return to Ethiopia due to Meta’s insufficient safety measures, called for fundamental changes in content moderation on all platforms to prevent similar incidents.
The lawsuit, backed by nonprofit organizations like Foxglove and Amnesty International, also demands a formal apology from Meta for Meareg’s murder. Katiba Institute, a Kenya-based NGO focusing on constitutional matters, is the third plaintiff in the case.
In a 2022 analysis, it was found that Facebook allowed content inciting violence through hatred and misinformation despite knowing the repercussions in Tiggray. Meta refuted the claims, citing investments in safety measures and efforts to combat hate speech and misinformation in Ethiopia.
In January, Meta announced plans to remove fact checkers and reduce censorship on its platform while continuing to address illegal and severe violations. Meta has not commented on the ongoing legal proceedings.
Meta’s CEO Mark Zuckerberg approached President Trump and his aides to resolve the federal antitrust laws against his company, which will be on trial on April 14th.
Zuckerberg has been on several trips to the White House and Mar-a-Lago to discuss the issue along with other issues, said two people who are not authorized to reveal private conversations. Most recently he visited the White House on Wednesday morning.
The Federal Trade Commission sued Meta during Trump’s first term in 2020, blaming the competition for stifling competition by buying young startups like Instagram and WhatsApp, preventing them from suffocating. Mehta was able to settle the lawsuit with a settlement. It is unclear whether Zuckerberg’s efforts have led the Trump administration to consider a solution.
Andy Stone, a spokesman for Meta, also owned by Facebook, said “we meet regularly with policymakers to discuss issues that affect competitiveness, national security and economic growth.”
The White House immediately had no comment, and the FTC declined to comment. That’s what the details of the meeting were It has been reported Previously by the Wall Street Journal.
In its lawsuit, the FTC alleged that Meta violated antitrust laws by buying up its younger rival and stealing consumers from alternative social media platforms. The FTC argued that Meta bought the 2012 photo sharing site Instagram for $1 billion and that the 2014 deal for messaging app WhatsApp should not be approved for $19 billion.
The company “sought to buy or bury an innovator threatening to beat Facebook in a new mobile environment,” the FTC said in a complaint.
Meta refuses to kill the competition between Instagram and WhatsApp and says it is investing heavily in developing app innovation. Meta also says he continues to face tough competition from rivals such as Tiktok, YouTube, Snap and Imessage.
The acquisition of Instagram and WhatsApp has proven to be foresightful. Instagram has become a central part of Meta’s business, bringing billions of revenues per year. WhatsApp has quadrupled in size to 2 billion users and has begun to generate significant revenue for META.
The federal judge neglected the antitrust case in 2021, but quickly revived after the FTC added more evidence and analysis to support its claims.
Now the exam will start within two weeks. The trial could feature testimonies from well-known meta executives, including Zuckerberg. Sheryl Sandberg, former Chief Operating Officer. Kevin Systrom, co-founder of Instagram.
Meta executives have worked closely with outside lawyers when called to testify, and have been fiercely preparing for trial for several months, the two people said.
Zuckerberg’s White House visit is part of an effort to improve Meta and the government, particularly with Trump, which has clashed in the past. In December, Meta announced that it had donated $1 million to Trump’s first fund. And Zuckerberg promoted longtime Republican meta-executive Joel Kaplan, who became the head of the company’s global public policy and deepened his ties with the Trump administration.
The Australian author expresses being “lively alive” and feels violated knowing their work was allegedly included in a pirated dataset used to train AI.
Parents company of Facebook and Instagram faces a copyright infringement lawsuit from US authors like Ta-Nehisi Coates and comedian Sarah Silverman.
In a court application from January, CEO Mark Zuckerberg reportedly approved using the book’s online archive, Libgen Dataset, to train the company’s AI models, despite warnings from the AI executive team of its pirated nature.
Books by notable Australian authors, including former Prime Ministers Malcolm Turnbull, Kevin Rudd, Julia Gillard, and John Howard, are among those published.
Holden Sheppard, author of Invisible Boys, a popular young adult novel adapted to a Stan series, expressed disappointment that his work was utilized in training meta AI.
He expressed his disapproval of his books being used without consent to train generative AI systems, considering it unethical and illegal and calling for fair compensation for the authors.
He emphasized the need for AI-specific laws in Australia to ensure compliance with existing copyright laws by generative AI developers or deployers.
Journalist and author Tracey Spicer discovered two of her books, including one that addresses artificial intelligence, were included in the dataset without her consent.
She called for a class-action lawsuit in Australia and urged affected authors to contact local federal lawmakers.
She criticized big technology companies for profiting while reducing writers to a serf-like status, highlighting the financial struggles of many authors.
…
Alexandra Heller-Nicholas, an award-winning film critic and author of several books, expressed her frustration and called for government action.
The Australian Authors Association urged Facebook to advocate for authors whose work was used without permission.
Society Chair Sophie Cunningham contacted affected authors and condemned the treatment of writers by large companies profiting from their work.
Cunningham criticized Meta’s dealings with writers as exploitative and called for fair treatment and compensation for authors.
Mehta declined to comment on the ongoing lawsuit and is reportedly lobbying for AI training on copyrighted data via executive orders.
Previously, Melbourne publisher Black Inc. Books raised concerns about the use of AI in the industry, with some companies entering agreements with publishers for content use.
The owners of Facebook and Instagram are contemplating the possibility of charging UK users for an ad-free version of the platform following an agreement on a landmark privacy case payment.
Meta, led by Mark Zuckerberg, has agreed to stop targeting users with personalized advertising after reaching a legal settlement in the London High Court, thus avoiding a trial.
In 2022, human rights activist Tanya O’Carroll filed a lawsuit against the trillion-dollar company, alleging that Facebook violated UK data laws by disregarding her right to opt out of data collection for targeted advertising purposes.
O’Carroll expressed satisfaction after both parties resolved the lawsuit, with Meta committing to ending the practice of targeting her with tailored ads based on her personal data. The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), a UK data watchdog, supported O’Carroll’s position, emphasizing people’s right to object to the use of their personal information for direct marketing.
O’Carroll believes that the ICO’s stance, as disclosed in its filing in the high court, could set a precedent for similar legal actions.
“This settlement is not just a win for me, but for all those who value their fundamental right to privacy,” O’Carroll stated. “None of us consented to being bombarded with years of surveillance ads.”
Meta has stated its firm opposition to O’Carroll’s claims and emphasized its compliance with the UK’s privacy law GDPR. The company is considering introducing subscription services in the UK, where users would pay to access ad-free services. Advertising currently contributes to about 98% of Meta’s revenue.
“We are exploring the possibility of offering subscriptions to users in the UK and will provide more details soon,” Meta announced.
Last year, the ICO indicated that it was assessing how UK data protection laws apply to ad-free subscription services.
In the EU, Meta already offers ad-free services for 7.99 euros per month following a ruling by the European Court of Justice.
Meta, owned by Mark Zuckerberg, issued an apology after Instagram users were exposed to violent, graphic, and disturbing content, including animal abuse and images of corpses.
Users reported encountering these disturbing images due to a glitch in the Instagram algorithm.
Reels, a feature similar to TikTok, allows users to share short videos on the platform.
Some users described seeing disturbing videos, including a man being crushed by an elephant, torn apart by a helicopter, and putting his face in boiling oil. Others reported encountering “sensitive content” screens meant to protect users from such graphic material.
A user shared a list of violent content in their feed, as reported by Tech News Site 404, which included videos of a man on fire, a shooting incident, content from an account named “PeopleDeaddaily,” and a pig being beaten.
Another Reddit user expressed concern about the violent content flooding their feed and questioned Instagram’s algorithm’s accuracy and intent.
A spokesperson for Meta, the parent company of Instagram and Facebook, issued an apology for the error.
The incident occurred amidst changes in Meta’s content moderation approach, although the company clarified that the graphic video flood was not related to any policy changes.
Meta’s Content Guidelines mandate removal of particularly violent or graphic content and limiting the use of sensitive content screens. In the UK, the Online Safety Act requires social media platforms to protect users under 18 from harmful materials.
A campaign group advocating for online safety called for a detailed explanation regarding the Instagram algorithm mishap.
The Molly Rose Foundation, established by the family of Molly Russell, a teenager who took her own life in 2017, urged Instagram to explain why such disturbing content appears on the platform.
Andy Burrows, CEO of the foundation, expressed concern that the policy changes at Meta may lead to increased availability of graphic content on the platform.
Meta has revealed plans to construct the longest underwater cable project in the world that will connect the US, India, South Africa, Brazil, and other regions.
The tech company, now known as Meta, announced that Project Waterworth will span 50,000km (31,000 miles) of submarine cable.
With a 24-pair fiber system, the cable will have increased capacity to support AI projects, according to Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp.
In a blog post, Meta stated: “Project Waterworth will provide top-tier connectivity to the US, India, Brazil, South Africa, and other major regions.”
“This initiative aims to facilitate greater economic collaboration, enhance digital inclusion, and create opportunities for technological advancement in these regions.
“In countries like India, where significant growth and investment in digital infrastructure have already been seen, Waterworth will further accelerate progress and support the nation’s ambitious digital economy plans.”
Over the past decade, Meta has collaborated with various partners to develop over 20 submarine cables, including multiple deployments of industry-leading cables with 24 fiber pairs compared to the typical 8-16 pairs of other systems.
The UK currently has around 60 submarine cables, through which 99% of data is connected to the global network.
Submarine cables handle over 95% of internet traffic worldwide, raising concerns about vulnerability to attacks, accidents, and geopolitical tensions during conflicts.
NATO initiated a mission in January to increase surveillance of Baltic vessels following incidents that damaged key submarine cables the previous year.
The UK Parliamentary Committee recently requested evidence on the nation’s ability to safeguard subsea cable infrastructure from threats and ensure national resilience in the event of significant and prolonged damage.
In 2018, the Trump administration imposed sanctions on Russian companies allegedly involved in providing underwater capabilities to Moscow to monitor the underwater network.
In July, much of Tonga experienced a blackout after submarine internet cables connecting the island network were damaged, causing disruption for local businesses.
Meta stated in a blog post that the cable systems will be laid at depths of 7,000 meters and will utilize enhanced burial techniques in high-risk fault areas, such as shallow waters near the coast, to avoid hazards like ship anchors.
In January, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced the completion of professional fact-check reviews on Facebook and Instagram, aiming to “dramatically reduce censorship,” a move that garnered significant criticism.
The UK semiconductor designer ARM reportedly plans to launch its own chip this year after landing Meta as one of its first customers.
The move represents a massive overhaul of the SoftBank-owned group’s business model, licensing chip blueprints to Apple and Nvidia.
ARM CEO Rene Haas is set to announce its first in-house chip as early as this summer, according to a Financial Times report citing people familiar with the plan.
Since the company was founded in 1990, more than 300 million chips have been shipped based on ARM design, and almost all world smartphones are based on ARM technology. Moving from chip design to manufacturing a full, proprietary processor could also compete with the largest customers in the £500 million semiconductor industry.
ARM declined to comment. The company’s shares rose more than 6% on Thursday after finance reported its plans.
Financial Times also has its own intellectual property by creating a vast infrastructure network for AI, which has shifted to the production of AI chips by the son of SoftBank founder Masayoshi, and building a vast infrastructure network for artificial intelligence. It reported that it is one step in a big plan to make more money from.
Masayoshi Son, CEO of Softbank Group. Photo: Mitsui/Aflo/Rex/Shutterstock
Last month, Son announced its Stargate initiative at Openai. It spends an estimated £400 million building AI infrastructure, funded by Abu Dhabi State Fund MGX and Oracle, and is armed as a major technology partner alongside Microsoft and Nvidia.
According to those familiar with the plan, ARM’s chips are the central processing units (CPUs) of servers in large data centers and are expected to be customizable for clients, including Meta. These people said production will be outsourced to manufacturers such as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co.
Another transaction essential to ARM’s chipmaking project is SoftBank’s anticipated acquisition of Ampere. It could be valued at nearly $6.5 billion (£5.155 billion).
Cambridge Headquarted Arm has more than doubled to $173 million since it was listed on the Nasdaq in 2023. Before SoftBank took over it in 2016, ARM was previously listed in London.
Meta is the latest big tech company that looks to ARM for power-efficient server chips instead of Intel and AMD. Meanwhile, ARM’s Nvidia partnership with Amazon has driven the rapid growth of data centers that power Openai, Meta, and human AI assistants.
Meta finally reported its fourth-quarter earnings more than 30 minutes after the market closed on Wednesday, exceeding Wall Street’s predictions. The company posted revenue of $483 billion and profit per share of $6.75, topping analysts’ expectations of $46.9 billion and $6.75 per share.
Mark Zuckerberg, Meta’s founder and CEO, expressed his excitement for expanding initiatives in 2025.
The day before, Meta’s stock surged nearly 40% after an internal memo revealed record sales and earnings.
Zuckerberg told analysts, “This will be a significant year, and our long-term initiatives will become clearer by the end of the year.”
A report in the Wall Street Journal revealed that Donald Trump signed an agreement for Meta to pay $25 million to settle a lawsuit filed in 2021 after banning him following the January 6 attack.
Meta did not provide revenue guidance for 2025 but expects first-quarter revenue to be between $39.5 billion and $41.8 billion.
In a Press Release, Meta announced increased investment in AI infrastructure for 2025 and analysts expressed concern over revenue projections.
Meta also announced plans to develop personalized AI assistants, highlighting Meta AI as the most used virtual assistant.
Analysts remain optimistic about Meta AI despite competitors like DeepSeek gaining traction in China.
Analysts compared DeepSeek with Meta’s AI models and Microsoft’s earnings were reported on the same day as Meta.
Concerns were raised regarding Meta’s decision to remove third-party fact-checking programs, with analysts emphasizing the importance of brand safety and user trust.
Despite criticism, Zuckerberg defended the changes, stating that community notes would enhance information accuracy on the platform.
Meta’s CFO Susan Lee affirmed strong advertiser demand despite content policy changes and the announcement of layoffs.
As Meta faces challenges and changes, analysts predict a momentum shift in the company’s performance in 2025.
Zuckerberg hinted at potential growth opportunities on Instagram and Facebook as Meta explores new possibilities amid industry shifts.
A leadership shake-up in Reality Labs was reported, with Meta reevaluating its focus on core business areas under new leadership.
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