As we approach the end of 2025, it’s a time for reflection and planning for the new year. Many individuals consider New Year’s resolutions aimed at improving health, diet, and immunity. But how can you tell if these new habits are effective?
It’s crucial to understand that “boosting” your immune system can be misleading; more robust defenses might actually be harmful. Current research indicates that your ability to combat infections can be assessed through specific immune cell measurements. Monitor your “immunity grade” to determine if your body can fend off illness effectively.
However, tests are ineffective without comprehension of what they signify. A diverse gut microbiome is increasingly recognized as essential for health, leading to various DIY fecal tests available today. Unfortunately, there is still no consensus on the beneficial microorganisms that yield high scores. With insights from the Zoe health app, scoring your microbiome health will soon be more accessible, utilizing a scale from 0 to 1000.
That said, it’s vital to approach statistics critically. For instance, body mass index (BMI) is a commonly used health metric, yet it has significant limitations. While BMI is a straightforward calculation of weight relative to height, it fails to differentiate between unhealthy fat gain and healthy increases in muscle or bone mass. Researchers recently proposed a revised definition of obesity, highlighting the need for better indicators of health.
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Boosting your immune system is a misnomer, as excessive immune defense can be harmful. “
This emphasizes two important points: Firstly, if you aim to improve your life, ensure you have the appropriate metrics to measure your progress. There’s little value in resolving to wake up early and exercise if your success is gauged solely by your alarm time. Secondly, scientific understanding is continuously evolving, so it’s essential to stay informed with the latest credible evidence. Rest assured, if you’re reading this, you’re already taking a promising step towards better health.
NASA’s STEREO (Solar-Earth Relations Observatory), the NASA/ESA SOHO (Solar-Heliospheric Observatory), and NASA’s PUNCH (Corona-Heliosphere Integrating Polarimeter) missions had the extraordinary capability to observe sky regions near the Sun, enabling them to monitor 3I/ATLAS as it traversed behind the Sun from Earth’s perspective.
3I/ATLAS moves at an incredible speed of 209,000 km (130,000 miles) per hour, visualized through a series of colorized stacked images captured from September 11 to 25, 2025, using the Heliocentric Imager-1 instrument aboard NASA’s STEREO-A spacecraft. Image credit: NASA / Lowell Observatory / Qicheng Zhang.
STEREO monitored the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS between September 11 and October 2, 2025.
The mission aims to examine solar activity and its effects on the entire solar system and is part of a collection of NASA spacecraft studying comets, offering insights on their size, physical characteristics, and chemical makeup.
Initially, it was believed that comet 3I/ATLAS would be too dim for STEREO’s instruments, but advanced image processing using the visible-light telescope Heliospheric Imager-1 and the stacking of images revealed 3I/ATLAS effectively.
By overlaying multiple exposures, distinct images were produced, showing the comet slightly brighter at the center.
This image of 3I/ATLAS combines observations from the NASA/ESA SOHO mission between October 15 and 26, 2025. Image credit: NASA / ESA / Lowell Observatory / Qicheng Zhang.
The SOHO spacecraft managed to catch a glimpse of 3I/ATLAS from October 15 to 26, 2025.
During this time frame, the LASCO instrument suite onboard SOHO identified comets crossing its observation area from around 358 million km (222 million miles) away, which is more than twice Earth’s distance from the Sun.
SOHO orbits at Sun-Earth Lagrange Point 1, a gravitational equilibrium point approximately 1.6 million km (1 million miles) closer to the Sun along the Sun-Earth axis.
Members of the SOHO team also utilized stacking techniques to create images of 3I/ATLAS.
In this image, 3I/ATLAS is clearly visible as a bright object in the center, created by consolidating observations from NASA’s PUNCH mission conducted from September 20 to October 3, 2025. Image credit: NASA/Southwest Research Institute.
The PUNCH mission observed 3I/ATLAS from September 20 to October 3, 2025.
These observations indicated that the comet’s tail extended slightly to the lower right.
During this period, the comet was so dim that the PUNCH team was uncertain if the spacecraft would be able to detect it well, given its primary focus on studying the Sun’s atmosphere and solar wind rather than comets.
However, by collecting multiple observations, 3I/ATLAS and its tail became distinctly visible.
“We’re truly pushing the limits of this system,” stated Dr. Kevin Walsh, a planetary scientist at the Southwest Research Institute who led the PUNCH observations of comets.
Clocking in at 2 minutes and 45 seconds, the length is comparable to “With a Little Help From My Friends.” However, Paul McCartney’s latest release, his first new recording in five years, lacks the sing-alongs and lively guitar riffs typical of his earlier work.
The legendary Beatles member, arguably one of Britain’s most esteemed living songwriters, is unveiling a largely silent track from a recording studio. This release serves as a statement against copyright infringement by AI companies within the music industry.
Rather than showcasing a catchy tune or evocative lyrics, the track predominantly features a soft hiss and unusual sounds. This arrangement underlines the concern that if AI firms utilize musicians’ intellectual property for training generative AI models, it may lead to the erosion of the creative ecosystem and eventual silencing of original music.
Currently 83 and touring in North America, McCartney has placed this song on the B-side of his upcoming album. Is this what we want? is a collection of other silent tracks, set to be released on vinyl later this month.
Mr. McCartney’s contribution comes as musicians and artists intensify their efforts to urge the UK government to prevent tech companies from training AI models using their creative work without consent or royalty payments. This is especially pressing as Britain faces regulatory pressure from former President Donald Trump’s administration.
The album’s tracklist asserts, “The UK government must not legalize music theft for the benefit of AI companies.”
Ed Newton-Rex, a composer and advocate for copyright justice involved with the protest album, expressed his concern that the government is prioritizing the interests of American tech companies over those of British creators.
Among the artists backing this campaign are Sam Fender, Kate Bush, Hans Zimmer, and Pet Shop Boys.
McCartney’s new piece is titled (Bonus Track), and like his classic songs, it comprises a beginning, middle, and end. It opens with 55 seconds of tape hiss, transitions into 15 seconds of indistinguishable clattering, perhaps caused by someone moving about with a door ajar, and concludes with 80 seconds of rustling and intermittent hiss, fading out slowly and emotionally.
Mr. McCartney stands as a prominent voice in British music voicing concerns regarding the government’s efforts to establish new agreements between creative professionals and AI companies like OpenAI, Google, Anthropic, and Elon Musk’s xAI, which require access to extensive training data, including text, images, and music.
“We risk having it hijacked, which is a concern, particularly for emerging composers and writers,” McCartney remarked about AI. “It would indeed be disheartening if AI wiped out creativity.” Bush, another artist on the protest album, expressed, “Will our voices not resonate in the music of the future?” Composer Max Richter added, “The government’s proposals would diminish creators, privileging those who automate creativity over true artists, writers, and visual creators.”
The government is assessing the possibility of creating an exception in UK copyright law for “text and data mining,” potentially compelling copyright owners to actively opt out if they don’t wish to have their works used for AI training. Ministers are striving to balance the interests of the creative sectors, contributing £125bn annually to the UK economy, against the demands of US tech companies advocating for minimal regulation, especially when they’ve recently announced over £30bn of investment primarily targeting data centers.
Legislation regarding AI and copyright is not anticipated to be discussed in Congress until 2026. In the interim, the government is collaborating with Open AI, Google, and human to promote AI adoption within governmental functions and the economy.
Mr. Trump has stated, “We must allow AI to utilize it.” He noted, “We can gather insights without engaging in complex contract negotiations,” urging international governments “not to implement regulations that hinder” AI companies from operating effectively.
“The government is attempting to navigate both interests,” copyright advocate and director Bivan Kidron told the Guardian. “They have demonstrated an inability to govern with the financial interests of creators in mind.”
A government representative stated that Liz Kendall, the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, is committed to finding a balance between AI and the creative sectors, declaring, “We recognize both of these sectors are vital to the UK’s success and are engaging with both parties.”
Concerns were voiced following Kendall’s appointment of a special adviser in September, who previously argued that “regardless of philosophical beliefs about whether AI firms should compensate content creators, there is currently no legal obligation for them to do so.”
In response to Mr. McCartney’s remarks, a government spokesperson affirmed that the government prioritizes the interests of the British public and businesses.
“We have consistently emphasized the importance of collaborating with both the creative industries and the AI sector to foster AI innovation while ensuring robust safeguards for creators,” the statement read.
“We’re gathering insights from both UK and international companies and voices in the AI and creative industries to ensure we consider the broadest possible spectrum of expert opinions as we deliberate on our next steps.”
Citroën Racing Formula E car during pre-season testing for the 2025-26 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship
Independent photo agency/Alamy
With their sleek designs, smoking tires, and throaty engines, Formula 1 cars have dominated the speed charts for the last five decades. However, the rise of electric racing has the potential to shift that paradigm, especially as advancements in technology propel Formula E vehicles forward.
Formula E recently introduced its fourth-generation vehicle, capable of generating up to 600 kilowatts, equating to about 815 horsepower, enabling speeds of over 350 kilometers per hour. 320km/h has already been achieved.
Despite Formula 1’s current edge with top speeds exceeding 370 km/h, Formula E vehicles already demonstrate a 30% faster acceleration than their F1 counterparts, with the existing third generation capable of sprinting from 0 to 60 mph in just 1.82 seconds. As power and energy retention technology evolves, Formula E CEO Geoff Dodds anticipates that races on tracks such as Silverstone and Monte Carlo will showcase even faster speeds.
“In the upcoming years, this vehicle may equal or even surpass the speed of an F1 car,” Dodds stated. “It’s more about the principles of physics than our skill.”
A significant advantage lies in the exceptional efficiency of electric motors. In consumer electric vehicles like Tesla, Kona, and Ioniq, up to 90% of the energy used is efficiently directed towards movement. In contrast, conventional combustion engines, such as those in F1, lose roughly 25 percent of energy as heat, while F1’s hybrid motors waste around 50 percent. Conversely, Formula E cars achieve energy efficiency rates of 96%, largely due to regenerative braking systems that recharge the battery.
Electric motors deliver maximum torque instantly, eliminating the lag associated with gear shifts during acceleration. The fourth-generation Formula E cars utilize permanent all-wheel drive with distinct motors for each axle, enhancing acceleration, subject to the grip of the still-developing fourth-generation tires.
A notable challenge for Formula E is its battery technology. At the outset of the series in 2014, competitors had to switch vehicles mid-race to complete the distance. Sylvain Filippi, director of Envision Racing Team, remarks that Formula E could currently construct vehicles boasting 1,000 horsepower, surpassing F1’s capabilities for a single lap, but the battery limitations hinder such performance across numerous race laps.
“We’re not yet able to fit 80 liters of fuel equivalent into a single battery. It simply doesn’t exist,” Filippi elaborated. “The advantage of conventional fuel lies in its high energy density.”
Formula E Gen 4 cars can exceed speeds of 350 kilometers per hour
Formula E
Formula E aims to transition from liquid lithium-ion batteries to solid-state alternatives in its upcoming fifth-generation vehicles, which promise reduced weight and enhanced energy storage. This advancement could potentially enable Formula E cars to outperform Formula 1 in direct competitions, according to Dodds.
Nonetheless, even solid-state batteries struggle to match the energy density of liquid fuels, suggesting that F1 may maintain an advantage in race laps, as noted by Daniel Auger, PhD from Cranfield University in the UK.
“They’re definitely in for an exciting contest,” he remarked. “Yet, it’s likely that battery limitations will still play a significant role.”
However, this debate may remain purely theoretical, as the two racing formats adhere to different regulations. For instance, Formula E does not permit tire changes during pit stops and features “Attack Mode” functionality, inspired by power-ups from the Mario Kart series.
Brands such as Porsche, Jaguar, and Nissan are now focused on refining the powertrain and energy management systems of their fourth-generation vehicles to maximize performance ahead of their race introduction scheduled for December 2026.
Many of the technological developments from Formula E might also trickle down to consumer electric vehicles. For instance, the current Porsche Cayenne Electric incorporates direct oil cooling technology that originated in Formula E.
The performance metrics of Formula E “demonstrate the capability of electric vehicles to equal or surpass the performance of traditional internal combustion engines,” insists Graham Evans from S&P Global. “Moreover, this can be achieved with a stronger commitment to environmental sustainability.”
F1 enthusiasts know the excitement surrounding the annual release of the officially licensed games. Luckily, F1 25, developed by Codemasters in Birmingham, continues this tradition. Players can look forward to the return of the story mode, Brake Points, enhancements in My Team, the ever-popular career mode, and an intriguing partnership with F1: Film. Perhaps the most exciting feature is the option to race three tracks in reverse direction alongside the standard layout.
F1 25 feels like a culmination of prior advancements. For instance, last year’s F1 24 introduced a new physics model that underwent refinement post-launch; it is now fully optimized for improved car handling and tire wear, complemented by stunning graphics, as Codemasters transitions to this year’s advanced console.
Stunning graphics… F1 25. Photo: Electronic Arts
This advancement allows the company to explore fantasy elements that diverge from reality. One notable feature is the narrative surrounding the fictional Conor sports team, which unfolds across 15 chapters filled with engaging soap opera-style storylines and varied racing actions.
At its core, the beloved career mode, My Team, has upped the management aspect by placing you in the role of a new team owner, which has garnered considerable focus from Codemasters. This installment requires you to select one of your two hired drivers to stay in the corporate lane, making strategic driving choices more impactful than ever. In a similar vein, new parts must be assigned to specific drivers, enhancing the authenticity and realism of the gameplay, as emphasized by Codemasters.
As always, you can take your skills online, challenge opponents under varied standards, and engage in split-screen play with friends. A new addition, the Challenge Career mode, allows for timed scenarios offline, enabling players to compete globally on leaderboards. While this feature aims at pushing you beyond your comfort zone, its benefits will only be fully realized post-launch. Notably, scenarios from F1: Film will be available as post-release episodes, giving players an opportunity to experience the thrill of driving a Formula One car, as portrayed by Brad Pitt in his role as a fictional racer.
For fans of Formula One, there’s an exciting opportunity to experience the Red Bull Ring, Silverstone, Zandvoort, and Austria in reverse, with modifications made to accommodate new pit lanes. This reversal adds a completely fresh and engaging twist to the racing experience.
With real-world regulations evolving and significantly impacting car performance, Formula One appears to be at the pinnacle of its era, and F1 25 beautifully exemplifies this, blending a captivating mix of nail-biting realism with fantastical elements. F1 25? The peak of F1.
TThe first time Terry Vandenbos saw a bear run away from a drone was on a spring day two years ago when he was chasing a bear himself. After seeing a grizzly bear cross a road near his property, a Montana rancher hopped in his all-terrain vehicle and planned to chase it away from his cattle if necessary.
However, when the bear was still far away from him, he began to sprint as fast as he could, looking over his shoulder, and Vandenbos also looked up. A small drone was chasing the bear overhead, its four propellers emitting a high-pitched whine as it flew toward a nearby lake.
“I don’t think I need to be here,” Vandenbos remembers thinking. He drove home. The bear never touched the cow.
At the other end of the drone was Wesley Sarmento, a grizzly bear management specialist with the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks (MFWP). For the past six years, he has been testing various non-lethal methods to scare bears away from human settlements. An act commonly referred to as “hazing.”
Sarmento, a doctoral student at the University of Montana, said in a study to be published in the journal Frontiers of Conservation Science that aerial drones outperformed all other hazing methods he tested in his experiments. These provide a way to keep grizzly bears away from humans that is safe for both humans and animals.
“Drones are now a tool that you can’t do your job without,” Sarmento said. “That’s how convenient it is.”
Increase in human-wildlife conflict
For nearly two centuries, prairies like those around Vanden Bosch Farm in northeastern Montana have had few large predators.
“The really good news is that we’ve done a good job recovering some of the large carnivores,” said Julie Young, a Utah State University wildlife biologist who studies ways to reduce human-wildlife conflicts.
The U.S. has seen a significant decrease in greenhouse gas emissions due to the growth of clean energy, but it falls short of the targets set in the Paris climate agreement, according to a recent analysis by Rhodium. Rhodium is a research firm that monitors U.S. progress in meeting climate change objectives.
In the Paris agreement, 194 nations pledged to limit the global average temperature increase to below 2 degrees Celsius. The U.S. has set a goal to reduce emissions by at least 50% by 2030 compared to 2005 levels. However, Rhodium’s report projects that U.S. greenhouse gas emissions will only be 32 to 43 percent below this benchmark by 2030, and 38 to 56 percent below it five years later.
The report indicates that clean energy investments are rapidly increasing, economic growth is no longer reliant on fossil fuels, and President Joe Biden’s climate change initiatives are speeding up electrification efforts.
Despite these positive developments, there are obstacles to overcome. Data centers consuming large amounts of power are driving up electricity demand, recent Supreme Court rulings have weakened federal regulatory powers, and there is a divide between Democrats and Republicans on climate policies as an election approaches.
The U.S. achieved record-breaking numbers last year in adding solar power and clean energy storage to the grid. Ben King, associate director of energy and climate at Rhodium Group, believes these years will be remembered as a pivotal moment in climate policy.
However, the transition to clean energy needs to accelerate further to meet U.S. emissions targets without additional policy actions. Clean energy capacity must increase significantly to achieve Rhodium’s high-end emissions reduction projections.
Challenges such as building transmission lines, sourcing materials for wind power projects, and obtaining licenses for new facilities need to be addressed to speed up the energy transition, according to King.
The report predicts a substantial increase in electricity demand by 2035, driven by the electrification of vehicles and appliances, as well as the usage of data centers for various energy-intensive activities.
Investments in clean energy, transportation, and technology are on the rise, with companies pouring $71 billion into these sectors in the first quarter of 2024, a significant increase from the previous year.
The future of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions will be influenced by the upcoming election, with potential policy changes depending on the outcome. Rhodium anticipates environmental policy challenges following recent Supreme Court decisions, and the next administration will need to strategize to address these challenges.
The report highlighted the importance of establishing a system in the UK to track instances of misuse or failure of artificial intelligence. Without such a system, ministers could be unaware of alarming incidents related to AI.
The Centre for Long Term Resilience (CLTR) suggested that the next government should implement a mechanism to record AI-related incidents in public services and possibly create a centralized hub to compile such incidents nationwide.
CLTR emphasized the need for incident reporting systems, similar to those used by the Air Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB), to effectively leverage AI technology.
According to a database compiled by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), there have been approximately 10,000 AI “safety incidents” reported by news outlets since 2014. These incidents encompass a wide range of harms, from physical to economic and psychological, as defined by the OECD.
The OECD’s AI Safety Incident Monitor also includes instances such as a deepfake of Labour leader Keir Starmer and incidents involving self-driving cars and a chatbot-influenced assassination plot.
Tommy Shafer-Shane, policy manager at CLTR and author of the report, noted the critical role incident reporting plays in managing risks in safety-critical sectors like aviation and healthcare. However, such reporting is currently lacking in the regulatory framework for AI in the UK.
CLTR urged the UK government to establish an accident reporting regime for AI, similar to those in aviation and healthcare, to address incidents that may not fall under existing regulatory oversight. Labour has promised to implement binding regulations for most AI incidents.
The think tank recommended the creation of a government system to report AI incidents in public services, identify gaps in AI incident reporting, and potentially establish a pilot AI incident database.
In a joint effort with other countries and the EU, the UK pledged to cooperate on AI security and monitor “AI Harm and Safety Incidents.”
CLTR stressed the importance of incident reporting to keep DSIT informed about emerging AI-related risks and urged the government to prioritize learning about such harms through established reporting processes.
Artist's impression of the Brightline West high-speed rail line
brightline west
Today, construction begins on America's first full-scale high-speed rail line, connecting the suburbs of Los Angeles to the bright city of Las Vegas, Nevada. The project could not only allow people in the United States to finally experience high-speed passenger trains of European and Asian standards, but also provide a commercial model for building high-speed rail elsewhere in the United States. be.
A groundbreaking ceremony in Las Vegas today, attended by U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, along with officials from Nevada and California, marked the official start of construction on the Brightline West project. Brightline West, which aims to be completed within four years in time for the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, will bypass lines of stranded cars and cross the median of Interstate 15 at speeds of 320 km/h. It is expected to fly passengers at speed. In the weekend traffic jam.
The $12 billion project is a bold gamble for Brightline and its owner, Fortress Investment Group, even considering a $3 billion federal grant announced by President Joe Biden in December 2023. It may seem like. But there are several reasons why Brightline West will be more successful than the rest of the United States. High-speed rail projects are delayed.
According to sources, Brightline is focused on connecting major markets that are approximately 400 to 550 kilometers apart. report By infrastructure consultancy AECOM. This represents a sweet spot where high-speed rail is highly competitive with driving and flying. His 350-kilometre trip on Brightline West from Las Vegas to the Los Angeles suburbs is expected to take him just over two hours, making it an attractive alternative to his four-hour drive, which 50 million people travel between cities each year. This is a great alternative.
“High-speed rail has proven to be a very efficient way to move large numbers of passengers within median distances,” he says. Jiao Junfeng At the University of Texas at Austin. “There are many success stories out there in European countries and Asian countries, and there are markets where high-speed rail operations have proven profitable.”
Another factor in Brightline's favor is that it leased access from Nevada and California to build Brightline West through the existing Interstate 15 corridor. This avoids the costs and delays typically associated with obtaining rights of way and acquiring land.
Reducing the risk of delays can also reduce overall project costs in the long term. California's own high-speed rail project was first approved by voters in 2008 to connect San Francisco and Los Angeles; project cost Soared from $33 billion to $128 billion. Other high-speed rail projects are currently being considered in Texas and the Pacific Northwest.
“When you're talking about preparing for construction or progressing construction, time is not on your side. [because of] say “inflation” Jean Whittington at the University of Washington in Seattle. “These projects are so large that it's like implementing multiple megaprojects that all depend on each other to complete successfully.”
One lesson U.S. National Railroad officials can learn from Brightline is to avoid lengthy planning stages and “focus on the costs of delays and indecision,” he said. Russell Jackson, Global Transportation Director at AECOM. He also suggested that while Brightline's approach focuses only on the most profitable routes, government funding could fill in the gaps in other cases.
“Public funds can be used for projects that are still needed to connect pairs of cities that are a little too close to travel by plane and too far to drive,” Jackson said.
Europe’s longest Hyperloop test line opening has once again sparked hopes for a future that combines maglev and vacuum tube transportation technologies.
Operators believe that this facility will demonstrate the feasibility of Hyperloop, paving the way for a high-speed tube network spanning 6,200 miles (10,000km) across the continent by 2050.
Currently, the testbed at the European Hyperloop Center in Veendam is a 420-meter-long bifurcated white pipe running alongside a track and road, not yet transporting people in the Netherlands.
The test pipe, constructed from 34 connected 2.5-meter-wide prefabricated steel cylinders, partially funded by the EU, falls short of the envisioned two-mile track for 2020 due to speed limitations. The goal is to achieve the required 620 mph (1,000 km/h) in the future.
Test track at the European Hyperloop Center in Veendam. Photo: Hollandse Hoogte/Rex/Shutterstock
The Vandeem pipe’s fork will be instrumental in testing “lane switching” during high-speed vehicle course changes, with initial tests conducted by Hard Hyperloop in the Netherlands.
The center’s director, Sacha Lam, hailed this development as a pivotal moment, envisioning a pan-European network with infrastructure branching to various destinations like Paris and Berlin.
The concept of the Hyperloop was introduced by Elon Musk in 2013, proposing a line between San Francisco and Los Angeles. This innovative transportation method could revolutionize travel speed and efficiency.
Despite past setbacks, such as Hyperloop One’s bankruptcy, proponents like Sacha Lam see a bright future where a European Hyperloop network could become a reality within decades, offering a cleaner, quieter, and faster mode of transportation.
This innovative technology could help Europe catch up with pioneering developments in China, where a “low-vacuum pipeline magnetic levitation technology” test track was unveiled in 2022.
Instagram boss Adam Mosseri has announced that his employees, even as parent company Meta Inc. faces increased legal scrutiny over concerns that the popular social media app is harming young users, have reportedly prevented or weakened the implementation of youth safety features. Mosseri, whose name frequently appears in a high-profile lawsuit brought by 33 states accusing Meta of having addictive features in its apps that harm the mental health of young people, reportedly ignored “pressure from employees” to install some of its safety features as default settings for Instagram users. According to the information.
Meta-owned Instagram and Facebook say their use is fueling a number of worrying trends among young people, including an increase in depression, anxiety, insomnia, body image issues, and eating disorders. This claim has drawn criticism from critics.
Despite this, Instagram executives have rejected pressure from members of the company’s “welfare team” to include app features that encourage users to stop comparing themselves to others, according to three former employees with knowledge of the details. The feature was implemented despite Mosseri himself acknowledging in an internal email that he considered “social comparisons” to be “an existential problem facing Instagram” and that “social comparisons are for Instagram.” It wasn’t done. [what] According to the state’s complaint, the election interference is against Facebook.
Adam Mosseri was appointed as the head of Instagram in 2018. Reuters
Additionally, a Mosseri-backed feature that addresses the “social comparison” problem by hiding Instagram like counts will eventually be “watered down” and an option that users can manually enable. The report states that this has been set up.
Internally, some employees have reportedly pointed out that the “like hiding” tool would hurt engagement in the app, resulting in less advertising revenue.
While some sources praised Mosseri’s efforts to promote youth safety, one told the magazine that Instagram has a pattern of making such features optional rather than automatically implementing them. There was also
A Meta spokesperson did not specifically answer questions about why the company rejected proposals for tools to combat problems arising from social comparison issues.
“We don’t know what triggers a particular individual to compare themselves to others, so we give people the tools to decide for themselves what they do and don’t want to see on Instagram. ,” a Meta spokesperson told the publication.
A coalition of state attorneys general is suing Instagram and Facebook. shutter stock
Mehta did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the Post.
Elsewhere, Mosseri allegedly objected to the use of a tool that automatically blocks offensive language in direct message requests. The reason for this, The Information reported, citing two former employees, was “because we thought it might prevent legitimate messages from being sent.”
Finally, Instagram approved an optional “filter” feature in 2021, allowing users to block the company’s curated list of offensive words or compile their own list of offensive phrases and emojis they’d like to block. I made it possible.
The move reportedly infuriated safety staff, including former Meta engineer Arturo Bejar. They believed that people of color should not be forced to confront offensive language in order to address the problem. In November, Mr. Behar testifies before Senate committee About harmful content on Instagram.
“I returned to Instagram with the hope that Adam would be proactive about addressing these issues, but there was no evidence of that in the two years I was there,” Bejart said, initially starting Meta in 2015. He retired in 2007 and returned to a safety management role. the team told the outlet in 2019.
Mehta has been accused of failing to protect young social media users. Just Right – Stock.adobe.com
Meta pushed back against the report, saying Instagram has implemented a series of safety defaults for teen users, including blocking adults 19 and older from sending direct messages to teen accounts that don’t follow them. It was pointed out that the function has been introduced.
For example, Meta said its tool called “Hidden Words,” which hides offensive phrases and emojis, will be enabled by default for teens starting in 2024. The company said it has announced more than 20 policies regarding teen safety since Mosseri took over Instagram. 2018.
Mosseri echoed this, writing that further investments in platform security would “strengthen our business.”
“If teens come to Instagram and feel bullied, receive unwanted advances, or see content that makes them uncomfortable, they will leave and go to a competitor.” said Mosseri. “I know how important this work is, and I know that my leadership will be determined by how much progress we make in this work. I look forward to continuing to do more.” Masu.”
Instagram, led by Adam Mosseri, has reportedly scrapped or watered down proposed safety tools. Getty Images
Mosseri was one of several meth executives who came under scrutiny as part of a major lawsuit filed in October by a coalition of 33 state attorneys general. The lawsuit claimed in part that Meta’s millions of underage Instagram users were the company’s “open secret.” The complaint includes an internal chat from November 2021 in which Mosseri appeared to acknowledge the app’s problems with underage users, saying, “Teens want access to Instagram. , who is my age and wants to get Instagram right now.”
A month later, Mosseri testified before the Senate that children under 13 “are not allowed to use Instagram.” He also told MPs that he believes online safety for young people is “very important”.
Separate from the state legal challenges, Meta is facing a separate lawsuit from New Mexico, alleging it failed to protect young people from alleged sex offenders and flooded them with adult sex material. confronting.
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