Facebook on Thursday announced that it was banning Myanmar military junta from its Facebook and Instagram platforms. The decision&nbsp;has come as there is no let-up in anti-coup protests and military's brutal crackdown against the protesters. Myanmar military removed civilian government headed by Aung San Suu Kyi in a coup on February 1.

"Events since the February 1 coup, including deadly violence, have precipitated a need for this ban," Facebook said in a blog post.&nbsp;

"We believe the risks of allowing the Tatmadaw (Myanmar army) on Facebook and Instagram are too great."

The U.S tech giant said it would also ban all "Tadmadaw-linked commercial entities" from advertising on its platforms.

It said the decision to ban the Myanmar army came due to "exceptionally severe human rights abuses and the clear risk of future military-initiated violence in Myanmar", as well as the army's repeated history of violating Facebook's rules, including since the coup.

There was no immediate reaction from Myanmar military.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/japan-finalising-plans-to-halt-fresh-aid-to-myanmar-says-report-366083">Japan finalising plans to halt fresh aid to Myanmar, says report</a>

People in Myanmar have come out to protest every day soon after the coup. The military has chosen to take a hard stance and has begun a crackdown.

At least three protesters and one policeman have been killed in violence at rallies.

Facebook is widely used in Myanmar and has been one of the ways the junta has communicated with people, despite an official move to ban on the platform in the early days of the coup.

Facebook in recent years has engaged with civil rights activists and democratic political parties in Myanmar and pushed back against the military after facing international criticism for failing to contain online hate campaigns.

In 2018, it banned army chief Min Aung Hlaing - now the military ruler - and 19 other senior officers and organisations, and took down hundreds of pages and accounts run by military members for coordinated inauthentic behaviour.

(With Reuters inputs)

Facebook on Thursday announced that it was banning Myanmar military junta from its Facebook and Instagram platforms. The decision has come as there is no let-up in anti-coup protests and military's brutal crackdown against the protesters.

Facebook on Thursday announced that it was banning Myanmar military junta from its Facebook and Instagram platforms. The decision has come as there is no let-up in anti-coup protests and military's brutal crackdown against the protesters. Myanmar military removed civilian government headed by Aung San Suu Kyi in a coup on February 1. "Events since the February 1 coup, including deadly violence, have precipitated a need for this ban," Facebook said in a blog post. "We believe the risks of allowing the Tatmadaw (Myanmar army) on Facebook and Instagram are too great." The U.S tech giant said it would also ban all "Tadmadaw-linked commercial entities" from advertising on its platforms. It said the decision to ban the Myanmar army came due to "exceptionally severe human rights abuses and the clear risk of future military-initiated violence in Myanmar", as well as the army's repeated history of violating Facebook's rules, including since the coup. There was no immediate reaction from Myanmar military. Also Read | Japan finalising plans to halt fresh aid to Myanmar, says report People in Myanmar have come out to protest every day soon after the coup. The military has chosen to take a hard stance and has begun a crackdown. At least three protesters and one policeman have been killed in violence at rallies. Facebook is widely used in Myanmar and has been one of the ways the junta has communicated with people, despite an official move to ban on the platform in the early days of the coup. Facebook in recent years has engaged with civil rights activists and democratic political parties in Myanmar and pushed back against the military after facing international criticism for failing to contain online hate campaigns. In 2018, it banned army chief Min Aung Hlaing - now the military ruler - and 19 other senior officers and organisations, and took down hundreds of pages and accounts run by military members for coordinated inauthentic behaviour. (With Reuters inputs)

Facebook bans Myanmar military junta from its platforms

The Australian Parliament on Thursday passed the&nbsp;news media and digital platforms mandatory bargaining code that will make it compulsory for Alphabet's Google and Facebook to pay media companies for news content.

Watch:

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The Australian government said it was pleased to see "progress by both Google and more recently Facebook" in reaching commercial arrangements with Australian news media.

Facebook had earlier cut off news in Australia amid tense negotiations with the government. The new code makes Australia the first country where a government arbitrator will set the rates which the&nbsp;tech giants have to pay.

Tech giant Google will now have to pay for news content that appears on its "Showcase" and Facebook is expected to pay providers who appear on its "News" product.

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg and Communications minister Paul Fletcher issued a joint statement, saying: "The code will ensure that news media businesses are fairly remunerated for the content they generate helping to sustain public-interest journalism in Australia."

The code will be reviewed within one year of its commencement, the statement added.&nbsp;

The passage of the code developed after extensive analysis from Australia's anti-trust regulator and almost three years of public consultation may offer encouragement to countries such as Britain and Canada which are planning similar laws.

The Australian Parliament on Thursday passed the news media and digital platforms mandatory bargaining code that will make it compulsory for Alphabet's Google and Facebook to pay media companies for news content.

The Australian Parliament on Thursday passed the news media and digital platforms mandatory bargaining code that will make it compulsory for Alphabet's Google and Facebook to pay media companies for news content. Watch: The Australian government said it was pleased to see "progress by both Google and more recently Facebook" in reaching commercial arrangements with Australian news media. Facebook had earlier cut off news in Australia amid tense negotiations with the government. The new code makes Australia the first country where a government arbitrator will set the rates which the tech giants have to pay. Tech giant Google will now have to pay for news content that appears on its "Showcase" and Facebook is expected to pay providers who appear on its "News" product. Treasurer Josh Frydenberg and Communications minister Paul Fletcher issued a joint statement, saying: "The code will ensure that news media businesses are fairly remunerated for the content they generate helping to sustain public-interest journalism in Australia." The code will be reviewed within one year of its commencement, the statement added. The passage of the code developed after extensive analysis from Australia's anti-trust regulator and almost three years of public consultation may offer encouragement to countries such as Britain and Canada which are planning similar laws.

Amid tussle with Facebook, Australia passes law requiring tech firms to pay for news

Popular social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter recently disabled and banned several accounts of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a> supporters as they were accused of inciting violence and spreading misinformation.

However, while Trump decided to knock the doors of the friendly and local news channels to broadcast his thoughts, his supporters have also found slternate social media platforms to yell out their thoughts to the world.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-offered-north-koreas-kim-jong-un-ride-back-home-on-air-force-one-report-365311" hreflang="en">Trump offered North Korea's Kim Jong Un ride back home on Air Force One: Report</a>

Platforms such as Gab, MeWe, Telegram, Discord and a few more have now replaced popular social media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, Messenger and such.

"The most extreme Trump supporters were already on alternative platforms," Nick Backovic, a researcher at Logically.AI, a company specialising in digital disinformation. "The fact that Facebook and Twitter took so long to (ban them) allowed influencers to rebuild conversation and groups almost seamlessly."

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-to-appear-for-first-post-white-house-speech-in-cpac-365129" hreflang="en">Donald Trump to appear for first post-White House speech in CPAC</a>

After the US Capitol riots, carried out by Trump's supporters on January 06, platforms such as Facebook and Twitter took down pages and accounts of several armed groups an movements such as Oath Keepers.

Facebook shut down nearly 900 accounts and Twitter blocked 70,000 accounts related t conspiraycy group QAnon and such.

"Deplatforming works," said Jim Steyer, president of the organization Common Sense Media. "Now that you look at Trump not being on Twitter, he lost his big speaker, his amplification microphone to the world."

Popular social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter recently disabled and banned several accounts of Donald Trump supporters as they were accused of inciting violence and spreading misinformation.

Popular social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter recently disabled and banned several accounts of Donald Trump supporters as they were accused of inciting violence and spreading misinformation. However, while Trump decided to knock the doors of the friendly and local news channels to broadcast his thoughts, his supporters have also found slternate social media platforms to yell out their thoughts to the world. Also read| Trump offered North Korea's Kim Jong Un ride back home on Air Force One: Report Platforms such as Gab, MeWe, Telegram, Discord and a few more have now replaced popular social media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, Messenger and such. "The most extreme Trump supporters were already on alternative platforms," Nick Backovic, a researcher at Logically.AI, a company specialising in digital disinformation. "The fact that Facebook and Twitter took so long to (ban them) allowed influencers to rebuild conversation and groups almost seamlessly." Also read| Donald Trump to appear for first post-White House speech in CPAC After the US Capitol riots, carried out by Trump's supporters on January 06, platforms such as Facebook and Twitter took down pages and accounts of several armed groups an movements such as Oath Keepers. Facebook shut down nearly 900 accounts and Twitter blocked 70,000 accounts related t conspiraycy group QAnon and such. "Deplatforming works," said Jim Steyer, president of the organization Common Sense Media. "Now that you look at Trump not being on Twitter, he lost his big speaker, his amplification microphone to the world."

Trump supporters find solace in alternate apps after Twitter and Facebook ban

Facebook on Sunday deleted the page of Myanmar military. The action was taken in accordance with its standards of prohibiting incitement of violence, it said. This has come just a day after two protesters were killed after police opened fire at a demonstration.

"In line with our global policies, we’ve removed the Tatmadaw True News Information Team Page from Facebook for repeated violations of our Community Standards prohibiting incitement of violence and coordinating harm," a Facebook representative said in a statement.

Myanmar military's Truer News page was no longer available on Sunday. Reuters said that military spokesperson did not respond to phone calls.

Two people were killed in Myanmar's second city Mandalay on Saturday when police and soldiers fired at protesters demonstrating against the overthrow of the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi, emergency workers said, the bloodiest day in more than two weeks of demonstrations.

Facebook in recent years has engaged with civil rights activists and democratic political parties in Myanmar and pushed back against the military after coming under heavy international criticism for failing to contain online hate campaigns.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/un-condemns-use-of-lethal-force-in-myanmar-365121">UN condemns use of 'lethal force' in Myanmar</a>

In 2018, it banned army chief Min Aung Hlaing - now the military ruler - and 19 other senior officers and organisations, and took down hundreds of pages and accounts run by military members for coordinated inauthentic behaviour.

Ahead of November elections, Facebook announced it had taken down a network of 70 fake accounts and pages operated by members of the military that had posted either positive content about the army or criticism of Suu Kyi and her party.

(With Reuters inputs)

Facebook on Sunday deleted the page of Myanmar military. The action was taken in accordance with its standards of prohibiting incitement of violence, it said. This has come just a day after two protesters were killed after police opened fire at a demonstration.

Facebook on Sunday deleted the page of Myanmar military. The action was taken in accordance with its standards of prohibiting incitement of violence, it said. This has come just a day after two protesters were killed after police opened fire at a demonstration. "In line with our global policies, we’ve removed the Tatmadaw True News Information Team Page from Facebook for repeated violations of our Community Standards prohibiting incitement of violence and coordinating harm," a Facebook representative said in a statement. Myanmar military's Truer News page was no longer available on Sunday. Reuters said that military spokesperson did not respond to phone calls. Two people were killed in Myanmar's second city Mandalay on Saturday when police and soldiers fired at protesters demonstrating against the overthrow of the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi, emergency workers said, the bloodiest day in more than two weeks of demonstrations. Facebook in recent years has engaged with civil rights activists and democratic political parties in Myanmar and pushed back against the military after coming under heavy international criticism for failing to contain online hate campaigns. Also Read | UN condemns use of 'lethal force' in Myanmar In 2018, it banned army chief Min Aung Hlaing - now the military ruler - and 19 other senior officers and organisations, and took down hundreds of pages and accounts run by military members for coordinated inauthentic behaviour. Ahead of November elections, Facebook announced it had taken down a network of 70 fake accounts and pages operated by members of the military that had posted either positive content about the army or criticism of Suu Kyi and her party. (With Reuters inputs)

Facebook deletes main page of Myanmar military

Facebook began 16 years ago from a dorm-room at Harvard to connect college students. It has evolved into the biggest social media network in the world. &nbsp;

Facebook has driven revolutions but it has also fuelled anarchy, unrest and election fraud. And each time, it has gotten away with it. &nbsp;

Let’s explore the reasons why. &nbsp;

It started as a website for poking acquaintances and has now become one of the most powerful engines of communication in the world.&nbsp;

22% of the global population is on Facebook. Out of this, 1.85 billion are daily active users and 2.8 billion are monthly active users. &nbsp;

Facebook is the third-most visited website in the world and the fourth-most valuable brand in the world. It operates in over 190 countries and 111 different languages. &nbsp;

WATCH|

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If Facebook were a country, it would be substantially bigger than China. And this tech giant is by all means more powerful than most countries. &nbsp;

Some biggest revolutions in the world have gained strength because of Facebook. &nbsp;

The Arab spring in West Asia, Euro-maidan revolution in Ukraine and even the ongoing protests in Myanmar, Facebook has also helped politicians seize power. In the 2016 US elections, the Trump campaign sent out 50,000 different messages in a day. Tweaking each one depending on how people reacted. The rest is history. Andrew Bosworth, a close friend of Mark Zuckerberg, once claimed that the company was responsible for Trump getting elected. &nbsp;

The Cambridge Analytica scandal served as a reminder of Facebook's power. The data of at least 87 million Facebook users was harvested without consent and then used to influence their voting behaviour. Now, Facebook has banned news in Australia. &nbsp;

Yet another reminder of its power and monopoly but how does this tech giant get away with such scandals &amp; misuse of power? &nbsp;

Much of it has do to with how the internet works. It is not controlled by anyone. There are not many consequences for the decisions of tech giants. No concrete punitive action in case of blunders, no accountability for their decisions and no system of keeping a check on their political biases. &nbsp;

In the last few years, Facebook along with Twitter and Google has been subjected to several grillings by the US Congress over its unchecked power. Each time, American lawmakers promised to restrict the power of Facebook but there has been little action.&nbsp;

Facebook began 16 years ago from a dorm-room at Harvard to connect college students. It has evolved into the biggest social media network in the world. Facebook has driven revolutions but it has also fuelled anarchy, unrest and election fraud.

Facebook began 16 years ago from a dorm-room at Harvard to connect college students. It has evolved into the biggest social media network in the world. Facebook has driven revolutions but it has also fuelled anarchy, unrest and election fraud. And each time, it has gotten away with it. Let’s explore the reasons why. It started as a website for poking acquaintances and has now become one of the most powerful engines of communication in the world. 22% of the global population is on Facebook. Out of this, 1.85 billion are daily active users and 2.8 billion are monthly active users. Facebook is the third-most visited website in the world and the fourth-most valuable brand in the world. It operates in over 190 countries and 111 different languages. WATCH| If Facebook were a country, it would be substantially bigger than China. And this tech giant is by all means more powerful than most countries. Some biggest revolutions in the world have gained strength because of Facebook. The Arab spring in West Asia, Euro-maidan revolution in Ukraine and even the ongoing protests in Myanmar, Facebook has also helped politicians seize power. In the 2016 US elections, the Trump campaign sent out 50,000 different messages in a day. Tweaking each one depending on how people reacted. The rest is history. Andrew Bosworth, a close friend of Mark Zuckerberg, once claimed that the company was responsible for Trump getting elected. The Cambridge Analytica scandal served as a reminder of Facebook's power. The data of at least 87 million Facebook users was harvested without consent and then used to influence their voting behaviour. Now, Facebook has banned news in Australia. Yet another reminder of its power and monopoly but how does this tech giant get away with such scandals & misuse of power? Much of it has do to with how the internet works. It is not controlled by anyone. There are not many consequences for the decisions of tech giants. No concrete punitive action in case of blunders, no accountability for their decisions and no system of keeping a check on their political biases. In the last few years, Facebook along with Twitter and Google has been subjected to several grillings by the US Congress over its unchecked power. Each time, American lawmakers promised to restrict the power of Facebook but there has been little action.

The real power of Facebook

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Saturday said that social media giant Facebook has&nbsp;"tentatively friended us again."&nbsp;

Facebook's abrupt decision to stop Australians from sharing news on the site and strip the pages of domestic and foreign news outlets also erased several state government and emergency department accounts, causing widespread anger.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/facebook-australia-hold-talks-following-news-ban-364938" hreflang="en">Facebook, Australia hold talks following news ban</a>

Morrison told a news conference in Sydney, "What I'm pleased about it that Facebook is back at the table again."

Facebook has publicly indicated no change in its opposition to a proposed law requiring social media platforms to pay for links to news content.&nbsp;

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Australia and Facebook conducted talks on Friday after the social media giant blacked out news for Australian netizens.

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said he had spoken with Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg to resolve the issue at the earliest and negotiations would continue in the weekend.&nbsp;

The stand-off comes as Australia's vows to press ahead with the landmark legislation, which could set a global precedent as countries like Canada express interest in taking similar action.

The Australian law, which would force Facebook and Alphabet Inc's Google to reach commercial deals with Australian publishers or face compulsory arbitration, has cleared the lower house of parliament and is expected to be passed by the Senate within the next week.

Simon Milner, Facebook’s Asia-Pacific policy director of policy for the Asia-Pacific region, was quoted on Saturday as telling the Sydney Morning Herald the company had three main objections to the legislation.

Facebook objects to being barred from discriminating between different news outlets that ask for money, to arbitration models that allow an independent body to select one payment over another, and to the obligation to enter commercial negotiations with Australian media companies, Milner said.

Google, which has initially threatened to close its search engine in Australia, has announced host of preemptive licensing deals over the past week, including a global agreement with News Corp.

Facebook's move had an immediate impact on traffic to Australian new sites, according to early data from New York-based analytics firm Chartbeat.

Total traffic to the Australian news sites from various platforms fell from the day before the ban by around 13 per cent&nbsp;within the country.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Saturday said that social media giant Facebook has "tentatively friended us again." Facebook's abrupt decision to stop Australians from sharing news on the site and strip the pages of domestic and foreign news outlets also erased several state government and emergency department accounts, causing widespread anger.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Saturday said that social media giant Facebook has "tentatively friended us again." Facebook's abrupt decision to stop Australians from sharing news on the site and strip the pages of domestic and foreign news outlets also erased several state government and emergency department accounts, causing widespread anger. Also read: Facebook, Australia hold talks following news ban Morrison told a news conference in Sydney, "What I'm pleased about it that Facebook is back at the table again." Facebook has publicly indicated no change in its opposition to a proposed law requiring social media platforms to pay for links to news content. Australia and Facebook conducted talks on Friday after the social media giant blacked out news for Australian netizens. Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said he had spoken with Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg to resolve the issue at the earliest and negotiations would continue in the weekend. The stand-off comes as Australia's vows to press ahead with the landmark legislation, which could set a global precedent as countries like Canada express interest in taking similar action. The Australian law, which would force Facebook and Alphabet Inc's Google to reach commercial deals with Australian publishers or face compulsory arbitration, has cleared the lower house of parliament and is expected to be passed by the Senate within the next week. Simon Milner, Facebook’s Asia-Pacific policy director of policy for the Asia-Pacific region, was quoted on Saturday as telling the Sydney Morning Herald the company had three main objections to the legislation. Facebook objects to being barred from discriminating between different news outlets that ask for money, to arbitration models that allow an independent body to select one payment over another, and to the obligation to enter commercial negotiations with Australian media companies, Milner said. Google, which has initially threatened to close its search engine in Australia, has announced host of preemptive licensing deals over the past week, including a global agreement with News Corp. Facebook's move had an immediate impact on traffic to Australian new sites, according to early data from New York-based analytics firm Chartbeat. Total traffic to the Australian news sites from various platforms fell from the day before the ban by around 13 per cent within the country.

Australia says Facebook has 'tentatively friended' them again

Facebook chief Mark Zuckerberg on Friday held talks with Australian government over law that will force the social media giant to pay for content. Australian PM Scott Morrison has taken a tuff stand and has said that the country will not yield to 'threats' from big tech.

From Thursday, Australians could no longer post links to news articles or view the Facebook pages of Australian outlets, which are also barred from sharing their content.&nbsp; 
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said he had spoken with Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg on Friday, and that negotiations would continue over the weekend.

"We talked through their remaining issues and agreed our respective teams would work through them immediately," Frydenberg said on Twitter.

Australian PM Scott Morrison told media in Sydney that Facebook's ban constituted 'threat'

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&nbsp;

"I thought that was not a good move on their part, and they should move quickly past that, come back to the table," he said.

Facebook's news ban has come in response to a planned Australian law which will force tech giants like Facebok and Google to to pay major Australian outlets for carrying snippets or links to their content on the platforms

Morrison said the legislation -- due to be debated by Australia's Senate on Monday in the next step towards it becoming law -- was garnering interest from other world leaders.

The law was raised in a Thursday call with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he said.

"There's a lot of interest in it," he told media. "People are looking at what Australia is doing."

Facebook has defended its response, saying the proposed legislation was unworkable and insisting it was forced to introduce the news blackout.

Since the ban came into effect, experts report visitors to Australian news sites dropped both at home and abroad, with overseas traffic down by over 20 percent per day, according to data analytics company Chartbeat.

The data also suggested users were not yet leaving Facebook in response to the ban, however, with no apparent rise in Google search traffic recorded.

Facebook's sweeping ban drew widespread criticism for inadvertently blocking access to several critical government pages, including emergency services, health departments and the national weather service -- with most restored in the hours after it came into effect.

(With AFP inputs)

Facebook chief Mark Zuckerberg on Friday held talks with Australian government over law that will force the social media giant to pay for content. Australian PM Scott Morrison has taken a tuff stand and has said that the country will not yield to 'threats' from big tech.

Facebook chief Mark Zuckerberg on Friday held talks with Australian government over law that will force the social media giant to pay for content. Australian PM Scott Morrison has taken a tuff stand and has said that the country will not yield to 'threats' from big tech. From Thursday, Australians could no longer post links to news articles or view the Facebook pages of Australian outlets, which are also barred from sharing their content. Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said he had spoken with Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg on Friday, and that negotiations would continue over the weekend. "We talked through their remaining issues and agreed our respective teams would work through them immediately," Frydenberg said on Twitter. Australian PM Scott Morrison told media in Sydney that Facebook's ban constituted 'threat' × "I thought that was not a good move on their part, and they should move quickly past that, come back to the table," he said. Facebook's news ban has come in response to a planned Australian law which will force tech giants like Facebok and Google to to pay major Australian outlets for carrying snippets or links to their content on the platforms Morrison said the legislation -- due to be debated by Australia's Senate on Monday in the next step towards it becoming law -- was garnering interest from other world leaders. The law was raised in a Thursday call with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he said. "There's a lot of interest in it," he told media. "People are looking at what Australia is doing." Facebook has defended its response, saying the proposed legislation was unworkable and insisting it was forced to introduce the news blackout. Since the ban came into effect, experts report visitors to Australian news sites dropped both at home and abroad, with overseas traffic down by over 20 percent per day, according to data analytics company Chartbeat. The data also suggested users were not yet leaving Facebook in response to the ban, however, with no apparent rise in Google search traffic recorded. Facebook's sweeping ban drew widespread criticism for inadvertently blocking access to several critical government pages, including emergency services, health departments and the national weather service -- with most restored in the hours after it came into effect. (With AFP inputs)

After banning news in Australia, Facebook enters into talks with government

The Australian government on Thursday slammed Facebook's news blackout as "heavy-handed" after the social media giant blocked sharing of news in Australia.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/supreme-court-issues-notice-to-whatsapp-facebook-over-privacy-issue-363713">Facebook's</a> move comes after the government decided to make it pay media groups for content. The move disrupted the pages of emergency services even as citizens were unable to view the Facebook pages of news outlets from anywhere in the world.&nbsp;

"Facebook was wrong. Facebook's actions were unnecessary, they were heavy-handed, and they will damage its reputation here in Australia," Josh Frydenberg, the government's treasurer, said.&nbsp;

Several other sectors including health, fire and meteorological services were also hit as their Facebook pages went down.&nbsp;

However, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-parliament-panel-questions-facebook-on-whatsapps-privacy-terms-358411">Facebook</a> said, "official government pages should not be impacted by today's announcement." The government is posed to adopt legislation that would force digital platforms to pay for news content, a move which is being resisted by Facebook.

Australia's Treasurer Josh Frydenberg had said earlier that he had agreed with Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg "to try to find a pathway forward".

William Easton, Facebook's manager for Australia and New Zealand had said earlier that, "The proposed law fundamentally misunderstands the relationship between our platform and publishers who use it to share news content."

"It has left us facing a stark choice: attempt to comply with a law that ignores the realities of this relationship, or stop allowing news content on our services in Australia. With a heavy heart, we are choosing the latter," Easton said.

The Australian government on Thursday slammed Facebook's news blackout as "heavy-handed" after the social media giant blocked sharing of news in Australia. Facebook's move comes after the government decided to make it pay media groups for content.

The Australian government on Thursday slammed Facebook's news blackout as "heavy-handed" after the social media giant blocked sharing of news in Australia. Facebook's move comes after the government decided to make it pay media groups for content. The move disrupted the pages of emergency services even as citizens were unable to view the Facebook pages of news outlets from anywhere in the world. "Facebook was wrong. Facebook's actions were unnecessary, they were heavy-handed, and they will damage its reputation here in Australia," Josh Frydenberg, the government's treasurer, said. Several other sectors including health, fire and meteorological services were also hit as their Facebook pages went down. However, Facebook said, "official government pages should not be impacted by today's announcement." The government is posed to adopt legislation that would force digital platforms to pay for news content, a move which is being resisted by Facebook. Australia's Treasurer Josh Frydenberg had said earlier that he had agreed with Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg "to try to find a pathway forward". William Easton, Facebook's manager for Australia and New Zealand had said earlier that, "The proposed law fundamentally misunderstands the relationship between our platform and publishers who use it to share news content." "It has left us facing a stark choice: attempt to comply with a law that ignores the realities of this relationship, or stop allowing news content on our services in Australia. With a heavy heart, we are choosing the latter," Easton said.

'Heavy handed': Several key sectors hit as Facebook blocks news sharing in Australia

China on Thursday&nbsp;defended its use of social networking platforms&nbsp;Twitter and Facebook&nbsp;following a report that it had used its growing media presence to spread disinformation about the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic.

When asked about the report, the Foreign Ministry's top spokesperson, Hua Chunying, didn't directly address the allegations about China's role in spreading virus disinformation. However, she called the report ''exaggerated''&nbsp;and said China should have the right to use social media too.

Also read-<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/misinformation-and-shifting-blame-how-china-has-lost-out-on-the-debate-over-coronavirus-287253">Misinformation and shifting blame: How China has lost out on the debate over coronavirus</a>

Earlier, an investigative report in collaboration with the Atlantic Council's Digital Forensic Research Lab, found that powerful political figures and allied media in China, as well as the US, Russia and Iran, flooded the globe with disinformation about the virus.

The report, published earlier this week, said that Chinese officials went on the offensive in reaction to a narrative&nbsp;nursed by former US President Donald Trump among others&nbsp;that the virus had been manufactured by China. Experts have largely ruled out that possibility.

Hua, asked about the report at a daily Foreign Ministry briefing, said that some people in Western countries, such as the US don't want to hear China's objective and true voice.

"They are afraid that more people will learn the truth, so that they can no longer spread false information unscrupulously and do whatever they want to mislead and monopolize international public opinion," she said.

China's response, though, was to start spreading rumours that the virus had been created by a US military lab and released during an international competition for military athletes in Wuhan, the Chinese city where the new coronavirus was first detected in late 2019.

The search for the origins of the virus has become highly politicised. Trump sought to pin the blame on China, in part to deflect criticism of his administration's response to the pandemic in the United States.

China, in turn, has played up reports that the virus was circulating outside of the country before the outbreak in Wuhan, suggesting it may have been brought in from elsewhere.

Determining where the virus started is likely to take years of research and may never be known. Most scientists say the most likely scenario is it was first carried by bats in southwest China or neighbouring Southeast Asia, and then spread to another animal before infecting humans.

China on Thursday defended its use of social networking platforms Twitter and Facebook following a report that it had used its growing media presence to spread disinformation about the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic.

China on Thursday defended its use of social networking platforms Twitter and Facebook following a report that it had used its growing media presence to spread disinformation about the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic. When asked about the report, the Foreign Ministry's top spokesperson, Hua Chunying, didn't directly address the allegations about China's role in spreading virus disinformation. However, she called the report ''exaggerated'' and said China should have the right to use social media too. Also read-Misinformation and shifting blame: How China has lost out on the debate over coronavirus Earlier, an investigative report in collaboration with the Atlantic Council's Digital Forensic Research Lab, found that powerful political figures and allied media in China, as well as the US, Russia and Iran, flooded the globe with disinformation about the virus. The report, published earlier this week, said that Chinese officials went on the offensive in reaction to a narrative nursed by former US President Donald Trump among others that the virus had been manufactured by China. Experts have largely ruled out that possibility. Hua, asked about the report at a daily Foreign Ministry briefing, said that some people in Western countries, such as the US don't want to hear China's objective and true voice. "They are afraid that more people will learn the truth, so that they can no longer spread false information unscrupulously and do whatever they want to mislead and monopolize international public opinion," she said. China's response, though, was to start spreading rumours that the virus had been created by a US military lab and released during an international competition for military athletes in Wuhan, the Chinese city where the new coronavirus was first detected in late 2019. The search for the origins of the virus has become highly politicised. Trump sought to pin the blame on China, in part to deflect criticism of his administration's response to the pandemic in the United States. China, in turn, has played up reports that the virus was circulating outside of the country before the outbreak in Wuhan, suggesting it may have been brought in from elsewhere. Determining where the virus started is likely to take years of research and may never be known. Most scientists say the most likely scenario is it was first carried by bats in southwest China or neighbouring Southeast Asia, and then spread to another animal before infecting humans.

China defends use of social networking platforms amid allegations of spreading disinformation

Supreme Court on Monday issued notice&nbsp;to Facebook and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/supreme-court-refuses-to-entertain-plea-against-new-whatsapp-privacy-policy-361543">WhatsApp</a> seeking their response on a plea challenging WhatsApp's latest privacy policy.&nbsp;

Watch:

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India's CJI S A Bobde observed that user privacy should be protected.

"You WhatsApp and Facebook may be a 2-3 trillion-dollar company but privacy rights of people is costlier than that. Protecting that is our duty," the CJI remarked.

India's top court said people have grave apprehension that they will lose their privacy, adding, "it is our duty to protect them".

During the hearing, WhatsApp told India's apex court that "Europe has special law on privacy, will also follow if India has similar statute". A petitioner had alleged that the updated privacy policy of WhatsApp would adversely impact the fundamental right to privacy of Indians.

Watch:

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The plea had sought a direction to the Centre to prohibit WhatsApp and Facebook India from sharing the details and data of subscribers and users and had sought direction to the Centre to regulate the functioning of WhatsApp, Facebook and other internet-based messaging services.

The Supreme Court has posted the case for hearing after four weeks. &nbsp;

Supreme Court on Monday issued notice to Facebook and WhatsApp seeking their response on a plea challenging WhatsApp's latest privacy policy. Watch: India's CJI S A Bobde observed that user privacy should be protected.

Supreme Court on Monday issued notice to Facebook and WhatsApp seeking their response on a plea challenging WhatsApp's latest privacy policy. Watch: India's CJI S A Bobde observed that user privacy should be protected. "You WhatsApp and Facebook may be a 2-3 trillion-dollar company but privacy rights of people is costlier than that. Protecting that is our duty," the CJI remarked. India's top court said people have grave apprehension that they will lose their privacy, adding, "it is our duty to protect them". During the hearing, WhatsApp told India's apex court that "Europe has special law on privacy, will also follow if India has similar statute". A petitioner had alleged that the updated privacy policy of WhatsApp would adversely impact the fundamental right to privacy of Indians. Watch: The plea had sought a direction to the Centre to prohibit WhatsApp and Facebook India from sharing the details and data of subscribers and users and had sought direction to the Centre to regulate the functioning of WhatsApp, Facebook and other internet-based messaging services. The Supreme Court has posted the case for hearing after four weeks.

Supreme Court issues notice to WhatsApp, Facebook over privacy issue

Google and Facebook are "very close" to deals with major <a href="https://www.wionews.com/australia-and-new-zealand">Australian</a> media to pay for news, a top government official said Monday, as the tech giants scramble to avoid landmark regulation.

Australian Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said talks with Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Google CEO Sundar Pichai had made "great progress" in resolving a standoff being closely watched around the world.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/microsoft-says-it-supports-australias-plans-to-make-google-pay-for-news-361044">Microsoft says it supports Australia's plans to make Google pay for news</a>

Australia is poised to adopt legislation that would force digital companies to pay for news content, something that would create a global precedent and, according to Facebook and Google, wreck the way the internet works.

The companies have threatened to partially withdraw services from the country if the rules become law, sparking a war of words with Canberra.

But that disagreement appeared to ease Monday, with Frydenberg telling public broadcaster ABC talks with the companies "made great progress over the course of the weekend".

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/facebook-to-launch-smartwatch-with-messaging-fitness-features-363611">Facebook to launch smartwatch with messaging, fitness features</a>

"I think we're very close to some very significant commercial deals," he said, "and in doing so that will transform the domestic media landscape."

The agreements could be enough to see Facebook and Google avoid the most severe parts of the legislation -- including binding arbitration to ensure they are not using their online advertising duopoly to dictate terms in deals with media companies.

Following Frydenberg's remarks, SevenWest Media, owner of broadcaster 7NEWS and The West Australian newspaper, announced Monday a new agreement for its content to be hosted on Google's News Showcase product.

The Sydney Morning Herald reported the first major deal with a large Australian news organisation was worth more than Aus$30 million (US$23 million) a year.

SevenWest chairman Kerry Stokes said it was a "great outcome" and hailed the government's work on its news media bargaining code as "instrumental in the outcome of this ground-breaking agreement".

The firm will join several smaller local publishers on News Showcase, which Google said had received more than one million views since launching in Australia eight days ago.

Frydenberg's comments suggest major Australian media organisations, such as Rupert Murdoch's News Corp and Nine Entertainment, could be close to reaching similar deals.

A Google spokesman said the company was in discussions with publishers both "large and small" while a Facebook spokesperson said the firm had been negotiating to "land commercial deals that reflect the commercial value of news content on our platform".

News groups worldwide have seen their businesses ravaged by the loss of advertising dollars that once flowed to their newspapers but are now overwhelmingly captured by the big digital platforms.

Thousands of journalists' jobs have been lost and numerous outlets forced to close in Australia alone over the past decade.

Google and Facebook are "very close" to deals with major Australian media to pay for news, a top government official said Monday, as the tech giants scramble to avoid landmark regulation.

Google and Facebook are "very close" to deals with major Australian media to pay for news, a top government official said Monday, as the tech giants scramble to avoid landmark regulation. Australian Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said talks with Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Google CEO Sundar Pichai had made "great progress" in resolving a standoff being closely watched around the world. Also read| Microsoft says it supports Australia's plans to make Google pay for news Australia is poised to adopt legislation that would force digital companies to pay for news content, something that would create a global precedent and, according to Facebook and Google, wreck the way the internet works. The companies have threatened to partially withdraw services from the country if the rules become law, sparking a war of words with Canberra. But that disagreement appeared to ease Monday, with Frydenberg telling public broadcaster ABC talks with the companies "made great progress over the course of the weekend". Also read| Facebook to launch smartwatch with messaging, fitness features "I think we're very close to some very significant commercial deals," he said, "and in doing so that will transform the domestic media landscape." The agreements could be enough to see Facebook and Google avoid the most severe parts of the legislation -- including binding arbitration to ensure they are not using their online advertising duopoly to dictate terms in deals with media companies. Following Frydenberg's remarks, SevenWest Media, owner of broadcaster 7NEWS and The West Australian newspaper, announced Monday a new agreement for its content to be hosted on Google's News Showcase product. The Sydney Morning Herald reported the first major deal with a large Australian news organisation was worth more than Aus$30 million (US$23 million) a year. SevenWest chairman Kerry Stokes said it was a "great outcome" and hailed the government's work on its news media bargaining code as "instrumental in the outcome of this ground-breaking agreement". The firm will join several smaller local publishers on News Showcase, which Google said had received more than one million views since launching in Australia eight days ago. Frydenberg's comments suggest major Australian media organisations, such as Rupert Murdoch's News Corp and Nine Entertainment, could be close to reaching similar deals. A Google spokesman said the company was in discussions with publishers both "large and small" while a Facebook spokesperson said the firm had been negotiating to "land commercial deals that reflect the commercial value of news content on our platform". News groups worldwide have seen their businesses ravaged by the loss of advertising dollars that once flowed to their newspapers but are now overwhelmingly captured by the big digital platforms. Thousands of journalists' jobs have been lost and numerous outlets forced to close in Australia alone over the past decade.

Google and Facebook 'close' to deals with Australian media

A photograph gallery containing a picture of England cricket team in a huddle among other images was blocked by Facebook for containing "overtly sexual" content.&nbsp;&nbsp;

According to a report in BBC, the owner of the digital photo gallery,&nbsp;Mike Hall has insisted that none of the 400 photographs contained any "risque" content but were taken down by Facebook following his attempt to use them as ads on the social media platform.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Among the other 400 images that were surprisingly taken down by Facebook included a frame of a cow standing on a field, a Hong Kong timeline, a high-rise&nbsp;buidling, firework display. The reason provided by Facebook&nbsp;to ban the images ranged from&nbsp;“promoting weapons” to “overtly sexual” content.&nbsp;

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ind-vs-eng-2nd-test-shahbaz-nadeem-set-to-be-dropped-as-axar-patel-returns-in-nets-362727" hreflang="en">IND vs ENG 2nd Test: Shahbaz Nadeem set to be dropped as Axar Patel returns in nets</a>

Notably, Facebook's ad policies restrict the promotion of "adult" products and services – a rule that the England cricket team bizarrely found itself on the wrong side of.&nbsp;

However, the ads were later restored with Facebook apologising to the photographer as they admitted that the photographs were "restricted in error”.&nbsp;

The image of the England cricket team was taken clicked during the fourth Test against India at Southampton in 2018 - a series remembered for being Alastair Cook's last Test series. The gallery contained images of a team huddle ahead of day's play&nbsp;and slip cordon featuring Root, Cook, Ben Stokes and James Anderson.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

TRENDING:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/watch-like-walking-barefoot-on-hot-desert-shoaib-akhtars-hilariously-trolls-psl-2021-anthem-362658" hreflang="en">WATCH- 'Worst song ever': Shoaib Akhtar hilariously trolls PSL 2021 anthem</a>

“When you’re running a small business, or any business where you’re trying to figure out what’s gone wrong,” Hall&nbsp;told BBC. “You can’t have an arbitrary process with no-one to talk to. When I set up my account with&nbsp;Facebook&nbsp;I had to verify my business with them – but after that, it fell into an abyss.”&nbsp;

A photograph gallery containing a picture of England cricket team in a huddle among other images was blocked by Facebook for containing "overtly sexual" content.

A photograph gallery containing a picture of England cricket team in a huddle among other images was blocked by Facebook for containing "overtly sexual" content. According to a report in BBC, the owner of the digital photo gallery, Mike Hall has insisted that none of the 400 photographs contained any "risque" content but were taken down by Facebook following his attempt to use them as ads on the social media platform. Among the other 400 images that were surprisingly taken down by Facebook included a frame of a cow standing on a field, a Hong Kong timeline, a high-rise buidling, firework display. The reason provided by Facebook to ban the images ranged from “promoting weapons” to “overtly sexual” content. ALSO READ: IND vs ENG 2nd Test: Shahbaz Nadeem set to be dropped as Axar Patel returns in nets Notably, Facebook's ad policies restrict the promotion of "adult" products and services – a rule that the England cricket team bizarrely found itself on the wrong side of. However, the ads were later restored with Facebook apologising to the photographer as they admitted that the photographs were "restricted in error”. The image of the England cricket team was taken clicked during the fourth Test against India at Southampton in 2018 - a series remembered for being Alastair Cook's last Test series. The gallery contained images of a team huddle ahead of day's play and slip cordon featuring Root, Cook, Ben Stokes and James Anderson. TRENDING: WATCH- 'Worst song ever': Shoaib Akhtar hilariously trolls PSL 2021 anthem “When you’re running a small business, or any business where you’re trying to figure out what’s gone wrong,” Hall told BBC. “You can’t have an arbitrary process with no-one to talk to. When I set up my account with Facebook I had to verify my business with them – but after that, it fell into an abyss.”

Bizarre! 'Overtly sexual' photograph of England cricket team huddle blocked by Facebook

Private social audio app&nbsp;Clubhouse&nbsp;is attracting masses of new users from mainland China, where the US&nbsp;app remains uncensored by authorities despite flourishing discussions on rights, national identity and other sensitive topics.

Clubhouse&nbsp;built a following among venture capitalists and startup founders gossiping in its audio-only chatrooms following its launch last March as the COVID-19 pandemic spread around the world.

Western social media apps including Twitter, Facebook and YouTube are banned in China, where the local internet is tightly censored to weed out content that could undermine the ruling communist party.

The&nbsp;Clubhouse&nbsp;app, launched in early 2020, saw explosive growth in user numbers earlier this month after Tesla CEO Elon Musk and Robinhood CEO Vlad Tenev held a surprise discussion on the platform.

Its chat rooms are only accessible via invites from current members, and as of Sunday, invites to the platform were selling for between 50-400 yuan ($7.73 - $69.59) on popular Chinese e-commerce sites.

Reuters directly observed several Chinese-language 'club' conversations where thousands of users listened to wide-ranging audio discussions covering topics including Xinjiang detention camps, Taiwan independence and Hong Kong's National Security Law.

China's cyber authorities have become increasingly strict in recent years, widening the scope of apps, media outlets and social media sites banned in the country.

While&nbsp;Clubhouse&nbsp;remains uncensored, it is only available on iOS devices and is unavailable in the local Apple app store, both major barriers for its widespread use in China.

Mainland Chinese users can access the app by modifying the location of their app store.

It's unclear why the app remains unblocked in China, though some foreign social sites with small Chinese followings manage to operate under the radar of censors, including 8kun, a central hub for QAnon followers.

In one club chat centred on Hong Kong politics, activists, journalists and artists discussed former US&nbsp;president Trump and his support base in the former colony.

Another popular Chinese language club on the site as of Saturday involved a rare open exchange between netizens in mainland China, Taiwan and Hong Kong over heightened political tensions in the region.

The discussion became a hot topic on China's own Twitter-like social media site Weibo on Saturday.

"I don't know how long this environment can last", said one user in a popular Weibo post that was liked over 65,000 times. "But I will definitely remember this moment in Internet history."

Private social audio app Clubhouse is attracting masses of new users from mainland China, where the US app remains uncensored by authorities despite flourishing discussions on rights, national identity and other sensitive topics.

Private social audio app Clubhouse is attracting masses of new users from mainland China, where the US app remains uncensored by authorities despite flourishing discussions on rights, national identity and other sensitive topics. Clubhouse built a following among venture capitalists and startup founders gossiping in its audio-only chatrooms following its launch last March as the COVID-19 pandemic spread around the world. Western social media apps including Twitter, Facebook and YouTube are banned in China, where the local internet is tightly censored to weed out content that could undermine the ruling communist party. The Clubhouse app, launched in early 2020, saw explosive growth in user numbers earlier this month after Tesla CEO Elon Musk and Robinhood CEO Vlad Tenev held a surprise discussion on the platform. Its chat rooms are only accessible via invites from current members, and as of Sunday, invites to the platform were selling for between 50-400 yuan ($7.73 - $69.59) on popular Chinese e-commerce sites. Reuters directly observed several Chinese-language 'club' conversations where thousands of users listened to wide-ranging audio discussions covering topics including Xinjiang detention camps, Taiwan independence and Hong Kong's National Security Law. China's cyber authorities have become increasingly strict in recent years, widening the scope of apps, media outlets and social media sites banned in the country. While Clubhouse remains uncensored, it is only available on iOS devices and is unavailable in the local Apple app store, both major barriers for its widespread use in China. Mainland Chinese users can access the app by modifying the location of their app store. It's unclear why the app remains unblocked in China, though some foreign social sites with small Chinese followings manage to operate under the radar of censors, including 8kun, a central hub for QAnon followers. In one club chat centred on Hong Kong politics, activists, journalists and artists discussed former US president Trump and his support base in the former colony. Another popular Chinese language club on the site as of Saturday involved a rare open exchange between netizens in mainland China, Taiwan and Hong Kong over heightened political tensions in the region. The discussion became a hot topic on China's own Twitter-like social media site Weibo on Saturday. "I don't know how long this environment can last", said one user in a popular Weibo post that was liked over 65,000 times. "But I will definitely remember this moment in Internet history."

Chinese users flocking to US chat app Clubhouse to evade censors

Canada has designated US far-right group 'Proud Boys' as a banned terrorist group. The authorities described the group a "serious and growing threat". Meanwhile, Myanmar military has blocked Facebook. UN chief has said that he will do everything possible to ensure that Myanmar coup fails. Read this and more in our morning news brief.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/myanmar-military-clamps-down-on-internet-services-blocks-facebook-361183">Myanmar military clamps down on internet services, blocks Facebook</a>

<img alt="Myanmar coup" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c38e9ad0-bed1-4fad-bcf3-00f5b5404436" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/myanmar.JPG" />

Facebook acknowledged the disruption while urging authorities to restore internet connectivity in Myanmar.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/eu-sends-top-envoy-to-russia-amid-alexei-navalny-controversy-361186">EU sends top envoy to Russia amid Alexei Navalny controversy</a>

<img alt="Alexei Navalny" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="25e5ba68-405b-4798-8425-d2ec8adb4460" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Nvalny.JPG" />

European Union foreign policy chief insists that he will deliver "clear messages" to the Kremlin

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/will-do-everything-possible-to-make-sure-myanmar-coup-fails-un-chief-361184">Will do everything possible to make sure Myanmar coup fails: UN chief</a>

<img alt="UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="7d312bd9-9762-4c02-83ef-5e7acc7149b2" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/UN_1.JPG" />

Myanmar again went back to military rule on Monday after soldiers detained de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi and other political leaders in several raids

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/canada-designates-proud-boys-as-terrorist-group-cites-active-security-threat-361189">Canada designates 'Proud Boys' as terrorist group, cites active security threat</a>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/canada-designates-proud-boys-as-terrorist-group-cites-active-security-threat-361189"><img alt="Proud boys" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="ffb191ba-322c-4b9e-856a-d4b759cb657d" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/proud%20boys.JPG" /></a> 
 
During the US presidential campaign, Trump and Biden had clashed over the conduct of Proud Boys after Trump said "Proud Boys -- stand back and stand by"

Why is Jeff Bezos stepping down?

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Canada has designated US far-right group 'Proud Boys' as a banned terrorist group. The authorities described the group a "serious and growing threat". Meanwhile, Myanmar military has blocked Facebook.

Canada has designated US far-right group 'Proud Boys' as a banned terrorist group. The authorities described the group a "serious and growing threat". Meanwhile, Myanmar military has blocked Facebook. UN chief has said that he will do everything possible to ensure that Myanmar coup fails. Read this and more in our morning news brief. Myanmar military clamps down on internet services, blocks Facebook Facebook acknowledged the disruption while urging authorities to restore internet connectivity in Myanmar. EU sends top envoy to Russia amid Alexei Navalny controversy European Union foreign policy chief insists that he will deliver "clear messages" to the Kremlin Will do everything possible to make sure Myanmar coup fails: UN chief Myanmar again went back to military rule on Monday after soldiers detained de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi and other political leaders in several raids Canada designates 'Proud Boys' as terrorist group, cites active security threat During the US presidential campaign, Trump and Biden had clashed over the conduct of Proud Boys after Trump said "Proud Boys -- stand back and stand by" Why is Jeff Bezos stepping down? ×

Morning news brief: 'Proud Boys' declared terrorists, Myanmar coup, and more

Software giant Microsoft Corp is confident its search product Bing can fill the gap in Australia if&nbsp;Google&nbsp;pulls its search over required payments to media outlets, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Monday.

Australia has introduced laws that would force internet giant&nbsp;Google&nbsp;and social media heavyweight Facebook Inc to negotiate payments to domestic media outlets whose content links drive traffic to their platforms.

However, the Big Tech firms have called the laws unworkable and said last month they would withdraw key services from Australia if the regulations went ahead. Those services include&nbsp;Google's search engine, which has 94 per cent&nbsp;of the country's search market, according to industry data.

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella has since spoken with Morrison about the new rules, the tech company told Reuters, and on Monday, Morrison said the software company was ready to grow the presence of its search tool Bing, the distant No. 2 player.

"I can tell you, Microsoft's pretty confident, when I spoke to Satya," Morrison told reporters in Canberra, without giving further detail of the conversation.

"We just want the rules in the digital world to be the same that exist in the real world, in the physical world," Morrison added.

A Microsoft spokeswoman confirmed the discussion took place but declined to comment, because the company was not directly involved in the laws.

"We recognise the importance of a vibrant media sector and public interest journalism in a democracy and we recognise the challenges the media sector has faced over many years through changing business models and consumer preferences," the spokeswoman said.

Google&nbsp;declined to comment.

A day earlier, Australian treasurer Josh Frydenberg said Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg had requested a meeting over the law, and that they had talked, but that he would not back down on the change.

At a Senate hearing into the laws, Department of Treasury deputy secretary of markets Meghan Quinn said the Australian government would have limited ability to intervene if&nbsp;Google's departure hurt businesses which rely on its search function.

"The (media bargaining) code doesn't prevent the wholesale withdrawal of services, and there's difficulty in any of the legislative mechanisms we've got for someone to (be forced to) provide a service," Quinn said.

Software giant Microsoft Corp is confident its search product Bing can fill the gap in Australia if Google pulls its search over required payments to media outlets, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Monday.

Software giant Microsoft Corp is confident its search product Bing can fill the gap in Australia if Google pulls its search over required payments to media outlets, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Monday. Australia has introduced laws that would force internet giant Google and social media heavyweight Facebook Inc to negotiate payments to domestic media outlets whose content links drive traffic to their platforms. However, the Big Tech firms have called the laws unworkable and said last month they would withdraw key services from Australia if the regulations went ahead. Those services include Google's search engine, which has 94 per cent of the country's search market, according to industry data. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella has since spoken with Morrison about the new rules, the tech company told Reuters, and on Monday, Morrison said the software company was ready to grow the presence of its search tool Bing, the distant No. 2 player. "I can tell you, Microsoft's pretty confident, when I spoke to Satya," Morrison told reporters in Canberra, without giving further detail of the conversation. "We just want the rules in the digital world to be the same that exist in the real world, in the physical world," Morrison added. A Microsoft spokeswoman confirmed the discussion took place but declined to comment, because the company was not directly involved in the laws. "We recognise the importance of a vibrant media sector and public interest journalism in a democracy and we recognise the challenges the media sector has faced over many years through changing business models and consumer preferences," the spokeswoman said. Google declined to comment. A day earlier, Australian treasurer Josh Frydenberg said Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg had requested a meeting over the law, and that they had talked, but that he would not back down on the change. At a Senate hearing into the laws, Department of Treasury deputy secretary of markets Meghan Quinn said the Australian government would have limited ability to intervene if Google's departure hurt businesses which rely on its search function. "The (media bargaining) code doesn't prevent the wholesale withdrawal of services, and there's difficulty in any of the legislative mechanisms we've got for someone to (be forced to) provide a service," Quinn said.

As Google eyes Australia exit, Microsoft talks Bing with Prime Minister Scott Morrison

Youtube on Wednesday said that it was banning former US President Donald Trump from the video-sharing platform indefinitely. This is another blow to the former Commander-in-Chief after numerous social media platforms banished him. Youtube's decision has come a week after it confirmed that it would extend ban on Trump's channel.

"In light of concerns about the ongoing potential for violence, the Donald J Trump channel will remain suspended," a YouTube spokesperson told Politico.

The Google-owned firm has faced some criticism over its slow response following the violence in Washington, as well as the proliferation of conspiracy theories on the platform.

Youtube also said that it will stop Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani from monetizing his content on the platform. Giuliani's account would be barred from the Partner Program -- &nbsp;which allows creators to make money off their videos

The 76-year-old has posted videos titled "The Biden Crime Family's Payoff Scheme" and "Election Theft of the Century" to his channel, which has around 600,000 subscribers.

Number of social media platforms including Twitter have taken action against Trump after the January 6 Capitol Hill violence. Donald Trump was under fire for his tweets throughout his presidency but the criticism and condemnation grew louder after Capitol Hill attack. On January 6, Trump addressed his supporters and asked them to 'march' on the Capitol Building in which the legislature was gathered to certify the President-elect Joe Biden' victory in US Presidential election 2020.

The violence at the Capitol Hill kickstarted an impeachment process that ended with Donald Trump being the only US President ever to be impeached twice.

(With AFP inputs)

Youtube on Wednesday said that it was banning former US President Donald Trump from the video-sharing platform indefinitely. This is another blow to the former Commander-in-Chief after numerous social media platforms banished him.

Youtube on Wednesday said that it was banning former US President Donald Trump from the video-sharing platform indefinitely. This is another blow to the former Commander-in-Chief after numerous social media platforms banished him. Youtube's decision has come a week after it confirmed that it would extend ban on Trump's channel. "In light of concerns about the ongoing potential for violence, the Donald J Trump channel will remain suspended," a YouTube spokesperson told Politico. The Google-owned firm has faced some criticism over its slow response following the violence in Washington, as well as the proliferation of conspiracy theories on the platform. Youtube also said that it will stop Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani from monetizing his content on the platform. Giuliani's account would be barred from the Partner Program -- which allows creators to make money off their videos The 76-year-old has posted videos titled "The Biden Crime Family's Payoff Scheme" and "Election Theft of the Century" to his channel, which has around 600,000 subscribers. Number of social media platforms including Twitter have taken action against Trump after the January 6 Capitol Hill violence. Donald Trump was under fire for his tweets throughout his presidency but the criticism and condemnation grew louder after Capitol Hill attack. On January 6, Trump addressed his supporters and asked them to 'march' on the Capitol Building in which the legislature was gathered to certify the President-elect Joe Biden' victory in US Presidential election 2020. The violence at the Capitol Hill kickstarted an impeachment process that ended with Donald Trump being the only US President ever to be impeached twice. (With AFP inputs)

Youtube suspends Donald Trump from platform indefinitely

India is the world's second-biggest online market. 743 million Indians use the internet. That's twice the size of US market. The number is unmatched by any country except the neighbour provoking in Ladakh.

India's market potential is no secret. When internet exploded in the country in the first half of the century Silicon Valley CEOs rushed to India to profit from the market.

Today, at least 241 million Indians use Facebook. The company's revenue grew 43% in FY 20'. Google's profit increased 24% in FY 20'

India is home to the world's largest digital literacy programme. But in India,&nbsp;tech companies have a free run. There is no awareness or concern about the threat posed by big tech.

India is doing nothing to regulate them. To check their anti-trust approaches, their anti-competitive behaviour, or to break their monopoly. In December 2019, India finally introduced the data protection bill. One year on, it is gathering dust. Even if it is passed, it may not be able to address real problems.

For example, the bill says- the person to whom a data relates should be given the right to control it. In other words, the data can only be processed with the consent of its owner. This is a fair point. But in India, we give away consent for our data in return of discounts and free apps.

India needs laws that can identify loopholes and plug them. India needs laws that can be applied and enforced. Laws- that have provisions for exemplary punishment.

In 2018, India's Competition Commission probed Google, for abusing its dominance online. The complaint was filed by Consim Info,&nbsp;the parent company of a matrimonial site.

Google was found guilty. It was fined 136 crore rupees.

Google appealed. And by all accounts that WION have been able to access, Google hasn't paid the fine, nor has it fixed its ways. It is still playing unfair.

India's competition commission has also not been able to do much to check the monopoly of Big Tech.

Silicon valley companies have abused India's regulatory gaps. They have built a wall of opacity and untouchability around them. There is no clarity on any of their policies.

In another example, Twitter India had temporarily blocked the account of India's Home Minister Amit Shah in November 2020.

India's Parliamentary Standing Committee on Information Technology recently quizzed Twitter about it. The tech giant reportedly said the minister's account had to be blocked because of a copyright issue with a picture.

Earlier it had said that there was 'inadvertent error' under its copyright policies. By the end of the grilling session, India's lawmakers agreed- that the country's existing laws need to be updated. India needs laws that are proactive, not reactive.

India's Central Bureau of Investigation has booked Cambridge Analytica and Global Science Research Limited. For illegally harvesting data of Indian users. The data theft was authorised by Facebook.

Nearly 6 lakh Indian Facebook users are expected to have been hit.

All this could have been avoided if India had the necessary frameworks in place.

WhatsApp spoke of privacy policy for Indian users some days ago. Why didn't Whatsapp's parent company Facebook did not dare think of such a policy for Europe? The answer is Europe's tough law-- the GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) India doesn't have anything like it

Another reason why India needs tougher laws is illiteracy. The fake news and hate speeches that cannot be spread in letters, are being circulated through videos. Mediums like WhatsApp have penetrated every layer of Indian society. They have become a threat.

India should come up with tough laws to prevent corporate abuse of power. To prevent bundling of products. To ensure 'Made in India' companies are not booted out of the market or acquired by the big 4

The pandemic has forced more companies and consumers to go online. The worldwide web is not the future anymore. It is the present. India needs to keep up with this digital reality.

India is the world's second-biggest online market. 743 million Indians use the internet. That's twice the size of US market. The number is unmatched by any country except the neighbour provoking in Ladakh.

India is the world's second-biggest online market. 743 million Indians use the internet. That's twice the size of US market. The number is unmatched by any country except the neighbour provoking in Ladakh. India's market potential is no secret. When internet exploded in the country in the first half of the century Silicon Valley CEOs rushed to India to profit from the market. Today, at least 241 million Indians use Facebook. The company's revenue grew 43% in FY 20'. Google's profit increased 24% in FY 20' India is home to the world's largest digital literacy programme. But in India, tech companies have a free run. There is no awareness or concern about the threat posed by big tech. India is doing nothing to regulate them. To check their anti-trust approaches, their anti-competitive behaviour, or to break their monopoly. In December 2019, India finally introduced the data protection bill. One year on, it is gathering dust. Even if it is passed, it may not be able to address real problems. For example, the bill says- the person to whom a data relates should be given the right to control it. In other words, the data can only be processed with the consent of its owner. This is a fair point. But in India, we give away consent for our data in return of discounts and free apps. India needs laws that can identify loopholes and plug them. India needs laws that can be applied and enforced. Laws- that have provisions for exemplary punishment. In 2018, India's Competition Commission probed Google, for abusing its dominance online. The complaint was filed by Consim Info, the parent company of a matrimonial site. Google was found guilty. It was fined 136 crore rupees. Google appealed. And by all accounts that WION have been able to access, Google hasn't paid the fine, nor has it fixed its ways. It is still playing unfair. India's competition commission has also not been able to do much to check the monopoly of Big Tech. Silicon valley companies have abused India's regulatory gaps. They have built a wall of opacity and untouchability around them. There is no clarity on any of their policies. In another example, Twitter India had temporarily blocked the account of India's Home Minister Amit Shah in November 2020. India's Parliamentary Standing Committee on Information Technology recently quizzed Twitter about it. The tech giant reportedly said the minister's account had to be blocked because of a copyright issue with a picture. Earlier it had said that there was 'inadvertent error' under its copyright policies. By the end of the grilling session, India's lawmakers agreed- that the country's existing laws need to be updated. India needs laws that are proactive, not reactive. India's Central Bureau of Investigation has booked Cambridge Analytica and Global Science Research Limited. For illegally harvesting data of Indian users. The data theft was authorised by Facebook. Nearly 6 lakh Indian Facebook users are expected to have been hit. All this could have been avoided if India had the necessary frameworks in place. WhatsApp spoke of privacy policy for Indian users some days ago. Why didn't Whatsapp's parent company Facebook did not dare think of such a policy for Europe? The answer is Europe's tough law-- the GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) India doesn't have anything like it Another reason why India needs tougher laws is illiteracy. The fake news and hate speeches that cannot be spread in letters, are being circulated through videos. Mediums like WhatsApp have penetrated every layer of Indian society. They have become a threat. India should come up with tough laws to prevent corporate abuse of power. To prevent bundling of products. To ensure 'Made in India' companies are not booted out of the market or acquired by the big 4 The pandemic has forced more companies and consumers to go online. The worldwide web is not the future anymore. It is the present. India needs to keep up with this digital reality.

India needs tougher laws to rein in Big Tech

Facebook on Thursday said it is asking its independent experts to rule on whether former president <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/donald-trump">Donald Trump's </a>suspension for "fomenting insurrection" should stand.

Facebook and Instagram suspended Trump after his supporters stormed the US Capitol on January 6, an attack on the seat of democracy that led to Trump's second impeachment.

The leading social network is referring the decision to its independent oversight board — known informally as the Facebook "supreme court" — with the authority to make binding rulings even chief executive Mark Zuckerberg must abide by.

"We believe our decision was necessary and right," Facebook vice president of global affairs Nick Clegg said in a blog post.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/now-biden-removes-trumps-diet-coke-button-from-oval-desk-358513" hreflang="en">Now, Biden removes Trump's Diet Coke button from Oval desk</a>

"Our decision to suspend then-president Trump's access was taken in extraordinary circumstances: a US president actively fomenting a violent insurrection designed to thwart the peaceful transition of power; five people killed; legislators fleeing the seat of democracy."

Unprecedented circumstances called for unprecedented action against Trump, reasoned Clegg, a former deputy British prime minister.

Facebook's oversight board is tasked with making final decisions on appeals regarding what is removed or allowed to remain on the world's biggest social network.

Launch of the panel came late last year amid rising concerns about misinformation and manipulation around the US election.

Trump's access to Facebook will remain suspended while it awaits an oversight board decision, according to Clegg.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/watch-melania-trump-refuses-to-pose-with-donald-trump-after-he-leaves-white-house-twitter-laughs-358514" hreflang="en">Watch: Melania Trump refuses to pose with Donald Trump after he leaves White House; Twitter laughs</a>

"We hope, given the clear justification for our actions on January 7, that it will uphold the choices we made," Clegg said.

Along with the ruling, Facebook will welcome "recommendations from the board around suspensions when the user is a political leader," he added.

Reaction to the Trump ban has ranged from criticism that Facebook should have booted him long ago to outrage over his online voice being muted.

"We have taken the view that in open democracies people have a right to hear what their politicians are saying - the good, the bad and the ugly - so that they can be held to account," Clegg said.

"But it has never meant that politicians can say whatever they like."

Members of the oversight board come from various countries and include jurists, human rights activists, journalists, a Nobel peace laureate and a former Danish prime minister.

Facebook on Thursday said it is asking its independent experts to rule on whether former president Donald Trump's suspension for "fomenting insurrection" should stand.

Facebook on Thursday said it is asking its independent experts to rule on whether former president Donald Trump's suspension for "fomenting insurrection" should stand. Facebook and Instagram suspended Trump after his supporters stormed the US Capitol on January 6, an attack on the seat of democracy that led to Trump's second impeachment. The leading social network is referring the decision to its independent oversight board — known informally as the Facebook "supreme court" — with the authority to make binding rulings even chief executive Mark Zuckerberg must abide by. "We believe our decision was necessary and right," Facebook vice president of global affairs Nick Clegg said in a blog post. Also read| Now, Biden removes Trump's Diet Coke button from Oval desk "Our decision to suspend then-president Trump's access was taken in extraordinary circumstances: a US president actively fomenting a violent insurrection designed to thwart the peaceful transition of power; five people killed; legislators fleeing the seat of democracy." Unprecedented circumstances called for unprecedented action against Trump, reasoned Clegg, a former deputy British prime minister. Facebook's oversight board is tasked with making final decisions on appeals regarding what is removed or allowed to remain on the world's biggest social network. Launch of the panel came late last year amid rising concerns about misinformation and manipulation around the US election. Trump's access to Facebook will remain suspended while it awaits an oversight board decision, according to Clegg. Also read| Watch: Melania Trump refuses to pose with Donald Trump after he leaves White House; Twitter laughs "We hope, given the clear justification for our actions on January 7, that it will uphold the choices we made," Clegg said. Along with the ruling, Facebook will welcome "recommendations from the board around suspensions when the user is a political leader," he added. Reaction to the Trump ban has ranged from criticism that Facebook should have booted him long ago to outrage over his online voice being muted. "We have taken the view that in open democracies people have a right to hear what their politicians are saying - the good, the bad and the ugly - so that they can be held to account," Clegg said. "But it has never meant that politicians can say whatever they like." Members of the oversight board come from various countries and include jurists, human rights activists, journalists, a Nobel peace laureate and a former Danish prime minister.

Facebook's 'supreme court' to decide on Trump's suspension

Poland's government said on Friday that it was working on legislation to limit the power of social media platforms to delete content or ban users. Under the rules that are being worked on, platforms like Facebook, Twitter and others will only be able to take action if the content or person breaks Polish law. The legislation proposes setting up a 'freedom of speech council' that will review complaints by users whose content has been removed or account blocked.

"The law will provide tools guaranteeing the basic freedoms and liberties of Polish citizens on the internet," Justice Minister Zbigniew Ziobro told reporters in Warsaw.

The new legal framework would require "global players" to respect Polish law, he said, adding that "today social media decide for themselves what content will be censored." 
Parliament would appoint the members of the future council for six-year terms and politicians would not be eligible, he said.

"The council will protect the constitutional right to exercise freedom of speech on all social media operating in Poland," the minister said.

The measures are to come into effect by next January.

"The platform considers the complaint and either restores access to the content and the case is closed, or it does not accept the complaint," said Sabastian Kaleta, a senior justice ministry official.

"The user will then have the right to appeal to the council, which will have seven days to consider the user's complaint," he added, explaining the procedure will be entirely electronic. 
Decisions by the council will be subject to appeal in a Polish court.

Non-compliance with the rulings of the council and court will carry fines for social media platforms ranging up to 50 million zloty (11 million euros, $13 million).

(With AFP inputs)

Poland's government said on Friday that it was working on legislation to limit the power of social media platforms to delete content or ban users. Under the rules that are being worked on, platforms like Facebook, Twitter and others will only be able to take action if the content or person breaks Polish law.

Poland's government said on Friday that it was working on legislation to limit the power of social media platforms to delete content or ban users. Under the rules that are being worked on, platforms like Facebook, Twitter and others will only be able to take action if the content or person breaks Polish law. The legislation proposes setting up a 'freedom of speech council' that will review complaints by users whose content has been removed or account blocked. "The law will provide tools guaranteeing the basic freedoms and liberties of Polish citizens on the internet," Justice Minister Zbigniew Ziobro told reporters in Warsaw. The new legal framework would require "global players" to respect Polish law, he said, adding that "today social media decide for themselves what content will be censored." Parliament would appoint the members of the future council for six-year terms and politicians would not be eligible, he said. "The council will protect the constitutional right to exercise freedom of speech on all social media operating in Poland," the minister said. The measures are to come into effect by next January. "The platform considers the complaint and either restores access to the content and the case is closed, or it does not accept the complaint," said Sabastian Kaleta, a senior justice ministry official. "The user will then have the right to appeal to the council, which will have seven days to consider the user's complaint," he added, explaining the procedure will be entirely electronic. Decisions by the council will be subject to appeal in a Polish court. Non-compliance with the rulings of the council and court will carry fines for social media platforms ranging up to 50 million zloty (11 million euros, $13 million). (With AFP inputs)

Poland works on law limiting powers of Facebook, Twitter and other social platforms

Youtube on Tuesday suspended current US President Donald Trump's channel for violation of policies designed against incitement to violence. This is latest in series of actions social media platforms are taking against Trump whose supporters attacked Capitol Building just after his address to them. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram have already suspended Trump's accounts.

Now as per Youtube's action, new videos cannot be uploaded on Trump's channel. Upload of videos and livestreaming will be blocked for seven days. Youtube has said in a statement that the ban may be extended.

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Supporters of Trump stormed the US&nbsp;Capitol on Wednesday, trying to halt the certification by Congress of President-elect Joe Biden's election win. Trump, who has challenged the validity of Biden's victory without producing evidence, initially praised his supporters but later condemned the violence.

Lawmakers were forced to flee as the building was mobbed by protesters who overwhelmed security forces. Five people died in the violence, including one Capitol Police officer.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/mike-pence-rejects-invoking-25th-amendment-as-democrats-move-to-impeach-trump-356339">Mike Pence rejects invoking 25th Amendment as Democrats move to impeach Trump</a>

After the incident, Twitter and Facebook removed Trump's accounts and have been eliminating content supporting last week's assault, while Amazon.com Inc suspended Parler, a social media platform favored by many supporters of Trump, from its web hosting service.

(With Reuters inputs)

Youtube on Tuesday suspended current US President Donald Trump's channel for violation of policies designed against incitement to violence. This is latest in series of actions social media platforms are taking against Trump whose supporters attacked Capitol Building just after his address to them.

Youtube on Tuesday suspended current US President Donald Trump's channel for violation of policies designed against incitement to violence. This is latest in series of actions social media platforms are taking against Trump whose supporters attacked Capitol Building just after his address to them. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram have already suspended Trump's accounts. Now as per Youtube's action, new videos cannot be uploaded on Trump's channel. Upload of videos and livestreaming will be blocked for seven days. Youtube has said in a statement that the ban may be extended. × Supporters of Trump stormed the US Capitol on Wednesday, trying to halt the certification by Congress of President-elect Joe Biden's election win. Trump, who has challenged the validity of Biden's victory without producing evidence, initially praised his supporters but later condemned the violence. Lawmakers were forced to flee as the building was mobbed by protesters who overwhelmed security forces. Five people died in the violence, including one Capitol Police officer. Also Read | Mike Pence rejects invoking 25th Amendment as Democrats move to impeach Trump After the incident, Twitter and Facebook removed Trump's accounts and have been eliminating content supporting last week's assault, while Amazon.com Inc suspended Parler, a social media platform favored by many supporters of Trump, from its web hosting service. (With Reuters inputs)

YouTube suspends Trump's channel for violation of policy on violence incitement

World's richest person Elon Musk is asking people to switch to a messaging app called Signal over WhatsApp and Facebook due to a change their policy which has raised privacy concerns.

Tesla CEO Musk appealed to people to switch to more encrypted apps than&nbsp;WhatsApp and Facebook and specifically mentioned Signal when asked about a safer alternative by his followers.

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Use Signal
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1347165127036977153?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 7, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Musk's tweet comes after&nbsp;Signal and Telegram messaging apps are seeing a sudden increase in demand due&nbsp;larger rival&nbsp;WhatsApp's updated terms of service raised eyebrows on social media.

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WhatsApp will share its users' personal information, including phone numbers, IP addresses, contacts, &amp; more with Facebook from Feb. 8, according to the new T&amp;Cs. No opt-out. The only way to object is to leave the service &amp; move to a service like Signal or Telegram. <a href="https://t.co/FbGcq5T3JB">https://t.co/FbGcq5T3JB</a>
— Mike Butcher (@mikebutcher) <a href="https://twitter.com/mikebutcher/status/1346959937679798274?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 6, 2021</a></blockquote>
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WhatsApp, which uses Signal's encryption technology, laid out fresh terms on Wednesday, asking users to agree to let owner Facebook Inc and its subsidiaries collect user data, including their phone number and location.

Some privacy activists questioned the "accept our data grab or get out" move on Twitter, and suggested users to switch to apps like Signal and Telegram.

Signal's popularity shot up further on Thursday after it was endorsed by Elon Musk, who has one of the most-followed accounts on Twitter and by the micro-blogging site's top boss Jack Dorsey.

More than 100,000 users installed Signal across the app stores of Apple and Google in the last two days, while Telegram picked up nearly 2.2 million downloads, according to data analytics firm Sensor Tower.

New installs of&nbsp;WhatsApp&nbsp;fell 11 per cent&nbsp;in the first seven days of 2021 compared with the prior week, but that still amounted to an estimated 10.5 million downloads globally, Sensor Tower said.

World's richest person Elon Musk is asking people to switch to a messaging app called Signal over WhatsApp and Facebook due to a change their policy which has raised privacy concerns.

World's richest person Elon Musk is asking people to switch to a messaging app called Signal over WhatsApp and Facebook due to a change their policy which has raised privacy concerns. Tesla CEO Musk appealed to people to switch to more encrypted apps than WhatsApp and Facebook and specifically mentioned Signal when asked about a safer alternative by his followers. Use Signal — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 7, 2021 × Musk's tweet comes after Signal and Telegram messaging apps are seeing a sudden increase in demand due larger rival WhatsApp's updated terms of service raised eyebrows on social media. WhatsApp will share its users' personal information, including phone numbers, IP addresses, contacts, & more with Facebook from Feb. 8, according to the new T&Cs. No opt-out. The only way to object is to leave the service & move to a service like Signal or Telegram. https://t.co/FbGcq5T3JB — Mike Butcher (@mikebutcher) January 6, 2021 × WhatsApp, which uses Signal's encryption technology, laid out fresh terms on Wednesday, asking users to agree to let owner Facebook Inc and its subsidiaries collect user data, including their phone number and location. Some privacy activists questioned the "accept our data grab or get out" move on Twitter, and suggested users to switch to apps like Signal and Telegram. Signal's popularity shot up further on Thursday after it was endorsed by Elon Musk, who has one of the most-followed accounts on Twitter and by the micro-blogging site's top boss Jack Dorsey. More than 100,000 users installed Signal across the app stores of Apple and Google in the last two days, while Telegram picked up nearly 2.2 million downloads, according to data analytics firm Sensor Tower. New installs of WhatsApp fell 11 per cent in the first seven days of 2021 compared with the prior week, but that still amounted to an estimated 10.5 million downloads globally, Sensor Tower said.

Elon Musk asks people to use Signal app instead of WhatsApp and Facebook over privacy issues

At&nbsp;least&nbsp;six people died, including a little girl, and almost 50 others were&nbsp;rescued&nbsp;after&nbsp;an overloaded&nbsp;migrant&nbsp;boat capsized off&nbsp;north&nbsp;Lebanon&nbsp;during a chase by naval forces, Lebanese officials said.

The boat carrying nearly 60 people capsized on Saturday night near the port city of Tripoli, the departure point for a growing number of people attempting a potentially lethal sea escape.

The deadly accident, weeks ahead of parliamentary elections scheduled for May 15, is not the first of its kind for the crisis-hit country grappling with its worst-ever financial crash.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/lebanon-hands-over-337-ancient-artifacts-to-iraq-451135">Lebanon hands over 337 ancient artifacts to Iraq</a>

But it marks a grim reminder of the suffering behind a growing number of people, including Lebanese nationals and Syrian refugees, risking their lives at sea in search of a future abroad.

"The army's naval forces managed to rescue&nbsp;48&nbsp;people and retrieve the body of a&nbsp;dead&nbsp;girl... from a boat that sank while trying to illegally smuggle them out," the army said in a statement.

"Most people on board were&nbsp;rescued," the army said, without specifying their nationalities.

The army retrieved five corpses&nbsp;off&nbsp;Tripoli's coast on Sunday, the state-run National News Agency reported, hours&nbsp;after&nbsp;the body of a little girl was returned to shore.

Wails of relatives rang out from a Tripoli morgue where the corpses were being kept, according to an AFP correspondent.

Dozens looked on as a group of men stormed into the morgue and pulled out the corpse of a victim for burial, the correspondent said.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;Migrant boat capsizes of Lebanon, Lebanese officials rescue 50 migrants

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Nearby dozens of young men lobbed stones at two army tanks, to vent their anger at the sea tragedy.

At Tripoli's port, relatives of the missing impatiently waited for news of their loved ones.

"My nephew, he has five children and his wife is pregnant with twins. He was trying to escape hunger and poverty," one man told AFP at the dockside harbour.&nbsp;

&nbsp;Sunk in seconds&nbsp;

Haissam Dannaoui, the head of&nbsp;Lebanon's naval forces, said the 10-meter (33-foot) boat built in 1974 was designed to only accomodate six passengers.

But it was crammed with nearly 60 would-be migrants and took to sea without any safety precautions, he told a news conference.

Dannaoui said the army tried to thwart the smuggling operation before the&nbsp;ship&nbsp;sailed out of the Qalamoun region, south of Tripoli, but could not reach the departure point in time.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/i-love-you-in-your-madness-lebanon-changes-slogan-to-attract-tourists-427041">‘I love you in your madness’: Lebanon changes slogan to attract tourists</a>

An ensuing sea chase saw two naval patrols trying to force the&nbsp;migrant&nbsp;boat to turn back.

"Unfortunately, the captain (of the&nbsp;migrant&nbsp;boat) decided to carry out manoeuvres to escape," leading to the vessel crashing into the patrol ships, Dannaoui said.

The impact cracked the hull of the&nbsp;migrant&nbsp;boat, which quickly submerged, he said.

"In less than five seconds, the boat was under water," Dannaoui said, adding that passengers were quickly handed life jackets.

But one of the survivors said a naval&nbsp;ship&nbsp;had deliberately crashed into the&nbsp;migrant&nbsp;boat to force it back.

"Tho patrol boat crashed into us twice... to drown us," the man told AFP at the port, before he was silenced and carried&nbsp;off&nbsp;by a crowd of survivors' relatives.

The United Nations humanitarian coordinator for&nbsp;Lebanon&nbsp;Najat Rochdi called for an end to these repeated tragedies.&nbsp;

"It's horrific to see deprivation still pushing people to take a perilous journey across the seas," she said on Twitter.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/lebanon-says-government-cant-afford-to-resign-as-saudi-rift-widens-425326">Lebanon says government can't afford to resign as Saudi rift widens</a>

Death catches up

The latest incident stoked public anger in Tripoli,&nbsp;Lebanon's second city and one of its poorest.

Growing poverty and unemployment rates have turned Tripoli into a launchpad for illegal migrants.

Calls circulated on social media networks for protests outside the Tripoli home of Prime Minister Najib Mikati, who declared Monday a day of national mourning to grieve the victims.

The relatives of the victims and the missing lashed out at the country's leaders.

"Even when we are trying to run away from the filth of politicians and their corruption... death catches up with us," said Nissrine Merheb who hasn't heard from her two cousins and their three children since they embarked on the deadly voyage.&nbsp;

Lebanon&nbsp;is in the grips of an unprecedented financial crisis, with the currency losing more than 90 percent of its value and the majority of the population living below the poverty line.

The economic crash has spurred an uptick in illegal sea crossings, with Lebanese nationals increasingly featuring among the Syrian and Palestinian refugees attempting sea escapes.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/lebanon-loses-electricity-as-2-power-stations-face-shut-down-amid-fuel-crisis-419481">Lebanon loses electricity as 2 power stations face shut down amid fuel crisis</a>

The UN refugee agency says at&nbsp;least&nbsp;1,570 people, 186 of them Lebanese, left or tried to leave illegally by sea from&nbsp;Lebanon&nbsp;between January and November 2021.

Most were hoping to reach European Union member Cyprus, an island 175 kilometres (110 miles) away.

In the second half of 2021,&nbsp;Lebanon&nbsp;stopped around 500 would-be migrants from crossing out of the country, the country's naval chief said Saturday.

At least six people died, including a little girl, and almost 50 others were rescued after an overloaded migrant boat capsized off north Lebanon during a chase by naval forces, Lebanese officials said.

At least six people died, including a little girl, and almost 50 others were rescued after an overloaded migrant boat capsized off north Lebanon during a chase by naval forces, Lebanese officials said. The boat carrying nearly 60 people capsized on Saturday night near the port city of Tripoli, the departure point for a growing number of people attempting a potentially lethal sea escape. The deadly accident, weeks ahead of parliamentary elections scheduled for May 15, is not the first of its kind for the crisis-hit country grappling with its worst-ever financial crash. Also read | Lebanon hands over 337 ancient artifacts to Iraq But it marks a grim reminder of the suffering behind a growing number of people, including Lebanese nationals and Syrian refugees, risking their lives at sea in search of a future abroad. "The army's naval forces managed to rescue 48 people and retrieve the body of a dead girl... from a boat that sank while trying to illegally smuggle them out," the army said in a statement. "Most people on board were rescued," the army said, without specifying their nationalities. The army retrieved five corpses off Tripoli's coast on Sunday, the state-run National News Agency reported, hours after the body of a little girl was returned to shore. Wails of relatives rang out from a Tripoli morgue where the corpses were being kept, according to an AFP correspondent. Dozens looked on as a group of men stormed into the morgue and pulled out the corpse of a victim for burial, the correspondent said. Watch | Migrant boat capsizes of Lebanon, Lebanese officials rescue 50 migrants Nearby dozens of young men lobbed stones at two army tanks, to vent their anger at the sea tragedy. At Tripoli's port, relatives of the missing impatiently waited for news of their loved ones. "My nephew, he has five children and his wife is pregnant with twins. He was trying to escape hunger and poverty," one man told AFP at the dockside harbour. Sunk in seconds Haissam Dannaoui, the head of Lebanon's naval forces, said the 10-meter (33-foot) boat built in 1974 was designed to only accomodate six passengers. But it was crammed with nearly 60 would-be migrants and took to sea without any safety precautions, he told a news conference. Dannaoui said the army tried to thwart the smuggling operation before the ship sailed out of the Qalamoun region, south of Tripoli, but could not reach the departure point in time. Also read | ‘I love you in your madness’: Lebanon changes slogan to attract tourists An ensuing sea chase saw two naval patrols trying to force the migrant boat to turn back. "Unfortunately, the captain (of the migrant boat) decided to carry out manoeuvres to escape," leading to the vessel crashing into the patrol ships, Dannaoui said. The impact cracked the hull of the migrant boat, which quickly submerged, he said. "In less than five seconds, the boat was under water," Dannaoui said, adding that passengers were quickly handed life jackets. But one of the survivors said a naval ship had deliberately crashed into the migrant boat to force it back. "Tho patrol boat crashed into us twice... to drown us," the man told AFP at the port, before he was silenced and carried off by a crowd of survivors' relatives. The United Nations humanitarian coordinator for Lebanon Najat Rochdi called for an end to these repeated tragedies. "It's horrific to see deprivation still pushing people to take a perilous journey across the seas," she said on Twitter. Also read | Lebanon says government can't afford to resign as Saudi rift widens Death catches up The latest incident stoked public anger in Tripoli, Lebanon's second city and one of its poorest. Growing poverty and unemployment rates have turned Tripoli into a launchpad for illegal migrants. Calls circulated on social media networks for protests outside the Tripoli home of Prime Minister Najib Mikati, who declared Monday a day of national mourning to grieve the victims. The relatives of the victims and the missing lashed out at the country's leaders. "Even when we are trying to run away from the filth of politicians and their corruption... death catches up with us," said Nissrine Merheb who hasn't heard from her two cousins and their three children since they embarked on the deadly voyage. Lebanon is in the grips of an unprecedented financial crisis, with the currency losing more than 90 percent of its value and the majority of the population living below the poverty line. The economic crash has spurred an uptick in illegal sea crossings, with Lebanese nationals increasingly featuring among the Syrian and Palestinian refugees attempting sea escapes. Also read | Lebanon loses electricity as 2 power stations face shut down amid fuel crisis The UN refugee agency says at least 1,570 people, 186 of them Lebanese, left or tried to leave illegally by sea from Lebanon between January and November 2021. Most were hoping to reach European Union member Cyprus, an island 175 kilometres (110 miles) away. In the second half of 2021, Lebanon stopped around 500 would-be migrants from crossing out of the country, the country's naval chief said Saturday.

Facebook has banned Donald Trump indefinitely, says Mark Zuckerberg

Shares of Tesla surged to a record high in heavy trading on Thursday, with the electric car maker's stock market value exceeding Facebook's for the first time.

Shares in the company led by Elon Musk jumped nearly 8% to end the session at $816, putting its market capitalization at $774 billion and making it Wall Street's fifth-most-valuable company, just behind Google-parent Alphabet and ahead of Facebook.

Facebook's stock market value was $765 billion after its shares rose about 2%, according to Refinitiv data.

Over $39 billion worth of Tesla's shares were bought and sold during the session, a record for Tesla and more than the next three most traded companies combined, which were Apple, Alibaba Group Holding and Amazon.com.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/elon-musks-strange-reaction-on-becoming-worlds-richest-person-355307">Elon Musk's 'strange' reaction on becoming world's richest person</a>

Tesla, up over 700% in the past 12 months, has become the most valuable auto company in the world by far, despite production that is a fraction of rivals such as Toyota Motor, Volkswagen and General Motors.

Musk surpassed Amazon's Jeff Bezos to become the world's richest person, Bloomberg News reported on Thursday.

Tesla's latest lift came after RBC raised its rating on the stock to "sector perform" from "underperform."

RBC analyst Joseph Spak said in his research note that he previously underestimated Tesla's ability to use its soaring stock price to raise capital to fund the company's expansion.

"We took a fresh look at the growth opportunity, what we got wrong about TSLA's positioning and the valuation and conclude that the stock price itself is likely to be somewhat self-fulfilling to TSLA's growth and strategy," Spak wrote.

Analysts, on average, expect Tesla to report $1.2 billion in net profits for 2020, compared with $5.8 billion in net profits expected from GM and $27.1 billion in net profits expected from Facebook, according to Refinitiv.

Shares of Tesla surged to a record high in heavy trading on Thursday, with the electric car maker's stock market value exceeding Facebook's for the first time. Shares in the company led by Elon Musk jumped nearly 8% to end the session at $816, putting its market capitalization at $774 billion and making it Wall Street's fifth-most-valuable company, just behind Google-parent Alphabet and ahead of Facebook.

Shares of Tesla surged to a record high in heavy trading on Thursday, with the electric car maker's stock market value exceeding Facebook's for the first time. Shares in the company led by Elon Musk jumped nearly 8% to end the session at $816, putting its market capitalization at $774 billion and making it Wall Street's fifth-most-valuable company, just behind Google-parent Alphabet and ahead of Facebook. Facebook's stock market value was $765 billion after its shares rose about 2%, according to Refinitiv data. Over $39 billion worth of Tesla's shares were bought and sold during the session, a record for Tesla and more than the next three most traded companies combined, which were Apple, Alibaba Group Holding and Amazon.com. Also read| Elon Musk's 'strange' reaction on becoming world's richest person Tesla, up over 700% in the past 12 months, has become the most valuable auto company in the world by far, despite production that is a fraction of rivals such as Toyota Motor, Volkswagen and General Motors. Musk surpassed Amazon's Jeff Bezos to become the world's richest person, Bloomberg News reported on Thursday. Tesla's latest lift came after RBC raised its rating on the stock to "sector perform" from "underperform." RBC analyst Joseph Spak said in his research note that he previously underestimated Tesla's ability to use its soaring stock price to raise capital to fund the company's expansion. "We took a fresh look at the growth opportunity, what we got wrong about TSLA's positioning and the valuation and conclude that the stock price itself is likely to be somewhat self-fulfilling to TSLA's growth and strategy," Spak wrote. Analysts, on average, expect Tesla to report $1.2 billion in net profits for 2020, compared with $5.8 billion in net profits expected from GM and $27.1 billion in net profits expected from Facebook, according to Refinitiv.

Tesla's stock market value tops Facebook's in huge trading

WhatsApp has two options for you - my way or the highway, you either accept its terms and conditions, share your personal information or lose access to WhatsApp.

The same app claims "respect for your privacy is coded into our DNA". There is a tech war underway between Apple and Facebook. The tech giants have been fighting over consumers.

Two years ago Facebook's tagline was "it's free and always will be", that slogan silently vanished in August 2019. It was after it was out in the open that Facebook is feeding off its users while using the data to serve advertisements.

Facebook invariably greets users with related ads. Facebook tracks your online activities - the apps and websites- tacks a shopper, ads being clicked and then targets customers with personalised ads. It is Facebook's business model and the customer is the product.

Facebook has been monetising personal data and Apple says it wants to put an end to it. It wants to give users control over their data and allows them to make a conscious choice whether or not they want an app to track their browsing activity.

Apple tracks users with an app tracking transparency feature. It will come as an update with IoS 14. Facebook is obviously not happy. It says the move will strangle small businesses. Facebook has started a webpage criticising Apple's move.

The company also published a full-page newspaper ad in December 2020, it read: "more than 10 million businesses use our advertising tools each month to find new customers, hire employees, and engage with their communities."

Facebook pretends to champion small businesses while totally disregarding the fact that small businesses are frustrated- with Facebook. It has failed to provide customer support and has failed to stop scam ads.

Facebook has also pushed small businesses out of the market. New York attorney general Letitia James had said that "by using its vast troves of data and money, Facebook has squashed or hindered what the company perceived as potential threats."

On December 18, 2020, Tim Cook tweeted: "We believe users should have the choice over the data that is being collected." Apple is not the good guy, if it really cared about user data why would it store iCloud keys in China?

Apple has been basically building roadblocks for its rival with the intention to harm Facebook and not benefit users. Facebook is worth around $778 billion, Apple over $2 trillion. The consumer base for both companies is almost the same - educated and social media savvy.

People buy iPhones, browse Facebook and Instagram on them. Apple makes money on the hardware, Facebook makes money from targeted ads both companies were symbiotic at least for some time.

Then Facebook acquired WhatsApp and iMessage became its rival while Whatsapp gained popularity in Brazil, India, Mexico, Germany and Turkey, iMessage maintained its dominance in America.

Then came the drop in iPhone sales and Apple started looking at software, subscriptions and payments for money. Soon, Facebook announced it is developing a cryptocurrency for payments within Whatsapp. It meant there was a threat to Apple pay.

Apple and Facebook are now fighting on the same turf with both fighting for dominance and fighting to profit from users. In 2018, Apple CEO Tim Cook criticised Facebook for tracking people's browsing activities.

"The truth is we could make a ton of money if we monetized our customer, if our customer was our product. We've elected not to do that," the Apple CEO said.

The data privacy feature is Apple's latest move against Facebook and Facebook has shot back by sneaking in a privacy update on WhatsApp.

WhatsApp has two options for you - my way or the highway, you either accept its terms and conditions, share your personal information or lose access to WhatsApp.

WhatsApp has two options for you - my way or the highway, you either accept its terms and conditions, share your personal information or lose access to WhatsApp. The same app claims "respect for your privacy is coded into our DNA". There is a tech war underway between Apple and Facebook. The tech giants have been fighting over consumers. Two years ago Facebook's tagline was "it's free and always will be", that slogan silently vanished in August 2019. It was after it was out in the open that Facebook is feeding off its users while using the data to serve advertisements. Facebook invariably greets users with related ads. Facebook tracks your online activities - the apps and websites- tacks a shopper, ads being clicked and then targets customers with personalised ads. It is Facebook's business model and the customer is the product. Facebook has been monetising personal data and Apple says it wants to put an end to it. It wants to give users control over their data and allows them to make a conscious choice whether or not they want an app to track their browsing activity. Apple tracks users with an app tracking transparency feature. It will come as an update with IoS 14. Facebook is obviously not happy. It says the move will strangle small businesses. Facebook has started a webpage criticising Apple's move. The company also published a full-page newspaper ad in December 2020, it read: "more than 10 million businesses use our advertising tools each month to find new customers, hire employees, and engage with their communities." Facebook pretends to champion small businesses while totally disregarding the fact that small businesses are frustrated- with Facebook. It has failed to provide customer support and has failed to stop scam ads. Facebook has also pushed small businesses out of the market. New York attorney general Letitia James had said that "by using its vast troves of data and money, Facebook has squashed or hindered what the company perceived as potential threats." On December 18, 2020, Tim Cook tweeted: "We believe users should have the choice over the data that is being collected." Apple is not the good guy, if it really cared about user data why would it store iCloud keys in China? Apple has been basically building roadblocks for its rival with the intention to harm Facebook and not benefit users. Facebook is worth around $778 billion, Apple over $2 trillion. The consumer base for both companies is almost the same - educated and social media savvy. People buy iPhones, browse Facebook and Instagram on them. Apple makes money on the hardware, Facebook makes money from targeted ads both companies were symbiotic at least for some time. Then Facebook acquired WhatsApp and iMessage became its rival while Whatsapp gained popularity in Brazil, India, Mexico, Germany and Turkey, iMessage maintained its dominance in America. Then came the drop in iPhone sales and Apple started looking at software, subscriptions and payments for money. Soon, Facebook announced it is developing a cryptocurrency for payments within Whatsapp. It meant there was a threat to Apple pay. Apple and Facebook are now fighting on the same turf with both fighting for dominance and fighting to profit from users. In 2018, Apple CEO Tim Cook criticised Facebook for tracking people's browsing activities. "The truth is we could make a ton of money if we monetized our customer, if our customer was our product. We've elected not to do that," the Apple CEO said. The data privacy feature is Apple's latest move against Facebook and Facebook has shot back by sneaking in a privacy update on WhatsApp.

Privacy for sale as Apple and Facebook fight for consumers

Millions of WhatsApp users in India received an in-app notification from WhatsApp as part of an upcoming global roll-out, asking them to either accept the changes in its Terms of Service and privacy policy by February 8 or their accounts will be deleted.

The in-app notification did not elicit much details but clicking on the links clearly mentioned the key changes in how WhatsApp will collect and process users' information going forward, and the partnership with Facebook, its parent company, as part of a larger unification drive between the family of apps.

"WhatsApp must receive or collect some information to operate, provide, improve, understand, customise, support, and market our Services, including when you install, access, or use our Services," the updated policy read.

"Businesses you interact with using our Services may provide us with information about their interactions with you. We require each of these businesses to act in accordance with applicable law when providing any information to us," it further read.

WhatsApp's new Terms of Service and privacy policy will come into effect on February 8.

The mobile messaging platform said that it works with third-party service providers and "other Facebook Companies" to help it operate, provide, improve, understand, customise, support, and market its services.

"These companies may provide us with information about you in certain circumstances; for example, app stores may provide us with reports to help us diagnose and fix service issues."

Earlier in October, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg said that the company is working hard to merge Messenger, Instagram and WhatsApp so that they can start to function a little bit more like one connected interoperable system.

In a bid to allow cross-messaging among its family of apps, Facebook has reportedly started merging Instagram and Messenger chats. The social network has already integrated Messenger rooms with WhatsApp on the Web.

In its updated policy, WhatsApp said that if "you use our Services with such third-party services or Facebook Company Products, we may receive information about you from them".

"For example, if you use the WhatsApp share button on a news service to share a news article with your WhatsApp contacts, groups, or broadcast lists on our Services, or if you choose to access our Services through a mobile carrier's or device provider's promotion of our Services," the company said.

WhatsApp said as part of the Facebook Companies, it can make suggestions for you (for example, of friends or group connections, or of interesting content), like "personalising features and content, helping you complete purchases and transactions, and showing relevant offers and ads across the Facebook Company Products," along with "providing integrations which enable you to connect your WhatsApp experiences with other Facebook Company Products".

"For example, allowing you to connect your Facebook Pay account to pay for things on WhatsApp or enabling you to chat with your friends on other Facebook Company Products, such as Portal, by connecting your WhatsApp account," the new policy explained.

Millions of WhatsApp users in India received an in-app notification from WhatsApp as part of an upcoming global roll-out, asking them to either accept the changes in its Terms of Service and privacy policy by February 8 or their accounts will be deleted.

Millions of WhatsApp users in India received an in-app notification from WhatsApp as part of an upcoming global roll-out, asking them to either accept the changes in its Terms of Service and privacy policy by February 8 or their accounts will be deleted. The in-app notification did not elicit much details but clicking on the links clearly mentioned the key changes in how WhatsApp will collect and process users' information going forward, and the partnership with Facebook, its parent company, as part of a larger unification drive between the family of apps. "WhatsApp must receive or collect some information to operate, provide, improve, understand, customise, support, and market our Services, including when you install, access, or use our Services," the updated policy read. "Businesses you interact with using our Services may provide us with information about their interactions with you. We require each of these businesses to act in accordance with applicable law when providing any information to us," it further read. WhatsApp's new Terms of Service and privacy policy will come into effect on February 8. The mobile messaging platform said that it works with third-party service providers and "other Facebook Companies" to help it operate, provide, improve, understand, customise, support, and market its services. "These companies may provide us with information about you in certain circumstances; for example, app stores may provide us with reports to help us diagnose and fix service issues." Earlier in October, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg said that the company is working hard to merge Messenger, Instagram and WhatsApp so that they can start to function a little bit more like one connected interoperable system. In a bid to allow cross-messaging among its family of apps, Facebook has reportedly started merging Instagram and Messenger chats. The social network has already integrated Messenger rooms with WhatsApp on the Web. In its updated policy, WhatsApp said that if "you use our Services with such third-party services or Facebook Company Products, we may receive information about you from them". "For example, if you use the WhatsApp share button on a news service to share a news article with your WhatsApp contacts, groups, or broadcast lists on our Services, or if you choose to access our Services through a mobile carrier's or device provider's promotion of our Services," the company said. WhatsApp said as part of the Facebook Companies, it can make suggestions for you (for example, of friends or group connections, or of interesting content), like "personalising features and content, helping you complete purchases and transactions, and showing relevant offers and ads across the Facebook Company Products," along with "providing integrations which enable you to connect your WhatsApp experiences with other Facebook Company Products". "For example, allowing you to connect your Facebook Pay account to pay for things on WhatsApp or enabling you to chat with your friends on other Facebook Company Products, such as Portal, by connecting your WhatsApp account," the new policy explained.

WhatsApp updates privacy policy, asks users to accept terms or app will be deleted

The image is startling, endearing and scary at the same time. Although the frame shows a cute deer, what is horrific is an arrow has pierced his head and come out of from just below his eye. The arrow remains lodged in the deer's head but the deer&nbsp;is very much alive. This viral image is being shared widely on social media.

The photo has been clicked by a photographer name Lee-Anne Carver. The deer who she named Carrot has befriended her for three years. But she was not ready for what happened just over a week ago.

"Today, he came to my house with an arrow through his head. It was disturbing, startling and crushing," she writes in a Facebook post dated December 10.

"My husband came in the house crying to tell me," she adds.

To both of their surprise, Carrot was behaving as if nothing had happened. It licked Lee-Anne's hands as it always did and showed no signs of pain. There was no blood, according to her.

"For now, allow me to say the arrow missed all vitals. His skull protected him," she says.

Before anyone could react on Facebook, she requested everyone to not rally for the deer to be put to death to end his misery as she said he was "thriving" and that there was "no need to put him down".

She has even posted a video of the deer walking around with the arrow wedged in his skull.

Here is the complete Facebook post she has written.

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<div class="fb-post" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/leeanne.carver.5/posts/10158708524363467" data-show-text="true" data-width="500">
<blockquote cite="https://www.facebook.com/leeanne.carver.5/posts/10158708524363467" class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore">
Three years ago we met a fawn we came to call Carrot. I've met hundreds and hundreds of deer over the decades who are...
Posted by <a href="#" role="button">Lee-Anne Carver</a> on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/leeanne.carver.5/posts/10158708524363467">Wednesday, 9 December 2020</a></blockquote>
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<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

&nbsp;

The post has got many comments from users who suggest many things.

"Contact game warden" says a user while others opine say calling&nbsp;a veterinarian would be better. Many users have expressed dismay at how anyone could be this cruel to an animal to put an arrow through its head.

The photographer has posted a link of an FB page as an answer to many comments.

This page has a post that says...

"Carrot was shot with a &nbsp;target arrow made from carbon. He was shot in a residential area and it seems this incident had nothing to do with hunting"

What followed after the deer's image went viral was wonderful. Government officials visited the photographer's house to help the wild deer and by coincidence, it was present there when they arrived.

The officials carefully cut the upper protruding part of the arrow. They have opined that rest of the arrow is expected to naturally slide out as the deer's body heals itself.

"I went looking for Carrot in the evening and I found him with his friend," writes Lee-Anne. She adds that he was "chilling" with his deer friend.

All's well that ends well eh?

The image is startling, endearing and scary at the same time. Although the frame shows a cute deer, what is horrific is an arrow has pierced his head and come out of from just below his eye.

The image is startling, endearing and scary at the same time. Although the frame shows a cute deer, what is horrific is an arrow has pierced his head and come out of from just below his eye. The arrow remains lodged in the deer's head but the deer is very much alive. This viral image is being shared widely on social media. The photo has been clicked by a photographer name Lee-Anne Carver. The deer who she named Carrot has befriended her for three years. But she was not ready for what happened just over a week ago. "Today, he came to my house with an arrow through his head. It was disturbing, startling and crushing," she writes in a Facebook post dated December 10. "My husband came in the house crying to tell me," she adds. To both of their surprise, Carrot was behaving as if nothing had happened. It licked Lee-Anne's hands as it always did and showed no signs of pain. There was no blood, according to her. "For now, allow me to say the arrow missed all vitals. His skull protected him," she says. Before anyone could react on Facebook, she requested everyone to not rally for the deer to be put to death to end his misery as she said he was "thriving" and that there was "no need to put him down". She has even posted a video of the deer walking around with the arrow wedged in his skull. Here is the complete Facebook post she has written. Three years ago we met a fawn we came to call Carrot. I've met hundreds and hundreds of deer over the decades who are... Posted by Lee-Anne Carver on Wednesday, 9 December 2020 × The post has got many comments from users who suggest many things. "Contact game warden" says a user while others opine say calling a veterinarian would be better. Many users have expressed dismay at how anyone could be this cruel to an animal to put an arrow through its head. The photographer has posted a link of an FB page as an answer to many comments. This page has a post that says... "Carrot was shot with a target arrow made from carbon. He was shot in a residential area and it seems this incident had nothing to do with hunting" What followed after the deer's image went viral was wonderful. Government officials visited the photographer's house to help the wild deer and by coincidence, it was present there when they arrived. The officials carefully cut the upper protruding part of the arrow. They have opined that rest of the arrow is expected to naturally slide out as the deer's body heals itself. "I went looking for Carrot in the evening and I found him with his friend," writes Lee-Anne. She adds that he was "chilling" with his deer friend. All's well that ends well eh?

An arrow went through this deer's head and it is still alive

The year 2020 has not been the best of the year for the Chinese-owned video-sharing platform TikTok with accusations of breach of privacy and circulating explicit content. However, other social media platforms have utilised TikTok's success to launch their own video platforms.

Taking an example of TikTok's success, social media giants Facebook has become the most recent addition in the list of platforms launching their own video-sharing platform.&nbsp;

Facebook Inc has launched a new app called 'Collab' which lets the users record their own audio and also allows them to combine different parts of videos to compile a single video.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/reddit-buys-tiktoks-competitor-dubsmash-promises-diversity-349746">Reddit buys TikTok's competitor Dubsmash; promises diversity</a>

The new app is specifically designed for musicians who can combine three 15-seconds long videos by stacking them on each other, i.e, a clip of a drummer, guitarist and singer can be recorded and stacked on top of each other to make a complete music video.&nbsp;

For those who lack the extra-ordinary musical talent, Collab also provides the options of swiping and adding an already added clip or mix.

The app also gives the users a chance to discover collabs of other users in the format of a timeline, similar to TikTok's discover feature and Facebook's already-existing 'Timeline' feature.

With a downfall in TikTok's market and concerns over the security of data, Collab is hoping to gain more audience through this new app.

The launch has come a day after content-sharing app Reddit bought another short video-sharing app Dubsmash in a bid to promote local creators and bring more diversity.

The year 2020 has not been the best of the year for the Chinese-owned video-sharing platform TikTok with accusations of breach of privacy and circulating explicit content.

The year 2020 has not been the best of the year for the Chinese-owned video-sharing platform TikTok with accusations of breach of privacy and circulating explicit content. However, other social media platforms have utilised TikTok's success to launch their own video platforms. Taking an example of TikTok's success, social media giants Facebook has become the most recent addition in the list of platforms launching their own video-sharing platform. Facebook Inc has launched a new app called 'Collab' which lets the users record their own audio and also allows them to combine different parts of videos to compile a single video. Also read| Reddit buys TikTok's competitor Dubsmash; promises diversity The new app is specifically designed for musicians who can combine three 15-seconds long videos by stacking them on each other, i.e, a clip of a drummer, guitarist and singer can be recorded and stacked on top of each other to make a complete music video. For those who lack the extra-ordinary musical talent, Collab also provides the options of swiping and adding an already added clip or mix. The app also gives the users a chance to discover collabs of other users in the format of a timeline, similar to TikTok's discover feature and Facebook's already-existing 'Timeline' feature. With a downfall in TikTok's market and concerns over the security of data, Collab is hoping to gain more audience through this new app. The launch has come a day after content-sharing app Reddit bought another short video-sharing app Dubsmash in a bid to promote local creators and bring more diversity.

Facebook launches 'Collab' as TikTok's competition

From Instagram to Whatsapp: Victims of Facebook's 'buy and bury' strategy

The Trump administration on Thursday sued Facebook, accusing it of discriminating against American workers by favouring immigrant applicants for thousands of high-paying jobs.

The Department of Justice's lawsuit opens a new front in the administration's push against tech companies -- and its clampdown on immigration -- as President Donald Trump enters his final weeks in office.

The suit concerns more than 2,600 positions with an average salary of some $156,000, offered from January 2018 to September 2019.

"Facebook engaged in intentional and widespread violations of the law, by setting aside positions for temporary visa holders instead of considering interested and qualified US workers," assistant attorney general Eric Dreiband, of the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division, said in a statement outlining the department's allegations.

The internet giant reserved positions for candidates with H1-B "skilled worker" visas or other temporary work visas, the department said.

Facebook "channelled" jobs to visa holders by avoiding advertising on its careers website, accepting only physically mailed applications for some posts, or refusing to consider US workers at all, according to the suit.

The unusual move to file a lawsuit -- with the Justice Department pivoting suddenly away from simply discussing their concerns with Facebook -- could be seen as a rush to hit the courts before Trump leaves the White House in January.

The California-based social network planned to continue cooperating with the department as the case plays out.

Restrictions rejected

The lawsuit was filed just two days after a US federal judge blocked rule changes ordered by Trump that made it harder for people outside the country to get skilled-worker visas.

The US Chamber of Commerce, the Bay Area Council in Facebook's home state of California and others had sued the Department of Homeland Security arguing that the changes rushed new restrictions through without a proper public review process.

Skilled-worker visas are precious to Silicon Valley tech firms hungry for engineers and other highly-trained talents, with Asia home to many keenly sought workers.

US District Court Judge Jeffrey White granted a motion to set aside two rules by the Departments of Labor and Homeland Security that would have compelled companies to pay H1-B visa workers higher wages and restricted job types that qualify for the visas.

The Trump administration had cited the Covid-19 pandemic and its toll on the economy as reasons for skipping the required public notice and review processes for their new rules, according to court documents.

 
But White said in his ruling that the administration did not demonstrate "that the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on domestic unemployment justified dispensing with the due deliberation that normally accompanies" making changes to the H-1B visa program.

Animosity toward immigration has been a hallmark of the Trump administration.

Facebook uses hiring practices standard in Silicon Valley, and US prosecutors were also eyeing other tech firms regarding H1-B visas employment, according to a person familiar with the matter.

Antitrust as well?

On another legal front, federal regulators and US states are poised to hit Facebook with antitrust cases, US media reported Thursday, amid concerns that its practice of buying up rivals has harmed competition.

The company said earlier this year its executives were fielding questions from the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) on an antitrust fact-finding mission.

The FTC declined to comment Thursday on reports in multiple US outlets including The New York Times and Washington Post that it is likely to file an antitrust suit against the social media giant.

An FTC review of acquisitions dating back to 2010 could potentially "unwind" some of the company's deals.

Facebook is the leading internet social network, reaching close to three billion people worldwide with its core platform, along with Instagram and messaging services WhatsApp and Messenger.

An estimated seven in 10 US adults use Facebook, and its reach allows it to play an outsized role in digital advertising and news delivery.

That influence means the network regularly faces complaints about its handling of political misinformation and hate speech.

The Trump administration on Thursday sued Facebook, accusing it of discriminating against American workers by favouring immigrant applicants for thousands of high-paying jobs.

The Trump administration on Thursday sued Facebook, accusing it of discriminating against American workers by favouring immigrant applicants for thousands of high-paying jobs. The Department of Justice's lawsuit opens a new front in the administration's push against tech companies -- and its clampdown on immigration -- as President Donald Trump enters his final weeks in office. The suit concerns more than 2,600 positions with an average salary of some $156,000, offered from January 2018 to September 2019. "Facebook engaged in intentional and widespread violations of the law, by setting aside positions for temporary visa holders instead of considering interested and qualified US workers," assistant attorney general Eric Dreiband, of the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division, said in a statement outlining the department's allegations. The internet giant reserved positions for candidates with H1-B "skilled worker" visas or other temporary work visas, the department said. Facebook "channelled" jobs to visa holders by avoiding advertising on its careers website, accepting only physically mailed applications for some posts, or refusing to consider US workers at all, according to the suit. The unusual move to file a lawsuit -- with the Justice Department pivoting suddenly away from simply discussing their concerns with Facebook -- could be seen as a rush to hit the courts before Trump leaves the White House in January. The California-based social network planned to continue cooperating with the department as the case plays out. Restrictions rejected The lawsuit was filed just two days after a US federal judge blocked rule changes ordered by Trump that made it harder for people outside the country to get skilled-worker visas. The US Chamber of Commerce, the Bay Area Council in Facebook's home state of California and others had sued the Department of Homeland Security arguing that the changes rushed new restrictions through without a proper public review process. Skilled-worker visas are precious to Silicon Valley tech firms hungry for engineers and other highly-trained talents, with Asia home to many keenly sought workers. US District Court Judge Jeffrey White granted a motion to set aside two rules by the Departments of Labor and Homeland Security that would have compelled companies to pay H1-B visa workers higher wages and restricted job types that qualify for the visas. The Trump administration had cited the Covid-19 pandemic and its toll on the economy as reasons for skipping the required public notice and review processes for their new rules, according to court documents. But White said in his ruling that the administration did not demonstrate "that the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on domestic unemployment justified dispensing with the due deliberation that normally accompanies" making changes to the H-1B visa program. Animosity toward immigration has been a hallmark of the Trump administration. Facebook uses hiring practices standard in Silicon Valley, and US prosecutors were also eyeing other tech firms regarding H1-B visas employment, according to a person familiar with the matter. Antitrust as well? On another legal front, federal regulators and US states are poised to hit Facebook with antitrust cases, US media reported Thursday, amid concerns that its practice of buying up rivals has harmed competition. The company said earlier this year its executives were fielding questions from the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) on an antitrust fact-finding mission. The FTC declined to comment Thursday on reports in multiple US outlets including The New York Times and Washington Post that it is likely to file an antitrust suit against the social media giant. An FTC review of acquisitions dating back to 2010 could potentially "unwind" some of the company's deals. Facebook is the leading internet social network, reaching close to three billion people worldwide with its core platform, along with Instagram and messaging services WhatsApp and Messenger. An estimated seven in 10 US adults use Facebook, and its reach allows it to play an outsized role in digital advertising and news delivery. That influence means the network regularly faces complaints about its handling of political misinformation and hate speech.

US sues Facebook for allegedly favouring immigrants over US workers 

From Fleets to Reels, here's all the social media buzz that happened in 2020

Canada plans to impose a tax on corporations providing digital services from 2022 that will stay in place until major nations come up with a coordinated approach on taxation, the Finance Department said on Monday.

The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development is working on a common approach to ensure digital behemoths, such as Alphabet Inc’s Google and Facebook Inc, pay their share of taxes as the coronavirus hammers budgets.

Canada said it was concerned about a delay in reaching an agreement. The threat of digital services taxes has prompted threats of trade retaliation from outgoing U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration.

The new tax would come into effect on Jan. 1, 2022, and remain in place until a common approach is agreed upon. The measure would raise federal revenues by C$3.4 billion ($2.6 billion) over five years, starting in the 2021-22 fiscal year.

“Canadians want a tax system that is fair, where everyone pays their fair share,” Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland told legislators in the fall economic update.

“Canada will act unilaterally, if necessary, to apply a tax on large multinational digital corporations, so they pay their fair share just like any other company operating in Canada.”

More details are due in next year’s budget.

Foreign-based vendors with no physical presence in Canada will also have to start collecting sales taxes on products such as mobile apps, online video gaming and streaming. The measure should raise C$1.2 billion over five years.

Ottawa also plans to oblige people renting out short-term accommodation to charge sales taxes, saying popular digital rental platforms do not currently have to impose the taxes.&nbsp;

That puts hotels at a disadvantage, it added.

The government is also clamping down on the award of stock options to prevent “high-income individuals employed at large, long-established, mature firms” from taking unfair advantage.

From now on, a C$200,000 annual limit will apply to stock option grants for those people. Ottawa did not provide a definition of high-income individuals or mature firms.

The rules will not apply to startups or emerging companies, which often cannot afford to pay competitive salaries and instead offer stock options. The new rules will generate about C$200 million in federal revenues, the Finance Department said.

(With inputs from agencies)

Canada plans to impose a tax on corporations providing digital services from 2022 that will stay in place until major nations come up with a coordinated approach on taxation, the Finance Department said on Monday.

Canada plans to impose a tax on corporations providing digital services from 2022 that will stay in place until major nations come up with a coordinated approach on taxation, the Finance Department said on Monday. The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development is working on a common approach to ensure digital behemoths, such as Alphabet Inc’s Google and Facebook Inc, pay their share of taxes as the coronavirus hammers budgets. Canada said it was concerned about a delay in reaching an agreement. The threat of digital services taxes has prompted threats of trade retaliation from outgoing U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration. The new tax would come into effect on Jan. 1, 2022, and remain in place until a common approach is agreed upon. The measure would raise federal revenues by C$3.4 billion ($2.6 billion) over five years, starting in the 2021-22 fiscal year. “Canadians want a tax system that is fair, where everyone pays their fair share,” Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland told legislators in the fall economic update. “Canada will act unilaterally, if necessary, to apply a tax on large multinational digital corporations, so they pay their fair share just like any other company operating in Canada.” More details are due in next year’s budget. Foreign-based vendors with no physical presence in Canada will also have to start collecting sales taxes on products such as mobile apps, online video gaming and streaming. The measure should raise C$1.2 billion over five years. Ottawa also plans to oblige people renting out short-term accommodation to charge sales taxes, saying popular digital rental platforms do not currently have to impose the taxes. That puts hotels at a disadvantage, it added. The government is also clamping down on the award of stock options to prevent “high-income individuals employed at large, long-established, mature firms” from taking unfair advantage. From now on, a C$200,000 annual limit will apply to stock option grants for those people. Ottawa did not provide a definition of high-income individuals or mature firms. The rules will not apply to startups or emerging companies, which often cannot afford to pay competitive salaries and instead offer stock options. The new rules will generate about C$200 million in federal revenues, the Finance Department said. (With inputs from agencies)

Canada plans digital tax in 2022 on global tech giants such as Facebook, Google

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