Facebook has deleted the main page of Myanmar military. The action has come just a day after two protesters were killed in police shooting. Use of lethal violence in Myanmar has also seen a condemnation from UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. Meanwhile, Donald Trump is scheduled to speak for the first time since he left office of US President. Read this and more in our morning news brief.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/facebook-deletes-main-page-of-myanmar-military-365128">Facebook deletes main page of Myanmar military</a>

<img alt="Facebook" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2a6f5777-0a1e-4c4c-ac98-ef9ab604c852" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Facebook_1.JPG" />

Facebook's action has come just a day after two protesters were killed after police opened fire at a demonstration

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-to-appear-for-first-post-white-house-speech-in-cpac-365129">Donald Trump to appear for first post-White House speech in CPAC</a>

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After his historic defeat and a follow-up of unverified allegations and riots, Trump will talk about the future of the Republican Party

<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>

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Two people were shot and killed and 20 were wounded on Saturday

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/united-airlines-engine-catches-fire-mid-air-debris-falls-on-houses-in-colorado-365125">United Airlines' engine catches fire mid-air; debris falls on houses in Colorado</a>

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Shortly after take-off, the plane's right-side engine experienced a fault which resulted in a fire in the engine

UN's nuclear watchdog chief arrives in Tehran, Iran

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Facebook has deleted the main page of Myanmar military. The action has come just a day after two protesters were killed in police shooting. Use of lethal violence in Myanmar has also seen a condemnation from UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

Facebook has deleted the main page of Myanmar military. The action has come just a day after two protesters were killed in police shooting. Use of lethal violence in Myanmar has also seen a condemnation from UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. Meanwhile, Donald Trump is scheduled to speak for the first time since he left office of US President. Read this and more in our morning news brief. Facebook deletes main page of Myanmar military Facebook's action has come just a day after two protesters were killed after police opened fire at a demonstration Donald Trump to appear for first post-White House speech in CPAC After his historic defeat and a follow-up of unverified allegations and riots, Trump will talk about the future of the Republican Party UN condemns use of 'lethal force' in Myanmar Two people were shot and killed and 20 were wounded on Saturday United Airlines' engine catches fire mid-air; debris falls on houses in Colorado Shortly after take-off, the plane's right-side engine experienced a fault which resulted in a fire in the engine UN's nuclear watchdog chief arrives in Tehran, Iran ×

Morning news brief: Facebook unfriends Myanmar military, Trump to give speech, and more

Do we have an alternative to Facebook as it isn't mending its ways? Should we all just log out of it? Delete accounts. Can we do that? &nbsp;

Many of our apps are linked to it. We chat with our friends, interact with our interest groups, share life events, achievements on Facebook.&nbsp;

Even job openings are shared on Facebook.&nbsp;

Can you do without Facebook, Whatsapp?&nbsp;

Not just these two, can you do without such big tech companies in your life?&nbsp;

The millennials might think it is impossible, those older would say there was a time when there was no social media.&nbsp;

Life was just fine without Facebook but we can't go back to that age and why should we? &nbsp;

WATCH|

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-are-there-alternatives-to-facebook-364918/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

It's not like we're riding camels because cars pollute. We have to look for better alternatives, create and support them. We have to ensure they're not just good but also safe. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Perhaps local platforms that don't pry on our private lives. One may say a local platform will limit your connections, not give you the same user experience, and you may be right.&nbsp;

Facebook has nearly three billion users and almost 32% of the world's population. A local platform is unlikely to have even a fraction of it but do we really need an exhaustive friend list?&nbsp;

Have you heard of the Dunbar number? 150 is the Dunbar number. It is said that we can only maintain around 150 connections at once. There are five people in your tighest circle. You have 15 good friends, 50 friends and 150 meaningful contacts.&nbsp;

British anthropologist Robin Dunbar came up with this theory. The researchers he influenced say, the magic number 150 remains true even today in the age of social media. They say the moment your network exceeds 150, it is unlikely to last long or cohere well.&nbsp;

So, local platforms, with not-so-overwhelming number of users, can be alternatives.&nbsp;

You may now say Facebook is more than just making and maintaining friends. Sure, it is and there are alternatives for that too.&nbsp;

Pinterest for interest groups, twitter for your protests and showing off your knowledge can be done on Linkedin along with job hunt.&nbsp;

Not endorsing any platform and just trying to say we do have alternatives to Facebook.&nbsp;

What governments should do is create awareness and let people choose.&nbsp;

Governments should legislate and regulate, talk to people about the importance of safeguarding their data, educate them about how data is misused and how tech monopolies can be dangerous.&nbsp;

Governments can encourage local tech companies by providing grants for innovations.&nbsp;

But start by talking about the problem. In India, when Whatsapp announced its privacy policy. Many people did not realise what the fuss was all about as no one ever spoke to them about data sensitivity.&nbsp;

What we need today is digital education and while we discuss all of this, there is one country that may be having the last laugh. It is China as it has banned Facebook and all major western tech platforms.&nbsp;

China has its own firewall and with big tech becoming a menace, this China model may become attractive to some countries.&nbsp;

When democracy is under threat and events like Capitol Hill happen, China gets to showcase its model of governance as the more effective one. There is no way Beijing will not try to sell its digital model too. It is more profitable than selling dictatorship as China wants to stay ahead of the curve in the 5G race. If it manages to export its firewall, set standards around it, it can make money from patents.&nbsp;

Technology is integral to China's dream of digital dominance. Big tech with all its nuisance may be bringing that dream to life. It is creating a mess in our countries and giving China a chance to have the last laugh.&nbsp;

Do we have an alternative to Facebook as it isn't mending its ways? Should we all just log out of it? Delete accounts. Can we do that? Many of our apps are linked to it.

Do we have an alternative to Facebook as it isn't mending its ways? Should we all just log out of it? Delete accounts. Can we do that? Many of our apps are linked to it. We chat with our friends, interact with our interest groups, share life events, achievements on Facebook. Even job openings are shared on Facebook. Can you do without Facebook, Whatsapp? Not just these two, can you do without such big tech companies in your life? The millennials might think it is impossible, those older would say there was a time when there was no social media. Life was just fine without Facebook but we can't go back to that age and why should we? WATCH| It's not like we're riding camels because cars pollute. We have to look for better alternatives, create and support them. We have to ensure they're not just good but also safe. Perhaps local platforms that don't pry on our private lives. One may say a local platform will limit your connections, not give you the same user experience, and you may be right. Facebook has nearly three billion users and almost 32% of the world's population. A local platform is unlikely to have even a fraction of it but do we really need an exhaustive friend list? Have you heard of the Dunbar number? 150 is the Dunbar number. It is said that we can only maintain around 150 connections at once. There are five people in your tighest circle. You have 15 good friends, 50 friends and 150 meaningful contacts. British anthropologist Robin Dunbar came up with this theory. The researchers he influenced say, the magic number 150 remains true even today in the age of social media. They say the moment your network exceeds 150, it is unlikely to last long or cohere well. So, local platforms, with not-so-overwhelming number of users, can be alternatives. You may now say Facebook is more than just making and maintaining friends. Sure, it is and there are alternatives for that too. Pinterest for interest groups, twitter for your protests and showing off your knowledge can be done on Linkedin along with job hunt. Not endorsing any platform and just trying to say we do have alternatives to Facebook. What governments should do is create awareness and let people choose. Governments should legislate and regulate, talk to people about the importance of safeguarding their data, educate them about how data is misused and how tech monopolies can be dangerous. Governments can encourage local tech companies by providing grants for innovations. But start by talking about the problem. In India, when Whatsapp announced its privacy policy. Many people did not realise what the fuss was all about as no one ever spoke to them about data sensitivity. What we need today is digital education and while we discuss all of this, there is one country that may be having the last laugh. It is China as it has banned Facebook and all major western tech platforms. China has its own firewall and with big tech becoming a menace, this China model may become attractive to some countries. When democracy is under threat and events like Capitol Hill happen, China gets to showcase its model of governance as the more effective one. There is no way Beijing will not try to sell its digital model too. It is more profitable than selling dictatorship as China wants to stay ahead of the curve in the 5G race. If it manages to export its firewall, set standards around it, it can make money from patents. Technology is integral to China's dream of digital dominance. Big tech with all its nuisance may be bringing that dream to life. It is creating a mess in our countries and giving China a chance to have the last laugh.

Can we do without big tech companies?

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;

Watch |

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&nbsp;&nbsp;"We talked through their remaining issues and agreed our respective teams would work through them immediately," Frydenberg was quoted as saying by news agency AFP.&nbsp;

Also read | <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>

Prime Minister Scott Morrison called Facebook's behaviour threatening and asked it to "come back to the table".&nbsp;

Morrison said the Australian government's decision to ask Facebook and Google to pay the media for news posted on their website has generated interest from across the world and he has also talked with Indian PM Narendra Modi and Canadian PM Justin Trudeau regarding the matter.&nbsp;

Facebook has blanked out pages of news organisations from Thursday for Australian users and blocked them from publishing any news content over the new legislation that has been approved by the lower house.&nbsp;

The social media giant has said the proposed legislation "fundamentally misunderstands" Facebook's relationship with news outlets and it has left with no choice other than blocking the news content.&nbsp;

Since the ban by Facebook to block news content came into effect, the traffic of Australian news sites at home and abroad reduced substantially, with foreign traffic coming down by more than 20 per cent per day, according to data analytics company Chartbeat.

 
&nbsp;

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.

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. Watch | "We talked through their remaining issues and agreed our respective teams would work through them immediately," Frydenberg was quoted as saying by news agency AFP. Also read | Facebook to launch smartwatch with messaging, fitness features Prime Minister Scott Morrison called Facebook's behaviour threatening and asked it to "come back to the table". Morrison said the Australian government's decision to ask Facebook and Google to pay the media for news posted on their website has generated interest from across the world and he has also talked with Indian PM Narendra Modi and Canadian PM Justin Trudeau regarding the matter. Facebook has blanked out pages of news organisations from Thursday for Australian users and blocked them from publishing any news content over the new legislation that has been approved by the lower house. The social media giant has said the proposed legislation "fundamentally misunderstands" Facebook's relationship with news outlets and it has left with no choice other than blocking the news content. Since the ban by Facebook to block news content came into effect, the traffic of Australian news sites at home and abroad reduced substantially, with foreign traffic coming down by more than 20 per cent per day, according to data analytics company Chartbeat.

Facebook, Australia hold talks following news ban

Australia and Facebook are now in talks to find a way for social media giant over the news content law. After a week of sharp exchanges, Australia has said that Facebook has befriended Australia again. Australia and facebook have high stake talks on Friday by sparking outrage by blacking out all news feed from the Facebook page in Australia.

Australia and Facebook held high stake talks on content law

In 16 years, Facebook has evolved from a website that connects college students into the biggest social media network in the world. Facebook has driven revolutions, but it has also fueled anarchy and unrest. Who is keeping Facebook in check? WION's Palki Sharma brings you a report.

Gravitas: Who checks Facebook's biases?

After banning news in Australia, Facebook has decided to re-introduce the controversial WhatsApp privacy policy. This comes at a time when at least 7 countries are mulling rules to make the tech giant pay for news. WION's Palki Sharma tells you more.

Gravitas: Facebook brings back controversial WhatsApp privacy policy

Can you log out of Facebook? Can we live without it? Can we live without WhatsApp and Instagram? WION's Palki Sharma says- there are alternatives! listen in.

Gravitas: Are there alternatives to Facebook?

The British directly ruled India for nearly 200 years. Now there is another colonial threat staring at India. WION's Palki Sharma tells you about the New East India Company.

Gravitas: Is Big Tech the New East India Company?

Facebook has banned news content in Australia. Millions of Australians have their newsfeeds empty. Is this a reckless move? Has Facebook chosen profit over people? WION's Palki Sharma gets you a 'status update' from Australia.

Gravitas: Facebooks wipes out news in Australia

The White House has been reaching out to social media companies including Facebook, Twitter and Alphabet Inc’s Google about clamping down on COVID misinformation and getting their help to stop it from going viral, a senior administration official said.

President Joe Biden, who has raced to curb the pandemic since taking office, has made inoculating Americans one of his top priorities and called the move “a wartime effort.” But tackling public fear about taking the vaccine has emerged as a major impediment for the administration.

Since the onset of the pandemic, calls from lawmakers asking the companies to tackle the spread of COVID misinformation on their platforms have grown.

The White House’s direct engagement with the companies to mitigate the challenge has not been previously reported. Biden’s chief of staff Ron Klain has previously said the administration will try to work with Silicon Valley on the issue.

“Disinformation that causes vaccine hesitancy is going to be a huge obstacle to getting everyone vaccinated and there are no larger players in that than the social media platforms,” said the source, who has direct knowledge of the White House’s efforts.

“We are talking to them ... so they understand the importance of misinformation and disinformation and how they can get rid of it quickly.”

The Biden White House is especially trying to make sure such material “does not start trending on such platforms and become a broader movement,” the source said.

The source cited the example of the anti-vaccine protests at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles in early February, and said the White House wants to stop events like that from happening again.

The protest, organized on Facebook through a page that promotes debunked claims about the coronavirus pandemic, masks and immunization, briefly blocked public access to the stadium - one of the largest vaccination sites in the country, where health authorities are administering more than 8,000 vaccines a day.

The event illustrated the extent to which social media platforms have become a critical organizing tool for movements such as the anti-vaccine drive, that spread misinformation and disinformation.

A growing number of anti-vaccine activists, emboldened by their rising social media following, have helped the movement gain strength in the United States. A report by the Center for Countering Digital Health in July 2020 found social media accounts held by anti-vaxxers have increased their following by at least 7·8 million people since 2019.

The companies have repeatedly vowed to get rid of such material on their platforms but gaps remain in their enforcement efforts.

On Thursday, Senator Richard Blumenthal criticized the platforms in a tweet for carrying ads that he said funds and promotes “dangerous conspiracy theories, COVID-19 disinformation and malign foreign propaganda.”

A Facebook spokeswoman said that the company has reached out to the White House to offer “any assistance we can provide” and has recently announced a new policy to remove COVID and vaccine misinformation along with pages, groups, and accounts that repeatedly spread such material.

A Twitter spokesman said the company is “in regular communication with the White House on a number of critical issues including COVID-19 misinformation.”

Alphabet Inc’s Google did not comment on engagement with the White House, instead pointing to a company blog on and how it stops misinformation.

The source said the companies “were receptive” as they engaged with the White House. “But it is too soon to say whether or not it translates into lessening the spread of misinformation.”

There will be more details on how the White House is engaging with the social media companies on this issue in the “next ten days or so”, the source added.

The White House has been reaching out to social media companies including Facebook, Twitter and Alphabet Inc’s Google about clamping down on COVID misinformation and getting their help to stop it from going viral, a senior administration official said.

The White House has been reaching out to social media companies including Facebook, Twitter and Alphabet Inc’s Google about clamping down on COVID misinformation and getting their help to stop it from going viral, a senior administration official said. President Joe Biden, who has raced to curb the pandemic since taking office, has made inoculating Americans one of his top priorities and called the move “a wartime effort.” But tackling public fear about taking the vaccine has emerged as a major impediment for the administration. Since the onset of the pandemic, calls from lawmakers asking the companies to tackle the spread of COVID misinformation on their platforms have grown. The White House’s direct engagement with the companies to mitigate the challenge has not been previously reported. Biden’s chief of staff Ron Klain has previously said the administration will try to work with Silicon Valley on the issue. “Disinformation that causes vaccine hesitancy is going to be a huge obstacle to getting everyone vaccinated and there are no larger players in that than the social media platforms,” said the source, who has direct knowledge of the White House’s efforts. “We are talking to them ... so they understand the importance of misinformation and disinformation and how they can get rid of it quickly.” The Biden White House is especially trying to make sure such material “does not start trending on such platforms and become a broader movement,” the source said. The source cited the example of the anti-vaccine protests at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles in early February, and said the White House wants to stop events like that from happening again. The protest, organized on Facebook through a page that promotes debunked claims about the coronavirus pandemic, masks and immunization, briefly blocked public access to the stadium - one of the largest vaccination sites in the country, where health authorities are administering more than 8,000 vaccines a day. The event illustrated the extent to which social media platforms have become a critical organizing tool for movements such as the anti-vaccine drive, that spread misinformation and disinformation. A growing number of anti-vaccine activists, emboldened by their rising social media following, have helped the movement gain strength in the United States. A report by the Center for Countering Digital Health in July 2020 found social media accounts held by anti-vaxxers have increased their following by at least 7·8 million people since 2019. The companies have repeatedly vowed to get rid of such material on their platforms but gaps remain in their enforcement efforts. On Thursday, Senator Richard Blumenthal criticized the platforms in a tweet for carrying ads that he said funds and promotes “dangerous conspiracy theories, COVID-19 disinformation and malign foreign propaganda.” A Facebook spokeswoman said that the company has reached out to the White House to offer “any assistance we can provide” and has recently announced a new policy to remove COVID and vaccine misinformation along with pages, groups, and accounts that repeatedly spread such material. A Twitter spokesman said the company is “in regular communication with the White House on a number of critical issues including COVID-19 misinformation.” Alphabet Inc’s Google did not comment on engagement with the White House, instead pointing to a company blog on and how it stops misinformation. The source said the companies “were receptive” as they engaged with the White House. “But it is too soon to say whether or not it translates into lessening the spread of misinformation.” There will be more details on how the White House is engaging with the social media companies on this issue in the “next ten days or so”, the source added.

White House working with Facebook and Twitter to tackle anti-vaxxers

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has vowed to go ahead with the content law to force Facebook to pay news outlets. He also said that if Facebook wants to conduct business, it needs to work according to the data laws of the country.

WION Dispatch: Australia refuses to bend on content law

Canada vowed on Thursday to make Facebook Inc pay for news content, seeking allies in the media battle with tech giants and pledging not to back down if the social media platform shuts off the country's news as it did in Australia.

Facebook blocked all Australian news content on its service over proposed legislation requiring it and Alphabet Inc's Google to pay fees to Australian publishers for news links.

Canadian Heritage Minister Steven Guilbeault, in charge of drafting similar legislation to be unveiled in the coming months, condemned Facebook's action and said it would not deter Ottawa.

"Canada is at the forefront of this battle ... we are really among the first group of countries around the world that are doing this," he told reporters.

Last year, Canadian media organizations warned of a potential market failure without government action. They said the Australian approach would permit publishers to recover C$620 million a year. Without action, they warned, Canada would lose 700 print journalism jobs out of 3,100 total.

Guilbeault said Canada could adopt the Australian model, which requires Facebook and Google to reach deals to pay news outlets whose links drive activity on their services or agree on a price through binding arbitration.

Another option is to follow the example of France, which requires large tech platforms to open talks with publishers seeking remuneration for use of news content.

"We are working to see which model would be the most appropriate," he said, adding he spoke last week to his French, Australian, German and Finnish counterparts about working together on ensuring fair compensation for web content.

"I suspect that soon we will have five, 10, 15 countries adopting similar rules ... is Facebook going to cut ties with Germany, with France?" he asked, saying that at some point Facebook's approach would become "totally unsustainable".

University of Toronto professor Megan Boler, who specializes in social media, said the Facebook action marked a turning point that would require a common international approach.

"We could actually see a coalition, a united front against this monopoly, which could be very powerful," she said in a phone interview.

This week, Facebook said news makes up less than 4% of content people see on the platform but contended that it helped Australian publishers generate about AU $407 million last year.

Google has signed 500 deals worth around $1 billion over three years with publishers around the world for its new News Showcase service and is in talks with Canadian companies.

Guilbeault said Google would still be subject to the new Canadian new law since Ottawa wanted an approach that was fair, transparent and predictable.

"What's to say that Google - tomorrow, six months, a year from now - doesn't change its mind and says it doesn't want to do that anymore?" he said.

Lauren Skelly, a spokeswoman for Google in Canada, declined to comment on Guilbeault's remarks, saying the company did not know details of the legislation.

Michael Geist, Canada Research Chair in Internet and E-commerce Law at the University of Ottawa, said Canada should aspire to Google's approach, where companies put money into content that provided added value.

"If we follow the Australian model ... we'll find ourselves in much the same spot," he said by phone. "Everybody loses. The media organizations lose ... Facebook loses."

Kevin Chan, head of public policy for Facebook in Canada, said there were "other options to support news in Canada that will more fairly benefit publishers of all sizes".

Canada vowed on Thursday to make Facebook Inc pay for news content, seeking allies in the media battle with tech giants and pledging not to back down if the social media platform shuts off the country's news as it did in Australia.

Canada vowed on Thursday to make Facebook Inc pay for news content, seeking allies in the media battle with tech giants and pledging not to back down if the social media platform shuts off the country's news as it did in Australia. Facebook blocked all Australian news content on its service over proposed legislation requiring it and Alphabet Inc's Google to pay fees to Australian publishers for news links. Canadian Heritage Minister Steven Guilbeault, in charge of drafting similar legislation to be unveiled in the coming months, condemned Facebook's action and said it would not deter Ottawa. "Canada is at the forefront of this battle ... we are really among the first group of countries around the world that are doing this," he told reporters. Last year, Canadian media organizations warned of a potential market failure without government action. They said the Australian approach would permit publishers to recover C$620 million a year. Without action, they warned, Canada would lose 700 print journalism jobs out of 3,100 total. Guilbeault said Canada could adopt the Australian model, which requires Facebook and Google to reach deals to pay news outlets whose links drive activity on their services or agree on a price through binding arbitration. Another option is to follow the example of France, which requires large tech platforms to open talks with publishers seeking remuneration for use of news content. "We are working to see which model would be the most appropriate," he said, adding he spoke last week to his French, Australian, German and Finnish counterparts about working together on ensuring fair compensation for web content. "I suspect that soon we will have five, 10, 15 countries adopting similar rules ... is Facebook going to cut ties with Germany, with France?" he asked, saying that at some point Facebook's approach would become "totally unsustainable". University of Toronto professor Megan Boler, who specializes in social media, said the Facebook action marked a turning point that would require a common international approach. "We could actually see a coalition, a united front against this monopoly, which could be very powerful," she said in a phone interview. This week, Facebook said news makes up less than 4% of content people see on the platform but contended that it helped Australian publishers generate about AU $407 million last year. Google has signed 500 deals worth around $1 billion over three years with publishers around the world for its new News Showcase service and is in talks with Canadian companies. Guilbeault said Google would still be subject to the new Canadian new law since Ottawa wanted an approach that was fair, transparent and predictable. "What's to say that Google - tomorrow, six months, a year from now - doesn't change its mind and says it doesn't want to do that anymore?" he said. Lauren Skelly, a spokeswoman for Google in Canada, declined to comment on Guilbeault's remarks, saying the company did not know details of the legislation. Michael Geist, Canada Research Chair in Internet and E-commerce Law at the University of Ottawa, said Canada should aspire to Google's approach, where companies put money into content that provided added value. "If we follow the Australian model ... we'll find ourselves in much the same spot," he said by phone. "Everybody loses. The media organizations lose ... Facebook loses." Kevin Chan, head of public policy for Facebook in Canada, said there were "other options to support news in Canada that will more fairly benefit publishers of all sizes".

After Australia, Canada vows to go after Facebook to pay for news

Facebook said Thursday it would expand its climate information hub and direct its users to experts to debunk myths and hoaxes in the field in a ramped up effort to fight misinformation.

The social media giant said it has added a section to its climate hub that features "facts that debunk common climate myths" and will rely on climate communication experts from the George Mason University, the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication, and the University of Cambridge.

The information hub is already available in France, Germany, Britain and the United States, and is being expanded to Belgium, Brazil, Canada, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Mexico, the Netherlands, Nigeria, Spain, South Africa and Taiwan.&nbsp;

"Along with expanding the center, we’re improving it. We added a section that features facts that debunk common climate myths," Facebook said.

"We already direct people to the Climate Science Information Center when they search for climate-related terms, and will keep doing that where the center is available. In countries where it isn't, we will soon direct people to the&nbsp;&nbsp;UN Environment Programme, a leading global environmental authority."

Facebook said Thursday it would expand its climate information hub and direct its users to experts to debunk myths and hoaxes in the field in a ramped up effort to fight misinformation.

Facebook said Thursday it would expand its climate information hub and direct its users to experts to debunk myths and hoaxes in the field in a ramped up effort to fight misinformation. The social media giant said it has added a section to its climate hub that features "facts that debunk common climate myths" and will rely on climate communication experts from the George Mason University, the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication, and the University of Cambridge. The information hub is already available in France, Germany, Britain and the United States, and is being expanded to Belgium, Brazil, Canada, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Mexico, the Netherlands, Nigeria, Spain, South Africa and Taiwan. "Along with expanding the center, we’re improving it. We added a section that features facts that debunk common climate myths," Facebook said. "We already direct people to the Climate Science Information Center when they search for climate-related terms, and will keep doing that where the center is available. In countries where it isn't, we will soon direct people to the UN Environment Programme, a leading global environmental authority."

Facebook to debunk climate change myths in expanded hub

In the dramatic escalation of its conflict with Australian govt, Facebook has blocked all media content in country.

Australian Govt reacts to Facebook media content blackout

In a dramatic escalation of its conflict with the Australian government, Facebook has now blocked all media content in the country. Australians woke up to empty news feeds on their Facebook timeline on February 18.

Facebook news goes dark in Australia

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Thursday slammed Facebook's move to block news in the country and called it&nbsp;''arrogant''.

Morrison, on his Facebook page, said&nbsp;"Facebook's actions to unfriend Australia today, cutting off essential information services on health and emergency services, were as arrogant as they were disappointing.

<img alt="Fb" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="35f1d020-f40d-4cb0-99ec-d6f9ad10af65" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Capture%207489584.JPG" />

"These actions will only confirm the concerns that an increasing number of countries are expressing about the behaviour of Big Tech companies who think they are bigger than governments and that the rules should not apply to them."

Facebook's dramatic move represents a split from Alphabet Inc-owned Google after they joined together for years to campaign against the laws. Both had threatened to cancel services in Australia, but Google has instead sealed preemptive deals with several outlets in recent days.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/heavy-handed-several-key-sectors-hit-as-facebook-blocks-news-sharing-in-australia-364398">Several key sectors hit as Facebook blocks news sharing in Australia</a>

The move was swiftly criticised by news producers, politicians and human rights advocates, particularly as it became clear that official health pages, emergency safety warnings and welfare networks had all been scrubbed from the site along with news.

Rupert Murdoch's News Corp was the latest to announce a deal in which it will receive "significant payments" from Google in return for providing content for the search engine's News Showcase account.

The Australian law would require Facebook and Google to reach commercial deals with news outlets whose links drive traffic to their platforms or be subjected to forced arbitration to agree a price.

Facebook said in its statement that the law, which is expected to be passed by parliament within days, "fundamentally misunderstands" the relationship between itself and publishers and it faced a stark choice of complying or banning news content.

The tech giant has said news makes up just 4 per cent&nbsp;of what people view on its website, but for Australians Facebook's role in news&nbsp;delivery is growing.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Thursday slammed Facebook's move to block news in the country and called it ''arrogant''. Morrison, on his Facebook page, said "Facebook's actions to unfriend Australia today, cutting off essential information services on health and emergency services, were as arrogant as they were disappointing.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Thursday slammed Facebook's move to block news in the country and called it ''arrogant''. Morrison, on his Facebook page, said "Facebook's actions to unfriend Australia today, cutting off essential information services on health and emergency services, were as arrogant as they were disappointing. "These actions will only confirm the concerns that an increasing number of countries are expressing about the behaviour of Big Tech companies who think they are bigger than governments and that the rules should not apply to them." Facebook's dramatic move represents a split from Alphabet Inc-owned Google after they joined together for years to campaign against the laws. Both had threatened to cancel services in Australia, but Google has instead sealed preemptive deals with several outlets in recent days. Also read: Several key sectors hit as Facebook blocks news sharing in Australia The move was swiftly criticised by news producers, politicians and human rights advocates, particularly as it became clear that official health pages, emergency safety warnings and welfare networks had all been scrubbed from the site along with news. Rupert Murdoch's News Corp was the latest to announce a deal in which it will receive "significant payments" from Google in return for providing content for the search engine's News Showcase account. The Australian law would require Facebook and Google to reach commercial deals with news outlets whose links drive traffic to their platforms or be subjected to forced arbitration to agree a price. Facebook said in its statement that the law, which is expected to be passed by parliament within days, "fundamentally misunderstands" the relationship between itself and publishers and it faced a stark choice of complying or banning news content. The tech giant has said news makes up just 4 per cent of what people view on its website, but for Australians Facebook's role in news delivery is growing.

'Arrogant': Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison slams Facebook's move to block news

Australians woke to empty news feeds on their Facebook Inc pages on February 18 after the social media giant blocked all media content.

Australia: Govt slams FB's content blackout, states move as 'Wrong, heavy handed'

Aussies wake to a dramatic content blackout on FB

India's Supreme Court told representatives of Facebook today: "You may be a $2-3 trillion-dollar company. But people value their privacy". Whatsapp's new policies are now being examined by India's Top Court. WION's Palki Sharma tells you more.

Gravitas | WhatsApp Privacy Row: India's Supreme Court sends a message to Facebook

Social media giant Facebook is secretly working on a smartwatch and is planning to begin its sale from next year, as per a report.

The&nbsp;Android-based smartwatch being prepared by Facebook will include&nbsp;messaging, health, and fitness features.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/apple-ceo-zuckerberg-fires-shots-at-each-other-360198/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

According to The Verge, it is unclear whether Facebook intends for the smartwatch to run Google's Wear Os.

Apart from the upcoming smartwatch, Facebook is also working on building its own operating system for hardware devices and future iterations of the wearable may run that software instead.

The smartwatch would join Facebook's Oculus virtual reality headsets and Portal video chat devices as part of the social network`s growing hardware ecosystem.

The company is also working on branded Ray-Ban smart glasses expected to come out later this year and a separate augmented reality research initiative known as Project Aria, which is part of the company`s broader AR explorations, which it has been working on for some time now.

The social networking company has more than 6,000 employees working on various augmented and virtual reality projects and as part of existing hardware divisions like Oculus and Portal, as well as experimental initiatives under its Facebook Reality Labs division.

The Verge also reported that Facebook took over the neural interface startup CTRL-Labs in 2019. It has expertise in building wireless input mechanisms, including devices that could transmit electrical signals from the brain to computing devices without the need for traditional touchscreen or physical button inputs.

Social media giant Facebook is secretly working on a smartwatch and is planning to begin its sale from next year, as per a report. The Android-based smartwatch being prepared by Facebook will include messaging, health, and fitness features.

Social media giant Facebook is secretly working on a smartwatch and is planning to begin its sale from next year, as per a report. The Android-based smartwatch being prepared by Facebook will include messaging, health, and fitness features. According to The Verge, it is unclear whether Facebook intends for the smartwatch to run Google's Wear Os. Apart from the upcoming smartwatch, Facebook is also working on building its own operating system for hardware devices and future iterations of the wearable may run that software instead. The smartwatch would join Facebook's Oculus virtual reality headsets and Portal video chat devices as part of the social network`s growing hardware ecosystem. The company is also working on branded Ray-Ban smart glasses expected to come out later this year and a separate augmented reality research initiative known as Project Aria, which is part of the company`s broader AR explorations, which it has been working on for some time now. The social networking company has more than 6,000 employees working on various augmented and virtual reality projects and as part of existing hardware divisions like Oculus and Portal, as well as experimental initiatives under its Facebook Reality Labs division. The Verge also reported that Facebook took over the neural interface startup CTRL-Labs in 2019. It has expertise in building wireless input mechanisms, including devices that could transmit electrical signals from the brain to computing devices without the need for traditional touchscreen or physical button inputs.

Facebook to launch smartwatch with messaging, fitness features

In 2018, UN investigators blamed Facebook for playing a leading role in inciting hate against the Rohingyas. WION's Palki tells you how Myanmar's military turned the social media platform into a tool for ethnic cleansing.

Gravitas: How Facebook was used to incite violence in Myanmar

It is widely said that, in Myanmar, Facebook is the digital tea shop. It played a role in the Rohingya refugess crisis, and the genocide before it.

And as Myanmar's military seized control in a coup on February 1, many Burmese watched events unfold on Facebook in real-time.&nbsp;

Facebook plays an outsized role in Myanmar, where for many residents it is synonymous with the internet.&nbsp;

United Nations investigators say that Facebook allowed the platform to be used by radical Buddhist nationalists and members of the military to fan a campaign of violence towards the Muslim Rohingya minority, 700,000 of whom fled an army crackdown in 2017.&nbsp;

In response, Facebook tried to tamp down hate speech and misinformation and ramped up partnerships with civil society,sometimes in conflict with the military. The company maintained its central role in the life for the country, and Aung San Suu Kyi's government regularly announced major initiatives on its Facebook pages.

Another report claims Facebook was turned into a tool for ethnic cleansing in Myanmar -- with the military driving the anti-Rohingya propaganda through posts that incited murder and rape.

Ahead of the Myanmar's November election, 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 herparty.

A Reuters review early this week found dozens of pages and accounts alleging election fraud - the reason given by the army for seizing power. The posts started in October and continued after the election; in the 48 hours before the coup, many of the pages called for military intervention.

After the coup, those pages turned to posts accusing the ousted government of fraud and justifying the takeover, the review showed. Some of the pages published coordinated posts criticizing or threatening politicians like Suu Kyi as well as journalists and activists.

Facebook took down dozens of the accounts on Wednesday,shortly before being shut down. Reuters could not determine their provenance.

The public scrutiny forced Facebook to act, and by December 2018, it had removed 425 pages, 17 groups, and 15 Instagram accounts.

Facebook claimed these accounts were disguised as news and entertainment pages. But they actually belonged to the military.

In 2018, it banned army chief Min Aung Hlaing - now Myanmar's 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.

Three years after it banned the general, Facebook now faces the challenge of protecting Myanmar's democracy.

And the company has vowed to be on the right side of history this time.

Facebook said on Friday it would reduce the distribution of all content and profiles run by Myanmar’s military, saying they have “continued to spread misinformation” after the army seized power and detained civilian leaders in a coup on February&nbsp;1.

The measures – which are not a ban, but are aimed at reducing the number of people who see the content – will apply to an official page run by the army and one by a spokesperson, the company said in a statement, as well as “any additional pages that the military controls that repeatedly violate our misinformation policies”.

It is widely said that, in Myanmar, Facebook is the digital tea shop. It played a role in the Rohingya refugess crisis, and the genocide before it. And as Myanmar's military seized control in a coup on February 1, many Burmese watched events unfold on Facebook in real-time.

It is widely said that, in Myanmar, Facebook is the digital tea shop. It played a role in the Rohingya refugess crisis, and the genocide before it. And as Myanmar's military seized control in a coup on February 1, many Burmese watched events unfold on Facebook in real-time. Facebook plays an outsized role in Myanmar, where for many residents it is synonymous with the internet. United Nations investigators say that Facebook allowed the platform to be used by radical Buddhist nationalists and members of the military to fan a campaign of violence towards the Muslim Rohingya minority, 700,000 of whom fled an army crackdown in 2017. In response, Facebook tried to tamp down hate speech and misinformation and ramped up partnerships with civil society,sometimes in conflict with the military. The company maintained its central role in the life for the country, and Aung San Suu Kyi's government regularly announced major initiatives on its Facebook pages. Another report claims Facebook was turned into a tool for ethnic cleansing in Myanmar -- with the military driving the anti-Rohingya propaganda through posts that incited murder and rape. Ahead of the Myanmar's November election, 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 herparty. A Reuters review early this week found dozens of pages and accounts alleging election fraud - the reason given by the army for seizing power. The posts started in October and continued after the election; in the 48 hours before the coup, many of the pages called for military intervention. After the coup, those pages turned to posts accusing the ousted government of fraud and justifying the takeover, the review showed. Some of the pages published coordinated posts criticizing or threatening politicians like Suu Kyi as well as journalists and activists. Facebook took down dozens of the accounts on Wednesday,shortly before being shut down. Reuters could not determine their provenance. The public scrutiny forced Facebook to act, and by December 2018, it had removed 425 pages, 17 groups, and 15 Instagram accounts. Facebook claimed these accounts were disguised as news and entertainment pages. But they actually belonged to the military. In 2018, it banned army chief Min Aung Hlaing - now Myanmar's 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. Three years after it banned the general, Facebook now faces the challenge of protecting Myanmar's democracy. And the company has vowed to be on the right side of history this time. Facebook said on Friday it would reduce the distribution of all content and profiles run by Myanmar’s military, saying they have “continued to spread misinformation” after the army seized power and detained civilian leaders in a coup on February 1. The measures – which are not a ban, but are aimed at reducing the number of people who see the content – will apply to an official page run by the army and one by a spokesperson, the company said in a statement, as well as “any additional pages that the military controls that repeatedly violate our misinformation policies”.

Facebook, digital tea shop in Myanmar, decides to be on the right side of history. This time

Calling Donald Trump a "clear and present danger," a group of scholars and civil rights advocates on Friday urged Facebook to permanently ban the former US president from the platform.

The group, which includes prominent longtime critics of the social media company, called on Facebook's oversight board to remove Trump from the omnipresent platform after the ex-president's account was frozen in the aftermath of the January 6 attack on the US Capitol.

Facebook's oversight board has the final say on what is removed or allowed to remain on the world's biggest social network, but the group warned of the dangers of allowing Trump to return.

"Overturning the Trump ban is an invitation to violence, hate and disinformation that will cost lives and undermine democracy," the group said in a letter to the board. "Don't strike the match."

They described Trump as a serial abuser of social media rules who poses a danger "to democracy and human life."

Rival social media giant Twitter banned Trump after January 6 and on Wednesday announced the former president will not be permitted back on the network he used constantly, even if he runs for office again.

"Our policies are designed to ensure that people are not inciting violence," Twitter Chief Financial Officer Ned Segal said on CNBC.

Conservatives on Capitol Hill and beyond say the moves by Facebook and Twitter to "deplatform" Trump demonstrate political bias and inhibit free speech.

In the letter to Facebook's board, the group also lambasts the social media company for employing the board as a "fig leaf" to evade responsibility for tough decisions.

"More than ever, this demonstrates why we need independent, democratically accountable oversight," the group said.

They also called for "laws that change financial incentives for big tech, heavy regulation and a reckoning with the algorithms that are laying waste to democratic society."

Signers of the letter include Rashad Robinson, president of Color of Change; Anti-Defamation League head Jonathan Greenblatt; and Harvard professor Lawrence Tribe.

Facebook and its Instagram platform 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 by lawmakers.

Members of Facebook's oversight board come from various countries and include jurists, human rights activists, journalists, a Nobel peace laureate and a former Danish prime minister.

Calling Donald Trump a "clear and present danger," a group of scholars and civil rights advocates on Friday urged Facebook to permanently ban the former US president from the platform.

Calling Donald Trump a "clear and present danger," a group of scholars and civil rights advocates on Friday urged Facebook to permanently ban the former US president from the platform. The group, which includes prominent longtime critics of the social media company, called on Facebook's oversight board to remove Trump from the omnipresent platform after the ex-president's account was frozen in the aftermath of the January 6 attack on the US Capitol. Facebook's oversight board has the final say on what is removed or allowed to remain on the world's biggest social network, but the group warned of the dangers of allowing Trump to return. "Overturning the Trump ban is an invitation to violence, hate and disinformation that will cost lives and undermine democracy," the group said in a letter to the board. "Don't strike the match." They described Trump as a serial abuser of social media rules who poses a danger "to democracy and human life." Rival social media giant Twitter banned Trump after January 6 and on Wednesday announced the former president will not be permitted back on the network he used constantly, even if he runs for office again. "Our policies are designed to ensure that people are not inciting violence," Twitter Chief Financial Officer Ned Segal said on CNBC. Conservatives on Capitol Hill and beyond say the moves by Facebook and Twitter to "deplatform" Trump demonstrate political bias and inhibit free speech. In the letter to Facebook's board, the group also lambasts the social media company for employing the board as a "fig leaf" to evade responsibility for tough decisions. "More than ever, this demonstrates why we need independent, democratically accountable oversight," the group said. They also called for "laws that change financial incentives for big tech, heavy regulation and a reckoning with the algorithms that are laying waste to democratic society." Signers of the letter include Rashad Robinson, president of Color of Change; Anti-Defamation League head Jonathan Greenblatt; and Harvard professor Lawrence Tribe. Facebook and its Instagram platform 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 by lawmakers. Members of Facebook's oversight board come from various countries and include jurists, human rights activists, journalists, a Nobel peace laureate and a former Danish prime minister.

Trump critics call for permanent Facebook ban of ex-president

In another effort to curb misinformation about vaccines, the social media platform <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/facebook">Facebook</a> has decided to ban all kinds of misinformation about every vaccine.

The decision has been taken after several sorts of misinformation has been posted and shared on Facebook for many years.

"We will begin enforcing this policy immediately, with a particular focus on Pages, groups and accounts that violate these rules," said Guy Rose, who is responsible for content decisions. "We'll continue to expand our enforcement over the coming weeks."

This new set of community guidelines will be applied to all user-generated posts and paid advertisements — which were already banned from posting any misinformation.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/social-media-giant-facebook-to-remove-covid-19-vaccine-misinformation-content-362392">WATCH|</a>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/social-media-giant-facebook-to-remove-covid-19-vaccine-misinformation-content-362392/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The same set of community guidelines have been brought in place for the popular media-sharing app Instagram, which is also owned by Facebook.

Mark Zuckerberg-owned platform has been updating its policies related to coronavirus content throughout the time phase of the pandemic.&nbsp;

In April 2020, a few months after the pandemic started, Facebook started posting facts and figures derived from the CDC, which focused on combating misinformation about the pandemic.&nbsp;

While the social media platform was actively limiting the content that was believed to be spreading misinformation, it was not removing any such content.&nbsp;

With these new community guidelines, Facebook will be banning and removing any content promoting misinformation about vaccines, especially the coronavirus vaccines. 
&nbsp;

In another effort to curb misinformation about vaccines, the social media platform Facebook has decided to ban all kinds of misinformation about every vaccine. The decision has been taken after several sorts of misinformation has been posted and shared on Facebook for many years.

In another effort to curb misinformation about vaccines, the social media platform Facebook has decided to ban all kinds of misinformation about every vaccine. The decision has been taken after several sorts of misinformation has been posted and shared on Facebook for many years. "We will begin enforcing this policy immediately, with a particular focus on Pages, groups and accounts that violate these rules," said Guy Rose, who is responsible for content decisions. "We'll continue to expand our enforcement over the coming weeks." This new set of community guidelines will be applied to all user-generated posts and paid advertisements — which were already banned from posting any misinformation. WATCH| The same set of community guidelines have been brought in place for the popular media-sharing app Instagram, which is also owned by Facebook. Mark Zuckerberg-owned platform has been updating its policies related to coronavirus content throughout the time phase of the pandemic. In April 2020, a few months after the pandemic started, Facebook started posting facts and figures derived from the CDC, which focused on combating misinformation about the pandemic. While the social media platform was actively limiting the content that was believed to be spreading misinformation, it was not removing any such content. With these new community guidelines, Facebook will be banning and removing any content promoting misinformation about vaccines, especially the coronavirus vaccines.

Facebook to remove content promoting misinformation about vaccines

Social media giant Facebook said that it is stepping up efforts to stem the spread of misinformation about the COVID-19 vaccines. Facebook has said that it will expand a list of false claims it bans from the platform and the move includes banning groups, pages and accounts that repeatedly spread misinformation.

Social media giant Facebook to remove COVID-19 vaccine misinformation content

Apple CEO Tim Cook & Facebook COE Mark Zuckerberg have publicly fired shots at each other over privacy concerns. In an event, without taking names Cook criticises digital platforms over privacy.

Apple CEO & Zuckerberg fires shots at each other

Facebook and Apple are in a fight over your browsing history. Apple will launch features that will allow users to stop Facebook and other apps from tracking their online activity. Facebook is considering a lawsuit against Apple.

Gravitas: Facebook and Apple are fighting over your browsing history

Facebook & Apple are among the world's most valuable companies. Facebook is a social network. Apple makes consumer electronics. They are not direct competitors. Then why are they fighting like sworn enemies?

Gravitas: Why Facebook and Apple are behaving like sworn enemies

Is Privacy the new sales pitch? Why is Apple fighting Facebook to protect your privacy?

Gravitas: Apple Vs Facebook on Privacy

Facebook Inc took down a popular Wall Street discussion group, Robinhood Stock Traders, in a move that its founder on Thursday described as backlash for conversations buoying shares of GameStop Corp and other companies this week.

GameStop, AMC Entertainment Holdings Inc and BlackBerry have been at the centre of a market battle as individual investors coordinating on social media including Reddit, and using trading apps such as Robinhood, bought shares and squeezed hedge funds that had bet big on those struggling companies to the tank.

Allen Tran, a 23-year-old from Chicago who created Robinhood Stock Traders, said he woke up on Wednesday to a notification that Facebook had disabled the 157,000-member group. The notification, seen by Reuters, said without detail that the group violated policies on "adult sexual exploitation."

"We were first on the picking tree to be cut off because we are on Facebook, not a free platform like Reddit," said Tran, referring to the typically lighter moderation on the discussion website.

Some of his group's members made tens of thousands of dollars in recent trades first popularized on Reddit's WallStreetBets forum, he said.

Tran, who also runs the 20,000-member HaiKhuu Trading group on chat app Discord, said he has never seen adult content on the Facebook group.

Facebook confirmed its removal but did not immediately have further comment.

Tran said institutional investors are trying to separate retail traders.

Facebook suspended his group on Jan. 7 after labelling it a "dangerous organization," according to correspondence seen by Reuters, though the company reinstated its privileges after he appealed to contacts there.

"With all these major institutions being frustrated with the success of retail, they are trying to target any groups they can," said Tran, who was featured in a Wall Street Journal article in November and described his Facebook group as the largest of its kind.

Tran expressed concern that a replacement group he formed to carry on discussions also will be taken down.

Facebook Inc took down a popular Wall Street discussion group, Robinhood Stock Traders, in a move that its founder on Thursday described as backlash for conversations buoying shares of GameStop Corp and other companies this week.

Facebook Inc took down a popular Wall Street discussion group, Robinhood Stock Traders, in a move that its founder on Thursday described as backlash for conversations buoying shares of GameStop Corp and other companies this week. GameStop, AMC Entertainment Holdings Inc and BlackBerry have been at the centre of a market battle as individual investors coordinating on social media including Reddit, and using trading apps such as Robinhood, bought shares and squeezed hedge funds that had bet big on those struggling companies to the tank. Allen Tran, a 23-year-old from Chicago who created Robinhood Stock Traders, said he woke up on Wednesday to a notification that Facebook had disabled the 157,000-member group. The notification, seen by Reuters, said without detail that the group violated policies on "adult sexual exploitation." "We were first on the picking tree to be cut off because we are on Facebook, not a free platform like Reddit," said Tran, referring to the typically lighter moderation on the discussion website. Some of his group's members made tens of thousands of dollars in recent trades first popularized on Reddit's WallStreetBets forum, he said. Tran, who also runs the 20,000-member HaiKhuu Trading group on chat app Discord, said he has never seen adult content on the Facebook group. Facebook confirmed its removal but did not immediately have further comment. Tran said institutional investors are trying to separate retail traders. Facebook suspended his group on Jan. 7 after labelling it a "dangerous organization," according to correspondence seen by Reuters, though the company reinstated its privileges after he appealed to contacts there. "With all these major institutions being frustrated with the success of retail, they are trying to target any groups they can," said Tran, who was featured in a Wall Street Journal article in November and described his Facebook group as the largest of its kind. Tran expressed concern that a replacement group he formed to carry on discussions also will be taken down.

Facebook shuts popular stock trading group Robinhood amid GameStop frenzy

The European Commission has told Google, Facebook, Twitter and Microsoft to continue monthly reports on their efforts to tackle fake news, especially on COVID-19, for another six months.

Social media and online platforms have come under fire globally over the spread of fake news, leading to calls for regulators to force them to do more or face cumbersome rules.

The companies, together with TikTok and advertisers, have signed the European Union`s code of practice to tackle the spread of disinformation on their platforms, and had to submit reports on their efforts during an initial six-month period.

The reports will continue for another six months because of their relevance during the virus pandemic, the EU executive said.

The companies have been told to provide more data on how disinformation spreads during the coronavirus crisis and on the granular impact of their actions in EU countries.

"The pandemic has become a breeding ground for false claims and conspiracy theories and platforms are important amplifiers of this type of messages," Commission Vice-

President for Values and Transparency Vera Jourova said in a statement.

"We must continue working together to improve our fight with disinformation, but we need more transparency and better effort from the online platforms," she said.

The European Commission has told Google, Facebook, Twitter and Microsoft to continue monthly reports on their efforts to tackle fake news, especially on COVID-19, for another six months.

The European Commission has told Google, Facebook, Twitter and Microsoft to continue monthly reports on their efforts to tackle fake news, especially on COVID-19, for another six months. Social media and online platforms have come under fire globally over the spread of fake news, leading to calls for regulators to force them to do more or face cumbersome rules. The companies, together with TikTok and advertisers, have signed the European Union`s code of practice to tackle the spread of disinformation on their platforms, and had to submit reports on their efforts during an initial six-month period. The reports will continue for another six months because of their relevance during the virus pandemic, the EU executive said. The companies have been told to provide more data on how disinformation spreads during the coronavirus crisis and on the granular impact of their actions in EU countries. "The pandemic has become a breeding ground for false claims and conspiracy theories and platforms are important amplifiers of this type of messages," Commission Vice- President for Values and Transparency Vera Jourova said in a statement. "We must continue working together to improve our fight with disinformation, but we need more transparency and better effort from the online platforms," she said.

EU tells Google, Facebook and Twitter to extend fake news watch, COVID-19 in focus

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