Meta is facing scrutiny after a UK review found more than 1,000 high-risk financial advertisements appearing on its platforms within just one week.

The review identified thousands of rogue ads, raising concerns over the spread of potentially illegal financial promotions and scams targeting users.

The findings have intensified pressure on Meta to strengthen oversight and enforcement against harmful and misleading financial content online.


Meta Under Fire as UK Review Flags 1,000+ High-Risk Financial Ads | WION

A California court questioned Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg over the company’s policies regarding teen safety on social media, focusing on content moderation, algorithmic impacts, and regulatory compliance. The legal proceedings reflect growing scrutiny by US authorities and public interest groups on how platforms handle youth-focused content and related risks. The hearing underscores broader debates over tech accountability, platform responsibility, and user protection.


California Court Quizzes Meta CEO Over Teen Social Media Policy | WION 

Meta has reduced the price of its ad-free subscription versions of Facebook and Instagram by 40 per cent for European Union (EU) users. This has been done to comply with regulatory demands in the region, according to a detailed report by CNBC.<o:p></o:p>

The leading social media company will also offer EU users access to Facebook and Instagram for free if they agree to be shown advertisements based on a limited set of user data, the company stated in a blog on November 12, the CNBC report detailed further.<o:p></o:p>

Meta originally debuted an ad-free subscription service for the European Union in October 2023 due to an EU regulation intended to clamp down on anti-competitive practices by tech companies. The subscription service also came into effect after regional regulators fined the company over $400 million for violating EU data privacy laws.<o:p></o:p>

“The changes we’re announcing today meet EU regulator demands and go beyond what’s required by EU law,” Meta President Nick Clegg said Tuesday on Threads, explained the CNBC report further.

Price drop for its EU subscriptions<o:p></o:p>

The company said it will drop the price of its EU monthly subscription service from 9.99 euros to 5.99 euros for desktop users and from 12.99 euros to 7.99 euros for iOS and Android users. <o:p></o:p>

If EU users choose the “less personalized option” to access Facebook and Instagram for free, they will see ads that “may be less relevant to a person’s interests,” the company said. For this version, Meta said it will show ads based on “a minimal set of data points,” including users’ age, gender, location and how they engage with ads.<o:p></o:p>

Additionally, EU users who choose the free option will also see unavoidable advertisements that are intended to “provide value to advertisers,” Meta stated.

The EU’s tough regulations have impacted Meta’s ability to quickly debut new services in the region compared to less-regulated areas like the US In 2023, for instance, it took nearly half a year before Meta was able to offer its Twitter-like threads service to European users after it launched in the US that summer.<o:p></o:p>

Pedro Pavón, a Meta global policy director, stated that while European Union regulators make it difficult for online-advertising based companies to operate in the region, he believes that the business practice of offering personalized ads represents “the foundation of a modern, free internet” and lets people “connect with the brands and products most relevant to them in seamless and non-disruptive ways.”

<o:p>Market participants and investors will carefully follow these developments. These developments will help them in making informed investment choices.&nbsp;</o:p>

&nbsp;

Meta has reduced the price of its ad-free subscription versions of Facebook and Instagram by 40 per cent for European Union (EU) users. This has been done to comply with regulatory demands in the region, according to a detailed report by CNBC.

Meta has reduced the price of its ad-free subscription versions of Facebook and Instagram by 40 per cent for European Union (EU) users. This has been done to comply with regulatory demands in the region, according to a detailed report by CNBC. The leading social media company will also offer EU users access to Facebook and Instagram for free if they agree to be shown advertisements based on a limited set of user data, the company stated in a blog on November 12, the CNBC report detailed further. Meta originally debuted an ad-free subscription service for the European Union in October 2023 due to an EU regulation intended to clamp down on anti-competitive practices by tech companies. The subscription service also came into effect after regional regulators fined the company over $400 million for violating EU data privacy laws. “The changes we’re announcing today meet EU regulator demands and go beyond what’s required by EU law,” Meta President Nick Clegg said Tuesday on Threads, explained the CNBC report further. Price drop for its EU subscriptions The company said it will drop the price of its EU monthly subscription service from 9.99 euros to 5.99 euros for desktop users and from 12.99 euros to 7.99 euros for iOS and Android users. If EU users choose the “less personalized option” to access Facebook and Instagram for free, they will see ads that “may be less relevant to a person’s interests,” the company said. For this version, Meta said it will show ads based on “a minimal set of data points,” including users’ age, gender, location and how they engage with ads. Additionally, EU users who choose the free option will also see unavoidable advertisements that are intended to “provide value to advertisers,” Meta stated. The EU’s tough regulations have impacted Meta’s ability to quickly debut new services in the region compared to less-regulated areas like the US In 2023, for instance, it took nearly half a year before Meta was able to offer its Twitter-like threads service to European users after it launched in the US that summer. Pedro Pavón, a Meta global policy director, stated that while European Union regulators make it difficult for online-advertising based companies to operate in the region, he believes that the business practice of offering personalized ads represents “the foundation of a modern, free internet” and lets people “connect with the brands and products most relevant to them in seamless and non-disruptive ways.” Market participants and investors will carefully follow these developments. These developments will help them in making informed investment choices.

Meta reduces EU Facebook and Instagram subscription fees by 40%

Apple on Friday (Apr 19) announced that it had removed&nbsp;WhatsApp and Threads from its App Store in China. This, the company said, was done in compliance with an order by the Chinese government, which reportedly cited national security concerns.

Even as Threads and WhatsApp were removed, other Meta apps, including Messenger and Instagram, were still available on the Apple app store on Friday morning in China, reported Reuters.

This removal targeting American tech services as per Bloomberg comes as the US government takes steps towards banning TikTok owned by China's ByteDance. US politicians, too, have cited national security concerns as the reason behind the push to either sell TikTok to a non-Chinese owner or be banned in the US market.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/natures-grand-theatre-volcanic-eruption-and-northern-lights-create-stunning-visuals-in-iceland-watch-712812">Nature’s grand theatre: Volcanic eruption and northern lights create stunning visuals in Iceland. Watch!</a>

<h2>Security concerns</h2>

In a statement to Reuters, Apple said, "The Cyberspace Administration of China ordered the removal of these apps from the China storefront based on their national security concerns."

"We are obligated to follow the laws in the countries where we operate, even when we disagree," added the tech giant.

The exact cause of security concerns for the Chinese government was not clear at the time this report was published.

However, citing people with expertise in China's tech industry, Reuters reports that the government order could be related to a new rule from last August. This rule requires all apps available in the country to register with the government or risk removal.

The deadline for companies to complete registration was March end, and the regulations went into effect starting April 1st.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/japan-doctors-sue-google-maps-over-unfair-reviews-712845">Japan doctors sue Google Maps over unfair reviews in first such class action</a>

<h2>So people in China can't use WhatsApp and Threads any more?</h2>

iPhone maker Apple, in its statement, said that WhatsApp and Threads are still available for download on its other storefronts elsewhere.

Tech-savvy Chinese consumers, as per Reuters, are still able to download the removed apps from Apple's App Stores in other countries if they have an iCloud account there.

(With inputs from agencies)

Apple on Friday (Apr 19) announced that it had removed WhatsApp and Threads from its App Store in China. This, the company said, was done in compliance with an order by the Chinese government, which reportedly cited national security concerns.

Apple on Friday (Apr 19) announced that it had removed WhatsApp and Threads from its App Store in China. This, the company said, was done in compliance with an order by the Chinese government, which reportedly cited national security concerns. Even as Threads and WhatsApp were removed, other Meta apps, including Messenger and Instagram, were still available on the Apple app store on Friday morning in China, reported Reuters. This removal targeting American tech services as per Bloomberg comes as the US government takes steps towards banning TikTok owned by China's ByteDance. US politicians, too, have cited national security concerns as the reason behind the push to either sell TikTok to a non-Chinese owner or be banned in the US market. Also read | Nature’s grand theatre: Volcanic eruption and northern lights create stunning visuals in Iceland. Watch! Security concerns In a statement to Reuters, Apple said, "The Cyberspace Administration of China ordered the removal of these apps from the China storefront based on their national security concerns." "We are obligated to follow the laws in the countries where we operate, even when we disagree," added the tech giant. The exact cause of security concerns for the Chinese government was not clear at the time this report was published. However, citing people with expertise in China's tech industry, Reuters reports that the government order could be related to a new rule from last August. This rule requires all apps available in the country to register with the government or risk removal. The deadline for companies to complete registration was March end, and the regulations went into effect starting April 1st. Also read | Japan doctors sue Google Maps over unfair reviews in first such class action So people in China can't use WhatsApp and Threads any more? iPhone maker Apple, in its statement, said that WhatsApp and Threads are still available for download on its other storefronts elsewhere. Tech-savvy Chinese consumers, as per Reuters, are still able to download the removed apps from Apple's App Stores in other countries if they have an iCloud account there. (With inputs from agencies)

Meta's WhatsApp and Threads removed from Apple app store in China

Meta Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg apologized to families at a U.S. Senate hearing about the impact that social media has on children. Watch this video to know more.

Zuckerberg apologizes to parents at US Senate social media hearing

Meta is in hot water as they are facing pressure from EU tech regulators. Meta has been asked to provide more details on how they are handling child sexual abuse material on Instagram.

EU demands strict action from Meta for online content contro

It has been alleged that Meta allowed kids under the age of 13 to open secret Instagram account and chose to ignore complaints regarding them.

Meta coveted and pursued users under the age of 13, says report

What began as a whirlwind success, crossing over 100 million users within five days of its launch, has now hit a stumbling block with a significant drop in user engagement. We delve into the fascinating story of threads, the fastest-growing app ever that's now facing challenges in retaining its audience.

Meta’s threads records 50% user plunge

The Irish Data Protection Commission has fined Meta-owned social media platform Instagram $405 million for violations of the General Data Protection Regulation. Molly Gambhir tells you more.

WION Fineprint | Instagram fined over $400 million for violating kids’ privacy

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