Myanmar Army soldiers are now openly issuing death threats to protesters through social media platforms like TikTok. WION's Palki Sharma asks: Why is hate being allowed to flow?

Gravitas: Myanmar soldiers threaten protesters

Armed Myanmar soldiers and police are using TikTok to deliver death threats to protesters against last month's coup, researchers said, prompting the Chinese video-sharing app to announce it was removing content that incites violence.

Digital rights group Myanmar ICT for Development (MIDO) said it had found over 800 pro-military videos that menaced protesters at a time of increasing bloodshed - with 38 protesters killed on Wednesday alone according to the United Nations.

"It's just the tip of the iceberg," said MIDO executive director Htaike Htaike Aung, who noted that there's "hundreds" of videos of uniformed soldiers and police on the app.

A spokesman for the army and junta did not respond to a request for comment.

One video from late February reviewed by Reuters shows a man in army fatigues aiming an assault rifle at the camera and addressing protesters: "I will shoot in your fucking faces... and I'm using real bullets."

"I am going to patrol the whole city tonight and I will shoot whoever I see... If you want to become a martyr, I will fulfil your wish."

Reuters was unable to contact him or the other uniformed men who appear in the TikTok videos or to verify that they are in the armed forces.

TikTok is the latest social media platform to suffer a proliferation of menacing content or hate speech in Myanmar.

US tech giant Facebook has now banned all pages linked to Myanmar's army - and has itself been banned.

TikTok said in a statement: "We have clear Community Guidelines that state we do not allow content that incites violence or misinformation that causes harm... As it relates to Myanmar, we have been and continue to promptly remove all content that incites violence or spreads misinformation, and are aggressively monitoring to remove any such content that violates our guidelines."

TikTok's policies forbid displays of guns unless they are in "safe environments".

Reuters reviewed over a dozen videos where uniformed men, sometimes brandishing guns, threatened to harm protesters who are calling for the reversal of the coup and the release of elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

Some videos had tens of thousands of views. Those reviewed by Reuters were taken down this week. Some used hashtags relating to U.S celebrities.

Already growing fast in Myanmar, TikTok saw a strong rise in downloads after the military banned Facebook last month. It is in the top 20 most downloaded apps in Myanmar, according to industry data.

Facebook, which remains popular in Myanmar despite the ban, has toughened its scrutiny of content since being accused of helping to fan atrocities against the Rohingya Muslim minority in 2017.

Researchers like Htaike say they believe the military is now attempting to grow its presence on other platforms.

Armed Myanmar soldiers and police are using TikTok to deliver death threats to protesters against last month's coup, researchers said, prompting the Chinese video-sharing app to announce it was removing content that incites violence.

Armed Myanmar soldiers and police are using TikTok to deliver death threats to protesters against last month's coup, researchers said, prompting the Chinese video-sharing app to announce it was removing content that incites violence. Digital rights group Myanmar ICT for Development (MIDO) said it had found over 800 pro-military videos that menaced protesters at a time of increasing bloodshed - with 38 protesters killed on Wednesday alone according to the United Nations. "It's just the tip of the iceberg," said MIDO executive director Htaike Htaike Aung, who noted that there's "hundreds" of videos of uniformed soldiers and police on the app. A spokesman for the army and junta did not respond to a request for comment. One video from late February reviewed by Reuters shows a man in army fatigues aiming an assault rifle at the camera and addressing protesters: "I will shoot in your fucking faces... and I'm using real bullets." "I am going to patrol the whole city tonight and I will shoot whoever I see... If you want to become a martyr, I will fulfil your wish." Reuters was unable to contact him or the other uniformed men who appear in the TikTok videos or to verify that they are in the armed forces. TikTok is the latest social media platform to suffer a proliferation of menacing content or hate speech in Myanmar. US tech giant Facebook has now banned all pages linked to Myanmar's army - and has itself been banned. TikTok said in a statement: "We have clear Community Guidelines that state we do not allow content that incites violence or misinformation that causes harm... As it relates to Myanmar, we have been and continue to promptly remove all content that incites violence or spreads misinformation, and are aggressively monitoring to remove any such content that violates our guidelines." TikTok's policies forbid displays of guns unless they are in "safe environments". Reuters reviewed over a dozen videos where uniformed men, sometimes brandishing guns, threatened to harm protesters who are calling for the reversal of the coup and the release of elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi. Some videos had tens of thousands of views. Those reviewed by Reuters were taken down this week. Some used hashtags relating to U.S celebrities. Already growing fast in Myanmar, TikTok saw a strong rise in downloads after the military banned Facebook last month. It is in the top 20 most downloaded apps in Myanmar, according to industry data. Facebook, which remains popular in Myanmar despite the ban, has toughened its scrutiny of content since being accused of helping to fan atrocities against the Rohingya Muslim minority in 2017. Researchers like Htaike say they believe the military is now attempting to grow its presence on other platforms.

'I will shoot whoever I see': Myanmar soldiers use TikTok to threaten protesters

Russia’s communications regulator has accused Twitter of violating Russian law, saying the social media platform failed to comply with its requests to delete banned content.

Russia accuses Twitter of breaking law by failing to delete unauthorized posts

All pet parents love to post images and videos of their four-legged, furry pets on social media platforms. There is also no doubt that people love to look at these cute images too.

However, now the UK police department has warned pet parents against posting pictures and videos of their pets.

"The advice I would give from a police perspective is be aware of social media," Det Supt Neil Austin from the National Police Chiefs’ Council’s acquisitive crime unit cautioned.&nbsp;

"People share pictures of their dogs and puppies on social media and very often haven’t got their privacy settings set correctly, and they use tags which obviously show where you live which is something to be aware of," Austin added.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/lady-gaga-offers-500000-reward-for-her-stolen-dogs-366342">Lady Gaga offers $500,000 reward for her stolen dogs</a>

This warning has come after a surge in the theft of puppies was observed. DogLost, a UK charity that helps pet parents locate their stolen dogs, recorded an alarming increase of 170 per cent of crime against dogs.&nbsp;

The number increased from 172 dogs in 2019 to 465 dogs in 2020. "Last March, due to lockdown, lots of people thought that this would be the best time to introduce a dog to the family. The demand grew really high, and some people bought them online without asking the diligent background questions you would usually asking when buying in person," Justine Quirk, from DogLost said.&nbsp;

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/extra-set-of-cuteness-puppy-born-with-6-legs-and-2-tails-is-doing-well-366614">Extra set of cuteness: Puppy born with 6 legs and 2 tails is 'doing well'</a>

"When some people got wind at how expensive these dogs are, there was an increase of dog thefts by people who realised how valuable a commodity they are," Quirk added.

This has also come a few hours after the popstar Lady Gaga's two French bulldogs, Koji and Gustav, were stolen at gunpoint in Los Angeles, United States.

Later, on Friday, the two were handed over at LAPD's Olympic Community Police Station by a lady who has not been suspected of the armed robbery. "I can confirm that the dogs have been located and are safe," said Captain Jonathan Tippet.

Gaga had offered $500,000 as reward money to anyone who manages to locate and safely return her two dogs.

All pet parents love to post images and videos of their four-legged, furry pets on social media platforms. There is also no doubt that people love to look at these cute images too.

All pet parents love to post images and videos of their four-legged, furry pets on social media platforms. There is also no doubt that people love to look at these cute images too. However, now the UK police department has warned pet parents against posting pictures and videos of their pets. "The advice I would give from a police perspective is be aware of social media," Det Supt Neil Austin from the National Police Chiefs’ Council’s acquisitive crime unit cautioned. "People share pictures of their dogs and puppies on social media and very often haven’t got their privacy settings set correctly, and they use tags which obviously show where you live which is something to be aware of," Austin added. Also read| Lady Gaga offers $500,000 reward for her stolen dogs This warning has come after a surge in the theft of puppies was observed. DogLost, a UK charity that helps pet parents locate their stolen dogs, recorded an alarming increase of 170 per cent of crime against dogs. The number increased from 172 dogs in 2019 to 465 dogs in 2020. "Last March, due to lockdown, lots of people thought that this would be the best time to introduce a dog to the family. The demand grew really high, and some people bought them online without asking the diligent background questions you would usually asking when buying in person," Justine Quirk, from DogLost said. Also read| Extra set of cuteness: Puppy born with 6 legs and 2 tails is 'doing well' "When some people got wind at how expensive these dogs are, there was an increase of dog thefts by people who realised how valuable a commodity they are," Quirk added. This has also come a few hours after the popstar Lady Gaga's two French bulldogs, Koji and Gustav, were stolen at gunpoint in Los Angeles, United States. Later, on Friday, the two were handed over at LAPD's Olympic Community Police Station by a lady who has not been suspected of the armed robbery. "I can confirm that the dogs have been located and are safe," said Captain Jonathan Tippet. Gaga had offered $500,000 as reward money to anyone who manages to locate and safely return her two dogs.

Limit the cuteness: UK police warns against posting pictures of dogs amid surge in theft

The dream run could soon be over for Tech Giants in India. New Delhi has unveiled a new set of guidelines to rein in online platforms. WION's Palki Sharma gets you the big takeaways.

Gravitas: India's new social Media guidelines

Facebook ended one-week news blackout in Australia on Friday. The popular social media network also announced preliminary agreements with three small local publishers. This came just a day after Australian parliament passed a law forcing Facebook and Alphabet, Google's parent company to pay local media companies for content.

Australia has thus become first country in the world where a government arbitrator can set the price Facebook and Google pay domestic media to show their content if private negotiations fail. Canada and other countries have shown interest in replicating Australia`s reforms.

Facebook said it had signed partnership agreements with Schwartz Media, Solstice Media and Private Media. The trio own a mix of publications, including weekly newspapers, online magazines and specialist periodicals. Facebook hasn't disclosed financial details of the agreements. The deals will become effective within 60 days if full deal is signed.

"These agreements will bring a new slate of premium journalism, including some previously paywalled content, to Facebook," the social media company said in a statement.

The non-binding agreements allay some fears that small Australian publishers would be left out of revenue-sharing deals with Facebook and Google.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/twitter-announces-super-follow-feature-that-will-ask-users-pay-for-content-366313">Twitter announces 'Super Follow' feature that will ask users pay for content</a>

"It`s never been more important than it is now to have a plurality of voices in the Australian press," said Schwartz Media Chief Executive Rebecca Costello.

Facebook on Tuesday struck a similar agreement with Seven West Media, which owns a free-to-air television network and the main metropolitan newspaper in the city of Perth.

The Australian Broadcasting Corp has said it was also in talks with Facebook.

Facebook and Google threatened for months to pull core services from Australia if the media laws took effect.

While Google struck deals with several publishers including News Corp as the legislation made its way through parliament, Facebook took the more drastic step of blocking all news content in Australia.

(With Reuters inputs)

Facebook ended one-week news blackout in Australia on Friday. The popular social media network also announced preliminary agreements with three small local publishers.

Facebook ended one-week news blackout in Australia on Friday. The popular social media network also announced preliminary agreements with three small local publishers. This came just a day after Australian parliament passed a law forcing Facebook and Alphabet, Google's parent company to pay local media companies for content. Australia has thus become first country in the world where a government arbitrator can set the price Facebook and Google pay domestic media to show their content if private negotiations fail. Canada and other countries have shown interest in replicating Australia`s reforms. Facebook said it had signed partnership agreements with Schwartz Media, Solstice Media and Private Media. The trio own a mix of publications, including weekly newspapers, online magazines and specialist periodicals. Facebook hasn't disclosed financial details of the agreements. The deals will become effective within 60 days if full deal is signed. "These agreements will bring a new slate of premium journalism, including some previously paywalled content, to Facebook," the social media company said in a statement. The non-binding agreements allay some fears that small Australian publishers would be left out of revenue-sharing deals with Facebook and Google. Also Read | Twitter announces 'Super Follow' feature that will ask users pay for content "It`s never been more important than it is now to have a plurality of voices in the Australian press," said Schwartz Media Chief Executive Rebecca Costello. Facebook on Tuesday struck a similar agreement with Seven West Media, which owns a free-to-air television network and the main metropolitan newspaper in the city of Perth. The Australian Broadcasting Corp has said it was also in talks with Facebook. Facebook and Google threatened for months to pull core services from Australia if the media laws took effect. While Google struck deals with several publishers including News Corp as the legislation made its way through parliament, Facebook took the more drastic step of blocking all news content in Australia. (With Reuters inputs)

Facebook relents, switches news back on in Australia

India is drafting rules to make social media companies compliant to erase controversial content and assist in investigations, reported Reuters.

New Delhi's planned "Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code" will come as social media companies are sparring with nations across the globe who want to bring in tighter controls over big tech firms.

Facebook faced a global backlash from publishers and politicians last week after blocking news feeds in Australia in a dispute with the government over revenue-sharing.

The latest draft rules - which would be legally enforcable -say companies should remove content as early as possible, but not later than 36 hours, after a government or legal order, say Reuters report.

They must also assist in investigations or other cyber security-related incidents within 72 hours of a request. Further, if a post depicts an individual in any sexual act or conduct, then companies must disable or remove such content within a day of receiving a complaint, the rules added.

A news report said that the rules will also give the government 'takedown powers' of news and other web-based content.

(With Reuters inputs)

India is drafting rules to make social media companies compliant to erase controversial content and assist in investigations, reported Reuters. New Delhi's planned "Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code" will come as social media companies are sparring with nations across the globe who want to bring in tighter controls over big tech firms.

India is drafting rules to make social media companies compliant to erase controversial content and assist in investigations, reported Reuters. New Delhi's planned "Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code" will come as social media companies are sparring with nations across the globe who want to bring in tighter controls over big tech firms. Facebook faced a global backlash from publishers and politicians last week after blocking news feeds in Australia in a dispute with the government over revenue-sharing. The latest draft rules - which would be legally enforcable -say companies should remove content as early as possible, but not later than 36 hours, after a government or legal order, say Reuters report. They must also assist in investigations or other cyber security-related incidents within 72 hours of a request. Further, if a post depicts an individual in any sexual act or conduct, then companies must disable or remove such content within a day of receiving a complaint, the rules added. A news report said that the rules will also give the government 'takedown powers' of news and other web-based content. (With Reuters inputs)

India drafting rules for social media, web-content platforms

India has announced sweeping guidelines for its social media in a move to stands up to big tech. WION brings you more.

WION Fineprint: India unveil tougher rules for social media

Indian government on Thursday announced new guidelines aimed at curbing misuse of social media and covered OTT platforms. The prominent feature of these guidelines was government's direction to platforms to appoint grievance mechanisms and for them to disclose first originator of mischievous information. The rules also asked the platforms to remove content depicting nudity or morphed pictures of women after receiving complaints and following procedures set up by the grievance redressal mechanism.

The rules were laid out in a press conference addressed by Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar and Electronics and Information Technology Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad.&nbsp;

Both the ministers said that the guidelines were prepared after widespread consultations.

Prasad said that social media intermediaries will be categorised into two categories

1. Intermediaries 
2. Significant social media intermediaries

Prasad said that the classification has been done based on number of users and that the government will soon notify the exact number of users based on which the classification will be done. Significant social media intermediaries will have greater obligations.

As per the new rules, social media intermediaries have to appoint a grievance officer, who shall register complaints in 24 hours. The grievance redressal official must be resident in India, and monthly compliance reports will have to be filed by social media platforms.

Social media platforms on being asked by court or government will be required to disclose the first originator of the mischievous information.

Significant social media intermediaries will have to appoint a chief compliance officer in India. In addition to this, the platform will be required to have nodal contact person-resident in India-for coordination with law enforcement agencies, and have resident grievance officer for grievance redressal

"If there are complaints against dignity of users, particularly women - expose private parts of individuals or nudity or sexual act or impersonation etc - you'll be required to remove that within 24 hrs after complaint made. This is designed to respect dignity of women," said Ravi Shankar Prasad

"The laws made for significant social media will be implemented within 3 months so that they can improve their mechanism. The rest will come into effect from the day the rules are notified," he said.

During his address, Prasad said that every social media platform was "welcome" in India but added that there should not be "double standards"

"...If attack takes place on Capitol Hill, then social media&nbsp;supports police action but if there's aggressive attack on Red Fort, then you've double standards. This is plainly not acceptable," he said.

He also said that social media platforms should have provision for a "voluntary verification mechanism of the users"

'3-stair mechanism for OTT platforms'

I&amp;B Minister Prakash Javadekar spoke about mechanism for OTT platforms.

"We have decided to have a 3-stair mechanism for OTT platforms. OTT and digital news media will have to disclose their details. We are not mandating registration, we are seeking information," he said

"There should be a grievance redressal system in OTT platforms and digital portals. OTT platforms will have to have a self-regulating body, headed by retired Supreme Court or High Court judge or very eminent person in this category"

Javadekar made a case for self-classification of content on OTT platforms

"For OTT, there should be self-classification of content -- 13+, 16+ and A categories. There has to be a mechanism of parental lock and ensuring compliance that children don't see that," he said.

(With inputs from ANI and PTI)

Indian government on Thursday announced new guidelines aimed at curbing misuse of social media and covered OTT platforms. The prominent feature of these guidelines was government's direction to platforms to appoint grievance mechanisms and for them to disclose first originator of mischievous information.

Indian government on Thursday announced new guidelines aimed at curbing misuse of social media and covered OTT platforms. The prominent feature of these guidelines was government's direction to platforms to appoint grievance mechanisms and for them to disclose first originator of mischievous information. The rules also asked the platforms to remove content depicting nudity or morphed pictures of women after receiving complaints and following procedures set up by the grievance redressal mechanism. The rules were laid out in a press conference addressed by Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar and Electronics and Information Technology Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad. Both the ministers said that the guidelines were prepared after widespread consultations. Prasad said that social media intermediaries will be categorised into two categories 1. Intermediaries 2. Significant social media intermediaries Prasad said that the classification has been done based on number of users and that the government will soon notify the exact number of users based on which the classification will be done. Significant social media intermediaries will have greater obligations. As per the new rules, social media intermediaries have to appoint a grievance officer, who shall register complaints in 24 hours. The grievance redressal official must be resident in India, and monthly compliance reports will have to be filed by social media platforms. Social media platforms on being asked by court or government will be required to disclose the first originator of the mischievous information. Significant social media intermediaries will have to appoint a chief compliance officer in India. In addition to this, the platform will be required to have nodal contact person-resident in India-for coordination with law enforcement agencies, and have resident grievance officer for grievance redressal "If there are complaints against dignity of users, particularly women - expose private parts of individuals or nudity or sexual act or impersonation etc - you'll be required to remove that within 24 hrs after complaint made. This is designed to respect dignity of women," said Ravi Shankar Prasad "The laws made for significant social media will be implemented within 3 months so that they can improve their mechanism. The rest will come into effect from the day the rules are notified," he said. During his address, Prasad said that every social media platform was "welcome" in India but added that there should not be "double standards" "...If attack takes place on Capitol Hill, then social media supports police action but if there's aggressive attack on Red Fort, then you've double standards. This is plainly not acceptable," he said. He also said that social media platforms should have provision for a "voluntary verification mechanism of the users" '3-stair mechanism for OTT platforms' I&B Minister Prakash Javadekar spoke about mechanism for OTT platforms. "We have decided to have a 3-stair mechanism for OTT platforms. OTT and digital news media will have to disclose their details. We are not mandating registration, we are seeking information," he said "There should be a grievance redressal system in OTT platforms and digital portals. OTT platforms will have to have a self-regulating body, headed by retired Supreme Court or High Court judge or very eminent person in this category" Javadekar made a case for self-classification of content on OTT platforms "For OTT, there should be self-classification of content -- 13+, 16+ and A categories. There has to be a mechanism of parental lock and ensuring compliance that children don't see that," he said. (With inputs from ANI and PTI)

India announces new guidelines for social media, OTT platforms

In just 24 hours of the webspace crackdown on bloggers, today, China went on to further to detain 7 more people across provinces for insulting the PLA and questioning Communist Party. Earlier, China had made the fatalities of the Galwan Valley public

China: 7 people detained for insulting PLA

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

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?

A new associated press investigation now revels how china planted fake information and promoted conspiracy theories about the coronavirus outbreak. Beijing's medium of choice is social media.

Associated press investigation revel China's COVID-19 conspiracy

Social Media is a double-edged sword. It can spark revolutions, it can also fuel unrest & anarchy. In Myanmar protesters are using Facebook to demand democracy. WION's Palki asks: Are online platforms becoming more powerful than govts?

Gravitas: Is Social Media more powerful than governments?

Microsoft reportedly held talks in recent months to acquire the $51-billion social media firm Pinterest, the media reported on Thursday. 
 
According to The Financial Times, the tech giant aimed to acquire Pinterest, a platform popular for sharing and discovering recipes, home ideas, style inspiration and other ideas, to create a portfolio of active online communities that could run on its Cloud computing platform. 
 
"The talks were currently not active, said one of the people briefed," the report said. 
 
Both Microsoft and Pinterest declined to comment on the report. 
 
Pinterest, whose market value increased more than 600 per cent during the pandemic, plans to remain an independent company. 
 
Microsoft earlier made an attempt to acquire TikTok but the deal did not materialise. 
 
The tech giant has acquired some significant companies under CEO Satya Nadella, like LinkedIn for $26 billionand open source code repository GitHub for $7.5 billion. 
 
Microsoft also cacquired private gaming company ZeniMax for $7.5 billion last year. 
 
Pinterest reported strong fourth quarter financial results last week, with $706 million in revenue. 
 
The company`s US revenue jumped 67 per cent (year over year) to $582 million while its international revenue was up 145 per cent year over year to $123 million. 
 
Pinterest said its international user base expanded 46 per cent to 361 million.

Microsoft reportedly held talks in recent months to acquire the $51-billion social media firm Pinterest, the media reported on Thursday. According to The Financial Times, the tech giant aimed to acquire Pinterest, a platform popular for sharing and discovering recipes, home ideas, style inspiration and other ideas, to create a portfolio of active online communities that could run on its Cloud computing platform.

Microsoft reportedly held talks in recent months to acquire the $51-billion social media firm Pinterest, the media reported on Thursday. According to The Financial Times, the tech giant aimed to acquire Pinterest, a platform popular for sharing and discovering recipes, home ideas, style inspiration and other ideas, to create a portfolio of active online communities that could run on its Cloud computing platform. "The talks were currently not active, said one of the people briefed," the report said. Both Microsoft and Pinterest declined to comment on the report. Pinterest, whose market value increased more than 600 per cent during the pandemic, plans to remain an independent company. Microsoft earlier made an attempt to acquire TikTok but the deal did not materialise. The tech giant has acquired some significant companies under CEO Satya Nadella, like LinkedIn for $26 billionand open source code repository GitHub for $7.5 billion. Microsoft also cacquired private gaming company ZeniMax for $7.5 billion last year. Pinterest reported strong fourth quarter financial results last week, with $706 million in revenue. The company`s US revenue jumped 67 per cent (year over year) to $582 million while its international revenue was up 145 per cent year over year to $123 million. Pinterest said its international user base expanded 46 per cent to 361 million.

Microsoft planned to buy social media firm Pinterest: Report

Support is growing for Yuliya Navalny, the woman now called the first lady of the opposition party in Russia. Yulia Navalny's husband has been jailed for 2 years. Yulia who duned a red jumper has seen crying as the Moscow court pronounced Alexy Navalny's sentence. Alexy Navalny told his wife not to be sad as everything just be fine. His words are now trending on social media.

Netizens in Russia voice support for Yuliya Navalny after Alexy Navalny's arrest

Filters should not be applied to social media adverts if they exaggerate the effect of the product, Britain's Advertising Standards Authority has ruled.

The ASA was responding to the #filterdrop campaign that called for it to be compulsory for influencers to state when they use a beauty filter to promote skincare or cosmetics.

The ASA said filtered beauty content could be "misleading".

The use of filters on social media is a widely debated issue, attracting the attention of not only celebrities and social media influencers but also MPs.

The ASA examined two examples of where filters had been added to videos shared by influencers advertising tanning products, adding that the outcome of these rulings would apply to all UK brands, influencers and celebrities.

The regulation also come from the findings that say that nearly 40% of Twitter users say they’ve made a purchase after reading a tweet from an influencer.

Six in ten YouTube subscribers would follow advice on what to buy from their favourite influencer over their favourite TV or movie personality.

The influencer market is huge. Most brands, especially start-ups prefer advertising through influencers online rather than rolling out a TV commericial, or putting up hoardings across the city.

According to a survey, 91 per cent of millennials polled say they trust online reviews as much as friends and family. 50% of consumers take some action after reading a positive review online.

Instagram is the most important platform for influencer marketing. And the instgram influencer market alone is worth 5 billion dollars.

This is the new age advertising.

Filters should not be applied to social media adverts if they exaggerate the effect of the product, Britain's Advertising Standards Authority has ruled. The ASA was responding to the #filterdrop campaign that called for it to be compulsory for influencers to state when they use a beauty filter to promote skincare or cosmetics.

Filters should not be applied to social media adverts if they exaggerate the effect of the product, Britain's Advertising Standards Authority has ruled. The ASA was responding to the #filterdrop campaign that called for it to be compulsory for influencers to state when they use a beauty filter to promote skincare or cosmetics. The ASA said filtered beauty content could be "misleading". The use of filters on social media is a widely debated issue, attracting the attention of not only celebrities and social media influencers but also MPs. The ASA examined two examples of where filters had been added to videos shared by influencers advertising tanning products, adding that the outcome of these rulings would apply to all UK brands, influencers and celebrities. The regulation also come from the findings that say that nearly 40% of Twitter users say they’ve made a purchase after reading a tweet from an influencer. Six in ten YouTube subscribers would follow advice on what to buy from their favourite influencer over their favourite TV or movie personality. The influencer market is huge. Most brands, especially start-ups prefer advertising through influencers online rather than rolling out a TV commericial, or putting up hoardings across the city. According to a survey, 91 per cent of millennials polled say they trust online reviews as much as friends and family. 50% of consumers take some action after reading a positive review online. Instagram is the most important platform for influencer marketing. And the instgram influencer market alone is worth 5 billion dollars. This is the new age advertising.

Social media influencers told not to use 'misleading' beauty filters

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

Zendaya has a very open and authentic relationship with social media.&nbsp; 
 
During a new podcast interview, the 'Euphoria'&nbsp;star discussed her relationship with social media and spilled the beans on whether she is really the one behind her Instagram handle. 
 
According to E! News, the `Malcolm and Marie` actor is doing her part to ensure that her social media stays authentic. With over 85 million followers on Instagram alone, Zandaya has developed a large and loyal fan base for her. 
 
During the `The HFPA in Conversation` podcast, speaking about how she is the only one logging in and interacting with those followers she said, "I`m very, very particular about my Instagram so nobody has access to it other than me, I think it`s important to a degree, to be honest with that stuff." 
 
Zendaya isn't an active user of social media platforms but has put authentic limits on her usage. She explained her limits when it comes to social media, "I was far more active when I was younger, but over time I think I just--it`s not that I hate it or anything--but I would find sometimes that being on it would kind of make me anxious or I would start to overthink a little too much or be on my phone too much." 
 
She added, "I think my fans who have known me and who I feel like really understand me to respect that because they understand that I am a human being and I think they want me to have a life and want me to be happy and exist beyond social media."Ultimately, the attention and spotlight is something Zendaya finds relatively normal. 
 
As per E! News after moving to Los Angeles with her dad at the age of thirteen, the former `Shake It Up` star quickly learned how to deal with curious fans. As she prepares for the release of her upcoming Netflix project `Malcolm and Marie`, Zendaya wants to remind her fans that she sees them on social media, even if she`s not able to post every day. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

Zendaya has a very open and authentic relationship with social media. During a new podcast interview, the 'Euphoria' star discussed her relationship with social media and spilled the beans on whether she is really the one behind her Instagram handle.

Zendaya has a very open and authentic relationship with social media. During a new podcast interview, the 'Euphoria' star discussed her relationship with social media and spilled the beans on whether she is really the one behind her Instagram handle. According to E! News, the `Malcolm and Marie` actor is doing her part to ensure that her social media stays authentic. With over 85 million followers on Instagram alone, Zandaya has developed a large and loyal fan base for her. During the `The HFPA in Conversation` podcast, speaking about how she is the only one logging in and interacting with those followers she said, "I`m very, very particular about my Instagram so nobody has access to it other than me, I think it`s important to a degree, to be honest with that stuff." Zendaya isn't an active user of social media platforms but has put authentic limits on her usage. She explained her limits when it comes to social media, "I was far more active when I was younger, but over time I think I just--it`s not that I hate it or anything--but I would find sometimes that being on it would kind of make me anxious or I would start to overthink a little too much or be on my phone too much." She added, "I think my fans who have known me and who I feel like really understand me to respect that because they understand that I am a human being and I think they want me to have a life and want me to be happy and exist beyond social media."Ultimately, the attention and spotlight is something Zendaya finds relatively normal. As per E! News after moving to Los Angeles with her dad at the age of thirteen, the former `Shake It Up` star quickly learned how to deal with curious fans. As she prepares for the release of her upcoming Netflix project `Malcolm and Marie`, Zendaya wants to remind her fans that she sees them on social media, even if she`s not able to post every day. (With inputs from agencies)

Zendaya talks about her relationship with social media

Social media platform Twitter has suspended more than 70,000 accounts that were sharing QAnon content. The move comes days after Trump's loyalist stormed the US Capitol Hill.

Twitter suspends 70,000 accounts sharing QAnon content

At least 12 tech companies have banned or restricted outgoing US President Donald Trump. Should big tech have the superpower to boot a Head of State? WION's Palki tells you how different world leaders are now speaking out against the ban.

Gravitas: Did big tech do the right thing by banning Trump?

Bolt was the world's first social networking website, and remained active between 1996 and 2007. 25 years since its inception, the world is facing a peculiar challenge of filtering content and engagement on social media in a bid to contain hate speech, which was blamed for the recent attack on US Capitol which left five people dead.

But can we trust social media giants? How can we assume that those claiming to solve the problem aren’t helping themselves?

For weeks, Trump lied about the election being stolen from him. And for his excesses, he was simply flagged. For four years, Trump was allowed to spread hatred. Every time tech CEOs were pulled up, they said Trump's posts have political value and blocking them would mean blocking free speech.

Years of pent-up hate led to what we saw at Washington on&nbsp;January 6, and social media helped connect those responsible for the carnage, which was live streamed on social media.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/big-techs-ban-on-donald-trump-sparks-debate-about-power-wielded-by-companies-356322" hreflang="en">Big Tech's ban on Donald Trump sparks debate about power wielded by companies</a>

Trump was responsible for what happened, but so was Facebook and Twitter. When chaos struck the Capitol, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg said - “The risks of allowing the president to continue to use our service during this period are simply too great”.

Trump is an outgoing president, and the Silicon Valley doesn't need him anymore.. Tech giants silenced his voice hoping to earn some cheer in their favour, and to distance themselves from the attempted coup.

European Union's Commissioner for the internal market - Thierry Breton said the following - “The fact that a CEO can pull the plug on POTU’S loudspeaker without any checks and balances is perplexing. It not only confirms the power of these platforms, but it also displays weaknesses in the way our society is organised in the digital space."

The damage done at US Capitol showed the world that American democracy is stake.&nbsp;

Our systems have become puppets in the hands of social media. These platforms are used to swing elections, and to challenge results. Coups are also planned on these platforms. And CEOs of these platforms then play judge and jury. Trump should be held accountable for inciting hate, but that’s the job of the courts.

Who gave tech CEOs the power to snatch an elected leader's freedom of speech?

The thin line between free speech and hate speech, protest and incitement of violence is dictated by ideologies, and shouldn’t be up for tech firms to tell. Defining hate has to be a collective process; governments and private entities need to come up with mechanisms to jointly monitor and regulate what goes on social media..

This would also mean amending the rules of the land to regulate the digital world too. And to also ensure - that the regulations aren't misused, especially- by tech giants.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-calls-second-impeachment-attempt-greatest-witch-hunt-in-history-356318">Trump calls second impeachment attempt 'greatest witch-hunt in history'</a>

In India, the government has issued an order to regulate news on social media platforms, but its effectiveness remains questionable. Europe slaps tech giants with fines if extremist content isn't removed with an hour.

Australia has given its e-safety commissioner the power to issue “takedown notices” to social media companies, with a provision for criminal penalties. This includes possible jail sentences for tech executives, and penalties worth up to 10 per cent of the company's global turnover.

In South Korea, the government can order an information provider to restrict material. Either we legislate on the digital world, or we watch tech giants become a law unto themselves.

Bolt was the world's first social networking website, and remained active between 1996 and 2007. 25 years since its inception, the world is facing a peculiar challenge of filtering content and engagement on social media in a bid to contain hate speech, which was blamed for the recent attack on US Capitol which left five people dead.

Bolt was the world's first social networking website, and remained active between 1996 and 2007. 25 years since its inception, the world is facing a peculiar challenge of filtering content and engagement on social media in a bid to contain hate speech, which was blamed for the recent attack on US Capitol which left five people dead. But can we trust social media giants? How can we assume that those claiming to solve the problem aren’t helping themselves? For weeks, Trump lied about the election being stolen from him. And for his excesses, he was simply flagged. For four years, Trump was allowed to spread hatred. Every time tech CEOs were pulled up, they said Trump's posts have political value and blocking them would mean blocking free speech. Years of pent-up hate led to what we saw at Washington on January 6, and social media helped connect those responsible for the carnage, which was live streamed on social media. Also read: Big Tech's ban on Donald Trump sparks debate about power wielded by companies Trump was responsible for what happened, but so was Facebook and Twitter. When chaos struck the Capitol, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg said - “The risks of allowing the president to continue to use our service during this period are simply too great”. Trump is an outgoing president, and the Silicon Valley doesn't need him anymore.. Tech giants silenced his voice hoping to earn some cheer in their favour, and to distance themselves from the attempted coup. European Union's Commissioner for the internal market - Thierry Breton said the following - “The fact that a CEO can pull the plug on POTU’S loudspeaker without any checks and balances is perplexing. It not only confirms the power of these platforms, but it also displays weaknesses in the way our society is organised in the digital space." The damage done at US Capitol showed the world that American democracy is stake. Our systems have become puppets in the hands of social media. These platforms are used to swing elections, and to challenge results. Coups are also planned on these platforms. And CEOs of these platforms then play judge and jury. Trump should be held accountable for inciting hate, but that’s the job of the courts. Who gave tech CEOs the power to snatch an elected leader's freedom of speech? The thin line between free speech and hate speech, protest and incitement of violence is dictated by ideologies, and shouldn’t be up for tech firms to tell. Defining hate has to be a collective process; governments and private entities need to come up with mechanisms to jointly monitor and regulate what goes on social media.. This would also mean amending the rules of the land to regulate the digital world too. And to also ensure - that the regulations aren't misused, especially- by tech giants. Also read: Trump calls second impeachment attempt 'greatest witch-hunt in history' In India, the government has issued an order to regulate news on social media platforms, but its effectiveness remains questionable. Europe slaps tech giants with fines if extremist content isn't removed with an hour. Australia has given its e-safety commissioner the power to issue “takedown notices” to social media companies, with a provision for criminal penalties. This includes possible jail sentences for tech executives, and penalties worth up to 10 per cent of the company's global turnover. In South Korea, the government can order an information provider to restrict material. Either we legislate on the digital world, or we watch tech giants become a law unto themselves.

It's time to regulate social media giants before they regulate us

A petition has been filed in the Supreme Court seeking regulation of Twitter and other social media platforms through guidelines making them culpable under criminal and civil laws until a specific law is passed by Parliament.

The petition, likely to come up for hearing in the coming days, claimed that due to the lack of government control and intervention Twitter acts as it deems fit.

Advocate Mahek Maheshwari, who filed the plea in personal capacity, has sought a direction to the Centre to formulate a framework or guidelines to appeal against any kind of grievances against Twitter and all such social media platforms within designated time frame till a proper law comes into force.

The plea has also sought directions to frame guidelines to entrust responsibility on the officers of ministries of electronics and IT and Information &amp; Broadcasting to deal with grievance/complaint against social media platforms.

"Due to lack of the government control and intervention on the social media platform Twitter, act the way they fit their way, ideology and desires."

"Twitter is not having government control so it freely act unethically and shadow ban many accounts which does not suit its ideological inclination," the petition said.

He added that "there should be no parallel ecosystem act to undermine the highest judiciary of the nation and creation of unrest, dissatisfaction among the masses."

The petition alleged that Twitter crossed all limits of lawlessness when it "supported the mocking of the highest judiciary of nation that is also institutionally of Supreme Court of Nation and individually of the judges as well".&nbsp;

A petition has been filed in the Supreme Court seeking regulation of Twitter and other social media platforms through guidelines making them culpable under criminal and civil laws until a specific law is passed by Parliament.

A petition has been filed in the Supreme Court seeking regulation of Twitter and other social media platforms through guidelines making them culpable under criminal and civil laws until a specific law is passed by Parliament. The petition, likely to come up for hearing in the coming days, claimed that due to the lack of government control and intervention Twitter acts as it deems fit. Advocate Mahek Maheshwari, who filed the plea in personal capacity, has sought a direction to the Centre to formulate a framework or guidelines to appeal against any kind of grievances against Twitter and all such social media platforms within designated time frame till a proper law comes into force. The plea has also sought directions to frame guidelines to entrust responsibility on the officers of ministries of electronics and IT and Information & Broadcasting to deal with grievance/complaint against social media platforms. "Due to lack of the government control and intervention on the social media platform Twitter, act the way they fit their way, ideology and desires." "Twitter is not having government control so it freely act unethically and shadow ban many accounts which does not suit its ideological inclination," the petition said. He added that "there should be no parallel ecosystem act to undermine the highest judiciary of the nation and creation of unrest, dissatisfaction among the masses." The petition alleged that Twitter crossed all limits of lawlessness when it "supported the mocking of the highest judiciary of nation that is also institutionally of Supreme Court of Nation and individually of the judges as well".

Plea in SC seeks to regulate social media platforms

When using social media to nudge people toward safe and healthy behaviour, it`s critical to make sure the words match the pictures, according to a new study.After looking at social media posts, parents of young children were better able to recall safety messages such as how to put a baby safely to sleep when the images in the posts aligned with the messages in the text, the researchers found. 
 
The study appears in the Journal of Health Communication."Many times, scientists and safety experts aren`t involved in decisions about social media for health agencies and other organizations, and we end up seeing images that have nothing to do with the safety message or, worse, images that contradict the guidance," said lead author Liz Klein, an associate professor of public health at The Ohio State University.

Take the safe sleep example, for instance. The researchers found posts that advocated a bumper-free crib for baby but used an image of an infant in a crib with bumpers. They saw posts about preventing head injury with bike helmets illustrated by pictures of kids without bike helmets."In this study, we were trying to understand how much those mismatches matter -- do people understand the message even if the picture isn`t right?

Does the picture really matter?" Klein said. Their answers came from research using eye-tracking technology to gauge the attention young parents paid to various posts, and subsequent tests to see what they recalled about the safety messages. When the 150 parents in the study were shown a trio of posts with matched imagery and text and three other posts with mismatched visual and written messages, they spent far longer on the matched posts -- 5.3 seconds, compared to the 3.3 seconds their eyes lingered on the mismatched posts. Further, the matched messages appeared to make a difference in understanding and recall of safety messages.

After accounting for differences in health literacy and social media use among participants, the researchers found that each second of viewing time on matched posts was associated with a 2.8 percent increase in a safety knowledge score."With nearly 70 percent of adults reporting use of social media, and many parents using social media and other internet sources to keep current on injury prevention strategies, social media is a great opportunity to broadcast safety and injury prevention messages," said study co-author Lara McKenzie, a principal investigator in the Center for Injury Research and Policy at Nationwide Children`s Hospital in Columbus. 
&nbsp;

"As more health organizations and public health agencies use social media to share health information with the public, the findings of our study underscore the need to ensure that the imagery and text in social media posts are aligned," added McKenzie.Klein said she understands that those managing social media accounts may be drawn to images that are the most attention-grabbing. But when it comes to health and safety, this study suggests that making sure the image and the text are sending the same message is more important. 
&nbsp;

"If you want people to put their medicine up and out of reach of children, kids to wear their bike helmets or new parents to remember that babies should always go to sleep on their backs, alone and in a crib -- that`s where matching matters. Maybe save the eye-grabbing stuff and the humorous posts for different purposes," Klein said.Klein said the findings in this study likely extend beyond child safety messaging to any number of health and safety campaigns, but that there`s more work to be done to understand how best to harness the power of social media for different types of public health communication."We need to pay more attention to how we communicate with the people we`re trying to influence with health and safety guidance. All of us can do a better job of thinking about how we use our social media accounts to contribute to better public health," she said.&nbsp;

When using social media to nudge people toward safe and healthy behaviour, it`s critical to make sure the words match the pictures, according to a new study.After looking at social media posts, parents of young children were better able to recall safety messages such as how to put a baby safely to sleep when the images in the posts aligned with the messages in the text, the researchers found.

When using social media to nudge people toward safe and healthy behaviour, it`s critical to make sure the words match the pictures, according to a new study.After looking at social media posts, parents of young children were better able to recall safety messages such as how to put a baby safely to sleep when the images in the posts aligned with the messages in the text, the researchers found. The study appears in the Journal of Health Communication."Many times, scientists and safety experts aren`t involved in decisions about social media for health agencies and other organizations, and we end up seeing images that have nothing to do with the safety message or, worse, images that contradict the guidance," said lead author Liz Klein, an associate professor of public health at The Ohio State University. Take the safe sleep example, for instance. The researchers found posts that advocated a bumper-free crib for baby but used an image of an infant in a crib with bumpers. They saw posts about preventing head injury with bike helmets illustrated by pictures of kids without bike helmets."In this study, we were trying to understand how much those mismatches matter -- do people understand the message even if the picture isn`t right? Does the picture really matter?" Klein said. Their answers came from research using eye-tracking technology to gauge the attention young parents paid to various posts, and subsequent tests to see what they recalled about the safety messages. When the 150 parents in the study were shown a trio of posts with matched imagery and text and three other posts with mismatched visual and written messages, they spent far longer on the matched posts -- 5.3 seconds, compared to the 3.3 seconds their eyes lingered on the mismatched posts. Further, the matched messages appeared to make a difference in understanding and recall of safety messages. After accounting for differences in health literacy and social media use among participants, the researchers found that each second of viewing time on matched posts was associated with a 2.8 percent increase in a safety knowledge score."With nearly 70 percent of adults reporting use of social media, and many parents using social media and other internet sources to keep current on injury prevention strategies, social media is a great opportunity to broadcast safety and injury prevention messages," said study co-author Lara McKenzie, a principal investigator in the Center for Injury Research and Policy at Nationwide Children`s Hospital in Columbus. "As more health organizations and public health agencies use social media to share health information with the public, the findings of our study underscore the need to ensure that the imagery and text in social media posts are aligned," added McKenzie.Klein said she understands that those managing social media accounts may be drawn to images that are the most attention-grabbing. But when it comes to health and safety, this study suggests that making sure the image and the text are sending the same message is more important. "If you want people to put their medicine up and out of reach of children, kids to wear their bike helmets or new parents to remember that babies should always go to sleep on their backs, alone and in a crib -- that`s where matching matters. Maybe save the eye-grabbing stuff and the humorous posts for different purposes," Klein said.Klein said the findings in this study likely extend beyond child safety messaging to any number of health and safety campaigns, but that there`s more work to be done to understand how best to harness the power of social media for different types of public health communication."We need to pay more attention to how we communicate with the people we`re trying to influence with health and safety guidance. All of us can do a better job of thinking about how we use our social media accounts to contribute to better public health," she said.

In social media safety messages, the pictures should match the words, finds study

Facebook has taken down content that spread lies in Israel against coronavirus vaccinations as the government seeks to drum up support for the programme, the Justice Ministry said on Sunday. 
 
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday became the first person to be vaccinated in Israel. Opinion polls show some two-thirds of the public want to follow suit. 
 
The Justice Ministry said that, at its request, Facebook took down four groups at the weekend that had disseminated texts, photographs and videos with "deliberately mendacious content designed to mislead about coronavirus vaccines". 
 
Such "fake news" included arguments that vaccines would be used to plant government tracking chips in recipients` bodies, to poison them and thus cull the population or to subject them to medical experimentation, the ministry said in a statement. 
 
A Facebook spokeswoman confirmed that four Hebrew-language groups had been taken down as part of the company`s policy against "spreading misinformation regarding the vaccines". 
 
Israeli officials say the country has enough vaccines on order by year`s end to protect the most vulnerable 20% of the population and then lift some coronavirus curbs, but worry that turnout might be dampened if people get false information about the innoculations. 
 
Israel began administering vaccines to medical staff on Sunday. At Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, dozens of doctors and nurses danced as they prepared to receive their injections. 
 
Next in line are elderly Israelis or those in high-risk groups. The wider adult population is slated to get shots in early 2021. 
 
With a population of 9 million, Israel has logged 373,368 coronavirus cases and 3,074 deaths. It has imposed two national lockdowns and is mulling new curbs on high-contagion areas.

Facebook has taken down content that spread lies in Israel against coronavirus vaccinations as the government seeks to drum up support for the programme, the Justice Ministry said on Sunday.

Facebook has taken down content that spread lies in Israel against coronavirus vaccinations as the government seeks to drum up support for the programme, the Justice Ministry said on Sunday. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday became the first person to be vaccinated in Israel. Opinion polls show some two-thirds of the public want to follow suit. The Justice Ministry said that, at its request, Facebook took down four groups at the weekend that had disseminated texts, photographs and videos with "deliberately mendacious content designed to mislead about coronavirus vaccines". Such "fake news" included arguments that vaccines would be used to plant government tracking chips in recipients` bodies, to poison them and thus cull the population or to subject them to medical experimentation, the ministry said in a statement. A Facebook spokeswoman confirmed that four Hebrew-language groups had been taken down as part of the company`s policy against "spreading misinformation regarding the vaccines". Israeli officials say the country has enough vaccines on order by year`s end to protect the most vulnerable 20% of the population and then lift some coronavirus curbs, but worry that turnout might be dampened if people get false information about the innoculations. Israel began administering vaccines to medical staff on Sunday. At Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, dozens of doctors and nurses danced as they prepared to receive their injections. Next in line are elderly Israelis or those in high-risk groups. The wider adult population is slated to get shots in early 2021. With a population of 9 million, Israel has logged 373,368 coronavirus cases and 3,074 deaths. It has imposed two national lockdowns and is mulling new curbs on high-contagion areas.

Facebook removes anti-vaccine 'fake news' in Israel: Government

Popular online bulletin board Pinterest will pay former chief operating officer Francoise Brougher $20 million in a deal reached to settle a gender discrimination suit, a regulatory filing showed Monday. 
 
The settlement includes Pinterest investing another $2.5 million to increase the presence of women and other under-represented groups in the tech industry, according to a joint statement. 
 
"Pinterest recognizes the importance of fostering a workplace environment that is diverse, equitable and inclusive and will continue its actions to improve its culture," read a joint statement by Brougher and Pinterest. 
 
Brougher filed a lawsuit earlier this year, accusing San Francisco-based Pinterest of paying her less than male colleagues, leaving her out of decision making, and subjecting her to a hostile work environment, then firing her after she spoke out against the treatment, according to media reports. 
 
"Although 70 percent of Pinterest’s users are women, the company is steered by men with little input from female executives," Brougher said in a post on Medium when the suit was filed in August. 
 
"Pinterest’s female executives, even at the highest levels, are marginalized, excluded, and silenced." 
 
More than 440 million people around the world use Pinterest each month, according to the online bulletin board's website. 
 
"Women were the first to embrace us; they still make up more than 60 percent of our platform globally - and we're&nbsp;proud of it," Pinterest said in a blog post at the end of July. 
 
Pinterest, launched in 2010, is a virtual bulletin board platform, with users decorating their boards with pictures showcasing interests including food, fashion, travel and lifestyle. 
 
It also enables users to link to online shopping and other services to find items they have "pinned." 
 
"I will continue to advocate for workplace equity, including more women in the C-Suite," Brougher said in a tweet from her verified account on Twitter.

Popular online bulletin board Pinterest will pay former chief operating officer Francoise Brougher $20 million in a deal reached to settle a gender discrimination suit, a regulatory filing showed Monday.

Popular online bulletin board Pinterest will pay former chief operating officer Francoise Brougher $20 million in a deal reached to settle a gender discrimination suit, a regulatory filing showed Monday. The settlement includes Pinterest investing another $2.5 million to increase the presence of women and other under-represented groups in the tech industry, according to a joint statement. "Pinterest recognizes the importance of fostering a workplace environment that is diverse, equitable and inclusive and will continue its actions to improve its culture," read a joint statement by Brougher and Pinterest. Brougher filed a lawsuit earlier this year, accusing San Francisco-based Pinterest of paying her less than male colleagues, leaving her out of decision making, and subjecting her to a hostile work environment, then firing her after she spoke out against the treatment, according to media reports. "Although 70 percent of Pinterest’s users are women, the company is steered by men with little input from female executives," Brougher said in a post on Medium when the suit was filed in August. "Pinterest’s female executives, even at the highest levels, are marginalized, excluded, and silenced." More than 440 million people around the world use Pinterest each month, according to the online bulletin board's website. "Women were the first to embrace us; they still make up more than 60 percent of our platform globally - and we're proud of it," Pinterest said in a blog post at the end of July. Pinterest, launched in 2010, is a virtual bulletin board platform, with users decorating their boards with pictures showcasing interests including food, fashion, travel and lifestyle. It also enables users to link to online shopping and other services to find items they have "pinned." "I will continue to advocate for workplace equity, including more women in the C-Suite," Brougher said in a tweet from her verified account on Twitter.

Pinterest to pay $22.5 million to settle gender discrimination suit

Significantly increased use of social media in youth may lead to developing of depression within six months, suggest the findings of a new study.Young adults who increased their use of social media were significantly more likely to develop depression within six months, according to a new national study. 
 
The study was authored by Dr Brian Primack, dean of the College of Education and Health Professions and professor of public health at the University of Arkansas.Compared with participants who used less than 120 minutes per day of social media, for example, young adults who used more than 300 minutes per day were 2.8 times as likely to become depressed within six months. 
 
The study, which will be published online December 10 and is scheduled for the February 2021 issue of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, is the first large, national study to show a link between social media use and depression over time." Most prior work in this area has left us with the chicken-and-egg question," said Primack. 
 
"We know from other large studies that depression and social media users tend to go together, but it`s been hard to figure out which came first. This new study sheds light on these questions because high initial social media use led to increased rates of depression. However, initial depression did not lead to any change in social media use," added Primack.In 2018, Primack and his colleagues at the University of Pittsburgh sampled more than 1,000 U.S. adults between 18 to 30. 
 
They measured depression using the validated nine-item Patient Health Questionnaire and asked participants about the amount of time they used social media on platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Reddit, Instagram, and SnapChat.Their analyses controlled for demographic factors like age, sex, race, education, income and employment, and they included survey weights so the results would reflect the greater U.S. population. 
 
"One reason for these findings may be that social media takes up a lot of time," said Dr. Cesar Escobar-Viera, assistant professor of psychiatry at the University of Pittsburgh and co-author on the study."Excess time on social media may displace forming more important in-person relationships, achieving personal or professional goals, or even simply having moments of valuable reflection," added Escobar-Viera. 
 
The authors suggest that social comparison may also underlie these findings." Social media is often curated to emphasise positive portrayals," said Jaime Sidani, assistant professor of medicine at the University of Pittsburgh and co-author of the study."This can be especially difficult for young adults who are at critical junctures in life-related to identity development and feel that they can`t measure up to the impossible ideals they are exposed to," Sidani added.The findings are of particular importance given that depression was recently declared to be the leading global cause of disability by the World Health Organization and accounts for more disability-adjusted life-years than all other mental disorders."These findings are also particularly important to consider in the age of COVID-19," Primack said."Now that it`s harder to connect socially in person, we`re all using more technology like social media. 
 
While I think those technologies certainly can be valuable, I`d also encourage people to reflect on which tech experiences are truly useful for them and which ones leave them feeling empty," added Primack.&nbsp;

Significantly increased use of social media in youth may lead to developing of depression within six months, suggest the findings of a new study.Young adults who increased their use of social media were significantly more likely to develop depression within six months, according to a new national study.

Significantly increased use of social media in youth may lead to developing of depression within six months, suggest the findings of a new study.Young adults who increased their use of social media were significantly more likely to develop depression within six months, according to a new national study. The study was authored by Dr Brian Primack, dean of the College of Education and Health Professions and professor of public health at the University of Arkansas.Compared with participants who used less than 120 minutes per day of social media, for example, young adults who used more than 300 minutes per day were 2.8 times as likely to become depressed within six months. The study, which will be published online December 10 and is scheduled for the February 2021 issue of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, is the first large, national study to show a link between social media use and depression over time." Most prior work in this area has left us with the chicken-and-egg question," said Primack. "We know from other large studies that depression and social media users tend to go together, but it`s been hard to figure out which came first. This new study sheds light on these questions because high initial social media use led to increased rates of depression. However, initial depression did not lead to any change in social media use," added Primack.In 2018, Primack and his colleagues at the University of Pittsburgh sampled more than 1,000 U.S. adults between 18 to 30. They measured depression using the validated nine-item Patient Health Questionnaire and asked participants about the amount of time they used social media on platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Reddit, Instagram, and SnapChat.Their analyses controlled for demographic factors like age, sex, race, education, income and employment, and they included survey weights so the results would reflect the greater U.S. population. "One reason for these findings may be that social media takes up a lot of time," said Dr. Cesar Escobar-Viera, assistant professor of psychiatry at the University of Pittsburgh and co-author on the study."Excess time on social media may displace forming more important in-person relationships, achieving personal or professional goals, or even simply having moments of valuable reflection," added Escobar-Viera. The authors suggest that social comparison may also underlie these findings." Social media is often curated to emphasise positive portrayals," said Jaime Sidani, assistant professor of medicine at the University of Pittsburgh and co-author of the study."This can be especially difficult for young adults who are at critical junctures in life-related to identity development and feel that they can`t measure up to the impossible ideals they are exposed to," Sidani added.The findings are of particular importance given that depression was recently declared to be the leading global cause of disability by the World Health Organization and accounts for more disability-adjusted life-years than all other mental disorders."These findings are also particularly important to consider in the age of COVID-19," Primack said."Now that it`s harder to connect socially in person, we`re all using more technology like social media. While I think those technologies certainly can be valuable, I`d also encourage people to reflect on which tech experiences are truly useful for them and which ones leave them feeling empty," added Primack.

Excessive use of social media maybe linked to developing depression, suggests study

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has raised questions over the new social media rules imposed by the Pakistan government, the media reported on Saturday.

The court on Friday heard a petition filed by the Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) against the recently approved regulations titled 'Removal and Blocking of Unlawful Online Content (Procedure, Oversight and Safeguards) Rules 2020', The Express Tribune reported.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-woman-fakes-death-to-claim-insurance-worth-15-million-347627" hreflang="en">Pakistan: Woman fakes death to claim insurance worth $1.5 million</a>

The PBC contended that the rules violated rights guaranteed by the Constitution.

IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah expressed his displeasure, saying that if the new rules discouraged criticism, it would "discourage accountability".

"Criticism is very important for democracy," he said, adding that the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) should encourage it instead.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/major-embarrassment-for-pakistan-at-un-over-100-countries-decline-to-extend-support-to-resolution-backed-by-it-347332">Major embarrassment for Pakistan at UN: Over 100 countries decline to extend support to resolution backed by it</a>

The IHC later issued directions to the PTA to take into account the objections raised by PBC and satisfy the court at the next hearing on December 18.

The government approved the social media rules last month despite criticism from human rights activists and organisations.

One of the new rules requires a social media company` to remove, suspend or disable access to any online content within 24 hours, and in emergency situations, within six hours, after being intimated by the authority.

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has raised questions over the new social media rules imposed by the Pakistan government, the media reported on Saturday. The court on Friday heard a petition filed by the Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) against the recently approved regulations titled 'Removal and Blocking of Unlawful Online Content (Procedure, Oversight and Safeguards) Rules 2020', The Express Tribune reported.

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has raised questions over the new social media rules imposed by the Pakistan government, the media reported on Saturday. The court on Friday heard a petition filed by the Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) against the recently approved regulations titled 'Removal and Blocking of Unlawful Online Content (Procedure, Oversight and Safeguards) Rules 2020', The Express Tribune reported. Also read| Pakistan: Woman fakes death to claim insurance worth $1.5 million The PBC contended that the rules violated rights guaranteed by the Constitution. IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah expressed his displeasure, saying that if the new rules discouraged criticism, it would "discourage accountability". "Criticism is very important for democracy," he said, adding that the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) should encourage it instead. Also read | Major embarrassment for Pakistan at UN: Over 100 countries decline to extend support to resolution backed by it The IHC later issued directions to the PTA to take into account the objections raised by PBC and satisfy the court at the next hearing on December 18. The government approved the social media rules last month despite criticism from human rights activists and organisations. One of the new rules requires a social media company` to remove, suspend or disable access to any online content within 24 hours, and in emergency situations, within six hours, after being intimated by the authority.

Islamabad HC questions government's new social media rules

Donald Trump has threatened to veto a major military funding bill unless Congress abolishes a liability law protecting social media firms regularly accused of bias by the president.

Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act gives immunity to tech companies such as Facebook and Twitter from legal action on content posted by users.

Both platforms have found themselves the target of incandescent fury from Trump in recent weeks after they began attaching disclaimers to social media posts by the president that claimed he had lost last month's election due to voter fraud.

Trump has doubled on a months-old push to abolish the statute in response -- a move that has been backed by his congressional allies.&nbsp;

"Section 230... represents a serious threat to our national security and the integrity of the elections," the president tweeted on Tuesday night.

"Therefore, if the very dangerous &amp; unfair Section 230 is not completely terminated as part of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), I will be forced to unequivocally VETO the Bill," he added, referring to the annual bill that authorizes the Pentagon's budget.&nbsp;

Some of Silicon Valley's biggest companies have found themselves under fire from both sides of the political spectrum for their handling of content during a bitter US presidential campaign this year.

Republican officials have accused tech firms of censoring conservative voices and grilled Facebook chief Mark Zuckerberg and Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey during congressional hearings earlier in November.

Both platforms limited the reach of many of Trump's posts, notably those in which the president rejected his election defeat or questioned the integrity of the voting process.

President-elect Joe Biden has also said Section 230 should be "revoked" but has offered no details of any plan to reform the legislation.

Donald Trump has threatened to veto a major military funding bill unless Congress abolishes a liability law protecting social media firms regularly accused of bias by the president.

Donald Trump has threatened to veto a major military funding bill unless Congress abolishes a liability law protecting social media firms regularly accused of bias by the president. Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act gives immunity to tech companies such as Facebook and Twitter from legal action on content posted by users. Both platforms have found themselves the target of incandescent fury from Trump in recent weeks after they began attaching disclaimers to social media posts by the president that claimed he had lost last month's election due to voter fraud. Trump has doubled on a months-old push to abolish the statute in response -- a move that has been backed by his congressional allies. "Section 230... represents a serious threat to our national security and the integrity of the elections," the president tweeted on Tuesday night. "Therefore, if the very dangerous & unfair Section 230 is not completely terminated as part of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), I will be forced to unequivocally VETO the Bill," he added, referring to the annual bill that authorizes the Pentagon's budget. Some of Silicon Valley's biggest companies have found themselves under fire from both sides of the political spectrum for their handling of content during a bitter US presidential campaign this year. Republican officials have accused tech firms of censoring conservative voices and grilled Facebook chief Mark Zuckerberg and Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey during congressional hearings earlier in November. Both platforms limited the reach of many of Trump's posts, notably those in which the president rejected his election defeat or questioned the integrity of the voting process. President-elect Joe Biden has also said Section 230 should be "revoked" but has offered no details of any plan to reform the legislation.

Trump threatens military spending veto in social media bias battle

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

Indian govt sends notice to Twitter as it shows Leh as part of Jammu Kashmir instead of Ladakh. Notice was sent to global Vice-President of Twitter on the 9th November.

Indian govt sends notice to Twitter as it shows Leh as part of Jammu Kashmir

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