Category: Facebook

You could get sued for embedding Instagram posts without permission


If you have a news site or blog, with articles that have embedded Instagram posts, the post owner can sue you for breaching copyright. Shocking, right? Embedding social media posts such as tweets is a common practice, and usually, companies provide a royalty-free license to use these posts through their embed APIs. However, Instagram‘s posts might not have that kind of protection. Earlier this week, Judge Katherine Failla, dismissed an appeal from Newsweek to drop lawsuits from photographer Elliot McGucken for using his Instagram photo. As Ars Technica noted, Mashable won a similar case in April, so Newsweek had hopes of getting the same…

This story continues at The Next Web

Or just read more coverage about: Instagram

Facebook begins placing labels on posts by ‘state-controlled media’


Starting today, Facebook will label posts by state-controlled media on the social network. The company first announced the move in October, part of larger efforts to fight disinformation during elections. In a post announcing the update, Facebook said: We’re providing greater transparency into these publishers because they combine the influence of a media organization with the strategic backing of a state, and we believe people should know if the news they read is coming from a publication that may be under the influence of a government.  Facebook also said it would begin labelling ads by such outlets. They “rarely advertise…

This story continues at The Next Web

Or just read more coverage about: Facebook

Facebook now allows you to swiftly delete your most embarrassing posts


Facebook today announced a new feature that will finally let you get rid of your embarrassing old posts en masse. Manage Activity essentially lets you select posts from your Activity Log and trash them if you wish. The company frames the feature as a way to tailor your Facebook when you go through a major life change, such as a breakup or a job hunt. Personally, I don’t think the impetus needs to be quite that much. Goodness knows we all go through that Facebook-awkward phase where we post aimlessly about how much we love BTS or how we’re “feeling…

This story continues at The Next Web

Or just read more coverage about: Facebook

Zuckerberg won’t budge on violent Trump posts despite employee protests


“When the looting starts, the shooting starts.” So tweeted Donald Trump on May 29, in response to nationwide protests catalyzed by the murder of George Floyd — an incitement to violence by the ostensible leader of the United States. ….These THUGS are dishonoring the memory of George Floyd, and I won’t let that happen. Just spoke to Governor Tim Walz and told him that the Military is with him all the way. Any difficulty and we will assume control but, when the looting starts, the shooting starts. Thank you! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 29, 2020 More than belligerent…

This story continues at The Next Web

Facebook employees take to Twitter to criticize Zuckerberg’s ‘no fact-check’ stance on Trump’s tweets


Last week, referring to the protests in Minnesota over the murder of George Floyd by police, US President Donald Trump threatened that military forces would open fire if the situation was not brought under control, in a tweet. Within hours, Twitter hid the tweet citing that it “glorified violence.” However, Facebook decided to remain on the fence and not do anything about his cross-posted tweets on its platform. Now, several Facebook employees are articulating their displeasure about this decision on Twitter. Earlier this morning, the company’s director of product management, Jason Toff, said that “he’s not proud of how we’re showing up.” [Note: If you’re a…

This story continues at The Next Web

Or just read more coverage about: Facebook,Twitter

It’s time for a sequel to The Social Network and Quentin Tarantino should direct it


Hollywood director Quentin Tarantino revealed in a recent interview that he believes The Social Network is the best film of its decade. He’s wrong. Space Boobs in Space is the best film of the 2010s. Space Boobs is a perfect film, it told the whole story. The Social Network, on the other hand, has plenty of room for improvement (2010? Ha, those were the innocent days for social media). That’s why I think it’s time for a sequel. And since Tarantino’s such a biiiig fan, he should direct. Don’t get me wrong, David Fincher is a legend (he brought us Se7en, ’nuff…

This story continues at The Next Web

Donald Trump is threatening to punish Twitter. Here’s why everyone should take this seriously


US President Donald Trump is expected to sign an executive order on Thursday afternoon declaring social media companies to be broadcasters (as opposed to carriers). While the exact language of the EO has yet to be revealed, an alleged draft has circulated on social media throughout the day. If what we’re seeing is close to the final order, it’s safe to say there will be huge ramifications for the tech community and the billions of us who use social media regularly. For your reading pleasure, here’s the draft of Trump’s upcoming EO regarding social media. 1/2 pic.twitter.com/RNDUzZWyxQ — Angry Staffer (@AngrierWHStaff)…

This story continues at The Next Web

Or just read more coverage about: Twitter

Facebook reportedly knew its algorithms promoted extremist groups, but did nothing


Facebook has long struggled with controlling extremist content on its platform. From the 2016 US elections, when Russians were able to manipulate American voters through polarizing ads, to propaganda that spread through the social network and led to violence in Myanmar. A new report by Jeff Horwitz and Deepa Seetharaman in the Wall Street Journal suggests that Facebook knew that its algorithm was dividing people, but did very little to address the problem. It noted that one of the company’s internal presentations from 2018 illustrated how Facebook’s algorithm aggravated polarizing behavior in some cases. A slide from that presentation said if these algorithms are…

This story continues at The Next Web

Or just read more coverage about: Facebook

Facebook announces Workplace Rooms, basically Messenger Rooms for work


Facebook recently launched Messenger Rooms, one of its biggest new products in years. It attempts to provide an alternative to Zoom for large groups of people who want to video chat outside a work context. Naturally, it integrates tightly into Facebook proper, with further integrations coming to Instagram and WhatsApp. Now the company is taking on Zoom‘s market more directly by bringing Rooms to its Slack competitor, Workplace. It’s basically Messenger Rooms for, you know, work. The feature set for Workplace Rooms is very similar to Messenger Rooms. The calls support up to 50 participants, and there isn’t a limit…

This story continues at The Next Web

Or just read more coverage about: Facebook

Facebook’s using AI to find scammers and imposters on Messenger


Facebook is using AI to spot scammers and imposters on Messenger — without reading your chats. The feature uses machine learning to detect suspicious activity, such as adults sending out loads of friend or message requests to children. When it spots suspect behavior, it sends an in-app warning to the top of the conversation. This prompts users to block or ignore shady accounts, and provides tips on how to avoid potential scams. Facebook says the feature doesn’t need to look at the messages themselves. Instead, it searches for behavioral signals such as sending out numerous requests in a short period of time. [Read: This AI needs…

This story continues at The Next Web

Or just read more coverage about: Facebook