Meta will begin testing its crowd-sourced fact-checking initiative, Community Notes, on March 18, following the model used by Elon Musk's X, the company announced on Thursday. Meta had previously discontinued its fact-checking programme in January, with CEO Mark Zuckerberg stating that fact-checkers had become “politically biased,” echoing criticisms long voiced by conservatives. However, media experts and social media researchers expressed deep concern over the policy change. French publishers, authors sue Meta for AI copyright infringement “The decision not only eliminates a valuable resource for users but also lends credibility to the widespread disinformation narrative that fact-checking is politically biased. Fact-checkers play a crucial role by providing essential context to viral claims that mislead millions on Meta,” said Dan Evon, lead writer for RumorGuard, the News Literacy Project’s digital tool that curates fact checks and educates people on identifying misinformation. Meta first introduced fact-checking in December 2016 following Donald Trump’s election, responding to concerns about the spread of “fake news” on its platforms. For years, the company partnered with over 100 organisations across more than 60 languages to combat misinformation. The Associated Press withdrew from Meta’s fact-checking programme more than a year ago. Community Notes will eventually replace fact checks, though not immediately. Meta stated that potential contributors in the U.S. can begin signing up for the programme, but their notes will not be visible right away. “We will start by gradually and randomly admitting people from the waitlist and will take time to test the writing and rating system before any notes are published publicly,” Meta explained. Meta emphasised that it would not determine what content gets rated or written, and notes will only be published if contributors with diverse viewpoints reach a broad consensus. Unlike the previous fact-checking system, where flagged misinformation saw reduced distribution, posts with Community Notes will not face penalties. Meta initiates layoffs to reduce workforce by 5% Fact checks will remain in place outside the U.S. for now, though Meta intends to expand Community Notes globally in the future.

French publishers and authors have announced legal action against Meta, alleging that the social media giant used their works without permission to train its artificial intelligence model. On Wednesday, three trade groups stated that they were suing Meta in a Paris court, accusing the company of the “massive use of copyrighted works without authorisation” to train its generative AI model. The National Publishing Union, representing book publishers, has highlighted that "numerous works" from its members are appearing in Meta’s data pool, according to the group’s president, Vincent Montagne, in a joint statement. Meta has not responded to a request for comment. The company has introduced generative AI-powered chatbot assistants for users on Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. Montagne accused Meta of engaging in “noncompliance with copyright and parasitism.” Another trade group, the National Union of Authors and Composers, which represents 700 writers, playwrights, and composers, stated that the lawsuit is necessary to protect its members from “AI that plunders their works and cultural heritage to train itself.” Ex-Meta official’s 'explosive dispatch' on company to be published The union is also concerned about AI generating “fake books” that compete with real publications, said the group’s president, François Peyrony. The third organisation involved in the lawsuit, the Société des Gens de Lettres, represents authors. Together, they demand the “complete removal” of data directories Meta created without authorisation to train its AI model. Under the European Union’s comprehensive Artificial Intelligence Act, generative AI systems must comply with the 27-nation bloc’s copyright regulations and be transparent about the material used for training. This case is the latest example of the ongoing conflict between the creative and publishing industries and technology firms over data and copyright. Last month, British musicians released a silent album in protest against proposed changes to the U.K. government’s artificial intelligence laws, which artists fear could undermine their creative control. Meta initiates layoffs to reduce workforce by 5% Meanwhile, media and technology company Thomson Reuters recently won a legal dispute against a now-defunct legal research firm over fair use in AI-related copyright cases. Other cases, involving visual artists, news organisations, and others, continue to progress through U.S. courts.

An insider account, described as an "explosive dispatch" about seven pivotal years at Facebook/Meta, is set to be released next week, reports AP. Flatiron Books announced on Wednesday that Careless People will be published on Tuesday. Written by Sarah Wynn-Williams, Meta's former director of global public policy who left Facebook in 2018, the book delves into the inner workings of the company. Which phones are getting One UI 7 first and when The publisher's statement explains that Careless People takes readers behind the scenes of Meta’s boardrooms, private jets, and meetings with world leaders, shedding light on the appetites, excesses, blind spots, and priorities of executives Mark Zuckerberg, Sheryl Sandberg, and Joel Kaplan. Wynn-Williams portrays them as deeply flawed, self-serving individuals, indifferent to the consequences of their actions on others for the sake of their own gain. Flatiron further shares that Wynn-Williams will offer detailed accounts of Zuckerberg’s attempts to expand Meta in China and her efforts to urge the company to tackle hate speech and misinformation online. Top 10 Holy Quran Apps on iOS and Android in Ramadan 2025 The book also touches on distressing incidents of workplace harassment and misogyny, as well as the challenges of working motherhood at a time when Sheryl Sandberg was globally recognised for advocating women to "Lean In."

Meta Platforms, led by CEO Mark Zuckerberg, is planning a substantial investment of up to $65 billion (£559,051 crore) in artificial intelligence initiatives for 2025. The funds will primarily be directed towards building a massive new data centre and expanding the company’s AI workforce, Zuckerberg revealed in a Facebook post on Friday. The proposed data centre is set to be so expansive that it could occupy a significant portion of Manhattan. Meta aims to bring online approximately one gigawatt of computing power by 2025 and anticipates concluding the year with over 1.3 million graphics processing units (GPUs). TikTok-loaded phones listed online for thousands amid app ban “This is a massive effort, and over the coming years it will drive our core products and business, unlock historic innovation, and extend American technology leadership,” Zuckerberg stated. Significant AI Investment Meta has been heavily investing in AI over recent years, recently committing $10 billion (£86,440 crore) to a new data centre in Louisiana. Additionally, the company has acquired advanced computer chips to support products such as its AI assistant and Ray-Ban smartglasses. Zuckerberg also highlighted plans to significantly expand Meta’s AI teams in 2025. The announcement arrives shortly after OpenAI, SoftBank Group, and Oracle Corp. unveiled a $100 billion (£864,404 crore) joint venture, named Stargate, aimed at developing data centres and AI infrastructure across the US. Musk clashes with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman over Trump-supported Stargate AI data center project Increased Capital Expenditure Meta’s planned 2025 capital expenditure marks a 50% rise compared to its estimated spending for 2024, and more than double the amount allocated in 2023. The company is expected to release finalised 2024 capital expenditure figures when it announces its fourth-quarter earnings on 29 January. Wall Street analysts had anticipated Meta would allocate $51.3 billion (£443,444 crore) for 2025, according to Bloomberg-compiled estimates. While Meta shares initially dipped during pre-market trading following the announcement, they later rose by as much as 1.7% after markets opened in New York. Broadcom Inc., a key provider of chip design services to Meta, also saw its stock climb by up to 3.9%. Trump, a populist president, is flanked by tech billionaires at his inauguration Balancing Overspending and Strategic Positioning Zuckerberg acknowledged concerns about potential overspending in AI, reiterating comments he made in July. “There’s a meaningful chance that a lot of the companies are over-building now,” he noted, “but the downside of being behind is that you’re out of position for the most important technology for the next 10 to 15 years.” Unconventional Disclosure The decision to share Meta’s spending plans on Facebook, five days ahead of the company’s quarterly earnings announcement, deviates from typical corporate practice. Such projections are usually issued alongside financial results or via formal regulatory filings. However, federal regulators have ruled that social media platforms are suitable for companies to disclose material information to investors. Robert Schiffman, Senior Credit Analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence, commented positively on the announcement. “Meta’s sharp increase in 2025 capital spending … may be its best use of capital, driving future growth and positioning itself as a leader in AI capabilities,” he remarked. Source: With inputs from news wirers   

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Thursday urged Meta to step up efforts to tackle misinformation and fake news being spread through Facebook in Bangladesh. Dr Yunus said "oligarchs and politicians" linked to the "toppled dictatorship of Sheikh Hasina" siphoned off tens of billions of dollars from Bangladesh during her 15 years of rule. "These people are now spending their fortune to spread lies and misinformation about Bangladesh," the Chief Adviser told Sir Nick Clegg, the head of global affairs at Meta, on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum annual meeting in the Swiss city. DP World, Maersk eye major investments in Bangladesh ports Clegg is also a former deputy prime minister of the United Kingdom. Probir Mehta, Director of Policy Planning of Meta; Lamiya Morshed, SDGs Affairs Principal Coordinator; and Ambassador Tareq Md Ariful Islam, Bangladesh's Permanent Representative in Geneva, also joined the meeting. When Facebook launched in 2004, it changed the way people connect. Apps like Messenger, Instagram and WhatsApp further empowered billions around the world. Now, Meta is moving beyond 2D screens toward immersive experiences like augmented, virtual and mixed reality to help build the next evolution in social technology. Clegg said Facebook would continue to do fact-checking and digital verification in Bangladesh as it is an important country, with its population the world's eighth largest, Chief Adviser's Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder told UNB. Meta's decision to stop fact-checking in the United States would not be applicable for Bangladesh and countries in Europe, he said. Switzerland reaffirms support to Bangladesh during important phase of transition He said Facebook would likely scale up its digital verification service in Bangladesh and would explore ways to do fact checking by users -- similar to the operation of Wikipedia. During the half-an-hour-long meeting, Clegg also offered Meta's expertise in drafting a new cybersecurity laws. "We have a lot of experience here," he said. The Meta global affairs chief said Llama, the company's recently launched open-sourced large language model AI, could help revolutionise health care, farming and education. He hoped it would be popular among the users in Bangladesh. Prof Yunus asked Meta to organise month-long training programs on Llama in Bangladesh. "It will open up new opportunities for Bangladesh's young people," he said.

Meta platform has announced the termination of its diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programmes, including initiatives related to hiring, training, and supplier selection. The decision was shared in a memo to employees on Friday, reflecting significant changes in the legal and political environment in the United States. The move coincides with preparations for the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump, who has been vocal in his criticism of Meta’s political content policies. Meta tries letting Facebook Marketplace users view eBay listings Trump previously threatened Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg with imprisonment, adding pressure on the company to realign its strategies. Shifts in Legal and Social Frameworks Janelle Gale, Meta’s Vice President of Human Resources, explained the rationale behind the decision in the internal memo, which was later seen by Reuters. She cited recent Supreme Court rulings as indicative of a broader shift in how US courts will handle DEI initiatives in the future. “The legal and policy landscape surrounding diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in the United States is changing,” Gale wrote. She noted that the term ‘DEI’ has become polarising, with some perceiving it as advocating preferential treatment for certain groups. While Meta will continue to seek job candidates from diverse backgrounds, it will no longer use the "Diverse Slate Approach," a practice that ensured candidates from underrepresented groups were included in hiring pools. Besides, the company’s dedicated DEI team will be disbanded. Maxine Williams, Meta’s Chief Diversity Officer, will transition to a new role focusing on accessibility and engagement. Employee Backlash The announcement has elicited mixed reactions within Meta’s workforce. One employee described the news as “upsetting to read” in a comment on Gale’s memo. Meta ditches independent fact-checkers in favor of user-led "community notes" system In a related development, Meta recently elected three new directors to its board, including Dana White, CEO of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and a close ally of Trump. The appointments signal a potential realignment in Meta’s governance, further distancing the company from its previous DEI commitments. Focus on Accessibility and Engagement As part of its revised strategy, Meta plans to prioritise accessibility and engagement in its operations. The company’s pivot underscores a broader trend among US corporations recalibrating their diversity initiatives amid heightened political scrutiny and legal challenges. The changes mark a significant departure for Meta, which has previously championed inclusive practices. But as the US political and judicial landscape evolves, the tech giant appears intent on navigating these shifts with a recalibrated approach. Source: With inputs from Indian media

Meta said Wednesday that it will allow some Facebook users to view eBay listings on its Marketplace service, as it tries out a possible way to resolve European Union charges of anticompetitive behavior that the bloc leveled last year. The social media company said it's launching a test that will let Facebook users in Germany, France and the U.S. browse eBay listings directly on its Marketplace online classifieds service but complete the transaction on eBay. Meta is carrying out the trial after Brussels slapped the company in November with a penalty of nearly 800 million euros ($824 million) for what it called “abusive practices” involving Marketplace. European Union antitrust enforcers accused Meta of illegally shutting out competition by tying Marketplace to its social network and automatically exposing Facebook users to Marketplace whether or not they wanted it. They also accused Meta of gaining an unfair advantage through ad-related data. Meta ditches independent fact-checkers in favor of user-led "community notes" system “While we disagree with and continue to appeal the European Commission’s decision on Facebook Marketplace, we are working quickly and constructively to build a solution which addresses the points raised,” Meta said in a blog post, adding that its solution could benefit people on both platforms. The European Commission, the 27-nation bloc's top antitrust enforcer, said it had “no specific comment," saying only that Meta must comply with the decision issued in mid-November within 90 days. Shares of eBay jumped on the news. The company said that starting Wednesday a “select number of eBay listings” in the three countries “will be seamlessly integrated and viewable on Facebook Marketplace.” The listings will be from a “variety of categories,” based on factors including shopping trends and listing quality, it said, without being more specific. Buyers will complete their transactions following the same process as they would when buying directly through the eBay website and will be covered by the platform's money-back guarantee and other protections, it said.

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg unveiled significant changes to the company’s moderation policies on Tuesday, citing a shifting political and social climate and the need to restore free expression across its platforms. The updates will impact Facebook, Instagram, and Threads, which together serve billions of users globally. Meta will discontinue its existing fact-checking program, which relied on partnerships with third-party organizations, and implement a community-driven system similar to X’s Community Notes, according to a report by NBC News. “We’re going to get back to our roots and focus on reducing mistakes, simplifying our policies, and restoring free expression on our platforms,” Zuckerberg said in a video message. “First, we’re going to get rid of fact-checkers and replace them with community notes similar to X, starting in the U.S.” Meta set to introduce Ray-Ban smart glasses in 2025 In addition, Meta will modify its content moderation policies, particularly around political topics. Changes that previously reduced political content in user feeds will be undone. Zuckerberg highlighted the U.S. election as a pivotal factor influencing these decisions, criticizing what he described as pressure from “governments and legacy media” to increase censorship. “The recent elections also feel like a cultural tipping point towards, once again, prioritizing speech,” he said. Zuckerberg acknowledged that the complex systems Meta had developed to moderate content were prone to errors, impacting millions of users. “We built a lot of complex systems to moderate content, but the problem with complex systems is they make mistakes,” he said. “Even if they accidentally censor just 1% of posts, that’s millions of people, and we’ve reached a point where it’s just too many mistakes and too much censorship.” While Meta will continue to strictly moderate content related to drugs, terrorism, and child exploitation, the company plans to ease some policies surrounding sensitive topics like immigration and gender. Automated moderation systems will now focus on "high severity violations," relying more on user reports for less severe issues. “We’re also going to tune our content filters to require much higher confidence before taking down content,” Zuckerberg explained. “The reality is that this is a trade-off. It means we’re going to catch less bad stuff, but we’ll also reduce the number of innocent people’s posts and accounts that we accidentally take down.” Meta donates $1m to Trump's inauguration fund The decision to end the fact-checking program marks a departure from Meta’s earlier efforts, launched in 2016, which involved third-party fact-checkers certified by organizations like the International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN). Over 90 organizations participated, fact-checking content in more than 60 languages. Meta’s shift mirrors broader trends in the social media industry, where companies have increasingly scaled back on moderation efforts amid criticism of bias and politicization. Conservatives, in particular, have long accused Meta’s fact-checking system of favoring liberal viewpoints—a claim that has been disputed. X’s Community Notes, the model for Meta’s new system, has gained popularity among conservative users for its mix of fact-checking and community-driven contributions. Zuckerberg’s announcement comes as social media companies navigate a politically charged environment. The NBC News report notes that Meta, like other tech giants, has sought to align with incoming political leadership. The company donated $1 million to President-elect Donald Trump’s inaugural fund, and Zuckerberg praised Trump in an interview before the election, though he stopped short of an endorsement.

Meta is gearing up to enhance its popular Ray-Ban smart glasses with a significant technological leap. According to a report by the Financial Times, the upcoming version, set to be released in 2025, will feature an integrated virtual display. This development positions Meta to strengthen its foothold in a market that is attracting major players like Samsung and Google. A New Era for Ray-Ban Smart Glasses Since their initial launch, Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses have gained widespread acclaim for seamlessly blending cutting-edge technology with timeless style. Equipped with voice assistant capabilities, users can send messages, make calls, and manage various functions hands-free. Built-in speakers allow users to hear notifications and messages without headphones, while touch-sensitive controls on the frame enable effortless media playback and call management. Top 7 Gaming Earphones of 2024: Must-Have Picks for Gamers The integration of a display marks a substantial upgrade to the existing features. Currently, the glasses connect to smartphones via Bluetooth, providing audio-based notifications and interactions. Some models even include a discreet camera for photo and video capture. However, the lack of a visual display has been a limitation — one that the third-generation glasses are poised to overcome. What to Expect from the 2025 Model The addition of a display will transform the user experience. Beyond showing notifications and interacting with Meta’s AI, the display could offer navigation directions, fitness tracking data, and other real-time information. This hands-free functionality would cater to both tech enthusiasts and those seeking practical applications in daily life. The new model is expected to launch in the latter half of 2025, according to Financial Times. By integrating advanced AI features and an interactive display, Meta aims to maintain its competitive edge as Samsung and Google prepare to enter the smart glasses market with AI-powered innovations. Enter Meta’s Orion AR Glasses Meta’s ambitions extend beyond Ray-Ban smart glasses. In September 2024, the company unveiled Orion, a cutting-edge AR device likened to the fictional face computers seen in Marvel’s Iron Man. Orion boasts the largest field of view in the smallest AR glasses form factor to date, capable of performing tasks such as multitasking windows, immersive entertainment, and life-size holographic interactions. Albanian prime minister says TikTok ban was not a 'rushed reaction to a single incident' This device represents a leap forward in augmented reality, merging digital content with the physical world in a lightweight, versatile design. Meta envisions Orion as a tool for both personal and professional use, enabling remote face-to-face connections. While currently in the prototype stage, Orion is slated for commercial release in 2027. Rising Competition in the Smart Glasses Market For years, Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses faced little competition. However, the landscape is changing as tech giants like Samsung and Google gear up to launch their own products. These companies are likely to incorporate advanced AI capabilities, further intensifying the competition. By advancing the Ray-Ban smart glasses and preparing Orion for the market, Meta is clearly committed to staying ahead in the race. The integration of display technology into the Ray-Ban glasses represents a critical step in this strategy, ensuring that Meta continues to lead the way in wearable tech innovation. As the world moves closer to a future dominated by augmented reality, Meta’s advancements signal exciting times ahead for both consumers and the tech industry. Source: With inputs from Financial Times and India Today

Amazon is planning to donate $1 million to President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration fund, a move that comes as major tech companies seek to improve their relationship with the incoming president. A company spokesperson confirmed Thursday evening that the e-commerce giant will also stream Trump's inauguration on its Prime Video service, a separate in-kind donation worth another $1 million. How to secure communications with encryption Earlier in the day, Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, said it donated $1 million to Trump's inauguration fund. Amazon's plans — first reported by The Wall Street Journal — came after Trump said Thursday morning that the company's founder, Jeff Bezos, was planning to visit him in person next week. The two men had feuded in the past. During his first term, Trump criticized Amazon and railed against the political coverage at The Washington Post, which Bezos owns. Top 10 Best Gaming Monitors Released in 2024 Meanwhile, Bezos had criticized some of Trump's past rhetoric. In 2019, Amazon also argued in a court case that Trump’s bias against the company harmed its chances of winning a $10 billion Pentagon contract. The Biden administration later pursued a contract with both Amazon and Microsoft. More recently, Bezos has struck a more conciliatory tone. Last week, he said at The New York Times' DealBook Summit in New York that he was “optimistic” about Trump’s second term while also endorsing president-elect's plans to cut regulations. In October, Bezos did not allow the Post to endorse a presidential candidate, a move that led to tens of thousands of people canceling their subscriptions and to protests from journalists with a deep history at the newspaper. At the time, Bezos wrote in an op-ed in the newspaper that editorial endorsements create a perception of bias at a time when many Americans don’t believe the media. Separately, the donation from Meta, which was also first reported by the Journal, came just weeks after Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg met with Trump privately at Mar-a-Lago. A Meta spokesperson confirmed the offering Thursday. Meta donates $1m to Trump's inauguration fund Stephen Miller, who has been appointed deputy chief of staff for Trump’s second term, has said that Zuckerberg, like other business leaders, wants to support Trump’s economic plans. The tech CEO has been seeking to change his company’s perception on the right following a rocky relationship with Trump. Trump was kicked off Facebook following the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. The company restored his account in early 2023. During the 2024 campaign, Zuckerberg did not endorse a candidate for president, but he has voiced a more positive stance toward Trump. Earlier this year, he praised Trump’s response to his first assassination attempt. Still, Trump had continued to attack Zuckerberg publicly during the campaign. In July, he posted a message on his own Truth Social platform threatening to send election fraudsters to prison in part by citing a nickname he used for the Meta CEO. “ZUCKERBUCKS, be careful!” Trump wrote. Corporations have traditionally made up a large share of donors to presidential inaugurals, with an exception in 2009, when then-President-elect Barack Obama refused to accept corporate donations. He reversed course for his second inaugural in 2013. Facebook did not donate to either Biden's 2021 inaugural or Trump’s 2017 inaugural. Google donated $285,000 each to Trump's first inaugural and Biden’s inaugural, according to Federal Election Commission records. Inaugural committees are required to disclose the source of their fundraising, but not how they spend the money. Microsoft gave $1 million to Obama’s second inaugural, but only $500,000 to Trump in 2017 and Biden in 2021. Amazon had donated roughly $58,000 to Trump's 2017 inaugural, much lower than than $1 million it now plans to donate. The company also streamed Biden's inauguration on Prime Video in 2021.