Category: Internet

The North Face pulls Facebook ads over hate and misinformation policies

[ad_1] Criticism of Facebook’s approaches to hate speech and misinformation may hit the social network where it hurts the most: its finances. CNN reports that clothing brand The North Face has become the most recognizable company yet to join an advocacy group-backed ad boycott of Facebook, pulling all its ads from both Facebook itself as […]

Twitter apologizes for lack of accessibility in voice notes

[ad_1] Hey Matthew, this is an early version of this feature and we’re exploring ways to make these types of Tweets accessible to everyone. — Twitter Support (@TwitterSupport) June 17, 2020 “This is an early version of this feature and we’re exploring ways to make these types of Tweets accessible to everyone,” Twitter responded from […]

Germany’s updated hate speech law requires sites to report users to police

[ad_1] As you might imagine, privacy advocates aren’t thrilled with this latest revision, either. One concern is that it will force private companies to help police build a database of people’s personal information. Particularly worrisome is the fact the law obligates companies to transfer someone’s data before there’s suspicion of criminal wrongdoing. Another issue is […]

Comcast’s public WiFi hotspots will remain free for the rest of 2020

[ad_1] According to Comcast, hundreds of thousands of non-Xfinity customers have taken advantage of the free hotspots. Last month, Senators Cory Booker, Kamala Harris and Ron Wyden urged Comcast to make all of its WiFi hotspots (including Xfinity customers’ routers) open to students who don’t have internet access at home. In response to Engadget’s inquiry […]

Google tests interactive location listings in Street View

[ad_1] Google is testing an added augmented reality layer in Street View that could be a godsend for those who have trouble picturing where they on a map. The feature, first spotted by a 9to5Google reader, adds interactive pins to Street View. They replicate some of the same icons you see when using the app’s main overhead view. For […]

DoJ’s Section 230 proposal seeks more (and less) moderation online

[ad_1] One set of changes — in the “more moderation” bucket — is “aimed at incentivizing platforms to address the growing amount of illicit content online,” and would limit legal protections in cases of terrorism, child exploitation and cyber-stalking. At the same time, the DoJ calls for less moderation of other types of content. Because […]

Google’s racial equity push includes $175 million for Black businesses

[ad_1] The internet giant is also promising $3 million to address gaps in computer science and STEM education. It’s widening an awards program to 16 more universities to tackle gaps in computer science research, and bolstering representation in AI with $250,000 toward Black in AI. Representation within Google will matter as well. It’s aiming to […]

DoJ will reportedly limit social media companies’ speech protections

[ad_1] For example, the proposal would not give companies legal immunity in cases involving acts like terrorism, sexual abuse and cyberstalking. Another part of the proposal would also reportedly limit what protection tech companies have in civil cases involving the federal government. The Wall Street Journal reports the proposal also suggests striking a clause that allows online […]

WhatsApp adds payments, starting in Brazil

[ad_1] As a regular user, there are no fees for sending money or making purchases. That’s the standard in the space. With Venmo, for instance, sending money to someone is free so long as you don’t use your credit card to do so. Additionally, WhatsApp payments build on the catalog functionality the company introduced last year. […]