Tag: Facebook

Australia to force Google, Facebook to pay for news content

  SYDNEY, Australia (AFP) — Facebook and Google could be required to pay news outlets for their content in “world first” legislation set to be introduced to Australia’s parliament on Wednesday. In one of the most aggressive moves to check the power of the US digital giants, Canberra plans to compel the companies to pay media organisations when their platforms host their content or face millions of dollars in fines. Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said the […]

UK to impose tougher rules on Google, Facebook

  by Anna MALPAS Agence France Presse LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP) — Britain announced Friday it will set up a watchdog to regulate tech giants such as Facebook and Google, help protect smaller competitors and give consumers more control over personal data. Britain’s announcement comes as US tech giants are facing increasing scrutiny around the world over their power and as other countries step up their regulatory powers. “Our new, pro-competition regime for digital markets […]

Facebook chief Zuckerberg braces for civil unrest

by Glenn CHAPMAN SAN FRANCISCO, United States (AFP) — Facebook chief Mark Zuckerberg on Thursday warned of the potential for civil unrest as votes are tallied in a US election that will be “a test” for the social network. Zuckerberg expressed his concern while describing safeguards against misinformation and voter suppression at the leading social network that are intended to avoid the kinds of deception and abuse that played out four years ago. “I’m worried […]

Facebook bans ads discouraging vaccines

SAN FRANCISCO, United States (AFP) — Facebook on Tuesday announced a ban on ads that discourage people from getting vaccinated, in light of the coronavirus pandemic which the social media giant said has “highlighted the importance of preventive health behaviors.” “While public health experts agree that we won’t have an approved and widely available Covid-19 vaccine for some time, there are steps that people can take to stay healthy and safe,” the company said in […]

Pres. Duterte tells Facebook “we have to talk” after deletion of FB accounts linked to gov’t campaigns

  (Eagle News) – President Rodrigo Duterte warned Facebook that their operations in the country could be restricted after it had taken down Facebook accounts of the government connected with the services of the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines, as well as advocacy campaigns of the Philippine government. “Facebook, listen to me. We allow you to operate here hoping that you could help us also. Now, if government cannot espouse […]

Thailand to push for more restriction of online content: minister

BANGKOK, Thailand (AFP) — Thailand is pushing for the removal of 1,000 online posts, videos, and other content that “breaks the law”, a minister said Wednesday, after Facebook vowed legal action over the censorship of a group discussing the monarchy. Youth-led pro-democracy protests have swept Thailand in recent weeks, calling for political reform and frank discussion about the powerful king’s role in the country — long a taboo subject. A private Facebook group called “Royalist […]

Google makes its video meeting service free to all

SAN FRANCISCO, United States (AFP) — Google on Tuesday made its business videoconferencing service free to all users, ramping up competition for Zoom as people flock online to stay connected during the pandemic. Google Meet had previously been reserved for subscribers to the premium G Suite software tools for businesses. Meet will be available “to all users around the world, to enable people all walks of life to communicate collaborate and really stay in touch […]

EBC Films to premiere “Hapi ang Buhay” and “Walang Take 2” on EBC Films’ YouTube

Eagle News — With the continuous lockdown of Luzon and basically the entire world, EBC Films wants to make your quarantine days, “Hapi” days. For the remaining days for the month of April, EBC Films will premiere “Walang Take 2” and “Hapi Ang Buhay” on EBC Films’ YouTube and Facebook page. Check out the dates below and mark them on your calendar: April 20 -GUERRERO DOS Tuloy Ang Laban After his brother, Ramon, was tragically […]

Kantang Kwarantin: Stay at home, SING and win a prize!

QUEZON CITY, Philippines (Eagle News) — Ever dreamed of being a singer performing on the big stage? Performing for people all over the world and not just to your cat? But it’s kind of hard to make your dream become a reality, because you know, lockdown. Now it’s your time to shine! With Kantang Kwarantin, presented by EBC Films—it’s your chance to create your own cover song of “Tuloy ang Laban,” for fame and your […]

Facebook blocks Singapore anti-govt page, slams misinformation law

SINGAPORE, Singapore (AFP) — Facebook on Tuesday blocked the page of an anti-government website in Singapore following demand from authorities but slammed the “disproportionate” use of a controversial law against online misinformation. The widely criticized legislation gives ministers powers to order internet platforms and websites to put warnings next to posts they deem false, and also order pages be blocked in the tightly regulated city-state. Political website States Times Review (STR) — which regularly posts […]

Facebook’s settlement puts spotlight on ‘biometric privacy’

by Rob Lever Agence France-Presse WASHINGTON, D.C., United States (AFP) — Facebook’s massive settlement in a class action case over violating a state law on how it uses facial recognition is being hailed as a watershed moment for “biometric privacy.” The leading social network said Wednesday it agreed to the $550 million payout after failing to win dismissal of the case alleging it illegally collected biometric information for “face tagging” in violation of a 2008 Illinois […]

Facebook fined $1.65 mn by Brazil

BRASILIA, Brazil (AFP) — Brazil on Monday fined  Facebook $1.65 million for improperly sharing users’ data in a case linked to the global Cambridge Analytica scandal. Facebook engaged in an “abusive practice” by allowing data from 443,000 users in Brazil to be unduly available to developers of the application “This is Your Digital Life,” according to the Ministry of Justice. That application — a psychological survey — collected personal data from millions of Facebook users worldwide, […]