Meta Fined £1.05 Billion for Violating EU Rules on Data Transfers
Meta has been fined £1.05 billion ($1.3 billion USD) by regulators for transferring EU users data to the US without explicit consent or proper protections. This is the largest fine of its kind in history and stems from Meta’s non-compliance with the European Union’s GDPR since 2020.
In accordance with GDPR, users have more control over their personal information, and Meta has to take stronger measures to protect the information of EU citizens. If the platform does not comply with the GDPR, its data transfers may be suspended in the region. Although Meta has expressed a willingness to collaborate with the EU on updating its approach, it has been criticised for not adhering to EU policies.
According to Meta, the company intends to challenge the decision, pointing out the dangers of fragmenting the internet and hindering the global economy. The company is already grappling with financial challenges and job cuts and may face further legal action as well as additional penalties or suspensions.
Find out more here.
Twitter Goes ‘Toe-to-Toe’ with Microsoft Over Alleged Misuse of Twitter Data
Twitter has recently accused Microsoft of misusing its data to train artificial intelligence technologies. Twitter claimed that Microsoft violated their data agreement, used more data than permitted, and shared it with government agencies without permission. This is part of Musk’s ongoing battle against OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT and other AI tools, as he wants to reclaim his share of the revenue generated by OpenAI’s collaboration with Microsoft.
As a result, Musk has already ceased OpenAI’s access to Twitter’s database and increased the cost for all companies to use it. It is possible that Musk’s public conflict with OpenAI and Microsoft may negatively affect Twitter’s relationship with major advertising partners, but it seems personal grudges are often prioritised above corporate concerns.
The reaction of Twitter’s new CEO, Linda Yaccarino, will determine whether Musk continues to override the company’s decisions in cases involving personal stakes. Musk has recently discussed his tendency to tweet controversial or even false statements, stating that he will say what he wants, even if it results in financial losses.
Find out more here.
LinkedIn Introduces Verification Features to Boost Credibility on Job Listings
LinkedIn has introduced new verification features to enhance trust and credibility on its platform. Users can now add a confirmation note to their profiles by providing government-issued IDs, and a “Show Verifications” option displays confirmed ID elements from businesses on job posts.
This verification process ensures affiliation with official company pages, verified work email or workplace, or government ID verification through CLEAR. LinkedIn’s outsourcing of verification helps handle its large user base of 930 million members.
These measures aim to address fake business listings and provide additional confirmation for job applicants. By fostering trust, LinkedIn aims to make users feel more comfortable applying for jobs. Verifications on job postings are rolling out in a limited capacity.
Find out more here.
WhatsApp Allows Users To Edit Messages After Hitting ‘Send’
WhatsApp has introduced a new feature that allows users to edit their sent messages 15 minutes after they have pressed send. This update, mentioned in a blog post by WhatsApp, aims to give users more control over their chats and helps rectify minor errors in direct messages.
Users can make corrections or provide additional context by long-pressing on a sent message and selecting “Edit” from the menu. Edited messages will display an “edited” marker to indicate changes made, but there will be no edit history available.
This feature is especially useful for addressing auto-correct mistakes that may alter the intended meaning of a message and is set to be accessible to all users in the coming weeks.
Find out more here.