Science Sep 14 What to know about recent dire AI predictions and calls for safeguards By Alex Veiga, Associated Press
Nation Sep 08 Meta launches personal AI agent, Muse, to help with everyday tasks Meta says it runs on a dedicated, secure virtual machine that houses both the agent and the user's data. By Barbara Ortutay, Associated Press
Nation Sep 01 Amid legal battles, social media companies are trying harder to know which users are kids But the fact remains that online age verification technology remains imperfect, while coming with privacy implications not just for children but for adults who may have to prove that they are over 18. By Barbara Ortutay, Associated Press
Nation Aug 27 With time limits and stronger age checks, Meta's new rules for kids go further. Critics say it's not enough Meta has agreed to strengthen its age estimates to keep kids under 13 off its platforms and teens in age-appropriate accounts, enact a hard limit of two hours a day for users under 18, block kids from the apps from… By Barbara Ortutay, Associated Press
Nation Aug 26 Watch 7:14 $17B Meta settlement puts focus on youth mental health crisis, Colorado AG says Meta agreed to pay up to $17 billion in a settlement, putting to rest a trial where dozens of states accused it of deliberately endangering children through their platforms. The company behind Facebook and Instagram agreed to implement digital guardrails… By Geoff Bennett
Aug 26 Meta reaches $17 billion settlement with states in landmark trial over teen social media addiction By Barbara Ortutay, Kelvin Chan, Associated Press Meta has agreed to pay $17 billion and add stronger child-safety measures to its Facebook and Instagram platforms to end a landmark trial over teen social media addiction and settle claims filed by 47 states, state attorneys general announced Wednesday. Continue reading
Aug 19 Watch 5:53 Why states claim Meta designed addictive features for children By Amna Nawaz, Azhar Merchant Meta is facing allegations that it knowingly designed Instagram and Facebook to keep children and teenagers hooked, even as it learned about the potential harm to their mental health. A spokesperson called the claims unsubstantiated, saying the company stands by… Continue watching
Aug 18 Meta is on trial – again. Here's what to know about the case brought by dozens of states By Hannah Grabenstein The case is just one of many brought against Meta and other social media companies in recent years, but because states – and not solely individuals – are suing, the outcome could have broader effects. Continue reading
Aug 18 WATCH: Advocates for greater social media protections for kids speak outside Meta trial By Barbara Ortutay, Associated Press Opening statements are set to kick off Tuesday in a pivotal trial for Meta Platforms in a California federal court, where states are seeking billions of dollars in damages for social media harms to children. Continue reading
Aug 10 Watch 6:42 What Meta's new open-source AI model means for the future of artificial intelligence By William Brangham, Azhar Merchant Meta, the company behind Facebook and Instagram, has released a free artificial intelligence tool. The release was accompanied by a 14-page essay from CEO Mark Zuckerberg championing his view of how AI could transform our world and what protections are… Continue watching