Feb 13 Watch 10:06 'Momfluencers' urged to stop showing kids on social media to protect their privacy By Stephanie Sy, Sam Weber On social media platforms, so-called "momfluencers" share parenting tips, tribulations and candid moments raising their children. Given its focus on kids, it raises questions about privacy, consent and who benefits financially. Some states are responding with new laws. Stephanie Sy… Continue watching
Feb 10 Watch 6:18 Can social media companies safeguard the 2024 election against misinformation? By John Yang, Harry Zahn As 2024 election campaigns pick up steam, Meta announced this week that it would start labeling AI-generated images posted on Facebook, Instagram and Threads. In December, an advocacy group said Meta, YouTube and X have rolled back 17 policies intended… Continue watching
Feb 03 Watch 5:03 Pressure grows on Congress to take action against deepfake pornography By John Yang, Kaisha Young, Juliet Fuisz, Lana Green Deepfake pornography uses technology to make explicit images appear to be someone they’re not. Images using Taylor Swift’s face that surfaced recently on social media have brought the issue front and center, and the problem seems to be getting worse… Continue watching
Feb 01 Watch 8:20 Why Universal Music Group is pulling songs from TikTok By John Yang, Jonah Anderson More than a billion users around the world may find that TikTok is a bit less fun than it was just a day ago. It’s tied to a major showdown between the social media app and the world’s biggest record… Continue watching
Jan 31 Watch 11:24 Lawmakers grill Big Tech executives, accusing them of failing to protect children By Lisa Desjardins, Jonah Anderson Senators interrogated CEOs of top social media companies about online child safety Wednesday in an emotional and contentious hearing, as they tried to get them to back proposed legislation. But much of the focus was on questions of accountability. Lisa… Continue watching
Jan 29 X blocks some Taylor Swift searches as deepfake explicit images circulate By Associated Press Sexually explicit and abusive fake images of Swift began circulating widely last week on X. It's made her the most famous victim of a scourge that tech platforms and anti-abuse groups have struggled to fix. Continue reading
Jan 23 TikTok is laying off dozens of workers as the tech industry continues to shed jobs in the new year By Associated Press The layoffs follow other job cuts at major tech companies this year. Social media platforms Discord and Amazon-owned Twitch have laid off hundreds of workers this month. Google and Amazon have also cut jobs. Continue reading
Dec 27 As social media guardrails fade and AI deepfakes go mainstream, experts warn of impact on elections By Ali Swenson, Christine Fernando, Associated Press The safeguards that attempted to counter the bogus claims the last time are eroding, while the tools and systems that create and spread them are only getting stronger. Continue reading
Dec 27 Social media companies made $11 billion in U.S. ad revenue from minors, Harvard study finds By Barbara Ortutay, Haleluya Hadero, Associated Press The researchers say the findings show a need for government regulation of social media since the companies that stand to make money from children who use their platforms have failed to meaningfully self-regulate. Continue reading
Dec 26 Watch 3:08 Teens reflect on how social media nearly ruined their friendship By Becky Wandel, Marie Cusick and Rawan Elbaba, Student Reporting Labs The addictive nature of social media doesn't just have parents, lawmakers and advocates worried. Last year, more than half of U.S. teens said it would be difficult to give up social media, including TikTok and YouTube. The latest episode of… Continue watching