Feb 20 LISTEN: Supreme Court considers legal liability for big tech By Barbara Ortutay, Associated Press Twenty-six words tucked into a 1996 law overhauling telecommunications have allowed companies like Facebook, Twitter and Google to grow into the giants they are today. Continue reading
Aug 04 Watch 8:00 ‘TeamSeas’ uses YouTube to tackle the global plastic problem By Paul Solman Social media can certainly motivate people for good and otherwise. Calls to action to clean up the oceans, rivers, and beaches have galvanized volunteers and gone viral. But given the magnitude of the problem, how should we assess the impact?… Continue watching
Jul 13 Social media platforms fail to stop LGBTQ hate speech, according to GLAAD report By Amanda Seitz, Associated Press A new report says social media platforms including Facebook and TikTok are failing to stop hate and threats against LGBTQ users. Continue reading
Jan 13 Twitter, Meta among social media giants subpoenaed by Jan. 6 panel By Farnoush Amiri, Associated Press The House committee investigating the Capitol insurrection has issued subpoenas to Twitter, Meta, Reddit and YouTube, demanding documents after lawmakers said the companies' initial responses were inadequate. Continue reading
Oct 26 WATCH: Sen. Blumenthal tells TikTok, Snap, YouTube execs this ‘is a moment of reckoning’ for platforms and kids’ safety online By Marcy Gordon, Associated Press YouTube, TikTok and Snapchat are offering only "tweaks and minor changes" in their operations to ensure young users' safety amid rising concern over the platforms' potential harm to children, the head of a Senate panel told the companies' executives. Continue reading
Oct 26 WATCH: TikTok, Snapchat, YouTube executives testify in Senate hearing about kids’ safety online By Marcy Gordon, Matt O'Brien, Associated Press Senators put executives from YouTube, TikTok and Snapchat on the defensive Tuesday, questioning them about what they’re doing to ensure young users’ safety on their platforms. Continue reading
Sep 29 YouTube bans false vaccine claims By Amanda Seitz, Associated Press The ban on vaccine misinformation comes as countries around the world continue to offer free immunizations for COVID-19 to a somewhat hesitant public. Continue reading
Aug 11 YouTube suspends Rand Paul after misleading video on masks By Associated Press YouTube has suspended U.S. Sen. Rand Paul for seven days after the Kentucky Republican posted a misleading video suggesting face masks don't prevent infection by COVID-19. The video was also removed. Continue reading
Apr 27 WATCH: Social media executives testify on how algorithms affect discourse By Joshua Barajas Democratic lawmakers have signaled that they wanted to address the structural issues embedded in these platforms that can boost misinformation and become hubs for extremism. Continue reading
Apr 06 Lawmakers call YouTube Kids a ‘wasteland of vapid’ content By Barbara Ortutay, Associated Press In a letter sent Tuesday to YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki, the House Oversight and Reform subcommittee on economic and consumer policy says YouTube isn't doing enough to protect kids from material that could harm them. Continue reading