Page 10 - Social Media

Australian court rejects X appeal in child safety case, orders legal costs

An Australian appeals court on Thursday ruled against X Corp., rejecting a challenge to a safety watchdog's demands for details on how the Elon Musk-owned company was combating widespread child exploitation material on its platform. Three federal court judges unanimously rejected X's appeal against a federal court decision in October last year that the company was obliged to respond to a notice from eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant on child abuse material being shared on X, which is incorporated in Texas. The judges also ordered X to pay the commissioner's legal costs. Inman Grant's office describes itself as the world's first government agency dedicated to keeping people safe online. Inman Grant has driven world-first legislation that will ban Australian children younger than 16 from social media platforms, including X, from December. The federal court case goes back to early 2023, when Inman Grant asked some of the world's largest technology companies to report on what they

Australia adds YouTube to under-16 social media ban ahead of Dec rollout

The new rules, set to take effect on December 10, will now apply to YouTube alongside Meta Platforms' Facebook and Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, and X

Maharashtra bars government employees from criticising its policies on social media

The Maharashtra government has implemented strict new rules governing social media use by its employees. From bans on political criticism to restrictions on photos and logos, here’s what’s changed.

Google officials depose before ED in online betting linked PMLA case

Representatives of Google on Monday deposed before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) as part of a money laundering probe linked to the promotion of "illegal" online betting and gambling platforms, official sources said. Executives from Meta did not depose, they said. The ED had called the officials of the two tech giants, first on July 21 and later extended their deposition to July 28 as they sought more time to appear. The agency may also record the statement of a designated "compliance officer" of Google under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) apart from obtaining some documents from the company on Monday, the sources said. A Google spokesperson had last week told PTI in a statement that the company was "committed to keeping our platforms safe and secure, prohibiting the promotion of illegal gambling ads." "We are extending our full support and cooperation to investigating agencies to hold bad actors responsible and keep users safe," the spokesperson had said. There

CloudSEK detects Maha-based counterfeit currency syndicates on social media

Cyber intelligence firm CloudSEK has detected counterfeit currency syndicates based out of Maharashtra operating via social media platforms, the company said in a report. The report said that the earlier such syndicates were confined to the dark web and underground print shops and claimed that such syndicates were now operating in broad daylight through social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram. Sourajeet Majumder, a security researcher at CloudSEK, said the firm has reported about the syndicate to the law enforcement agencies with details of the cyber criminals along with their phone numbers, GPS location and supporting digital evidence. He said the counterfeit currency network was flourishing openly on social media platforms. "In a first-of-its-kind investigation, CloudSEK's STRIKE team has not only quantified the spread -- Rs 17.5 crore worth of fake Indian currency in just six months -- but also attributed key individuals behind the operation using facial recognition,

Pakistan urges social media platforms to block banned militant accounts

Pakistan on Friday urged global social media companies to take action to block hundreds of accounts allegedly run by outlawed militant groups that Islamabad claims spread propaganda and glorify insurgents in the South Asian country. According to Pakistan's Deputy Interior Minister Talal Chaudhry, groups such as the Pakistani Taliban and the separatist Balochistan Liberation Army banned by the Pakistani authorities and also designated as terrorist groups by the United States have been using X, Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, and Telegram to promote violence in Pakistan. Chaudhry, who spoke to reporters at a news conference, urged the tech companies to remove or disable these accounts, as well as those run by supporters of the militant groups. Deputy Law Minister Aqeel Malik, who also spoke at the news conference, said Pakistani investigators have identified 481 accounts associated with the Pakistani Taliban, known as Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan or TTP, and the Balochistan Liberation .

Meta to halt political advertising on its platforms in EU from October

The European Union legislation, called the Transparency and Targeting of Political Advertising regulation and which will apply from October 10

EU delays investigation into Musk's X amid trade negotiations with US

The European Commission will miss its probe deadline before the summer recess, with a decision now expected after more clarity emerges from ongoing EU-US trade negotiations

Why you can't stop scrolling: Zombie scrolling is hijacking your attention

Hooked on reels and never-ending feeds? Zombie scrolling is designed to trap you-experts explain what it does to your brain and how to fight back

SC urges self-regulation, stresses value of free speech on social media

The Supreme Court on Monday said citizens must know the value of freedom of speech and expression and observe self regulation as it mulled guidelines to regulate offensive posts on social media. A bench comprising Justices B V Nagarathna and K V Viswanathan was hearing a plea of one Wazahat Khan booked in FIRs in several states, including West Bengal, for his objectionable posts on X against a Hindu deity. On June 23, the top court granted him interim protection from coercive action till July 14. Khan had filed a complaint against another social media influencer Sharmistha Panoli for allegedly making communal remarks in a video. Offensive comments should not be made in response to similar posts, his lawyer said in court. The citizens must know the value of the fundamental right of freedom of speech and expression. The State can step in case of violations Nobody wants the State to step in (sic), Justice Nagarathna said. The judge continued, All this divisive tendency on social med

From protein goals to fibremaxxing: Are these health trends any good?

Social media is moving from 'protein goals' to 'fibre goals' with trends like fibremaxxing. But how much of it is actually good for you? Here's what experts and evidence say

Musk's xAI seeeks up to $200 billion valuation in fresh funding talks

If the new financing materializes, it would bring xAI's total new backing to $20 billion - a goal that has been discussed by the company

Love bad news? Why you can't stop doomscrolling and how to break free

Experts explain how doomscrolling triggers anxiety, sleep issues, and chronic stress-and what you can do to break free from compulsive news checking

Happy Guru Purnima 2025: 50+ Heartfelt wishes, quotes & messages to share

Celebrate Guru Purnima 2025 with 50+ touching wishes, quotes, and messages to honour your guru and express gratitude on this sacred occasion of Vyasa Purnima

Linda Yaccarino quits as CEO of Elon Musk's X after two-year stint

Yaccarino, a seasoned advertising executive, was brought on board in May 2023, several months after Musk acquired Twitter for $44 billion in late 2022

Streaming platforms tap micro dramas, creator-led content to lure audiences

OTT platforms tap into micro dramas and influencer content to compete with social media, drive user engagement and explore monetisation via vertical storytelling and short formats

Social media site X unblocks Reuters in India following govt intervention

The government asked the Elon Musk-owned platform for an explanation and said that it had not sought such a move. X restored access to the account shortly after

TikTok building new version of mobile app ahead of expected US sale: Report

This comes as US President Donald Trump said on Friday he will start talking to China on Monday or Tuesday about a possible TikTok deal

Fashion to misuse social media in garb of freedom of speech: Allahabad HC

Rejecting the bail plea of a person accused of posting objectionable content on social media against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Indian armed forces, the Allahabad High Court has observed that it has become a "fashion among certain groups of people" to misuse social media in the garb of freedom of speech. Rejecting the bail application of one Ashraf Khan on Wednesday, Justice Arun Kumar Singh Deshwal observed that the freedom of speech guaranteed under the Constitution does not extend to such acts which disrespect high dignitaries and create disharmony among citizens. The court said it has become a "fashion among certain groups of people" to misuse social media in the garb of freedom of speech and expression by making unfounded allegations against high dignitaries, posting such material which creates disharmony and hatred among the people. The accused, Ashraf Khan alias Nisrat, was booked under sections 152 (acts that endanger the sovereignty, unity, and integrity of India)

Meta on way to use Sebi's filter to weed out unregulated advisors

Meta mandates verification with Sebi registration for all securities and investment ads targeting Indian users, with global rollout and enforcement starting July 2025