The Latest Online Culture War Is Humans vs. Algorithms

Brands and bots are barred from Spread, and, like PI.FYI, the platform doesn’t support ads. Instead of working to maximize time-on-site, Rogers’ primary metrics for success will be indicators of “meaningful” human engagement, like when someone clicks on another user’s recommendation and later takes action like signing up for a newsletter or subscription. He hopes … Read more

Beijing orders Apple to pull WhatsApp, Threads from its China app store – National

Apple said it had removed Meta’s WhatsApp messaging app and its Threads social media app from the App Store in China to comply with orders from Chinese authorities. The apps were removed from the store on Friday after Chinese officials cited unspecified national security concerns. Their removal comes amid elevated tensions between the U.S. and … Read more

Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Threads Are Coming Back Online After a 2-Hour Outage

Meta’s CEO Mark Zuckerberg used to describe his company’s mission as “making the world more open and connected.” Tuesday it did the opposite, as all of Meta’s social platforms, which include Facebook, Instagram, Threads, Messenger, and WhatsApp, experienced widespread outages around the globe for around two hours. Some people found themselves being suddenly logged out … Read more

Here Are Some Brutal Stories From People Swindled By Elon Musk Impersonation Scams

The internet is filled with scam artists who try to swindle unsuspecting people out of their money. But impersonation scams that use Elon Musk and his bevy of tech companies—including Tesla, SpaceX, Neuralink, and X—have exploded in popularity in recent years. And Gizmodo obtained reports about many of these scams filed with the federal government … Read more