Facebook backs down on developing Instagram for kids following strong opposition

Instagram for kids - child using mobile phone

The social network had been digging in its heels about its plan to create a platform for kids under 13 years. Facebook has announced that it will be putting its intentions to develop Instagram for kids aged 13 and under on hold, as it has faced substantial opposition from certain child safety advocates. The company has said that it still intends to create the experience, but it is putting it on hold for now. “While we stand by the need to develop this experience, we’ve decided to pause this project,”…

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Facebook AI spots deep fakes and their sources

Deep Fakes - facebook logo in eye - digital

The system was developed by the company with a team from Michigan State university. Facebook and a team from Michigan State University have announced that they have developed a new software system that can identified deep fakes as well as where they came from. Deep fakes are videos that have been edited using AI in some way, appearing increasingly realistic. Deep fakes are becoming increasingly difficult for humans to tell what is real when they are viewed online, such as when they are shared on Facebook. According to the researchers…

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New Facebook Pay QR codes make it easier for users to send money

Facebook Pay QR Codes - facebook sign with QR code

The quick response codes have been introduced to simplify person-to-person payments. Facebook Pay QR codes are now rolling out to add a new way for users to be able to send money person-to-person. The quick response codes can be scanned by friends or family members to instantly transfer money from one person’s account to another. The social network’s mobile payment service was first launched back in 2019. The idea behind the Facebook Pay QR codes is to expand on the current convenience of the service and make it easier for…

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Facebook uses social media ads to criticize Apple privacy changes

Social media ads - Facebook logo

The social media platform claims the iPhone maker will hurt small businesses relying on targeted ads. Facebook recently ran social media ads in addition to publishing a new website in an outcry against Apple’s privacy changes. It claims that those changes will “[threaten] the personalized ads that millions of small businesses rely on to find and reach customers.” The social network also ran print ads with the same message in major American Newspapers. In addition to the website and social media ads, Facebook ran print ads in the Washington Post,…

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Facebook ad ban lifted on Canadian company’s “overtly sexual” onions

Facebook ad ban - basket of onions

The social media giant also reversed its decision on peas flagged as promoting alcohol consumption. A seed company from Newfoundland, Canada has had a Facebook ad ban lifted after the social media platform labeled its picture of a wicker basket of onions as being “overtly sexual.” The Gaze Seed Company has found itself having to have more than one ban reviewed by the platform. According to the company’s manager, Jackson McLean, he was required to request a manual review of the Facebook ad ban in order to have it lifted.…

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