Facebook audit criticises ‘serious setbacks’ on civil rights
Facebook has been criticised for its stance on free speech and wider civil rights in a self-commissioned audit into its policies and practices.
Meeting with Zuckerberg ‘disappointing’, Facebook ad boycott organisers say
Organisers of a major Facebook advertising boycott have described a meeting with bosses as “disappointing”, saying Mark Zuckerberg and other senior executives are not yet ready to address hate on their platform.
Too easy for fraudsters to post scam ads on Facebook and Google, Which? claims
Facebook and Google lack effective controls to prevent fraudsters from posting scam adverts, according to a Which? investigation.
Charities threaten to curb social media spending until ‘hate speech’ tackled
A group of UK charities has threatened to curb spending on social media engagement if platforms like Facebook do not tackle hate speech.
North-east grandparents’ delight as under-12s no longer need to social distance
The news that, as of today, under-12s will no longer need to socially distance has been met with joy from grandparents, great-grandparents, aunts and uncles, who will finally be able to hug their young relatives for the first time in months.
Katie Price tells MPs she understands why people take their lives over trolling
Katie Price has told MPs she understands why people take their own lives after they are trolled online.
Sir Nick Clegg defends Facebook on hate speech as advertiser exodus continues
Sir Nick Clegg has jumped to Facebook’s defence on the issue of hate speech as Lego joined the growing list of global firms to halt advertising on the platform.
New fines and break-ups suggested to tackle tech giants’ advertising dominance
The competition watchdog has called for new fines and the threat of break-ups for tech giants with dominant positions in the advertising space.
Facebook chief defends approach to hate speech amid growing advertiser boycott
A Facebook chief has defended the social network’s efforts to tackle hate speech as a growing list of big firms halt advertising on the platform.
Facebook tells users how to spot fake news
Facebook has launched an advertising campaign to improve people’s awareness of fake news shared online as platforms continue to suffer with misinformation.
Starbucks pauses social media ads amid Facebook boycott call
Starbucks has become the latest company to say it will suspend social media adverts after a campaign led by civil rights organisations called for an advertising boycott of Facebook.
Harry and Meghan urge business chiefs to back Facebook boycott groups
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have been working behind the scenes to urge top executives across the world to stand in solidarity with groups which are calling for a Facebook boycott.
Facebook to flag posts from politicians, including Trump, that break its rules
Facebook has said it will flag all “newsworthy” posts from politicians that break its rules, including those from US President Donald Trump.
Facebook to ban adverts containing hate speech
Facebook is banning adverts containing claims people of a specific race, religion or sexual orientation are a threat to others as part of measures to tackle hate speech, its founder has said.
Facebook will tell users if they are about to share an old news article
Facebook will now alert users if an article they are about to share is old to prevent outdated news from being used to mislead.
Ben & Jerry’s latest company to pull advertising from Facebook over racism
Ben & Jerry’s has become the latest business to join a growing list of firms pulling advertising from Facebook over the platform’s failure to do more to remove hate speech.
Two north-east children’s charities to stream online fundraising quiz
Two north-east children’s charities are teaming up to host a digital fundraising quiz next month.
Outdoor equipment firm Patagonia announces Facebook advertising boycott
US outdoor equipment company Patagonia has become the latest company to announce an advertising boycott of Facebook and its Instagram app.
Facebook removes Trump adverts over Nazi symbol
Facebook has removed campaign adverts by President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence that featured an upside-down red triangle, a symbol used by Nazis to designate political prisoners in concentration camps.
Social media use ‘linked to Covid-19 conspiracy beliefs and breaking lockdown’
People who rely on social media for information about coronavirus are more likely to believe conspiracy theories and breach lockdown rules, according to a study.
Clegg defends Facebook policy allowing ‘abhorrent’ Trump posts
Sir Nick Clegg has defended Facebook’s decision not to take action against inflammatory posts by Donald Trump, arguing that “defending free expression is important”.
Public using social media less for coronavirus news, Ofcom survey suggests
People are using social media less as a source of coronavirus information since lockdown began, according to Ofcom data.
Investigation launched into Facebook takeover of Giphy over competition concerns
An investigation has been launched into Facebook’s acquisition of GIF sharing platform Giphy by UK regulators.
Facebook scales back ad ban allowing non-medical masks to be listed again
Facebook has scaled back some of its advertising rules in relation to coronavirus, allowing non-medical masks to appear once more.
EU wants tech giants to report monthly on coronavirus fake news
A senior European Union official has warned online platforms such as Google and Facebook to step up the fight against fake news, coming notably from countries such as China and Russia.
Aberdeen community council theatens to shut down Facebook page over inappropriate posts
An Aberdeen community council has threatened to remove a popular residents' social media page following inappropriate behaviour.
Zuckerberg-funded scientists criticise lack of action against Trump remarks
Dozens of scientists doing research funded by Mark Zuckerberg have said Facebook should not be letting Donald Trump use the social media platform to “spread both misinformation and incendiary statements”.
NHS medics reveal impact of Covid-19 misinformation from social media
NHS medical staff have revealed how coronavirus misinformation is having a direct impact on their work and called on tech giants to do more to tackle the issue.
Facebook starts labelling state-controlled media outlet pages
Facebook has said it will begin labelling state-run media pages in its latest effort to improve transparency across the platform.
Social media companies ‘failing to act on 90% of Covid-19 misinformation’
Hundreds of posts spreading misinformation about Covid-19 are being left online despite the “dangerous” material being reported to social media giants.