Proposed Australia law would fine Big Tech over digital competition
Sydney, Australia Reuters Australia proposed a law on Monday that could impose fines of up to $A50 million on global technology companies if they suppress competition and prevent consumers from switching between services. The centre-left Labor government has targeted Big Tech’s influence, and parliament passed a law last week that banned social media for children […]
Australia Senate committee backs bill to ban social media for children
Sydney, Australia Reuters An Australian Senate committee has backed a bill that would ban social media for children under 16 but said social media platforms should not force users to submit personal data such as passport and other digital identification to prove their age. Australia plans to trial an age-verification system that may include biometrics […]
Essay: Five ways the metaverse could be revolutionary for people with disabilities
In an article first published on The Conversation, researchers VANJA GARAJ, JOHN DUDLEY and PER OLA KRISTENSSON, look at the potential of the metaverse to introduce life-changing benefits for disabled and older people, as well as developing solutions to improve its accessibility and inclusivity…
Facebook-owner Meta releases first human rights report
Reuters Facebook owner Meta released its first annual human rights report on Thursday, following years of accusations that it turned a blind eye to online abuses that fueled real-world violence in places like India and Myanmar. The report, which covers due diligence performed in 2020 and 2021, includes a summary of a controversial human rights […]
Essay: The Metaverse – a danger to children and probably you too
MAL FLETCHER argues that, for young people, the metaverse will create real dangers – in the form of sexual abuse, financial scams and harmful social interactions…
Call for action: Iraq Yazidis want Big Tech held to account for Islamic State crimes
Social media companies should be investigated over posts in which abducted Yazidi women and girls were trafficked by IS militants, activists and lawyers say. MAYA GEBEILY, of Thomson Reuters Foundation, reports…
Online content moderation: Can AI help clean up social media?
Thomson Reuters Foundation Two days after it was sued by Rohingya refugees from Myanmar over allegations that it did not take action against hate speech, social media company Meta, formerly known as Facebook, announced a new artificial intelligence system to tackle harmful content. Machine learning tools have increasingly become the go-to solution for tech firms […]
AI bots to user data: Is there space for rights in the metaverse?
SONIA ELKS, of Thomson Reuters Foundation, looks at the rising issue of rights in the digital realm…