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Government may ask social media companies to list out steps taken to curb sleaze

Economic Times

Economic Times · 1y ago

Government may ask social media companies to list out steps taken to curb sleaze

The government is unsatisfied with YouTube and Telegram's response to curbing access and distribution of explicit content. More information will be requested to better understand the actions taken by these social media companies to contain such content.

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UN chief calls on tech firms to stop profiting from 'toxic content'

Economic Times

Economic Times · 1y ago

UN chief calls on tech firms to stop profiting from 'toxic content'

The head of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, has urged technology companies to cease profiting from the dissemination of toxic content on social media platforms. Speaking at the Munich Security Conference, Guterres accused these companies of being complicit in promoting antisemitism, racism, and anti-Muslim bigotry. He highlighted the need for tech companies to take responsibility and refrain from amplifying harmful content, which contributes to an alarming rise in expressions of religious and racial hatred. Guterres emphasized that divisive societies are susceptible to extremist narratives, and this can escalate into violence, eroding democratic values. Social media firms claim to have taken steps to remove harmful content from their platforms.

After Australia legislated a teen social media ban, it has to figure out how to enforce it

Economic Times

Economic Times · 8m ago

After Australia legislated a teen social media ban, it has to figure out how to enforce it

Software testers hired by the Australian government to enforce a national teen social media ban will draw on their experience as parents to guide their study. The trial will involve approximately 1,200 randomly selected Australians and will test age-checking technology. The results of the trial, expected by mid-2025, will provide recommendations on reasonable steps tech platforms can take to prevent users under 16 from accessing social media. The approach taken by Australia could influence how other countries approach online age checks. The ban is driven by concerns about youth mental health and data collection.

Australia wants to ban kids under 16 from social media as world governments seek to crack down on the 'addictive' apps

Business Insider

Business Insider · 9m ago

Australia wants to ban kids under 16 from social media as world governments seek to crack down on the 'addictive' apps

Australia is proposing a ban on social media for individuals under 16, aiming to address the harmful impact of social media on children. The law would require social media companies to prevent minors from accessing their platforms, with a 12-month grace period for compliance. Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated that the proposed legislation puts the onus on social media companies rather than parents, emphasizing the need to protect children from the negative effects of social media. This announcement follows similar measures taken in the US and UK, as concerns of social media addiction and its impact on mental health continue to grow. However, critics argue that the ban may be too broad and could impede access to critical services for young people.

Social media companies warned of strict action over child abuse content

Economic Times

Economic Times · 1y ago

Social media companies warned of strict action over child abuse content

Social media companies Telegram, YouTube, and X (formerly Twitter) may face strict action for their failure to remove violent pornographic content, including child sexual abuse material, from their platforms. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw warned that if platforms do not prioritize user privacy, especially for children, actions will be taken against them. The Indian government has sent notices to these companies, asking them to remove all child sexual abuse material from their platforms. Telegram sent a template response, while YouTube and X have not responded yet. Non-compliance may result in penalties and waiver of Section 79 immunity for platforms.

India Losing $2.5 Bn In GST Due To Offshore Platforms: AIGF

Inc42 · 1y ago

India Losing $2.5 Bn In GST Due To Offshore Platforms: AIGF

Offshore illegal betting platforms are causing a loss of $2.5 billion in GST revenue to the Indian government annually, according to All India Gaming Federation's CEO Roland Landers. These platforms are collecting $12 billion in deposits per year, with some advertising zero GST or tax on bets. Landers emphasized the need for the government to curb these platforms as they harm users and negatively impact the legitimate online gaming ecosystem in India. He called for self-regulatory organizations to differentiate between legitimate and illegitimate platforms. The government has already taken steps to combat these offshore platforms.

Proposed Australia law would fine Big Tech over digital competition

Economic Times

Economic Times · 8m ago

Proposed Australia law would fine Big Tech over digital competition

Australia is proposing a new law that could penalize global technology companies up to $33 million if they stifle competition and hinder consumer mobility between services. The Labor government aims to curb Big Tech's influence, having recently banned social media for children under 16. The law, similar to the EU's Digital Markets Act, would empower Australia's competition regulator to monitor compliance and investigate anti-competitive practices online. The proposed legislation targets dominant platforms such as Apple, Google, and Meta (formerly Facebook) and could facilitate easier switching between competing services like social media platforms, browsers, and app stores.

Google, Meta and others face tough questions in Australia over cyber extremism threats

Economic Times

Economic Times · 1y ago

Google, Meta and others face tough questions in Australia over cyber extremism threats

Australia's eSafety regulator has demanded that major social media platforms like Google, Meta, X, WhatsApp, Telegram, and Reddit explain their efforts in protecting users from violent extremist and terrorist content. The regulator has issued legal notices under the country's Online Safety Act, requesting detailed information on the steps the companies are taking to address this issue. Failure to comply may result in financial penalties. These actions come after the livestreamed Christchurch mosque shootings in 2019 and the Buffalo shooting in 2022, where social media was implicated in promoting radicalization.

Firms say instead of blanket ban, axe deepfakes with ‘ill intent’

Economic Times

Economic Times · 1y ago

Firms say instead of blanket ban, axe deepfakes with ‘ill intent’

Social media companies are proposing that the government implement regulations to ban or remove content involving deepfakes only if it is released with criminal or ill intent, rather than imposing a blanket ban on all deepfakes. They argue that completely barring deepfake content could hinder innovation and new forms of content, particularly in advertising and marketing. The government intends to regulate deepfakes on the basis of them being misleading, but harmless entertainment value content may not be removed solely for being a deepfake. Discussions are ongoing between social media companies and the government regarding the issue of deepfakes.

Pakistan to ban all social media platforms for 6 days to control 'hate material' during Ramadan

Economic Times

Economic Times · 1y ago

Pakistan to ban all social media platforms for 6 days to control 'hate material' during Ramadan

The Pakistan government, led by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, is planning to ban all social media platforms, including YouTube, WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, for six days from July 13 to 18. The decision was made to control the spread of hate material and misinformation during the Islamic month of Ramadan. The government believes that social media can be used for "digital terrorism" and is taking steps to address the issue. This move follows the previous ban on X (formerly Twitter) for over four months.

US Surgeon General calls for social media warning labels to protect adolescents

Economic Times

Economic Times · 1y ago

US Surgeon General calls for social media warning labels to protect adolescents

U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy has called for a warning label on social media apps due to the harm they cause to young people, especially adolescents. In an op-ed, Murthy emphasized that while a warning label alone won't make social media safe, it can increase awareness and change behavior, citing evidence from tobacco studies. Critics have accused platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat of negatively impacting kids' mental health, promoting negative body images, and exposing them to online bullying and predators. Legislation would be required for a warning label to be implemented. Some U.S. states have already taken steps to address the issue by passing laws to protect children from the negative effects of social media.

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