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Topic: internet

An admin account is in sole charge of r/malefashionadvice, which has 5.4 million subscribers. News 

Reddit Regulates Subreddit that Protested API Alterations

Jim Hendler,

In accordance with its promise, Reddit has assumed control of subreddits that went offline in protest of modifications to the platform’s API. The administrator account u/ModCodeofConduct has now assumed full responsibility for r/malefashionadvice, a thriving community boasting over 5.4 million subscribers. The subreddit joined thousands of others in shutting down in mid-June to show their opposition to the new API rules. Other subreddits allowed users to post porn in protest. Third-party developers used the API to build thousands of apps that connect to Reddit. Many of their apps helped with…

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The number of social network users is approaching the number that use the 5.19 billion of the world population. (Pexels) News 

Study Finds Over 60% of Global Population Using Social Media

Sanjay Patil,

According to a recent study, over 60 percent of the global population, which is nearly five billion individuals, are currently engaged on social media platforms. This represents a 3.7 percent increase from last year, according to calculations made by digital advisor Kepios in its latest quarterly report. The number of users of the social network is approaching 5.19 billion, or 64.5 percent of the world’s population, who use the Internet. There are big differences between regions. Only one person in 11 in East and Central Africa uses social media. In…

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You'l also get translations and other significant upgrades. News 

iOS Threads App Now Allows Users to View New Followers

Febin Mathew, , , ,

Meta has released a notable update to Threads, their recently launched social network. This update, explained by Cameron Roth from the company, introduces a Follows tab to the activity feed on the iOS app. This new feature simplifies the process of identifying who has recently followed you, making it more convenient to follow them back. As a result, users can now check their Instagram follower list to ensure they haven’t missed anyone. The update also adds translations to the text, so you have more incentive to follow people speaking unknown…

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A draft version of a new privacy bill allows companies to export data to any country except those specifically named by New Delhi. (REUTERS) AI 

Government to Ease Data Storage Regulations, Benefiting Google and Indian Companies

Adriana Marais, , , , ,

The government intends to expand its lenient stance on data storage, processing, and transfer beyond national borders, which will benefit global companies like Google and Indian firms aiming for international expansion. A draft version of the new data protection law will allow companies to export data to any country other than those specifically named by New Delhi, the people familiar with the matter said, asking not to be named because the bill is not yet public. An earlier draft, released in November, by contrast, restricted the export of data to…

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Race towards 'autonomous' AI agents grips Silicon Valley (REUTERS) AI 

Silicon Valley Accelerates Development of Autonomous AI Agents

Febin Mathew, , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

A new generation of AI assistants, equipped with advanced technology similar to ChatGPT and its competitors, is emerging, intensifying the competition in the field. This comes approximately ten years after the introduction of virtual assistants like Siri and Alexa. These new AI helpers possess enhanced autonomy, taking the capabilities of virtual assistants to a whole new level. Experimental systems running on GPT-4 or similar models are attracting billions of dollars as Silicon Valley races to capitalize on advances in artificial intelligence. The new assistants — often called “agents” or “co-pilots”…

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It's confusing, I know. News 

Threads App from Meta’s Threads Rises to the Top of the App Store Rankings

Adarsh V.K, , , ,

On July 5th, when Threads was introduced by Instagram, Mark Zuckerberg, the CEO of Meta, made his first appearance on Twitter in 11 years. In his tweet, which contained no words, Zuckerberg used the Spider-Man pointing meme to playfully mock Elon Musk. Little did he know, the choice of that meme was surprisingly fitting for the Facebook founder. As TechCrunch highlighted, Instagram’s launch of Threads backfired on another app of the same name. Threads, a Slack alternative that has been around since 2019, saw more than 880,000 downloads on iOS…

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"We're still negative cash flow." News 

Elon Musk Reports Twitter’s Advertising Revenue Has Decreased by Half

Jim Hendler, , ,

Elon Musk has stated that Twitter continues to spend more money than it generates. In a recent tweet, the billionaire highlighted the company’s ongoing problem of negative cash flow, which has been exacerbated by a significant decline in advertising revenue and a substantial debt burden. Musk emphasized the need for Twitter to achieve positive cash flow before considering any other endeavors. We’re still negative cash flow, due to ~50% drop in advertising revenue plus heavy debt load. Need to reach positive cash flow before we have the luxury of anything…

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The oversight highlighted an ongoing moderation issue at the platform. News 

Bluesky Permits Utilization of N-Word in Usernames

Sanjay Patil, ,

Bluesky, the emerging decentralized Twitter alternative, previously lacked a mechanism to automatically block usernames containing the n-word. However, this week, the company faced criticism after multiple reports of a user with the offensive term in their handle. Although Bluesky eventually resolved the issue, many expressed dissatisfaction with the startup’s lack of apology. Instead, on Saturday morning, several days after the incident, Bluesky seemed to downplay the event as an isolated incident that was promptly resolved. “On Wednesday, users reported an account with a dirty handle. This handle was in violation…

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There may be a way to recover some data. News 

Reddit to Purge Years of User Conversations and Messages

Adriana Marais, ,

If you have nostalgic memories of conversing with friends on Reddit, it may be worth checking your archives. Reddit has officially acknowledged user claims that it is deleting all chats and messages predating 2023. In June, the social platform clarified that this action is part of its transition to a new chat system, aiming to facilitate a seamless and efficient shift to the updated architecture. Although the change was implemented on June 30th, several users only became aware of it after a few days. There may be a way to…

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If you haven't signed up for Threads, you'll have to be patient. News 

EU Residents Blocked from Accessing Threads via VPNs

Adarsh V.K, , , ,

European Union users attempting to register for Threads using a virtual private network (VPN) will be unsuccessful, as Meta has implemented a block on access for these users. Consultant Matt Navarra clarifies that content, notifications, and profiles will not load correctly. While a few users claim they can access Threads without a VPN if they had previously signed up using one, relying on this workaround may not be advisable. In a statement, Meta says it’s taking “additional steps” to prevent people from accessing Threads in European countries where the app…

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Facebook parent Meta is by far the dominant player in the sector, and that is extending to its stock this year. (Bloomberg) News 

Meta’s Move to Increase Competition for Snap and Pinterest

Jim Hendler, , , , ,

Snap Inc. and Pinterest Inc., two social media firms, face a more complex investment scenario with the introduction of Meta Platforms Inc.’s Twitter competitor, as their stock price recoveries are slower compared to their bigger competitor. Facebook parent Meta is the industry’s dominant player by far, and that extends to its shares this year as well. The stock has been performing by leaps and bounds, and Threads’ rapid user growth is the latest demonstration of the reach and scale that has made it a favorite among investors and analysts. “It’s…

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Amazon challenges EU court over new rules for large online platforms, including the Digital Services Act. News 

Amazon Disputes European Union Regulations for Big Digital Platforms

Jim Hendler, ,

Amazon has announced that it has initiated a legal dispute in a European Union court against the classification of being a very large online platform under strict new regulations by Brussels. In April, the European Commission identified 19 online companies, including Amazon, Twitter, TikTok, Apple, Google, Meta, and Microsoft, as meeting the requirements for this designation. From August 25, they must comply with the rules of the European Union’s new Digital Services Act (DSA), which aims to curb illegal online content and disinformation. One requirement is that they undergo an…

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Discord Family Center has two components - a dashboard and a weekly email summary. (Unsplash) News 

Discord Launches Family Center to Enhance Online Safety for Young Users

Nitin Misra,

Discord has introduced a tool called Family Center, aiming to enhance its platform’s suitability for children. This tool enables parents and guardians to monitor their kids’ activities more easily. Known as the preferred social media platform for gamers and hobbyists of all generations, Discord can be accessed on various devices including desktops, smartphones, and gaming consoles like Xbox and PlayStation. The introduction of Family Center is part of Discord’s ongoing efforts to enhance user experience, promote safer internet practices, and foster a more family-oriented atmosphere. Family center tool Discord’s new…

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Meta’s Threads will not land you a job yet! (AP) News 

Meta’s Threads Offers Fun and Friendly Environment, But Not Job Opportunities – Yet

Jim Hendler, , , , ,

Meta Networks Inc.’s Threads app has experienced a remarkable surge in popularity since its launch, attracting over 100 million users within its initial days. A significant number of these users have praised the app’s welcoming atmosphere, particularly when compared to its competitor, Twitter Inc. But while Meta promises that Threads will host “positive, productive” conversations, the jury is still out on whether it will be of any use to job seekers or those looking to improve their career profile. “It’s brand new. There’s a little bit of confusion about what…

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A study indicates that younger Americans are more accepting of the social network. News 

Non-TikTok Users Believe Platform Poses National Security Risk

Jim Hendler, , ,

The ongoing efforts to portray TikTok as a potential threat to national security seem to be having an impact, although it is not universally felt. According to a survey conducted by the Pew Research Center, 59 percent of American adults view TikTok as a danger. However, this perception differs depending on whether individuals use the platform or not. Only nine percent of TikTok users consider it a significant threat, while 36 percent of non-users share the same concern. Overall, 42 percent of users perceive some level of risk associated with…

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Cellular IoT is revolutionizing the lives of Indian consumers, offering them a range of smart and connected solutions. (Pixabay) News 

Exploring the Benefits of Cellular IoT for Indian Consumers

Adarsh V.K,

India’s ongoing digital transformation is being greatly influenced by the Internet of Things (IoT), which is not only revolutionizing various industries but also has the capability to revolutionize the way consumers live. Currently, there are over 7 billion IoT devices being used worldwide, and this number is projected to reach 22 billion by 2025. In this vast IoT ecosystem, cellular IoT has gained significant traction, opening up opportunities for Indian consumers. With its ability to connect and control devices using cellular networks, the cellular IoT is revolutionizing industries such as…

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It appears the legacy API is working again too. News 

TweetDeck Classic Returns with its Original Features

Adarsh V.K, ,

Twitter recently started transitioning users to the updated version of TweetDeck following a temporary disruption caused by the platform’s decision to restrict the number of tweets users could see. However, many users consider this change to be a downgrade as the new version lacks certain features present in its predecessor. Although it is now possible to revert to the previous release of TweetDeck, it is highly likely that this option will only be available for a limited period. As noted by The Verge, some Twitter users noticed overnight that the…

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Meta is reportedly holding back from a Threads release in the EU's 27 countries as it sought clarity on the bloc's Digital Markets Act News 

Meta’s ‘Threads’ App Delayed in Europe Over Regulatory Issues

Adarsh V.K, ,

According to a reliable source, Meta’s newly developed Threads app, intended to compete with Twitter, will not be accessible in the European Union upon its launch this Thursday due to regulatory apprehensions. The app is seen as Twitter’s biggest challenge since Elon Musk’s takeover plunged the social media platform, hugely popular among politicians and celebrities, into chaos. A source close to Metal said on Wednesday that the tech giant was holding back Threads publication in the EU’s 27 countries as it seeks clarity on the bloc’s digital market law, which…

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The platform is becoming slightly more usable just as Meta opens up its Twitter competitor. News 

Twitter no longer requires users to log in to view tweets

Jim Hendler,

After a few days of Twitter disabling tweets for logged-out users, it appears that this feature is now functioning again. ReturnByte editors have reported being able to view individual tweets without being logged into their accounts. However, profiles are still not accessible for those who are not signed in. Although user bios can be seen, their tweet feeds remain unavailable. Additionally, tweet previews in iMessage have started working for certain users once more. According to Twitter owner Elon Musk, blocking tweets from logged out users was a “temporary emergency measure”.…

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The order stems from a lawsuit alleging the Biden administration colluded with social media platforms. News 

Court Prohibits Government Representatives from Communicating with Tech Firms

Jim Hendler, ,

A federal judge has issued a ruling that prohibits the Biden administration and federal officials from engaging with social media companies, potentially leading to significant consequences. According to The Washington Post, a judge appointed by former President Trump has granted a temporary injunction to the state attorneys general in Louisiana and Missouri. These two Republican lawyers had filed a lawsuit against President Joe Biden, Dr. Anthony Fauci, Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, and other government officials, alleging that they had collaborated with Meta, Twitter, and YouTube to censor accurate information regarding…

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