Surveillance Capitalism

Bloomberg: How and Why Internet Companies Moderate Speech Online

October 20, 2021

Sarah Frier, Naomi Nix, and Sarah Kopit explain the basics of how and why companies moderate speech online.
Facebook Plans to Hire 10,000 in Europe to Build 'Metaverse'

October 20, 2021

Facebook said it plans to hire 10,000 workers in the European Union over the next five years to work on a computing platform that connects people virtually but which raises privacy concerns.
Government Ordering Google to Identify Users Relating to Potential Criminal Conduct Raises Concerns

October 13, 2021

Privacy advocates express alarm that the U.S. government is secretly ordering Google to provide data on anyone typing in certain search terms, which may implicate innocent Web users in serious crimes.
Whistleblower Urges Congress to Evaluate Facebook Practices

October 06, 2021

In recent testimony, Frances Haugen, a former Facebook product manager, alleged that Facebook's algorithms' design results in profits being put before users' health and safety.
Facebook Invests $50 million to Promote Responsible Behavior in 'Metaverse'

September 29, 2021

Facebook has announced a $50 million investment to promote responsible behavior in the 'metaverse," which Facebook intends to become a digital world where people can use different devices to move and communicate in a virtual environment.
TikTok's Lead EU Regulator Opens Two Data Privacy Probes

September 15, 2021

TikTok’s lead data privacy regulator in the European Union has opened two inquiries into the Chinese-owned platform related to the processing of children’s personal data and transfers of personal data to China.
Millions of VIP Facebook Users Shielded from Standard Moderation Protocols

September 14, 2021

According to the Wall Street Journal, Facebook is using a program known as « cross check » or « XCheck » that shields at least 5.8 million VIP Facebook users from the company’s standard content moderation.
Butler: The Dangers of TikTok

September 10, 2021

Jack Butler writing in the National Review, explores the history and dangers of the popular application TikTok including its questionable practices collecting users data and reputable reports that the app is compromised by the Chinese government.
Facebook’s WhatsApp Fined for Breaking EU’s Data Privacy Law

September 07, 2021

In a case that represents a big test of Europe’s ability to enforce its landmark data privacy law, Irish authorities have fined Facebook’s WhatsApp messaging service nearly $270 million for lack of transparency concerning how data is used and collected from people on the service.
Tim Cook: Tech industry Needs to Rebuild User Trust After Privacy Losses

August 25, 2021

As people increasingly view privacy as a mainstream issue, Apple CEO, Tim Cook stated in a recent interview the some users trust has been taken advantage of by tech firms and that he feels it is essential to rebuild that trust through means including, in some cases, where necessary, regulation.