James Farrell
Latest from James Farrell
Before year ends, Facebook could be hit with FTC antitrust lawsuit
The Federal Trade Commission is preparing an antitrust lawsuit against Facebook Inc., according to an article published today by The Wall Street Journal. According to people familiar with the matter that spoke to the Journal, the case revolves around Facebook’s dominance as a social media company. It’s part of a broader investigation into tech firms ...
Facebook launches a social network for college campus students
Facebook Inc. announced today that it has gone back to its roots and developed a new social network only to be used on U.S. college campuses. The network, called “Campus,” will have a News Feed, Groups, an events section and a group chat rooms called “Campus Chats.” Students will also have access to a directory ...
Ireland orders Facebook to quit transferring European data to the US
Facebook Inc. should not be sending European data to the United States, Ireland’s Data Protection Commission announced Wednesday. A recent inquiry has led regulators to believe that the transfer of such data does not protect users from U.S. government surveillance. If Facebook is deemed to be breaking European data protection laws, it could be fined 4% of ...
China launches global data security plan, calls a certain country a ‘bully’
China announced a data security initiative today, saying it aims for it to become a global standard. State Councilor Wang Yi (pictured) said the program will mean China will not ask Chinese companies to yield data from other countries that could be in breach of those countries’ laws. The plan also asks participating states that ...
TikTok has been struggling to take down video of a man killing himself
TikTok is warning users about a video of a man killing himself that appears to have been circulating online since Sunday evening. The victim, Ronnie McNutt, 33, was a former Army veteran who served in Iraq. He first livestreamed his suicide on Facebook and later the video appeared on TikTok. It seems the clip quickly trended ...
India bans PUBG and a slew of other Chinese apps
After already banning a large number of Chinese apps in late July, India today announced it’s prohibiting 118 Chinese apps from the country. In June, India made a loud statement when it banned the immensely popular video-sharing app TikTok along with 50 other apps, citing security concerns. Prior to that, the country was by far the biggest ...
Facebook removes Pages and accounts of Russian troll farm
Following a tip from the FBI, Facebook Inc. today said that its removed Pages and accounts linked to Russia’s infamous troll farm, the Internet Research Agency. In a report, Facebook said it removed 13 Facebook accounts and two Pages that violated its policy against foreign interference through coordinated inauthentic behavior. The activity originated in Russia, with ...
TikTok may have already chosen a US buyer, but the deal still faces hurdles
Chinese-owned social video app TikTok might have already agreed to sell its U.S., New Zealand and Australian businesses to American firms, according to a report today by CNBC. Owner, ByteDance Ltd., reportedly has two top bidders. Those are a partnership between Microsoft Corp. and Wal-Mart Stores Inc., and Oracle Corp. The acquisition is thought to ...
Microsoft says it’s now bringing transcriptions to Word
Microsoft Corp. announced today that it’s bringing transcriptions to Word for all Microsoft 365 subscribers around the world. The service, called “Transcribe,” will support existing audio files but will also allow the user to record conversations within Word for the web, which will then be transcribed automatically. “Whether you’re a reporter conducting interviews, a researcher ...
After threat from Thai government, Facebook blocks access to large group
Facebook Inc. has banned access to a group in Thailand that discusses the Thai monarchy, it was revealed today. The group, “Royalist Marketplace,” was started earlier this year by self-exiled critic of the Thai monarchy, Pavin Chachavalpongpun. Criticizing the monarchy in Thailand can lead to serious consequences under the country’s strict lèse-majesté law – perhaps ...