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Facebook shuts down important research tool For more than a decade, researchers and journalists have relied on a digital tool called CrowdTangle to track and fight the spread of viral falsehoods online. But earlier this week, the owner of CrowdTangle, Meta, shut the tool down. The tech giant...

Facebook and WhatsApp accounts takeovers surge in SA During the past 24 months, many South Africans have found their Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp accounts taken over by cybercriminals. While these attacks have targeted some prominent individuals like radio personalities, many people who...

Meta opens up VR headset software to third parties — including Lenovo and Microsoft Facebook parent Meta Platforms Inc. is “opening up” its Meta Quest headset operating system to other hardware makers, part of an effort to boost its standing in the nascent augmented reality and virtual reality...

No more social media for kids under 14 in Florida Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed a bill prohibiting minors under 14 from having social media accounts, following similar efforts in other states that have been challenged in court. The Florida law also requires parental permission for 14-...

How WhatsApp became dominant in South Africa High SMS prices, the dominance of the Android operating system, and a major local competitor's failure to adapt to changing user needs handed WhatsApp its leading position in the South African app messaging market. That is according to World Wide...

Small win amid losses in lawsuits against social media companies over teen addiction Minors and parents suing Meta Inc.’s Facebook and other technology giants for the kids’ social media platform addictions won an important ruling advancing their collection of lawsuits in a California court. A...

WhatsApp getting built-in VPN protection for calls WhatsApp is adding the ability to disguise a user's IP address in calls, according to a report from WABetaInfo. The privacy relay option is currently under development for both the WhatsApp beta for Android and iOS apps.

WhatsApp getting email verification and updated design WhatsApp will be getting a new lick of paint and the ability to verify your account using an email address. WhatsApp-focused news website WABetaInfo reported about the in-development features over the past few days.

WhatsApp launches revamped Mac app Meta Platforms (formerly Facebook) has released a redesigned, native MacOS WhatsApp application that adds the ability to make group video calls. The app supports eight-person video conferences and audio calls with up to 32 people. Users can also join a group...

Hey everyone, So around 4pm yesterday my facebook account was hacked, now I work in IT and I usually giggle when people make mistakes such as submitting Facebook login forms on fake websites, etc. but this isnt what happened here so Im genuinely quite concerned and also wondering how I can go...

WhatsApp working on sending uncompressed photos and videos WhatsApp is developing a new photo and video sharing setting that will allow users to send their media files in their original quality with less fuss, WABetaInfo reports. As it stands, WhatsApp users can use a workaround to send...

Threads is now available on the web Meta Platforms (formerly Facebook) has launched a web version of its X (formerly Twitter) competitor Threads, a sibling of its image-focused sharing platform Instagram. Instagram boss Adam Mosseri confirmed the rollout in a post on Threads late on Thursday...

WhatsApp rolling out big image quality changes WhatsApp boss Will Cathcart says the platform is adding the ability to send high-definition photos. The Facebook-owned messaging platform usually compresses images to save storage space and speed up transfers.

WhatsApp multi-account open to testers — passkeys coming soon WhatsApp has added the ability to use multiple accounts on one smartphone for a limited group of testers using its Android mobile app beta, WABetaInfo reports. The publication previously reported about the much-requested feature...

Why WhatsApp is adding itself to people's contact lists WhatsApp has launched an official chat to provide tips on using the platform, share new features, and make other announcements. WABetaInfo previously reported that the popular messaging app first started sending messages directly to...

Meta starts blocking news in Canada Meta Platforms Inc. started its process of ending news availability in Canada over a law requiring digital platforms to pay local news outlets. The California-based company has followed through with its threat to block news on Facebook and Instagram...

Facebook and Instagram facing daily R1.8 million fine in Norway Norway's data regulator is unhappy with Meta Platforms' data tracking practices on Instagram and Facebook, and the company could be fined almost R1.8 million daily from 4 August to 3 November 2023. The regulator — Datatilsynet —...

Facebook adding live avatar video calling to Instagram and Messenger Meta Platforms is rolling out a feature allowing Messenger and Instagram users to make video calls using their Meta avatars. The company says the feature is designed for moments when you're "not quite camera-ready", and the...

Threads hits 100 million users in four days Meta Platforms' Twitter rival Threads has amassed 100 million sign-ups in less than a week, Engadget reports. The publication has kept tabs on Quiver Quantitative's Threads data tracking, which showed the Instagram sibling hitting the milestone of...

Twitter threatens to sue Meta over Threads Twitter has threatened to sue Meta Platforms over Threads, alleging the new app is a "copycat" built by former Twitter employees using the company's intellectual property. Semafor obtained a legal letter from Twitter lawyer Alex Spiro to Meta CEO Mark...