Content Policy

Russia blocks Discord over content violations

Russia‘s communications regulator, Roskomnadzor, has blocked the messaging platform Discord for alleged violations of Russian law, according to the TASS news agency. The San Francisco-based company becomes the latest foreign tech platform to face restrictions in Russia. Discord has yet to respond to the decision.

For years, Russia has pressured foreign tech companies to remove content it deems illegal, imposing frequent, though generally small, fines for non-compliance. Last week, Roskomnadzor ordered Discord to delete nearly 1,000 pieces of content it classified as illegal and had previously fined the platform for failing to remove banned material.

Moscow has also blocked other major platforms, including Twitter (now X), Facebook, and Instagram, shortly after the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

TikTok faces legal challenges from 13 US states over youth safety concerns

TikTok is facing multiple lawsuits from 13 US states and the District of Columbia, accusing the platform of harming and failing to protect young users. The lawsuits, filed in New York, California, and other states, allege that TikTok uses intentionally addictive software to maximise user engagement and profits, particularly targeting children who lack the ability to set healthy boundaries around screen time.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta condemned TikTok for fostering social media addiction to boost corporate profits, while New York Attorney General Letitia James connected the platform to mental health issues among young users. Washington D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb further accused TikTok of operating an unlicensed money transmission service through its live streaming and virtual currency features and claimed that the platform enables the sexual exploitation of minors.

TikTok, in response, denied the allegations and expressed disappointment in the legal action taken, arguing that the states should collaborate on solutions instead. The company pointed to safety measures, such as screen time limits and privacy settings for users under 16.

These lawsuits are part of a broader set of legal challenges TikTok is facing, including a prior lawsuit from the U.S. Justice Department over children’s privacy violations. The company is also dealing with efforts to ban the app in the US due to concerns about its Chinese ownership.

Brazil lifts ban on Elon Musk’s X platform

Brazil’s Supreme Court has lifted the suspension of Elon Musk’s social media platform, X, allowing it to resume operations in the country after the company finally complied with local court rulings. The resolution marks the end of a prolonged dispute between Musk and Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who had previously blocked the platform for refusing to follow legal orders. In his ruling, Moraes stated that X had met the conditions to return online, paving the way for its swift restoration.

The conflict began when Musk, a vocal advocate of free speech, resisted Brazilian court orders to block accounts flagged for spreading misinformation, calling the directives censorship and labelling Moraes a ‘dictator.’ However, in recent weeks, Musk’s platform reversed course, appointing a local representative, paying outstanding fines, and complying with the court’s requests to block certain accounts. By doing so, X earned back its legal right to operate in Brazil.

Brazilian users could not access X on Tuesday evening despite the platform’s return, even though the country’s telecommunications regulator, Anatel, has been instructed to restore the service within 24 hours. Through its Global Government Affairs account, X expressed pride in returning to the Brazilian market, emphasising its commitment to upholding free speech within legal boundaries. Brazil remains X’s sixth-largest market globally, with about 21.5 million users as of April, according to Statista.

Why does it matter?

The dispute between Musk and the Brazilian government is part of a broader struggle Musk has faced with international authorities seeking to regulate online platforms. Brazil’s communication minister, Juscelino Filho, hailed the decision as a victory, stressing that all companies operating in the country must respect its laws regardless of size or influence. President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva echoed this sentiment, remarking that the world should not have to endure Musk’s ideology simply because of his wealth.

Many users migrated to rival platforms like Bluesky and Meta’s Threads during the suspension, especially with Brazil’s municipal elections underway.

While X remained offline for the election’s first round, the platform could be reinstated just in time for the run-offs, set to take place in late October, including in São Paulo, Latin America’s largest city.

Independent body in Ireland empowers EU social media users to challenge content moderation decisions

A new independent body in Ireland will allow social media users in the European Union to challenge content moderation decisions made by platforms like Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube. Established under the EU Digital Services Act (DSA), this Appeals Centre aims to provide users with an alternative to the courts when disputing content decisions. Supported by Meta’s Oversight Board Trust and certified by Ireland’s media regulator, the centre is expected to begin operations by the end of the year. It will expand to include more platforms over time.

Thomas Hughes, CEO of the Appeals Centre, emphasised the body’s independence from governments and companies, ensuring that social media content policies are applied fairly. The centre’s team of experts will review cases within 90 days to determine if the platforms’ actions align with their stated policies. The European Commission has expressed support for the initiative, with spokesperson Thomas Regnier highlighting the importance of uniform development across the EU to strengthen online user rights.

Located in Dublin, the Appeals Centre will operate on a funding model that charges social media companies fees for each case. At the same time, users will incur a nominal fee that is refundable if their appeal is successful. However, platforms are not obligated to participate, as the centre lacks the power to enforce binding settlements. The centre will be governed by a board of seven non-executive directors.

Study shows ChatGPT tends to overprescribe in emergencies

A study conducted by UC San Francisco found that ChatGPT, when applied in emergency care, often recommends unnecessary treatments such as X-rays and antibiotics. It also admits patients who don’t require hospitalisation. Despite its strengths in certain areas, the AI model struggles to match the accuracy of a human doctor in more complex decision-making.

Researchers discovered that while ChatGPT can excel in simpler tasks like determining which patient is sicker, it tends to overprescribe when faced with real emergency cases. ChatGPT-4 performed 8% worse than resident doctors, while version 3.5 was 24% less accurate. These overprescriptions could lead to unnecessary treatments, increased healthcare costs, and strain on resources.

The research highlighted that the AI models are influenced by their internet training, often erring on the side of caution by recommending medical consultations. Although this approach is appropriate for general safety, it can be problematic in emergency settings, where unneeded treatments can harm patients. More refined frameworks are needed before AI can reliably assist in EDs.

Researchers are working on better ways for AI to evaluate clinical information in emergency care. A balance must be found between preventing serious oversight and avoiding excessive medical interventions.

Independent candidate uses AI to spark debate

In Virginia’s 8th congressional district, independent challenger Bentley Hensel has come up with an unconventional approach to engage incumbent Democrat Don Beyer, who secured a decisive win in 2022. Upset by Beyer’s refusal to join further debates, Hensel developed an AI chatbot called ‘DonBot,’ which mimics Beyer’s public positions. The AI uses OpenAI’s technology and pulls information from Beyer’s official platforms to generate responses. Set for 17 October, the debate will have Hensel and independent candidate David Kennedy facing off against DonBot, with Republican candidate Jerry Torres potentially joining if he responds in time.

Beyer’s campaign stated that he would not attend the upcoming debate, noting that he had already participated in a previous forum and had no plans for additional events. His spokesperson highlighted Beyer’s dedication to regulating AI to curb election misinformation but did not comment on the legality of Hensel’s AI tactic. Legal experts indicate that Beyer has few options to prevent the debate as long as the AI’s use remains non-commercial and clearly identified as artificial.

Hensel, who has raised about $17,000 for his campaign compared to Beyer’s $1.5 million, admits the AI debate is a last-ditch effort to gain attention in a race he acknowledges is heavily tilted in Beyer’s favour. He believes the event will highlight the potential of AI in politics while advocating for more transparency in election campaigns.

New Google feature highlights verified companies

Google is testing a new feature that adds blue check marks next to verified companies in its search results to help users identify trustworthy sources, a company spokesperson confirmed on Friday. This move aims to protect users from fraudulent websites that impersonate official businesses, potentially spreading false information and damaging brands.

The spokesperson mentioned that Google frequently tests new features to help users identify credible businesses online, with this checkmark initiative being a limited trial. While Google already employs automated systems to block ‘scammy’ or fake content from its search results, this additional feature offers an extra level of verification.

According to The Verge, some users have noticed these blue checkmarks next to official site links for companies like Microsoft, Meta, and Apple. However, the feature is not yet widely available, suggesting that Google is still in the early stages of testing.

X’s return to Brazil postponed as payment of fines remains unresolved

Brazil’s Supreme Court has delayed its decision on whether social media platform X can resume operations in the country due to issues regarding the payment of fines. Lawyers representing X argued that the company had made the payments correctly, but the court found that they did not pay to the proper bank, which remains the only unresolved issue for the platform’s reinstatement.

Since late August, X has faced suspension in Brazil, a significant market, following its failure to comply with court orders regarding hate speech moderation and the requirement to appoint a legal representative in the country. Earlier on Friday, X, owned by Elon Musk, submitted a new request to restore its services, claiming to have settled all outstanding fines.

In response to the request, Justice Alexandre de Moraes insisted that the payments must be transferred to the appropriate bank. He also noted that the prosecutor general of Brazil would provide input on X’s recent appeals once the fine payment situation is clarified.

After reversing its earlier stance and complying with court directives in recent weeks, including blocking specific accounts under investigation, X sought the court’s approval to resume services. However, de Moraes previously stated that the company needed to pay just over $5 million in fines before the suspension could be lifted.

UN report: Telegram used by Southeast Asian crime syndicates

Criminal networks in Southeast Asia are increasingly exploiting Telegram for large-scale illicit activities, according to a new report from the United Nations. The encrypted messaging app is used to trade hacked data, including credit card details and passwords, across sprawling, poorly-moderated channels. The report also notes that unlicensed cryptocurrency exchanges on the platform provide money laundering services.

Fraud tools, such as deepfake software and data-stealing malware, are widely sold, enabling organised crime syndicates to innovate and expand their operations. One vendor in Chinese reportedly claimed to move millions in stolen cryptocurrency daily. Southeast Asia has become a hub for these activities, where criminal groups target victims worldwide, generating up to $36.5 billion annually.

The controversy surrounding Telegram escalated when its founder, Pavel Durov, was arrested in Paris for allowing criminal activity on the platform. Durov, who is now out on bail, has since announced steps to cooperate with law enforcement by sharing users’ information when requested legally and removing certain features used for illegal purposes.

As the UNODC report warns, the widespread use of Telegram for underground markets places consumers’ data at heightened risk. Criminals are not only exploiting technology like artificial intelligence but are also leveraging the platform’s ease of use to target victims globally.

Meta revamps Facebook to engage young adults

Facebook, once the go-to platform for connecting with family and friends, is shifting its focus to attract younger users, according to Tom Alison, head of Facebook at Meta. With younger generations favouring apps like Instagram and TikTok, Meta aims to revitalise Facebook by helping users expand their networks and make new connections, aligning with how young adults use the platform today.

To achieve this, Facebook is testing two new tabs, Local and Explore, aimed at helping users find nearby events, community groups, and content tailored to their interests. This initiative aligns with Meta’s efforts to compete with TikTok, which has 150 million US users, by introducing its short-form video feature, Reels, in 2021. Data reveals that young adults on Facebook spend 60% of their time watching videos, with over half engaging with Reels daily.

Facebook also reported a 24% increase in conversations initiated through its dating feature among young adults in the US and Canada. At a recent event in Austin, Texas, the platform promoted its new direction with the slogan ‘Not your mom’s Facebook,’ emphasising its push to attract a younger audience.