Human rights principles

Instagram users react to Meta’s new AI experiment

Meta has come under fire once again, this time over a new AI experiment on Instagram that suggests comments for users. Some users accused the company of using AI to inflate engagement metrics, potentially misleading advertisers and diminishing authentic user interaction.

The feature, spotted by test users, involves a pencil icon next to the comment bar on Instagram posts. Tapping it generates suggested replies based on the image’s content.

Meta has confirmed the feature is in testing but did not reveal plans for a broader launch. The company stated that it is exploring ways to incorporate Meta AI across different parts of its apps, including feeds, comments, groups, and search.

Public reaction has been largely negative, with concerns that AI-generated comments could flood the platform with inauthentic conversations. Social media users voiced fears of fake interactions replacing genuine ones, and some accused Meta of deceiving advertisers through inflated statistics.

Comparisons to dystopian scenarios were common, as users questioned the future of online social spaces.

This isn’t the first time Meta has faced backlash for its AI ventures. Previous attempts included AI personas modelled on celebrities and diverse identities, which were criticised for being disingenuous and engineered by largely homogenous development teams.

The future of AI-generated comments on Instagram remains uncertain as scrutiny continues to mount.

For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.

South Korean court reinstates Han Duck-soo as acting president

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo has been reinstated as South Korea’s acting president after the Constitutional Court struck down his impeachment in a seven-to-one ruling.

Han, who briefly held the position before being suspended in December, pledged to stabilise the country and prioritise national interests amid rising tensions over US trade policies.

The court’s decision returns Han to power during a time of heightened political instability, sparked by President Yoon Suk Yeol’s controversial declaration of martial law last year.

Yoon’s actions led to mass protests and a wave of impeachments, resignations, and criminal charges across the political spectrum.

While Yoon awaits a separate ruling and trial over charges of leading an insurrection, Han expressed gratitude to the court and vowed to put an end to ‘extreme confrontation in politics.’

As one of South Korea’s most experienced officials, Han’s return is seen as a move towards continuity in governance. He has served under five presidents from both major parties and is regarded as a figure capable of bridging political divides.

Despite opposition criticism that he failed to prevent Yoon’s martial law move, Han denied any wrongdoing and has committed to guiding South Korea through external economic challenges, especially those posed by the United States.

The court’s pending decision on President Yoon’s fate remains a focal point of national attention. Lee Jae-myung, leader of the opposition Democratic Party and a potential successor, has urged the court to act swiftly to end the uncertainty.

With rallies continuing across the country both in favour of and against Yoon, the outcome could trigger a snap election within 60 days if the president is removed.

For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.

Lawsuit claims Google favoured white and Asian employees in pay and promotions

Google has agreed to pay $28 million (€25.6 million) to settle a class action lawsuit alleging it favoured white and Asian employees by offering them higher pay and better career progression.

The case, which covered at least 6,632 employees in California between 2018 and 2024, won preliminary approval from a Santa Clara county judge last week.

The lawsuit was led by Ana Cantu, a former Google employee who claimed the company placed white and Asian workers in higher job levels while restricting promotions and pay increases for others.

Cantu, who worked in Google’s people operations and cloud departments for seven years, alleged she was denied career advancement despite performing well. She argued that Google’s practices violated the California Equal Pay Act.

A Google spokesperson confirmed the settlement but maintained that the company had not engaged in discriminatory treatment. A final hearing is scheduled for September, where the court will decide whether to grant full approval of the settlement.

For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.

Migrants urged to use new app to self-deport under Trump policy

The Trump administration has introduced a new app that allows undocumented migrants in the US to self-deport rather than risk arrest and detention.

The United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) app, called CBP Home, includes an option for individuals to signal their ‘intent to depart.’ Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said the app gives migrants a chance to leave voluntarily and potentially return legally in the future.

Noem warned that those who do not leave will face deportation and a lifetime ban from re-entering the country. The administration has stepped up pressure on undocumented migrants, with new regulations set to take effect in April requiring them to register with the government or face fines and jail time.

The launch of CBP Home follows Trump’s decision to shut down CBP One, a Biden-era app that allowed migrants in Mexico to schedule asylum appointments. The move left thousands of migrants stranded at the border with uncertain prospects.

Trump has pledged to carry out record deportations, although his administration’s current removal numbers lag behind those recorded under President Joe Biden.

The CBP Home app marks a shift in immigration policy, aiming to encourage voluntary departures while tightening enforcement measures against those who remain illegally.

For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.

Indian citizens rescued from job scam networks in Southeast Asia

India has repatriated nearly 300 of its citizens who were lured to Southeast Asian countries with fake job offers and forced into cybercrime and other fraudulent activities.

The rescue was coordinated by Indian embassies in Myanmar and Thailand, with an Indian Air Force aircraft bringing the workers back from Mae Sot in Thailand. Many had been trapped in scam centres along the Thailand-Myanmar border, where criminal networks operate large-scale online fraud schemes.

Authorities in Thailand have intensified their crackdown on these illegal operations, arresting 100 people last week. Countries including China and Indonesia have also been working to bring back their nationals who were similarly deceived.

According to the United Nations, criminal syndicates have trafficked hundreds of thousands of people to these centres, generating billions of dollars from online scams.

The government of India has warned its citizens against falling prey to fraudulent job offers and urged them to verify employers and recruitment agents before accepting positions abroad.

Officials continue to collaborate with international agencies to combat human trafficking and cyber fraud, aiming to prevent further exploitation of vulnerable workers.

For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.

House Committee pushes Google to restore free speech on YouTube

Rep. Jim Jordan, Chairman of the US House Judiciary Committee, has subpoenaed Alphabet, the parent company of Google, demanding documents that show whether YouTube removed content due to requests from the Biden administration.

Jordan has long argued that Big Tech companies, including Google, have collaborated with the US government to suppress conservative speech. He believes that these actions constitute unlawful censorship, with YouTube allegedly playing a role.

This subpoena comes after the Committee’s successful investigation into Meta, which led the company to admit that it had bowed to pressure from the Biden administration, adjusting its content moderation policies and promising to restore free speech on its platforms.

Jordan is now pushing Alphabet to follow Meta’s lead and provide transparency on its own content moderation practices.

Google has responded by stating that its content policies are enforced independently, asserting its commitment to free expression.

However, the company has yet to provide a detailed response to Jordan’s subpoena or the claims of governmental influence. Also, this ongoing investigation signals that the scrutiny of Big Tech’s role in content moderation is far from over.

For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.

AI-driven dubbing comes to Amazon Prime Video

Amazon Prime Video is introducing AI-powered dubbing for select movies and series in English and Spanish, aiming to expand its reach and enhance accessibility.

The feature, launching on Wednesday, will initially be available on 12 licensed titles that currently lack dubbing support.

With over 200 million customers worldwide, Prime Video‘s adoption of AI technology follows a growing trend among media companies using artificial intelligence to enhance viewer experiences.

Other firms, such as Disney’s ESPN, have also explored AI-driven solutions to personalise content and attract younger audiences.

The integration of AI-assisted dubbing reflects a broader industry shift towards technology-driven innovation in content distribution.

By using AI to bridge language barriers, Prime Video seeks to engage a wider audience and improve the global accessibility of its library.

For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.

Russia fines Google over YouTube content on surrendering soldiers

A Russian court has fined Google 3.8 million roubles (£32,600) for hosting YouTube videos that allegedly instructed Russian soldiers on how to surrender. The ruling is part of Moscow’s ongoing crackdown on content it deems illegal, particularly regarding the war in Ukraine. Google has not yet responded to the decision.

Authorities in Russia have frequently ordered foreign tech companies to remove content they claim spreads misinformation. Critics argue that the government is deliberately slowing YouTube‘s download speeds to limit access to material critical of President Vladimir Putin. Moscow denies the accusation, blaming Google for failing to upgrade its infrastructure.

President Putin has previously accused Google of being used by Washington to serve political interests. The latest fine is one of many imposed on the company as part of Russia’s broader control over digital platforms.

For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.

Anthropic’s Claude tested as UK explores AI chatbot for public services

The UK government has partnered with AI startup Anthropic to explore the use of its chatbot, Claude, in public services. The collaboration aims to improve access to public information and streamline interactions for citizens.

Anthropic, a competitor of ChatGPT creator OpenAI and supported by tech giants Google and Amazon, signed a memorandum of understanding with the government.

The initiative aligns with Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s ambition to establish the UK as a leader in AI and enhance public service efficiency through innovative technologies.

Technology minister Peter Kyle highlighted the importance of this partnership, emphasising its role in positioning the UK as a hub for advanced AI development.

Claude has already been employed by the European Parliament to simplify access to its archives, demonstrating its potential in reducing time for document retrieval and analysis.

This step underscores Britain’s commitment to leveraging cutting-edge AI for the benefit of individuals and businesses nationwide.

For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.

Amazon removes diversity references as companies scale back DEI policies

Amazon has removed references to ‘inclusion and diversity‘ from its latest annual report, signalling a shift away from diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. The change follows an internal memo from December, in which Amazon announced it was winding down certain DEI programmes by the end of 2024. Instead of maintaining separate initiatives, the company plans to integrate DEI efforts into broader corporate processes.

Tech giants such as Meta and Google have also been scaling back diversity programmes, facing pressure from conservative groups threatening legal action. Disney has similarly adjusted its DEI approach, removing mentions of its ‘Reimagine Tomorrow‘ programme while introducing an initiative to hire US military veterans. The trend reflects a broader corporate retreat from diversity-focused policies that gained traction after the 2020 protests against racial injustice.

Political opposition to DEI has grown, with President Donald Trump’s administration vowing to eliminate diversity policies in the private sector. In response, attorneys general from twelve US states, including New York and California, have reaffirmed their commitment to enforcing civil rights protections against workplace discrimination. The debate over DEI’s future remains contentious as businesses and lawmakers continue to clash over its role in corporate America.