Meta Archives | Digital Watch Observatory

WhatsApp introduces private AI chat mode for Meta AI conversations

WhatsApp has introduced a new private mode for conversations with Meta AI that limits storage and retention of chat data. According to Meta, conversations are designed to disappear after chats end and are not stored on company servers.

WhatsApp head Will Cathcart said the feature responds to user demand for more private AI interactions involving sensitive topics. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg described the feature as an AI product designed without persistent server-side conversation logs.

Professor Alan Woodward of the University of Surrey reportedly raised concerns about how disappearing conversations could affect accountability and investigations into harmful AI interactions. According to reports, critics argued that limited data retention could complicate review processes in cases involving harm or misuse.

Meta stated that the feature will initially support text-based interactions and include safeguards intended to block harmful or illegal requests. The announcement comes amid Meta’s broader expansion of AI-related products and infrastructure investments.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!

Meta accused of using influencers to defend Instagram child safety measures

The Tech Transparency Project has accused Meta of using influencers, parenting creators and healthcare professionals to promote Instagram child safety tools while the company faces scrutiny over the platform’s impact on minors.

According to the investigation, Meta hosted branded Screen Smart events across the United States, during which influencers and clinicians were introduced to Instagram Teen Accounts and parental supervision tools. TTP said many attendees later shared supportive content across Instagram, TikTok and other platforms, often using paid partnership labels or Meta-related sponsorship hashtags.

The group claims the campaign formed part of Meta’s effort to improve its public image on child safety amid lawsuits, whistle-blower disclosures and criticism over youth mental health harms. TTP said Meta relied on creators with large parent audiences and, in some cases, medical credentials to amplify messages about online safety protections.

Also, the investigation identified doctors and psychologists who promoted Instagram Teen Accounts while having financial relationships with Meta. TTP argued that these endorsements contrast with reports and advocacy concerns that Teen Accounts may not fully protect young users from harmful material, including content related to sex, drugs and violence.

TTP also linked some Meta-affiliated influencers to advocacy for app-store age verification laws, which would require Apple and Google to handle user age checks and parental approval for app downloads by minors. Critics argue such measures could shift responsibility for age assurance away from social media platforms themselves.

Meta did not respond to TTP’s questions, according to the investigation. In a statement cited by TTP from CNN coverage, Meta said it works with parents and creators to spread awareness of safety controls and encourage families to use them.

Why does it matter?

The investigation raises questions about transparency in platform safety campaigns, particularly when sponsored creators and professionals are used to promote tools aimed at parents. As regulators and courts scrutinise child safety on social media, public trust may depend not only on whether platforms introduce safeguards, but also on how clearly they disclose paid partnerships, conflicts of interest and the limits of those protections.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!

Snap, YouTube, TikTok and Meta settle Kentucky school district lawsuit

At mid-May, Snap, YouTube and TikTok have reached a settlement in a lawsuit brought by the Breathitt County School District in Kentucky. The school district alleged that social media platforms contributed to learning disruption, mental health concerns, and additional financial pressures on schools.

Terms of the settlement have not been disclosed. Meta remained a defendant in the same litigation and was scheduled to proceed to trial on June 15th. However, on May 21st, the company also reached a settlement. The case is one of a broader series of lawsuits involving social media platforms and alleged harms affecting minors and schools.

This follows earlier related cases settled by Snap and TikTok. The companies have faced multiple lawsuits related to alleged harms associated with social media use. In a separate case, a jury awarded damages to a plaintiff in litigation involving Google and Meta. Meta has also recently been ordered to pay $375 million in a separate case brought by New Mexico’s attorney general.

Beyond seeking monetary awards of $60 millions, plaintiffs and state authorities have also called for changes to platform design and online safety measures affecting minors. Additional lawsuits involving social media platforms and youth safety issues remain ongoing in US courts.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech, and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!

Meta reportedly cuts 8,000 jobs as AI investment and restructuring accelerate globally

Meta is reportedly cutting about 8,000 jobs globally as part of a restructuring aimed at reducing costs while increasing spending on AI infrastructure and products.

According to media reports, the cuts represent about 10% of Meta’s workforce and are intended, in part, to offset the cost of the company’s expanding AI investments. The reductions are expected to affect engineering and product teams in particular, with employees in several regions notified as the restructuring begins.

Reports also indicate that around 7,000 employees are being reassigned to new AI-focused teams, while thousands of open roles have been closed. The restructuring reflects Meta’s effort to redirect resources towards AI products, infrastructure and agent-based tools across its platforms.

In Ireland, reports said around 350 jobs were affected, representing a significant share of Meta’s local workforce. The company has not publicly confirmed all regional figures, but said affected employees and authorities had been notified.

The cuts come as Meta prepares for a major increase in AI-related capital expenditure. Reports say the company expects spending to rise sharply in 2026 as it builds infrastructure for AI models, personalised assistants and other AI-powered features across Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and its wider product ecosystem.

Staff concerns have also emerged around the pace of restructuring, internal communication and workplace monitoring linked to AI development. Reports cited employee unease over plans to monitor computer activity as part of AI training practices.

Why does it matter?

Meta’s restructuring shows how major technology companies are reallocating labour and capital around AI. The reported job cuts are not only a cost-saving exercise, but part of a wider shift in which companies are redirecting resources towards AI infrastructure, automation and agentic systems. The development also highlights a growing tension in the tech sector: AI is being presented as a long-term growth engine, while workers face uncertainty over how that transition will reshape roles, teams and investment priorities.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!

Italy lawsuit against Meta and TikTok tests child safety rules

A first hearing has taken place at the Milan Business Court in a case brought by MOIGE, the Italian Parents’ Movement, and a group of families against Meta and TikTok over the protection of minors on social media platforms.

According to MOIGE, the class-wide injunction seeks to protect around 3.5 million Italian children aged between 7 and 14 who are allegedly active on social platforms despite age restrictions. The organisation described the case as the first such action in Europe focused on protecting minors in the digital sector.

The hearing focused on preliminary objections, including challenges by lawyers for Meta and TikTok to the jurisdiction and competence of Italian courts to rule on the companies’ conduct. MOIGE said the platforms also contested documents submitted by its legal team concerning the alleged effects of recommendation algorithms on minors.

According to MOIGE, the documents refer to concerns around variable reinforcement mechanisms, infinite scrolling and behavioural profiling allegedly designed to maximise engagement among younger users. The organisation and the families’ lawyers argue that such design features raise concerns over addictive behaviour and wider risks to children’s well-being.

MOIGE’s lawyers urged the court to proceed quickly, arguing that delays could prolong potential harm affecting minors in Italy. The case will continue with further hearings, with the court expected to set the next steps in the proceedings.

Why does it matter?

The case could become an important test of how courts assess platform responsibility for children’s safety, age restrictions and recommendation systems. If the action advances, it may contribute to wider European debates on algorithmic design, age verification, addictive platform features and whether child online safety should be treated not only as a content moderation issue, but also as a consumer protection and public health concern.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!

CJEU backs fair remuneration for press publishers

The Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) has ruled that member states may allow press publishers to claim fair remuneration when they authorise online service providers to use their publications.

The judgement came in a case involving Meta Platforms Ireland’s challenge to an Italian Communications Regulatory Authority decision on criteria for determining fair remuneration for online use of press publications. Meta argued that the Italian framework conflicted with EU rules on publishers’ rights under the Digital Single Market copyright directive.

The CJEU found that a fair remuneration right for publishers can be compatible with EU law if the payment is consideration for authorising online service providers to use press publications. Publishers must also be able to refuse authorisation or grant it free of charge, and online service providers cannot be required to pay for it when they do not use the publications.

The ruling also says online service providers may be required to negotiate with publishers without limiting content visibility during talks and to provide data needed to calculate remuneration. The CJEU said such obligations may restrict the freedom to conduct a business, but appear justified where they help ensure fair negotiations and support EU objectives on copyright, media pluralism, and publishers’ ability to recoup investments.

The CJEU also found that powers granted to AGCOM to set criteria, determine remuneration in the event of disagreement, ensure compliance with information obligations, and impose penalties may be permissible if they support the effective implementation of publishers’ rights.

The final assessment remains for the national court, which must verify whether the Italian legislation satisfies the conditions identified by the CJEU.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech, and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!

Meta tests compromise plan in EU WhatsApp AI access dispute

European Commission officials are examining whether Meta’s policy on access to WhatsApp for AI providers may raise competition concerns in the European Economic Area.

Changes to the WhatsApp Business Solution terms are at the centre of the investigation, particularly as they affect how third-party AI providers can offer services on the platform. The Commission is assessing whether the policy could limit access for competing AI services and reduce choice for users and businesses.

Messaging platforms are becoming important distribution channels for AI-powered services. As chatbots and AI assistants become more integrated into everyday communication tools, access to widely used platforms such as WhatsApp may become an important factor in competition between providers.

Commission officials have said they will examine whether Meta’s conduct complies with the EU competition rules. Opening an investigation does not mean that the Commission has reached a conclusion or found an infringement.

The broader EU scrutiny of large digital platforms is increasingly focused on how access to infrastructure, services and user ecosystems is managed as AI tools become more widely adopted.

Why does it matter?

Competition questions are expanding into AI distribution channels. Messaging platforms can shape which AI services reach users and businesses at scale, making access rules an important part of the emerging AI market. The outcome could influence how major platforms design access policies for third-party AI providers while regulators seek to preserve competition and user choice.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech, and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our chatbot!

Meta gives parents deeper insight into teen algorithms

Meta has introduced new supervision features designed to give parents greater visibility into the content shaping teenagers’ experiences on Instagram.

The updated tools allow parents and guardians to view the general topics their teens engage with through Instagram’s ‘Your Algorithm’ feature, which helps shape recommendations on Reels and Explore. Meta said parents in selected markets will soon receive notifications when teens add new interests, such as basketball, photography or musicals, helping explain why recommended content may change over time.

The company said the feature remains subject to existing teen safety protections and content restrictions already applied to Teen Accounts, including limits on certain content for users aged 13 and above and enforcement of Meta’s Community Standards.

Meta has also consolidated supervision tools for Instagram, Facebook, Messenger and Meta Horizon into a single Family Centre hub. Parents can now manage supervised accounts, safety settings and invitations across multiple apps without switching between separate platforms.

Meta said the number of US teens enrolled in supervision on Instagram has more than doubled over the past year. Additional updates planned for the coming months include aggregated activity insights, such as total time spent across Meta’s apps, to give families broader visibility into teen online habits.

Why does it matter?

The update shows how major platforms are responding to pressure for greater transparency around their recommendation systems, particularly regarding teenagers. While the tools do not reveal the full logic of Instagram’s algorithm, they give parents more visibility into the interest categories shaping teen content feeds and create another layer of oversight around personalised recommendations, screen time and online safety.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech, and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our chatbot!

Ireland and the EU intensify DSA pressure on Meta

Coimisiún na Meán, the media regulator of Ireland, has launched two formal investigations into Meta over the design of recommender systems on Facebook and Instagram under the Digital Services Act. The investigations focus on whether users are prevented from choosing recommendation feeds that are not based on the profiling of their personal data.

Coimisiún na Meán said concerns emerged following platform supervision reviews and complaints linked to potential ‘dark patterns’ and deceptive interface designs. Regulators are examining whether users can easily access and modify non-profiled recommendation feeds as required under Article 27 of the DSA, alongside whether interface designs may improperly influence user choices under Article 25.

John Evans, Digital Services Commissioner at Coimisiún na Meán, said recommender systems can repeatedly push harmful material into user feeds, particularly affecting children and younger users. The regulator also warned that Very Large Online Platforms (VLOPs) must ensure users can exercise their rights under the DSA without manipulation or unnecessary barriers.

EU investigates Meta over under-13 access on Instagram and Facebook

At the same time, the European Commission has preliminarily found Meta in potential breach of the DSA over failures to adequately prevent children under 13 from accessing Instagram and Facebook. Regulators said Meta’s age verification and reporting systems may be ineffective, while the company’s risk assessments allegedly failed to properly address harms faced by underage users.

Why does it matter?

These investigations are critical because they could shape how the DSA is enforced across Europe, particularly in cases involving children and algorithmic recommendation systems. If regulators conclude that Meta failed to properly protect minors or used manipulative interface designs that discouraged users from choosing non-profiled feeds, the case may set a wider precedent for how large online platforms handle age assurance, user consent, privacy protections, and recommender system transparency under EU law.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!

New Meta age assurance system aims to prevent underage access

Meta has expanded its use of AI to strengthen age assurance and improve enforcement of underage account policies across its platforms. The systems are designed to detect users under 13 for removal and to place suspected teens into protected Teen Account settings on Instagram and Facebook in regions including the EU, Brazil, and the US.

The technology analyses a range of signals, including profile information, user activity, and other contextual indicators, to estimate age more accurately. Automated systems are also being used to support faster and more consistent review of reports related to underage use.

Visual analysis has also become part of Meta’s broader detection approach, with the company saying its systems look for general age-related indicators rather than attempting to identify specific individuals. Reporting tools have been simplified, and AI-assisted moderation is being used to improve the speed and reliability of enforcement decisions.

Alongside these enforcement measures, Meta is increasing parental engagement through notifications and guidance to encourage more accurate age reporting and safer online behaviour. The wider effort reflects growing pressure on platforms to move beyond self-declared age checks and to build stronger systems to protect younger users.

Why does it matter?

The significance of the move lies in the fact that age assurance is becoming a core platform governance issue rather than a secondary moderation tool. Meta is trying to show that large social platforms can use AI not only to recommend or personalise content, but also to enforce minimum age rules at scale. That matters because regulators are increasingly questioning whether self-declared age data is enough to protect minors online. It also points to a broader shift in which platforms are expected to combine safety obligations, automated detection, and parental tools into a more active system of child protection.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech, and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!