Meta

Spain opens inquiry into Meta over privacy concerns

Prime Minister of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, has announced that an investigation will be launched against Meta following concerns over a possible large-scale violation of user privacy.

The company will be required to explain its conduct before the parliamentary committee on economy, trade and digital transformation instead of continuing to handle the issue privately.

Several research centres in Spain, Belgium and the Netherlands uncovered a concealed tracking tool used on Android devices for almost a year.

Their findings showed that web browsing data had been linked to identities on Facebook and Instagram even when users relied on incognito mode or a VPN.

The practice may have contravened key European rules such as the GDPR, the ePrivacy Directive, the Digital Markets Act and the Digital Services Act, while class action lawsuits are already underway in Germany, the US and Canada.

Pedro Sánchez explained that the investigation aims to clarify events, demand accountability from company leadership and defend any fundamental rights that might have been undermined.

He stressed that the law in Spain prevails over algorithms, platforms or corporate size, and those who infringe on rights will face consequences.

The prime minister also revealed a package of upcoming measures to counter four major threats in the digital environment. A plan that focuses on disinformation, child protection, hate speech and privacy defence instead of reactive or fragmented actions.

He argued that social media offers value yet has evolved into a space shaped by profit over well-being, where engagement incentives overshadow rights. He concluded that the sector needs to be rebuilt to restore social cohesion and democratic resilience.

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

Smart glasses by Meta transform life for disabled users

Meta has presented a new generation of AI glasses designed to increase independence for people with disabilities. The devices support hands-free calls, messages and translations while offering voice-activated photography and video capture.

Users can rely on spoken prompts instead of phones when they want to explore their surroundings or capture important moments.

The glasses help blind and low-vision individuals identify objects, read documents and understand scenes through detailed AI descriptions. Meta partnered with the Blinded Veterans Association to produce a training guide that explains how to activate voice commands and manage daily tasks more easily.

Veterans Affairs rehabilitation centres have adopted the glasses to support people who need greater autonomy in unfamiliar environments.

Creators and athletes describe how the technology influences their work and daily activities. A filmmaker uses first-person recording and AI-assisted scene guidance to streamline production. A Paralympic sprinter relies on real-time updates to track workouts without pausing to check a phone.

Other users highlight how hands-free photography and environmental awareness allow them to stay engaged instead of becoming distracted by screens.

Meta emphasises its collaboration with disabled communities to shape features that reflect diverse needs. The company views AI glasses as a route to improved participation, stronger confidence and wider digital access.

An approach that signals a long-term commitment to wearable technology that supports inclusion in everyday life.

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

Meta to block under-16 Australians from Facebook and Instagram early

Meta is beginning to block users in Australia who it believes are under 16 from using Instagram, Facebook, and Threads, starting 4 December, a week ahead of the government-mandated social media ban.

Last week, Meta sent in-app messages, emails and texts warning affected users to download their data because their accounts will soon be removed. As of 4 December, the company will deactivate existing accounts and block new sign-ups for users under 16.

To appeal the deactivation, targeted users can undergo age verification by providing a ‘video selfie’ to prove they are 16 or older, or by presenting a government-issued ID. Meta says it will ‘review and improve’ its systems, deploying AI-based age-assurance methods to reduce errors.

Observers highlight the risks of false positives in Meta’s age checks. Facial age estimation, conducted through partner company Yoti, has known margins of error.

The enforcement comes amid Australia’s world-first law that bars under-16s from using several major social media platforms, including Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, X and more.

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

Meta’s chief AI scientist Yann LeCun departs to launch world-model AI startup

Yann LeCun, one of the pioneers of deep learning and Meta’s chief AI scientist, is leaving the company to establish a new startup dedicated to world-model AI research.

The firm will continue its long-standing ambition to develop systems capable of understanding the physical world and planning complex actions.

The move comes during a turbulent period for Meta’s AI efforts, following internal reorganisations and disappointment surrounding the performance of its Llama 4 model.

Meta is investing heavily to regain momentum, including significant hires and new leadership brought in over recent months.

Despite his departure, Meta intends to partner with LeCun’s new venture, though his research direction has increasingly diverged from the company’s strategy. Differences over open-source approaches, leadership changes and cuts to research teams were significant factors in his decision to leave.

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

Meta wins antitrust case over monopoly claims

Meta has defeated a major antitrust challenge after a US federal judge ruled it does not currently hold monopoly power in social networking. The decision spares the company from being forced to separate Instagram and WhatsApp, which regulators had argued were acquired to suppress competition.

The judge found the Federal Trade Commission failed to prove Meta maintains present-day dominance, noting that the market has been reshaped by rivals such as TikTok. Meta argued it now faces intense competition across mobile platforms as user behaviour shifts rapidly.

FTC lawyers revisited internal emails linked to Meta’s past acquisitions, but the ruling emphasised that the case required proof of ongoing violations.

Analysts say the outcome contrasts sharply with recent decisions against Google in search and advertising, signalling mixed fortunes for large tech firms.

Industry observers note that Meta still faces substantial regulatory pressure, including upcoming US trials regarding children’s mental health and questions about its heavy investment in AI.

The company welcomed the ruling and stated that it intends to continue developing products within a competitive market framework.

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

Old laws now target modern tracking technology

Class-action privacy litigation continues to grow in frequency, repurposing older laws to address modern data tracking technologies. Recent high-profile lawsuits have applied the California Invasion of Privacy Act and the Video Privacy Protection Act.

A unanimous jury verdict recently found Meta Platforms violated CIPA Section 632 (which is now under appeal) by eavesdropping on users’ confidential communications without consent. The court ruled that Meta intentionally used its SDK within a sexual health app, Flo, to intercept sensitive real-time user inputs.

That judgement suggests an electronic device under the statute need not be physical, with a user’s phone qualifying as the requisite device. The legal success in these cases highlights a significant, rising risk for all companies utilising tracking pixels and software development kits (SDKs).

Separately, the VPPA has found new power against tracking pixels in the case of Jancik v. WebMD concerning video-viewing data. The court held that a consumer need not pay for a video service but can subscribe by simply exchanging their email address for a newsletter.

Companies must ensure their privacy policies clearly disclose all such tracking conduct to obtain explicit, valid consent. The courts are taking real-time data interception seriously, noting intentionality may be implied when a firm fails to stem the flow of sensitive personally identifiable information.

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

WhatsApp to support cross-app messaging

Meta is launching a ‘third-party chats’ feature on WhatsApp in Europe, allowing users to send and receive messages from other interoperable messaging apps.

Initially, only two apps, BirdyChat and Haiket, will support this integration, but users will be able to send text, voice, video, images and files. The rollout will begin in the coming months for iOS and Android users in the EU.

Meta emphasises that interoperability is opt-in, and messages exchanged via third-party apps will retain end-to-end encryption, provided the other apps match WhatsApp’s security requirements. Users can choose whether to display these cross-app conversations in a separate ‘third-party chats’ folder or mix them into their main inbox.

By opening up its messaging to external apps, WhatsApp is responding to the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), which requires major tech platforms to allow interoperability. This move could reshape how messaging works in Europe, making it easier to communicate across different apps, though it also raises questions about privacy, spam risk and how encryption is enforced.

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

New funding round by Meta strengthens local STEAM education

Meta is inviting applications for its 2026 Data Centre Community Action Grants, which support schools, nonprofits and local groups in regions that host the company’s data centres.

The programme has been a core part of Meta’s community investment strategy since 2011, and the latest round expands support to seven additional areas linked to new facilities. The company views the grants as a means of strengthening long-term community vitality, rather than focusing solely on infrastructure growth.

Funding is aimed at projects that use technology for public benefit and improve opportunities in science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics. More than $ 74 million has been awarded to communities worldwide, with $ 24 million distributed through the grant programme alone.

Recipients can reapply each year, which enables organisations to sustain programmes and increase their impact over time.

Several regions have already demonstrated how the funding can reshape local learning opportunities. Northern Illinois University used grants to expand engineering camps for younger students and to open a STEAM studio that supports after-school programmes and workforce development.

In New Mexico, a middle school used funding to build a STEM centre with advanced tools such as drones, coding kits and 3D printing equipment. In Texas, an enrichment organisation created a digital media and STEM camp for at-risk youth, offering skills that can encourage empowerment instead of disengagement.

Meta presents the programme as part of a broader pledge to deepen education and community involvement around emerging technologies.

The company argues that long-term support for digital learning will strengthen local resilience and create opportunities for young people who want to pursue future careers in technology.

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

Meta pushes deeper into robotics with key hardware move

Meta is expanding its robotics ambitions by appointing Li-Chen Miller, previously head of its smart glasses portfolio, as the first product manager for Reality Labs’ robotics division. Her transfer marks a significant shift in Meta’s hardware priorities following the launch of its latest augmented reality devices.

The company is reportedly developing a humanoid assistant known internally as Metabot within the same organisation that oversees its AR and VR platforms. Former Cruise executive Marc Whitten leads the robotics group, supported by veteran engineer Ning Li and renowned MIT roboticist Sangbae Kim.

Miller’s move emphasises Meta’s aim to merge its AI expertise with physical robotics. The new team collaborates with the firm’s Superintelligence Lab, which is building a ‘world model’ capable of powering dextrous motion and real-time reasoning.

Analysts see the strategy as Meta’s attempt to future-proof its ecosystem and diversify Reality Labs, which continues to post heavy losses. The company’s growing investment in humanoid design could bring home-use robots closer to reality, blending social AI with the firm’s long-term vision for the metaverse.

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

Meta expands AI infrastructure with $1 billion sustainable facility

The US tech giant, Meta, has announced the construction of its 30th data centre in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, a $1 billion investment that will power the company’s growing AI infrastructure while benefiting the local community and environment.

A facility, designed to support Meta’s most demanding AI workloads, that will run entirely on clean energy and create more than 100 permanent jobs alongside 1,000 construction roles.

The company will invest nearly $200 million in energy infrastructure and donate $15 million to Alliant Energy’s Hometown Care Energy Fund to assist families with home energy costs.

Meta will also launch community grants to fund schools and local organisations, strengthening technology education and digital skills while helping small businesses use AI tools more effectively.

Environmental responsibility remains central to the project. The data centre will use dry cooling, eliminating water demands during operation, and restore 100% of consumed water to local watersheds.

In partnership with Ducks Unlimited, Meta will revitalise 570 acres of wetlands and prairie, transforming degraded habitats into thriving ecosystems. The facility is expected to achieve LEED Gold Certification, reflecting Meta’s ongoing commitment to sustainability and community-focused innovation.

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