Tech News (June 7 - June 13)

New York Passes Groundbreaking Social Media Protection Law for Youth

New York lawmakers have passed pioneering legislation aimed at safeguarding children on social media platforms. The new law requires parental consent for users under 18 to access content delivered through addictive algorithms. A companion bill restricts online platforms from collecting or selling the personal data of minors without explicit consent. Governor Kathy Hochul is set to sign these measures, which are seen as crucial steps in tackling the youth mental health crisis and creating a safer digital environment.

#NewYork #socialmedia #youth #youthsafety #techregulation #parentalconsent #dataprotection

LinkedIn Disables Targeted Ad Tool to Comply with EU Regulations

In response to the European Union's Digital Services Act, LinkedIn has removed a feature that uses sensitive personal data for targeted advertising. This move follows complaints to the European Commission that the tool allowed advertisers to target users based on protected characteristics such as race and political opinions. LinkedIn aims to prevent the misuse of data and ensure compliance with the new regulations. EU officials and digital rights groups welcomed the decision, urging further global adoption of such practices.

#EuropeanUnion #digitalservicesact #targetedadvertising #EuropeanCommission #digitalprivacy #targetedads #datacompliance

Yelp Wins Legal Battle to Sue Reputation Company Over Promising to Suppress Bad Reviews

Yelp has been granted the right to sue a reputation management company that allegedly promised to suppress negative reviews about its clients. A U.S. judge ruled that such practices could potentially deceive consumers and harm the integrity of review platforms. This legal decision underscores the importance of transparency and fairness in online reviews, setting a precedent for future cases involving reputation management tactics.

#Yelp #consumerrights #onlinereviews #reputationmanagement #legalnews #negativereviews #transparency?

ByteDance to Invest $2.1 Billion in Malaysia for AI Development

ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok, is set to invest $2.1 billion in Malaysia to advance the country's artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities. The Malaysian Minister of Communications and Digital, Fahmi Fadzil, announced that this substantial investment aims to bolster Malaysia's position as a regional AI hub, driving innovation and technological advancement. The initiative is expected to create numerous job opportunities, stimulate economic growth, and foster a collaborative environment for tech startups and established companies alike.

#ByteDance #TikTok #Malayasia #AI #investment #technology #innovation #economicgrowth?

NASA Invests $10M in Mars Sample Return Proposals from Blue Origin, SpaceX, and More

NASA has allocated $10 million to various aerospace companies, including Blue Origin and SpaceX, to develop proposals for Mars sample return missions. The initiative aims to bring Martian soil and rock samples back to Earth, providing valuable data for scientific research. This funding is part of NASA’s ongoing effort to advance space exploration and leverage private-sector innovation. The selected companies will work on developing technologies to retrieve and transport the samples, contributing to the future of Mars exploration.

#NASA #MarsMission #Mars #spaceexploration #BlueOrigin #SpaceX

Meta Introduces Communities Feature on Messenger for Enhanced Group Interactions

Meta has launched a new "Communities" feature on Messenger, designed to provide users with a more organized and interactive group experience. This feature allows users to create and manage group communities with specialized tools for announcements, events, and topic-based conversations. Communities aim to foster a sense of belonging and streamline communication within groups by offering enhanced control over group settings and member roles. The rollout is part of Meta's broader strategy to bolster its messaging platforms and enhance user engagement.

#Meta #Facebook #Messenger #Communities #Groupchats #digitalcommunication?