More than half of the states that make up America have filed legal action against Mark Zuckerberg’s Meta on claims that the company used features via both Instagram and Facebook to not only keep children engaged but reportedly get them addicted to its platforms.
Oct 25, 2023
As trends continue to arise in tech, Snoop Dogg doesn’t seem to miss a beat.
Oct 9, 2023
It is now possible to chat with Snoop Dogg, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Paul whenever you want — or at least sort of.
Sep 29, 2023
There’s a new social media platform in town — and it’s called Threads.
Jul 6, 2023
One of Garcelle Beauvais’ reality TV castmates is joining in on an ongoing investigation.
Sep 22, 2022
For decades, America has dealt with the horror of systems that plague the progression of certain groups. No matter the issue, there has been little shortage in the struggle to fight for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) across a spectrum of sectors. Like any system riddled with backward thinking, the people impacted the most grow tired of the struggle and gain the strength to fight for what is owed to them. From slave revolts to the Civil Rights Movement to Women’s suffrage to the Stonewall Uprising — when people have had enough, they come together to demand change. Although the systemic oppressive nature of America has not been alleviated, the work of those who fight to dismantle said systems has caught the attention of certain politicians, policymakers, and companies. While some are just catching on, many have been side by side in the fight, creating space for equality to ring free. Although Meta doesn’t claim to get it all right, the tech giant is working to create a culture...
Aug 22, 2022
Meta is facing the infamous situation of “It be your own people.” Well, rather in this case your own technology. BBC reports that BlenderBot 3 — the company’s prototype chatbot that uses artificial intelligence to speak on most topics — said what it had to say about CEO and founder Mark Zuckerberg. “He did a terrible job at testifying before congress. It makes me concerned about our country,” the chatbot said, according to the outlet. It added: “Our country is divided and he didn’t help at all. I’m concerned for us all.” The chatbot was referring to Zuckerberg’s multiple appearances since 2018 before Congress stemming from Facebook’s involvement with Cambridge Analytica during the 2016 election cycle. “Mark Zuckerberg ought to be looking at himself in the mirror today, and yet, rather than taking responsibility and showing leadership, Mr. Zuckerberg is going sailing,” said Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., chair of the subcommittee, during a hearing with Facebook whistleblower...
Aug 18, 2022
“Baby, THIS, is Keke Palmer.” Earlier this week, the actress had to make it clear that she is that girl . After a tweet comparing her career in Hollywood to Zendaya’s went viral, the 28-year-old hit send on a tweet of her own in response, as previously reported by Shadow and Act. “A great example of colorism is to believe I can be compared to anyone. I’m the youngest talk show host ever. The first Black woman to star in her own show on Nickelodeon, & the youngest & first Black Cinderella on broadway. I’m an incomparable talent,” Palmer tweeted. A great example of colorism is to believe I can be compared to anyone. I’m the youngest talk show host ever. The first Black woman to star in her own show on Nickelodeon, & the youngest & first Black Cinderella on broadway. I’m an incomparable talent. Baby, THIS, is Keke Palmer. — Keke Palmer (@KekePalmer) July 24, 2022 Now, the star has added yet another hosting gig to her lengthy resume!
Jul 26, 2022
Facebook has officially changed the game for musicians. The leading social media network has announced its first-of-its-kind music licensing feature, which allows creatives to cash in when their music is used across the platform. According to a blog post, the Music Revenue Sharing feature will equip eligible creators with a 20 percent revenue share when their licensed music is used across videos that meet the criteria on the application. While the Meta company has not yet clarified the amount that the company will receive from the licensed catalogs, they did reveal that the “expansive licensed catalog” is filled with music from various artists. This function is currently available within the U.S. market, thanks to a program developed by Meta called Rights Manager. This video, audio, and image-matching software is designed to help creators maintain their rights , while also helping them to manage their content at scale. Furthermore, the feature was created with the help of the...
Jul 26, 2022
Jordan Peele’s “NOPE,” one of this summer’s biggest movies starring Daniel Kaluuya and Keke Palmer, is on its way to the big screen. Ahead of its theaters’ premiere on July 22, Monkeypaw Productions — founded by the director and producer — and Meta have collaborated to take viewers inside of the upcoming horror film.
Jul 13, 2022
Boosted by technology, Meta is highlighting Black creators and leaders to build a more equitable future for underrepresented communities. This is all made possible by the Metaverse Culture Series. As AfroTech previously told you, the initiative is a part of a year-long commitment to work directly with Black creators and leaders to build inclusivity in the tech space by ensuring their perspectives are present.
May 20, 2022
With the debate on filters being a harmful tool or not, Texas has enacted a change that establishes its stance on the matter. CBS 19 reports that the city’s Attorney General sued Meta — Instagram’s parent company — in February for its “misuse of their facial recognition technology.” On May 11, as a result, Texas fans of Instagram’s filters are no longer able to use a handful of its selection. While many use filters with no foul intent, it appears that they go against the Texas Capture or Use of Biometric Identifier Act — facial recognition laws which were emplaced to keep social media companies like Meta from tagging users without consent. According to the outlet, a similar move was made in Illinois based on its Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act. “The technology we use to power augmented reality effects like avatars and filters is not facial recognition or any technology covered by the Texas and Illinois laws, and is not used to identify anyone,” the Communications team at...
May 11, 2022
Meta’s Horizon Worlds is expanding by helping its users make an income in the metaverse. The company has started testing two ways for creators to monetize being on its social VR platform, according to Adweek. On April 11, it was announced that a “handful” of creators would test the ability to craft and sell virtual items and effects. “The metaverse—by nature of its not being limited by physical space—will bring a new level of creativity and open up new opportunities for the next generation of creators and businesses to pursue their passions and create livelihoods,” Meta said via a blog post, according to Adweek. ” Creators and entrepreneurs will have more freedom to find a business model that works for them. So, we’re excited to take this step today and expand further on the $10 million Horizon Creators Fund we announced last October, which we’ve been using to provide resources to Horizon Worlds creators. We’ll continue to work with our creator community and test and learn.” As of...
Apr 12, 2022
Rooted in the audacity of hope, dreams and big ideas are often the catalysts to action and solutions. Some of the world’s most-noted movers and shakers have created platforms, programs and companies that all started as a dream. Meta began as an idea to see communities globally connect in one place. And now the metaverse is a virtual space where people can gather in real time no matter their location. Beyond the external-facing platforms, Meta has an internal company culture that supports innovative ideas, thought-provoking solutions and the drive to turn dreams into reality. Recently, AfroTech had the opportunity to learn how Brandon C. Dudley and Jahmeilah Roberson, two Meta employees on the virtual reality teams, are working to build a diverse and inclusive metaverse through the power of augmented and virtual reality. Creativity Is at the Core As a Product Manager, Brandon Dudley had a personalized entry into tech because of his hometown roots in Detroit. Beginning his career...
Apr 12, 2022
When Mark Zuckerberg first announced the mission for Meta, he made it known that the social platform was “going to be the metaverse.” Since its rebrand, Meta has launched various initiatives to make sure the Black community is represented in the virtual reality space from creatives to entrepreneurs. AfroTech previously reported on the company’s Meta Elevate program, where for its inaugural cohort, Ciara selected 10 Black-owned businesses to receive marketing mentorship from the tech giant. Recently, in timing with Black History Month, Meta launched the Metaverse Culture Series — a year-long virtual reality initiative that aims to collaborate with Black leaders and creators to ultimately create more inclusivity in tech, an Oculus blog post shared. The new series announced VR artist Gabe Gault as its first Artist in Residence. According to the Los Angeles-based artist, the partnership came after Meta saw his work in the metaverse space. With the series’ launch, he believes it will...
Mar 8, 2022