Fame

Meta reaches privacy settlement, denies any wrongdoing

Published

2 years ago

August 24, 2022

Meta reaches privacy settlement, agreeing to pay $37.5 million in compensation

There are new reports Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, has reached a $37.5 million privacy settlement.

Filed earlier this week in San Francisco’s Federal Court, the settlement is in response to a class action accusing Facebook of violating both California state law and its own privacy policy.

Meta allegedly collected consumer data despite users shutting off location services on their mobile devices.

Whilst agreeing to pay, Meta continues to deny any wrongdoing as the deal awaits a judge’s final approval.

In 2018, then-Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg admitted that location data was used to help advertisers reach their target audiences.

Zuckerberg said the data was useful to assist advertisers in serving more targeted promotions to users within a specific geographic area.

While some people find this feature helpful, others have complained that the move is highly invasive.

Much has changed in the world of user data collection since this lawsuit was first lodged. Apple now allows consumers to turn off the ability for apps, like Facebook, to track activity. While Facebook is also allowing users to clear their history on the app.

Of course, people who have switched off these functions have impeded advertisers’ capability in accurately measuring ad performance.

It remains unclear if Meta has reached this settlement in a bid to make this case to disappear or if it is acknowledgement of former poor practices that have now been rectified.

Related Topics:Facebook Featured Tech trending

Up Next

Glass slippers are on for Cinderella reunion

Don't Miss

Is Instagram losing relevance?

Dr Karen Sutherland

Dr Karen Sutherland is a Senior Lecturer at the University of the Sunshine Coast where she designs and delivers social media education and research. Dr Sutherland is also the Co-Founder and Social Media Specialist at Dharana Digital marketing agency focused on helping people working in the health and wellness space.

Fame

Streaming service shift and the award season snubs

Published

3 months ago

January 24, 2024

Mike Loder

Netflix Introduces Changes to Subscription Model, Academy Award Nominations Spark Cinematic Buzz, and the Doomsday Clock Continues its Ominous Ticking.

Netflix is set to discontinue its ad-free Basic subscription in select countries, commencing with Canada and the UK in Q2 2024.

This strategic shift introduces a significant price increase for the baseline entry, signalling potential adjustments to Netflix’s global pricing structure.

Simultaneously, the 96th edition of the Academy Award nominations has stirred cinematic debates, with the prevailing question being whether the upcoming season will be dominated by “Barbie” or “Oppenheimer.” These contrasting narratives set the stage for a fierce competition, highlighting the diverse and compelling offerings in this year’s film industry.

Beyond the realm of entertainment, the Doomsday Clock, a symbolic representation of the likelihood of a human-made global catastrophe, continues its ominous countdown.

Maintained since 1947 by the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, the clock serves as a metaphor for threats arising from unchecked scientific and technological advances. As global tensions, environmental challenges, and technological risks persist, the ticking of the Doomsday Clock serves as a poignant reminder of the urgent need to address multifaceted threats to humanity.

Fame

Adidas faces potential $320M Yeezy shoe write-off post-Kanye split

Published

5 months ago

November 9, 2023

ticker NEWS

Adidas is contemplating a significant financial blow as it considers writing off $320 million worth of Yeezy shoes following its separation from music and fashion icon Kanye West.

The sportswear giant’s decision to sever ties with West’s Yeezy brand has left a mountain of unsold merchandise, threatening to dent the company’s balance sheet.

The partnership between Adidas and Kanye West, which began in 2013, had been immensely successful, with Yeezy shoes becoming a highly sought-after fashion statement.

However, recent controversies and disagreements between West and Adidas prompted the sportswear company to distance itself from the celebrity designer.

The massive inventory of Yeezy shoes now presents a dilemma for Adidas, as it grapples with finding a solution to deal with the surplus stock. A $320 million write-off could significantly impact the company’s financial performance in the short term.

Adidas is currently exploring various options, including discounting, donating, or repurposing the unsold inventory to mitigate the financial hit.

Fame

Warner Bros discovery warns of Hollywood’s ‘real risk’ post-strikes’

Published

5 months ago

November 9, 2023

ticker NEWS

Warner Bros Discovery, has issued a stark warning regarding the ‘real risk’ that Hollywood faces in the aftermath of the recent strikes that have taken a considerable toll on the industry’s financial health.

The strikes, which disrupted film and television production for several weeks, resulted in substantial financial losses for studios, production companies, and countless industry professionals.

Warner Bros Discovery emphasised the necessity for a resilient and adaptable approach to navigate the ongoing challenges and uncertainties facing the film and television sector.

The conglomerate stressed the importance of implementing measures to mitigate such risks in the future, which include fostering better labour relations and contingency planning to safeguard against potential disruptions.

The message underlined the need for the industry to adapt to the evolving landscape of content creation and distribution, particularly in the digital era.

This warning from Warner Bros Discovery highlights the need for the entertainment industry to recognise the ever-changing dynamics and economic challenges, and the importance of preparedness to maintain its prominent position in the global market.