Social media giant cracks down on hashtags associated with Bucha killings

Published

4 years ago

April 5, 2022

Videos showing the corpses of many people shot at close range in the previously Russian-occupied town were seen on many of Meta’s platforms.

Meta’s spokesman Andy Stone says the ban was applied by the company’s automated systems that search for violent imagery on Facebook and Instagram.

Hashtags including #Bucha and #BuchaMassacre were blocked

Stone says “This happened automatically because of the graphic content people posted using these hashtags. When we were made aware of the issue yesterday, we acted quickly to unblock the hashtags”.

Meta allows such content for the purpose of raising awareness of potential human rights abuses only blocking content that is extremely graphic or portrays suffering in a positive light.

The issue has been recognised by several human rights groups who have spoken against Meta’s removal of violent content during conflicts.

They condemn Meta for deleting critical evidence of war crimes.

Stone says the company is looking into preserving this content even after it is removed.

Sam Altman predicts superintelligence could appear by 2028

Sam Altman warns superintelligence may arise by 2028, advocating for global cooperation and a new governing body for AI.

Published

2 days ago

February 20, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Sam Altman warns superintelligence may arise by 2028, advocating for global cooperation and a new governing body for AI.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has issued a bold prediction, suggesting that early forms of superintelligence could emerge as soon as 2028. Speaking at the India AI Impact Summit, Altman emphasised the urgent need for global cooperation to manage AI development responsibly.

He proposed the creation of an international oversight body for AI, similar to the International Atomic Energy Agency, to prevent misuse and ensure ethical advancements. Altman also raised concerns about authoritarian control in exchange for technological gains, highlighting the geopolitical stakes of AI.

With over 100 million users in India alone, ChatGPT has become a key part of the AI landscape. Altman acknowledged potential job disruptions but expressed optimism about society’s ability to adapt to rapid AI changes.

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Tech

Apple faces legal action as West Virginia sues over child safety

West Virginia AG John McCuskey sues Apple for failing to block child abuse material on iCloud and iOS devices.

Published

2 days ago

February 20, 2026

Harvey Vargas

West Virginia AG John McCuskey sues Apple for failing to block child abuse material on iCloud and iOS devices.

West Virginia’s attorney general John McCuskey has filed a lawsuit against Apple Inc., alleging the tech giant failed to properly prevent child sexual abuse material from circulating on iCloud and iOS devices. The legal action claims the company’s strong stance on user privacy may have come at the expense of child safety protections.

McCuskey argues that other major tech firms, including Google and Microsoft, have taken stronger steps to detect and remove such content. The lawsuit intensifies scrutiny on how Silicon Valley balances encryption, privacy, and online safety.

The case could have major implications for Apple’s privacy-first branding and how platforms police illegal material moving forward.

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Tech

Zuckerberg testifies on social media addiction and child safety

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg testifies in LA trial over claims that platforms are addictive and harmful to children.

Published

3 days ago

February 19, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg testifies in LA trial over claims that platforms are addictive and harmful to children.

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, is testifying at a landmark social media trial in Los Angeles, marking a pivotal moment in the debate over online child safety. Lawyers for the plaintiffs argue that Meta intentionally designed its platforms to be addictive, putting young users at risk.

This is the first time Zuckerberg has addressed concerns about child safety directly before a jury, with KGM’s case acting as one of around 20 test trials aimed at gauging how jurors respond to claims that social media companies knowingly fuel harmful engagement.

The outcome could set the tone for future litigation against tech giants and reshape how platforms are designed, regulated and held accountable.

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