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Meta

Meta To Cut 5% Of Lowest-Performing Workers, Zuckerberg Braces For 'Intense Year': Reports Meta To Cut 5% Of Lowest-Performing Workers, Zuckerberg Braces For 'Intense Year': Reports
Meta To Cut 5% Of Lowest-Performing Workers, Zuckerberg Braces For 'Intense Year': Reports Meta will cut thousands of employees in the latest move for the controversial company that owns platforms like Facebook and Instagram, according to reports. An internal memo sent to Meta workers said five percent of low-performing employees will be terminated, Bloomberg News reported. The company that also owns WhatsApp and Threads has more than 72,000 employees, according to Meta's most recent quarterly report. A five-percent reduction would mean about 3,600 people could lose their jobs. "I've decided to raise the bar on performance management and move out low-performers faster,…
Meta Drops Fact-Checking Program Ahead Of Trump's White House Return, Company Says Meta Drops Fact-Checking Program Ahead Of Trump's White House Return, Company Says
Meta Drops Fact-Checking Program Ahead Of Trump's White House Return, Company Says Meta is dismantling its third-party fact-checking program in the U.S. and aims to bring back political content as President-elect Donald Trump prepares to return to the White House, the company said. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced the changes in a video statement on Tuesday, Jan. 7. The company that owns Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Threads, will replace its fact-checking program with a Community Notes system similar to the one implemented on X (formerly Twitter). Zuckerberg said the new system's goal is to reduce bias and restore free expression. "Fact-checkers have be…
ChatGPT Goes Down, X Users Coming In Hot With Memes ChatGPT Goes Down, X Users Coming In Hot With Memes
ChatGPT Goes Down, X Users Coming In Hot With Memes Hours after a Meta outage left Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp users in the dark, ChatGPT seems to be following suit. Users of the AI website began experiencing technical difficulties sometime around 8 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 11. A message on the website as of 9:20 p.m. reads: "ChatGPT is currently unavailable. Status: Identified - We have identified the issue and are working to roll out a fix." Naturally, X users had a field day. #ChatGPT is down. Looks like everyone will have to finish their assignments the old fashioned way. pic.twitter.com/68xVq9DNf8 — Xon Kurama (@XonKurama) Decemb…
Meta Outages: Thousands Experiencing Issues With Facebook, Instagram, Other Platforms Meta Outages: Thousands Experiencing Issues With Facebook, Instagram, Other Platforms
Meta Outages: Thousands Experiencing Issues With Facebook, Instagram, Other Platforms Tens of thousands of Meta users are experiencing outages across its platforms. Just before 1 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 11, there were numerous reports of outages on Downdetector.com, including 69,000 on Instagram, over 1,000 on Facebook, and 10,000 on WhatsApp. Meta issued a statement on the outages on X at around 1:45 p.m. "We’re aware that a technical issue is impacting some users’ ability to access our apps," the statement said. "We’re working to get things back to normal as quickly as possible and apologize for any inconvenience." We’re aware that a technical issue is impacting some use…
Famous Investor To Open New Independent Bookstore In Bedford: Here's When Famous Investor To Open New Independent Bookstore In Bedford: Here's When
Famous Investor To Open New Independent Bookstore In Bedford: Here's When A well-known entrepreneur and investor who lives in Northern Westchester is about to open a bookstore in her hometown.  Bedford Books, located at 13 Court Rd. in Bedford, will hold a grand opening celebration on Thursday, Dec. 12 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., according to owner Fran Hauser. “Opening a bookstore has been my lifelong dream, and I’m so excited to share Bedford Books with our wonderful community,” Hauser said, adding, “I hope the bookstore will be a welcoming place where people can find inspiration, learn new things, and connect with others."  The bookstore's grand opening…
Moderation Mess: Meta Admits Harmless Content Often Gets Taken Down Moderation Mess: Meta Admits Harmless Content Often Gets Taken Down
Moderation Mess: Meta Admits Harmless Content Often Gets Taken Down Meta is admitting that harmless content gets taken down amid criticism for its handling of moderation. “Too often, harmless content gets taken down, or restricted, and too many people get penalized unfairly,” the company's president of global affairs, Nick Glegg, told reporters on Monday, Dec. 2, according to a report in The Verge. Meta's platforms include Facebook, Instagram, Threads, and WhatsApp. Despite advancements in AI moderation, Clegg acknowledged there is still “work to do” in ensuring fair and accurate enforcement, the report said. Meta has promised to refine its…
Fire Pits Sold At Retailers Nationwide Recalled After Multiple Burn Injuries Reported Fire Pits Sold At Retailers Nationwide Recalled After Multiple Burn Injuries Reported
Fire Pits Sold At Retailers Nationwide Recalled After Multiple Burn Injuries Reported Nearly 90,000 popular fire pits sold at major retailers nationwide are subject to a federal recall due to concerns about flames escaping from their containers and causing critical injuries. Homeowners have been advised to stop using several Colsen-branded fire pits after receiving multiple reports of serious burn injuries suffered by users, according to the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). "Alcohol flames can be invisible and lead to flame jetting when refilling the fire pit reservoir," a CPSC notice states.  "Flame jetting is a serious event that can occur while pouring …
Sweeping Change: Instagram Moves Teens Into Private Accounts 'Guided By Parents' Sweeping Change: Instagram Moves Teens Into Private Accounts 'Guided By Parents'
Sweeping Change: Instagram Moves Teens Into Private Accounts 'Guided By Parents' Millions of teenage Instagram users are being forced into private accounts with enhanced security features aimed at limiting their exposure to harmful content. Meta, the social media platform’s parent company, unveiled its “Teen Accounts” feature on Tuesday, Sept. 17, automatically placing anyone under the age of 18 into a default private account. Teens with a private account must accept new followers and people who don’t follow them can’t see their contact or interact with them. It also comes with strict messaging settings, making it so they can only receive messages from people they foll…
Empower Creativity At Cre8tor Incubator’s Summer Workshops For Kids! Empower Creativity At Cre8tor Incubator’s Summer Workshops For Kids!
Empower Creativity At Cre8tor Incubator’s Summer Workshops For Kids! Cre8tor Incubator is excited to offer new creative technology summer workshops for kids in July and August in Scarsdale, NY, at 135 Summerfield Street. These programs attract children from nearby towns such as Larchmont, Mamaroneck, Bronxville, Pelham, and more. Designed to ignite young imaginations, the workshops provide the curriculum and resources needed to responsibly and safely launch their own YouTube channels. With new sessions every week, parents can enroll their children for one week or the entire summer! Additionally, Cre8tor Incubator offers a robust after-school program starting i…
Facebook, Instagram Issues Resolved After Widespread Outage: Meta Facebook, Instagram Issues Resolved After Widespread Outage: Meta
Facebook, Instagram Issues Resolved After Widespread Outage: Meta Facebook and Instagram users were locked out of their accounts Tuesday morning, March 5 in what appeared to have been a widespread outage. Hundreds and thousands of both Facebook and Instagram users had reported problems on DownDetector as of 11 a.m. The issue was resolved at approximately 11:45 a.m. Meta spokesman Andy Stone addressed the outage on Twitter: Earlier today, a technical issue caused people to have difficulty accessing some of our services. We resolved the issue as quickly as possible for everyone who was impacted, and we apologize for any inconvenience. https://t.co/ybyy…
25-Year-Old Nanny Admits Stealing $25K In Items From Stamford Family 25-Year-Old Nanny Admits Stealing $25K In Items From Stamford Family
25-Year-Old Nanny Admits Stealing $25K In Items From Stamford Family A nanny has been charged with larceny after she allegedly stole expensive items from her employer in Fairfield County. Maria Fermin, age 25, of Stamford, was charged on Monday, Dec. 4 after the family began noticing missing items from their home, said Capt. Tom Scanlon of the Stamford Pollice. The family first noticed an expensive camera lens missing, then a tennis bracelet, a purse, and $15,000 cash, Scanlon said. The family suspected Fermin because they observed Meta photos where Fermin was wearing items identical to the ones they were missing.  Financial Crimes Investigator Vaness…
NY AG James Joins Lawsuit Against Meta With 32 Other States: 'They Must Be Held Accountable' NY AG James Joins Lawsuit Against Meta With 32 Other States: 'They Must Be Held Accountable'
NY AG James Joins Lawsuit Against Meta With 32 Other States: 'They Must Be Held Accountable' New York Attorney General Letitia James and a group of attorneys general from 32 other states have filed a federal lawsuit against Meta for contributing to a mental health crisis among young people, officials announced. The lawsuit, filed in the US District Court for the Northern District of California, alleges that the social media company knowingly designed and implemented features on Instagram, Facebook, and other platforms that purposefully take advantage of children and teens, James' office announced on Tuesday, Oct. 24.  Additionally, the lawsuit also charges Meta with collecting…
NY AG James Urges Social Media Companies To Stop Hateful Content After Attacks In Israel NY AG James Urges Social Media Companies To Stop Hateful Content After Attacks In Israel
NY AG James Urges Social Media Companies To Stop Hateful Content After Attacks In Israel New York Attorney General Letitia James has sent a series of letters to several social media companies urging them to take action and remove hateful content posted in response to the violence taking place in Israel.  The letters, announced by the Attorney General's Office on Friday, Oct. 13, all request that each company provide thorough explanations of how they are stopping the spread of hateful content that encourages violence against Jewish and Muslim people or institutions in the aftermath of violent attacks committed against Israel by the Hamas militant group.  Jame…
Disinformation Spreads On LI Amid Israel-Hamas War, Calls For Social Media Change In NY Disinformation Spreads On LI Amid Israel-Hamas War, Calls For Social Media Change In NY
Disinformation Spreads On LI Amid Israel-Hamas War, Calls For Social Media Change In NY While communities grieve and New York officials call for social media companies to tamp down on hateful content, false information about the Israel-Hamas war has spread at a rapid pace — even at home on Long Island. It started with a simple post on X (formerly known as Twitter) by CBS New York reporter Tim McNicholas on Wednesday, Oct. 11. McNicholas, an investigative journalist who has worked in the industry for years, posted a video showing that his car was stuck on the Cross Bronx Expressway near Throgs Neck thanks to a driver who “decided it was time to do some donuts,” as he put it. …
'You Are Dead': CT Man Posts Threatening Message To Lamont, Murphy, Police Say 'You Are Dead': CT Man Posts Threatening Message To Lamont, Murphy, Police Say
'You Are Dead': CT Man Posts Threatening Message To Lamont, Murphy, Police Say A Connecticut man has been charged with harassment after posting a threatening message on Instagram allegedly threatening Gov. Ned Lamont and US Sen. Chris Murphy, D-5th District. Hartford County resident Sean Richard Palla, age 36, of Manchester, was arrested on Wednesday, June 14, by Connecticut State Police for messages posted on Wednesday, May 24. According to an arrest warrant, Palla, who used the username "tOpsecretalien" posted a message that read "Hey @govnedlamont you are DEAD!" Along with @senchrismurphy. The warrant said that although the account was private, investiga…
How To Get Your Share: Facebook Users Can Now Apply For Part Of $725M Settlement How To Get Your Share: Facebook Users Can Now Apply For Part Of $725M Settlement
How To Get Your Share: Facebook Users Can Now Apply For Part Of $725M Settlement Many Facebook users may soon have some money headed their way. Those who had an active account on Facebook anytime between May 2007 and December 2022 can now apply to receive a share of parent company Meta's $725 million settlement. The lawsuit alleged that Facebook permitted the former United Kingdom-based political consulting firm Cambridge Analytica to access about 87 million users' personal information during the 2016 presidential campaign. Facebook users during that time frame can apply for the funds online now or by mailing their forms by Friday, Aug. 25. The claim form and general …
Amazon Plans To Lay Off Around 10,000 Employees, Report Says Amazon Plans To Lay Off Around 10,000 Employees, Report Says
Amazon Plans To Lay Off Around 10,000 Employees, Report Says A week before the holiday shopping season officially kicks off, Amazon is set to begin laying off approximately 10,000 corporate and technology employees, The New York Times reports. Job cuts at the online retail giant were expected to start the week of Monday, Nov. 14, and will primarily affect Amazon’s retail, devices, and human resources divisions, according to the outlet. The largest in its history, the layoffs would impact 1 percent of the company’s global workforce and 3 percent of its corporate employees. It follows several other cost-cutting moves that CEO Andy Jassy has implemente…
Facebook Parent Company Meta Laying Off More Than 11,000 Workers Facebook Parent Company Meta Laying Off More Than 11,000 Workers
Facebook Parent Company Meta Laying Off More Than 11,000 Workers Meta, the parent company of Facebook, has just announced it is laying off more than 11,000 employees, about 13 percent of its workforce. "Today I’m sharing some of the most difficult changes we’ve made in Meta’s history," CEO Mark Zuckerberg began in a letter to employees Wednesday morning, Nov. 9. "We are also taking a number of additional steps to become a leaner and more efficient company by cutting discretionary spending and extending our hiring freeze through Q1 (the first quarter). "I want to take accountability for these decisions and for how we got here. I know this …
Major Companies Say They'll Cover Employee Travel Expenses For Abortions Major Companies Say They'll Cover Employee Travel Expenses For Abortions
Major Companies Say They'll Cover Employee Travel Expenses For Abortions Several major media companies will cover travel costs for employees seeking abortions in response to the Supreme Court overturning Roe vs. Wade, Variety reports.  This comes after the court ruled 6-3 to overturn people's constitutional right to the procedure on the morning of Friday, June 24. Companies including Disney, Netflix, Paramount, Comcast, Sony and Meta confirmed to Variety that they will be reimbursing their employees who travel across state lines to get an abortion. You can read what these companies said by clicking here. 
CT Mom Sues Social Media Companies Over Daughter's Death CT Mom Sues Social Media Companies Over Daughter's Death
CT Mom Sues Social Media Companies Over Daughter's Death A Connecticut mother has sued Meta-owned Instagram and Snapchat alleging the two played a role in her 11-year-old daughter's suicide. Hartford County mother Tammy Rodriguez of Enfield said she noticed a change in her daughter, Selena, as she became addicted to the media platforms, reported Bloomberg News. The child suffered from depression and sleep deprivation after becoming addicted, Rodriguez alleged in a lawsuit filed in San Francisco federal court. Rodriguez said in the suit, Selena struggled for two years with "extreme addiction," and that the companies have deliberately de…
Facebook Rebrands Company Name Facebook Rebrands Company Name
Facebook Rebrands Company Name Facebook users, welcome to the "Metaverse." CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced Thursday that Facebook will be changing its name to "Meta." "The metaverse is the next evolution of social connection," Meta's website says. "Our company’s vision is to help bring the metaverse to life, so we are changing our name to reflect our commitment to this future." The platform will combine its apps and technologies under the new, singular company brand, Facebook said in a statement.  Corporate structure will not be changing, but its financials will, Facebook officials said. The company will begin trad…
Facebook Unveils New Name, Logo, Says It Will Shift Focus To Virtual World Facebook Unveils New Name, Logo, Says It Will Shift Focus To Virtual World
Facebook Unveils New Name, Logo, Says It Will Shift Focus To Virtual World Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg has announced a name change and a new logo for the company. Facebook is being rebranded as "Meta," according to an announcement on Thursday, Oct. 28.  Zuckerberg said the company's mission remains the same, and the apps and its existing brands aren't going to change with the company's new branding. However, he said all the company's products now share a "new vision." "From now on, we will be metaverse-first, not Facebook-first," he said. "That means that over time you won’t need a Facebook account to use our other services. As our new brand starts showing…