Lifestyle

As the web turns 30, is it an ‘out-of-control monster’?

by Agnès PEDRERO MEYRIN, Switzerland (AFP) — Thirty years ago this month, a young British software engineer working at a lab near Geneva invented a system for scientists to share information that would ultimately change humanity. But three decades after he invented the World Wide Web, Tim Berners-Lee has warned that his creation has been “hijacked by crooks” that may spell its destruction. Berner-Lee’s old office at Europe’s physics lab CERN now looks no different […]

Facebook’s ‘Workplace’ claims two million users

SAN FRANCISCO, United States (AFP) — A version of Facebook tailored for businesses collaboration announced Thursday that it has more than two million paying subscribers “Workplace by Facebook” is an enterprise-oriented version of the social network that, instead of distracting workers, lets them connect and collaborate. The software-as-a-service business began as an internal collaboration platform used at Facebook and was launched as a separate business in 2016. Workplace by Facebook went from no paid subscribers […]

TikTok app fined in US for illegally gathering children’s data

WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — The fast-growing, Chinese-owned video sharing network TikTok agreed to pay a $5.7 million fine to US authorities to settle charges that it illegally collected personal information from children, officials said Wednesday. The Federal Trade Commission said the penalty by the social network, which had been known as Musical.ly, was the largest ever in a children’s privacy investigation. The social network, which has been surging in popularity with young smartphone users […]

Black History Month: The legacy of L. B. Brown, former slave turned community builder

By Melissa Sarmiento Allen EBC Florida Bureau POLK COUNTY, Florida (Eagle News) – Along an unassuming street in the quaint town of Bartow sits one of Florida’s historical crown jewels, The L.B. Brown House, which is listed in the National Register of Historic Places and named after its builder and original owner, Lawrence Bernard Brown, an African-American who was born into slavery in 1856. Despite having limited formal schooling, Brown was something of a Renaissance […]

Nepal social media bill sparks freedom of speech concerns

KATHMANDU, Nepal (AFP) — Nepal’s government on Wednesday tabled draft legislation that would impose harsh penalties for “improper” social media posts, igniting concerns it could be used to suppress freedom of speech and stifle dissent. Under the proposed law, the government would have the power to block social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter and YouTube unless they register in Nepal. And social media posts deemed defamatory or against national sovereignty could be punished with up […]

Hello Kitty Cafe makes pit stop in Tampa

By Angelo Corpuz EBC Florida Bureau TAMPA, Florida (Eagle News)– Hundreds of mallgoers created lines that stretched from one side of the Westshore Plaza Mall to the other, as fans of Sanrio products were eager to see what the Hello Kitty Cafe touring truck had to offer. One couple was determined to brave the long line and buy limited time Hello Kitty products, however, they were expecting a little more from the cafe. “I was […]

Alibaba takes stake in Chinese video platform Bilibili

BEIJING, China (AFP) — Alibaba has bought an eight percent stake in Chinese online video sharing and entertainment service Bilibili for an undisclosed amount, state news agency Xinhua reported. Alibaba’s e-commerce arm Taobao will reportedly own 24 million shares in Nasdaq-listed Bilibili, which claims tens of millions of regular users, mainly among young anime, comic and computer game fans in China. Chen Rui, Bilibili’s CEO and chairman, said he hoped the collaboration would help Bilibili […]

Two top executives leave Facebook PR team

SAN FRANCISCO, United States (AFP) — Two of Facebook’s top executives in its public relations team are leaving the company, stepping away after the most tumultuous period in the history of the social networking giant. Caryn Marooney put out word on Wednesday that she is quitting her job as leader of Facebook’s communications group after eight years at the social network and is working with chief executive Mark Zuckerberg on finding a replacement. Marooney wrote […]

Facebook lets senders undo sent Messenger missives

SAN FRANCISCO, United States (AFP) — Facebook on Tuesday added a Messenger feature for anyone who has fired off a comment they regretted — a way to take it back. Messenger users will now have a 10-minute window after sending a message to undo it, leaving behind a note telling everyone in a conversation that the remark was removed, according to the leading online social network. “Have you ever accidentally sent a message to the […]

Zuckerberg sees ‘positive’ force of Facebook despite firestorm

  SAN FRANCISCO, United States (AFP) — Mark Zuckerberg said Monday he sees Facebook as a largely “positive” force for society as the embattled social network marked its 15th anniversary. Even as Facebook is facing a wave of criticism over issues of manipulation, misinformation, abuse and other social ills, Zuckerberg said it would be a mistake “to overly emphasize the negative” impacts of social media and the internet. The Facebook co-founder and chief executive said […]

Facebook at 15: a titan with grown-up woes

by Glenn CHAPMAN Agence France Presse SAN FRANCISCO, United States (AFP) — Fifteen years after its founding, Facebook has made strides toward Mark Zuckerberg’s goal of connecting the world. But it has also made some huge missteps that have turned some of its cheerleaders into vocal detractors. The online social network founded on February 4, 2004 in Zuckerberg’s Harvard University dorm heads into adolescence with the grown-up burdens of being held accountable for its behavior […]