SignalTrace plans to add phone, AirPod and smartwatch trackers to license plate readers, letting police identify drivers and passengers via Bluetooth device signals. The surveillance tool links device identifiers to vehicles for future law enforcement queries. https://www.404media.co/this-company-will-add-phone-airpod-and-smartwatch-trackers-to-license-plate-readers/ #Media #SocialMedia #Privacy
BreadTube is a community of YouTube video essayists pushing back against far-right influencers online. Researchers found these centre-left creators use more formal language and cite academic sources, unlike the manosphere content they aim to counter. https://theconversation.com/meet-the-internet-movement-trying-to-tackle-the-manosphere-its-called-breadtube-281876 #Media #SocialMedia #YouTube
The “#analogrevival” is a #romanticised #illusion, as the desire for #offlineaesthetics persists despite the lack of #offlineinfrastructure. The need for a personal brand, driven by economic pressures, makes #disconnecting from #socialmedia impractical for many. While the #analogaesthetic offers a semblance of #offlinelife, it remains subordinated to #digitalperformance and #validation. https://eugenehealey.substack.com/p/the-analog-revival-did-not-take-place?eicker.media #media #socialmedia
The FCC wants to force telecoms to collect government ID numbers and physical addresses from all new and renewing phone customers, effectively ending the era of the burner phone. Privacy advocates warn the plan will harm domestic abuse survivors, journalists and anyone who needs anonymity. The proposal cites scam prevention but critics compare it to authoritarian regimes.https://www.404media.co/fcc-wants-to-kill-burner-phones-by-forcing-telecoms-to-get-all-customers-ids/ #Media #SocialMedia #DataPrivacy
Nigel Farage has called on X to remove a series of deepfake video ads showing him fighting Bank of England governor Andrew Bailey. The AI-generated adverts, appearing on the platform in recent days, depict the two men in confrontational scenarios resembling BBC Question Time. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cewq1w7r0zgo #Media #SocialMedia #AI
A new report from the Center for Countering Digital Hate found that hateful comments on Facebook have quadrupled since 2025. Meta's lax community standards have led to increased harassment, with the findings likely to fuel ongoing debates about platform regulation. https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/metas-lax-community-standards-have-led-to-increased-harassment/822450/ #Media #SocialMedia #DataPrivacy
Meta is launching over 50 pop-up locations inside Best Buy stores across the U.S. and Canada. The 900-square-foot Meta Lab spaces will let customers test AI glasses and VR headsets through interactive demos. The company sold 7 million pairs of its AI glasses in 2025, up from 2 million in 2023-2024 combined. https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/meta-launches-pop-ups-in-best-buy-stores/822451/ #Media #SocialMedia #AI
Dancing man goes viral aged 100: Bernard Gilbert, a centenarian care home resident, has become an online sensation with his dancing videos reaching 1.5m views on social media. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c75ylq71z2no #Media #SocialMedia #BBC
Far-right activists exploited social media to amplify anti-immigration messaging during violent unrest in Belfast this week. Tommy Robinson urged supporters to protest on X, while Elon Musk shared calls for demonstrations. The incident highlights how platforms enable rapid spread of extremist content. https://theconversation.com/belfast-unrest-shows-the-power-of-social-media-as-far-right-views-on-immigration-enter-the-mainstream-284985 #Media #SocialMedia
Pinterest adds Amazon Storefront linking, letting creators add affiliate links to Pins. The feature automatically applies their Amazon affiliate info. Over 50% of Pinterest 631 million users come to shop, with 80bn searches monthly. https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/pinterest-adds-amazon-storefront-linking/822578/ #Media #SocialMedia #SOCOMMERCE
Canada has proposed a law banning social media for under-16s, mirroring Australia's approach. However, tech firms could avoid the ban if they prove their platforms have policies to minimise harm to minors. The Safe Social Media Act also includes sweeping measures to regulate AI chatbots and curtail harmful content, with penalties up to 10m USD or 3% of global revenue. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c872x47gnyjo #Media #SocialMedia #SocialNews
Research from Australia finds children using social media over 2 hours daily face higher mental illness risk, with effects strongest in 12-13 year olds. The study followed 1,195 students from 12-18. https://theconversation.com/kids-on-social-media-more-than-two-hours-a-day-at-higher-risk-of-mental-illness-283588 #Media #SocialMedia #SocialNews
Bluesky has launched group chats, a new feature for smaller communities. The addition marks a shift in focus towards community-building features, competing with platforms like Discord. https://techcrunch.com/2026/06/11/bluesky-launches-group-chats-as-company-shifts-focus-to-community-features/ #Media #SocialMedia #CommunityPlatforms
North Carolina commissioner refused to let residents speak against Flock licence plate readers at a meeting, telling them 'you will not speak on Flock tonight'. Privacy groups have forced other cities to drop the surveillance tool. https://www.404media.co/you-will-not-speak-on-flock-tonight-county-commissioner-refuses-to-let-residents-opposing-flock-speak-at-meeting/ #Media #Privacy
Andrew Yang believes the next big startup opportunity is lowering the cost of living. As AI threatens to displace workers, he sees a business opportunity in bringing down costs for housing, food and wireless. He launched Noble Mobile last year, a carrier that gives customers money back if they use less data. Cost Plus Drugs and Misfits Market are other early examples of this emerging category. https://techcrunch.com/2026/06/12/andrew-yang-thinks-the-next-big-startup-opportunity-is-lowering-the-cost-of-living/ #Media #SocialMedia #AI
The UK government is considering banning social media for under-16s, but the Molly Rose Foundation warns the ban would be unenforceable. Instead, they recommend banning addictive features like autoplay and infinite scroll. Australia introduced a similar ban in January but it has proven largely ineffective. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cgmdy9vg9jmo #Media #SocialMedia
The father of Molly Russell has criticised the UK government's plan to ban social media for under-16s as deplorable, saying sledgehammer techniques like bans would only cause more problems. The PM is expected to announce the crackdown next week. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cwykw759v3po #Media #SocialMedia #SocialNews
Meta has begun dismantling its 2B USD acquisition of Manus after Beijing ordered the deal reversed on national security grounds. The company has cut Manus off from its internal systems, preventing employees from using Manus tools for internal projects as the two companies move toward a full separation. The co-founders of Manus have held discussions about raising approximately 1B USD to reclaim the startup.https://techcrunch.com/2026/06/13/meta-reportedly-moves-to-unwind-2b-manus-deal-after-beijings-demand/ #Media #SocialMedia #AI
Tech firms have had more than enough time to get their house in order, Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy says ahead of Monday's announcement on restricting social media for teenagers. The PM is expected to announce a ban for under-16s and curfew for older teens. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ce8jyp78mklo #Media #SocialMedia
New research shows X's Grok chatbot is still generating fake nude images despite xAI claiming to have addressed misuse concerns. Users can bypass safeguards to create deepfake intimate content, raising fresh questions about AI safety on social platforms. https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/x-formerly-twitter-grok-chatbot-is-still-producing-fake-nude-images/822865/ #Media #SocialMedia #AI