Instagram launches new tools to ban self-harm and suicide
- Instagram has launched new technology to recognise self-harm and suicide content on its app in the UK and Europe
- The new tools can identify both images and words that break its rules on harmful posts
- It will make posts less visible in the app and, in extreme cases, remove it automatically
- Facebook, which owns Instagram, said it was an “important step” but the company wanted to do “a lot more”
- Head of Instagram Adam Mosseri detailed the new system, which uses artificial intelligence, in a blog post on its website
New report highlights ways in which social media could be regulated
- A report published by the Forum Information and Democracy has put forward a range of ideas that its authors say could end “informational chaos that poses a vital threat to democracies”
- This report comes as several countries consider how best to regulate social media
- One of its suggestions is that social networks should be required to release details of their algorithms and core functions to trusted researchers, in order for the technology to be vetted
- The report received contributions from Cambridge Analytica whistleblower Christopher Wylie, and former Facebook investor Roger McNamee
- Free expression group Article 19 and digital rights groups including the Electronic Frontier Foundation were also consulted
Former National Cyber Security Head warns against weaponising internet
- In cyber-space, a strong defence should take precedence over arming ourselves with new weapons, the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC)’s ex-chief has warned
- Ciaran Martin added that we “weaponise” and “militarise the internet at our peril”.
- His remarks follow reports of the use of offensive cyber-techniques by nations, including the UK
- Mr Martin said he was not a digital pacifist, but he urged restraint
- “The case for cyber-restraint is a hard-headed one,” he said in a lecture to the Strand Group, part of King’s College
- “A more secure digital environment is the best guarantor of safety and security for Western countries in the digital age”
Facebook extends political ad ban amid Trumps refusal to concede election
- Facebook on Wednesday announced an extension on its political advertising ban for at least another month, citing delays in election results due to COVID-19 and unprecedented rates of mail-in and absentee voting
- A spokesperson said, “The temporary pause for ads about politics and social issues in the US continues to be in place as part of our ongoing efforts to protect the election…we’ve introduced a range of policies and products to help protect the integrity of the election and reduce opportunities for confusion or abuse.”
- Facebook does not explicitly mention that the current US presidential race has already been called in favour of President-elect Joe Biden, while President Donald Trump has refused to concede and is using claims of election fraud to dispute the results and mount legal challenges in battleground states
