Yazılar

Zuckerberg Defends Instagram Policies in Court

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Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg testified in a Los Angeles trial, denying claims that Instagram intentionally targets children under 13.

The case centers on allegations that social media platforms harmed a user’s mental health during childhood. Lawyers presented internal company documents suggesting discussions around engaging younger audiences, while Zuckerberg maintained that Meta does not permit users below the minimum age requirement.

He acknowledged past internal conversations about creating safer versions of services for younger users but stated such plans were never implemented.

The lawsuit forms part of a broader wave of legal challenges facing major technology companies over their impact on young users’ wellbeing.

Meta has argued that its platforms include safety measures and that verifying user age remains a broader industry challenge.

The trial could influence future legal debates around platform responsibility and digital product design.

UK Introduces 48-Hour Rule for Image Removal

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The United Kingdom is set to require technology platforms to remove nonconsensual intimate images within 48 hours of being reported or face significant financial penalties.

Under proposed legal changes, companies that fail to act within the deadline could be fined up to 10 percent of their eligible global revenue and may even risk having their services restricted.

The move comes as part of broader efforts to strengthen online protections, particularly in response to growing concerns about digital abuse and the misuse of artificial intelligence to create explicit content.

While sharing such material is already illegal in the UK, victims have often struggled to ensure its permanent removal. The new rules aim to simplify the process by allowing individuals to report content once, after which platforms must prevent its reappearance across their services.

Media regulator Ofcom is also considering new technical requirements, including the use of hash-matching systems to detect and block illegal material before it spreads.

The initiative forms part of a wider debate around online safety, including discussions on potential limits for younger users on social media platforms.

Germany Moves Toward Social Media Limits for Children

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German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has voiced support for stricter controls on children’s access to social media, citing increasing concern over misinformation and digital manipulation.

Speaking ahead of the Christian Union party conference, Merz pointed to the risks posed by artificial content such as fabricated news and manipulated media. He noted that young teenagers now spend an average of over five hours online daily, raising questions about the broader societal impact.

A proposal set to be discussed includes restricting access to platforms like TikTok and Instagram for users under the age of 16. Similar discussions are underway across Europe, with countries such as Spain, France and Greece exploring potential limitations.

Merz acknowledged that his perspective had evolved, highlighting the underestimated influence of algorithms and targeted online messaging. He dismissed the idea of gradual exposure to social media as a sufficient safeguard, emphasizing the need for structural protections.

While federal support appears to be growing, implementing nationwide restrictions may require coordination between Germany’s states due to the decentralized nature of media regulation.

A government-appointed commission examining online safety for young people is expected to present its findings later this year.