#meta

WhatsApp to allow Multiple-Accounts image Meta

WhatsApp to allow access to multiple accounts, users can log in on same device

Users will be able to easily switch between accounts – such as their work and personal ones – without having to log out each time or carry two phones

Instagram

Meta’s Instagram, Facebook to charge EU users for ad-free service: Report

The proposal is an attempt by Meta to comply with European Union regulations that threaten to curb its ability to personalise ads for users

WhatsApp Channels Global Launch_Image Meta

WhatsApp Channels sees global rollout, includes UAE and Saudi Arabia

Channels is a one-way broadcast feature that allows admins to send text, photos, videos, stickers, and polls to their followers

Facebook News

Meta to remove Facebook News from UK, Germany, and France

Facebook News, a dedicated tab on Facebook’s platform spotlighting news content, is set to be phased out in early December

digital tax

Meta, Google face digital tax in New Zealand beginning in 2025

The proposed tax would be payable by multinational businesses that make over $810m a year from global digital services

Messenger Lite

Messenger Lite for Android to shutdown in September

The app has been removed from Google Play Store for new users and will no longer be available for existing users after September 18

Threads desktop version

Threads desktop version may be launching soon

It is reported that the update could come as soon as this week

Instagram

Meta begins blocking news in Canada in response to new law

The move came after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government passed the Online News Act, expected to come into effect before the end of this year

threads

Threads surpasses 100 million users: Here’s how it is different from Twitter

The Threads app which was launched under the Instagram umbrella is fast catching up to its competitor Twitter

Threads by Instagram

Threads by Instagram: Here’s how to use it

Threads provides a fresh platform for real-time updates and public discussions, catering to both creators and casual users

Musk and Zuckerberg cage fight

Clash of the tech titans: Elon Musk challenges Mark Zuckerberg to ‘cage match’

The tech bosses have agreed to a ‘cage match’ after an exchange on their respective social media platforms

META cyber threat and hacker attack

Here’s why the META region is prone to mobile financial scam

Cyberthreats for Android users remain prevalent in the META region as the operating system holds a dominant market share

Meta Quest 3

This is how much the new Meta Quest 3 headset costs

The headset combines a top-tier resolution display with advanced pancake optics, resulting in an unparalleled visual experience

Meta

Meta unloads Giphy to Shutterstock at a loss of more than $260m

Facebook’s parent company Meta announced the sale of Giphy after its purchase of the GIF maker was blocked by competition regulators in the UK

Cold storage in Meta data center. Image Credit: META

Meta fined record $1.3bn in EU over US data transfers

The Meta fine coincides with the fifth anniversary of the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation, widely seen as the world’s benchmark for privacy

WhatsApp

Say goodbye to typos: WhatsApp launches edit message feature

The edit history will not be displayed, ensuring that the original content remains private

Meta

Meta touts metaverse’s potential for job training and education

While there’s more commitment by employers in the industries to use VR, adopting the technology remains a hurdle

Meta

Meta prepares more layoffs across Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram

The move is part of a cost-cutting push that will eventually whittle away 10,000 positions at the company

Meta

Meta starts next round of layoffs with 1,500 jobs in recruiting, HR

The first wave of cuts were explained to Meta executives Thursday morning

Meta

Meta to form AI product team to keep up with chatbot competition

The company is trying to use the technology with text-like chats in Meta’s messaging apps WhatsApp and Messenger

Big tech targets bond market

Big tech targets bond market for cash to buy back sinking stocks

As an economic downturn looms, the average blue-chip company is expected to be in balance sheet repair mode

digital

Annual digital transformation spending across META region to top $74bn by 2026

Digital transformation investments in the Middle East, Türkiye and Africa are set to more than double across the 2021–2026 period

Metaverse

How virtual reality and the metaverse will change workplace in 2023

In order to get a better understanding of the mixed emotions surrounding the metaverse, Meta commissioned a study of nearly 2,000 employees and 400 business leaders around the world

Oversight Board

Meta’s Oversight Board criticises ‘shortcomings’ in protection of VIP accounts

The Oversight Board, which was conceived by and funded by Meta and is comprised of 20 journalists, academics and politicians, began assessing cases last year

Meta

Meta fined $277m for leak of half a billion users

The Irish Data Protection Commission levied the fine following a probe that found the social-media company had failed to apply strict safeguards

Amazon, Meta join ranks of tech companies slashing thousands of jobs

Amazon, Meta join ranks of tech companies slashing thousands of jobs

In recent earnings reports, Alphabet, Amazon, Meta Platforms, Microsoft and others fell short of projections, sending shares plunging and shaving hundreds of billions of dollars from their market valuations

Meta

Meta to lay off more than 11,000 employees

The company has also extended its hiring freeze through Q1 of next year, with a small number of exceptions

Meta gives tepid revenue forecast as ad weakness persists

In the third quarter, Meta posted revenue of $27.7bn, slightly beating analysts’ average estimate for $27.4bn

Swimlane

Cybersecurity firm Swimlane expands into META, appoints Ashraf Sheet to head regional operations

The company’s expansion comes following a recently announced $70m growth funding round led by Activate Capital

Meta

Meta makes bond-market debut with four-part offering

Meta may sell $8bn to $10bn of debt depending on demand, with proceeds used for general corporate purposes