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Alvin Bragg, Manhattan's District Attorney, wants to meet with YouTube CEO Neal Mohan to discuss why the website allows the posting of videos on how to manufacture "ghost guns" and why its algorithm is pushing them to underage viewers who watch video game content. Ghost guns are firearms assembled using 3D-printed parts or components purchased as kits. That means they have no serial numbers, making them near impossible to trace, and don't need any kind of background check to acquire. In a letter sent to Mohan (PDF) requesting a meeting, Bragg referenced a study conducted by the Tech Transparency Project in 2023, wherein it created four test YouTube accounts and gave them the profiles of 14-year-old and 9-year-old boys. Apparently, after playing at least 100 gaming videos, YouTube's algorithm started recommending them instructional videos on how to make ghost guns. It doesn't matter if they'd only watched, say, Call of Duty gameplay videos and had never interacted with any content featuring real guns. YouTube still pushed real gun content to their accounts, as well as other violence-related videos, such as those of school shootings and serial killers, even if they were supposed to be minors. Bragg also called YouTube's attention to the fact that there's no way for guardians to switch off the website's recommendations in parental controls. A lot of young individuals being investigated for gun possession in New York City said they learned how to make ghost guns from YouTube, Bragg wrote. While the website does remove those videos when they're flagged by gun safety groups, the DA said YouTube should be more proactive in removing them, should make sure they get blocked from being uploaded in the future and should provide viewers a way to switch off recommendations. Especially since the website does have a policy that prohibits the uploading of videos intending to sell firearms or to instruct viewers on how to make them. YouTube told New York Daily News in a statement that it'll "carefully review" videos the Manhattan DA shares with the company and that it remains committed to "removing any content that violates [its] policies."This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/manhattans-da-wants-to-know-why-youtube-is-pushing-ghost-gun-tutorials-to-kids-070219455.html?src=rss
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Marketing and Advertising
Metas Threads app now has more than 150 million monthly users, an increase of about 20 million new users since February. Mark Zuckerberg shared the latest user numbers during Metas first-quarter earnings call, saying that the app continues to be on the trajectory that I hope to see. The update suggests Threads is continuing to grow steadily, though at a slower rate than its initial explosive growth. The app racked up more than 100 million downloads in its first week, but later saw a drop-off in engagement. But over the last six months, Threads has seen more consistent growth and Zuckerberg has speculated the service could eventually be Metas next billion-user app. Notably, Threads seems to be out-performing X (formerly known as Twitter) by some metrics. Estimates from analytics firm Apptopia indicated Threads has more daily users in the United States than X, Business Insider reported earlier this week. (X has claimed 550 million daily users globally.) Threads also scored another significant win recently when Taylor Swift joined the platform to promote her latest album. Threads is, for now, unique among Metas apps in that it doesnt have advertising so the company doesnt make money from the app directly. That will likely change at some point provided Threads continues to expand its reach. Zuckerberg has previously said the company would focus on monetization only after the app has grown sufficiently.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/threads-has-150-million-monthly-users-215853190.html?src=rss
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Marketing and Advertising
The EU has effectively vanquished a TikTok feature that Europes digital commissioner described as toxic and addictive as cigarettes. Owner ByteDance said on Wednesday that TikTok Lites reward-to-watch feature would be suspended. Its been a brutal day for TikTok as President Biden signed a bill (also on Wednesday) forcing ByteDance to sell the platforms US operations or face a ban. TikTok Lite, launched earlier this month in France and Spain, lets users earn rewards by watching and liking videos. They can then exchange their points for real-world perks like Amazon vouchers or in-app ones like TikToks virtual currency, which is used to tip creators. The EU Commission said the task and reward feature can stimulate addictive behavior in children. Our children are not guinea pigs for social media, EU commissioner Thierry Breton posted on X (Twitter) on Wednesday. I take note of TikToks decision to suspend the #TikTokLite Reward Program in the EU. However, he added a parting shot to remind ByteDance it isnt out of the woods: The cases against TikTok on the risk of addictiveness of the platform continue. Statement on TikTok Lite: "TikTok always seeks to engage constructively with the EU Commission and other regulators. We are therefore voluntarily suspending the rewards functions in TikTok Lite while we address the concerns that they have raised." TikTok Policy Europe (@TikTokPolicyEUR) April 24, 2024 Breton fired a warning shot at ByteDance earlier this week, saying the EU had opened a formal investigation into TikTok for violating the Digital Services Act (DSA). The landmark legislation, adopted in 2022, gives European regulators the teeth to force significant changes in social media platforms to protect consumers. Companies that break the rules can risk fines of up to six percent of their global revenues enough to force compliance from even the richest companies. Wednesdays suspension marks the first concrete example of the EU using the DSAs enforcement powers to force significant changes on a social platform. The EUs formal investigation into TikTok Lite was its second targeting the platform this year. An earlier case, launched in February, opened proceedings against TikTok and Meta for their handling of the privacy and safety of minors. The Guardian notes that both cases remain active. TikTok always seeks to engage constructively with the EU Commission and other regulators, the platforms Policy Europe X account posted on Wednesday. We are therefore voluntarily suspending the rewards functions in TikTok Lite while we address the concerns that they have raised.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/tiktok-lite-axes-addictive-as-cigarettes-reward-to-watch-feature-under-the-eus-watchful-eye-211157092.html?src=rss
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Marketing and Advertising
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