From TikTok facing child privacy lawsuit amid potential ban in the United States (US) to the United Nations (UN) launching ‘Global Principles for Information Integrity’, here’s everything we covered at Digital Rights Monitor (DRM) this week.
Read our weekly news roundup.
EUROPE: Meta postpones AI models launch over data privacy complaint
Meta Platforms has postponed the launch of its artificial intelligence (AI) models in Europe following directives from the Irish regulator, according to a report by Reuters. Meta made the announcement on Friday.
Meta’s AI models will rely heavily on personal data of users on Facebook and Instagram, which has caused privacy concerns within the digital rights advocacy circles. The Irish Data Protection Commission (DPC)’s order comes after noyb (none of your business) — an advocacy group based in Austria — initiated a complaint against Meta’s AI ventures.
The complaints were issued to data protection authorities (DPAs) in 11 countries, including Ireland, Germany, France, Italy, Norway, and Spain. The group called for immediate measures against Meta’s launch of its AI models, saying it would violate data privacy by not giving users the option to opt out of sharing of their personal information.
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US: TikTok to face child privacy lawsuit amid prospective ban
The US Department of Justice (DOJ) is planning to bring a child privacy lawsuit against TikTok as the impending ban against the short-video platform draws nearer.
The alleged violations were investigated by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), which referred the case last week to the Justice Department, according to a report by Reuters. The complaint is based on allegations that TikTok violated the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA).
The child safety law gives parents control over the information that a company collects from their children, according to the FTC.
TikTok has rejected the allegations, expressing disappointment over the upcoming lawsuit.
The development comes at a time when TikTok, owned by Chinese tech conglomerate ByteDance, is fighting to remain operational in the US, which has already passed a law against it. The legislation, called “Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act”, forces ByteDance to sell its US operations until January 2025 or face a permanent ban.
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EU: Apple accused of violating antitrust laws
Tech conglomerate Apple has been found violating the antitrust laws in the European Union (EU) and is currently under investigation, according to a report by Reuters.
On Monday, the European Commission — the EU’s antitrust and tech regulator — announced that Apple engaged in anti-competitive practices in region by breaching the Digital Markets Act (DMA). Apple’s business practices hindered smaller businesses and made it difficult for users to find more affordable and alternative applications in Apple’s App Store. The Commission’s preliminary findings arrive in culmination of a probe launched in March this year.
The Commission has shared the findings with the company. Apple’s new terms on its App Store do not comply with the guidelines laid under the DMA, according to the Commission. Apple can appeal against the findings, as the Commission has until March next year to issue a final decision regarding the matter. Per the findings, Apple’s engagement rules violated the DMA as they hindered app developers from “freely steering consumers to alternative channels for offers and content”.
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UN calls on Big Tech to ‘take responsibility’ for hurting information integrity
The United Nations (UN) has called on Big Tech companies to “take responsibility” for the damages caused by their digital products to information integrity and put adequate and effective measures in place to counter threats persisting from misleading and potentially harmful content.
At a press conference this week, the UN Secretary General António Guterres asked tech conglomerates to acknowledge and take action against the harms their systems are inflicting on “people and communities” with regards to the spread of mis-and-disinformation.
“First, to the big tech companies — take responsibility,” said Guterres on Monday. “Acknowledge the damage your products are inflicting on people and communities.”
The secretary-general made these remarks at the launch of the UN’s Global Principles for Information Integrity — a framework of recommendations aimed at promoting “a more humane information system”.
“The spread of hatred and lies online is causing grave harm to our world,” said Guterres. “Misinformation, disinformation and hate speech are fueling prejudice and violence; exacerbating divisions and conflicts; demonizing minorities; and compromising the integrity of elections.”
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