Why Spain just banned Meta’s new EU election voting features - social media news - NewsLocker (2024)

Spain’s privacy watchdog has barred Meta from launching two features on Facebook and Instagram that the tech giant says were intended to encourage users to vote in the upcoming EU elections. The tools, dubbed Election Day Information (EDI) and Voter Information Unit (VIU), would send notifications to all eligible Instagram and Facebook users in the EU, reminding them to vote. Both features were set to be rolled out imminently across the EU (except for in Italy, which already h

World Ocean Day: Meet 3 tech startups protecting our seas

The ocean covers over 70% of our planet. It regulates the global climate, is home to 80% of life on Earth, acts as a carbon sink, and supports the livelihoods of billions of people. As an avid swimmer and surfer I also think the ocean is simply bloody magnificent. However, the world’s oceans face unprecedented threats from pollution, overfishing, and climate change. This is undermining the health of an ecosystem that supports all life on Earth. In this era of rapid technological adv

TNW Conference 2024: Philosophical debate for AI ethics

This year’s edition of TNW Conference is right around the corner — along with summer, we hope. We have a spectacular line-up of speakers and we cannot wait to share the special atmosphere that sets TNW apart from other tech conferences out there with you. Leading up to the event, the editorial team will be sharing some of their highlights and what not to miss from the TNW flagship conference taking place in Amsterdam on 20 and 21 of June. We hope you are as excited as we are and can

Incogni: Recover your privacy and remove personal information from the internet

With Incogni you can remove your personal info from the internet including sensitive details like address, SSN, and more. Take back your info from data brokers.

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Mandatory ID for social media would solve some problems — but create a lot more

Social media is central in many of our lives, but few would say that’s a good thing. Despite its initial promise, swathes of Europeans feel the technology has had a negative impact on society. While it promised to bring us together, the opposite has happened. Just look at any event from the past few years; whether it’s the war in Ukraine, countries swinging towards populism, or digital election manipulation, it appears social media has taken bad situations and made them worse.

NATO backs UK startup building ultralight materials for rockets, fighter jets — and F1 cars

NATO’s Innovation Fund has co-led a $22.5mn (€21mn) investment into iCOMAT, a UK startup building ultralight composites for the aerospace, automotive, and defence sectors. NATO’s fund has a budget of €1bn to back startups developing deep tech for defence and security applications. This marks its first public investment since it launched last year. Founded in 2019 by Greek scientist Evangelos Zympeloudis, iCOMAT has developed a full

WhatsApp Channels Is Now up to 500M Users

WhatsApp Channels is a one-to-many broadcast messaging option.

WhatsApp Channels is Now Up to 500 Million Users

WhatsApp Channels is a one-to-many broadcast messaging option.

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X is Testing Advanced Account Analytics Features

X is looking to bring back some more advanced analytics elements.

X Adds Option to Filter Searches by Verified Accounts Only

You can now filter your search by paying users only. If you want.

Instagram Experiments with Audience Feedback for Unpublished Reels Clips

See what people think of your Reels before posting to everybody.

Snap Shares Insight into the Effectiveness of AR for Brand Promotion

Snapchat’s AR tools can help to enhance brand messaging.

Meta Previews Business Messaging Updates at ‘Conversations’ Conference

Meta’s unveiled a range of new businessmessaging considerations.

19-year-old founder brings on-demand car services to Tesla, VW, Mercedes users

Cars are great — until they break down, or need a service, or a roadworthy test. Then owning one can be a bit of a headache. Ricard Guillem knows this all too well. The 19-year-old from Barcelona grew up in a family of auto dealers and servicers. Guillem — who “was born with a phone in my hand,” as he puts it — felt that the family business was, for lack of a better word, outdated. “So many sectors have been disrupted by technology — Netflix

19-year-old founder brings on-demand car services to Tesla, VW, Mercedes owners

Cars are great — until they break down, or need a service, or a roadworthy test. Then owning one can be a bit of a headache. Ricard Guillem knows this all too well. The 19-year-old from Barcelona grew up in a family of auto dealers and servicers. Guillem — who “was born with a phone in my hand,” as he puts it — felt that the family business was, for lack of a better word, outdated. “So many sectors have been disrupted by technology — Netflix

Europe set to outspend US on clean energy in 2024, but China dwarfing rivals

Europe is set to outspend the US on clean energy this year — but neither will come close to China’s investments. That’s according to new research from the International Energy Agency (IEA). It estimates that cleanenergy tech funding will hit $2 trillion in 2024 — nearly double the figure for fossil fuels. The biggest magnets for the cash include renewables, electric vehicles, and nuclear power. Yet not every region is splashing the cash lavishly. China has emerged

Meta hit by EU complaint over ‘undefined AI tech’ using personal data

A powerful privacy group has filed complaints in 11 EU countries about Meta’s plans to train AI models on personal data — without requesting consent from users. NOYB (none of your business) took the legal action over proposed changes to Meta’s privacy policy, which are due to take effect on June 26. The update would permit Meta to funnel years of personal posts, private images, or online tracking data into an undefined “AI technology,” NYOB said. The Vienna-based g

Reddit Announces First Ads API Partner in Sprinklr

Reddit continues to build its ad network.

Instagram Tests Text Overlays and Image Formatting Within Carousel Posts

New options for your IG carousels.

TikTok Shares Key Tips for Fashion Marketers

The new guide provides a range of notes, tips and examples for fashion marketers.

Instagram Clarifies Advice on Single Word CTAs and Longer Reels

Instagram sparked confusion recently when it noted that single word comments can trigger anti-spam meaures.

YouTube Announces Activations for Pride Month

YouTube will be running a range of activations for Pride 2024.

Snapchat Shares Insights into the Environmental Benefits of AR

Augmented reality experiences can deliver significant environmental benefits.

LinkedIn Adds Premium Video Ad Placement, More AI Ad Tools

Some new ad options coming to LinkedIn.

LinkedIn Adds New Premium Video Ad Placement, More AI Ad Tools

Some new ad options coming to LinkedIn.

Dutch chip giant NXP plans $7.8B plant in Singapore amid tensions with China

Dutch semiconductor company NXP has teamed up with TSMC-backed Vanguard International Semiconductor (VIS) to build a $7.8bn (€7.2bn) chipmaking plant in Singapore. The new factory will make 300mm silicon wafers for 130-nanometre to 40-nanometre chips, which powerapplications in the industrial, automotive, consumer, and mobile markets. These chips are less advanced than those TSMC itself manufactures in Taiwan. But the 300mn wafer capability marks a first for VIS, which currently fabr

Europe’s ‘unprecedented’ space crisis to end on July 9 with Ariane 6 launch

Europe’s space sector is set to end an “unprecedented crisis” on July 9 when the Ariane 6 satellite launcher flies for the first time. The journey would finally restore the continent’s independent access to space, which ended last July with the retirement of Ariane 5. Ariane 6 is the launcher’s chosen successor. The European Space Agency (ESA) commissioned the vehicle to increase launch capacity, but constant delays beset the plans have been beset by painful

TNW Podcast: Henrik Green on autonomous trucks; minerals from Australia and the new AI Office

 Welcome to the new episode of the TNW Podcast — the show where we discuss the latest developments in the European technology ecosystem and feature interviews with some of the most interesting people in the industry. In today’s episode, Ioanna and Andrii talk about critical minerals from Australia, the new AI Office, asteroids on Mars, a washing machine chime dispute, and more. The guest of the show is Henrik Green, General Manager Autonomous Technology at Einride, a self-dr

Teledriving startup Vay plans to bring remote-controlled cars to Belgium this year

Last week I rented a vehicle through one of the many popular car-sharing platforms. The whole process went pretty smoothly and I didn’t crash, which is always a good thing. But the one inconvenient aspect was drop off and collection. I had to cycle 10 minutes to the nearest available vehicle, store my bike somewhere safe, and then drive the car back home. When I was done with the vehicle I had to return it to one of the designated parking locations — always wary that the longe

Instagram Adds New Features for Broadcast Channels

More ways to engage with your top fans in the app.