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Social Media Archive

Archives for August 2020

Technology
Facebook banned violent militia groups. We still found plenty of them on its platform.Facebook banned violent militia groups. We still found plenty of them on its platform.
Technology

The company removed at least four of these groups and pages after Recode flagged them for posts about shooting BLM protesters.

By Shirin Ghaffary
Technology
Facebook initially failed to remove a Kenosha militia page despite complaintsFacebook initially failed to remove a Kenosha militia page despite complaints
Technology

Once again, the company is facing criticism for letting people incite violence on its platform.

By Shirin Ghaffary
Technology
The TikTok vs. Trump battle continues with a lawsuitThe TikTok vs. Trump battle continues with a lawsuit
Technology

It’s the latest escalation in the battle between the Chinese-owned social media app and the US government.

By Shirin Ghaffary
Technology
What’s really going on with the Lincoln Project, the anti-Trump PAC that’s pissing off lots of peopleWhat’s really going on with the Lincoln Project, the anti-Trump PAC that’s pissing off lots of people
Technology

Twitter loves the ads. Does that matter?

By Peter Kafka
Technology
Trump just embraced followers of the QAnon conspiracy movementTrump just embraced followers of the QAnon conspiracy movement
Technology

Rather than denouncing conspiracy theorists who the FBI links to domestic terrorism, Trump said he appreciates their support.

By Shirin Ghaffary
Technology
Facebook is finally cracking down on QAnonFacebook is finally cracking down on QAnon
Technology

For years, the conspiracy theory has spread unchecked on the social media network, amassing millions of followers.

By Shirin Ghaffary
Technology
Most Americans think social media companies are censoring peopleMost Americans think social media companies are censoring people
Technology

Three-quarters of Americans think that companies “intentionally censor political viewpoints,” according to a new poll from Pew.

By Shirin Ghaffary
Money
Why does Instagram Reels suck so bad?Why does Instagram Reels suck so bad?
Money

Spoiler: Blue checks.

By Rebecca Jennings
Technology
Facebook’s new voter information center gives Americans fact-checked voting informationFacebook’s new voter information center gives Americans fact-checked voting information
Technology

But the company still won’t fact-check President Trump’s misleading posts about voting by mail.

By Shirin Ghaffary
How social justice slideshows took over Instagram
Money

PowerPoint activism is everywhere on Instagram. Why do these posts look so familiar?

By Terry Nguyen
Technology
Facebook bans blackface and certain anti-Semitic conspiracy theoriesFacebook bans blackface and certain anti-Semitic conspiracy theories
Technology

The company is expanding its hate speech policy to include “harmful stereotypes.”

By Shirin Ghaffary
Technology
Twitter is finally helping people shut out “reply guys”Twitter is finally helping people shut out “reply guys”
Technology

You can now limit who is allowed to respond to your tweets, which Twitter says is helping reduce harassment.

By Shirin Ghaffary
Technology
Do you really need to worry about your security on TikTok? Here’s what we know.Do you really need to worry about your security on TikTok? Here’s what we know.
Technology

You may be wondering how an app for sharing viral lip-syncing videos poses a national security threat.

By Shirin Ghaffary
Money
This week in TikTok: So … is it getting banned or what?This week in TikTok: So … is it getting banned or what?
Money

Plus, the digital blackface problem we’re finally talking about.

By Rebecca Jennings
Technology
The TikTok drama shines a spotlight on the rare tech investor who backs TrumpThe TikTok drama shines a spotlight on the rare tech investor who backs Trump
Technology

Doug Leone, who has backed both TikTok and Trump, could be the bridge between the two.

By Theodore Schleifer