Social Media

[Tizer]

More here...`Tech Tent: Facebook v Australia - two sides to the story' LINK

I'm all for preventing companies like Facebook trying to rule the world and ignore copyright etc but I don't use the platform and I don't fully understand what Facebook is doing with newspaper articles. The news stories all talk about the Aussies stopping FB carrying links to newspaper articles but if that's correct then there's nothing wrong with it - it's just the same as me posting the link above to a BBC article. I also often quote a bit of the article and that's always been allowed within copyright as long as it's a small proportion of the article. Also many newspaper web sites are now behind paywalls and I assume FB couldn't carry material from those articles. I guess the Aussie newspapers are quite rightly getting worked up if their articles are being inserted in FB pages. Can anyone explain what's going on, please?

[Wendyf]

It's beyond me Tiz because if it's anything like here then the newspapers have their own Facebook feeds where they post news items which include links to their websites. I get news from the local papers on my Facebook feed, if I follow the links to their websites then I get asked to register or subscribe after I've opened a few articles.

[Stanley]

My understanding is that Facebook kicked off in opposition to the Aussie Government imposing a levy on them for news media feeds they lift on the site. A tax on freeloading I suppose.
I suspect a lot of other governments are watching what happens with interest. The big tech giants are a tempting taxable target but nobody has quite worked out how to do it.

[Wendyf]

It's the news media who post their own content on the Facebook platform. Facebook in Australia have now blocked the news media posts.

[Tizer]

I'm glad you're as puzzled as I am!

[Tizer]

This refers to Amazon as in river, not online sales. Facebook in trouble again. (There was a story about Nick Clegg in The Times and his rich man's life now he's part of Facebook's management. He lives in a grand mansion in a very expensive area known for ultra-privacy. He doesn't seem to be doing anything much to clean up Facebook.)
`Facebook rainforest ads: Inquiry ordered into Amazon land sales' LINK

[Stanley]

I never understood the Nick Clegg move to be an executive at Facebook. Still don't....

[Tizer]

I think he assumed he could change them for the good but found he couldn't but that he enjoys the money and the lifestyle. He'd probably make the excuse that he's forced to live that way, like an undercover agent bent on disruption!

The shine is beginning to fade on YouTube too, at least for some `content creators'...
`Why popular YouTubers are building their own sites' LINK

[Stanley]

I watched one of their videos..... I am baffled as to why anyone would pay money to watch them. I think I'm old and I just don't get it.... .

[Big Kev]

Wasn't 100% sure where to post this but this one seems the most appropriate. There are a lot of people who are still doing this...

Screenshot_20210509-121230_Metal Pro.jpg

[Stanley]

I agree Kev. I never fill in those surveys they send after you have bought something so as to get free marketing info from you and the ones like your example which are pure fishing expeditions are even worse.

[Tizer]

Here's another type of social media scam. It's such a shame for the man making the artwork. The wire sculptures are marvellous and I hope he can survive the problems...
`Fake ads on Facebook spoil real life fairy story' LINK

He has written this web page LINK explaining the scam in detail, how it affects him and how difficult it is to get any help

[Stanley]

I know that Facebook has many good aspects but stories like this are the ones that get the attention and quite right too. This is toxic stuff and proves how dangerous this medium can be. I don't see how it can be stopped if the management won't act. Surely they could block the source?

[Whyperion]

Easiest way is a source check button. If you have a registered design, any posts relating to its sale with a link to a payment website are blocked until the retail owner approves them. Given that they would have only a few at any time (if any) outlets - or they could build a whitelist checkfile) - The only drawback might be the restriction on selling pre-owned ones, but that would be a different problem as the scam involves new ones.

[Tizer]

Interesting details of how the influencers get manipulated....
`The YouTubers who blew the whistle on an anti-vax plot' LINK

[Big Kev]

It's good that these 'influencers' had some common sense, there are plenty who will believe a lot of this disinformation.
Just read about a Los Angeles man who has died of covid related issues after previously mocking the vaccines.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-57958358

[Stanley]

I heard that report as well Kev and I'm sorry to say I thought to myself it was his own fault. He bet on the wrong horse.
That's what a vaccination is, a bet. Nobody can guarantee it will protect you 100%, there is always that small element of risk. Question is, is the risk worthwhile? I believe it is and so did my mother. I was immunised for everything!

[Tizer]

The next step in the evolution of social media scammers...
`Social media fraud: The influencers promoting criminal scams' LINK

[Stanley]

I heard that report Peter. Instead of weeping and wailing we should do two things. Correct the error that Bill Clinton made when he approved legislation in the US to regulate the big internet companies in which he allowed the canard that they are not publishers to slip through. Then go after the individuals and prosecute them for fraud for the simple act of posting. As with so many things today we need action, not media oriented spin to protect the votes.

[Big Kev]

The large number of Facebook Covid-19 experts that are now Facebook Afghanistan experts, I wonder if they'll reconfigure the algorithms to filter out the BS.

[Tripps]

Tell them they're ultracrepidarians.

[Big Kev]

Have you been reading the dictionary again?

[Stanley]

I couldn't remember that word David....

[Tizer]

This will probably remind you of the history of the tobacco industry, coal industry and leaded petrol. And it's worth keeping in mind that bosses of the big tech companies have willingly admitted that they didn't let their children use social media.

`Another significant revelation from the Facebook Files was the discovery that the company had conducted detailed research into how Instagram was affecting teenagers but did not share its findings when they suggested that the platform was a "toxic" place for many youngsters. According to slides reported by the Wall Street Journal, 32% of teenage girls surveyed said that when they felt bad about their bodies, Instagram made them feel worse. Fox News reported this week that the whistle-blower behind the leaked document will reveal their identity and co-operate with Congress. Whether that happens, the fact that Facebook failed to share its own detailed studies on the harm its platforms cause will give US politicians plenty of food for thought.'
From `Facebook Files: 5 things leaked documents reveal' LINK

[Stanley]

Add asbestos to your list Peter. In many ways the worst ills associated with some social media is just as bad and indeed, can be fatal.