Gaza conflict: Instagram changes algorithm after alleged bias

Instagram is changing the way it showcases content after being accused of suppressing pro-Palestinian messages during the recent Gaza conflict. The app had favoured original content in its “stories” feature over existing, re-shared posts, but will now give them equal treatment, it said. The current system had a “bigger impact than expected” on some types […]

NatWest launches ‘urgent’ cryptocurrency scam alert

NatWest mobile app users are being directed to a warning screen advising them to beware of cryptocurrency scams. The bank said it had received a “record number” of reports about such scams between January and March 2021. The alert warns account holders to make sure they have direct control of any digital wallet that is […]

Instagram lets users hide likes to reduce social media pressure

Instagram is offering its users the option to hide the number of likes they receive on posts on the app. The aim is to “depressurize people’s experience” on the platform, the social media giant said. Users with the feature enabled will now see the username of a follower who has liked the post, “and others”, […]

Russia threatens to slow down Google over ‘banned content’

Russia’s media watchdog has threatened to slow down the speed of Google if it fails to delete what it calls “unlawful content.” Roskomnadzor has given Google 24 hours to remove videos it says relate to drugs, violence and extremism. Google – which owns YouTube – could be fined between 800,000 and 4 million roubles (£7,700 […]

Charlie Bit My Finger video to be taken off YouTube after selling for £500,000

As one of the original viral videos, the Charlie Bit My Finger clip is a little piece of internet history. But now the much-loved clip of baby Charlie gnawing on his brother Harry’s finger will be taken off YouTube after it was sold for $760,999 (£538,000). The Davies-Carr family auctioned the clip as an NFT, […]

Sasha Johnson: Black Lives Matter activist critical after shooting, her political party says

Prominent Black Lives Matter activist Sasha Johnson is in a critical condition after being shot, her political party says. Taking the Initiative Party said she was being treated in intensive care after being shot in the head in the early hours of Sunday morning. The BBC understands the incident happened in south London. The Metropolitan […]

WeWork reports $2bn loss ahead of stock market debut

Office-sharing startup WeWork has posted a $2.06bn (£1.45bn) quarterly loss after being hit hard by Covid-19. The announcement comes as WeWork prepares for its stock market debut. The company’s first attempt to go public collapsed in 2019 over concerns about its business model and co-founder Adam Neumann’s leadership style. Since Mr Neumann’s exit the company […]