Meta is moving its Accounts Centre to a new system called Meta Account, which brings account management for its apps and devices together. Facebook Messenger, Instagram, Threads, Meta AI, AI glasses and Meta Quest headsets are included. WhatsApp is not added by default. The change is automatic, rolled out gradually, and users cannot opt out. Users can still keep profiles in separate Meta Accounts, and app-specific settings stay independent. Security experts say a breach would have a greater impact, while privacy concerns centre on Meta building richer profiles of users.
A judge has ordered Meta to pay the US state of New Mexico $US25 billion after a jury found the company deceived users about privacy on Facebook. The judge said Facebook promised users they controlled their data, and that this was false. The jury found Meta liable for more than 43 million violations of state consumer protection laws. The case followed the harvesting of Facebook data by Cambridge Analytica during the 2016 election season. Meta says it will appeal, arguing the ruling would make it all but impossible to do business in the state.
A 43-year-old man has pleaded guilty to threatening Member for Gosford Liesl Tesch with violence on Facebook. Christopher Mark Whitty entered the plea in Gosford Local Court on Friday.
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Melbourne-based prophet Gary Morgan is under discipline within his church while independent investigators from GRACE examine allegations against him. US church watcher Mike Winger alleges Morgan used Facebook profiles to deliver claimed words of knowledge and prophecies to congregation members. A couple at Glory City Church in Brisbane said they exposed Morgan by posting a fake profile comment. GRACE is assessing Morgan's ministry organisations, Key 22 Ltd and School of Prophets. Its report will be made public once the investigation is complete.
Meta has introduced an AI-powered tool called "Your Algorithm" on Facebook, letting users shape what appears in their Feed and Reels. Users can describe their preferences in their own words, and changes are said to appear in recommendations in real time. The platform's three-dot menu has also been updated, with options to mark posts as "Interested" or "Not interested". Meta says Facebook may ask follow-up questions to refine its understanding of user tastes. The feature follows a similar launch on Instagram and mirrors Threads' "Dear Algo" tool, reflecting a broader move towards giving people more say over recommendations.
Aaron Sorkin's The Social Reckoning revisits the Facebook story he wrote for The Social Network, now focusing on a 2021 exposé based on leaked internal documents. Mikey Madison plays Facebook staffer Frances Haugen, who worries about the company spreading conspiracy theories and extremist material, while Jeremy Allen White plays Wall Street Journal reporter Jeff Horwitz. Jeremy Strong's caricatured Mark Zuckerberg prepares for a congressional hearing. The film is dialogue-driven and treats its whistleblower and journalist as heroes, ending on a note of misplaced optimism.
Aaron Sorkin's The Social Reckoning covers the events leading to the 2021 Facebook leak, led by whistleblower Frances Haugen and Wall Street Journal reporter Jeff Horwitz. The reviewer calls the film entertaining and urgent, praising its focus on journalism and team effort. Mikey Madison is singled out for her standout performance as Haugen. Jeremy Strong's portrayal of Mark Zuckerberg is described as one-note, offering little emotional range. The review awards the film three out of five stars.
Brothers Dave and Kevin Miller, owners of Coldstuff Ice Cream in Blackstone, Massachusetts, defended their teenage staff after a customer allegedly berated a 16-year-old employee over a minor pricing error. Their blunt Facebook post, which included strong language, quickly gained traction online, with many praising their stance. The owners expressed frustration at customers taking out their anger on young workers still learning the ropes. They noted the post's overwhelmingly positive response, even drawing more patrons to their shop. The Millers clarified their message was aimed at fostering patience towards inexperienced employees, not targeting older customers.
An investigation has confirmed that Kempsey Shire councillor Noel Selby posted a Facebook comment suggesting a woman should have been assaulted, contrary to his earlier claim of unauthorised account access. The comment, which has since been removed, followed a discussion about domestic violence. Centium's report found the remark breached council conduct codes and recommended censure. Anti-violence advocate Sherele Moody has urged Selby to resign, citing the normalisation of gendered violence. The council will consider the recommendation at its next meeting, with censure being the most severe potential outcome.
