Social Media - Iran did not release a list of U.S. targets, despite social media claims
Posts on social media falsely asserted Iran released a list of U.S. cities for military targeting; rated False by PolitiFact. No official Iranian source corroborates the claim amid heightened tensions. Rapid spread highlights platform vulnerabilities to geopolitical disinformation.
PolitiFact • Mar 7
SOCIAL MEMETIC
Indonesia to Ban YouTube, TikTok, Other Social Media Apps for Children Under 16
Indonesia mandates ban on social media apps like YouTube, TikTok, and others for users under 16, citing profound risks to youth mental health and safety. The policy aligns with global trends restricting algorithmic feeds blamed for addiction and harm. Implementation details pending, enforcement likely via age verification.
CNET • Mar 7
REGULATION SOCIAL DIGITALDIVIDE
Iranians in L.A. turn to WhatsApp, Fox News, for updates on loved ones
Iranian diaspora in Los Angeles aggregates news via WhatsApp groups, social media, and cable outlets to monitor relatives amid Iran crisis. Official channels disrupted, forcing reliance on fragmented private networks. Reveals fault lines in global info flows during geopolitical strife.
Los Angeles Times • Mar 7
SOCIAL DIGITALDIVIDE CENSORSHIP
US state laws push age checks into the operating system
Legislation in states like Louisiana and Texas requires operating systems to enforce age verification for accessing age-gated websites and social platforms, shifting burdens from sites to device makers. Open-source OS developers face disproportionate compliance costs, potentially fragmenting FOSS ecosystems. The push escalates conflicts between child safety mandates and anonymous internet access.
The Register • Mar 6
PRIVACY REGULATION SOCIAL
"Technology is our superpower"—Africa and India take seat at top table as AI revolution spreads
At Mobile World Congress, leaders from Nigeria, India, and other emerging markets tout mobile networks and AI as tools to leapfrog developed economies, bypassing legacy infrastructure deficits. Investments in localized AI development aim to foster economic sovereignty and close persistent digital divides. The shift challenges Big Tech's dominance in global innovation pipelines.
Fortune • Mar 6
GEOPOLITICS SOCIAL DIGITALDIVIDE
'That's not what we're trying to do': Mark Zuckerberg rejects claims that Facebook and Instagram are addictive at New Mexico social media trial
New Mexico attorney general's trial accuses Meta of violating consumer protection laws by concealing internal knowledge of social media addiction risks and child sexual exploitation on Facebook and Instagram. Mark Zuckerberg testified under oath that the platforms prioritize user wellbeing over addictiveness. The proceedings expose tensions between engagement-driven algorithms and youth mental health safeguards.
Fortune • Mar 6
PRIVACY REGULATION SOCIAL
Trump sued in bid to undo approval of TikTok's US sale
Retail investors in Alphabet and Meta sued President Trump and his attorney general to reverse approval of ByteDance's TikTok deal forming a majority US-owned joint venture. The lawsuit claims violation of 2024 divestiture law stipulations. Marks the first legal challenge to the transaction.
South China Morning Post • Mar 6
ANTITRUST GEOPOLITICS REGULATION
India's tech state Karnataka bans social media for children under 16
Karnataka's government announced a proposed ban on social media access for children under 16 in its 2026-27 budget presentation. The measure follows Australia's blocking of platforms like TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook for teens. India has 750 million smartphones and one billion internet users.
Channel News Asia • Mar 6
SOCIAL DIGITALDIVIDE CENSORSHIP
X's Exclusive Threads feature lets creators paywall the end of tweet threads
X launched Creator Subscriptions 2.0 with Exclusive Threads, enabling verified creators to restrict the end of tweet threads to paid subscribers only. Feature supports partial paywalling of content to drive monetization. Part of broader tools to expand creator earnings on the platform.
Engadget • Mar 6
NEOCORP FINANCE SOCIAL
Indonesia is set to ban social media for children under 16, communication minister says
Indonesia's Communication and Digital Minister Meutya Hafid announced a ban on social media access for children under 16, with deactivations starting March 28 on high-risk platforms. The policy addresses online pornography, cyberbullying, fraud, and addiction. It follows Australia's model of blocking platforms for minors.
Associated Press • Mar 6
REGULATION SOCIAL CENSORSHIP
A War Thunder clip shared on social media as footage of the war in Iran racked up over 7 million views, and was even shared by the governor of Texas
Video game footage from War Thunder circulated as authentic Iran war imagery, accumulating over 7 million social media views including shares by Texas Governor Greg Abbott. The misattributed clip highlights vulnerabilities in visual verification during conflicts. Rapid algorithmic spread blurs lines between simulation and reality.
PC Gamer • Mar 6
SOCIAL MEMETIC
Social media plays 'huge role' in promoting traditional gender views, say experts
Experts highlight social media's outsized influence in reviving traditional gender attitudes through algorithmic promotion of stereotypical content. Women's rights groups warn of backlash against progressive gains, as platforms prioritize engagement over societal impact. This shift risks deepening cultural divides amplified by digital curation.
BBC News • Mar 6
SOCIAL MEMETIC
TikTok arsonist in Wisconsin gets 7 years in prison after his fiery fury over the idea of losing his social media fix
A Wisconsin man received a seven-year sentence for attempting to arson a congressman's office, citing rage over a bill mandating TikTok's U.S. divestiture from its Chinese owner. He described his actions as driven by addiction to the platform and fear of losing access. The case illustrates escalating personal stakes in battles over social media control.
Fortune • Mar 6
SOCIAL MEMETIC
No, Iranian footballer Mehdi Taremi is not going to fight for the Iranian regime
A baseless social media claim alleged Iranian footballer Mehdi Taremi would abandon Olympiakos to fight for his regime amid U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran. The rumor, debunked by the player, spread rapidly and reached sports media in Italy. It exemplifies wartime disinformation exploiting public figures.
France 24 • Mar 6
SOCIAL MEMETIC
Forbidden Stories reports on FindFace in Iran: Facial recognition 'an issue' for Western democracies
Forbidden Stories reveals Iran secretly acquired Russian FindFace facial recognition in 2019, processing CCTV, street footage, and social media videos to identify protesters. The system algorithmically matches faces across vast datasets for political repression. Report warns of similar tech proliferation threatening Western democratic oversight.
France 24 • Mar 5
GEOPOLITICS SURVEILLANCE BIOMETRICS
Government to probe AI-driven disinformation videos: Josephine Teo
Singapore government initiates probe into AI-generated disinformation videos on YouTube fabricating stories about national politics, following CNA investigation. Home Affairs Minister Josephine Teo highlighted risks from foreign actors exploiting AI for influence operations. YouTube removed most accounts and videos violating guidelines.
Channel News Asia • Mar 5
REGULATION SOCIAL MEMETIC
Nepal election pits former rapper against old guard vying for Gen Zs
Nepal's upcoming election features a former rapper challenging establishment figures for Gen Z support, following deadly protests six months ago against unemployment, corruption, and inequality triggered by a nationwide social media ban. Youth unrest highlighted digital access as a core grievance amid economic woes. The vote tests generational shifts in politically volatile context.
Japan Times • Mar 5
INEQUALITY SOCIAL DIGITALDIVIDE
New Mexico jurors watch Zuckerberg deposition in Meta child safety bellwether trial
Jurors in New Mexico's bellwether trial on social media harms to children viewed Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg's deposition, where he downplayed internal research on platform addiction and teen wellbeing. Meta studies had flagged Instagram's negative effects on youth mental health. The testimony underscores tensions between corporate knowledge and public accountability.
Associated Press • Mar 5
REGULATION SOCIAL AI
Meta's Oversight Board races to govern the AI surge
Meta's Oversight Board confronts breaking point from generative AI content flooding social platforms, its human-led review model unable to scale against automated misinformation. The board urges platform policy shifts amid surging AI-generated posts evading moderation. Internal debates highlight tensions between speed, accuracy, and global enforcement.
Rest of World • Mar 5
SOCIAL MEMETIC AI
Indonesia gives Meta 'stern warning' over disinformation
Indonesia's communications ministry issued a stern warning to Meta Platforms for inadequate handling of disinformation on Facebook and Instagram. The rebuke comes amid rising concerns over false information threatening social stability and elections. Meta must enhance content moderation or face regulatory penalties.
Channel News Asia • Mar 5
REGULATION SOCIAL MEMETIC
Seoul shares award-winning AI sex crime detection tool for free across South Korea
Seoul Metropolitan Government open-sources its patented AI system for real-time detection and removal of sexually exploitative images and videos on illicit websites and social media to all South Korean institutions. Deployed since 2023, the tool auto-identifies content, requests takedowns, and blocks re-uploads 24/7. Initiative scales automated moderation nationally amid rising online exploitation.
South China Morning Post • Mar 5
SOCIAL AI CENSORSHIP
Iranian TV and Social Media Project Defiant and Distorted View of the War
Iranian state TV and social media accounts flood platforms with AI-generated images and videos portraying military successes and civilian resilience despite heavy losses in US-Israel conflict. Propaganda operations blend scripted broadcasts with online influencers to counter battlefield realities. Content reaches global audiences, complicating verification amid hybrid warfare.
The New York Times • Mar 5
CYBERWAR SOCIAL MEMETIC
X cracks down on AI-generated war footage as Iran misinformation runs rampant
X will demonetize users posting AI-generated fake videos amid rampant Iran-Israel war misinformation, after false footage of Tel Aviv strikes garnered millions of views and shares by UN officials. Platform vows stricter enforcement on deceptive content exploiting conflict visuals. Fact-checkers note rising indistinguishability of AI fakes from real footage.
Times of Israel • Mar 5
SOCIAL MEMETIC AI
‘The Crown’ Star Jared Harris Instructs Lawyers Over AI Podcast Deepfake: “A Perfect Example Of Concern Creatives Have Over Misuse Of AI”
Jared Harris engaged lawyers after AI deepfaked his voice and likeness for a podcast on unproduced films, exemplifying creatives' fears of AI misuse. The "Films Not Made" episode used generative tech without consent, prompting legal action. Case underscores vulnerabilities in audio deepfake proliferation on platforms.
Deadline • Mar 4
SOCIAL MEMETIC AI
EU and France rethink their approach to combat Russian disinformation surge
The EU and France are revising strategies against a surge in Russian disinformation ahead of 2027 elections, shifting from takedowns to citizen education and resilience-building. Officials cite limitations of prior content removal efforts amid sophisticated influence operations. New focus empowers public defenses against algorithmic amplification of false narratives.
Le Monde • Mar 4
REGULATION SOCIAL MEMETIC
Turkey's ruling party submits bill to ban social media for under-15s
Turkey's ruling Justice and Development Party submitted a bill to parliament banning social media use for children under 15 and imposing parental consent requirements for 15-17 year olds. The legislation aims to curb addiction, cyberbullying, and exposure to harmful content amid parental outcry. Platforms face fines for non-compliance with age verification mandates.
Channel News Asia • Mar 4
REGULATION SOCIAL DIGITALDIVIDE