LONDON — The European Union started new investigations into Facebook and Instagram on Thursday, alleging that they are failing to protect youngsters online, in contravention of the bloc’s rigorous digital standards for social media companies.

It’s the latest wave of investigation for parent business Meta Platforms under the 27-nation EU’s Digital Services Act, a broad set of regulations enacted last year to clean up online platforms and protect internet users.

Facebook And Instagram Face Fresh EU Digital Scrutiny Over Child Safety Measures

The European Commission, the bloc’s executive arm, expressed worry that the algorithmic algorithms used by Facebook and Instagram to propose content such as movies and postings could “exploit the weaknesses and inexperience” of minors and encourage “addictive behavior.” It’s concerned that these methods would exacerbate the so-called “rabbit hole” effect, which drives consumers to more distressing content.

The commission is also investigating Meta’s use of age-verification technologies to prevent youngsters from accessing Facebook or Instagram or viewing inappropriate information. Users must be at least 13 years old to create an account on these networks. It also investigates whether the corporation complies with DSA regulations demanding high privacy, safety, and security for children.

“We want young people to have safe, age-appropriate experiences online and have spent a decade developing more than 50 tools and policies designed to protect them,” Meta stated earlier. “This is a challenge the whole industry is facing, and we look forward to sharing details of our work with the European Commission.”

Facebook And Instagram Face Fresh EU Digital Scrutiny Over Child Safety Measures

The most recent DSA lawsuits center on child safety under the DSA, which mandates platforms to implement strict procedures to protect children. Earlier this year, the commission started two separate investigations into TikTok due to concerns about potential hazards to children.

“We are not convinced that Meta has done enough to comply with the DSA obligations — to mitigate the risks of negative effects on the physical and mental health of young Europeans on its platforms Facebook and Instagram,” European Commissioner Thierry Breton stated on social media.

The cases announced on Thursday are not the first for Facebook and Instagram. The DSA is already investigating them over worries that they are not doing enough to combat foreign disinformation ahead of the EU elections next month.

Facebook And Instagram Face Fresh EU Digital Scrutiny Over Child Safety Measures

X, a social media platform, and AliExpress, an ecommerce site, are under investigation for violating EU regulations.

There is no timeframe for the investigations to conclude. Violations may result in fines of up to 6% of a company’s annual global revenue.

SOURCE – (AP)

According to Chinese official media, Microsoft has asked at least 100 employees in China to consider migrating to other nations.

The reports come as tensions between Beijing and Washington deteriorate over technology such as artificial intelligence (AI) and renewable energy.

Microsoft personnel, particularly involved in cloud computing, were recently offered opportunities to work in the United States, Australia, or Ireland, among other nations, according to a report published Wednesday by state-run media The Paper, citing an unnamed source.

Microsoft Asks Some Employees In China To Move To Other Countries

According to the Wall Street Journal, Microsoft has urged up to 800 employees, most Chinese engineers working on cloud computing and artificial intelligence, to consider relocating. Last year, the Journal reported, citing anonymous sources, that the Biden administration was planning to restrict Chinese corporations’ access to US cloud services.

CNN has contacted Microsoft for comment.

According to a statement from Microsoft (MSFT) that Reuters cited, the company was still committed to China and that giving some employees internal opportunities was part of its regular business.

The business first entered China in 1992, and for decades, it relied on its influential Beijing-based research lab, Microsoft Research Lab Asia, to gain influence.

“Everyone is confused,” an employee told the paper, noting that the impacted employees have less than a month to decide.

Microsoft Asks Some Employees In China To Move To Other Countries

Yicai, a Chinese state-owned financial media site, reported that over 100 staff were affected. It also said that residents had the option not to move.

The reports come the same week President Joe Biden proposed duties on $18 billion in Chinese electric vehicle imports and other products. Biden stated that he was working to prevent unfair competition from China and the US industry from being decimated.

The two economic superpowers have been at odds in the technological realm for years. In October, the Biden administration restricted the semiconductors that American companies may export to China.

In recent months, the United States has joined with its European and Asian partners to block China’s supplies of advanced chipmaking equipment.

Microsoft Asks Some Employees In China To Move To Other Countries

Beijing has responded by setting its restrictions on shipments of germanium and gallium, two materials required for semiconductor manufacturing.

SOURCE – (CNN)

Businesses ranging from McDonald’s to Home Depot are battling to attract financially challenged customers. However, Walmart is expanding as customers seek low-cost groceries, necessities, and other items.

Walmart reported Thursday that sales at locations open for at least a year grew 3.8% over the previous year. The company upped its sales and profit guidance for the year, indicating that it expects growth to continue.

Walmart’s Business Surges As Shoppers Hunt For Low Prices

According to retail analysts, the largest retailer in the United States has leveraged its size and purchasing power to keep prices lower than competitors despite rising inflation since the outbreak.

Groceries account for more than half of Walmart’s sales, and analysts at Evercore IRI say the company has profited from its pricing advantage, with prices that are approximately 25% lower than traditional supermarkets.

While low—and middle-income customers have traditionally made up the majority of Walmart’s customer base, the company has expanded to include people earning more than $100,000 per year. It stated that its growth last quarter was “primarily driven by upper-income households.”

Walmart is also seeing growth online. Its digital sales, which included in-store pickup and delivery, increased by 22% last quarter

Walmart’s Business Surges As Shoppers Hunt For Low Prices

“Most Americans remain uncomfortable with food prices and are still actively looking for ways to keep their spending in check,” Neil Saunders, an analyst at GlobalData Retail, said in a note to clients Thursday. This has benefited “Walmart’s favor and has allowed the chain to continue to acquire new customers.”

Meanwhile, department stores, home improvement retailers, and other retail groups have suffered as buyers tighten their belts. Fast-food restaurants have also struggled.

Retail sales have declined overall in recent months.

The business stated this week that Home Depot’s sales at locations operating for at least a year declined 2.8% last quarter. McDonald’s reports that some lower-income Americans are eschewing the restaurant in favor of cooking at home.

Walmart’s Business Surges As Shoppers Hunt For Low Prices

“It’s a challenging consumer environment,” said Ian Borden, McDonald’s CFO, stressing that many people are struggling with inflation, rising interest rates, and shrinking savings.

SOURCE – (CNN)