Core Insights - Meta generated $338,000 from a pro-Russian disinformation network known as "Doppelganger" between August 2023 and November 2024, which involved at least 8,000 pieces of sponsored content [3] - The Doppelganger operation has been active since 2022, targeting users in France, Germany, Poland, and Italy with anti-Ukraine and anti-Western messages [2][3] - Despite sanctions imposed on two Russian companies linked to the operation, Meta continued to approve and distribute advertisements associated with one of them, raising legal compliance concerns [4][5] Company Actions - Meta claimed to be the first tech company to uncover the Doppelganger campaign and has blocked tens of thousands of related posts [6][8] - The company acknowledged the existence of the campaign in September 2022, referring to it as a "coordinated influence campaign" linked to Russia [7] Operational Insights - The Doppelganger operation has evolved from traditional posts to include ads on Facebook and has expanded to other social media platforms, including Bluesky [9][10] - The campaign utilizes bot accounts with AI-generated profiles to amplify its messages, demonstrating a level of sophistication in its operations [10][11] Public Perception - The operation's success is partly attributed to media coverage that highlights its activities, which ironically serves to increase visibility for the disinformation campaign [12]

Core Points - Google has committed to implementing stricter measures to combat fake online reviews following an investigation by the UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) [2][4] - The CMA stated that Google will delete reviews from users who repeatedly post fake or misleading reviews and will ban these users from posting new reviews [2][3] - Businesses attempting to artificially inflate their ratings will face penalties, including warning alerts on their profiles and deletion of all reviews from the past six months if they continue such practices [3][4] Group 1 - Google will take rigorous steps to detect and remove sham reviews, allowing for quick identification and investigation of fraudulent activities [2] - Consumers will have a new mechanism to report suspicious reviews, including those incentivized by payments or rewards [3] - The CMA's CEO emphasized that these changes will enhance consumer confidence in online reviews and promote fair competition among businesses [4] Group 2 - Google has stated that it already blocks millions of fake reviews annually as part of its ongoing efforts to combat fraudulent content [4] - A separate investigation into Amazon regarding fake reviews is also ongoing, highlighting a broader concern about consumer protection in the online shopping space [4] - The issue of fake reviews has prompted various online platforms and authorities, including the U.S. Federal Trade Commission, to take action against fraudulent practices [5][6]

This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Widely viewed as one of the 'godfathers' of AI, Meta's Yann LeCun said Europe was 'afriad of risk' Europe should take greater risks and plow more money into artificial intelligence, Meta's chief AI scientist Yann LeCun told AFP at the World Economic Forum. Widely viewed as one of the "godfathers" of AI, he also judged as "a li ...

Core Viewpoint - Amazon is closing all seven of its warehouses in Quebec, resulting in the elimination of approximately 1,700 permanent full-time jobs and 250 temporary positions, which has raised concerns about the company's labor practices and potential anti-union motives [2][6][10] Group 1: Company Actions - The closures are expected to provide "even more savings to our customers over the long run," according to Amazon [2] - Amazon plans to revert to using local, third-party companies for package delivery, a model it utilized in Quebec prior to 2020 [3] - The decision to close the warehouses followed a "recent review" of the company's operations in the province, affecting one fulfillment center, two sorting centers, three delivery stations, and one facility for large goods [4] Group 2: Employment Impact - The closure will result in the loss of about 1,700 permanent full-time jobs in the greater Montreal area, along with 250 temporary jobs [2] - Amazon is offering impacted employees a severance package that includes up to 14 weeks' pay and transitional benefits such as job placement resources [3] Group 3: Reactions and Controversies - A Canadian union has accused Amazon of closing its warehouses to undermine organizing efforts, particularly after a successful unionization at one site [2][6] - Canadian Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry expressed dismay over the job losses and criticized Amazon's decision [5][6] - Union leaders have labeled the closures as part of an anti-union campaign, drawing parallels to past labor disputes involving other companies like Walmart [7][8]

This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Netflix is starting the year strong with a new season of its South Korean series 'Squid Game Season' show that has won fans around the world. Netflix on Tuesday said it added nearly 19 million subscribers during the holiday season to finish out last year with more than 300 million subscribers. Company executives credited stead ...

Core Viewpoint - Google is facing significant legal challenges regarding its monopoly status and business practices, which could reshape the competitive landscape of the tech industry and impact its market dominance [2][3][18]. Group 1: Legal Challenges and Antitrust Issues - A U.S. District Court ruling described Google as a monopolist, stating it has acted to maintain its monopoly, which could lead to major changes in how search services operate [2][3][18]. - The government is proposing remedies that may include forcing Google to sell its Chrome browser and share data with competitors, indicating a potential shift in the competitive dynamics of the tech industry [3][4][24]. - The Department of Justice (DOJ) and multiple states have sued Google, alleging it illegally operates as a monopoly, with nearly 90% of U.S. search queries going through Google [18][19]. Group 2: Financial Performance and Market Position - Alphabet reported third-quarter revenue of $88.3 billion, a 15% increase from the previous year, with net income rising 34% to $26.3 billion [16]. - Google's market capitalization exceeds $2 trillion, making it one of the most valuable tech companies globally, largely due to its advertising revenue [15]. - The company's revenue share payment to Apple for being the default search engine was estimated at $20 billion in 2022, highlighting its financial relationships with major tech players [21]. Group 3: Competitive Landscape and Future Outlook - Emerging AI technologies, such as OpenAI's ChatGPT, pose a potential threat to Google's search dominance by changing how users find information [7][24]. - Google has launched its own AI-powered chatbot, Gemini, and is incorporating AI-generated summaries in search results to maintain its competitive edge [8][24]. - The ruling against Google could benefit rival search engines like DuckDuckGo, which aims to provide a more privacy-focused alternative [24][25]. Group 4: Impact on Content Creators and Publishers - News publishers are concerned that Google's dominance has led to unfair practices, affecting their ability to monetize content effectively [26][28]. - The DOJ's separate lawsuit against Google for monopolizing digital ad technologies highlights the ongoing tension between the tech giant and content creators [28]. - California lawmakers proposed a bill requiring Google to compensate news outlets for content distribution, but it faced significant opposition and was shelved after negotiations [30][33].

This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: New Apple iPhone 16 models released late in 2024 boast generative artificial intelligence features. Apple pushed out a software update on Thursday which disabled news headlines and summaries generated using artificial intelligence that were lambasted for getting facts wrong. The move by the tech titan comes as it enhances its ...

This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Apple's performance in China is suffering from a slump in shipments, which dropped to 42.9 million in 2024. Apple lost its status as the best selling smartphone brand in the crucial Chinese market last year, new data showed Thursday, with a pair of local rivals surpassing it with surging shipments. The California-based tech gi ...

This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company said its net profit for the three months to December jumped 57 percent on-year. Taiwanese chipmaking giant TSMC on Thursday announced a better-than-expected net profit for the fourth quarter as it benefits from booming demand for AI technology. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Compa ...

Core Findings - Researchers from Tel Aviv University used game theory to demonstrate that allowing platforms to retain decision-making power over user data collection and commercialization can enhance overall welfare in certain situations [1][2] - The study was conducted by Prof Yaron Yehezkel from Tel Aviv University and Prof Sarit Markovich from Northwestern University, published in the Journal of Economics & Management Strategy [2] Data Collection Models - The American model grants platforms full discretion over data collection and usage, with users relinquishing control upon agreeing to platform terms [4] - The European model, under GDPR, allows users to retain control over their data and decide how it is used while still accessing the platform [5] Social vs Economic Value of Data - Data has both negative aspects (privacy infringement) and positive aspects (improving platform services for all users) [7] - Platforms like Waze and Spotify use collected data to provide better services, such as guiding drivers to less congested routes or recommending music based on listening habits [10] - The study identifies scenarios where data provides social value versus purely economic value, with the American model offering significant benefits in cases of high social value and less sensitive data [9] Theoretical Approach - The research used game theory to model user and platform behavior through mathematical utility functions reflecting societal benefit and company profit [6] - The study demonstrated that data has not only economic value but also social value, with platforms using collected data to improve services for other users [8]