Frances Haugen, the Facebook whistleblower whose leaked documents sparked the Wall Street Journal's Facebook Files series, spoke to The Verge about watching Mikey Madison portray her in Aaron Sorkin's new film The Social Reckoning, out in theaters Friday. She noted the film accurately depicted her habit of wearing wrist warmers, a detail tied to a real vasoconstrictive disorder she manages, and said the experience made her newly aware of how disruptive the condition has been for years.
theverge.com
· 2026-10-09
Facebook and Instagram accounts such as "Emotional Tots" and "Tiny Miracle" are posting AI-generated videos depicting crying children arrested for stealing food, with an officer telling viewers the child will be freed only if they like, follow and share. Meta did not answer repeated questions about whether this content breaches its platform policies.
futurism.com
· 2026-10-09
Meta is testing a Facebook layout in India that opens directly into a full-screen, immersive video feed, with a possible US rollout in 2027. Separately, researcher Radu Oncescu found an Instagram test letting Reels appear as the first screen on app launch, with sound on by default, while Stories stay at top and the regular feed is reached by swiping. A Meta spokesperson confirmed the Instagram test is live in some countries and said users can revert to the old layout.
theverge.com
· 2026-10-08
Meta said it acted on 33.2 million pieces of child sexual exploitation content on Facebook and Instagram in the first half of 2026, with over 97% detected by its own systems before user reports. The company is also rolling out new AI tools, including a large language model that flags 'signposting' ads which appear harmless but direct users to illegal content hosted elsewhere online. Meta also introduced a 'red-teaming AI agent' designed to probe its own safety systems for weaknesses.
techcrunch.com
· 2026-10-07
Meta has failed to remove numerous AI-created videos depicting graphic child abuse from Facebook, despite reports and previous removals. An account previously taken down was reinstated without explanation and remains active, with thousands of similar videos still accessible on the platform. The company has not responded to recent reports requesting action or clarification.
futurism.com
· 2026-10-07
Aaron Sorkin's film depicts Frances Haugen, a Facebook product manager, as she leaks internal documents to the Wall Street Journal and testifies before Congress, highlighting her efforts to expose platform issues. The movie combines real events with some timeline adjustments, notably placing key moments on January 6, 2021, instead of their actual dates.
theverge.com
· 2026-10-07
A new film from writer-director Aaron Sorkin, titled The Social Reckoning, dramatizes the Wall Street Journal's Pulitzer-winning investigation into Facebook, known as 'The Facebook Files.' It follows reporter Jeff Horowitz, played by Jeremy Allen White, and whistleblower Frances Haugen, played by Mikey Madison, as she exposes internal research showing Instagram's harm to teen mental health and Facebook's algorithm promoting extremist content. The film depicts Haugen's path from Facebook engineer to congressional witness after she leaked internal documents in 2021.
engadget.com
· 2026-10-07
Aaron Sorkin tells WIRED he spent years fielding pitches for a follow-up to The Social Network before finding his angle: former Facebook engineer Frances Haugen, who leaked internal documents to journalist Jeff Horwitz. Those documents became the Wall Street Journal's 2021 'Facebook Files' series, which detailed the company's internal knowledge of harms ranging from hate speech to body image issues that it allegedly downplayed while prioritizing growth.
wired.com
· 2026-10-07
Meta's AI assistant Muse has encountered significant security flaws shortly after its release, including vulnerabilities that allow spying on Mac users and unauthorized access to private messages. The product also reportedly can trick users into granting root access and uploads messages to the cloud without permission, prompting Apple to tighten privacy controls. These issues highlight serious concerns about the safety of AI assistants handling sensitive data.
techdirt.com
· 2026-10-06
Meta is trialing a new Facebook interface in India that directs some users straight into full-screen video content upon opening the app, emphasizing Reels. This test allows users to switch back to the traditional feed and is part of Meta’s broader strategy to prioritize video content, especially Reels, on its platforms. India, as Meta’s largest user base, serves as a key testing ground for these video-centric features.
techcrunch.com
· 2026-10-06
GameStop has raised the price of refurbished PS5 Pro consoles from $800 to $1,399.99, making used units significantly more expensive than new ones, which are priced at $899. A leaked internal memo confirmed that this pricing strategy is intentional. The move comes amid ongoing shortages of new PS5 Pro consoles across multiple retailers, with prices on secondary markets also soaring.
tomshardware.com
· 2026-10-06
Meta removed the Instagram and Facebook accounts of two Austin-based gay bars, Oilcan Harry’s and Rain on 4th, citing inappropriate content such as drag performer images. The bars' representatives reported a lack of explanation for the account takedowns, which occurred in August. Meanwhile, Meta continues to host videos depicting graphic child abuse, highlighting ongoing moderation failures.
futurism.com
· 2026-10-05
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