The US embassy in Canberra formally objected to Australia's draft digital duty of care laws, which would require tech platforms to let users opt out of content algorithms or face fines. The submission argued vague definitions of 'harm' could enable viewpoint-based censorship, suppress independent journalists, and affect users globally, not just in Australia. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, speaking during a US visit, defended the laws as returning control to individuals rather than governments.
bbc.co.uk
· 2026-09-23
A new report finds that the growing volume of AI-generated content online is eroding consumer trust, weakening the influence that social media personalities have historically had over purchasing decisions. Shoppers who once relied on influencer recommendations for items like clothing and home appliances are said to be growing more skeptical of what they see online.
fastcompany.com
· 2026-09-22
Zelda Williams, daughter of the late comedian Robin Williams, publicly criticized AI-generated videos circulating on social media that falsely depict her father discussing conspiracy theories. One 13-second clip, falsely labeled as a 2013 private recording, was shared thousands of times on X and garnered over 11,000 likes despite a community note flagging it as fake. Williams called out the creators and sharers of the content, saying they were manipulating the public using her deceased father's likeness.
futurism.com
· 2026-09-22
A podcast network operator built an AI pipeline linking Claude Code and NotebookLM to automate social media production for over 25 shows, turning a full day of manual work into a background process. Rather than reducing overall workload, the time saved has been redirected into taking on additional projects and responsibilities.
fastcompany.com
· 2026-09-20
Meta's Threads platform has been flooded with posts using nearly identical wording, in which users claim they and their spouses work at major companies like PepsiCo, JPMorgan, Fidelity, or IBM before pivoting to promote investment advice or opportunities. The repetitive phrasing across accounts suggests coordinated or automated activity rather than genuine personal testimonials.
fastcompany.com
· 2026-09-18
The European Commission unveiled the EU Kids Act, a proposal that would ban social media accounts for children under 13, mandate age verification, and force companies like Meta, Google, YouTube and Roblox to prove their platforms are safely designed. President Ursula von der Leyen said the law shifts the burden of proof onto platforms and gives parents more control over children's online experiences. The measure still needs to go through debate and a vote before becoming law.
cnet.com
· 2026-09-18
The European Commission unveiled the EU Kids Act, a proposal that would bar children under 13 from social media entirely, require parental-managed sub-accounts with restrictions for 13- and 14-year-olds, and only allow independent accounts at 15. The plan also mandates platforms remove addictive design features like infinite scroll, nighttime notifications, and unsolicited contact from strangers, while requiring AI chatbots be disabled by default for minors.
engadget.com
· 2026-09-17
Tyra Banks deleted her existing social media presence and launched a new Substack newsletter called 'The World of Too Much.' She revealed the project by publishing her first post live on stage at the Fast Company Innovation Festival.
fastcompany.com
· 2026-09-16
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen unveiled a proposal to bar children under 13 from using social media across all 27 EU member states. The plan also calls for supervised 'mini accounts' with restricted features for teens aged 13-15, and mandates 'safe design' standards for platforms serving 15-to-18-year-olds.
fastcompany.com
· 2026-09-16
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen unveiled plans to bar children under 13 from social media across all EU member states, part of an EU Kids Act being formally introduced this week. Teens aged 13 to 15 would only be permitted limited, parent-supervised mini accounts capped at one hour daily, while platforms face new safety design rules for users up to 18.
wired.com
· 2026-09-16
Billionaire investor Mark Cuban argued in a series of X posts that public reaction to anti-AI content on social media is more dangerous than AI systems or agent swarms acting on their own. He claimed platforms like Meta and Google amplify anti-AI sentiment far more than positive coverage, even as those same companies profit from AI investment. Cuban said he isn't calling for a development pause, arguing it's not realistic anyway.
techspot.com
· 2026-09-16
The European Union is preparing the EU Kids Act, a proposed law that goes beyond social media to limit children's access to video platforms, chatbots and online games. Under the draft, minors would face tiered restrictions by age, ranging from no access for under-3s to parent-supervised accounts and eventual independent access at 15, with mandatory age checks before signup or download.
techspot.com
· 2026-09-15
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