Software
Facebook clarifies takedown guidelines, no more boobs and buttocks
Facebook, over the weekend, has revamped the way in which its takedown policy explains the guidelines for user posts. The new guidelines are already in effect, but they don’t modify the existing policy whatsoever, just clarify its terms. That means that the same community guidelines will apply, but it will be easier for users to understand why their request for a takedown has been approved or rejected. Nudity, terrorism, hate speech, violence and criminal acts guidelines have been detailed in such a way that users reading these guidelines will have a clear and concise image of what they are permitted to post and what they should keep to themselves. Moreover, Facebook has instituted a new tool with which Facebook employees can add banners to content that is not suitable for minors, although voices of organizations that militate for children’s presence on the internet say that the social media network should not restrict the use of these tools to Facebook employees, but make them available to users who are posting.
According to the new guidelines, nudity is still permitted, as long as it is “decent”, referring to the fact that boob-pics for example are allowed as long as the nipple isn’t visible. At the same time, photos of buttocks are not allowed, nor other sensitive areas. Facebook also clarified that these guidelines apply to digital images, too, unless they are created with nudity with an explicit purpose, such as sarcasm, criticism, art, education and so on. These changes aim to strengthen community standards and raise awareness about what is suitable for a social network and what is not. Content with explicit sexual acts that contain vivid detail are also still banned from Facebook, but the guidelines are now clearer so that all posters can understand what they are implying.
Alongside standards regulating nudity on Facebook, the new guidelines also explicitly ban terrorist organizations from the entire social network, and they go on to explain that even support for such groups or individuals and their acts is banned completely, which is a welcome explanation by many. Bullying remains banned, but the company has clarified that modified images that degrade individuals are also forbidden. Celebration and praise of general criminal acts outside of terrorism is also banned, although Facebook clarifies that discussing the legality of certain acts considered to be criminal is still ok with community standards.
The feature/tool that Facebook uses to flag violent content are somewhat discussed in security and privacy circles, especially by children’s safety advocates. Although they have been in use since January, Facebook still hasn’t provided the tool to community members. Organizations say that the network should make these tools readily available so that users could flag their own content and prevent videos from auto-playing in news feeds. Facebook global head of content policy, Monika Bickert has clarified to the BBC that the company has no means of implementing this tool right now for its users, but is considering the possibility in the future. At the moment, the company adds these flags only if posts have been reported, which isn’t the best solution one could think of.
Although community standards and takedown guidelines haven’t changed, the added clarifications were a necessity in many people’s minds so that confusion about why some takedown requests were not honored would be avoided. Facebook told the BBC that confusion was the main reason why they have updated and detailed their guidelines. You can check out the new guidelines by visiting the network’s Community standards page.
Geek Culture
Activision Blizzard and the US Justice Department reach a settlement over accusations of esports wage suppression
The U.S. Justice Department filed a complaint against Activision Blizzard on Monday in the District of Columbia, accusing the company of underpaying esports athletes, a claim that has apparently already been resolved.
Activision Blizzard was accused by the Justice Department of enacting a “competitive balance tax” in order to reduce competition for professional Call of Duty and Overwatch players in esports leagues. This would act as a salary cap by penalizing a team if player compensations went over a certain limit (established by Activision Blizzard).
Activision Blizzard’s representative issued the following in a statement: “We have always held the opinion that the Competitive Balance Tax was legitimate and had no negative effects on player pay. We still hold this opinion today. The leagues voluntarily removed the tax from our rules in 2021 because it was never imposed.”
Activision Blizzard has reiterated its commitment to “leading the esports industry and fostering opportunities for players to earn fair pay and benefits,” as well as to refrain from enacting the competitive balance tax or any other kind of ceilings or restrictions on the pay of esports players in the future.
In other Activision Blizzard news, UK authorities no longer worry that the ongoing acquisition narrative would have a significant influence on console competition, so it appears to be nearing to some sort of conclusion.
Google has recently used CES as a platform to present its philosophy of “Better Together,” the notion that all devices should get along with one another. Typically, this entails making announcements regarding new Cast compatibility and features like Fast Pair. The business revealed that it is collaborating with Spotify to incorporate the Connect streaming capability into the Android UI at CES 2023. Additionally, it showed a sneak peek at an audio handoff tool that would recommend various devices to shift your music to based on your preferences and location.
However, CES is a significant vehicle event, and Google also sells items for cars. Additionally, it said today that the Polestar 3 would receive its higher-resolution maps, and it debuted the most recent Android Auto user interface for the first time since it was revealed at I/O 2022.
Two vehicles, a Volvo EX90 with Google preinstalled and a BMW i7 with the new Android Auto experience, were at the Google stand in the trailer lot of the Las Vegas Convention Center. We had never seen the Volvo before, and we’ll be posting a separate hands-on on that experience shortly. The new Android Auto is the main topic of this article and video.
The redesigned interface will support larger screen sizes and have a split screen layout, as we discovered at I/O. Google has eliminated the status bar and inserted a row of shortcut keys below it, along with some indication icons in a small area to the top left. When we were in the car, the Spotify app was located on the left panel, and we could access a list of suggested playlists by swiping in from the right side.
Alerts that you won’t have time to respond to while driving are likewise stored in this left pane. For instance, you can swipe right on a notification to move it to the dock, where it will wait until you’re ready to deal with it.
Check out the video up top for more of our experience with the updated Android Auto in the BMW i7! And be sure to pay attention this week as there will be a ton of news at CES 2023.
iOS
Apple Mini-LED Display Supplier Reports Decreasing Demand As Rumors Suggest a Switch to OLED in the Next Few Years
One of Apple’s top mini-LED suppliers claims that while the company plans to switch to OLED displays for its iPad and MacBook line in the upcoming years, demand for displays in consumer products is declining while demand for mini-LED in other applications is increasing.
According to a recent report from DigiTimes, the demand for mini-LED displays for consumer electronics devices is declining, but it is anticipated that demand for mini-LED displays for dashboards and vehicle displays will increase in 2023. Epistar, which has been supplying mini-LED displays to Apple for some time, is one company that has made this claim.
The creation of particular kinds of OLED screens that Apple intends to utilize in next iPad Pro models, according to a report published last week, is now Samsung’s top priority. The first iPad Pro with an OLED panel, which Apple is rumored to introduce in 2024, has prompted mini-LED vendors to consider alternate applications for their screens, according to DigiTimes.
In 2024, Apple is also expected to release a 13-inch MacBook Air with an OLED display in addition to an OLED iPad Pro. According to reputable display analyst Ross Young, Apple is exploring adopting an OLED panel in a planned update to the iPhone SE but is torn between employing an LCD or OLED display.
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