It’s estimated that 77% of small businesses rely on social media to help connect with their customers. With 103.7 million Instagram users in the United States alone, it’s hardly surprising that brands and influencers continue to rely on social media platforms to grow their audiences and sales numbers.

Of course, it’s not enough to simply post regularly on social media. The most successful brands and influencers rely on social media monitoring to gain crucial insights into their performance and find ways to improve. And now, AI is poised to take that to the next level.

I recently spoke with Edward Rivers, co-founder and CEO of Comb Insights, as well as James Webb, the company’s co-founder and CTO, to learn more about how his company is bringing AI and social media monitoring together to deliver stronger insights for brands and influencers.

Applying AI to social media monitoring

As Rivers explains, his company’s app is designed to provide essential audience insights in an easy to understand manner.

“When users connect their business account to our app, our proprietary AI scans through the comments on their social media posts to provide a quick understanding of audience sentiment,” he says. “Each comment is given a positive, neutral or negative score based on its language. The post itself is then given an overall sentiment score that shows the percentage of positive, neutral or negative comments.”

The app offers more than just raw numbers, providing context to AI data points by allowing users to see individual comments and sort them based on their positive or negative score. Other features of the app include generating word clouds for the top 40 words used in both positive and negative comments, and the ability to search for or filter specific words used in comments.

“Comments on a social media post are a powerful indicator of how well your content resonates with your audience, but it’s not always easy to quantify that,” Webb explains. “With our app, brands and influencers can quickly quantify the sentiment for a post, and then dig deeper into the comments to identify the reasons why a post may or may not have been successful. With AI doing all the work, you can get these insights in an instant, rather than having to devote extensive time to compiling numbers and assessing comments yourself.”

The speed at which these insights can be delivered is a key differentiator of using AI. By cutting out the time that would otherwise be spent researching user sentiment, brands and influencers can instead focus more of their efforts on crafting content that appeals to their audience.

Turning insights into action

The ability to quickly assess the overall sentiment for a social media post can be a real game-changer for brands and influencers. In the case of social media monitoring, understanding audience sentiment in response to a particular post can provide much-needed guidance on the type of content a brand or influencer produces.

“Learning how and why a post didn’t appeal to your audience can help you pivot your content strategy before it’s too late,” Rivers says. “AI provides the data, and then it’s up to you to use that information to tailor your content to better suit your audience’s tastes. As you do so, you’ll get better engagement and more positive sentiment, which will help extend your reach and build a stronger brand.”

Comb Insights also helps brands and influencers better manage their audience relationships with the addition of replying to or deleting comments in bulk.

“You don’t want scam or harmful comments clogging up your posts,” Rivers explains. “And at the same time, not every comment requires a lengthy, personalized response. The ability to delete or reply to comments in bulk can be a valuable time-saver that gives you more time to reply to the comments that need more thought and nuance. This will help you humanize your interactions and respond faster — things that your most loyal audience members will appreciate.”

Notably, 79% of consumers expect brands to respond to them on social media within 24 hours — and 39% expect a response in less than an hour. A slow response could send the message that you’re ignoring the user or don’t value their insights. But by using AI tools such as Comb Insights to quickly respond to audience members, brands and influencers can demonstrate that they do care and strengthen those relationships.

AI as a partner for social media success

As the example of Comb Insights illustrates, AI is poised to help brands and influencers take their social media marketing to new heights. With fast, accurate insights and more time to focus on content, social media efforts can become far more effective.

“The proper use of AI can make all the difference in coming to understand your audience and what they want,” Webb says. “It really shouldn’t be a question of if you’ll use AI. The technology is here to stay. Those who make the most of it to better understand their audience are the ones who will be able to develop deeper relationships that grow their online presence like never before.”

With AI as a partner in their social media efforts, brands and influencers alike can make the most of the insights that are there for the taking.

The post Comb Insights: AI meets social media monitoring for the benefit of brands and influencers alike appeared first on Digital Journal.

With 2023 coming to a close, it’s time to look back on the year that was. TikTok certainly had an eventful one as it dominated the social media scene. It kicked off various global trends, keeping everyone entertained throughout the year’s highs and lows. It also became a go-to marketing tool for businesses who wanted to express their creativity and tap the growing Gen Z market.

But that doesn’t mean everything was smooth sailing for the social media giant. It faced a slew of bans as different countries grew concerned about data privacy. The United Kingdom, Canada, and New Zealand are just a few of those who have banned TikTok on government devices. 

Despite the setbacks, TikTok is here to stay. The platform will continue to shape pop culture in 2024, influencing people’s buying habits and brands’ marketing strategies. And we can expect more improvements to the app that will benefit viewers, consumers, and businesses. 

Growing user base and revenue milestone

TikTok’s user base expanded by 16% in 2023, reaching 1.5 billion users. It’s a milestone for the company and a huge advantage for businesses on the app. This year, many brands capitalized on the platform’s growth and leveraged TikTok marketing to capture the Gen Z market. 

According to Celebian, a TikTok promotion service, TikTok ads reach 17.9% of global Internet users above 18 years old. That’s 884.9 million viewers, or 15.9% of the world’s population within this age bracket. Through its study, Celebian discovered that TikTok’s Gen Z reach surpasses all other social media platforms. It taps 25% of female users and 17.9% of male users between 18 and 24. The app’s ability to launch trends is what drives its impressive reach.

These numbers show that TikTok remains an invaluable business tool amid the government bans and potential forced selling. Its record-breaking revenue further proves its power and influence. TikTok recently became the first non-mobile gaming app to generate $10 billion in gross revenue. Nearly $4 billion is from virtual coins that viewers gift content creators. According to data.ai, consumers spend $11 million daily to show appreciation to their favorites.

That’s not the only impressive feat from the tech giant this year. It is also the first mobile app to produce $1 billion in global consumer spending within a quarter. That happened in the first quarter of 2023. With that level of business success, TikTok is on its way to becoming the highest-earning mobile app in history. 

Game-changing tools and heightened security

TikTok is a leader in innovation, placing high value on creativity and community. In 2023, it rolled out new tools to help content creators and businesses build more effective ads. It also made improvements to the platform to enhance user experience. 

Early this year, it introduced the Keyword Insights tool to assist advertisers in keyword searches. The game-changing feature can spot trending script keywords in ad captions, text overlays, and voiceovers. It also provides insights on keyword performance, including click-through rates and how advertisers use them. It helps brands produce better ad copies and develop new marketing strategies. 

TikTok also embraced e-commerce in 2023, launching the TikTok Shop in the United States. It allows brands and merchants to post content like videos and livestreams on the platform. They can feature their products directly on their profiles or promote them as TikTok Shop ads. Users can browse, shop, and pay without leaving the app. 

TikTok even rolled out a “Fulfilled by TikTok” service to help businesses with logistics and shipping. It ensures that customers get their orders on time and receive proper customer service should issues arise. To complete the e-commerce experience, TikTok also started an affiliate program. It’s an added earning opportunity for content creators and free exposure for sellers. 

Text posts are another memorable addition to TikTok this year. The focus may be on short-form videos, but TikTok decided there’s also space for written creativity. Users can type poems, recipes, and short stories of up to 1,000 characters. Text posts are customizable with audio, colored backgrounds, and stickers. 

Aside from platform improvements, TikTok also reaffirmed its commitment to safety. Partnering with technological experts, it developed solutions to protect brands on the platform. Marketers can now have a safer advertising experience, confident that their ads will appear on brand-appropriate content. TikTok also leveraged AI and machine learning to review the safety and suitability of content for ads. 

TikTok predictions for 2024

2023 was a banner year for TikTok, but will the platform experience the same success in 2024? Its record-breaking revenue in 2023 is a good sign that it will retain its lead. As a powerful cultural force, it will continue to deliver unparalleled reach and engagement and grab the attention of more brands and marketers. It will also be the birthplace of more Internet trends that will keep the world watching.

One trend to watch for in 2024 is longer content. TikTok is pushing for longer-form videos to rival the platforms that came before it. According to TikTok spokesperson Zachary Kizer, they are taking the direction of content creators. The platform wants to explore ways to encourage users to stay longer on the app and generate more profit for advertisers and creators. Only time will tell if viewers will appreciate the change since they initially came to the app for short-form videos.

Niche communities are another trend that will take off in 2024. Because of the stiff competition on the app, we can expect content creators to adopt highly-specialized niches. That will help them build a loyal audience of like-minded individuals. An upcoming niche to look out for is environmental consciousness. There will be more eco-friendly influencers advocating waste reduction and sustainable living to make the world a greener place. 

Technological trends will also be making their way into TikTok. AI-generated music will be the soundtrack to many videos. That will open the door to more music creators, even those who don’t have professional experience with traditional methods. Users will also see more AR on the app. Late 2023, the platform introduced a new mobile editing feature that lets users create AR effects. It’s much easier to make realistic and seamless filters.

Embracing TikTok and its ever-changing landscape

The only way for businesses to succeed is to ride the waves of change. And TikTok is the best platform to help them with that. It pushes the boundaries of creativity, encouraging brands to step out of their comfort zones and try better strategies. Despite the challenges it’s facing, TikTok is dominating pop culture. Now is the best time to take advantage of it. 

The post 2023 on TikTok: A year in review and what’s next appeared first on Digital Journal.

In the vast expanse of the internet, a not-so-well-known online community, self-dubbed “The Social Media Kings,” has been making waves with its extraordinary range of exclusive social media services. This 50,000-member strong community forum, shrouded in secrecy and operating without the usual fanfare of advertising, social media profiles, or significant press coverage, has astonishingly generated 50 million USD in sales over the past few years. Their offerings are not just unique but seem almost magical in their capability, especially their unparalleled service of unbanning individuals and businesses from various social media platforms.

“The Social Media Kings” operate in a niche that is as enigmatic as it is lucrative. Among their array of exclusive services, a few stand out. They offer legacy verifications, which are typically hard to obtain, and access to hidden features on social platforms that the average user or even a seasoned social media expert might not be aware of. However, their most sought-after and talked-about service is the ability to unban anyone from any social media platform, a feat that seems nearly impossible in today’s tightly regulated digital environment.

This ability to reverse bans on social media platforms is particularly significant in the current digital age, where social media is not just a tool for communication or entertainment but a critical avenue for income generation and business operations. For many influencers, entrepreneurs, and companies, a ban from a social platform doesn’t just mean a loss of a communication channel; it translates into a direct financial hit. The usual route of appealing to the social media giants often proves futile, leaving many in a state of despair. This is where “The Social Media Kings” step in, wielding their mysterious yet effective power to reinstate banned accounts, for the right price.

The secrecy surrounding their methods adds to the allure and mystique of “The Social Media Kings.” No one outside the community seems to know exactly how they manage to achieve what they do. This obscurity has not only fueled curiosity but also skepticism. Yet, the results speak for themselves, as a growing number of banned individuals and businesses, unable to find recourse elsewhere, turn to this enigmatic group for salvation.

The success of “The Social Media Kings” highlights a critical aspect of the digital era: the immense value and power of social media presence. In a world where digital visibility equates to income and influence, being cut off from social media platforms can have devastating consequences. The services offered by this community become not just a luxury but a necessity for those who find themselves exiled from the digital world.

Despite their low profile, “The Social Media Kings” have managed to carve out a niche that is both unique and highly in demand. Their ability to operate under the radar, yet achieve significant financial success, is a testament to the evolving nature of online communities and the digital marketplace. They represent a counter-narrative to the traditional approach of online marketing and visibility, proving that in the digital age, sometimes the most powerful players are those who aren’t in the spotlight.

SWAPD is a fascinating case study in the digital world. It underscores the growing importance of social media platforms in business and personal life, and the desperate lengths to which individuals and businesses will go to maintain their online presence. Their success, shrouded in mystery and devoid of conventional marketing, challenges our understanding of digital influence and points to the vast, untapped potential of niche online communities in the sprawling digital landscape.

The post Unveiling the mystery of ‘The Social Media Kings’, a hidden powerhouse in the digital realm appeared first on Digital Journal.

The ministry said in a statement sent to AFP that the video was deemed “inappropriate” and that it had asked the Israeli embassy to take it down.

The video, which is no longer available on the embassy’s social media, depicted a distressing scenario in which a South Korean woman in the capital is abducted by an armed assailant on Christmas Day, and forcibly separated from her young daughter, a clip published by South Korean broadcaster YTN showed.

The Israeli embassy wrote, alongside the now-removed video posted on its Facebook account on Tuesday: “On October 7th, Israel was attacked by Hamas terrorists. 1,200 men, women and children were killed, and over 240 people were taken hostage in Gaza.”

“Imagine if it happened to you. What would you do?” it added.

South Korea remains technically at war with nuclear-armed North Korea, as their 1950-53 military conflict ended in an armistice, not a peace treaty.

YTN reported that Israel’s ambassador in Seoul Akiva Tor said in a social media post that has since been deleted: “We have reconstructed the horrifying terrorist incident that took place on October 7th to help South Koreans in East Asia, far away from Israel, understand the current war situation.”

Israel has repeatedly vowed to keep up its campaign to destroy Palestinian militant group Hamas in retaliation for its bloody October 7 attack, which left about 1,140 people dead, most of them civilians, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli figures.

Palestinian militants also took around 250 hostages, 129 of whom remain in captivity, Israel says.

Israel’s relentless bombardment and ground invasion of the Gaza Strip have killed at least 21,110 people, mostly women and children, according to the latest toll from Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry.

“The killing and kidnapping of Israeli civilians by Hamas cannot be justified, but the Israeli Embassy’s production and distribution of a video drawing parallels to the security situation in another country was deemed inappropriate,” South Korea’s foreign ministry said in the statement.

“We have conveyed our position to the Israeli Embassy in South Korea, and the Israeli side has taken measures to delete the video in question.”

The post Israeli embassy pulls video imagining Hamas attack in Seoul appeared first on Digital Journal.

The “information revolution” has turned into a revolution against information. Reasons for avoidance are many and understandable. The news is often depressing, infuriating, and extremely negative.

One problem is that it’s such a huge quantity of unrelieved negative news. Social media aggravates it severely, an associated smell with the news. Social media and news are now seen as effectively the same thing. Somebody obviously thinks that constant doom sells. Apparently good or even interesting news is at most a grudging optional extra.

Polarization definitely doesn’t help. Politics paints hysterical pictures and calls it news. It creates heroes and villains at kid-stuff level. A source of information that polarizes also antagonizes. It’s a major disincentive. In its most extreme form, it’s also intolerant of other views, adding genuine anger and resentment to a blatant mix of selective information.

This “implied information” tends to fragment into smaller subjects and bits and pieces. These sub-subjects then take up more space in the news at the expense of all else. Other subjects are then plugged into the narrative.

Put it this way – If the news was “the cat sat on the mat”, you’d be lucky to find out there was ever a cat or a mat in the deluge of instant digressions. Schrödinger would never have got a word in.

Add to this that news media pitches at very low levels. I saw a FOX stream where that picture of Joe Biden tripping was repeated at least 3 times in 10 minutes. It’s infant-level propaganda. This is simply not news in any sense of the word.

It’s also not the Fourth Estate or the Fifth Estate, the theoretical roles of information in society. It’s just marketing, and lousy marketing at that. The beat-ups in property prices and financial markets are almost identical.

What’s the point of news? The theory is that the public is informed and can act on reliable information. Someone can be held accountable and something can be done. That just doesn’t happen anymore if it ever did since Watergate.

This message to the media has either not been received or understood. The news media has also demoted itself to a groveling servant of political and corporate interests, undermining its already very dubious credibility.

…And nobody’s watching. A survey of Australian news avoidance was pretty indicative of the many turn-offs in news. Agree with the survey participants or not, it’s an unequivocal picture of highly selective rejection of news.  

In basic market research, you’d call a figure of 60% plus a major rejection of any product. It’s a marketing disaster like few others. You’d then have to look at reasons for rejection, like the perception of opposing or hostile agendas, bias, one-sided coverage, etc. This leads back to policies and management. In news terms, it’s the antithesis of basic journalism. It’s also that obviously the antithesis of news people will look at.

The news has made itself useless and in so many cases actively despised.

So, poppets, any theories?  

The post Op-Ed: Over 60% of people actively avoid the news and the news media doesn’t get it appeared first on Digital Journal.

One of the biggest rocks thrown by the study is the statement that print text is 6 to 8 times better for comprehension. Bear in mind how much training material is digital, and you can see the instant problem.

This is also a bit of a sacred cause for traditional readers who don’t like electronic media. They are now vindicated …perhaps.

There’s a lot more to this argument which is far from obvious:

Different media naturally result in different behaviors. You can’t scroll through a print text. A static screen full of text is a different series of focal lengths and lighting.

The basis of literacy is comprehension, regardless of the types of media used. *

*Literate comprehension means being able to critique information and accurately recall it, from basic information to critique level.

*Quality of information and the quality of its delivery add to these issues. Some people do great science, but their information can be more like a cryptic crossword.

*Even the physical properties of digital text are a problem. Cheapskate pale or iffy fonts do not help readers. You can zoom in and get out of focus, too, partially obscuring the pages. In print text, that font size is long since out of fashion with publishers.

*The type of reading and type of reader are also important. An engaged reader is by definition more involved than a casual reader. If the reader is adding to their knowledge base, the importance of the text is much higher.

The study found that the “reading mindset” for digital media tends to be “shallower”. This could be habituated behavior, and let’s face it, the main reason for constant scrolling is avoiding unnecessary content.

On the other side of this message is the study finding that comprehension improves for secondary school and undergraduates. That may mean simply more pressure or better focus. Other information says that the type of reading material discourages comprehension, which is quite understandable.

There is a major distinction between specialized content and “bits and pieces” of information in any learning environment. Do you remember and prioritize a single paragraph when reading? You might, but mixed media is also a very mixed bag.

I’ve been working online as a writer for decades including a lot of commercial writing. I do both print and digital media. One thing I’ve learned about digital media is that big solid blocks of text are more like obstacle courses for readers than assets to reading.

It’s more eyestrain than information. Comprehension is subject to fatigue. There’s also boredom, repetition, and lack of incentive in the case of the more turgid texts.

The scrolling mindset and the reading mindset are very different. You can’t blame people for scrolling through large slabs of text to get to specific points. Readers need signposts like headings and bullet points for scrolling simply because there is so much to read.

Then there’s the type of digital media to be considered. According to researchers, social media users showed “minimal association with text comprehension”. That’s a very polite way of putting it.

The value of this study is that comprehension is now, finally, a subject for study. It’s long overdue.

_________________________________________________________

Disclaimer
The opinions expressed in this Op-Ed are those of the author. They do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of the Digital Journal or its members.

The post Op-Ed: Printed text better for comprehension than digital says new study appeared first on Digital Journal.

Social media fame opens the door to powerful influence, unlimited opportunities, and the potential for enormous financial success. The question for many is how to leverage platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram to become a star. The key to achieving this goal lies in understanding the importance of followers, likes, and engagement, as well as mastering strategies to get likes.

Understanding the dynamics of social media

Social media platforms are not just about sharing content. They are complex ecosystems driven by algorithms. These algorithms prioritize content that generates engagement, which is measured through likes, comments, and shares. The more engagement a post receives, the more comprehensive it is distributed, making engagement a critical metric for success.

The power of followers

Followers are the backbone of any social media strategy. They represent your core audience, brand advocates, and the primary source of engagement. However, the quality of followers often trumps quantity. A smaller, more engaged follower base can be more valuable than a large, disinterested one. Authentic engagement with followers fosters a community around your content, enhancing your social media presence.

Mastering the art of ‘getting likes’

Getting likes is a subtle art that requires a blend of creativity, strategy, and consistency. Here’s how you can achieve it:

1. Content is king: High-quality, original content that resonates with your audience is crucial. Whether it’s entertaining, informative, or inspiring, your content should add value to your followers’ social media experience.
2. Understand your audience: Tailoring your content to your audience’s interests, needs, and preferences is essential. Use analytics tools to understand what resonates with your audience and adapt accordingly.
3. Engage consistently: Regular interaction with your audience through comments, messages, and live streams builds a personal connection, encouraging followers to engage with and share your content.
4. Leverage trends: Jumping on trending topics, hashtags, and challenges can significantly boost visibility and likes. However, ensure that trends align with your brand and message.
5. Cross-platform promotion: Utilize multiple platforms to reach a broader audience. A YouTube video can be promoted on Instagram, while TikTok content can direct viewers to your Instagram profile, creating a cross-platform presence.

Platform-specific strategies

YouTube

On YouTube, long-form content reigns supreme. Consistent uploading, high-quality video production, and engaging storytelling are key. YouTube’s algorithm favors videos that keep viewers on the platform longer, so focus on creating compelling content that retains viewer attention.

TikTok

TikTok thrives on short, captivating videos that often go viral. Creativity and originality are vital, as is the use of trending music and challenges. TikTok’s algorithm is known for giving new creators a chance to shine, so don’t be afraid to experiment.

Instagram

Instagram is all about aesthetics, storytelling, and community. High-quality images, engaging captions, and the use of relevant hashtags can boost your visibility. Instagram Stories and Reels are also powerful tools for increasing engagement and reaching new audiences.

Strategy trumps urgency

Achieving social media fame requires a strategic approach centered around understanding your audience, creating engaging content, and being consistent. Whether it’s YouTube’s video-centric platform, TikTok’s short-form creativity, or Instagram’s visual storytelling, each platform offers unique opportunities to get likes and grow your following. Remember, social media fame isn’t an overnight phenomenon. It’s a journey of building a community, one like at a time.

The post How to achieve social media fame appeared first on Digital Journal.

The core subjects driving the partnership are Artificial Intelligence and mathematics.

The partnership is supported by Wakelet and Microsoft 365 with the Children’s Parliament project.

This activity represents the combined use of computer hardware, software, and educational theory and practice to facilitate learning, based on information provided to Digital Journal.

As a result of the public-private partnership, students from the Senator Obama Primary School in Kogelo, Kenya received laptops and Safari Wi-Fi from Wakelet and PETT. Wakelet is an education technology firm. The use of the technology is set to enable an exchange of ideas among students across the three countries, transcending geographical boundaries.

Of interest is the ability to create a new online space for collaboration and knowledge-sharing between the nations.

To launch the partnership, Baroness Uddin, an advocate for education and international connectivity, hosted a MS Teams discussion. Uddin is a British non-affiliated life peer and community activist of Bangladeshi descent, with a keen interest in international collaboration.

This project has brought together students and educators from the three schools. The virtual meeting provided a platform for participants to connect, share insights, and lay the groundwork for cross-cultural collaboration.

As the programme advances, Wakelet is set to play a central role by providing online collaboration tools, ensuring communication and interaction among students. The education programme will be led by the registered Community Interest Company (CIC) IDEMS.

In addition to AI and mathematics, students will also be exposed to modules on subjects as diverse as democracy, water management and sustainability, and football diplomacy. This holistic approach aims to provide students with an educational boost, as well as strengthening their understanding of global issues and promoting cultural diversity.

The post Edtech partnership strengthens understanding and diversity across three countries appeared first on Digital Journal.

The board, set up by Meta in 2020 as a supreme court of sorts for the social media titan, overturned two post removal decisions, and urged the company to respond more quickly to changing circumstances in the war between Hamas and Israel.

One case involved the removal by Instagram of a video showing what appeared to be the aftermath of a strike on or near Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City during a ground offensive by Israel.

The video showed Palestinians, including children, injured or killed, according to the board.

A second case involved Facebook’s decision to remove a video of an Israeli woman begging her kidnappers not to kill her as she is taken hostage during Hamas raids on Israel on October 7, the board said.

“These decisions were very difficult to make,” oversight board co-chair Michael McConnell said in a release.

“The board focused on protecting the right to the freedom of expression of people on all sides about these horrific events, while ensuring that none of the testimonies incited violence or hatred.”

The board urged Meta to preserve any removed posts that might contain evidence of human rights violations.

Meta told the board that it temporarily lowered thresholds for automatic removal of posts with potentially harmful content after the Hamas-led attack on Israel, according to the overseers.

The use of automated tools for content moderation at Facebook and Instagram increase the likelihood of removing posts showing the harsh reality of what is happening in the conflict, according to the board.

“These testimonies are important not just for the speakers, but for users around the world who are seeking timely and diverse information about ground-breaking events,” McConnell said.

“Some of which could be important evidence of potential grave violations of international human rights and humanitarian law.”

Content decisions by the oversight board are binding, but its recommendations are not, according to Meta.

The conflict between Israel and Hamas has claimed many lives and arouses intense emotions around the world.

Social networks have been flooded with violent imagery along with fabricated content intended to misinform, in a challenge to online platforms.

The European Union in October sent Meta a request for information about the dissemination of violent and terrorist content on its platforms.

Similar investigations are targeting TikTok, owned by China-based ByteDance, and X, formerly known as Twitter.

The post Meta accused of mishandling Israel-Hamas war posts appeared first on Digital Journal.

The action against the company formerly known as Twitter is the first against a major online platform since Brussels implemented the Digital Services Act (DSA), a sweeping piece of European Union legislation that strengthens online companies’ responsibility for content moderation.

“Today’s opening of formal proceedings against X makes it clear that, with the DSA, the time of big online platforms behaving like they are ‘too big to care’ has come to an end,” said the bloc’s digital enforcer, EU commissioner Thierry Breton.

“We will now start an in-depth investigation of X’s compliance with the DSA obligations concerning countering the dissemination and amplification of illegal content and disinformation in the EU, transparency of the platforms and design of the user interface.”

X, in a statement on its platform, said it “remains committed to complying with the Digital Services Act and is cooperating with the regulatory process”.

The European Commission said a preliminary information-gathering investigation it launched against X in October, which included looking at “the dissemination of illegal content in the context of Hamas’ terrorist attacks against Israel”, led to Monday’s probe.

On the basis of that information, “the Commission has decided to open formal infringement proceedings against X under the Digital Services Act”, it said.

The formal probe will examine four areas: the dissemination of illegal content; the effectiveness of X’s efforts to combat disinformation; suspected restrictions on giving researchers access to its data; and suspected deceptive practices — known as “dark patterns” — related to its “Blue Tick” subscriptions.

In the event of proven infringements, the DSA carries penalties that can include fines going up to six percent of an online company’s global revenues.

– Disinformation –

For serious and repeated violations, the EU can ban a platform operating in the 27-nation bloc.

The commission said that, under the formal probe against X, it would now “continue to gather evidence, for example by sending additional requests for information, conducting interviews or inspections”.

It noted that the proceedings gave it powers to order X to undertake interim or remedial steps, pending the conclusion of the probe.

There is no deadline for the proceedings to wrap up.

Weeks after starting its initial information-gathering exercise against X, the commission also launched preliminary investigations along the same lines against TikTok, YouTube and Facebook owner Meta.

Those investigations also looked at how the platforms handled disinformation and illegal content related to the Hamas attack.

The Hamas attack on October 7 killed around 1,140 people in Israel, most of them civilians, and took an estimated 250 people hostage, of whom 105 have been released and several killed, according to the latest Israeli figures.

Israel retaliated with an intense bombardment of the Gaza Strip, which is controlled by Hamas.

More than 19,400 Palestinians, mostly women and children, have been killed in the Gaza Strip in Israeli bombardments since October 7, according to the Hamas government’s health ministry, and much of the besieged territory has been reduced to rubble.

– Extremists and conspiracy theorists –

In September, Brussels raised concerns over X’s disinfo-fighting capacities after noting its bad score in that regard in a pilot study of several platforms.

Since buying Twitter for $44 billion in October 2022, Musk has gutted its content moderation staff, and reinstated accounts of banned extremists and conspiracy theorists.

Musk’s company is now worth less than half of what he paid for it — around $19 billion, according to internal documents sent to staff and reported by tech publication The Verge.

In its statement responding to the EU’s infringement probe, X said: “It is important that this process remains free of political influence and follows the law.”

It said it was “focused on creating a safe and inclusive environment for all users on our platform, while protecting freedom of expression”.

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