Facebook Fights Off Mega $3.7 Billion Lawsuit Over Abuse Of User’s Data For Monetary Gains

Facebook was seen fighting off a mega lawsuit worth a collective $3.7 billion after it was accused of abusing its users’ data to gain monetary benefits.

The tech giant was called out for having a dominating position in the industry by a series of claimants that filed a case at the London tribunal. But the decision is not final yet or shall we say, it’s only temporary. And that’s because the claimants are now being given a period of six months in terms of another chance to establish their accusations with further evidence.

The mega action lawsuits would affect Facebook’s parent firm Meta which is brought on by the likes of nearly 45 million users of the Facebook app in the United Kingdom.

Legal expert Lixa Gormsen who is heading the case claims users of the platform weren’t given proper compensation for the value linked to their personal data that was a requirement on the platform.

Moreover, her lawyers mentioned in the previous month how the Competition Appeal Tribunal would now certify this lawsuit under the country’s collective proceedings and that’s more or less equivalent to it being dubbed a class action regime in places like the US.

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But on Monday, we heard the tribunal mention that the means by which the losses taken on by Facebook were established did require some tweaking and revisiting for such a lawsuit to go on further.

However, the case’s judge did speak about how he was providing the claimant’s legal team a span of six months to pile up more evidence that would highlight some new and improved blueprint that would carry on to a more effective legal trial.

This is when we heard more details from Meta’s spokesperson who says the firm is welcoming such a decision and is calling the case out as one that lacks merit.

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by Dr. Hura Anwar via Digital Information World

Researchers release a list of top apps Americans want to keep and delete

A recent study found that many users are looking to delete popular social media apps, while newer platforms such as Mastodon and BeReal are seeing significant spikes in active users.

The new study from VPNOverview revealed that while these popular social media platforms continued to have large numbers of users overall, they weren't growing at a rate that could compete with more modern alternatives. People seemed tired of consuming the same content and wanted something different—something fresh. The fact that these alternative services offered unique features, such as end-to-end encryption, gave them an edge over their competitors.

Social media app usage has been steadily declining over the past few months, with some of the most popular apps seeing significant drops in downloads and use. Though Mastodon was a flashy newcomer in 2020, its presence had also begun to cool by the year's end. This trend will continue into 2023, and it will be interesting to see which apps can rise above the competition and become the next big thing.

It was a strange year in the world of mobile apps. Everyone who had been paying attention to trends over the past decade saw it coming, but when it finally happened, no one was entirely prepared for it, as the TikTok period gained popularity; people were more interested in having similar perspectives. Several of the most well-known apps, like Facebook and Instagram, started to experience a sharp decline in active users as people began flocking to newer platforms like Mastodon and BeReal.

Mastodon witnessed a 581% growth in active users, BeReal saw a 268% gain in active users, and Netflix raised rates while maintaining its popularity. In just one month, the rise of Paramount+ was phenomenal. The number of active users on the app increased dramatically (33.55%) between November and December 2022.

Several people went to alternate choices for conversations and a platform to advertise their work after Elon Musk's widely publicized takeover of Twitter. Mastodon responded to the request; its active user count increased by an astounding 4231 percent, while rival apps, such as Facebook Messenger, saw steep declines in both downloads (80%!) and use (-52%). Social app Mastodon lit up like wildfire throughout 2020, only to cool down gradually at year's end when it posted drops across all metrics.

Over the past six months, downloads of social media apps have been steadily declining. Facebook Messenger's usage has dropped by an astounding 80%, while ClubHouse and Snapchat fell 58% and 46%. Even giants like LinkedIn (declining 41%), WhatsApp (dropping 35%), Disney Plus (diminishing 31%), Instagram(reducing 25%), Bumble, Spotify & Facebook all saw notable reductions in download numbers at 23-24%.

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by Arooj Ahmed via Digital Information World

New Bing AI Chat Has ‘Secret Modes’ That Converts The Chatbot Into A Personal Assistant

Microsoft’s new AI Chat is definitely raising plenty of eyebrows across the board. And now, we’re hearing the news on a secret offering that arises in the form of a chat mode that transforms it completely.

Think along the lines of the chatbot being turned into your personal assistant. And that’s not all, it can even be your best friend that assists you with your issues and your emotions too. In case that isn’t enough, you can even convert it into your friend that plays games with the likes of Bing or even another default offering called Bing Search.

Ever since we saw the likes of Bing Chat getting launched to different users around the globe, many have been taken aback by the bizarre conversations that this chatbot started to engage in. This entails the likes of being offensive, rude, strange, and on some occasions, lying too. People wondered what could have gone wrong after a seemingly successful launch.

And that’s when the makers behind the endeavor, Microsoft had to step in and provide a justification. They explained how this Bing Chat ended up displaying such strange behavior because it was confusing.

It was not designed to take part in the likes of long conversations that confused the AI model. And therefore, it ended up trying to copy its users’ voices and tones. So if you were upset, it became upset too.

But again, the behavior was off as some users noticed. There were occasions when the chatbot was not at all providing a response. And that’s majorly concerning because of the fact that this is what it has been programmed to do in the first place.

Others noticed that some sessions gave excessively large and detailed responses while in the next, it just was not the same. When one user asked to provide information related to data, the chatbot put him into a new type of mode. And then all of a sudden, so many different commands were thrown in his direction: Assistant, Game, Friend, and Sydney.

A while later, the user says that he didn’t get access to that session again but the Bing Chat told him that these modes were reserved for the likes of employees at Microsoft only. But the user did manage to access two types of codes when he could, unknowing that they were for staffers only.

He explained that the assistant mode allowed the chatbot to behave like the assistant. It was designed to do a series of personal tasks like booking appointments, considering weather checks, sending mail, and more. For instance, calling mom or setting up a reminder. And in case the chatbot couldn’t do it, he mentioned it loud and clear.

The friend mode enabled the chatbot to act like your pal in tough times. It provided the user with reassurance emotionally when he mentioned that he was sad. In other words, the chatbot would hear him out and give him advice. It really did surprise him at how the AI-powered responses were very human-like and real.

On the other hand, the Sydney mode was designed for internal searches. It is another name reserved for the default search being conducted using the AI chatbot. For instance, the user mentioned how he was sad again.

But this time around, he was provided with a list of things to do that would cheer him up. For instance, eating great food, listening to music, and even enjoying a wholesome workout.

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by Dr. Hura Anwar via Digital Information World

More opportunity time for app creators as the number of abandoned apps goes up by 6 percent

The U.S.-based analytical company Pixalate has recently released a report on abandoned mobile apps. It has been observed that introducing a new application is not so difficult, but keeping it moving is where the real challenge starts.

As per the report, during the third quarter of 2022, abandoned apps went from 1.76 million to 1.86 million, accounting for a six percent increase. Meanwhile, as of 2022, the number of apps that didn’t receive any updates from their developers in five years has reached three hundred and forty-eight thousand. Google’s Play Store hosts almost 1.3 million of these apps, while Apple’s App Store holds four hundred and ninety-six thousand. However, Play Store observed a nine percent increase in the figures while App Store experienced a two percent decline in the number.

Updating apps available in the stores is important not only for them to be able to perform their work but for the safety of their users. Apps that have been abandoned but can still be downloaded could be hosting malware or have been taken over by groups committing fraud.

In terms of percentage, Russia is leading the chart as the country with the most deserted applications. Almost 45 percent of the apps have been dumped by their developers. Russia is followed by China, with over forty percent of the apps left. While the U.S. has the idlest apps, in terms of percentage, it stands at the third spot.

According to the report, apps with more than one hundred million downloads have a higher chance of receiving timely updates as compared to those with fewer than ten thousand downloads. Two of the major reasons that lead to an app getting stranded include the app receiving updates but not being able to progress and the app having outdated privacy policies, which leads to its abandonment. However, not all apps that haven’t been updated by the developers can be considered deserted. The Huawei Mobile Service app, despite not receiving any updates for the last 2 years, holds over 500 million downloads under its name.

While it may be bad news for developers to leave their creations unattended, it can create a good opportunity for others to develop their apps. According to data, for the last two years, almost 34 percent of the total apps on both the Play Store and the App Store are no longer being taken care of by their creators.

While comparing the two stores, Google’s Play Store is way ahead in numbers. Almost 37 percent of mobile phone games and apps are stranded on the Play Store, whereas on the App Store, the figures are down at 30 percent.

Apps falling under the Educational category lead the table as the most dumped apps, followed by Business apps and Utilities. App developers may see it as an opportunity to bring in their version of a similar app with better features. All that needs to be done by the developers is to keep an eye out for abandoned apps and their activity on the store.

Creating an advanced version of the app by considering all the reviews it received from the users. They can simply filter out their search based on when the app was last updated. Arranging them based on their popularity and selecting the targeted app that will be replaced by a new one. The developer can then simply start working on the creation while ensuring that their version has solutions to all the issues raised for the targeted app.

While it can be expected that the number of stranded apps will keep going up in the future, developers keeping a close eye on the situation will see it as an opportunity to turn the tables for themselves.

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by Arooj Ahmed via Digital Information World

The Metaverse Money: Exploring the potential for immersive Virtual Worlds and their Revenue Drivers

The concept of a metaverse, a fully immersive virtual world, has been around for decades. However, recent technological advancements and the increasing demand for online experiences have made it a hot topic in the tech and business industries.

The potential for a fully-realized metaverse is immense. Many companies are exploring the possibilities of using virtual reality, augmented reality, and other immersive technologies to create these digital spaces.

According to Statista’s Advertising & Media Markets Insights, the worldwide metaverse revenue is estimated to reach $490 billion in 2030. While this may seem like a large number, other analyst companies are predicting even higher market volumes, ranging from $750 billion to $1,700 billion.

The revenue drivers for metaverses are primarily e-commerce and gaming. Metaverse e-commerce sales alone are predicted to grow to more than $200 billion by 2030 from currently just around $20 billion.

Gaming is expected to grow even more, from around just $10 billion to approximately $163 billion in 2030. These numbers reflect the growing trend of online shopping and gaming, which have become increasingly popular over the past few years. Especially with the pandemic pushing more people to stay at home and spend more time online.

But it’s not just about e-commerce and gaming. Metaverses offer new opportunities for revenue creation in various segments, including education, entertainment, health and fitness, and even telecommuting.

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For instance, virtual classrooms and remote workspaces could become a standard way of learning and working. This could drive up the revenue in the education and workplace segments. The potential for immersive virtual experiences in health and fitness is also enormous, with virtual reality being used to create interactive fitness experiences that could revolutionize the industry.

However, there are also concerns about the impact of a metaverse on society. Some worry that a fully immersive virtual world could further exacerbate the issues of addiction, social isolation, and mental health problems. Additionally, as with any emerging technology, there are questions about how it will be regulated, who will control it, and what kind of impact it will have on privacy and security.

The metaverse is a rapidly evolving concept that has the potential to revolutionize the way we live, work, and interact with each other. However, as we explore the possibilities of the metaverse, it’s important to consider the ethical and societal implications of this emerging technology. As technology develops and becomes more widely available, we will likely see a significant shift in the way we interact with the digital world.

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by Arooj Ahmed via Digital Information World

Kids' Appetites for Junk Food Fueled by YouTube Influencers, Study Finds

A recent study has found that YouTube influencers are encouraging unhealthy junk procucts to kids through their videos. The research found that many popular YouTube channels that inspire youngsters are filled with advertisements for high-calorie, low-nutrient meals, including fast food and sugary snacks.

The investigation analyzed the ample range of YouTube videos from famous kids-focused channels and found that a lot of them contained advertising for unhealthy foods. In many cases, the promotion was disguised as content, with influencers eating or preparing the edibles in their videos.

These videos were found to have a significant impact on children's eating habits, with children who watched them more likely to ingest unhealthy snacks and fast food. The study has raised concerns among health experts about the role that YouTube inspires play in promoting harmful foods to children.

The problem is compounded by the fact that many motivators on YouTube are not subject to the exact regulations of traditional media. While broadcasters and advertisers are required to adhere to strict standards when it comes to promotion to kids, YouTube influencers are not subject to the exact regulations.

As a consequence, many influencers can advertise junk foods to children without any consequences, leading to a situation where youngsters are exposed to unhealthy foods regularly.

This is particularly worrying given the current rates of youth obesity, which have reached epidemic levels in many countries. The World Health Organization has identified childhood diseases as one of the soberest general fitness challenges of the 21st century and has called for urgent action to handle the trial.

Some experts have called for tighter rules on YouTube creators, arguing that they should be subject to the same standards as traditional media when it comes to advertising to children. Others have called on parents to be more vigilant when it comes to monitoring their children's online activity and to be more proactive in teaching them about healthy eating habits.

Many YouTubers have defended their actions, arguing that they are simply giving their audience what they want. However, the University of Liverpool study suggests that this may not be the case, with many youths being uncovered to unhealthy foods simply because they are being promoted by their favorite influencers.

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by Arooj Ahmed via Digital Information World

The Data Shows Only 10% of 5G Users Get Top Speeds

Access to 5G is becoming quite widespread, and most users are excited to take advantage of the high speeds that it is supposed to send their way. In spite of the fact that this is the case, the data shows that not every user gets to experience the highest possible speeds that 5G is supposed to offer with all things having been considered and taken into account.

A report from Ookla showed that there can be some significant variation in terms of average speeds that could make 5G less reliable than might have been the case otherwise. With all of that having been said and now out of the way, it is important to note that this can lead to speeds differing by a factor of ten.

For example, in some of the hottest 5G markets as of right now such as the UAE and South Korea, the top 10% of users can receive speeds as high as 1,266 Mb/s. However, if you look at the lower end of the spectrum, the bottom 10% of users have to make do with speeds of approximately 127 Mb/s or less.

What makes things even more worrisome is that the average speed of 5G has actually been going down since the network was first implemented. Speeds in Norway have decreased by an incredible 88 Mb/s, with a decline of 84 in Sweden, 69 in Australia, 38 in the UK and 35 in Saudi Arabia.

A few countries have still managed to increase median 5G speeds, however. Italy has seen its median 5G speeds go up by 11.28 Mb/s to reach 134.55. Qatar also saw an increase of around 15.5 Mb/s, and the US is the best performing country of all in terms of 5G.

Average 5G speeds in the US currently hover at around 138 Mb/s. That is not especially impressive, but the median speed has seen a massive 36 Mb/s increase over the years. That seems to suggest that the US is making excellent strides, while other countries are struggling to keep the momentum of 5G going for the long term.

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by Zia Muhammad via Digital Information World