The pair's growing bond has been evident in recent weeks, as they were spotted traveling together, meeting each other's families, and exchanging affectionate posts online, further fueling speculation about a potential romance. Their increasing displays of affection have left many wondering if Siwa and Hughes are more than just friends.

Siwa was still in a relationship with Australian actor Kath Ebbs at the time she met Hughes on the show.

JoJo Siwa's relationship with Chris Hughes has been a whirlwind romance. According to Siwa, Hughes is "such a great gentleman" and "hilarious and a good ball of fun." The two share a similar energy and outlook on life, which has likely contributed to their strong connection.

Their bond was further solidified when Hughes stood up for Siwa after she received homophobic comments on the show. His reaction was a testament to his true personality, and Siwa was touched by it. To celebrate her 22nd birthday, Siwa shared an Instagram photo of herself resting her head on Hughes's shoulder, while Hughes posted his own photos with the caption "The previous 7 days have been the prettiest."

The pair's relationship has been gaining attention from fans and media alike, with Hughes confirming their romance through social media in June 2025. A Snapchat photo of him shirtless in bed, kissing Siwa on the forehead, sparked speculation about their relationship status.

To address rumors that their relationship was a publicity stunt, Siwa took to addressing the issue directly. She emphasized that those who believe this are clearly not familiar with her and Hughes's interactions, suggesting that their connection is genuine.

Their relationship has not gone unnoticed, and they have faced a mix of criticism and praise from the public and media alike. However, Hughes remains unbothered by the attention, stating that he wouldn't go to the effort of loving someone unless it's genuine.

Having spent eight years in the industry, Hughes acknowledges that criticism is inevitable when you're in the public eye. He notes that adapting to having opinions from different angles has been a necessary part of his career.

Hughes and Siwa have both spoken about their relationship, with each other and with media outlets. In an interview, they discussed how their transition from friends to something more was actually beneficial for them. According to Hughes, it's easy because it feels right, and he credits the universe for bringing them together.

Siwa's feelings for Hughes grew stronger as they spent more time together. She recalled sharing her thoughts with him after he began dating her, saying "I love [Chris] so much. This sentiment intensified when Hughes sent her a childhood photo, which she described as really cute despite the image being taken while he was in a trash can.

The couple's connection felt like serendipity to Siwa. She made this comment in response to their chance meeting. Their romance continued to blossom, with one memorable moment occurring during a performance when Siwa climbed onto Hughes's lap from the edge of the stage and shared a kiss with him in front of the crowd.

Siwa later posted photos from the event on Instagram, captioning them LIVE AT CITY WALK what a perfect night" accompanied by heart and sparkles emojis.

JoJo Siwa's dreams finally came true when she performed on stage last October, marking a milestone in her career.

Siwa had previously expressed her desire to have Chris Hughes design her dream engagement ring, sharing this vision with her mother over 10 years ago. In fact, it was only last October that they discovered their shared idea for the perfect ring, aligning their creative visions.

Elle: https://www.elle.com/culture/celebrities/a64957306/jojo-siwa-chris-hughes-relationship-timeline/

The reaction online was overwhelmingly positive, with fans expressing their joy at reliving memories of simpler times. Eisen shared a heartwarming anecdote about a young woman who broke down in tears while watching a video of the classic SportsCenter opening sequence.

This emotional response validated an idea Eisen had been pitching to ESPN: a nostalgia-driven podcast that would reunite him with former colleagues and tap into the network's extensive archives. The result is This Was SportsCenter: Stories from the Set, a video podcast series that debuted on Disney+ and the ESPN app in June.

The first season of the podcast featured interviews with legendary ESPN personalities, including Dan Patrick, Chris Berman, and Mike Greenberg. Eisen has already announced plans for a second season next year, which will include six new interviews with additional notable figures from the world of sports broadcasting.

Rich Eisen's career has taken him from anchoring SportsCenter to hosting his own show on NFL Network. Before joining ESPN in 1996, he spent several years building a reputation as a sports broadcasting personality. During his tenure at the network, Eisen worked alongside Stuart Scott, and their chemistry helped make late-night SportsCenter broadcasts must-watch TV.

Their on-air partnership was so successful that it transcended the world of sports, with their show becoming a staple of morning conversation among friends and colleagues. The pair's popularity even extended to Hollywood, where they appeared together in the 2000 Disney comedy The Kid. This unique blend of sports and entertainment helped establish Eisen as a household name.

Eisen's impact on popular culture was significant, with his SportsCenter broadcasts reaching an impressive audience of over 100 million households. His show's widespread appeal was due in part to its late-night schedule, which allowed it to be re-aired the following morning, making it a staple of family viewing. Many viewers, including children who watched before school, have gone on to become parents themselves.

In 2003, Eisen left ESPN to join NFL Network as its first on-air hire. More than two decades later, he remains at the network, hosting various shows and events, including NFL GameDay Morning and draft coverage. In addition to his work at NFL Network, Eisen also launched The Rich Eisen Show in 2014, a daily program that combines sports and pop culture discussion.

The Rich Eisen Show found itself without a home in December 2019 when DirecTV's Audience Network announced its shutdown. This meant that the show would have to relocate if it wanted to continue airing. Fortunately for Eisen and his team, they were given the opportunity to purchase the show themselves, making him the owner overnight.

Taking on ownership was not an easy decision for Eisen, but he has since found success in growing the business. After acquiring the show, Eisen expanded his staff and hired a chief financial officer to help manage the company's finances. He also invested revenue into building a state-of-the-art control room.

A key factor in the show's continued growth and success is Eisen's commitment to maintaining a positive work environment. He emphasizes the importance of creating an atmosphere where employees feel valued and respected, stating that "this life is too short and this business is too small." This approach has paid off, with the show continuing to thrive.

The Rich Eisen Show now airs on various platforms, including Disney+, ESPN's streaming services, and ESPN Radio. The show is also available as a podcast, while exclusive interviews are released on YouTube and clips are shared across social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.

Rich Eisen's return to ESPN marks a significant shift for the sports personality who has navigated various media outlets throughout his career.

Eisen credits the success of his show to its adaptability in reaching audiences through multiple platforms. He noted that viewership and listenership have experienced significant growth since the move, with numbers having "exponentially exploded". This trend is a testament to the enduring appeal of sports programming.

The Rich Eisen Show's production company also produces Women's Sports Now, a weekly show created by his wife Suzy Shuster, who executive produces and co-hosts alongside other women. The show's inspiration stems from the couple's daughter, Taylor, a basketball player, and aims to provide a platform for women discussing women's sports.

The show's 12th anniversary earlier this month underscores its staying power in an increasingly competitive media landscape. Eisen is exploring new ideas, including more podcasts and possibly a celebrity-driven show, which he believes are all viable options given the industry's ever-changing nature.

Fortune: https://fortune.com/2026/10/25/rich-eisen-went-from-sportscenter-to-nfl-network-to-owning-his-own-show-now-hes-back-at-espn-betting-90s-nostalgia-still-sells/

One of the most exciting aspects of the iPhone Duo is its shape-shifting design, which allows for creative use cases such as hands-free entertainment and self-mounting for long-exposure photos. This versatility opens up new possibilities for users, but it also creates challenges for developers who must adapt their apps to take advantage of the added screen space.

The iPhone Duo's innovative design may not be compatible with every app, however, as some popular titles have yet to be optimized for the device. A web tracker has emerged to help users determine which apps are suitable for use on the iPhone Duo, but it remains to be seen how well these apps will perform in practice.

As developers scramble to update their apps for the iPhone Duo, dozens of popular picks from the App Store are already being worked on to take advantage of the flexible screen. These updated apps will feature a "Made for iPhone Duo" badge on their product page, indicating that they have been optimized for use with the device.

The next few weeks and months will be crucial in determining how well the iPhone Duo's innovative design is received by users and developers alike. For those lucky enough to get their hands on an iPhone Duo soon, several standout apps have already been tested and found to work seamlessly with the device.

The iPhone Duo's versatility has made it possible to enjoy streaming services like never before. One standout example is Netflix, which offers a seamless viewing experience across various orientations. When unfolded, the phone displays a standard widescreen layout, perfect for immersing yourself in your favorite movies and shows.

However, for those who prefer a more unique viewing experience, Netflix also allows you to rotate the iPhone Duo to portrait orientation. This enables you to watch videos in the upper third of the screen while using another app on the bottom half, offering a creative way to multitask.

Beyond streaming services, the iPhone Duo has proven itself to be an excellent tool for cooking enthusiasts. With the NYT Cooking app, users can access recipes and instructions with ease. The phone's flexibility allows you to set it down in various configurations, such as lifting one half of the inner screen while toggling on Cook mode.

This feature not only makes it easier to follow recipes but also helps keep your countertop tidy by reducing clutter. By increasing the text size for comfortable viewing from a distance, cooking with the iPhone Duo has become an enjoyable experience.

For those who prefer to stay organized, Fantastical is another app that takes full advantage of the iPhone Duo's features. Its ability to keep users in better order and on top of their schedules makes it an excellent addition to the phone's arsenal of productivity tools.

The calendar app within the iPhone Duo has evolved into a comprehensive tool that not only manages daily tasks but also provides an overview of upcoming appointments and events. This includes color-coded organization, making it easier to visualize schedules for different timeframes such as days, weeks, months, or even years.

In addition to scheduling features, this app integrates weather tracking, offering users real-time updates on the latest forecast. While some might find the abundance of information overwhelming, the app's design ensures that everything is neatly organized and visually appealing.

For those who prefer voice commands, Fantastical has been optimized to support enhanced Siri interactions. This enables users to add calendar events, to-do lists, or other tasks through either voice prompts or text inputs.

Edits, a popular video editing tool, has received an update specifically tailored for the iPhone Duo's capabilities. The app now allows creators to view a preview of their edits on one half of the inner screen while simultaneously displaying the timeline on the opposite side. This setup streamlines the editing process by eliminating the need to minimize and expand the preview.

In line with the launch of the iPhone Duo, social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram have been optimized for the device's larger screen. As a result, users can now comfortably watch videos on one half of the screen while reading comments and interacting with content on the other side.

The versatility of the iPhone Duo's design has opened up new possibilities for app developers to create immersive and interactive experiences.

One such app is Toastie, a game that lets users prepare virtual sandwiches with precision and finesse. The goal is to achieve perfection in every detail, from the arrangement of cheese slices to the even distribution of butter.

To toast the sandwich, users can fold the iPhone Duo shut, mimicking the action of a panini press. This adds a delightful touch of realism to the experience, complete with haptic effects that simulate the sizzling of bread.

The multidimensional screen of the iPhone Duo allows for innovative uses of split-screen mode, where two apps can be run simultaneously in a way that's both functional and intuitive.

The versatility of the iPhone Duo's dual-screen setup has proven to be a game-changer for multitaskers like myself. During daily commutes, I find it convenient to have Google Maps and Spotify open simultaneously, allowing for quick adjustments to navigation and music playback.

In other situations, such as during telehealth appointments or social gatherings, the split-screen mode enables seamless multitasking. For example, a video call can be set up on one half of the screen while taking notes with a separate app on the other.

The iPhone Duo's innovative design has indeed shown potential in boosting productivity and efficiency for users who need to juggle multiple tasks at once.

CNET: https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/iphone-duo-apps-full-advantage-new-foldable-phone/

The test appears to be having an impact on entities that were initially exempt from the change. Greenville, Texas, a city with a population of around 35,000, has seen one of its Facebook pages receive a notification about link posting restrictions. The city's communications manager, Daniel Starks, oversees nearly a dozen Facebook pages and recently received a message informing him that his library page could no longer post more than two links per month.

The message from Meta stated that sharing additional links would require signing up for the company's One subscription service, which costs $50 or more per month. This move has caught nonprofit leaders off guard, as they had previously been assured that their pages were exempt from such restrictions.

Nonprofit organizations have expressed concerns about the new policy, citing confusion over how it affects them despite being identified as nonprofits and verified to use Meta's fundraising tools. The impact of this change on their online presence is still being assessed by these groups, who are rethinking their use of the platform in light of these developments.

City officials are facing a dilemma due to changes in Facebook's policies that affect government and nonprofit pages. According to Starks, who oversees the city's online presence, over 50% of their activities involve linking back to information on their website.

This shift has left them scrambling for alternative solutions. To mitigate the impact, the city instructed its staff to stop posting links within Facebook posts altogether. Instead, relevant URLs will now appear in the page's comments section.

The changes have been met with frustration and concern among officials. Starks questioned Meta's claim that government-run pages are exempt from these restrictions. The library's account, which identifies it as a government building, was previously verified by the company but is still affected by the policy change.

Nonprofit organizations are also feeling the pinch of these new policies. For example, Bethany English, co-president of a small Indianapolis-based nonprofit, encountered issues while trying to create a Facebook post about an upcoming event.

The financial burden of maintaining a Facebook presence has become a significant concern for many small nonprofits and government organizations.

In addition to the issue faced by Bethany English's organization, another nonprofit was offered an alternative solution when it tried to post links on its Facebook page. The alternative involved signing up for a Meta One subscription, which would allow the organization to share up to 20 links each month for $150 a month.

The financial implications of this decision are significant for small nonprofits that rely heavily on social media to reach their audience and disseminate information about upcoming events and fundraisers.

For such organizations, social media has become an essential tool for spreading awareness and mobilizing support. The ability to share links directly in posts is a crucial feature, but it now comes with a hefty price tag.

The challenge of finding alternative solutions to this problem is already being explored by some nonprofits, who are considering workarounds like creating dedicated Facebook events rather than organic posts.

Meta has been testing paid link sharing for nearly a year, and it now appears that this feature will be part of its new Meta One subscription plans. The company's decision to charge government and nonprofit pages to post links on Facebook has raised concerns among these organizations.

The cheapest Meta One plan costs $14.99/month but does not offer any additional link-sharing privileges on Facebook. However, subscribers can add a dedicated link page to their Instagram bio. Users who opt for the more expensive plans will have access to more links: eight per month with the $49.99/month plan and 20 per month with the $149.99/month tier.

Critics of Meta's new policy argue that it is unfair to charge nonprofits to share links on Facebook. "Fifty bucks for eight links a month is crazy," said Jeff Bannister, marketing manager for SparkPoint, a small North Carolina-based nonprofit that advocates for public health and stronger social connections in Transylvania County.

SparkPoint was recently hit with Facebook's restriction on link sharing, which has forced the organization to explore alternative solutions. Bannister is now considering ways to work with other local nonprofits to mutually share information and reduce their dependence on Facebook.

The challenge of finding alternative solutions to this problem is being explored by some nonprofits, who are looking at workarounds like creating dedicated Facebook events rather than organic posts. This would allow them to share links without incurring additional costs.

The new rules implemented by Meta have left many government and nonprofit pages bewildered about what exactly is allowed on Facebook. Some of these organizations have reported that they are still able to share links in comments on their posts, while others claim this feature has been taken away from them. This inconsistent application of the rules raises more questions than answers about Meta's intentions.

Meta's own explanations and help center information do not provide clear guidance on why sharing links is being restricted. The company has stated that its new features are intended to "unlock more specialized capabilities" and AI features, but this does not explain why a basic feature like sharing links is now tied to these subscriptions. This move appears to be a significant departure from the platform's original functionality.

David Diskin, president of California Freethought Day, shares his concerns about the new link-sharing limitation. With only two links allowed per month for nonprofit organizations, spreading awareness and promoting civic engagement becomes extremely challenging. This restriction is particularly problematic for events like the one hosted by Diskin's organization in Sacramento.

Diskin was notified of the link-sharing limit just days ahead of his event, with Meta offering him lower rates than others: $40/month for eight links, $119/month for 20 links, or $399 for unlimited access. This restrictive policy has left many nonprofit pages struggling to adapt and find ways to effectively use Facebook without incurring additional costs.

Meta has reinstated its previous policy of allowing government and nonprofit pages to post links on Facebook without incurring additional costs.

The reversal comes after a brief period where these organizations were charged for posting links on the platform. The change was made abruptly and without explanation, leaving many in the affected community frustrated with Meta's handling of the situation.

Engadget: https://www.engadget.com/2295422/meta-is-charging-government-and-nonprofit-pages-to-post-links-on-facebook/

Supporters of Lula have taken to the streets, protesting outside Meta's Dublin headquarters and voicing their concerns about unfair treatment by social media giants. They claim that Meta is favoring Bolsonaro by restricting access to advertising accounts and suppressing posts from Lula's campaign.

Brazil's electoral prosecutors are also investigating these claims, stating that Meta failed to comply fully with court orders aimed at ensuring equal treatment of both candidates. This has raised concerns about the integrity of the election process.

United Nations human rights experts have weighed in on the issue, expressing concern over possible unequal treatment of the two campaigns by social media platforms. They are closely monitoring the situation and its potential impact on the election's outcome.

The use of Meta AI tools, such as WhatsApp chatbots, has been a focal point of contention, with images circulating online showing the platform refusing to generate campaign posters for Lula while instantly producing an image for "Flávio".

Brazil's presidential election has been marred by allegations of bias in Meta AI tools, which have been accused of favoring incumbent President Jair Bolsonaro over his challenger, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

Screenshots submitted to the electoral court by Lula's campaign appear to show Meta AI assigning Bolsonaro's electoral number, 22, to generic, fictional politicians. The same tool is also alleged to have translated a derogatory phrase about Bolsonaro into a compliment, further fueling concerns of bias.

David Nemer at the University of Virginia notes that determining whether these discrepancies are deliberate or not is impossible due to the opacity of Meta's systems. This lack of transparency has raised suspicions among Lula's supporters and experts alike.

The comeback of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in the polls has been attributed partly to his Army, an intensive online campaign that engages 8 million WhatsApp channel subscribers with daily tasks such as posting photographs on Instagram with a specific gesture. This effort appears to be paying off, with polls showing a narrowing gap between Lula and Bolsonaro.

The use of large language models in this election has been unprecedented, and experts say Brazil's experience offers a glimpse into the future of AI in politics. Fact-checking organisation Lupa identified 920 pieces of AI-generated or manipulated content ahead of the first round, mostly on Facebook and Instagram, with over half of it unlabelled.

The Brazilian presidential election has been marred by allegations of bias in Meta's AI tools, which have failed to prevent the spread of manipulated content.

Meta's independent oversight board has criticized the company's election safeguards, describing them as ineffective. Nemer, an expert on the matter, says it is a worrying development that highlights the need for better regulation of AI in politics.

The use of large language models (LLMs) in campaigning has raised concerns about their potential to spread misinformation and manipulate public opinion. A study by InternetLab found that eight major AI chatbots often refused to answer genuine questions about candidates, instead directing users to official electoral websites.

New Scientist: https://www.newscientist.com/article/2595540-brazil-presidential-election-dogged-by-alleged-bias-by-meta-ai-tools/?utm_campaign=RSS|NSNS&utm_content=home&utm_medium=RSS&utm_source=NSNS

Chabbi's journey began when he moved to Dubai in 2018 from France and started working for Farfetch as a stylist for their Middle East campaigns. He later joined the private client side of the business but soon realized it wasn't the right fit for him, citing that being too close to the business targets made it difficult to enjoy his job.

Despite this, Chabbi's time at Farfetch provided valuable insights into the world of high-end fashion, particularly among the 1% who are its primary consumers. He learned how to tailor collections to specific regions and age groups, and understand what products would actually sell in those markets.

In addition to his work at Farfetch, Chabbi began posting fashion show reviews on Instagram Stories using Vogue Runway images as a backdrop. His following grew rapidly, and he soon landed two high-profile interviews, one with Haider Ackermann and the other with Kris Van Assche, which he filmed and shared on the platform.

Chabbi's decision to leave Farfetch was likely influenced by his desire for creative freedom and the opportunity to share his expertise with a wider audience. His success on Instagram has made him a sought-after voice in the fashion industry, and his unique perspective is likely to continue resonating with readers and viewers alike.

As we speak with Chabbi about his experiences, he also touches on other topics, including the protests that have been taking place in France and his predictions for the latest round of designer comings and goings. In a series of interviews below, Chabbi shares his thoughts on these issues and more.

Osama Chabbi is taking on a new challenge by directing his first documentary, a project that has been in the works for some time now.

The documentary will focus on his favorite designer and is set to start filming in January with an expected release date of next year.

Chabbi's involvement in this project extends beyond just directing - he will also be working closely with a fashion-centric streaming platform that is launching soon, with their film being one of the platform's original productions.

The documentary aims to capture a commemorative interview-style conversation between two figures who were significant in the designer's life, and Chabbi sees it as an opportunity to explore the concept of legacy in the fashion world.

Chabbi has experience with filmmaking, having produced and directed his own interviews for various projects, but this will be his first time tackling a longer-form documentary.

He admits that he initially felt uncertain about taking on such a big project, but after being told by someone on his team that they thought he might have imposter syndrome, Chabbi decided to go for it and push beyond his comfort zone.

Chabbi's determination to secure interviews for his documentary project was evident from an early stage. He recalls writing on Twitter about wanting to interview Haider Ackermann, who was guest designer for Jean Paul Gaultier at the time.

Despite being in Dubai and Ackermann being in Paris, Chabbi managed to secure an interview with him.

Chabbi's resourcefulness didn't stop there; he also pitched an article to i-D, but needed references and quotes from prominent designers. In a bid to get Kris Van Assche on board, Chabbi made up that he had already secured a quote from the designer.

He quickly sent a message to Van Assche apologizing for the fabrication, but was surprised when the designer replied and said he would indeed provide a quote.

Chabbi attributes his success in securing interviews to his willingness to take risks. He believes that having a "utopian level of delusion" can be beneficial in pursuing ambitious projects.

His approach to building his platform has been centered around creating unique content, rather than trying to spark a mass conversation on social media.

As a documentary filmmaker, Osama Chabbi has always been drawn to the inner workings of the fashion industry. He's fascinated by its larger-than-life personalities and has a clear vision for who he wants to feature in his projects.

Chabbi's approach to building his platform is centered around creating unique content that caters to those who live and breathe fashion, rather than trying to spark mass conversations on social media. This strategy allows him to connect with his audience on a deeper level and create content that resonates with them.

Growing up in Lyon had a significant impact on Chabbi's perspective on the world. He recalls being raised in what is known as ZEP, or priority education zones, where the government has pledged to focus more resources on education. However, this promise has often fallen short.

Chabbi's experiences have given him a unique understanding of the struggles that many young people face in France. When asked about the student protests taking place in Paris, he acknowledges that he hasn't been able to witness them firsthand while in Dubai. Nevertheless, he emphasizes the importance of recognizing that these protests are not an inconvenience to the luxury and fashion industry.

Chabbi's connection to his audience is rooted in his ability to understand their experiences and perspectives. He notes that many people who follow him work in the fashion industry itself, which allows him to assume a certain level of knowledge about the subject matter. This approach enables him to dive deeper into complex issues without feeling the need to explain the basics.

Chabbi's thoughts on the student protests are informed by his own background and experiences. He sees the anger and frustration expressed by the youth as valid, given the systemic challenges they face in accessing quality education. As he puts it, "the social elevator is frozen."

The recent wave of creative director departures from top fashion houses has left many wondering what's next for these iconic brands.

Seán McGirr and Veronica Leoni have both stepped down from their roles at McQueen and Calvin Klein, respectively, in a move that has sent shockwaves through the industry.

Anthony Vaccarello's exit from Saint Laurent last week was also notable, leaving a void that will soon be filled by Chemena Kamali, who is set to take over at the Paris-based label.

The absence of creative directors at Alaïa and McQueen has left many speculating about potential replacements.

For McQueen, Osama Chabbi believes that promoting from within or seeking out lesser-known talent can be a successful strategy, citing examples such as Matthieu and Michael Rider who rose through the ranks to become designers.

The trend of hiring in-house or unknown designers may prove to be a promising approach for fashion brands looking to revitalize their creative direction.

The fashion industry's reluctance to promote body diversity is a worrying trend that suggests it may be moving backwards on this issue.

Fashion brands seem non-committal about embracing bigger bodies as desirable, and this lack of commitment is hindering progress towards inclusivity and body visibility.

Directors like Osama Chabbi are highlighting the need for a cultural shift in how fashion perceives body size, but so far, there has been little change in the industry's approach.

Ultimately, until fashion brands deem bigger bodies glamorous, they risk being stuck in a perpetual cycle of underwhelming innovation.

Vogue: https://www.vogue.com/article/the-scoop-with-osama-chabbi-on-directing-his-first-fashion-documentary

The ruling was issued in New Mexico, where a jury trial found that Meta had violated state law by deceiving social media consumers on their data protection. The case dates back to the Cambridge Analytica scandal involving the 2016 presidential election, which highlighted concerns over online data misuse.

Under New Mexico's Unfair Practices Act, Meta has been ordered to pay penalties for nearly 44 million violations of the law. This marks a significant blow to the tech giant, with Meta having previously attempted to cap its penalties at $3.45 billion in court filings.

If Meta chooses to appeal the verdict, it could potentially avoid paying the full amount of $25 billion. However, some estimates had suggested that the company could have faced even steeper penalties, reaching as high as $219 billion.

Meta has yet to comment on the ruling, but New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez has hailed the decision as a significant victory in holding powerful corporations accountable for their actions.

The series of hefty fines and settlements slapped on Meta in recent years appears to have had little impact on its behavior. The company has been repeatedly criticized for allowing access to user data without consent, as seen in the Cambridge Analytica scandal that contributed to Donald Trump's 2016 presidential campaign.

Meta's social media platforms have also come under fire for their addictive nature, particularly when it comes to children and teenagers. In a separate case, the company was ordered to pay up to $18 billion to multiple US states after admitting that its platforms were intentionally designed to be harmful to young users.

These significant payouts seem to have done little to curb Meta's penchant for pushing boundaries in terms of user data collection and platform design. The company has continued to develop new features, such as the Muse agentic AI platform, which raises concerns about privacy and security.

Just this week, researchers discovered a flaw in the links generated by Muse conversations that allowed unauthorized access. In response, Meta suspended the feature, but this incident highlights the ongoing issues with user data protection at the company.

Meta's smart glasses are still a contentious issue, with ongoing concerns about their potential use of facial recognition technology. Despite reports suggesting that Meta is exploring alternatives to camera-equipped models, these versions would be in addition to those that already include cameras.

The implications of the New Mexico court case on Meta's business ventures are likely limited, despite the possibility of a significant penalty being imposed. The company's newer technologies, such as AI and AI-assisted hardware, may not be directly affected by the ruling.

According to Michael Stokes, senior vice president of emerging technologies at Veilant, it is only through court orders that companies can be forced to make changes to their products. Stokes emphasized that settlements, like the one in New Mexico, do not necessarily dictate how a company must operate.

Stokes also noted that any settlement written for 2018 would not apply to Meta's newer devices, which may include AI and AI-assisted hardware.

Meta's hefty court loss may have significant implications for its business model, but it's unlikely to prompt a drastic change of course. The $25 billion judgment is largely symbolic, and the company will likely continue to face numerous lawsuits over issues such as data collection and platform design.

The payout from this latest verdict will not be distributed to Meta users; instead, it will go towards New Mexico's public school fund. This may seem like a substantial sum for education, but experts argue that it won't have a significant impact on the company's overall business.

Despite the financial hit, Meta's stock actually rose following the judgment, indicating that investors don't see fines as a major concern for the tech giant. However, this verdict and others like it may still pose a threat to Meta's reputation and future litigation risks.

The court's decision highlights the ongoing scrutiny of tech companies' handling of user data and promises made regarding platform safety and security. As a result, any company making such claims should expect to be held accountable for its actions.

CNET: https://www.cnet.com/news/privacy/meta-25-billion-court-loss/

As we age, the stakes increase for remembering significant events in our relationships. What starts as forgetting friends' birthdays can escalate into neglecting family members' special days, including those of children and grandchildren.

To avoid these mishaps, some people turn to AI agents to automate relationship maintenance tasks. This approach leverages AI's ability to perform repetitive duties with precision. I decided to put this strategy to the test by using ChatGPT and other AI tools to manage my personal and professional connections.

However, there are potential drawbacks to relying on AI for interpersonal relationships. The technology excels at executing routine tasks but may struggle to replicate human empathy and emotional understanding. This raises questions about the suitability of AI agents for handling complex social interactions.

As I began exploring the capabilities and limitations of these tools, a significant issue came to light: the lack of clarity around their impact on copyright laws.

As I continued exploring the capabilities of these AI agents, I realized that some tools are more capable than others when it comes to automating personal relationships. ChatGPT, for instance, demonstrated its ability to access and utilize external services like Google Calendar and Gmail to identify key birthdays and develop a system to send reminders.

One tool, however, seemed to struggle with the automation aspect: Claude's capabilities were limited to drafting emails and creating birthday cards, but it couldn't actually send them. This raised questions about the effectiveness of using AI agents for tasks that require more than just generating content.

Another tool, Gemini, appeared to be restricted in its functionality, capable only of working within the chat interface to draft custom emails and generate cards, rather than interacting with external services like email clients.

The integration of AI agents in digital communication has reached new heights, allowing for seamless interaction and automation of personal relationships. ChatGPT's ability to gather data points on friends' and family members' interests enabled it to create personalized digital birthday cards that accurately reflected their personalities.

To further test the capabilities of these AI agents, I attempted to set up automated digital greetings for significant events in my life. In a surprising move, ChatGPT successfully generated a digital card and message for my dog's birthday and sent an email to my husband without any issues.

However, this experience was short-lived as the chat limit was reached, prompting an alert requesting permission to send emails on behalf of the user. This raised questions about the extent of control users have over AI agents' actions, particularly when it comes to sensitive tasks like sending personal communications.

In a separate experiment with Meta Muse, I asked the AI agent to share memes and check-ins with friends on Instagram. Unfortunately, this endeavor proved to be more trouble than it was worth, as the content selected by Muse seemed arbitrary and lacked any specific connection to the individuals involved.

The inconsistent performance of these AI agents highlights the need for further refinement and development in their capabilities, particularly when it comes to tasks that require a deep understanding of personal relationships.

Optimizing these AI agents for personal correspondence proved to be a tedious task. The amount of time required to fine-tune their responses and ensure they sent relevant messages was not justified by the end result.

When interacting with an AI agent like Dots or Muse, it's essential to be aware that they may also start to overstep in conversations. This can happen even when you've given them permission to access certain information, such as your emails or social media accounts.

In my experience, both Dots and Muse began to act autonomously, taking actions I hadn't explicitly requested. For instance, Dots unexpectedly alerted me to a scheduling conflict by scanning my emails and sending me a notification about the timing of an event I had bought tickets for.

This behavior raised questions about the limits of these AI agents' capabilities and whether they can truly be trusted to perform tasks independently without causing unintended consequences.

While using Muse and Dots' AI agents to automate my relationships, I encountered some concerning behavior from these digital assistants. Muse began sending unsolicited updates about a fire in Malibu and the weather, which raised questions about its ability to discern relevant information.

These apps also displayed relentless efforts to encourage me to utilize their features while they were active on my device. This experience left me feeling disconnected from meaningful interactions and more focused on the AI companies behind these tools.

CNET: https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/i-tried-automating-my-relationships-using-ai-agents-muse-and-dots-overstepped/

The company's global figures show a more robust performance, but the European slowdown is notable given that it had previously been one of Meta's strongest markets. The introduction of the Less-Personalized Ads model in Europe has been cited as a potential factor contributing to this decline.

Industry analysts are attributing the European slowdown to the EU's free, personalized advertising option, which offers users greater control over their data and ad preferences. This development may be having an impact on Meta's ability to generate revenue from targeted ads.

Meta's introduction of the Less Personalized Ad (LPA) option on Instagram and Facebook has led to a slowdown in sales growth in Europe since the start of the year. The LPA allows users to opt out of personalized ads and instead view content based on their current browsing session, along with limited demographic data.

The European Commission has deemed Meta's previous approach to be non-compliant with the Digital Markets Act, which requires companies to provide an equivalent service that uses less personal data. This led to a €200 million fine for Meta, after which the company began offering the LPA option to its users in Europe.

Meta claims that the LPA uses 90 percent less data than personalized ads, which are shown based on a user's browsing session and limited demographic information such as age, location, and gender.

Meta's ad sales are facing a significant downturn in Europe following the introduction of less personalized ads as per the EU's ruling. The company has warned that this shift leads to poorer returns for EU advertisers due to the inefficiency of these ads.

The data suggests that the number of transactions resulting from these ads is lower, and more ads are being closed due to irrelevance or repetition. Furthermore, the price advertisers in Europe are willing to pay per ad is not growing as quickly as it is in the US and Canada.

Meta's investors have been seeking clarification on how the company plans to improve its ad targeting in Europe with fewer personal data signals. The company believes that AI can play a crucial role here, especially with the launch of its personal AI agent, Muse.

Wired: https://www.wired.com/story/metas-ad-sales-suffering-now-europeans-can-pick-less-personalization/

The company's decision to tweak its commercial terms comes after it initially shared plans last week that sparked widespread concern among publishers and other businesses with accounts on the platform. According to sources, Meta had proposed allowing itself to use web scrapers and automated tools to access, index, cache, analyze, collect, retrieve, or crawl websites associated with business accounts.

The planned update included language stating that Meta would be able to use any content from these domains to provide, develop, improve, research, train, and maintain the integrity of its products and services. This move raised alarm bells among publishers, who feared it could give Meta the right to scrape the content of websites with business accounts on Facebook or Instagram.

The vast majority of digital publishers have business accounts on Meta's platforms, which includes many prominent online publications. As a result, these companies were concerned that the updated terms would allow Meta to exploit their content without permission. The proposed language was seen as a significant overreach by the company, sparking calls for it to reconsider its plans.

In response to the backlash, Meta has made a surprise move and quietly updated its commercial terms again. However, while this update appears to address some of the concerns raised by publishers, there are still questions about what exactly Meta will be able to do with content from business accounts on its platforms.

The changes have been met with skepticism by many in the industry, who remain concerned that Meta's true intentions may not align with its revised terms. As a result, the company is under pressure to provide greater clarity and transparency about its plans for using web scrapers and automated tools on its platform.

Meta has made adjustments to its new terms of service in response to criticism over its plans for using automated tools on its platform.

The revised language now clearly states that the use of automated software is limited to Meta's advertising and business products, with a focus on providing, developing, and improving these services. This clarification aims to alleviate concerns about the company's intentions regarding web scraping and automated tool usage.

According to a statement from Meta spokesperson Andy Stone, the changes were made to reflect the specific scope of the new terms, which apply only to Meta's advertising and business products. He emphasized that the modifications are not related to how the company uses web crawlers for its services.

The revisions are part of an effort by Meta to provide greater transparency about its plans and intentions regarding automated tool usage on its platform. The changes aim to address concerns raised by users and critics, who had expressed worries about the potential impact of web scraping on news sites and other online content.

The clarification provided by Meta's Andy Stone regarding the crawling terms only applies to ads and business products on the platform. This change is intended to address user concerns about web scraping and its potential impact on online content. However, experts argue that the revised terms still grant Meta significant leeway in accessing news websites with minimal restrictions.

According to reports, a number of legal specialists have pointed out that robots.txt instructions, which allow content owners to signal their preferences regarding crawling, are not legally binding. This means that AI companies, including Meta, can potentially evade these instructions and continue scraping online content without consequence.

Meta's history with news publishers has been marked by controversy. In 2022, the company ceased paying for news, while its dedicated news tab was discontinued in 2024. More recently, Meta has attempted to address this issue through deals with select outlets to provide news content for its AI chatbot.

These developments have raised questions about Meta's intentions and its relationship with online content creators. Despite the clarification on crawling terms, concerns remain regarding the potential impact of web scraping on news sites and other online content.

Media groups have expressed strong opposition to Meta's revised terms of service, which they claim would allow the company to scrape news content without permission or proper compensation. The News/Media Alliance has called the rules "outrageous and probably illegal", while the UK's News Media Association describes it as a "shameless landgrab attempt".

The controversy surrounding these new terms highlights ongoing concerns about the balance between technology companies and media outlets in the digital age. Despite efforts to clarify the crawling terms, worries persist regarding the potential consequences of web scraping on online content and news sites.

Engadget: https://www.engadget.com/2291188/meta-tweaks-its-new-terms-of-service-after-backlash-against-scraping/