A New York judge has ruled that Reddit and YouTube must confront lawsuits accusing them of contributing to the radicalization of an 18-year-old who perpetrated a racially motivated mass shooting in Buffalo, New York. The Platforms’ Part In The Racial Attack The tragic incident, which resulted in the loss of 10 Black lives in 2022, has raised concerns about the role of social media algorithms in potentially encouraging extremism. Everytown Law, a gun control advocacy group, filed the lawsuits on behalf of 25 survivors of the massacre last year. The decision by Erie County Supreme
Leigh Higginbotham Butler has a pioneering AI platform and network for Black women, Akina. Akina, which means “strong family bond” in Swahili, originated from a personal need to create a safe space for discussions and support among Black mothers. It has since evolved into a Community-as-a-Service (CaaS) app and platform that leverages culturally competent AI and machine learning technology. From A Social Network To A Movement Akina was initially started 2020 as a social media platform for Black mothers. “It came about in the aftermath of the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmuad
BeSocial, a short-form video app that empowers Black and African creators, is carving out a space in the tech landscape. The platform aims to combine short-form content, the practicality of social shopping, and social commerce. BeSocial Founded in 2022 by Kwesi Buabeng, a former executive at Ecobank, Google, and Coinbase, and his team, BeSocial’s vision is democratizing content creation. The focus on Black and African creators is a move acknowledging their role as trendsetters in social media, often without adequate recognition or compensation. Since its beta launch, BeSocial has been a hub of creativity and
Tech companies are now offering AI-powered therapy services designed to meet the specific needs of Black individuals. The Black Female Therapist The “Black Female Therapist” (BFT), a novel AI chatbot, is part of this approach from tech companies providing accessible and tailored mental health support. BFT, developed by Youper, leverages advanced algorithms and natural language processing to offer culturally sensitive advice and empathetic responses. According to Refinery29, the chatbot addresses the emotional challenges faced by Black individuals, including systemic barriers and the need for spaces where they feel seen and
Don Lemon, the former CNN anchor, has announced that Elon Musk canceled the deal for his upcoming talk show on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. What Happened? Lemon revealed that Musk’s decision came hours after interviewing him for the show’s debut episode. “Elon Musk has canceled the partnership I had with X, which they announced as part of their public commitment to amplifying more diverse voices on their platform,” Lemon shared in a statement. Despite this setback, Lemon remains optimistic, confirming that his show, “The Don Lemon Show,” will still premiere
The potential ban of the social media platform TikTok following the US government’s concern about national security implications could have an unfortunate effect on Black creators. The potential TikTok ban The US government, concerned about national security implications linked to TikTok’s Chinese parent company ByteDance, proposed a bill with a profound impact. The Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, a 12-page document, threatened to uproot TikTok from American soil unless ByteDance sold it. On Wednesday, March 13, the Republican-controlled House voted 352 to 65 on a bill requiring TikTok either be divested from
There is a large digital divide affecting low-income and Black or Indigenous majority schools, a recent report by Internet Safety Labs (ISL) has found. Ads and trackers The report “Demographic Analysis of App Safety, Website Safety, and School Technology Behaviors in US K-12 Schools” explores technological disparities in American schools, focusing mainly on marginalized demographics. This research expands on ISL’s previous work on the safety of educational technology across the country and is supported by the Internet Society Foundation. It reveals how schools of different backgrounds use technology and the risks involved. One
TikTok star Tareasa Johnson, known on the platform as Reesa Teesa, has revealed how much she made through the TikTok creator fund after her “Who TF Did I Marry?” series. Johnson has become a viral sensation in the buzzing world of TikTok, resonating deeply with millions through her candid 50-part TikTok series “Who TF Did I Marry?” Who TF Did I Marry? Johnson’s ascent to TikTok fame began with a spontaneous video in which she shared shocking revelations about her ex-husband, Legion, who is dubbed for his deceitful nature. The
Lucy Guo, a self-made millionaire and co-founder of the $7 billion-valued unicorn Scale AI, is making headlines again with her platform Passes, according to Fortune. Lucy Guo And Passes At 29, Guo has secured $40 million in Series A funding for her new venture, Passes, a creator monetization platform. Passes, previously used by Black Chyna, aims to revolutionize how content creators earn money. The $40 million round was led by the San Francisco-based Bond, spearheaded by Kleiner Perkins alums Mary Meeker and Mood Rowghani. Skims co-founders Emma and Jens Grede
Tesla has given $2,000 to The Giving Pies, a small Black woman-owned bakery in San Jose, following its cancellation of a significant pie order during Black History Month. The order, initially set for 2,000 pies and then doubled, was worth between $6,000 to $16,000. However, the cancellation left the bakery with a financial loss of approximately $2,000 and missed opportunities during Black History Month. Musk’s Intervention Voahangy Rasetarinera, the bakery owner, took to Instagram to detail the financial strain caused by Tesla’s decision. “To me, it was clear that Tesla’s
