An Indigenous group in the Brazilian state of Ceará is taking TikTok to court over its planned data center, according to Rest of World. The Anacé has claimed the area where TikTok and Casa dos Ventos, a wind energy company that will power the data center, are to be built. Leaders of the community say their right to consultation was violated, and their concerns about water consumption related to this project were ignored. Indigenous communities must be consulted before construction on their land as part of the permit process. However,
A new social media platform designed for the Black community is set to launch. Byio – short for By Invite Only- is the first-ever SaaS, AI-forward social platform founded and owned by Black women, according to a press release. Byio is designed to build community. “Unlike traditional platforms that alienate and mistreat certain demographics, Byio is everything that all the others are not and can never be, because we prioritize authentic interactions, privacy, and user control,” it says on their website. A social media platform for and by Black women
Global advertising agency 72andSunny is facing backlash after launching a new app that critics say mimics Spill, a Black-owned next generation social platform designed to put culture first. According to Kenya T. Parham, Spill’s Chief Growth Officer, 72andSunny’s Amsterdam office unveiled an app called SPIL*, which shares striking similarities with Spill. In a now-deleted LinkedIn post, the agency described SPIL as “a new type of news brand, made specifically for Gen Z in Europe.” Several Spill community members voiced their disappointment directly on the agency’s LinkedIn post before it was
Meek Mill is reportedly developing an AI tool that will transform lives. “Working on a ai tool that can change the world lol,” the rapper wrote on X (formerly Twitter) on August 31. He has been teasing the project on X in recent weeks, suggesting it is one of his most ambitious ventures yet. “I can’t wait to get a chance to show the world how smart I really am!” he said on August 25. Days later, on September 2, he added: “I have some genius tech guy that’s building
When was the last time a social media platform made you feel positive about yourself? As much as we don’t want to admit it, most of us spend our days doomscrolling, which can have a negative impact on our self-esteem. The simplest solution would be logging off, but you can’t escape social media forever. For Gen Z and Gen Alpha, social media often shapes who you are, as high social media usage is often linked to low self-esteem for young women. 17-year twins Avril Piera and Paris Ofe know about
Black-owned social media network Fanbase has reached $12.7 million of its $17 million equity crowdfunding campaign. Founder Isaac Hayes III announced the milestone in an Instagram post, saying, “This raise is part of a larger mission to democratize ownership in the social media space.” Hayes is shifting away from traditional venture capital and turning to the community for investors, as the public now has the opportunity to own a stake in the platform. Fanbase’s equity crowdfunding campaign It reached $10 million of its equity crowdfunding campaign in 2024, which reportedly made Hayes
Etsy Users are urging customers to boycott the online marketplace after “Alligator Alcatraz” merch was found on its website. The term refers to the Trump administration detention centre in the Florida Everglades. Sky News reported that the facility has been compared to a “dog cage” with some detainees saying “not even sunlight gets in.” It’s built from Federal Emergency Management Agency trailers and temporary shelters at the site of a training airport in Miami-Dade County and is situated in the middle of a natural alligator habitat, according to Fast Company.
R&B singer SZA raised the alarm about the environmental impact of AI, especially on Black and brown communities, in a series of Instagram Story posts on July 16. The R&B singer said the only AI she is interested in using is “actual imagination,” according to a screenshot captured by Vibe. “AI is killing and polluting black and brown cities. None of you care cause your codependent on a machine. Have a great life,” the singer added. SZA Calls Out Environmental Racism Fans had flocked to SZA’s page in search of
The Digital Law Company has applied to hold Meta Platforms in contempt of court after it did not provide data on individuals who posted harmful content about South African school children on WhatsApp. If Meta does not comply with the order to release the alleged perpetrators’ data, the law firm wants the judge to jail Thabo Makenete, Meta’s public policy head for Southern Africa. This came after the Digital Law Company received an urgent court order, urging Meta to remove explicit content and share identifying details, such as names, emails,
AMP, a streaming group comprising influencers, has secured a deal with Target, but some consumers are unhappy with the move. The group that creates collaborative videos on YouTube and Twitch consists of Duke Dennis, Kai Cenat, Fanum, Agent 00, ChrisNxtDoor, and ImDavisss. They have now launched a personal care brand called Tone, which will be sold exclusively at Target. “We really saw a gap in the shelves for a new brand to break through — and for a brand that is fresh and represents who we and our community are. Products that don’t just look good
