Group representing TikTok, Meta, X sues US state over law limiting kids' use of social media | Tech News

Group representing TikTok, Meta, X sues US state over law limiting kids' use of social media

A trade group representing TikTok, Snapchat, Meta and other major tech companies sued Ohio over a pending law that requires children to get parental consent to use social media apps.

By:AP
| Updated on: Jan 07 2024, 10:57 IST
Instagram looks to do a TikTok, YouTube; video war coming soon; here is what IG users will get
TikTok
1/8 Good things are coming to Instagram even though it is more due to fierce competition by the likes of TikTok and YouTube rather than something it really wanted to do. As far as Instagram users are concerned, their favourite app is all set to get features that they could only see in other apps and it is going to get more entertaining. The Instagram feature coming soon is full-screen videos and indicates that the app is focusing on staying relevant. In a world where user attention span is short and very fickle, this move is expected to, not just to retain Instagram's base, but actually add to it. (REUTERS)
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2/8 Instagram head, Adam Mosseri, posted a video on Twitter where he elaborated on new features. In it he underlined that perception is important and therefore, Instagram does not want to be bracketed as a "square photo-sharing app" in the minds of users and the rest of the global digitally aware community and henceforth, it will get more into entertainment and video. (AP)
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3/8 Mosseri took to Twitter to explain and this is what he posted. "At Instagram we’re always trying to build new features that help you get the most out of your experience. Right now we’re focused on four key areas: Creators, Video, Shopping and Messaging." (REUTERS)
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4/8 Mosseri said, "Video is driving an immense amount of growth online for all the major platforms right now and it is one direction I think we need to lean into more. People say they use Instagram to be entertained. Because lets be honest, there is some serious competition right now. TikTok is huge and YouTube is even bigger. We have to embrace that and that means change." (AFP)
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5/8 As far as the point about videos is concerned, Instagram already is into videos with IGTV, Reels, and Stories, but from now on, it will be giving much more emphasis on this medium. (AFP)
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6/8 And what is it exactly regarding videos that Instagram has in mind? Macrumours has listed these - "full screen, immersive, entertaining, mobile-first video." This surely, sounds like TikTok. Mosseri has said that this app's popularity is something Instagram wants to have. (AFP)
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7/8 Macrumours has it that Instagram will start testing recommendations and these will show up on users' Feed and that too in a month or so. (REUTERS)
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8/8 Over and above that, Mosseri says Instagram wants to be more transparent in the public's eye regarding its plans. So, expect to hear a lot more about what is going on in the House of Instagram going forward and today's video can be considered as part one. (Pixabay)
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The law was part of an Ohio’s law — which requires social media companies to obtain a parent’s permission for children under 16 to sign up for social media and gaming apps. (AFP)

 A trade group representing TikTok, Snapchat, Meta and other major tech companies sued Ohio over a pending law that requires children to get parental consent to use social media apps. The law was part of an Ohio's law — which requires social media companies to obtain a parent's permission for children under 16 to sign up for social media and gaming apps — unconstitutionally impedes free speech and is overbroad and vague. The law also requires social media companies to provide parents with their privacy guidelines, so that families can know what content will be censored or moderated on their child's profile.

“We at NetChoice believe families equipped with educational resources are capable of determining the best approach to online services and privacy protections for themselves,” Chris Marchese, director of the organization's litigation center, said in a statement. “With NetChoice v. Yost, we will fight to ensure all Ohioans can embrace digital tools without their privacy, security and rights being thwarted.”

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The group has won lawsuits against similar restrictions in California and Arkansas.

Husted, who leads Ohio's technology initiatives and championed the law, called Friday's lawsuit “cowardly but not unexpected.”

“In filing this lawsuit, these companies are determined to go around parents to expose children to harmful content and addict them to their platforms," Husted said in a statement.

He alleged the companies know their algorithms are harming children “with catastrophic health and mental health outcomes.”

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First Published Date: 07 Jan, 06:57 IST
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