CHICAGO: It is a scandal of privacy, politics and an essential ingredient of business success — public trust.
Facebook is confronting a costly, embarrassing public relations debacle after revelations that Cambridge Analytica may have misused data from some 50 million users to try to influence elections. Among its marquee clients: President Donald Trump’s general election campaign.
Now a company known as much for reminders of a long-lost friend’s birthday and documentation of acquaintances’ every whim is grappling with outrage— and the possible loss of confidence — from users around the globe that have made the social media site a part of their daily routine.
“I trust somebody until they give me a reason not to trust them,” said Joseph Holt, who teaches business ethics at the University of Notre Dame. “And Facebook has increasingly given me reasons not to trust them.”
Losing that would be a disaster, not just for Facebook, but for any Silicon Valley company that relies on users to open up their private lives.
The amount of trust placed in technology has soared. Cars sync with cell phones. Refrigerators know when there’s no more milk and reorder it. Virtual assistants field answers to nearly any inane question.
And with each turn of the steering wheel, sip of milk or request for dinner reservations, a trail of digital crumbs is left for companies to collect, analyze and profit off.
The public has largely been willing to accept the trade-off, knowing in exchange for giving up some data, Netflix will offer spot-on show suggestions, Amazon will prompt a diaper order and Google will figure out what to search before a user finishes typing it.
Not everyone understands the darker side of data brokers in an always-connected society.
Every time a person shops online or at a store, loyalty cards linked to phone numbers or email addresses can be linked to other databases that may have location data, home addresses and more. Voting records, job history, credit scores (remember the Equifax hack?) are constantly mixed, matched and traded by companies in ways regulators haven’t caught up with.
While Facebook let slip data profiles on millions of people, “it’s much more than that,” says James Grimmelmann, a professor at Cornell Law School. “Trying to pin down any one breach as being the source of all the privacy harms out there is futile.”
For Facebook, whose power and value are built on being so ever-present in people’s lives, the impact has been immediate — its share price is down nearly 14 percent since the scandal broke March 16.
Investors fear that Facebook users will start to think twice before posting the latest snapshots of their puppy, or clicking “like” on a news story or movie trailer.
“It’s something that’s going to remain in people’s memory,” says Mike Chapple, a University of Notre Dame professor with expertise in cybersecurity. “I think it’s changed people’s perceptions.”
After the scandal broke, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg apologized, admitted his company’s mistakes and said security needs to be enhanced to protect users’ data. He noted that this is a major trust issue for the public.
It follows closely on the heels of the company acknowledging it helped spread fake news and propaganda from Russian-linked trolls disrupting the 2016 presidential election.
While some disenchanted Facebook users have deactivated their accounts, others point out that breaking up can be hard to do. If a credit card company or an airline’s data is breached, it’s easy enough to switch allegiances. But for most of Facebook’s 2 billion users there’s no real substitute, says Aaron Gordon, a partner at Schwartz Media Strategies, a Miami-based public relations and crisis management firm.
“It’s a lot harder to just up and leave,” he says. “So you go to Twitter or Instagram? It’s not the same.”
(Besides, Instagram is owned by Facebook.)
Holt, the business ethics professor, loved Facebook, but with all that’s come out, he feels like he’s in an abusive relationship. He estimates he cut his usage from about 30 minutes daily to about 10 minutes every other day and would happily flee altogether if a viable alternative emerged that more zealously protected data.
“I haven’t left it yet, but I go less often and I feel less good about it,” he says.
Facebook is not the only company to deal with misuse of private information that has weakened public confidence. Equifax, the credit reporting agency, and Target, the retail giant, both suffered massive data breaches affecting tens of millions of people. Wells Fargo faced stiff government fines for a fake accounts scandal.
The public tends to get numb to this steady drumbeat of bad news, says brand strategist Rachel Brand.
“People pick their battles and daily outrage,” she says. “Facebook messed up royally, but most people are on a daily outrage roller-coaster and aren’t sure if this is the hill worth dying on.”
Can Facebook restore public trust after privacy scandal?
Can Facebook restore public trust after privacy scandal?
MBC launches second season of reality survival show ‘Million Dollar Land’
- 30 contestants compete over 30 days for the grand $1 million prize
- The show, comprising 13 episodes and 60 dailies, promises unpredictable and jaw-dropping twists
DUBAI: MBC’s reality survival game show “Million Dollar Land” has returned for a second season, with 30 contestants from across the Arab world navigating grueling challenges in Saudi Arabia’s NEOM desert for a shot at the grand $1 million prize.
The show, comprising 13 episodes and 60 dailies, promises unpredictable and jaw-dropping twists as participants compete over 30 days in new games that will be revealed throughout the series.
“The second season brings with it numerous surprises — from structural changes to the format, to new layers of competition, narrative, and thrill,” said Bassam Al-Braikan, general manager of public relations and corporate communications at MBC Group.
He noted that the second season comes after the show’s overwhelming success two years ago, with updates and enhancements introduced.
The game show, a spin-off of the Dutch “Million Dollar Island” from Talpa Studios, will see participants from different countries and professions partaking in challenges that test their endurance in the harsh desert life, survival skills and mental and physical resilience.
Upon arrival, participants receive bracelets worth $10,000 each. Their goal is to collect as many bracelets as possible through various challenges.
To survive, they need to form the right alliances, friendships, and secret pacts as they chase the grand prize.
“While the main rules of building alliances and strategies to gather the biggest number of bracelets are the same in the second season, viewers can expect new twists and turns. There are changes in the gameplay, unexpected twists, and new clashes among contestants,” Jenane Mandour, the show’s director, told Arab News at the program’s exclusive screening at Vox Cinemas at the Mall of the Emirates in Dubai.
Mandour added that the number of contestants has been reduced to 30 from the first season’s 100 participants “to introduce a change from the first season and to get to know each and every candidate more and focus on their stories.”
Contestants were selected through a wide casting search of candidates between 18 and 70 years old, provided they had no pre-existing health issues.
“Conditions are harsh in the desert, and not anyone can handle the hot and dry climate. Participants need to have mental resilience and strategic thinking to be able to gather as many bracelets as possible,” said Mandour.
However, to ensure players’ safety, organizers set clear guidelines and kept a 24-hour medical team on site for any emergencies.
On the question of whether only one winner walks away with the grand prize, Mandour said “you have to watch till the end to know.
“Like in all game shows, participants have to play hard and well to earn the $1 million.”
The Dubai-based TV company Blue Engine Studios executive produced the Arabic version of the show for MBC and the third season of the Dutch “Million Dollar Desert” for NET5 in NEOM, which has emerged as a burgeoning audiovisual production hub.
Ziad Kebbe, CEO of Blue Engine Studios, said that “Million Dollar Land” fills a gap in regional reality TV and aims to respond to viewer demand.
“Reality competitions are a major component of television content globally. These shows put everyday people in unpredictable and sometimes harsh conditions, prompting the audience to ask: ‘What would I do in their place?’,” said Kebbe.
On choosing NEOM as the filming location, Kebbe described it as “visually cinematic and historically significant. It’s not just filming a show; it’s capturing the story of a nation reinventing itself.”
Saudi actor Mohammed Al-Shehri, who hosted the show, told Arab News that “Million Dollar Land” presented “a mini model of reality,” making it a layered social experiment.
“It was fascinating to see how people changed on a daily basis physically and mentally under pressure.”
The reaction of contestants to participants who withdrew also served as a reminder of the impact people make on each other, said Al-Shehri.
“What surprised me consistently was seeing people cry when someone withdraws even though they haven’t known each other for a long time. Difficult conditions create powerful bonds, and the reason why people cried over some people and not others reminded me that it’s the impact you have on people that makes you unforgettable,” he added.
The program also highlighted the importance of withholding judgment, he said. “Viewers might see a participant’s choice as wrong, but in that moment — with limited information — it may have been their only option. Right or wrong is subjective.”
For Al-Shehri, the show helped expand his reach to different audiences across the Arab world, beyond Saudi Arabia.
The second season of “Million Dollar Land” will broadcast every Wednesday night on MBC Group’s TV channels and on Shahid from April 9.
SRMG unveils new advertising arm ‘SMS’ to boost data-driven campaigns
- SMS empowers brands to connect with over 170 million users worldwide through innovative, AI-powered media solutions, SRMG says
- Company will represent Asharq Al-Awsat, Asharq News, Asharq Business with Bloomberg, Al Eqtisadiah, Akhbaar24, Arab News, Hia, Sayidaty, Billboard Arabia, Manga Arabia and Thmanyah
RIYADH: SRMG, the MENA region’s largest integrated media group, announced Tuesday the launch of SRMG Media Solutions (SMS), a next generation, data-driven media solutions company designed to deliver innovative, results focused advertising strategies.
Building on the 35-year legacy of Al Khaleejiah, a pioneer in driving revenue growth and fostering strategic partnerships, SMS empowers brands to connect with over 170 million users worldwide through cutting-edge digital, social, TV, audio, and print channels.
As the exclusive media sales representative of SRMG’s extensive brand portfolio, SMS leverages the group’s position as the MENA region’s leading integrated media powerhouse. SMS will represent prestigious brands such as Asharq Al-Awsat, Asharq News, Asharq Business with Bloomberg, Al Eqtisadiah, Akhbaar24, Arab News, Hia, Sayidaty, Billboard Arabia, Manga Arabia and Thmanyah, offering advertisers access to a diverse mix of digital, social, TV, audio, print platforms, industry-leading advertising models, immersive storytelling, branded content, and experiential IPs such as the Billboard Arabia Music Awards and Hia Hub.
With a global reach of over 170 million users, SMS provides brands and advertisers with unparalleled opportunities to engage audiences worldwide. By leveraging proprietary first-party data, the latest AdTech solutions and AI-driven audience segmentation, SMS delivers personalized, results-oriented campaigns that drive growth, innovation, and profitability. Advanced analytics and multi-platform activation ensure precise audience targeting, enabling brands to connect with the right consumers at scale.
Jomana R. Alrashid, CEO of SRMG, commented, “The launch of SMS represents a pivotal moment for both SRMG and the media industry. I take great pride in the legacy built with Al Khaleejiah, and I’m excited to see how it will evolve with SMS to better meet the needs of modern digital audiences. In an era where data is reshaping how brands connect with audiences, SMS provides advertisers with the tools they need to navigate this dynamic landscape. Our strategic approach, combining SRMG’s unrivaled reach with data-driven precision, ensures that SMS is not just another media sales house, but a game-changer in the advertising space. As the industry moves towards AI-driven marketing and targeted content strategies, SMS will play a crucial role in shaping the future of advertising in the MENA region and beyond.”
Ziad Moussa, Managing Director at SMS, added: “SMS is transforming advertising through AI-driven audience segmentation, real-time analytics, and first-party data insights. By integrating digital, audio, TV, print, and experiential platforms, we empower brands to execute seamless, high-impact campaigns. As we innovate with advanced ad products and immersive storytelling, SMS is setting new benchmarks for targeted, performance-driven advertising in the MENA region.”
The launch of SMS comes at a time when the market is experiencing significant growth. According to IAB MENA, the MENA digital ad spend market saw a remarkable 13.6 percent increase, surpassing $6 billion for the first time. This surge highlights MENA as one of the fastest-growing media markets, driven by a 15 percent rise in video consumption. Key factors fueling this growth include greater internet and mobile penetration, a large youth demographic, high social media engagement, a booming e-commerce sector, and increasing video content consumption. Leading the charge are Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and the broader GCC region.
Philippines’ first hijabi anchor redefines Muslim representation, one newscast at a time
- Princess Habibah Sarip-Paudac became first Muslim in state broadcaster’s newsroom
- A news anchor at PTV, she also became Salaam TV and Salaam Radio host
MANILA: When Princess Habibah Sarip-Paudac first appeared on national television in 2012, she made history — not only as the Philippines’ first presenter to wear a hijab, but also as the first person from the country’s Muslim south to deliver the national news.
A native of Marawi, one of the main cities in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, home to much of the Philippines’ minority Muslim community, Paudac traveled to Manila to audition at the People’s Television Network.
She won the contest and on Aug. 8, 2012, the flagship state broadcaster took her on air. Everyone back home was glued to their TVs.
“It was the first time. Everyone was so happy. Everyone was like cheering for me that day. And I feel that it was a big responsibility,” Paudac told Arab News.
“A lot of people were so surprised that I was able to pave the way for Muslim women in the national mainstream media. So, for its impact, for the people, of course, it was so big.”
Paudac, a college teacher and community worker, had no training in broadcast news but from the very first day at PTV was thrown in at the deep end.
“I really made (sure to) see to it that I would be learning day by day through this job,” she said. “I think the love for journalism started from there.”
Paudac quickly picked up the rules of journalism and reporting, studied the current news, and learnt how to read and deliver it perfectly. But as time went by, she realized there was also another task in front of her — one that was not related to her job.
As the only Muslim in the newsroom, her colleagues would often ask her about her religion and background, and to explain to them the things they did not know about Islam and about her homeland in Mindanao.
“For them, it came s a surprise that I was able to speak Tagalog, that I was able to speak English ... And I was like, no, people in Bangsamoro are well educated, and we have good education there, and I’m just one of the many successful women out there. We have lawyers, we have doctors, we have teachers. Now we have a news anchor,” she said.
“It became like an eye-opener for me. I was like: ‘I think this is my purpose. This is what Allah wants me to do.”
As her career advanced, besides being a news anchor, Paudac also became a host at Salaam TV and Salaam Radio — PTV’s channels focused on Filipino Muslims.
She also grew increasingly active in her role of challenging stereotypes about Muslim women and has managed to make them be seen and recognized as professionals.
Now she hopes that more of them will feel encouraged and empowered to pursue high-profile careers.
“I hope that they can get something from me, from my representation. And this job is very noble. You can learn a lot from it. You can give more into your community through this, you are a representative not just of your community, but your faith as well. And you can educate a lot of people,” Paudac said.
Her message to fellow Muslim women is clear — that they can excel and redefine spaces while staying true to their faith and identity.
And for that, she has some advice: “Please, take care of your hijabs. Take care of yourselves. Make yourself a resourceful person. Learn a lot ... most importantly, never ever leave behind your faith, your identity.”
Israel strikes tents near hospitals in Gaza, killing and wounding reporters
- An attack on a media tent outside Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis at around 2 a.m. set the tent ablaze
- Israel also struck tents on the edge of Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in the central city of Deir Al-Balah
DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip: Israel struck tents outside two major hospitals in the Gaza Strip overnight, killing at least two people, including a local reporter, and wounding nine, including six reporters, medics said Monday.
Fifteen others were killed in separate strikes across the territory, according to hospitals.
A strike on a media tent outside Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis at around 2 a.m. set the tent ablaze, killing Yousef Al-Faqawi, a reporter for the Palestine Today TV station, and another man, according to the hospital. The six reporters were wounded in that strike.
The Israeli military said it struck a Hamas militant, without providing further information. The military says it tries to avoid harming civilians and blames Hamas for their deaths because it is deeply embedded in residential areas.
Israel also struck tents on the edge of Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in the central city of Deir Al-Balah, wounding three people, according to the hospital.
Nasser Hospital said it received 13 other bodies, including six women and four children, from separate strikes overnight. Al-Aqsa Hospital said two people were killed and three wounded in a strike on a home in Deir Al-Balah.
Israel has carried out waves of strikes across Gaza and ground forces have carved out new military zones since it ended its ceasefire with Hamas last month. Israel has barred the import of food, fuel, medicine and humanitarian aid since the beginning of March.
Thousands of people have sheltered in tents set up inside hospital compounds throughout the 18-month war, assuming Israel would be less likely to target them.
Israel has raided hospitals on several occasions, accusing Hamas of using them for military purposes, allegations denied by hospital staff.
The war began when Hamas-led militants stormed into Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, rampaging through army bases and farming communities and killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians. They abducted 251 people, and are still holding 59 captives — 24 of whom are believed to be alive — after most of the rest were released in ceasefires or other deals.
Israel has vowed to keep escalating military pressure until Hamas releases the remaining hostages, lays down its arms and leaves the territory. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he will then implement US President Donald Trump’s proposal to resettle much of Gaza’s population to other countries through what the Israeli leader refers to as “voluntary emigration.”
Palestinians say they do not want to leave their homeland, and human rights experts have warned that implementing the Trump proposal would likely amount to mass expulsion in violation of international law.
Netanyahu will meet with Trump in Washington on Monday to discuss Gaza and other issues.
Israel’s military offensive has killed over 50,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which does not say how many of the dead were militants or civilians. Israel says it has killed around 20,000 militants, without providing evidence.
The offensive has destroyed vast areas of Gaza and at its height displaced around 90 percent of its population.
Investigation finds Meta profiting from ads promoting Israeli settlements in West Bank
- Ads included listings for property developments, calls for demolition of Palestinian homes, schools, playgrounds, appeals for donations for military equipment to be used in Gaza, Al Jazeera found
- Allowing such ads might violate international law, legal experts claim
LONDON: Meta has profited from more than 100 advertisements promoting illegal Israeli settlements and far-right settler activity in the occupied West Bank, an investigation by Al Jazeera revealed earlier this week.
The ads include listings for property developments in settlements such as Ariel, located 20 km east of the Green Line, as well as calls for the demolition of Palestinian homes, schools, and playgrounds. Some also solicit donations for Israeli military units operating in Gaza.
One of the most prominent advertisers is a Facebook page called Ramat Aderet, promoting luxury apartments with amenities such as saunas, jacuzzis, and cold plunges. The company, valued at $300 million according to financial data firm PitchBook, has received funding from the First International Bank of Israel.
Another 48 ads were posted by Gabai Real Estate, marketing homes in the West Bank settlements of Ma’ale Adumim and Efrat.
At least 52 of the ads were placed by Israeli real estate firms targeting buyers in Israel, the UK, and the US. Many remain active on Facebook after being published in March 2024, Al Jazeera reported.
Meta defended its ad policies, stating: “We have robust processes and teams to review ads, and our ad review system is designed to review ads before they go live. This system relies primarily on automated technology to apply our advertising standards to the millions of ads that run across our apps, while relying on our teams to build and train these systems and, in some cases, to manually review ads.”
Under international law, all Israeli settlements in the West Bank are illegal.
Legal experts argue that by failing to take down and profiting from these ads, Meta “becomes complicit in their criminal activity” and could face legal consequences. They also warn that allowing ads soliciting donations for military equipment in Gaza may violate international humanitarian law, as well as Meta’s own policy prohibiting the promotion of “the sale or use of weapons, ammunition, or explosives.”
