Break up Facebook, says company’s co-founder

Chris Hughes said Zuckerberg’s “focus on growth led him to sacrifice security and civility for clicks.” (File/AFP)
Updated 10 May 2019
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Break up Facebook, says company’s co-founder

  • “It’s time to break up Facebook,” said Chris Hughes, who along with Zuckerberg founded the online network in their dorm room
  • The company has been rocked by a series of scandals recently, including allowing its users’ data to be harvested by research companies

NEW YORK: One of the co-founders of Facebook called on Thursday for the social media behemoth to be broken up, warning that the company’s head, Mark Zuckerberg, had become far too powerful.
“It’s time to break up Facebook,” said Chris Hughes, who along with Zuckerberg founded the online network in their dorm room while both were students at Harvard University in 2004.
In an editorial published in The New York Times, Hughes said Zuckerberg’s “focus on growth led him to sacrifice security and civility for clicks,” and warned that his global influence had become “staggering.”
Zuckerberg not only controls Facebook but also the widely used Instagram and WhatsApp platforms, and Hughes said that Facebook’s board works more like an advisory committee than a check on the chief executive’s power.
“Facebook accepts that with success comes accountability,” said vice president of global affairs and communications Nick Clegg.
“But you don’t enforce accountability by calling for the breakup of a successful American company.”
Clegg, a British former deputy prime minister, reasoned that carefully crafted regulation of the Internet is the way to hold technology companies accountable, and noted that Zuckerberg has been advocating for just that.
Facebook and its family of services have many competitors, and can find corporate efficiencies when it comes to data centers, talent and other resources that can work on its various offerings, Clegg said.
Hughes, who quit Facebook more than a decade ago, was pictured in the newspaper together with Zuckerberg when both were fresh-faced students launching Facebook as a campus networking tool.
He accused Facebook of acquiring or copying all of its competitors to achieve dominance in the social media field, meaning that investors were reluctant to back any rivals because they know they cannot compete for long.
Zuckerberg “has created a leviathan that crowds out entrepreneurship and restricts consumer choice,” wrote Hughes, who is now a member of the Economic Security Project, which is pushing for a universal basic income in the United States.
After buying up its main competitors Instagram, where people can publish photos, and WhatsApp, a secure messaging service, Facebook now has 2.7 billion monthly users across its platforms and made a first quarter profit of $2.43 billion this year.

“The most problematic aspect of Facebook’s power is Mark’s unilateral control over speech. There is no precedent for his ability to monitor, organize and even censor the conversations of two billion people,” said Hughes.
The company has been rocked by a series of scandals recently, including allowing its users’ data to be harvested by research companies and its slow response to Russia using Facebook as a means to spread disinformation during the 2016 US election campaign.
Facebook is reportedly expecting to face a fine of $5 billion. It has also been investing heavily in staff and artificial intelligence to fight misinformation and other abuses at its platform.
A whistleblower group in Washington filed an official complaint that Facebook was unwittingly auto-generating content for terror-linked groups using its platform that its artificial intelligence systems do not recognize as extremist.
Facebook’s software was automatically “creating and promoting terror content,” the National Whistleblowers Center added in the complaint, by creating “celebration” and “memories” videos for extremist pages that had amassed sufficient views or “likes.”
The group said Thursday it filed a complaint with the US Securities and Exchange Commission on behalf of a source that preferred to remain anonymous.
In his editorial, Hughes urged the government to break Instagram and WhatsApp away from Facebook and prevent new acquisitions for several years.
“The American government needs to do two things: break up Facebook’s monopoly and regulate the company to make it more accountable to the American people,” Hughes said.
“Even after a breakup, Facebook would be a hugely profitable business with billions to invest in new technologies — and a more competitive market would only encourage those investments,” he said.
Hughes said the break-up, under existing anti-trust laws, would allow better privacy protections for social media users and would cost US authorities almost nothing.
Hughes said that he remained friends with Zuckerberg, noting that “he’s human. But it’s his very humanity that makes his unchecked power so problematic.”


Dubai Lynx expands talent training program Young Lynx Academy to Saudi Arabia

Updated 27 January 2025
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Dubai Lynx expands talent training program Young Lynx Academy to Saudi Arabia

  • Winners will be recognized at the Dubai Lynx Awards ceremony on April 9 in Dubai

DUBAI: Dubai Lynx, a prominent creative festival and awards program organized by Cannes Lions, has announced the launch of the Saudi edition of its annual Young Lynx Academy, in partnership with multinational advertising conglomerate Publicis Groupe Middle East.

“Saudi Arabia’s creative industry is at a pivotal moment, driven by ambition and a growing appetite for world-class creative excellence,” Adel Baraja, CEO of Publicis Communications KSA, told Arab News.

He added: “The market is brimming with untapped potential, and we believe initiatives like Young Lynx Academy will play a crucial role in shaping the future of creativity in the Kingdom.”

The Dubai edition will be held on April 7 and 8, and the Saudi edition will take place at Snap Inc.’s Riyadh office from Feb. 18 to 19.

“The Riyadh edition of the Young Lynx Academy, in partnership with Publicis Groupe Middle East, is designed to be an immersive experience that challenges young professionals to think creatively and push their boundaries,” Kamille Marchant, director of Dubai Lynx, told Arab News.

On the first day, participants will meet the mentors who will guide them through the event. The day will also feature keynote speeches from industry experts, networking opportunities, and an introduction to the “centerpiece” of the event, a 24-hour hack challenge, Marchant explained.

On the second day, participants will focus on tackling the brief and present their ideas to a panel of judges. They will be required to work collaboratively on a real-world brief under time constraints, which encourages not just innovative thinking but also teamwork, adaptability, and problem-solving under pressure, she added.

The event will conclude with the announcement of the winning presentation.

Applications are now open, and the winners will be recognized at the Dubai Lynx Awards ceremony on April 9 at the Emirates Golf Club.


Pope Francis warns of ‘fanaticism, hatred’ in social media

Pope Francis (R) waves as he leaves the weekly general audience at Paul-VI hall in the Vatican on January 22, 2025. (AFP)
Updated 25 January 2025
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Pope Francis warns of ‘fanaticism, hatred’ in social media

  • The pope’s admonition comes as X, owned by Elon Musk, has been accused of spreading false information while interfering in European politics, in particular for attacking leaders including German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and British Prime Minister Keir Starm

VATICAN CITY: Pope Francis denounced an era of “disinformation and polarization” on Friday in a message for World Communications Day, as he criticized powerful social networks creating “fanaticism and even hatred.”
In saluting journalists, he spoke of their collective responsibility working “in these our times, characterised by disinformation and polarization, as a few centers of power control an unprecedented mass of data and information.”
The 88-year-old pope — who has warned in the past of the dangers of new technologies, including social media and artificial intelligence — did not cite Facebook or X by name, but his target was evident.
“Too often today, communication generates not hope, but fear and despair, prejudice and resentment, fanaticism and even hatred,” the pope wrote in his message.
“All too often it simplifies reality in order to provoke instinctive reactions; it uses words like a razor; it even uses false or artfully distorted information to send messages designed to agitate, provoke or hurt.”

FASTFACTS

• The 88-year-old pope — who has warned in the past of the dangers of new technologies, including social media and artificial intelligence — did not cite Facebook or X by name, but his target was evident.

• In a speech quoting Martin Luther King Jr., Francis said he dreamed of ‘communication that does not peddle illusions or fears, but is able to give reasons for hope.

The pope’s admonition comes as X, owned by Elon Musk, has been accused of spreading false information while interfering in European politics, in particular for attacking leaders including German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
The billionaire also used his platform and vast wealth to help propel Donald Trump to the White House.
Meta has also come under fire after its chief Mark Zuckerberg said this month that Facebook would end its third-party fact-checking program in the United States, in what critics warned would further fuel false information online.
In a speech quoting Martin Luther King Jr., Francis said he dreamed of “communication that does not peddle illusions or fears, but is able to give reasons for hope.”
He warned, however, of algorithms that feed social media users information that is specifically catered to their interests and prejudices.
Such “digital systems... by profiling us according to the logic of the market, modify our perception of reality,” he said.
“As a result, we witness, often helplessly, a sort of atomization of interests that ends up undermining the foundations of our existence as a community, our ability to join in the pursuit of the common good, to listen to one another and to understand each other’s point of view.”
Earlier this month, in his New Year’s address to Vatican diplomats, Francis lamented increasing polarization in society, “aggravated by the continuous creation and spread of fake news.”
Francis himself is a frequent target of unfounded rumors and manipulated photos online.

 


Fearless Saudi 13-year-old launches Vision 2030 podcast

Updated 24 January 2025
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Fearless Saudi 13-year-old launches Vision 2030 podcast

  • Teenager aims to educate the public about Kingdom’s vision
  • Overcame public speaking fears to become podcaster

RIYADH: Saudi Linda Al-Faisal, who is only 13, aims to make an impact through her podcast, Linda Vision 2030, with each episode featuring a guest trailblazer.

Through her podcast, she connects with thousands of local and international subscribers, engaging in conversations about the Kingdom’s vision.

In her first episode, titled “How Saudi Arabia Became a Global Hub,” she discusses the projects being driven by the Kingdom, led by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, claiming “Saudi Arabia is no longer the land you once knew.”

In her third episode, Al-Faisal interviewed Tamim Turki, a teenage Saudi sports presenter.

Then, in her fourth episode, Al-Faisal sat down Hassan Yusuf, program director for Saudi Arabia’s Real Madrid foundation, where the pair discussed the role of youth in achieving the goals of Vision 2030.

When she was five years old, Al-Faisal was interested in becoming a ballerina, and after being enrolled in classes she later fulfilled her childhood dream. Today, she is a ballerina as well as a podcast host.

Influenced by her friends, who have their own podcast, Al-Faisal decided to create her own platform.

“Why I chose (the topic of) Vision 2030 is because many people don’t know what it talks about or what is going to happen. So, I decided to search and learn more about Vision 2030 so I can teach the people.

“The biggest goal that I want to achieve from my podcast is that I want to make every listener feel proud with all the developments and changes happening in Saudi Arabia.”

After years of presenting at school, facing her fears, Al-Faisal became a natural public speaker, learning communication techniques through observation and practice to become an effective presenter.

“I used to be nervous while presenting during my first time in school. We all learn from our mistakes, and I learned from mine and became stronger. The speeches I used to present in school made me more powerful.”

Al-Faisal’s ballet talent earned her third place in the “Creative Journey Around the Kingdom,” a program launched by the General Entertainment Authority in collaboration with MBC Academy, which sets out to identify local talent.

Al-Faisal’s message to teenagers is to keep dreaming and always stay positive.

“Do not let negative thinking destroy you. Always focus on yourself because you are the main character of your life.”


Sky News Arabia opens new headquarters, announces fresh programming

Updated 23 January 2025
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Sky News Arabia opens new headquarters, announces fresh programming

DUBAI: Sky News Arabia, part of media group IMI, has opened its new headquarters in the same building as the IMI HQ on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi.

The new HQ features advanced broadcasting studios fitted with the latest AI technologies, the company said.

Sky News Arabia has also launched a new programming grid covering politics, lifestyle, sports, business and entertainment.

The announcements come 12 years after the channel’s launch.

They mark a new chapter that “embodies our forward-thinking strategy to anticipate and exceed audience expectations by embracing cutting-edge technologies and delivering diverse, engaging programming that transcends borders, setting new benchmarks for excellence,” said Rani Raad, CEO of IMI and president and operating partner of Redbird IMI.

The company has been working over the past year to elevate “the way each of the media companies within our network engage with audiences, to ensure we continue to deliver content that truly resonates,” he added.

The new programming will include shows such as “Studio One” hosted by Fadila Souissi, which will highlight political and societal issues, and the “Emad Eldin Adib” show, which will focus on politics in the Arab world.

Sky News Arabia is also expanding its lineup of non-political shows. The “Al Sabah Show” will return, featuring segments on health, fashion, law, and celebrities. It will be hosted by Maha Abdullah, Ahmed Qassem, Hani Ziadeh, Christine Dagher and Lubna Mansour.

The show will extend to digital channels and social media platforms through 12 specifically tailored mini-segments.

“In an era of rapid change and information overload, we are committed to empowering our audience with the tools to navigate and discern credible news,” said Nadim Koteich, general manager of Sky News Arabia.

He added: “By providing transparent, engaging and diverse content across politics, economics, lifestyle and technology, we ensure that Sky News Arabia remains a credible source of information that meets the dynamic needs of our viewers.”


Benefits of AI economy must be equitably distributed, says UN tech envoy in Davos

Updated 23 January 2025
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Benefits of AI economy must be equitably distributed, says UN tech envoy in Davos

  • Amandeep Singh Gill seeks ‘global’ efforts to tackle digital divide
  • ‘We need to have a more collaborative and respectful approach’

DAVOS:The power of artificial intelligence and quantum computing must be harnessed to benefit nations across the world, not only developed economies, said Amandeep Singh Gill, the UN’s envoy on technology, on Thursday.

Speaking during a panel titled “From High-Performance Computing to High- Performance Problem Solving,” Gill said that countries in Africa, for example, hold less than 0.5 percent of graphic processing units worldwide.

Also participating in the discussion were Georges-Olivier Reymond, co-founder and CEO of PASQAL; Ana Paula Assis, senior vice president and chair IBM EMEA and Growth Markets; and Paul Alivisatos, president of the University of Chicago.

“My challenge is to convince policymakers who have limited resources to invest in the digital divide, data and AI and quantum development as well,” explained the envoy.

“There is a backlash against the neo-colonial situation, where the tech is developed in just a few geographies, and the rest of the world is takers of this tech. You can call it the sovereignty backlash … we need to have a more collaborative and respectful approach,” he added.

When asked by panel moderator Azeem Azhar, CEO of Exponential View, about the risk of uncertainty in the field of quantum computing, Gill said he sees an opportunity more than a risk.

“We are at an early stage in terms of the science and technology of developing things so different technologies might be used. A degree of uncertainty and diversity is important,” he added.

But the envoy emphasized the need to have a unified global force that would ensure everyone can participate in this area of technology.

“When we look at the global majority, not everyone will be able to use quantum computing, the cryptographic effort has to be global, it can’t be isolated,” he said.

Gill said the world is shifting toward quantum infrastructure in order to reduce energy consumption. According to the envoy, today’s AI systems consume a great deal of energy.

The UN deemed 2025 as the “International Year of Quantum Science and Technology.” This initiative aims to celebrate quantum mechanics and educate people on its impacts on technology, culture, and understanding of the world.