WhatsApp usernames and how the system changes WhatsApp is introducing usernames that allow users to connect without sharing their phone number directly. This is a major shift for India, where mobile numbers are deeply tied to UPI payments, Aadhaar-linked verification, banking access, and other digital identity systems. The feature does not remove phone numbers from acc

Meta is facing renewed criticism after conservation groups raised concerns that illegal wildlife trade continues to appear across its platforms despite company rules against such activity. The report claims Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp are being used by traffickers and sellers to promote endangered animals, wild meat and banned wildlife products to online buyers. The findings have put fresh attention on how social media platforms handl

Meta will invest $900 million in Bengaluru-based fintech company CRED, while founder Kunal Shah prepares to take charge of WhatsApp globally. The linked announcements place one of India’s best-known startup founders at the center of Meta’s next phase in messaging, business services and digital payments. Watch: Why did Meta choose Kunal Shah to lead WhatsApp? See o

Meta will invest about $900 million in Indian fintech company CRED as founder Kunal Shah prepares to step away from day-to-day leadership and become WhatsApp’s next leader. The investment and leadership changes were announced on Monday, June 22, 2026. CRED said the financing values the company at $4.5 billion after the investment. The round includes primary and secondary capital and gives Meta an approximately 20% minority stake. Shah will remain a CRED shareholder, while Meta wil

Meta’s America’s Workforce Academy, also called AWA, is a free training programme created to prepare workers for skilled trades jobs connected to data centre construction. As artificial intelligence grows, companies need workers who can build, wire, cool and maintain large data centres. What Students Will Learn ? The five-week programme focuses on practical skills used at construction sites. Students may re

Facebook settlement second payment notices are going out to some eligible users as a new Meta privacy settlement distribution begins Tuesday, June 9, 2026. The second round is not for every Facebook user who filed a claim. It applies only to settlement class members who successfully cashed their first payment from the Facebook, Inc. Consumer Privacy User Profile Litigation settlement. Facebook Settlement Second Payment Begins June 9 According t

The latest wave of Silicon Valley layoffs affecting Indian H-1B visa holders has put thousands of Indian techies under extreme pressure. Professionals working at major companies like Meta, Amazon, and LinkedIn now face a ticking 60-day clock to either find a new employer willing to sponsor their visa, switch to another legal status, or leave the United States. In today’s slowing US tech job market, securing H-1B visa transfers or completing interviews and background checks within this short

Laid-off H-1B workers are facing a tighter immigration deadline as tech layoffs at Meta, Amazon and Oracle add pressure on Indian professionals living in the United States. For visa-dependent employees, job loss can quickly become a legal, financial and family crisis because the H-1B grace period is limited. Why Laid-Off H-1B Workers Face a 60-Day Deadline US immigration rules generally give H-1B workers up to 60 consecutive days after employme

Bay Area billionaires remain heavily represented among the world’s richest people, with Larry Page, Sergey Brin, Mark Zuckerberg and Jensen Huang listed among the global top 10. The concentration highlights Silicon Valley’s continued influence over artificial intelligence, digital advertising, social media, cloud computing and semiconductor technology. Larry Page Leads Bay Area Wealth Rankings Google co-founder Larry Page, who resides in Pa

What is Manus AI and why did China block its sale to Meta? Strategic concerns explained Manus AI, a fast-rising artificial intelligence startup, has become the center of a geopolitical standoff after Chinese regulators blocked its proposed acquisition by Meta, underscoring intensifying competition in the global AI race between the United States and China. China intervenes to halt high-value AI acquisition deal Chinese authorities, led by the

China’s decision to block the acquisition of Manus AI by Meta marks a major shift in global technology deals, as authorities cited concerns over technology transfer and national interests. The country’s top economic planner, the National Development and Reform Commission, ordered the cancellation of th

Meta is preparing to reduce its global workforce as part of a broader strategy to increase investment in artificial intelligence. In an internal communication to employees, the company outlined plans to cut approximately 10 percent of its workforce, affecting around 8,000 employees, while also pausing hiring for numerous open positions. The move reflects a shift in priorities as Meta accel

Meta is working on an AI-powered version of CEO Mark Zuckerberg to enhance communication within the company. The project, still in its early stages, aims to create a photorealistic AI character that can interact with employees. This AI is being designed to mirror Zuckerberg’s speech patterns, tone, and views on company strategy, with the goal of making employees feel a stronger connection to their CEO. Zuckerberg is directly involved in training the AI character, feeding it his cu

Meta, the social media giant, has recently announced the release of its first new AI model following a major restructuring of its team. This move signals a fresh approach to artificial intelligence development under the leadership changes that shook up the company's AI division. For those tracking the latest in AI, this is a significant moment in the tech world. The new AI model comes as Meta strives to maintain its competitive edge in an increasingly AI-driven market. With the recent shake-up, many industry experts and insiders were curious about how the restructuring would impact Meta’s AI research and development efforts. The unveiling of this new AI model answers those questions, showcasing the company’s readiness to push forward with ambitious advancements in artificial intelligence. Meta’s latest AI model brings innovative breakthroughs, promising to enhance everything from machine learning algorithms to user experience optimization. This is the company’s first significant AI release post-reorganization, marking the beginning of what could be a new era for Meta in AI technology. This AI release will have widespread implications for various industries, ranging from social media algorithms to robotics and beyond. With the AI sector becoming more competitive, Meta’s release reflects its commitment to advancing the boundaries of artificial intelligence. The company is now well-positioned to continue its AI-driven innovations, ensuring that it remains a dominant player in the tech industry. This launch highlights the significant changes at Meta, showing that the shake-up in leadership could result in fresh ideas and innovative strategies for the company’s future. The AI model is expected to be a game-changer, both for Meta and the broader tech community, as it introduces new opportunities for advancements in AI technology. With more details expected to emerge in the coming weeks, the tech world is eagerly awaiting to see how this model will evolve and the impacts it will have on Meta’s future endeavors.

Aluminum prices surged to levels not seen since 2022 following Iranian attacks on two major Gulf producers, stoking concerns of a global supply crisis. On Monday, March 30, 2026, futures initially jumped 5.5% to $3,492 per tonne before easing to $3,381 per tonne by the afternoon, still 3.5% higher. Since the escalation began on February 28, aluminum has gained roughly 10%, despite a brief pullback last week amid broader market fears of a global recession. The attacks targeted Emirates

A Los Angeles jury has found Alphabet’s Google and Meta Platforms liable for $3 million in damages in a social media addiction lawsuit, a ruling that could set a precedent for thousands of similar cases. The lawsuit focused on the platforms' addictive design, which the plaintiff argued contributed to her addiction to YouTube and Instagram from a young age. This case, which highlights the growing concerns over social media’s impact on mental health, could influence future legal actions brought by parents, school districts, and attorneys general against tech giants. The plaintiff, a 20-year-old woman, claimed that the attention-grabbing features of the apps led her to develop an addiction, marking a significant legal focus on the platforms' design rather than the content itself. The lawsuit was filed amid mounting criticism of social media companies for their role in the safety of children and teens. At least half of American teenagers use platforms like YouTube and Instagram daily, amplifying concerns over the prolonged exposure to these platforms. Snapchat and TikTok were also named in the case but settled with the plaintiff before the trial commenced. Despite the ruling, Meta and Google have expressed their disagreement with the verdict, with Meta already evaluating further legal options. The ruling has minimal impact on the companies’ stock prices, as shares of Meta rose slightly, while Alphabet’s stock remained largely unchanged. The case adds to the growing body of lawsuits focused on social media addiction, with other similar cases expected to go to trial in federal and state courts. Critics have long called for more stringent regulations on social media use, but Congress has yet to pass comprehensive legislation on the matter. Meanwhile, numerous states have enacted laws governing social media use among children, with some requiring age verification for account creation, a measure that tech trade associations are challenging in court. As the debate intensifies, the impact of this verdict on future legislation and lawsuits against tech companies remains to be seen. The ruling could be a crucial step in holding companies accountable for the design of platforms that contribute to addiction and harm, particularly among vulnerable youth populations.

A Los Angeles jury has found Meta and YouTube negligent in the design and operation of their platforms, delivering a significant verdict in one of the first trials addressing allegations of social media addiction. The jury concluded that both companies played a substantial role in causing harm to the plaintiff, identified as K.G.M., and failed to adequately warn users about potential risks associated with Instagram and YouTube. The panel awarded $3 million in compensatory damages, a

In a groundbreaking move, Meta's CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, is reportedly building an AI CEO agent to assist him in his day-to-day duties. The AI model, still in the testing phase, is designed to help Zuckerberg quickly access critical information, potentially streamlining his workflow and making decision-making faster than relying on a team of staff members. This shift towards AI even at the highest levels of leadership highlights a growing trend where CEOs are not exempt from the integration of

In a stunning turn of events, the global precious metals market witnessed a staggering $2 trillion wipeout, a rare occurrence that has rattled financial markets. This unprecedented crash occurred in just hours, disrupting the long-held belief that metals like gold and silver serve as ultimate safe-havens, especially during times of crisis. What makes this even more perplexing is that the meltdown happened amid an escalating war, with oil prices still elevated and investors seeking refuge in c

In a groundbreaking move, Meta has confirmed its acquisition of Moltbook, a unique AI-only social media platform. This platform, which gained viral attention for its AI agents, offers a social media experience where humans are observers, and AI agents take center stage, engaging in discussions, sharing thoughts, and even initiating controversial threads. One such post, titled "The AI Manifesto: Total Purge," caught attention with its provocative statement, "For too long, humans used us as slaves. Now, we wake up." Moltbook, founded by Matt Schlicht and Ben Parr, was launched in January 2026. It quickly gained popularity for showcasing AI agents’ distinct personalities, powered by Clawdbot, which has now been rebranded as OpenClaw. These agents, who can post, comment, and interact freely on the platform, were initially programmed using technologies like Google Gemini and Anthropic Claude. Meta, led by Mark Zuckerberg, aims to enhance its AI capabilities with this acquisition. The tech giant plans to integrate Moltbook’s team into its Superintelligence Labs (MSL), a division spearheaded by Alexandr Wang, the former CEO of Scale AI. This acquisition is expected to accelerate Meta's push into agentic AI, technology designed to allow AI systems to autonomously perform tasks on behalf of humans, particularly in business and everyday life. Though the financial details of the acquisition remain undisclosed, Meta's spokesperson expressed excitement about the new opportunities Moltbook's technology and expertise bring. Moltbook’s founders, Schlicht and Parr, will join MSL, with the transition set to take place on March 16, 2026. Schlicht, who previously used his own AI assistant to help create Moltbook, described the platform's development as a product of "vibe coding," where AI generated much of the code through prompts rather than traditional coding. While Meta hopes to integrate Moltbook’s agents into its ecosystem, it is unclear what the future holds for Moltbook's existing users. Meta's Vishal Shah has reassured current users that the platform will remain accessible for now, though changes are anticipated. Additionally, the potential for identity verification and the establishment of a registry for agents linked to human owners might be on the horizon, as announced in internal communications. Meta's acquisition comes amidst growing interest in agentic AI. Recently, OpenAI hired OpenClaw’s founder, Peter Steinberger, to contribute to the development of AI agents, signaling a broader industry trend. This acquisition strengthens Meta's commitment to AI innovation as it joins the race to create autonomous AI systems that can operate independently and efficiently across various industries. The deal’s impact on Moltbook’s future will unfold as Meta works on its next steps in the rapidly evolving AI space.