Meta

Meta, formerly Facebook, is a technology conglomerate owning platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. It's currently newsworthy due to multiple legal challenges and strategic shifts. Recent events include a US investigation into claims Meta can access encrypted WhatsApp messages, a landmark trial over allegations of social media addiction among youth (alongside TikTok and YouTube), and the planned trial of premium subscriptions for its platforms, offering expanded AI capabilities. Meta, along with other tech giants, is also under pressure regarding child safety, highlighted by Australia's ban on social media for under-16s and concerns over access to UK ministers compared to child safety groups. These developments underscore Meta's significant influence and the increasing scrutiny it faces regarding user privacy, mental health impacts, and business practices.