After users flagged a Facebook event page for a militia counterprotest in Kenosha, Wisconsin, the page, filled with comments promoting violence, vanished from the social network. Facebook told the world it had taken down both the event page and the group that sponsored it.
Yes, but: As BuzzFeed News reports, the group itself had deleted the event page before Facebook shut the group down. That contradicts what CEO Mark Zuckerberg told a company meeting soon after the controversy, as the company now concedes.
Apple is delaying implementation of a new policy requiring iOS app developers to get opt-in consent before tracking user activity that some firms rely on to target ads.
Why it matters: The policy, originally intended to come with the release of iOS 14 this month, had some developers, particularly mobile game-makers, worried that they'd see a major drop-off in revenue. Facebook publicly took Apple to task over the change.
Facebook, citing its policies against voter fraud, will take down a video of President Trump suggesting people vote twice in North Carolina if it's being shared approvingly, the company said Thursday.
Yes, but: It hasn't taken down any instances of the video yet. Facebook said people are fine to post it if they include context around Trump's comments.
There are few positions more uncomfortable nowadays than being an American company reliant on China. But reconfiguring supply chains is far from easy.
The big picture: A recent McKinsey report showed almost all industries at risk of supply-chain disruption. The exceptions are largely regional industries like glass, cement, and food.
The FCC has wrapped up its latest spectrum auction, with Verizon, Dish Network and cable companies among those with the most winning bids.
Why it matters: The auction was for midband 3.5 GHz airwaves — spectrum seen as ideal for 5G — offering a mix of faster speeds with the ability to also offer a wide coverage area.
In a new TV ad out today, Apple features people inappropriately blurting out private information in public places.
Why it matters: With this bit of satire, Apple aims to win over consumers with a privacy-first message — and also to paint itself as a force for good amid the public debate over Big Tech's power.
Apple, Google, Cisco and Intel this week sued the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, challenging the agency's recent rule that it can refuse to adjudicate patent claims while litigation about them is pending in court.
Why it matters: The companies say the rule hurts innovation and their legal rights, letting invalid patents stay on the books while lawsuits slowly wend their way through court.
Facebook said Thursday that it will no longer accept new political ads for the week leading up to Election Day. It will also label posts from candidates who claim victory prematurely and will direct users to the official results.
Why it matters: It's the most aggressive effort Facebook has made to date to curb manipulation in the days leading up to the U.S. election.
Big Tech is holding dry runs to game out Election Day chaos scenarios, key participants tell Axios.
Axios has learned that Facebook, Google, Twitter and Reddit are holding regular meetings with one another, with federal law enforcement — and with intelligence agencies — to discuss potential threats to election integrity.
