X sues Media Matters to silence moderation criticism
- Media Matters reported last week that X “has been placing ads for major brands” like Apple and IBM “next to content that touts Adolf Hitler and his Nazi Party.”
- Musk has dubbed the report unrepresentative of X’s general user experience.
- Several companies pulled ads after the report and Musk’s direct endorsement of an antisemitic conspiracy theory.
- Musk claims that Media Matters is legally liable for X’s loss – he argues that the organisation “manipulated” the service to make X serve the offending ads.
- However, the president of Media Matters, Angelo Carusone, reported: “We are going to continue our work undeterred. If he sues us, we will win,” and “This is a frivolous lawsuit meant to bully X’s critics into silence.”
- For more, please visit The Verge website.
Gardai say children as young as 14 are being recruited as ‘money mules’
- Children as young as 14 are being recruited as “money mules” for international organised crime operations, according to gardai.
- Detective Superintendent Michael Cryan of the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau warned that money mules can be convicted of a money laundering offence.
- He reported: “If you’re charged and prosecuted, you may have to appear in court, it may be reported on, you may have your picture in the paper. Your bank account will be closed, other banks won’t entertain new applications. You’ll potentially be placed on a terrorism watchlist.”
- Det Supt Cryan also said that there was an “explosion in recruitment” during the Covid-19 pandemic, with children as young as 14 or 15 years of age being recruited.
- He also said that common attacks involve tricking victims into believing they are dealing with their bank or Revolut, delivery services, eFlow tolls, Government departments or the gardaí or service providers.
- Det Supt Cryan has warned to be wary of concerning text or calls and never give away personal data. He continues: “if you have been a victim of account takeover fraud make sure you change your passwords and contact your bank as soon as possible and report it to gardaí.”
- For more, please visit The Journal website.
Under-investigation NI TikToker tells documentary: ‘I won’t delete controversial animal content’
- The 19-year-old male under investigation has a collection of animals and frequently posts them to his 35.4 million TikTok and 1.5 million Instagram followers.
- Last month, the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), confirmed they are investigating his activities, alongside the PSNI.
- The man appeared in a Channel 4 documentary last week called “Exotic Pet Trade — Exposed: UNTOLD”, which focused on the increased demand for exotic pets in the UK which is overwhelming animal charities.
- When asked if he would delete previous content that featured exotic animals, he said he would not.
- He reported: “I think it’s actually better to show people and let them be able to actually see the difference. If I feel as though it would be a risk, I would delete those videos, but I don’t feel it’s a risk.”
- He has not posted on his TikTok account since October 18, when he shared a video appearing to show him buying a crab at a supermarket and “releasing” it into the River Lagan in Belfast.
- For more, please visit the Belfast Telegraph website.
