Social Media 27 September 2025 - 31 January 2026

India could ban social media for under-16s as Modi ally targets Meta and YouTube
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India could ban social media for under-16s as Modi ally targets Meta and YouTube

L.S.K. Devarayalu, an ally of Prime Minister Modi, has introduced a bill to ban social media accounts for anyone under 16 in India, requiring platforms to verify users’ ages. The move follows similar restrictions in Australia and France. Meta, Alphabet, and X have not commented. State governments and top economic officials are also pushing for age-based online limits.
January 31, 2026
WhatsApp’s new “Strict Account Settings” is a lockdown switch for high-risk users
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WhatsApp’s new “Strict Account Settings” is a lockdown switch for high-risk users

WhatsApp on Tuesday launched “Strict Account Settings,” blocking unknown attachments, media, and calls, and disabling link previews for users at risk of targeted hacking. The feature, rolling out over the next weeks, mirrors security modes from Apple and Google. WhatsApp says it is intended for users facing sophisticated cyber threats, not the general public.
January 27, 2026
EU puts WhatsApp Channels under toughest Digital Services Act rules, giving Meta until May
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EU puts WhatsApp Channels under toughest Digital Services Act rules, giving Meta until May

The European Commission has designated WhatsApp’s Channels as a “very large online platform” under the Digital Services Act, citing 51.7 million monthly EU users. Meta must comply with stricter rules targeting illegal and harmful content by mid-May. The new obligations apply only to Channels, not private messaging. Oversight will involve both the Commission and Ireland’s digital regulator.
January 26, 2026
TikTok U.S. deal sealed with Oracle-led venture — here’s what changes for users
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TikTok U.S. deal sealed with Oracle-led venture — here’s what changes for users

ByteDance has won U.S. and Chinese approval to transfer TikTok’s U.S. business to a new majority-American venture backed by Oracle, Silver Lake, and MGX, Sky News reported. TikTok pushed updated terms to U.S. users allowing GPS-level tracking and expanded data collection, Wired reported. ByteDance will retain 19.9% ownership, with each partner holding 15%, according to Data Center Dynamics. Adam Presser will lead the new entity as CEO, The Verge said.
January 24, 2026
TikTok avoids U.S. ban with Oracle-led joint venture deal — here’s who owns what now
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TikTok avoids U.S. ban with Oracle-led joint venture deal — here’s who owns what now

ByteDance said Friday it will shift TikTok’s U.S. operations to a new joint venture, with Oracle, Silver Lake, and MGX each taking 15% stakes and ByteDance retaining 19.9%. The venture will control U.S. user data on Oracle’s cloud and oversee TikTok’s algorithm security. Adam Presser was named CEO. Both U.S. and Chinese officials approved the deal.
January 23, 2026
Boop AI Travel App Turns Social Tips into Bookable Trips: What’s New on 19 November 2025
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Boop AI Travel App Turns Social Tips into Bookable Trips: What’s New on 19 November 2025

Boop, an AI travel app founded by ex-Meta and Microsoft executive Nancy Li Smith, launched this week and drew major coverage from TechCrunch and other outlets. The app lets users copy and customize real travelers’ itineraries, using AI to turn location and photo data into bookable trips. Boop secured $3.2 million in pre-seed funding. Media attention surged after TechCrunch’s November 18 feature.
November 19, 2025
X Login Outage: Security Key Switch to X.com Locks Out Users as Twitter.com Finally Dies (November 13, 2025)
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X Login Outage: Security Key Switch to X.com Locks Out Users as Twitter.com Finally Dies (November 13, 2025)

Millions of X users were locked out of their accounts November 12–13 after a glitch in the platform’s two-factor authentication process, triggered by a domain switch from twitter.com to x.com. Many encountered repeated prompts to re-enroll security keys like YubiKeys, with some unable to regain access even after following instructions. X has not issued a detailed public statement. Partial recovery is reported, but problems persist.
November 13, 2025
Mobile Mayhem: Apple’s iPhone Air, Samsung’s Tri-Fold Leak, TikTok’s Shakeup & More
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Mobile Mayhem: Apple’s iPhone Air, Samsung’s Tri-Fold Leak, TikTok’s Shakeup & More

Apple expanded iPhone 17 and iPhone Air sales to more markets on Sept 26, reopening its Tokyo Ginza store and promising a fix for an iOS 26 bug affecting AI tools. Samsung launched new Galaxy Tab S11 tablets and Galaxy S25 FE in Australia, while leaks point to a tri-fold “Galaxy G Fold” and new camera features in One UI 8.5. Xiaomi’s CEO claimed its 17 series surpasses iPhone 17, and confirmed a $7 billion chip investment.
September 27, 2025
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Stock Market Today

  • UK Top Dividend Stocks See Renewed Investor Interest
    May 25, 2026, 8:17 AM EDT. UK dividend stocks are quietly attracting fresh attention from investors seeking steady income amid market volatility. These shares, known for paying consistent dividends, offer appeal as economic uncertainties persist. While specific stock names were not disclosed, the trend reflects a cautious shift towards income-generating investments. Investors are advised to consult financial advisers to assess risk and suitability before making decisions. Kalkine Media, a regulated entity, provided this information without endorsing any stock. The renewed interest highlights the ongoing demand for dividend yields in the UK equity market amid changing economic conditions.