Meta Investigates Instagram Search Glitch After Users Report “Hidden Results” for Political Terms

Published

11 hours ago

January 21, 2025

RTX

Meta has confirmed it is working to resolve a technical issue on Instagram that causes a “results hidden” message when users search for terms like “Democrat” or “Democrats.” The glitch has raised concerns among some social media users, who have accused the company of political bias, particularly since it emerged following the inauguration of President Donald Trump on Monday, an event attended by Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg.

The issue appears to affect users searching for the hashtags “#Democrat” and “#Democrats,” with no results being shown. When users manually search for “Democrats,” Instagram displays a message that reads, “we’ve hidden these results,” warning that the term may contain sensitive content. In contrast, searches for “#Republican” return over 3 million posts without issue.

Social media expert Matt Navarra suggested that the issue was more likely a technical glitch rather than intentional political bias. However, he acknowledged that in today’s highly polarized environment, even unintentional errors can quickly escalate into accusations of partisanship. “If these issues are not resolved quickly, they risk fueling conspiracy theories and damaging Meta’s reputation,” Navarra told the BBC.

In a statement to the BBC, Meta acknowledged the problem, saying, “We’re aware of an error affecting hashtags across the political spectrum and we are working quickly to resolve it.” The company has not yet specified what caused the issue or when a fix will be implemented.

The glitch comes at a time when Meta is under increased scrutiny for its political ties. Zuckerberg’s attendance at Trump’s inauguration marks the latest in a series of moves that have drawn attention to the company’s relationships with the Republican administration. In January, Meta announced changes to its content moderation policies, which Zuckerberg linked to the “cultural tipping point” represented by Trump’s return to office.

Additionally, Meta recently appointed Joel Kaplan, a prominent Republican figure, as the company’s new global affairs chief, replacing Sir Nick Clegg. The move has further fueled discussions about Meta’s alignment with conservative political interests. Zuckerberg has also been seen in close proximity to Trump, with a visit to the president’s Mar-a-Lago resort in November and a Meta donation to a Trump fund.

Despite previous criticism from Trump and his allies, who accused Meta of censoring right-wing voices, Trump has praised the company for removing fact-checkers from its platforms, saying it marked a significant shift. He also expressed approval of Zuckerberg’s actions, stating that Meta had “come a long way” in its handling of political content.

Meta has not yet commented on whether the current issue is related to its recent policy changes or if it is an isolated technical malfunction.

News

Trump Grants TikTok 75-Day Extension to Comply with U.S. Sale or Ban Law

Published

11 hours ago

January 21, 2025

RTX

President Donald Trump has signed an executive order providing TikTok with a 75-day extension to comply with a law requiring the platform to either be sold or face a U.S. ban. During this period, enforcement of the law, passed under the Biden administration, will be paused, Trump announced on Monday.

The order is part of a series of directives signed by the president, who described receiving calls from “every rich person” about TikTok during a conversation with reporters in the Oval Office. Asked why he reversed his 2020 position advocating for TikTok’s ban, Trump quipped, “Because I got to use it.”

Trump also floated the idea of a joint venture to manage TikTok, suggesting a 50-50 partnership between the United States and its Chinese parent company, ByteDance. However, he did not provide details on how such an arrangement would function. He warned that if a deal is not reached, his administration may impose new tariffs on China, calling Beijing’s rejection of a deal “somewhat of a hostile act.”

TikTok Ban Temporarily Halted

The controversy surrounding TikTok, which has 170 million U.S. users, reignited over the weekend when the platform ceased operations in the U.S. as the law banning it on national security grounds went into effect. TikTok resumed service after Trump promised an executive order extending its deadline. However, the app remains unavailable for download on Apple and Google app stores.

The Biden administration had previously argued that TikTok posed risks of surveillance and political manipulation by the Chinese government. ByteDance failed to comply with a law mandating the sale of its U.S. operations, prompting the Supreme Court to uphold the ban last Friday. Despite this, the Biden White House deferred enforcement to the new administration due to timing.

Mixed Reactions from Congress and Business Leaders

The extension has drawn criticism from members of Trump’s own party. Republican Senator Tom Cotton warned that businesses supporting TikTok could face “hundreds of billions of dollars in fines” under various legal avenues, including securities law and shareholder lawsuits. Cotton’s concerns reflect the broader Republican skepticism about TikTok’s national security implications.

Meanwhile, TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew attended Trump’s inauguration on Monday alongside other tech leaders, including Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, and Jeff Bezos. Speculation about potential buyers has intensified, with YouTube star MrBeast sharing a TikTok video hinting at an official bid for the platform. Other notable figures, including Musk and investor Kevin O’Leary, have also expressed interest.

The executive order signals a complex balancing act for Trump, as he navigates national security concerns, freedom of speech debates, and mounting interest from potential buyers. For now, TikTok’s fate remains uncertain as the 75-day countdown begins.

News

Indian Court Sentences Man to Life for Rape and Murder of Junior Doctor

Published

1 day ago

January 20, 2025

RTX

An Indian court has sentenced Sanjay Roy, a hospital volunteer, to life in prison for the rape and murder of a junior doctor in Kolkata, a case that sparked nationwide outrage and protests. The judge rejected demands for the death penalty, ruling that Roy would serve a life sentence, which means he will spend the rest of his life in prison.

Roy, who was convicted over the weekend, has maintained his innocence and is expected to appeal the verdict in a higher court. The victim’s family, however, expressed their shock at the sentence and insisted on a harsher punishment. “We will continue our fight, and won’t let investigations stop… Come what may, we will fight for justice,” the woman’s father said in an interview with AFP.

Indian law prohibits the disclosure of identities in sexual violence cases, including the names of victims and their family members.

The conviction follows the tragic murder of the 31-year-old trainee doctor last August at the state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata. The woman, who had worked a night shift, had gone to sleep in a seminar hall at the hospital. Her half-naked, severely injured body was later found by a colleague near a podium.

An autopsy revealed that the woman had been strangled and showed signs of a struggle, suggesting she fought back against her attacker. The brutal crime prompted widespread protests and raised concerns about the safety of healthcare workers, particularly women, in India. In Kolkata, doctors held a strike for weeks, demanding justice and accountability, accusing authorities of mishandling the investigation.

Roy was arrested a day after the crime. According to investigators, he was drunk when he entered the hospital and found the woman sleeping alone. The case was taken up by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), India’s top crime agency, which had requested the death penalty for Roy.

Despite this, the judge did not consider the crime to be of the “rarest-of-rare” nature, a legal standard often used in death penalty cases. Before sentencing, Roy was allowed to speak in court, where he claimed that he was innocent and was “falsely implicated,” without naming any other suspects. The judge dismissed these claims, confirming Roy’s guilt.

The sentence has drawn criticism from some political figures and members of the public. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed dissatisfaction with the ruling, stating, “We want justice. Such criminals should be hanged.”

News

TikTok Temporarily Goes Dark in US Following Supreme Court Ruling

Published

2 days ago

January 20, 2025

RTX

TikTok went offline in the United States over the weekend after the U.S. Supreme Court upheld a law banning the app, which is owned by the Chinese company ByteDance. However, the app returned on Sunday with a message thanking incoming President Donald Trump for his “efforts” in restoring its service.

Ban and Swift Return

On Friday, the Supreme Court ruled to enforce a law passed by Congress that prohibits TikTok, citing concerns over national security. The law was intended to prevent China from potentially using TikTok to collect personal data from U.S. users. While the ban was scheduled to take effect on Sunday, TikTok briefly went dark the night before.

When users attempted to access TikTok on Saturday, they were met with a message stating, “A law banning TikTok has been enacted in the US. Unfortunately that means you can’t use TikTok for now.” However, by Sunday, the app was operational again, with a message reading: “Thanks for your patience and support. As a result of President Trump’s efforts, TikTok is back in the US!”

While the app returned for existing users, it was still unavailable for download in U.S. app stores.

Trump’s Intervention

On the social media platform Truth Social, Trump voiced his support for the app, calling for it to remain operational. “I’m asking companies not to let TikTok stay dark!” he posted. He also announced plans to issue an executive order that would delay the TikTok ban to allow time for a potential deal that would protect U.S. national security.

Trump’s executive order could give ByteDance a chance to find a U.S.-based partner to purchase a 50% stake in the company, which Trump believes would allow TikTok to stay online while mitigating national security risks. “By doing this, we save TikTok, keep it in good hands and allow it to stay up,” Trump said.

The Potential for a Sale

ByteDance has long resisted selling TikTok, but following the U.S. ban, the possibility of a sale is gaining traction. Reportedly, billionaires, including Elon Musk, have expressed interest in purchasing the app, though TikTok has dismissed these claims as “pure fiction.”

Other potential buyers include former Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and businessman Frank McCourt, who has previously secured $20 billion in commitments for a bid.

Impact on TikTok’s Competitors

While TikTok’s future remains uncertain, other platforms such as Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts stand to benefit from the potential shift. With 170 million U.S. users who spend an average of 51 minutes per day on TikTok, advertisers may redirect their budgets to these platforms. Twitch, a popular livestreaming site, could also see a rise in viewership, particularly from users who enjoy TikTok’s live streaming features.

As the situation unfolds, TikTok’s position in the U.S. market remains in limbo, with ongoing debate surrounding its ownership and future.