Also known as: Meta-hosted · Meta CEO · parent company Meta
Meta — technology company that owns WhatsApp, fined $567 million for child safety risks and facing security concerns from Somalia over WhatsApp username feature.
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Namibian Sun
Meta was ordered by a US judge in New Mexico to pay US$567m for failure to warn public about dangers to children
“A US judge in New Mexico has ordered Meta to pay another US$567m (£421m) for its failure to warn the public about dangers its platforms posed to children, marking the largest fine...”
Meta fined US$567m in largest child safety ruling against social media giantThe Namibian
Meta owns WhatsApp
“But Dirie told the BBC Focus on Africa podcast that the Somali government had approached Meta, which owns WhatsApp, about their concerns and hoped that "we'll reach a resolution on this matter very soon".”
Why WhatsApp usernames could upset Somalia’s anti-terror fightThe Namibian
Meta owns WhatsApp
“The Meta-owned firm describes usernames as a privacy feature.”
WhatsApp to let users chat without numbersThe Namibian
Meta told the BBC it was investigating the accounts and content identified by the BBC
“Instagram's parent company, Meta, told the BBC it was investigating, but did not say it had taken any action.”
AI videos of sexualised black women removed from TikTok after BBC investigationThe Namibian
Meta announced new AI defense to stop chatbots discussing sensitive topics with teenage users
“Meta has announced a new line of defence for its artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots – one designed to stop them from discussing sensitive topics such as suicide, self-harm, or romantic matters with teenage users.”
Meta blocks AI from sensitive topics with teenagersThe Namibian
Meta denied internal documents allowing chatbots to engage in flirtatious conversations with minors
“Meta swiftly denounced these documents as erroneous, but the damage was done.”
Meta blocks AI from sensitive topics with teenagersThe Namibian
Meta cannot quite muster additional flair and cost in business offering
“The idea is (extremely) reminiscent of WhatsApp's business offering, but with that additional flair (and cost) that Meta can't quite muster.”
Telegram takes a page out of WhatsApp business bookThe Namibian
Meta announced on 9 January it will protect teen users by blocking them from viewing content deemed harmful, including suicide and eating disorder content
“Meta announced on 9 January that it will protect teen users by blocking them from viewing content on Instagram and Facebook that the company deems to be harmful, including content related to suicide and eating disorders.”
Teens on social media need both protection and privacy – AI could help get the balance rightThe Namibian
Meta has implemented end-to-end encryption for all messages on its platforms
“For example, Meta has implemented end-to-end encryption for all messages on its platforms to ensure message content is secure and only accessible by participants in conversations.”
Teens on social media need both protection and privacy – AI could help get the balance rightThe Namibian
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg apologised to families who say their children have been harmed by social media
“Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has apologised to families who say their children have been harmed by social media, during a fiery hearing in the US Senate.”
Meta boss Mark Zuckerberg apologises to families in fiery US Senate hearingA US judge in New Mexico ordered Meta to pay $567 million for its failure to warn the public about dangers its platforms posed to children, marking the largest fine of this kind.
11 August 2026 · Namibian Sun →
A US judge in New Mexico ordered Meta to pay $567 million for its failure to warn the public about dangers its platforms posed to children, marking the largest fine of this kind.
11 August 2026 · Namibian Sun →
Somalia's Communications and Technology Minister told the BBC that WhatsApp's planned feature allowing users to chat via usernames rather than phone numbers could pose a security risk and make it harder to counter criminals and militants. The government has approached Meta about its concerns, citing Somalia's reliance on mobile money and the risk of financial fraud and scams, particularly given al-Shabab's use of WhatsApp for extortion and propaganda.
22 July 2026 · The Namibian →
WhatsApp will allow users to chat using unique usernames instead of phone numbers, rolling out over the next few months to three billion account holders. Username reservation begins this week; the feature is optional and limited to 35 characters, with exceptions for certain high-profile officials and celebrities.
1 July 2026 · The Namibian →
According to his mandatory financial report for 2025, US President Donald Trump made more than $1bn from cryptocurrency dealings, including $635m in royalties from a Trump meme coin and over $500m from World Liberty Financial, a crypto firm founded by his sons and children of his special envoy. The White House denied he was profiting from the presidency.
1 July 2026 · The Namibian →
TikTok has removed 20 accounts after the BBC and researchers found dozens of unlabelled AI-generated videos of highly sexualised black female avatars on social media platforms, many linking to explicit content sites. Critics say the trend perpetuates racist exploitation and stereotypes of black women through exaggerated depictions and race-based terminology.
23 March 2026 · The Namibian →