Meta
WhatsApp services restored after longest reported outage
After the longest reported downtime, WhatsApp messaging services are now operational again. For approximately 90 minutes, the instant messaging service was not available.
Users reported receiving all messages now that WhatsApp is officially up and running.
WhatsApp is currently functional on WhatsApp Web, Android, and iOS apps. Although some users claim that services on WhatsApp Web are still not functioning, phone app should be functional.
Read WhatsApp down: Users report not being able to send, receive messages
Many worldwide use WhatsApp, a popular messaging service owned by Meta, to send rapid texts.
Earlier today, WhatsApp experienced a significant outage that lasted for about two hours. This prevented millions of WhatsApp users from sending or receiving messages globally.
WhatsApp earlier claimed that it was working to resume operations.
“We’re aware that some people are currently having trouble sending messages and we’re working to restore WhatsApp for everyone as quickly as possible,” a Meta spokesperson has said.
Read Users report not able to send, receive messages
Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp are all owned by the US-based firm Meta.
WhatsApp down: Users report not being able to send, receive messages
Users in several countries, including in Bangladesh, are reporting problems with WhatsApp’s text sending and receiving capabilities – suggesting that the app may be experiencing a bug.
The number of people reporting the outage of WhatsApp has sharply increased, according to Downdetector, a website that measures online outages throughout the world.
According to the BBC, users in the UK cannot access the messaging service. Italian and Turkish social media users both complained about not being able to send messages on WhatsApp.
Read Users report not able to send, receive messages
According to Downdetector, more than 11,000 users in India have reported a WhatsApp outage, compared to 68,000 in the UK and 19,000 in Singapore, as of 7:50GMT (Bangladesh time 1:50pm).
WhatsApp has claimed that it is working to resume operations.
“We’re aware that some people are currently having trouble sending messages and we’re working to restore WhatsApp for everyone as quickly as possible,” a Meta spokesperson has said.
Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp are all owned by the US-based firm Meta.
Read Top WhatsApp Alternatives for Free Calling and Group Chatting
Facebook ends funding for US news partnerships program
Meta Platforms says it will no longer pay U.S. news organizations to have their material appear in Facebook’s News Tab as it reallocates resources in the face of the economic downturn and changing user behavior.
The company said Thursday that most people “do not come to Facebook for news, and as a business it doesn’t make sense to over invest in areas that don’t align with user preferences.”
Meta, then called Facebook, launched the partnerships in 2019. The “News Tab” section in the Facebook mobile app only displays headlines — and nothing else — from The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, BuzzFeed News, Business Insider, NBC, USA Today and the Los Angeles Times, among others. The company did not say how much it was paying the news organizations, but reports put it in the millions of dollars for large outlets such as The Wall Street Journal.
The Associated Press did not participate in the initiative.
Read: How China’s TikTok, Facebook influencers push propaganda
At the time the program launched, CEO Mark Zuckerberg told the AP that he saw “an opportunity to set up new long-term, stable financial relationships with publishers.”
But Meta, which is based in Menlo Park, California, said in a statement Thursday that a “lot has changed since we signed deals three years ago to test bringing additional news links to Facebook News in the U.S.”
In a 3rd test, Facebook still fails to block hate speech
On Wednesday, Meta Platforms Inc. posted its first revenue decline in its history and forecast weak results for the current quarter as well.
Meta does not pay for news content that outlets post on its platform. The News Tab deals, the company said Thursday, were for “incremental content, e.g., ensuring that we had access to more of their article links and that we were including a range of topic areas at launch.”
The company said Facebook News will continue in the other countries it’s currently in, and the shift in the U.S. won’t change the deals in those places — the U.K., France, Germany and Australia.
Career Opportunities in Meta: How to Prepare for Jobs at Metaverse?
The term ‘metaverse’ is one of the latest sensations in the information and technology industry. Tech companies are currently re-branding themselves to enjoy the benefits of the metaverse. For example, Facebook has changed its company name to Meta. And it is expected that the metaverse will one day rule the entire technology world.
You can think of metaverse as a new platform to revitalize the internet or at least convert it to the 3D internet. It is generally thought of as an endless interconnected virtual community. Where Internet users have access to technologically advanced facilities such as working, playing, augmented reality glasses, virtual reality headsets, and meeting each other using smartphone apps or other devices.
These new techs will create demands for new jobs; perhaps the jobs are already open for the metaverse. So, how do you get a job in Metaverse? Let’s get to know everything about jobs in Metaverse.
Read Metaverse: 10 Ways Virtual Reality Platforms Will Change the World
How can Metaverse Change the Job Market?
Technology is rapidly evolving in our world. With the advent of blockchain and virtual reality, the job market has never been more fluid. Metaverse is aiming to change all of that. The Metaverse platform could have a significant impact on the job market.
Metaverse provides a platform for people to explore their interests and capabilities in new and unique ways. So, it has the potential to revolutionize the way jobs are done by providing a secure, transparent, and safe online workspace for everyone. Moreover, it may offer a unique platform for businesses to conduct interviews and assess candidates. On top of that, employees may get an easy way to manage their work and career goals from one platform.
Job seekers will have to focus more on artificial intelligence as it is the future of technology, and it’s changing the way we work. Also, augmented reality is another technology that is changing how we work. It’s taking us away from our desktops and laptops and bringing us into the virtual world that seems to be real.
Read What the metaverse is and how it will work
As we are heading towards web 3.0, it will also have an impact on the metaverse job market. So, blockchain is going to change the way we work in the future. It’s an open-source technology that allows anyone to get involved and contribute to it.
Metaverse will create unparalleled convenience for workers. All interactions will be taken care of digitally as effectively as in person. Jobs that used to require in-person interaction now have virtual alternatives. So, freelance and remote work will increase.
In short, the metaverse can provide a new way of doing business, which will have a positive impact on the job market. That means new jobs will be created.
Read Web 3.0 Career Guideline: How to start working and make money
Some Demanding Careers in Metaverse
It is expected that metaverse will be one of the fastest-growing industries in the world. The demand for jobs in the metaverse has been growing at an unprecedented rate. The following part will give you a brief overview of some of the most demanding careers in the metaverse.
AR, VR Software Engineer
Augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) are quickly becoming the future of technology, with many companies looking for employees who are skilled in using these technologies. As such, there is a growing demand for people who can work in this field.
Some of the responsibilities that may befall someone is working in AR or VR are creating and designing immersive user experiences, building and maintaining AR or VR software or hardware, evaluating and recommending new AR or VR applications or technologies, and more. Also, many jobs in augmented reality and virtual reality require users to create 3D models or images from scratch.
Read AI & Future of Jobs: Will Artificial Intelligence or Robots Take Your Job?
3D Game Designers
In order to create a 3D game, there are a number of different positions that need to be filled in the metaverse. These positions include game designers, programmers, and artists. Each of these positions has specific responsibilities and duties. For example, a game designer will typically come up with the idea for a game, work on the story and design of the game, and make sure the game is polished before it is released.
eSports are getting huge popularity day by day. if you have a passion for virtual multiplayer games, you can develop a career in esports. In the metaverse, esports will flourish by virtue of AR and VR development. You can find your skill, learn some programming skills, and join a sports community to be an e-sport gamer.
Every year several e-sport gaming competitions are arranged worldwide. The expert gamers earn a huge fortune in these events.
Read eSports: How to Build a Career in Online Multiplayer Gaming
Hardware Engineers
Although metaverse is built on software, it doesn’t mean that no hardware is needed. Hardware engineers are responsible for developing and maintaining the hardware for a digital world. They work with software developers to create a platform that is both reliable and efficient. These engineers must be able to create designs that meet or exceed the performance and reliability requirements of the metaverse.
Cyber Security Professionals
In the metaverse, numerous businesses and organisations around the world will emphasise over in organising their operations and finances virtually. Not to mention, technologies offer numerous advantages. But simultaneously the risks of hacking and data theft will increase.
Therefore, job opportunities for cybersecurity professionals will increase in the future. In the metaverse, cyber security specialist will be a lucrative career.
Read Cybersecurity Career Guide: How to Become a Cybersecurity Expert?
Metaverse Marketing Specialist
It is expected that the metaverse market will reach $814.2 billion by 2028. Therefore, the demand for metaverse marketing specialists will be high. The metaverse marketing specialist will have to Conduct market research to identify target markets and develop marketing plans that align with the company’s business goals.
Plan and implement marketing campaigns that attract new customers and increase sales. Analyze customer feedback to improve marketing strategy. Further, the marketer will need to monitor competitor activity and develop strategies to counteract their efforts.
Product Managers
Usually, the product managers are responsible for developing and managing and testing a product’s features, marketing, pricing, and distribution. Metaverse product management will also do the same. Currently, there are 2500+ jobs available for the product managers in Meta. As other companies focus on metaverse, the demand will certainly increase.
Read Career in Strategic Marketing: How to Be a Marketing Strategist or Specialist?
How to Prepare for Jobs at Metaverse?
Metaverse is all about software and related skill. However, some other jobs are also available, such as storytellers, marketing specialists, product developers, and more. So, if you are interested in working at Metaverse, there are a few things you will need to do in advance.
First, research the company and its goals. Second, familiarize yourself with the metaverse blockchain and its applications. Third, be prepared to share your skills and qualifications with potential employers. Fourth, make sure you have good communication skills. Fifth, keep patience as the recruitment process is lengthy, and you might need to go through different skill tests in different steps.
Final Words
As the world is changing keeping pace with the technological revolution, the career scopes are also transforming. In the upcoming meta world, the trends of employment will change. It is very important to keep in mind that in order to survive in meta, you need to have a plan of action; otherwise you will be wasting your time and money.
Read Plenty of pitfalls await Zuckerberg’s ‘metaverse’ plan
Here we have discussed some potential career scopes in the metaverse. We hope our discussion will help you gain an insight into the world of the metaverse and should inspire you to take action and start your own metaverse career.
Metaverse: 10 Ways Virtual Reality Platforms Will Change the World
Imagine a world where a company released a new car, and as a buyer, you could drive the car from anywhere in the world. Or like a dress, while shopping online, and you could wear it virtually before buying it. This may seem like a science fiction movie or book. But, it is no longer in the imagination. The creation of such technology has already started. This technology will make the online virtual world feel like the real world.
Suppose a friend of yours posted some wonderful pictures on Facebook while walking through the hills or a beach. The augmented reality technology will make you feel like you are there for real when you are on Facebook. As a whole, this technology is called Metaverse.
It is believed that Metaverse will change the world in the near future or sooner. Let’s get some ideas in detail.
Read Plenty of pitfalls await Zuckerberg’s ‘metaverse’ plan
What is Metaverse?
Metaverse is a term used to describe a hypothetical internet where users can access an online platform that allows them to interact with each other and share information in a three-dimensional environment. The concept was first introduced in the science fiction novel Snow Crash written by Neal Stephenson in 1992.
It’s similar to the virtual world concept, but Metaverse immerses users in an entire world that exists inside the internet. Metaverse could potentially provide users with new ways to socialize and share information, and it has the potential to revolutionize the way we interact with technology.
Read What the metaverse is and how it will work
How Metaverse Will Change the World?
Metaverse is a new virtual reality platform that is set to change the world. It allows users to create and interact with digital worlds that are completely customizable. The metaverse has the potential to change how we live and work and has the potential to revolutionize the way we think about technology. Here are 10 ways Metaverse will change the world.
Make the World Safe for Virtual Reality
The first thing that Metaverse will do is to make the world safe for virtual reality. This will allow people to experience the world from the comfort of their own homes. In addition, this will help people to avoid going outside and being exposed to dangerous situations.
It will also allow people to enjoy a different type of entertainment. They can go anywhere on the planet and visit any place they want to, which is much more realistic than anything that they can currently experience.
Read Meta partners with BRAC to empower Bangladeshi women, youth online
Create New Opportunities for Social Media
Metaverse has the potential to create new opportunities for social media, as it can provide an easier way for users to share information and collaborate on projects. Hence, it can make the world more social. It will allow users to meet new people and interact with them. It could also create new ways to communicate and share information.
Expand the Reach of Gaming
Metaverse will allow people to play more realistic games. It could allow users to interact with other people in the real world and virtual ones while gaming. Metaverse’s unique architecture allows for a fast and seamless gaming experience for games and other online content providers.
When you interact through a video game or VR app, you can share your thoughts and imagination with others. You can directly experience another person’s thoughts through augmented reality.
Read Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus Review: Is it worth it?
Meta partners with BRAC to empower Bangladeshi women, youth online
Meta, formerly known as the Facebook Company, has partnered with BRAC to empower Bangladeshi women and youth on digital platforms.
A skills development program has been launched in its first phase to train 1,000 frontline staff of BRAC who will then upskill 300,000 BRAC program beneficiaries.
Also read: Meta shares ways to connect and take action on Earth Day
The initiative will also equip 60 Youth Ambassadors from BRAC’s Amra Notun Network to engage 1,200 young people to become more aware digital citizens, said a media release on Wednesday.
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused people around the world to depend on the internet more than ever. There has been a steep rise in internet use among women and young people in Bangladesh.
The country is also experiencing a parallel increase in cybercrime and online bullying.
Meta will work with BRAC to upskill women and youth with the information, tools and resources they need to have a positive experience online.
This includes a social media campaign to increase awareness among Bangladeshis about the digital landscape.
Sabhanaz Rashid Diya, who leads Public Policy for Bangladesh at Meta, said they know that the digital landscape is changing and transforming rapidly.
“In order for women and youth to have positive experiences online, they require the tools and knowledge to be able to do so. BRAC’s expertise and outreach capacity will help us bolster our efforts to equip Bangladeshi women and young people with the digital skills they need. Through this partnership, we will deepen our work on addressing the needs of women and youth on our platforms.”
Recently, Meta partnered with 50 non-governmental organizations around the world including BRAC to support the launch of StopNCII.org, a platform supporting efforts to stop non-consensual sharing of intimate images on the internet, which is one of the most notorious means of cyberbullying and harassment.
Asif Saleh, Executive Director of BRAC Bangladesh said, “Meta is a very important partner for us as the country tackles a growing number of cyber threats which is challenging social cohesion.”
Also read: Lightshore’s webinar aims to accelerate women's participation in IT Sector
He said they believe the training will give their communities the much needed tool to become more resilient and prepared in a world where the impact of digital life is increasingly crossing over to the real lives of the citizens across the society.
In 2021, Meta announced the launch of the Women's Safety Hub to centralize all the safety resources that women need when navigating its platforms.
It has been developed in consultation with safety partners around the world, including Bangladesh. It includes information for women leaders, journalists and survivors of abuse.
Meta shares ways to connect and take action on Earth Day
Meta, formerly known as the Facebook company, is announcing impactful ways that people can learn more about sustainable living and take action this Earth Day.
According to Meta’s analysis, more than 2 million Bangladeshis are part of at least one Facebook group dedicated to the discovery, protection and appreciation of the earth and our environment as interest in climate change is on the rise.
“Every day, thousands across our platforms rally together to connect and take action on climate change, whether it is engaging in a Facebook Group or practicing sustainable tips from a creator. I’m heartened to see that this is no exception in Bangladesh. Earth Day is a vital reminder that all actions, both big and small, can make a difference in protecting our planet,” said Siddharta Swarup, Social Impact and Communities Lead for APAC at Meta.
Read Musk sells $4B in Tesla shares, presumably for Twitter deal
Meta has partnered with renowned illustrators to release specially designed Earth Day stickers and features on Messenger and Instagram starting this week so people can express their commitment to the environment. They can also create their own word effects and 3D avatar stickers to show their support for climate action.
Moreover, there are more than 800 businesses on Instagram in Bangladesh that describe themselves as eco-friendly. Facebook Marketplace is available in Bangladesh, where people can buy and sell second hand items in their local community and beyond — from bicycles and plants to clothes and home decor.
Meta’s global operations are now 100 per cent supported by renewable energy. The company has set an ambitious goal of achieving net zero emissions across its value chain and be water positive by 2030. It continues to work in tackling climate misinformation through its $1 million Climate Misinformation grant program, as well as expanding its annual Climate Change Opinion Surveyto share information about public views on climate change across more than 180 countries.
READ: Shares of Facebook parent Meta plunge 22% on lower profits
For more information on what’s new and how to get involved with Meta to show appreciation for the planet, visit: https://messengernews.fb.com/2022/04/19/talking-about-our-earth-on-messenger-and-messenger-kids/
Shares of Facebook parent Meta plunge 22% on lower profits
Newly-renamed Meta is investing heavily in its futuristic “metaverse” project, but for now, relies on advertising revenue for nearly all its income. So when it posted sharply higher costs but gave a weak revenue forecast late Wednesday, investors got spooked — and knocked almost $200 billion off the valuation of the company formerly known as Facebook.
Meta’s shares fell 22.6% to $249.90 in after-hours trading. If the drop holds until the market opens Thursday, the company’s overall value, known as its market capitalization, is on track to drop by a figure greater than the size of the entire Greek economy, based on data from the World Bank.
Read:Meta’s campaigns strengthened Bangladesh govt’s COVID response
The metaverse is sort of the internet brought to life, or at least rendered in 3D. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has described it as a “virtual environment” in which you can immerse yourself instead of just staring at a screen. Theoretically, the metaverse would be a place where people can meet, work and play using virtual reality headsets, augmented reality glasses, smartphone apps or other devices.
But building it is not likely to be cheap.
Meta invested more than $10 billion in its Reality Labs segment — which includes its virtual reality headsets and augmented reality technology — in 2021, contributing to the quarter’s profit decline. It expanded its workforce by 23%, ending the year with 71,970 employees, mostly in technical roles.
Read Plenty of pitfalls await Zuckerberg’s ‘metaverse’ plan
The company also said revenue in the current quarter is likely to come in below market expectations, due in part to growing competition from TikTok and other rival platforms vying for people’s attention. Sheryl Sandberg, Meta’s chief operating officer, said in a conference call with analysts that global supply chain issues, labor shortages and earlier-than-usual holiday spending by advertisers put pressure on the company’s advertising sales.
Another problem: Recent privacy changes by Apple make it harder for companies like Meta to track people for advertising purposes, which also puts pressure on the company’s revenue. For months now, Meta has been warning investors that its revenue can’t continue to grow at the breakneck pace they are accustomed to.
Read In the middle of a crisis, Facebook Inc. renames itself Meta
“It is time for a reality check on Meta’s position for the metaverse,” said Raj Shah, an analyst at the digital consulting firm Publicis Sapient. “The metaverse is a long way from being profitable or filling the gap in ad revenue after Apple’s policy change.”
People’s changing online behavior is also limiting Meta’s money-making abilities. More people are watching video, such as Instagram’s Reels (a TikTok clone), and this makes less money than more established features.
The Menlo Park, Calif.-based company said it earned $10.29 billion, or $3.67 per share, in the final three months of 2021. That’s down 8% from $11.22 billion, or $3.88 per share, in the same period a year earlier. Revenue rose to 20% to $33.67 billion.
Read What the metaverse is and how it will work
Analysts, on average, were expecting earnings of $3.85 per share on revenue of $33.36 billion, according to a poll by FactSet.
Meta Platforms Inc. took on its new name last fall to emphasize Zuckerberg’s new focus on the metaverse. Since then, the company has been shifting resources and hiring engineers — including from competitors like Apple and Google — who can help realize his vision.
Zuckerberg is betting that the metaverse will be the next generation of the internet because he thinks it’s going to be a big part of the digital economy. He expects people to start seeing Meta as a “metaverse company” in the coming years, rather than a social media company.
Read:Plenty of pitfalls await Zuckerberg’s ‘metaverse’ plan
For now, though, the metaverse exists only as an amorphous idea envisioned — and named — by the science fiction author Neal Stephenson three decades ago. It’s not yet clear if it’ll be the next iteration of human-computer interaction the way Zuckerberg sees it, or just another playground for techies and gamers.
This could be spooking investors, who tend to prefer immediate, or at least quick, results on investments.
“There’s a lot of uncertainty about Meta’s investments in the metaverse and if or when they will have a positive impact on the company’s bottom line,” said Debra Aho Williamson, an analyst with Insider Intelligence.
Read How Do Social Media Influencers Make Money?
“While we expect Meta to ramp up testing ads and commerce within its metaverse offerings this year, those efforts will be highly experimental and not likely to drive much revenue in the near term,” she added.
Meta said it expects revenue between $27 billion and $29 billion for the current quarter, below the $30.2 billion analysts are forecasting.
Instagram head faces senators amid anger over possible harms
The head of Instagram on Wednesday met with deep skepticism on Capitol Hill over new measures the social media platform is adopting to protect young users.
Adam Mosseri appeared before a Senate panel and faced off with lawmakers angry over revelations of how the photo-sharing platform can harm some young users. Senators are also demanding the company commit to making changes and increase its transparancy.
Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., who heads the Senate Commerce subcommittee on consumer protection, dismissed as “a public relations tactic” some safety measures announced by the popular photo-sharing platform.
“I believe that the time for self-policing and self-regulation is over,” Blumenthal said. “Self-policing depends on trust. Trust is over.”
Under sharp questioning by senators of both parties, Mosseri defended the company’s conduct and the efficacy of its new safety measures. He challenged the assertion that Instagram has been shown by research to be addictive for young people. Instagram, which along with Facebook is part of Meta Platforms Inc., has an estimated 1 billion users of all ages.
Read: Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram suffer worldwide outage
On Tuesday, Instagram introduced a previously announced feature that urges teenagers to take breaks from the platform. The company also announced other tools, including parental controls due to come out early next year, that it says are aimed at protecting young users from harmful content.
Senators of both parties were united in condemnation of the social network giant and Instagram, the photo-sharing juggernaut valued at some $100 billion that Facebook acquired for $1 billion in 2012.
The hearing grew more confrontational and emotionally charged as it went on.
“Sir, I have to tell you, you did sound callous,” Sen. Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee, the panel’s senior Republican, told Mosseri near the end of the hearing.
Senators repeatedly tried to win commitments from Mosseri for Instagram to provide full results of its internal research and its computer formulas for ranking content to independent monitors and Congress. They also tried to enlist his support for legislation that would curb the ways in which Big Tech deploys social media geared toward young people.
Mosseri responded mostly with general endorsements of openness and accountability, insisting that Instagram is an industry leader in transparency.
The issue is becoming increasingly urgent. An alarming advisory issued Tuesday by U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy warned about a mental health crisis among children and young adults that has been worsened by the coronavirus pandemic. He said tech companies must design social media platforms that strengthen, rather than harm, young people’s mental health.
Meta, which is based in Menlo Park, California, has been roiled by public and political outrage over the disclosures by former Facebook employee Frances Haugen. She has made the case before lawmakers in the U.S., Britain and Europe that that the company's systems amplify online hate and extremism and that the company elevates profits over the safety of users.
Haugen, a data scientist who had worked in Facebook’s civic integrity unit, buttressed her assertions with a trove of internal company documents she secretly copied and provided to federal securities regulators and Congress.
The Senate panel has examined Facebook’s use of information from its own researchers that could indicate potential harm for some of its young users, especially girls, while it publicly downplayed the negative impacts. For some Instagram-devoted teens, peer pressure generated by the visually focused app led to mental-health and body-image problems, and in some cases, eating disorders and suicidal thoughts, the research detailed in the Facebook documents showed.
Read: Facebook working on Instagram for kids under 13
The revelations in a report by The Wall Street Journal, based on the documents leaked by Haugen, set off a wave of recriminations from lawmakers, critics of Big Tech, child-development experts and parents.
“As head of Instagram, I am especially focused on the safety of the youngest people who use our services,” Mosseri testified. “This work includes keeping underage users off our platform, designing age-appropriate experiences for people ages 13 to 18, and building parental controls. Instagram is built for people 13 and older. If a child is under the age of 13, they are not permitted on Instagram.”
Mosseri outlined the suite of measures he said Instagram has taken to protect young people on the platform. They include keeping kids under 13 off it, restricting direct messaging between kids and adults, and prohibiting posts that encourage suicide and self-harm.
But, as researchers both internal and external to Meta have documented, the reality is different. Kids under 13 often sign up for Instagram with or without their parents’ knowledge by lying about their age. And posts about suicide and self-harm still reach children and teens, sometimes with disastrous effects.
Ohio retirement fund sues Facebook over investment loss
Ohio’s largest public employee pension fund has sued Facebook — now known as Meta — alleging that it broke federal securities law by purposely misleading the public about the negative effects of its social platforms and the algorithms that run them.
The lawsuit by the Ohio Public Employees Retirement System specifically claims that Facebook buried inconvenient findings about how the company has managed those algorithms as well as the steps it said it was taking to protect the public.
Read:Plenty of pitfalls await Zuckerberg’s ‘metaverse’ plan
The suit also contends claims that Facebook knew that its platform facilitated dissention, illegal activity, and violent extremism, but refused to correct it. The Associated Press and a coalition of other news organizations have reported extensively on Facebook's actions, internal dissents that warned of these problems and related issues around the world based on internal company documents, now known as the Facebook Papers, leaked by the data scientist and former Facebook employee Frances Haugen.
“Facebook said it was looking out for our children and weeding out online trolls, but in reality was creating misery and divisiveness for profit,” Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost said in a statement. “We are not people to Mark Zuckerberg, we are the product and we are being used against each other out of greed.”
Read:In the middle of a crisis, Facebook Inc. renames itself Meta
The lawsuit, filed last week in federal court in California, says market losses resulting from publicity over Facebook’s actions caused investors — including OPERS — to lose more than $100 billion . A Facebook spokesperson called the lawsuit without merit and said the company would fight it.