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Popular political accounts on X with names like @TRUMP_ARMY and @MAGANationX often appear to be run by passionate American supporters of former President Donald Trump. Their profiles feature Trump’s image, U.S. flags and rally scenes — and they post relentlessly about U.S. politics. But a new update to X has shown that many of these high-profile accounts are actually operated from regions including South Asia, Africa and Eastern Europe. Over the weekend, X introduced a feature allowing users to see the region an account is based in. Researchers and online investigators quickly discovered that numerous influential pro-MAGA accounts with large followings are administered outside the United States, renewing worries about potential foreign involvement in American political discourse. NewsGuard, a misinformation-monitoring group, found that several accounts that appeared to be run by politically engaged Americans were instead based overseas. Many of these accounts had spread misleading or divisive narratives, such as unsubstantiated claims that Democrats bribed moderators at a 2024 presidential debate. How the new feature works Nikita Bier, X’s head of product, announced the launch of an “About This Account” tool that shows the region or country associated with an account. Users can see this information by clicking on the signup date. Some users in countries with restrictive speech environments can opt to show only a broader region, such as “South Asia” instead of a specific country. Bier said the tool would soon be “99.99% accurate,” though this has not been independently verified. VPNs and proxy servers can still obscure a user’s true location, and some profiles carry disclaimers indicating that the displayed location may be unreliable. Experts say the tool is useful but not foolproof. “Location data will always need to be used cautiously,” said Alexios Mantzarlis of Cornell Tech, noting that misinformation persists across platforms despite similar features elsewhere. Mobile internet shutdowns spark rising public frustration across Russia Accounts drawing attention Several of the accounts identified had supported conservative figures such as the late activist Charlie Kirk and members of the Trump family. One account, @BarronTNews_, appears to be based in “Eastern Europe (Non-EU),” despite listing “Mar A Lago” as its location. It has more than 580,000 followers and claims to be an independent fan account. NewsGuard also reported cases of misinformation circulating about the feature itself — including fake screenshots falsely suggesting that certain American users were posting from abroad. Motives behind the accounts vary. Some might be linked to state-backed influence efforts, but experts say many are likely financially driven, using viral political content to generate engagement. Mixed reactions The new transparency tool has drawn a divided response from users. Some welcomed the added insight, while others argued it infringes on privacy. “Isn’t this kind of an invasion of privacy?” one user asked. “No one needs to see this info.” Source: AP 

Meta has removed a Facebook page used to track the presence of immigration agents at the request of the Department of Justice, the company confirmed on Tuesday. Attorney General Pam Bondi said in a post on X that “following outreach” from the DOJ, Facebook removed a “large group page” that was being used to target ICE officials. Meta said in a statement that the group "was removed for violating our policies against coordinated harm.” Meta is the latest tech company to restrict tools used to track ICE agents on its platform. Earlier this month, Apple and Google blocked downloads of phone apps that flag sightings of U.S. immigration agents, just hours after the Trump administration demanded that one particularly popular iPhone app be taken down. Bondi has said that such tracking puts Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers at risk. But users and developers of the apps say it’s their First Amendment right to capture what ICE is doing in their neighborhoods — and maintain that most users turn to these platforms in an effort to protect their own safety as President Donald Trump steps up aggressive immigration enforcement across the country. While a Facebook group for ICE sightings in Chicago does appear to have been taken down, as of Tuesday evening, dozens of other groups, some with thousands of members, remained visible on Facebook.  

Meta announced on Tuesday that teenagers using Instagram will now be limited to PG-13 content by default, and they won’t be able to change the setting without parental consent. The new restriction means teens will only see photos and videos similar to what would be allowed in a PG-13 movie — excluding sex, drugs, strong language, or dangerous stunts. “This includes hiding or not recommending posts with strong language, risky stunts, or content that promotes harmful behavior,” Meta said in a blog post, calling the change its biggest update since launching teen accounts last year. Parents will also be able to apply an even stricter “limited content” mode that further blocks sensitive posts and restricts interactions such as comments and messages. The move follows mounting criticism over Instagram’s impact on young users’ mental health. Despite Meta’s previous promises to protect teens from harmful content, reports found that teen accounts were still being recommended sexual or self-harm-related material. Under the new system, teens won’t be able to follow or interact with accounts that share explicit or inappropriate content, including those linked to adult platforms like OnlyFans. Meta will also expand its list of blocked search terms to include words such as “alcohol” or “gore,” even if misspelled.

Snapchat will start charging users to store older photos and videos, prompting backlash from those with large archives of past posts. Since the introduction of its Memories feature in 2016, the app has allowed users to save content previously shared for 24 hours or less. Under the new rules, users with more than 5GB of saved Memories will need to pay to retain them. Snap, the parent company, has not disclosed UK pricing but said the change will be implemented as part of a “gradual global rollout.” The company said the move will help it continue investing in the Memories feature, which has seen users save over one trillion items to date. Users exceeding the limit will be offered a 100GB storage plan, with higher tiers available through Snapchat+ or Snapchat Premium subscriptions. Existing content can be downloaded, and Snap will provide 12 months of temporary storage for those affected. In the US, the 100GB plan is priced at $1.99 per month, with 250GB included in the $3.99 Snapchat+ subscription. Most users, who have less than 5GB of Memories, will not be affected. However, some longtime users expressed frustration on social media, calling the move “unfair” and “greedy,” as they now face additional costs to preserve years of saved content. Snapchat has over 900 million monthly active users, while competitors such as Instagram and TikTok have billions. Drew Benvie, CEO of social media consultancy Battenhall, said charging for storage is an “inevitable” evolution as platforms adapt to changing user behavior, where people save more content for longer periods.   Source: BBC

Did you buy a new pink dress to watch the Barbie movie, only to never wear it again? An Oura ring because your favorite TikTok influencer had it? A new pair of baggy jeans because '90s fashion is making a comeback? Niche trends fueled by social media can influence your shopping decisions. Participating often brings some happiness and a sense of community, but the problem comes when you do it so often that you’re not using your money to achieve your financial goals, or worse, you get into debt, said Erika Rasure, chief financial wellness advisor for Beyond Finance, a financial services company. Whether it’s coastal grandma or clean girl aesthetic, microtrends can take a significant toll on already-strained budgets as prices rise and Gen Z struggles to pay off debt. If you find yourself overspending to participate in microtrends, here are some expert recommendations: Pause before purchasing Before you click “buy” on TikTok Shop, it’s best if you take some time to reflect, said Jennifer Seitz, head of education for Greenlight, a financial literacy app for families. Pausing before a purchase can help you discern if the item is something you really want or a fleeting craving. “Think if you want to put it in a schedule pause, whether it’s 24 hours or even a couple of days if it’s a larger expense,″ Seitz said. Participating in personal challenges can be a good way to get in the habit of making purchases more deliberate. Back in 2022, Alyssa Barber participated in the no-buy year challenge, where she pledged to stop buying non-essential items for a year. Barber shares sustainable practices with over 370,000 followers on TikTok, where one of her recurrent themes is how to stop impulse buying. Barber said the challenge gave her perspective on how much she was spending on things she didn’t need. Since then, she has changed her spending habits, focusing mainly on experiences. Know your spending values Taking a value-based spending approach can help you decide if you should participate in a trend you see online, Rasure said. If, for example, you want to build an emergency fund, having this goal in mind while shopping can help avoid unnecessary spending. Quynh Van, a 27-year-old UX designer from Minneapolis, was surprised by the number of ads on TikTok when she created an account after a four-year break from social media. And while being influenced by the ads is inevitable, she believes overspending comes in part from users not having defined goals. “When you don’t know who you are or what you like, you’re so driven by over-consumerism and lifestyle creep because you don’t have your values in order,″ Van said. Rasure recommends using your financial values as a guiding principle for your spending decisions. If you’re not sure of your values, allocate some time to map them out according to your life goals. Create barriers to spending If a purchase is one click away, it can make it easier to spend large amounts of money. If you consciously make it a little harder to pay for an item, you can spend more mindfully, Seitz said. “Just that action of needing to input your payment information rather than just that simple click can help you give to really stop and think about purchases before moving ahead with them," she added. To add barriers, you can remove your credit card details from your computer browser or social media and disable Apple Pay on your phone. Think of it as an act of self-care Finances are closely tied to emotions, and often, they evoke negative feelings such as shame or guilt. However, reframing them as an act of self-care can help you spend mindfully, Rasure said. “It can help you create boundaries around what you value spending money on, helps you choose intentionally and it feels more like freedom instead of restriction,″ she said. Your spending habits in the present can help your future financial situation. This mindset can inspire you when you’re tempted to overspend on the newest trending electronic or fashion item. Engage with trends with moderation It can be OK to engage with trends if they bring you positive feelings, Rasure said. Van decided to participate in the matcha trend, but with moderation. For Barber, physical media, such as old records, DVDs, and cassettes, is on her list of non-negotiable expenses, as she loves collecting these items. “Trends and engaging them, engaging in them really should spark that happiness or contentment, not the debt that can go with them,” Rasure said.

President Donald Trump said on Sunday that several prominent billionaires, including media mogul Rupert Murdoch and tech founder Michael Dell, could be involved in a potential deal that would place TikTok’s U.S. operations under American control. In an interview recorded Friday and aired on Fox News, Trump named Rupert Murdoch, 94, and his son Lachlan Murdoch, head of Fox News and News Corp, as likely participants. “I think they’re going to be in the group. A couple of others. Really great people, very prominent people,” Trump said. “And they’re also American patriots, you know, they love this country. I think they’re going to do a really good job.” Trump also confirmed that Oracle founder and CEO Larry Ellison is part of the group, something previously disclosed. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Saturday that Oracle would oversee TikTok’s U.S. data and security, with Americans controlling six of the seven seats on a new governing board. The president’s remarks mark the latest development in fast-moving negotiations to keep TikTok running in the U.S. while addressing national security concerns. Trump said he discussed the deal with Chinese President Xi Jinping during a lengthy phone call on Friday. Officials from both countries have until December 16 to finalize terms, following a recent deadline extension by the Trump administration. Trump, Xi to hold call on TikTok deal and US-China ties TikTok, owned by China’s ByteDance, has become one of the world’s most popular apps. U.S. officials warn that its algorithm could be exploited by Beijing to influence content in ways that are hard to detect. While Congress has already passed legislation mandating a TikTok ban starting in January, Trump has repeatedly signed orders allowing the app to operate as negotiations continue over a potential sale of its American operations. Trump acknowledged he has a personal bias in favor of TikTok, crediting it with helping him reach younger voters. He said late conservative activist Charlie Kirk encouraged him to embrace the platform. Representatives for Ellison, Dell, and the Murdochs did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Notably, Trump filed a lawsuit in July against Rupert Murdoch and The Wall Street Journal after it published a story about his connections to late financier Jeffrey Epstein. Source: Agency 

U.S. President Donald Trump is set to speak with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday in an effort to finalize an agreement that would allow TikTok to continue operating in the United States. The call is expected to touch on wider U.S.-China relations and could signal whether the two leaders will meet in person to advance trade talks. It will be their second call since Trump returned to the White House and reimposed steep tariffs on China, reigniting tensions between the two largest economies. Trump has pushed for a deal that would separate TikTok from its Chinese parent company ByteDance, citing data security concerns. U.S. officials have also raised questions about the platform’s algorithm and Chinese data laws. Beijing recently said both sides reached consensus on data handling and intellectual property issues. While U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said earlier this week that negotiators reached a framework deal, final approval is expected from Trump and Xi. Trade remains a sticking point, with unresolved disputes over tariffs, agricultural purchases, and export controls. American farmers have been hit hard, with soybean and sorghum exports to China plummeting this year. Trump extends TikTok shutdown deadline for fourth time after framework deal with China Analysts say both leaders want to project strength: Trump by claiming leverage in trade talks, and Xi by emphasizing China’s economic influence. Despite tensions, experts note both sides are motivated to reach a broader agreement, with Friday’s call seen as a critical step. Source: Agency 

Turn your selfies into 90s Bollywood-style posters — Vintage Saree AI edits using Google Gemini’s Nano Banana tool have become Instagram’s latest viral trend. Here’s a step-by-step guide. Following the action-figure and Studio Ghibli-style portrait trends, Instagram now has a new sensation: Vintage Saree AI edits. This craze allows users to transform ordinary photos into dreamy portraits reminiscent of 1990s Bollywood films. Powered by Google Gemini’s Nano Banana tool, the edits evoke the charm of chiffon sarees, golden-hour lighting, and retro poster-style backdrops. The results are eye-catching: moody black sarees with grainy film textures, chiffon yellows fluttering in cinematic winds, or polka-dot white sarees channeling the glamour of Raj Kapoor-era posters. With just a photo and the right AI prompt, users can turn themselves into vintage divas. How to create your own Vintage Saree AI editsStep 1: Open Google GeminiDownload the Gemini app or access it on desktop and log in with your Google account. Step 2: Enter editing modeTap the Banana icon and select “Try Image Editing.” Step 3: Upload your photoChoose a clear solo portrait with your face visible. Avoid group shots or blurry selfies. Step 4: Add a promptCopy a viral saree prompt or create your own. Prompts control everything from saree color to lighting style. Source: With inputs from NDTV

The assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk on Wednesday highlighted how the role of traditional media as a “gatekeeper” has eroded in the age of smartphones and social platforms. While mainstream news outlets avoided showing the moment Kirk was shot, graphic videos of the attack were available almost instantly online — from multiple angles, in slow-motion and real time — and were viewed by millions on platforms including X, Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, YouTube and Truth Social. Kirk was gunned down during a public event at a Utah college campus in front of hundreds of people, many of whom were filming on their phones. On X, videos showed the direct impact of the bullet, while others captured his remarks just before the shooting, reportedly about gun violence. For generations, newspapers and broadcasters exercised editorial control over violent imagery. But in today’s fragmented media landscape, such restraint has little effect. The viral spread of the Kirk video demonstrated how fast images now circulate beyond the oversight of newsrooms. The speed shocked many. In New York, a college professor recalled her teenage sons texting her about Kirk’s death after school, convinced by the video that he could not have survived. Others online pleaded for people not to share the footage, citing the pain for Kirk’s family. Tech companies responded cautiously. YouTube said it removed some graphic clips and restricted others to adult users. Meta applied warning labels on Facebook and Instagram, while X offered no immediate comment. The episode echoed earlier challenges, such as when Facebook struggled with livestreams of mass shootings. Some blurred versions of the video appeared in outlets like TMZ and the New York Post, but most traditional media stuck to showing the moments before and after the attack. Experts said this caution still matters — both to protect audiences and to signal what should be stigmatized rather than normalized. Yet with the images already spreading widely, the episode underscored the challenges of a polarized country grappling with graphic violence in the digital age. “We are broken, and potentially beyond repair,” CNN’s David Chalian observed.

Louisiana filed a lawsuit against the popular online gaming platform Roblox on Thursday, accusing the site of creating an environment where sexual predators can “thrive, unite, hunt and victimize children.” The suit, brought by Attorney General Liz Murrill in state court, alleges Roblox has failed to put in place adequate safety measures to protect its young users. “Roblox prioritizes user growth and profits over child safety, leaving Louisiana’s children at risk,” Murrill said. Musk threatens legal action against Apple over exclusion of X, Grok from top apps list Roblox, which has over 111 million monthly users, has faced criticism for not doing enough to prevent exploitation. Recent cases include a 13-year-old girl in Iowa allegedly trafficked after meeting a predator on the platform. Local authorities in Louisiana report multiple Roblox-related incidents, though no arrests have been made. While the company enforces age restrictions and monitors chats, Murrill argues its verification process is insufficient. Roblox has recently added AI systems and age-verification features to improve child safety, including reporting potential abuse to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.  Source: Agency