renzume.

Social Media

I put my heart and soul into this AI but nobody cares

A critical analysis of AI-generated content flooding social media platforms, particularly focusing on emotional manipulation and financial exploitation through fake images and stories. The content farms use AI tools to create engagement-bait posts featuring wooden sculptures, sad bakers, and suffering animals, generating revenue through various monetization schemes.

When Imperfect Systems are Good, Actually: Bluesky’s Lossy Timelines

Bluesky implemented a 'Lossy Timelines' system to improve performance by intentionally dropping some timeline updates for users who follow many accounts. This solution reduced fanout latency by 96% and eliminated hot shard issues in their database clusters. The approach demonstrates how embracing imperfection in system design can lead to better scalability and performance.

Elon Musk’s X blocks links to Signal, the encrypted messaging service

X (formerly Twitter) is blocking links to Signal.me, preventing users from sharing direct contact links to the encrypted messaging service. The platform displays various error messages when users attempt to post Signal.me URLs, while other Signal domains remain accessible. This blocking coincides with federal employees using Signal to communicate with journalists about DOGE-related whistleblowing.

ICE Wants to Know If You’re Posting Negative Things About It Online

ICE is seeking private contractors to monitor and analyze social media for negative sentiment and potential threats against the agency and its officials, including tracking individuals' personal information and using facial recognition technology. The surveillance program, worth $5.5 million under a previous contract, raises concerns about privacy and free speech implications, particularly regarding constitutionally protected criticism of ICE.

EU to mobilise €200 billion for AI investment

Multiple social media platforms are implementing measures to counter disinformation ahead of Germany's federal election, following concerns about Russian interference and manipulated content. TikTok, Meta, Snap, and Google have reported removing fraudulent campaigns, launching election information centers, and enhancing content moderation systems.

UnitedHealth hired a defamation law firm to go after social media posts criticizing the company

UnitedHealth Group hired defamation law firm Clare Locke to combat social media posts after a plastic surgeon claimed the insurer called her mid-surgery and denied patient care. The surgeon, Elisabeth Potter, faces legal demands to retract her statements, while UnitedHealthcare maintains they previously approved the care and would never request interrupting surgery.

UnitedHealth Is Sick of Everyone Complaining About Its Claim Denials

UnitedHealth Group is taking aggressive measures to protect its image following their CEO's killing and criticism over claim denials, including hiring defamation lawyers and blocking shareholder proposals about denial practices. The company is particularly targeting a surgeon's viral social media post about insurance interference during surgery, while also defending against accusations from prominent investors about their denial rates and profitability.

How to Avoid News Burnout and Outrage Fatigue

A discussion between Rachel Feltman and Tanya Lewis explores 'outrage fatigue', a phenomenon where constant exposure to moral transgressions leads to emotional numbness and disengagement. Research shows that while outrage can help identify problems, excessive exposure through social media can lead to withdrawal from public discourse and increased spread of misinformation.

TikTok's algorithm exhibited pro-Republican bias during 2024 presidential race, study finds

A comprehensive study analyzing TikTok's algorithm during the 2024 U.S. presidential election revealed significant political bias, with Republican-leaning accounts receiving 11.8% more party-aligned content than Democratic accounts. The research, conducted using 323 simulated accounts across three states, demonstrated that TikTok's recommendation system favored negative partisanship content and showed consistent Republican-leaning bias across different metrics.