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Making Twitter profitable was already a challenge for Elon Musk - but now he's facing competition from a deep-pocketed rival

Is Twitter's viability hanging by a Thread?

Having floundered since Elon Musk's high-price acquisition last year, Twitter now faces an existential crisis as Meta mounts a full-frontal assault on its business, writes Adam Maguire.

Business • 13 Jul 23

Meta launched Threads on Apple and Android app stores

Meta takes aim at Twitter with Threads app

Meta has launched a direct challenge to Twitter with Threads, garnering millions of users in hours as it sought to take advantage of its rival's much-weakened state after a series of chaotic decisions from owner Elon Musk.

Business • 06 Jul 23

The new Meta service will roll out gradually in Ireland over the coming weeks

Meta Verified to be rolled out in Ireland

Meta is to roll out a new subscription service in Ireland for Instagram and Facebook accounts.

Business • 05 Jul 23

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau previously said that the move by Meta would be 'deeply irresponsible and out of touch'

Meta to end online news access for its users in Canada

Facebook and Instagram users in Canada will be blocked from viewing Canadian news, parent-company Meta said, after the country's government passed a bill requiring digital giants to pay for such content.

Science and Technology • 23 Jun 23

Meta says Channels will let people keep up to date on sports results, weather, and traffic

WhatsApp debuts one-to-many broadcasting 'Channels'

WhatsApp has begun letting select organisations try a new feature called "Channels" that lets them broadcast to followers on the popular, Meta-owned messaging service.

World • 08 Jun 23

Zuckerberg's announcement came less than a week before tech rival Apple was expected to unveil its first mixed reality device.

Meta's Zuckerberg unveils Quest 3 mixed reality headset

Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta Platforms has revealed the company's next generation mixed reality headset, the Quest 3, in an Instagram post as part of its annual gaming conference.

Business • 01 Jun 23

With the feature rolling out globally in the coming weeks, senders will be able to modify their messages within 15 minutes of hitting send.

WhatsApp to allow users to edit messages

WhatsApp has granted users one of its most awaited features - the ability to edit messages.

Business • 22 May 23

Meta has been ordered to suspend the transfer of data from the EU to the US and has been given five months to comply (Pic: RollingNews.ie)

Meta vows to appeal €1.2bn fine by Irish data watchdog

Facebook parent company Meta has vowed to appeal a record €1.2 billion fine imposed by the Irish Data Protection Commission for breaches relating to the transfer of personal data from the EU to the US.

Business • 23 May 23

Meta was given a record fine from the Irish Data Protection Commissioner over breaches related to the transfer of data from the EU to the US

Difficult week ahead for Meta

Facebook parent company Meta has been hit with a record data protection fine and, in a separate move, will confirm details of further job losses at its Irish operation.

Analysis and Comment • 22 May 23

The ban on Facebook transatlantic data transfers could be in place by mid-May (Pic: RollingNews)

Meta to face record EU privacy fine over data transfers

Meta is set to face a record European Union privacy fine related to data transfer of Facebook's EU users to US servers for failing to comply with a warning by a top EU court, two sources familiar with the matter said.

Business • 17 May 23

'Marathon' bars rebranded under the global name 'Snickers' in 1990, in part so owner Mars would get more bang for its buck from its advertising at major events

Brand Aid: Why firms rebrand, and why some fail

Rebrands have been a long-standing tactic for businesses looking to revitalise their image, or shake off a bad reputation, but they can often go wrong, writes Adam Maguire.

Business • 04 May 23

Meta now employs around 2,600 people in Ireland

Less than 20 Irish jobs to go in latest Meta cuts

It is understood that less than 20 jobs are to be cut from Meta's Irish-based data centre team as part of the social media giant's latest round of layoffs.

Business • 19 Apr 23

WhatsApp, Signal and five other apps signed an open letter saying the UK law could give an 'unelected official the power to weaken the privacy of billions of people around the world'

WhatsApp and other apps oppose UK's move on encryption

WhatsApp and other messaging services have united to oppose Britain's plan to force tech companies to break end-to-end encryption in private messages in its proposed internet safety legislation.

Business • 18 Apr 23

Meta has warned an order banning the mechanism could force it to suspend Facebook services in Europe

DPC has month to make order blocking Facebook transfers

The data regulator has one month to make an order on blocking Facebook's transatlantic data flows, European Union regulators have said.

Business • 13 Apr 23

TikTok and Meta had been asked to appear before the Media Committee later this month

Meta and TikTok decline committee invitations

Facebook parent company Meta and video sharing platform TikTok have both declined invitations to appear before the Oireachtas Media Committee next week.

Business • 12 Apr 23

While Meta has focused on a fully digital, virtual world - many others see the real potential in augmented technology, which blends digital images with what's really in front of users

Reality check: Firms look to go beyond the metaverse

While Mark Zuckerberg's vision of a digital future has faltered, many firms here have already found practical applications for augmented and virtual reality technology, writes Adam Maguire.

Business • 25 Mar 23

The company now employs around 2,600 people in Ireland.

Around 50 jobs to go from Meta's Irish recruitment team

It is understood that around 50 jobs are to be cut from Meta's recruitment division in Ireland.

Business • 15 Mar 23

Meta is the first Big Tech company to announce a second round of mass layoffs

Meta announces 10,000 global job cuts

Facebook parent company Meta has announced an additional 10,000 job cuts globally and said it will close around 5,000 open roles that have not yet been filled.

Business • 14 Mar 23

It was not immediately clear when Meta would roll out the new app

Meta exploring plans for Twitter rival

Meta Platforms is exploring plans to launch a new social media app in its bid to displace Twitter as the world's "digital town square".

Business • 10 Mar 23

Meta rejected some suggestions to increase transparency and reduce bias toward content generated by public figures

Meta tweaks its 'cross-check' system for VIPs

Meta has said it would implement most of the recommendations made by its independent oversight board to its policy of exempting high-profile users from some of its content-related rules.

Business • 03 Mar 23

The social media company has already let go 13% of its global workforce - more than 11,000 employees

Meta preparing for fresh round of job cuts - US reports

Facebook-parent Meta Platforms is planning a fresh round of job cuts in a reorganisation and downsizing effort that could affect thousands of workers, the Washington Post has reported.

Business • 23 Feb 23

The investigation was opened by Milan magistrates at the request of the European Public Prosecutor's Office

Italy pursues Meta for €870 million in sales taxes

Facebook parent company Meta faces a potential tax bill of around €870 million in Italy after prosecutors launched an investigation into the company, two sources with direct knowledge of the matter said today.

Business • 22 Feb 23

WhatsApp has been directed by the DPC to bring its data processing operations into compliance within a period of six months

WhatsApp fined €5.5m by Irish data watchdog

Messaging app WhatsApp has been fined €5.5m by the Irish Data Protection Commission for breaches of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

Business • 19 Jan 23

Meta claims that the large fine imposed on it amounts to a criminal sanction and the administration of judicial powers by the DPC.

Irish arm of Meta claims €405m fine is unconstitutional

The Irish arm of IT giant Meta has claimed before the High Court that the decision by the Data Protection Commission to fine it a total €405m for breaching the privacy rights of teenagers is unconstitutional.

Business • 16 Jan 23

A €210m fine has been imposed on Facebook, while Instagram has been hit with a €180m penalty by the DPC

Facebook & Instagram fined €390m by Irish data watchdog

The Irish Data Protection Commission has announced fines totalling €390 million against Facebook and Instagram following the conclusion of two inquiries into the platforms' parent company Meta.

Business • 04 Jan 23