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Added on the 15/04/2022 10:09:32 - Copyright : 20 Minutes
The EU opens a formal investigation into Facebook and Instagram on suspicion the platforms owned by Meta are causing addictive behaviour in children. EU spokesperson Johanna Bernsel explains the the probe will give the bloc "the power to take some enforcement actions" against the US tech giant. SOUNDBITE
The United States denounces Hong Kong's ban on a protest song sung by pro-democracy demonstrators, saying it further tarnishes the financial hub's reputation. "The decision to ban this song is the latest blow to the international reputation of a city that previously prided itself on having an independent judiciary protecting the free exchange of information, ideas and goods," State Department spokesman Matthew Miller tells reporters. SOUNDBITE
The US House of Representatives passes a bill that would force TikTok to divest from parent company ByteDance and another bill to counter China and provide aid to Taiwan. IMAGES
Kyrgyzstan appears to have blocked TikTok after the Central Asian country's security services called to restrict the social media app to "protect children". Kyrgyzstan's digital ministry on April 16 said it had "informed telecommunications operators of the need to limit access to TikTok, based on a decision by the security services". IMAGES
The White House says it is concerned by an Israeli move to ban broadcasts of Qatari news channel Al Jazeera in the country, which Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pledged to enforce "immediately." "I'm going to refer to Israel for what they may or may not be considering," said White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre. "If it is true, a move like this is concerning." SOUNDBITE
The EU hits Apple, Google parent firm Alphabet and Meta with the first ever probes under a mammoth digital law, which could lead to big fines against the US tech giants. Announcing the move, EU Commission executive vice-president Margrethe Vestager says that "DMA (Digital Markets Act) compliance is something that we take really seriously". Since March 7, the world's biggest tech firms have had to comply with the DMA, which aims to curb their behaviour and ensure that they give users more choice. SOUNDBITE