So I am not certain, but I think the point of Facebook banning Linux is the start of a larger, long-term campaign to stigmatize all Linux users as evil hacker terrorists. Think about it: now every time someone news commentator in the mainstream news talks about tech, they can just casually mention that Linux is only ever used by the bad guys. The conversation would sound something like this:

• Ms. Talking Head X: and this new scary hacker technology has already been seen in the wild?
• Mr. Tech Bro: that’s right, it has become especially popular among Linux users, which for those who don’t know is software that has been classified by Facebook as malware, so it is important the the public understands the threat and take necessary precautions.
• Mr. Talking Head Y: so what sort of precautions should we take.
• Mr. Tech Bro: well, firstly, make sure you install your software updates. Enable security features like facial recognition. Be aware of the security options available to you the next time you upgrade your device…

These “experts” who disseminate propaganda all work for big tech themselves, this is why they the news media bring them on to talk as experts. It will happen over a long period of time, but gradually the propaganda will have more and more “experts” just causally mention that Linux is malware.

This could have a “chilling effect.” It will make people scared to admit they use Linux, or scared to try Linux. It could result in more people being reported to the police. This could result in companies no longer advertising that they support Linux.

Linux users, congratulations, you are now all “terrorists” according to the US empire. They are coming for us.

#tech #politics #Linux #censorship #MetaCorp #Facebook

According to the DistroWatch newsletter they have received multiple reports of Facebook users having their accounts suspended for talking about Linux.

I predict that this is just the beginning of a US government crack-down on people who want to break away from the corporate-controlled propaganda, and the surveillance technology built-in to Apple, Microsoft, Google (Alphabet), Facebook (Meta), and Amazon products, or who want to run their own federated web services. It is only a matter of time before ActivityPub is classified as “terrorism.” TikTok was only the beginning.

(begin quote of DistroWatch news:)

Starting on 2025-01-19 Sun Facebook’s internal policy makers decided that Linux is malware and labelled groups associated with Linux as being “cybersecurity threats”. Any posts mentioning DistroWatch and multiple groups associated with Linux and Linux discussions have either been shut down or had many of their posts removed.

We’ve been hearing all week from readers who say they can no longer post about Linux on Facebook or share links to DistroWatch. Some people have reported their accounts have been locked or limited for posting about Linux.

The sad irony here is that Facebook runs much of its infrastructure on Linux and often posts job ads looking for Linux developers.

Unfortunately, there isn’t anything we can do about this, apart from advising people to get their Linux-related information from sources other than Facebook. I’ve tried to appeal the ban and was told the next day that Linux-related material is staying on the cybersecurity filter. My Facebook account was also locked for my efforts.

We went through a similar experience when Twitter changed its name to X - suddenly accounts which had been re-posting news from our RSS feeds were no longer able to share links. This sort of censorship is an unpleasant side-effect of centralized communication platforms such as X, Facebook, Google+, and so on.

In an effort to continue to make it possible for people to talk about Linux (and DistroWatch), as well as share their views and links, we are providing two options. We have RSS news feeds which get updates whenever we post new announcements, stories, and our weekly newsletters. We also now have a Mastodon account where I will start to post updates - at least for new distributions and notice of our weekly newsletter. Over time we may also add news stories and updates about releases. Links for the feeds and the Mastodon account can be found on our contact page.

#Tech #Politics #Censorship #FreeSpeech #Linux #Fediverse #TikTok #FLOSS #FOSS #FreeSoftware #Twitter #Apple #Microsoft #Google #AlphabetCorp #Facebook #MetaCorp #AmazonCorp

Just thought that when talking about Meta the corporation, the above CW might be good. We already use "meta" to talk about things going on in the Fediverse. So this clears up when we're talking about the corporation.

Using "corp "or "corporation" rather than "Facebook" gives a "why" to why they're being discussed and really pins down that generally negative light that all corporations get on the Fediverse.

Also, it puts Meta the corporation at the "disambiguation" level. By doing so, it feels like it is less important or common to talk about here. That seems a sufficient insult.

#meta #MetaMeta #MetaCorp #MetaCorporation #Facebook #TourmaPosts

Meta fined record $1.3B and ordered to stop sending European user data to US

The EU slapped Meta with a record $1.3 billion privacy fine Monday and ordered it to stop transferring user data across the Atlantic by October, the latest salvo in a decadelong case sparked by U.S. cybersnooping fears.

#MetaCorp, which had previously warned that services for users in Europe could be cut off, vowed to appeal and ask courts to immediately put the decision on hold.

https://apnews.com/article/meta-facebook-data-privacy-fine-europe-9aa912200226c3d53aa293dca8968f84

#Facebook

This is Instagram’s new Twitter competitor

In the app, you’ll see a feed, and you can make text posts up to 500 characters long with attached links, photos, and videos.

👉 “Soon, our app will be compatible with certain other apps like Mastodon,” Instagram’s slide says. “Users on these other apps will be able to search for, follow and interact with your profile and content...”

https://www.theverge.com/2023/5/19/23730070/instagram-twitter-app-competitor-leak

#Instagram #Facebook #MetaCorp