Timucin Taka/Getty Images It has always been fashionable to anthropomorphize artificial intelligence (AI) as an “evil” force – and no book and accompanying film does so with greater aplomb than Arthur C. Clarke’s 2001: A Space Odyssey<!–>, which director Stanley Kubrick brought to life on screen. Who can forget HAL’s memorable, relentless, homicidal tendencies along with […] More

Facebook has addressed comments made by US President Biden over social media and the spread of fake COVID-19 information, saying it is time to move past “finger pointing.”

Since the start of the pandemic, social media platforms including Twitter and Facebook have become melting pots of coronavirus-related misinformation, hoaxes, and conspiracy theories, some of which may have increased vaccine hesitancy in some groups.  Facebook, Twitter, Google, and other tech giants have been fighting the spread.  On Friday, Biden was asked by a reporter what his message would be to social media platforms, like Facebook, in light of COVID-19 misinformation and anti-vaccination content.  In a blunt fashion, Biden said, “they’re killing people.” “I mean, they’re really — look — the only pandemic we have is among the unvaccinated,” Biden said. “And they’re killing people.” On July 17, Facebook published a blog post responding to these accusations, penned by Guy Rosen, Facebook VP of Integrity. 

“At a time when COVID-19 cases are rising in America, the Biden administration has chosen to blame a handful of American social media companies,” Rosen said. “While social media plays an important role in society, it is clear that we need a whole of society approach to end this pandemic. And facts — not allegations — should help inform that effort.” According to reports, vaccine hesitancy remains high in some US states at a time when the Delta variant is thought to be behind a spike in cases in areas including Florida. However, Facebook says that hesitancy in its US user base continues to decline, and 85% of Facebook users in the country either have had or want a COVID-19 vaccine.  “President Biden’s goal was for 70% of Americans to be vaccinated by July 4,” the company says. “Facebook is not the reason this goal was missed. In fact, increased vaccine acceptance has been seen on and off Facebook, with many leaders throughout the US working to make that happen.” The social media giant has published a set of rules for content relating to COVID-19 and vaccines. For example, the company prohibits posts designed for the “active and deliberate spread of communicable diseases,” meet-ups encouraging participants who have COVID-19 or organized in order to disrupt vaccination programs, and content that denies the existence or severity of the disease.   Facebook says that since the start of the pandemic, over 18 million “instances” of COVID-19 misinformation have been removed, and over 167 million pieces of content have been labeled by fact-checkers as fake or potentially misleading.  “The Biden Administration is calling for a whole of society approach to this challenge,” Rosen added. “We agree. As a company, we have devoted unprecedented resources to the fight against the pandemic, pointing people to reliable information and helping them find and schedule vaccinations. And we will continue to do so.” Previous and related coverage Have a tip? Get in touch securely via WhatsApp | Signal at +447713 025 499, or over at Keybase: charlie0 More

When is October Prime Day 2025? Amazon’s October Prime Day sale will be held on October 7 and 8, 2025. But you can already find markdowns on gaming desktops and laptops, components and accessories ahead of the official sale.Are gaming PCs, peripherals, and video games really cheaper on Prime Day? While you won’t see super steep markdowns like you might during the holiday shopping season, there are still some great deals to be found during Amazon’s October Prime Day sale. Brands like Dell, HP, and Corsair offer discounts on everything from pre-built desktops to case fans and headsets.How did we choose these October Prime Day deals?I chose the steepest discounts on the most trusted and well-known brands in PC gaming, like HP, Dell, Corsair, and SanDisk. I also tried to include a wide range of products for both budget-conscious gamers and anyone looking to invest in high-end components for the ultimate PC gaming setup. More

Treedix multifunction USB cable tester <!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The Treedix multifunction USB cable tester is available on Amazon for $42. This handy, pocket-sized USB cable can run a handful of tests, and has an easy-to-read display. It’s a niche gadget that won’t be necessary for everyone. –> <!–> Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred […] More

OnePlus Nord N30 Kerry Wan/ZDNETMidrange smartphones like the OnePlus Nord N30 are a nice alternative to high-end devices like the OnePlus 13 or the Galaxy Z Fold 7. They provide a premium experience without the exorbitant cost. And now, thanks to a new Back to School deal, this already affordable phone is now even cheaper.Also: OnePlus has an enticing $350 deal for its latest flagship Android phone – free earbuds includedRight now, the OnePlus Nord N30 More