trial

The trial against Meta increasingly resembles that of tobacco. Zuckerberg has sworn things that his internal documents contradict

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Mark Zuckerberg has been testifying under oath in Los Angeles in what is already considered the largest trial in history against a social network. And each session leaves uncomfortable headlines for Meta. What is happening. A Los Angeles court judges whether Instagram is a platform designed to hook minors. The plaintiff, a 20-year-old woman identified as KGM, alleges that she became addicted to Instagram when she was nine years old and that it ruined her mental health during her adolescence. It is not the only case, since behind this trial there are more than 1,600 plaintiffshundreds of families and more than 250 school districts with similar complaints against Meta, YouTube, TikTok and Snap. These last two reached a financial agreement before the trial began. Meta and Google are still in. Tobacco. The parallel that is most repeated in the American media is that of the tobacco companies in the nineties, since the companies that knew about the damage caused by their products hid it and paid for the consequences decades later in court. Here the accusation holds that Meta designed features like the infinite scroll‘likes’, push notifications… All with the deliberate objective of maximizing the time that users spent in the app, including minors. The company’s internal documents are being the heaviest ammunition in the trial. What those documents say. During cross-examination, the plaintiff’s attorney, Mark Lanier, was presenting emails and internal messages from Meta before the jury. One of the most striking: a researcher from the company itself wrote in an email that “Instagram is a drug… we are basically traffickers,” according to shared the Financial Times. Another document, from 2018, estimated that in 2015 there were four million users under the age of 13 on Instagram, which was equivalent to approximately 30% of all American children between 10 and 12 years old. Zuckerberg had declared before Congress that minors under that age could not use the platform. Where the testimony squeaks. Zuckerberg insisted before the jury that Meta never aimed to maximize the time users spent in the app, that the company focuses on long-term “value” and “utility.” The problem is that the accusation brought to the table emails of his from between 2013 and 2022 in which this increase in screen time appears explicitly as an internal goal. He also presented documents from Adam Mosseri, director of Instagram, with specific objectives: reaching 40 minutes of daily use in 2023 and 46 minutes in 2026. Zuckerberg responded that these data are “milestones” to measure results, not objectives in themselves. lyou filters. One of the most tense moments of the statement came with questions about Instagram filters, you know, the ones that users can apply to their face through the camera. In 2019, Meta temporarily suspended them to study its impact. 18 experts consulted by the company itself concluded that they caused well-being problems, especially among adolescents, with effects linked to body dysmorphia. Zuckerberg decided to lift the restriction as well. At the trial he explained that he preferred “to err on the side of giving people the opportunity to express themselves” and that the restrictions seemed “paternalistic” to him. The prosecution also showed the jury an email from Margaret Stewart, then vice president of product design at Meta, warning that, although he would comply with Zuckerberg’s decision, he did not believe it was “the right decision given the risks.” Between the lines. What makes this trial especially delicate for Meta is not only what Zuckerberg says now, but the distance between that story and what has been revealed over time through internal documentation and emails. The accusation opts for a strategy in order to show that the company knew about it, that it discussed it internally and that it still prioritized the growth of its platform. What is at stake? Goal. An unfavorable ruling in Los Angeles would not only be an economic blow, as it would set a precedent for thousands of similar lawsuits that are waiting in courts across the country (and around the globe, perhaps). For now, there are similar cases planned for this summer in Northern California, focused on the impact on schools, and another trial already underway in New Mexico where the state attorney general accuses Meta of failing to protect minors from sexual predators on its platforms. “For the first time, Meta’s CEO will have to sit before a jury, under oath, and explain why the company launched a product that its own safety teams warned was addictive and harmful to children,” counted Matt Bergman, attorney representing hundreds of plaintiffs. And now what. The trial is expected to last until the end of March, according to they count from Bloomberg. Meta maintains its defense on two fronts: that science does not prove that social networks are addictive and that Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act exempts them from responsibility for the content that users publish. The prosecution, however, insists that the case is not about content, but about deliberate decisions about how the application is built. Cover image | Solen Feyissa and Wikimedia Commons In Xataka | TikTok’s infinite scroll has just entered the EU’s crosshairs: Brussels marks it as “addictive design” and demands changes

YouTube tries to escape a historic trial that compares it to Facebook and tobacco

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YouTube’s lawyers made their argument clear: they are not a social network and They are not addictive. Those statements came as part of those initial statements in the important trial to which they have been subjected both to them and to those responsible for Meta. What happens in this legal process could pose important changes in the future of these platforms. “We are more like Netflix than Facebook”. YouTube’s lawyers indicated in their initial defense that YouTube is an entertainment platform more similar to Netflix than a social network like Facebook. They also gave examples of its usefulness: people use their videos to learn how to cook, knit, or become pop stars. They don’t design it for subject users to infinite scroll“We’re not trying to get into your brain and rewire it. We’re just asking you what you want to see.” The accusation: YouTube and Instagram are addictive. A 20-year-old California woman identified as KGM has accused these platforms of create addictive applications that harm mental health. She claims to have been one of the victims, in fact. It is a recurring theme and almost even unofficially acceptedbut there are no legal sentences that confirm and punish what is happening. And when there could have been mysterious previous agreements arrived to those processes. That has led to a lawsuit involving Meta, Snap, TikTok and YouTube. The moment is delicate and very striking. The CEO of Instagram throws things out. Adam Mosseri, CEO of Instagram, He assured in his appearance that the platform has security protocols for teenagers. Although it admitted that social media can be harmful, the company is careful and tests features that will reach young people before launching them. He further noted that people can be addicted to social media in the same way as they are to a television show, but that was not the same as being “clinically addicted.” Tipping point for social media. The trial is especially significant because it occurs precisely at a historical moment in which various countries are implementing (or planning to implement) age verification systems so that minors cannot access social networks. States want to regulate and control social networks on the Internet, so the first step is to define what a social network is. This is what this judgment is about: putting some on one side and others on the other. YouTube certainly stands on a very thin line here, and will undoubtedly try to evade the problem with arguments such as those put forward. Social networks wash their hands. Even though there are scientific studies that suggest that there is a behavior similar to that of other addictions, technology companies have always avoided that discourse or They have tried to remove iron. It is somewhat ironic considering that they make the most of the functioning of our brain (hello digital slots). Companies point in The New York Timesthey not only argue that this scientific evidence does not exist (or is not conclusive), but they point to federal laws—the well-known Section 230— that protect them: we are not responsible for what users publish online, they say. A case that can set precedents. There are thousands of pending lawsuits very similar to this one, but this case has become the spearhead of all those efforts that want to punish social networks for “hooking” users. KGM’s lawyer argued Monday that she had become trapped in YouTube and Instagram because those apps were like “digital casinos.” It’s already over with tobacco. Meta documents displayed at trial mentioned how its employees compared its tactics to those used by companies in the tobacco industry. That is very dangerous, because the lawsuits against those companies in the 90s led to multimillion-dollar settlements for those companies. Are you a social network or not? The argument used by the prosecution was the same one that is being used now: the platforms “sell” a harmful product knowing that they are doing so. History could repeat itself now, and that would condemn platforms that fall within the definition of “social network.” And precisely what YouTube is trying to avoid is that: not falling into that definition. Image | Rubaitul Azad In Xataka | Young people have decided to stop posting (so much) on Facebook and Instagram. “AI-generated garbage” has free rein

The largest clinical trial confirms that it detects more and reduces the radiologist’s burden

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With the arrival of artificial intelligence, one of the applications was undoubtedly medicinewhich could mark a authentic revolution. Although definitive proof was missing to tell us that it really had real use. And this one just arrived thanks to an article published in The Lancent which has pointed out how AI can help us detect more breast cancers and even reduces those that are much more dangerous. The screening. Unfortunately, in Spain we have in mind, because of how recent it was, the problems with screening programs in Andalusia. And despite this great controversy, this type of screening is very useful and significantly reduces the number of women who end up dying from breast cancer that was not detected in time. But now we want to go a little further with the integration of technology so that fewer tumors escape that to the human eye can escape due to their small size. Interval cancers. Without a doubt, it is the great enemy in radiodiagnosis when we refer to screening mammograms. This term refers to those tumors that are detected between one check-up and the next, and that have different reasons for their appearance. The first reason is that it is a tumor that grows very quickly (and that can be much more malignant) or that was missed in the previous control mammogram due to its small size. And this is a serious problem, since the basis of screening is to detect cancers in the earliest stages where they can respond better to more conservative treatments. The study. The MASAI trial (Mammography Screening with Artificial Intelligence) has shown that the use of AI reduces these cases drastically. And the figures are quite promising, since there was a 12% reduction in cancer rate interval in the two years after the woman was screened. In figures, it went from 1.76 cases per 1,000 women to 1.55 cases. A difference that may be very small in our eyes, but in public health and oncology it is a real success, since reducing by 12% the tumors that usually “escape” is a major clinical advance. Less work. Until now the standard method to analyze these tests focused on a double reading. This means that two radiologists reviewed each mammogram independently to ensure nothing was missed. A security method that is ideal, but that consumes an immense amount of human resources in health systems. That is why with this method a paradigm shift is proposed that is based on intelligent triage and that can be summarized in three different points: The AI ​​initially analyzes the mammogram image and assigns it a risk score from 1 to 10. In the event that it is categorized as low risk, the image is reviewed by a single radiologist to see if it agrees that the image is clean and closes the case. If the risk is high in the mammography, the image does pass the double reading system with AI marking the most suspicious areas where there may be injury. The result. With this new algorithm, the study has aimed at a 44% reduction in the reading letter for professionals, in order to make doctors now focus on the images that are much more doubtful. And no, working less did not mean working worse. On the contrary: the AI ​​arm of the study detected 29% more clinically relevant cancers without increasing the rate of false positives (the great fear of over-diagnosing healthy patients). Complement and not replace. This is something important that the study itself highlights, since they point out that AI has not arrived to fire radiologists. The MASAI method is only a “decision support”, since the AI ​​prioritizes, orders and signals, but the final clinical decision is always that of the doctor and therefore in human hands. With the publication of these final results in The Lancet, The validation cycle of one of the most important tests is closed of the decade in radiology. The next step is no longer asking whether AI works in breast cancer screening, but how long it will take for public health systems to implement it to give radiologists one more tool that allows them to be more precise and methodical. Images | National Cancer Institute In Xataka | A Spanish milestone against pancreatic cancer: we are one step closer to eradicating it but there is still a long way to go

Ryanair does not want indisciplined passengers. And besides leading them to trial, they will put their own fines

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Ryanair will apply a penalty of 500 euros to any passenger expelled from a flight for misconduct before takeoff. The measure seeks to be a deterrent element in the face of behaviors that interrupt the trip of the rest of the passengers and compromise security. An airline spokesman He explained that “it is unacceptable that passengers suffer unnecessary interruptions by the behavior of a single disruptive passenger.” The fine cannot be specified as such, so it is presented as the most expensive complementary rate of Ryanair. In detail. The Data from the European Union Air Security Agency They say that the safety of a flight is compromised every three hours for the bad behavior of a passenger. In addition, 70% of these cases involve some kind of aggression. Yes, but. The 500 euros are just the beginning. If there is a diversion of the flight because of the passenger, the demands shoot because Ryanair has an active legal persecution policy to recover all the associated costs: Extra fuel. Landing rates. Accommodation for the rest of the travelers in an extreme case. Replacement crew. Even on -board sales. And that persecution translates into concrete demands that go beyond 500 euros: The background. Michael O’Leary, CEO of the airline, already warned at the time about the increase in altercations on board, especially on routes to holiday destinations. In fact, proposed to limit alcohol consumption In airports to two drinks per boarding cards. The measure of their own fines as extra rates, in addition to the subsequent legal persecution, is the definition of a problem that affects the entire industry and that even affects travelers of other flights, which see the “delayed” poster appear because of the energumenos. Outstanding image | Nejc Soklič in Unspash In Xataka | The great secret of Ryanair’s success is that he does not earn money to fly: he does so squeezing you in everything else

A Peruvian farmer has seen a glacier from the Andes melts. So he has brought a German energy to trial

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The Peruvian farmer Saúl Luciano Lliuya has observed how Lake Palcacocha grows every year in Huaraz. This situation has caused the farmer issue for the overflow of the lake and ends affecting his community. However, instead of resigning, he has decided to take those responsible for this situation to court. An unprecedented case. Saul Luciano Lliuya has sued the RWE energy company before the German courts. In its demand, Lliuya has argued that this company is the one that emits the most issuance contributing to climate change, accelerating the melting of glaciers in its hometown, putting its habitability at risk, according to has collected Associated Press. The demand. Supported by the activist group Germanwatchthe Peruvian farmer wants RWE to pay around 17,000 euros ($ 18,520) for a flood defense project, according to He has reported Reuters. 10 years ago. The filing of the lawsuit was in 2015 in Germany and, two years later, the courts accepted it, According to EFE. During all these years, evidence has been collected to determine whether there is a direct relationship between RWE emissions and the risk of flooding in Huaraz. In addition, the trial has prolonged because the German company has used legal strategies, arguing that the responsibility for climate change cannot be attributed to a single issuer, such as They have explained to Associated Press. The defendant. The energy company has denied its responsibility on multiple occasions. From the company, have affirmed for DW that climate change is a global problem caused by multiple factors and that it is not possible to legally attribute its effects to a single entity. In addition, for the same medium, they have declared that if there is such claim according to German legislation, all drivers should also be considered responsible, and that it is a socio -political error. The evaluations. Among the collection of information that is being gathered for the trial, there is a 2014 study conducted by Greenpeace and the Climate Justice Program, in which RWE held RWE for 0.47% of global greenhouse gas emissions since the beginning of industrialization. In addition, different researchers have shown that greenhouse gas emissions have a direct impact on the melting of glaciers in the Andes, such as have detailed in The Guardian. Regarding the glacier, this has been melting in these last 36 years for climate change, according to A study by Nature magazine. Although this is not the only evidence, another scientific research has shown that the water level in Lake Palcacoha It has increased Since 1990. This situation can raise the risk of an avalanche, similar to what devastated Huaraz in 1941 and caused the death of 1,800 people. The beginning of the trial. On Monday, March 17, the trial began and, As Efe has advancedthe lawyer of Lliuya, Roda Verheyen, explained that if sentence is issued in the next session, scheduled for April 14, the necessary precedent will be obtained to go after other great pollutants. Image | Pxhere Xataka | There are still energetic ones that trace the system to inflate prices: the CNMC has just issued two millionaire fines

New England Patriots star Jabrill Peppers acquitted in trial for assaulting woman

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The star of New England PatriotsJabrill Peppers He was acquitted by a jury in a trial on charges of assault and battery last Friday. In his testimony, the safety denied and pleaded not guilty to having strangled and pushed a woman with whom he was in a relationship. Videos of the incident were shown at the trial. In them you can see the player and the totally naked woman arguing. Peppers He repeatedly asked him to leave his house, located in Braintree, Massachusetts. The lawsuit was for $9.5 million dollars, but the player was finally successful. The only charge to which he did plead guilty was drug possession, at the time officers arrested him last October. After clearing himself of these charges, the player, who missed seven games after being included on the commissioner’s exempt list on October 9, spoke about how this episode affected him. “I think it damaged my reputation. I think I lost a season, missing seven games. I tried to come back, but it’s hard to get that form back. I knew that in the end the truth would come out. “It was three long months for me,” he began. “You know, I lost a lot of my season because of this. I lost a large part of my season, because of this, I couldn’t be part of the team. I couldn’t, there were many things I couldn’t do mentally. It was exhausted, but I don’t think it sent any messages. They are not going to stop. “I just think we have to be smarter and protect ourselves,” he added. #Patriots S Jabrill Peppers on the false accusations against him: “I think it hurt my reputation… I lost a season, missing 7 games. “I tried to make a comeback but, it’s tough to get back in that kind of shape.” Peppers says people need to protect themselves and record things.… pic.twitter.com/hZh6LUBuNm — Carlos A. Lopez (@LosTalksPats) January 24, 2025 Jabrill Peppersfaced problems with the law since October 2024 when he was arrested for allegedly attacking his girlfriend. According to the couple’s testimony, the safety strangled her, attacked her and tried to throw her down the stairs. Jabrill Peppers career Jabrill Peppers began his career in University of Michiganwhere he became a star of the Michigan Wolverines. They named him there Unanimous All-American in 2016 and won the Paul Hornung Award. He was also chosen as the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and the Big Ten Return Specialist of the Year. This led him to be a first round selection of draft of the NFL in 2017 by Cleveland Browns. As a rookie he played 13 games in which he recorded 54 tackles and three interceptions. For the 2018 season, he increased his quota and played 16 games, accumulating 75 tackles and one interception. In 2019 he left for New York Giants. In his debut season he participated in 11 games and left a record of 69 tackles and five interceptions. By 2020 he was in 15 games, recording 87 tackles and 2.5 sacks. In his last campaign in New York He drastically reduced his presence on the field. Only six games played. The following year he was changed to New England Patriots. In 2022 he played 17 games and had 49 tackles.Keep reading:· New England Patriots star Jabrill Peppers pleads guilty to drug possession· They reveal video of the arrest of Chileans in Ohio suspected of robbing Joe Burrow’s house· New England Patriots owner spent $120,000 on Tom Brady’s signed rookie card

A$AP Rocky trial begins: he faces 24 years in prison

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The rapper A$AP Rockywhose real name is Rakim Mayers, faces a judicial process that formally began this week in Los Angeles. The case, which has captured media attention, revolves around an alleged shooting that occurred in November 2021 in Hollywood, where the artist allegedly shot a former friend, Terell Ephron, known as A$AP Relli. Jury selection began Tuesday, and the court is preparing to consider evidence and testimony related to charges of assault with a semi-automatic weapon. If convicted, Rocky could face a sentence of up to 24 years in prison. So far, the artist has pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against him. According to court documents and previous testimony, The incident would have started as a disagreement related to a debt between the two men. Ephron maintains that The altercation escalated until Rocky allegedly pulled out a gun and fired several shots, slightly wounding him in the hand. Although there are surveillance images from that night, the moment of the shooting cannot be clearly seen, which adds an element of uncertainty to the case. Judge Mark Arnold, in charge of the process, has indicated that he will seek to expedite the development of the trial, ensuring that all those involved are treated fairly, regardless of their social status or fame. Arnold has also allowed cameras in the room, ensuring constant media coverage. A$AP Rocky is not only known for his career in the rap world, but also for his impact on fashion and his relationship with singer Rihanna, with whom he has two children. So far, it is unclear whether Rihanna will attend the trial, as Rocky’s lawyer, Joe Tacopina, indicated that the artist prefers to keep his family out of this environment. The trial, which could extend for several weeks, is being closely watched not only for its legal implications, but also for the impact it could have on the rapper’s career and personal life. Keep reading: •Rihanna reports that she will tour, but until her next album is ready•Rihanna dreams of having a girl after the arrival of her first two children•Rihanna debuts new look: She’s blonde! And he showed it off in Los Angeles•Rihanna and ASAP Rocky reveal their family life after welcoming their second child.

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