Photo by Dima Solomin on Unsplash

Meta Announces End Of Fact-Checking Program

• Written by Andrea Miliani Former Tech News Expert
• Fact-Checked by Justyn Newman Former Lead Cybersecurity Editor

Meta’s CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced this Tuesday that the company will end its fact-checking program—provided by third parties—on its platforms Facebook, Instagram, and Threads.

In a Rush? Here are the Quick Facts!

• Zuckerberg announced the removal of the fact-checking program from Facebook, Instagram, and Threads.
• Instead of content verified by third parties, Meta will implement a new feature similar to X’s “Community Notes.”
• The new measure has been considered a strategy to please upcoming president Donald Trump.

Through an Instagram video , Zuckerberg explained that this decision has been made to “restore free expression” and that instead of fact-checkers, the platform will rely on user criteria through a feature similar to “Community Notes,” a collaborative system used by the social media platform X in which the users provide context.

“It’s time to get back to our roots around free expression,” said Zuckerberg in the video announcement. “I want to make sure that people can share their beliefs and experiences on our platforms.”

Zuckerberg added that the content moderation system has made many mistakes , increased censorship, and that the third parties in charge of monitoring the information were “too politically biased.”

Analysts and multiple publications have considered the decision to be a response in alignment with Donald Trump’s upcoming administration. In 2024, Trump threatened Zuckerberg with imprisonment for life and accused him of conspiring against him in 2020. Both seem to have restored the relationship and Zuckerberg donated $1 million to Trump’s inauguration fund in December.

According to CNBC , Trump has also expressed his content with the removal of the fact-checking program. “Honestly, I think they’ve come a long way—Meta,” said Trump in a press release this Tuesday. When asked about this decision being taken after his threat, he said “Probably.”

Meta’s version of “Community Notes” will begin to roll out in the upcoming months in the United States.

Image by Freepik

Beatbot Launches Eco-Friendly RoboTurtle

• Written by Kiara Fabbri Former Tech News Writer
• Fact-Checked by Justyn Newman Former Lead Cybersecurity Editor

Beatbot introduced two innovations aimed at advancing both pool maintenance and environmental monitoring.

In a Rush? Here are the Quick Facts!

• The RoboTurtle features AI cameras, solar power, and adaptive sensing for environmental monitoring.
• Beatbot’s Shore Self-Docking Station automates pool cleaning and charging with wireless magnetic technology.
• The RoboTurtle is designed for monitoring water environments and tracking endangered species.

The innovations presented include the Amphibious RoboTurtle, designed for ecological research and disaster response, and the Shore Self-Docking & Charging Station, an automated pool maintenance solution, as first reported by PRNewswire .

PRNewswire reports that the Amphibious RoboTurtle is designed to serve a dual purpose: supporting environmental research and responding to ecological challenges. The robot features advanced capabilities to monitor aquatic environments, track endangered species, and detect hazardous materials such as oil spills.

With its AI-powered cameras, the RoboTurtle provides real-time data that can be used for conservation efforts, disaster response, and the management of water ecosystems.

This is another example of how AI can be leveraged for wildlife protection. Recently, scientists combined vultures’ scavenging behavior with AI to track carcasses, monitor mortality, detect diseases, and uncover illegal activities.

PRNewswire reports that RoboTurtle’s new technology aims to reduce dependence on traditional, resource-intensive monitoring methods by providing a cost-effective and sustainable alternative for agencies and organizations engaged in environmental research.

The RoboTurtle’s design allows it to navigate both land and water environments, making it suitable for a range of ecological monitoring tasks. It is equipped with an adaptive sensing system that helps it respond to its surroundings and perform tasks with minimal disruption to the environment.

Additionally, the robot’s solar-powered system ensures it operates with minimal environmental impact. Furthermore, PRNewswire says that Beatbot unveiled its Shore Self-Docking & Charging Station, which aims to make pool care more efficient and hands-free.

The system allows robotic pool cleaners to automatically return to their charging station after completing a cleaning cycle, ensuring the robot is always ready for the next task. The use of wireless magnetic charging eliminates the need for exposed ports and reduces the risk of water damage.

PRNewswire notes that the station is designed to accommodate precise navigation, guiding the robot to dock smoothly and recharge without human intervention.

Both technologies will be featured at CES 2025 in Las Vegas, where they are expected to draw attention for their potential to transform both the pool care industry and ecological research practices, as reported by PRNewswire.