Big Tech unites to make internet safer with tutorials, grants, and lawsuits – Washington Examiner

Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, and even Lego participated in Safer Internet Day by unveiling new policies to protect users of all ages across platforms.

Most recently, Facebook, owned by Meta, announced a joint lawsuit Tuesday against two Nigerian-based scammers. An unnamed financial services company is joining the platform as a second plaintiff in the suit, which is reportedly the first of its kind.

"Between March 2020 and October 2021, the defendants engaged in phishing attacks intended to lure people using Facebook and Instagram to phishing websites with the goal of compromising their financial services accounts for profit," Meta alleged in a statement. "To conceal their activities, the defendants used a network of computers to control over 800 impersonating Facebook and Instagram accounts and evade technical enforcement measures."

DA'S YOUTH GROUP TO OFFER INTERNET SAFETY PROGRAM

The platform previously attempted to stop the alleged scammers by "disabling Facebook and Instagram accounts, blocking impersonating domains on its services and sending a cease and desist letter."

Twitter rolled out its new reporting policy Tuesday. Rather than flagging a tweet as "abusive" or "suspicious," users can explain their problem with a post with a fill-in-the-blank system. In December, the company announced it had begun testing the new process in the United States. Safer Internet Day marked the first day the platform implemented the system worldwide.

TikTok announced a new policy to protect its gay and transgender users. The ban includes the use of transgender individuals' old names or pronouns, engagement in misogyny, or promotion of pro-conversion therapy content. In addition, the short-form video platform donated $1,000 to 40 schools to further educate teenagers about internet safety.

Lego created a new animated miniseries all about internet safety. The toy company's goal is to "empower children to become positive digital citizens, who contribute to healthy digital communities." Characters include the Oversharer, Meanie, and the Big-Eyed Monster, who takes a break from screens.

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Safer Internet Day began as a European Union initiative in 2004.

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Big Tech unites to make internet safer with tutorials, grants, and lawsuits - Washington Examiner