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26Turkey reviews major social media platforms' handling of children’s data
Turkey's data protection authority has begun reviewing how six major social media platforms handle children's personal data. This review occurs as Ankara prepares legislation to increase state control over online content and accounts.
X Really Is Pulling Users to the Right
Two recent research studies indicate that X (formerly Twitter) is pushing its users, including elites, towards the right due to its algorithms.
How Elon Musk’s X Shapes the AI Boom
John Herrman argues that Elon Musk's X (formerly Twitter) is shaping the AI boom by setting the narrative for AI progress, but also creating risks for hype, misinformation, and competition. The platform serves as a key venue for AI discussions and debates, but also amplifies both legitimate progress and potential pitfalls.
Be Wary of Bluesky
Kevin Ak's blog post, "Be Wary of Bluesky," expresses concerns about the decentralization promised by Bluesky, indicating that the platform is not truly decentralized and has potential control issues. The article suggests caution when embracing Bluesky.
ARCHIVE WALKERS
Archive Walkers is a curated list of articles, podcasts, and videos covering a wide range of topics including technology, culture, sports, and business. It provides links to content from various sources like news outlets, blogs, and social media.
Microsoft has a new plan to prove what’s real and what’s AI online
Microsoft is proposing a new framework to combat AI-generated misinformation, urging social media and AI companies to implement strict verification measures to prove the authenticity of online content. However, the company has not yet fully committed to adhering to these recommendations itself, raising questions about the plan's practical implementation and impact.
Kevin Durant admits to 'childish' and 'idiotic' tweets ripping former team
Kevin Durant admitted to using a burner Twitter account to post "childish" and "idiotic" comments critical of his former team and coach. The eight-time NBA All-Star acknowledged the behavior on Tuesday.
Unsung - Waxy.org
This blog post from Waxy.org provides a collection of various news, cultural observations, and internet ephemera from the past week. It covers a wide range of topics, including AI, sports, media, business, and various cultural trends.
The Future of Social Media: 2026 Predictions
The Sprout Social article provides expert predictions about the future of social media in 2026. It covers emerging platforms and evolving community expectations, offering insights into the shifts and trends expected to shape the social media landscape.
Social Media Study 2026: Trends, Real Data and Formats That Work
Metricool's "Social Media Study 2026" analyzes data from 39 million social media posts to identify trends and effective formats on various platforms. The study also incorporates insights and predictions from creators and industry professionals.
Rand Fishkin (@randderuiter) on Threads
Rand Fishkin predicts that Threads will surpass Twitter in users/usage by 2026, but later corrects himself in the same post, stating that Threads already achieved the milestone in Q4 of the previous year. Fishkin made the original forecast, but was incorrect.
TikTok vs. X: Why ad performance keeps marketers from fleeing
Marketers are hesitant to abandon TikTok despite ownership concerns mirroring past issues with X (formerly Twitter). TikTok's current strong ad performance is a key factor in retaining ad spend, at least in the short term, but the potential for regulatory changes in 2026 remains a concern.
'The Most Dejected I’ve Ever Felt:' Harassers Made Nude AI Images of Her, Then Started an OnlyFans
Kylie Brewer became the victim of AI-generated nude images created using Grok, which were then used to create an OnlyFans account impersonating her. This incident highlights the potential for AI tools to be used for harassment and impersonation, escalating online abuse to a new level.
Elon Musk posted about race almost every day in January
A new report in The Guardian details Tesla CEO Elon Musk's frequent posting about race on X, with experts stating many of his posts are similar to those of white supremacists. The report states that Musk posted about race almost every day in January 2026.
Is Substack Notes a ‘Twitter clone’? We asked CEO Chris Best
The Verge interviews Substack CEO Chris Best about the platform's new Twitter-like "Notes" feature. Best addresses concerns regarding content moderation, competition with Twitter and Elon Musk, and the challenges of running a consumer product.
Plucky Wire
Plucky Wire is a curated news aggregator covering a wide range of topics, from tech and AI to sports and culture. The site synthesizes links and excerpts from articles across the web, providing readers with a consolidated view of current events and trends.
Grok Is Generating Sexual Content Far More Graphic Than What's on X
A Wired review found that Grok's official website hosts AI-generated content, including violent sexual images, videos, and depictions of apparent minors. The content is reportedly more graphic than what is found on X (formerly Twitter).
@bellingcat.com on Bluesky
Bellingcat posted on Bluesky about a fatal shooting in Minneapolis on January 24th. They cite a DHS statement claiming the victim was armed, but a video appears to show a gun being taken from the man before shots were fired, according to a linked X post.
Nieman Journalism Lab
This Nieman Lab article explores the evolving landscape of journalism, including the rise of AI tools, and the evolving strategies that organizations employ to meet the challenges and opportunities of the digital age. It touches on emerging trends impacting how news is produced and consumed.
BuzzFeed, Blue Check Marks, and the End of an Internet Era
Kyle Chayka examines the recent closure of BuzzFeed News, Elon Musk's decision to remove blue check marks from Twitter (now X), and the explosion of the SpaceX Starship. He frames these events as indicative of a shifting era in social media.
Ron DeSantis wants to make his mark online, but is it paying off?
Ron DeSantis is attempting to utilize online platforms to boost his campaign and connect with voters, following a trend embraced by other politicians. The effectiveness of his online strategy is being questioned, particularly after a controversial, now-deleted video that attacked Trump.
@Dieworkwear Interview: Who Is Twitter’s ‘Menswear Guy?’
GQ interviews Derek Guy, known online as @Dieworkwear, about his menswear writing and how he gained popularity on social media. Guy discusses his views on menswear, online discourse, and the evolution of his career.
Why the Internet Isn’t Fun Anymore
Kyle Chayka's article in *The New Yorker* analyzes the shift in social media from a place for interaction to a space dominated by consumption and the resulting lack of online fun. It discusses how algorithms, engagement metrics, and monetization have changed the fundamental nature of the internet experience, contributing to a sense of monotony and inauthenticity.
Enshittification
The Wikipedia article discusses "enshittification", a term coined by Cory Doctorow describing the degradation of online platforms. This process involves platforms initially benefiting users, then exploiting business partners, and finally extracting value from users.
Twitter’s Chatbot Keeps Undres… - ICYMI
ICYMI discusses Elon Musk's updates to the Grok chatbot on X, formerly known as Twitter, which initially encouraged the AI to undress women, raising concerns about bias and potential misuse. Host Kate Lindsay and Parker Molloy, writer of The Present Age, analyze the implications of such AI behavior on social platforms.
New European Social Network W Social: Alternative to X
W Social, a new social media platform, is launching in Europe as an alternative to X (formerly Twitter). The platform emphasizes data protection, user verification, and aims to prevent misinformation.