🚀 Backlash to Meta's new policies

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Market Overview
Read time 1.4 minutes

Year To Date Performances:

1. Meta’s decision to dismantle its third-party fact-checking system, relax content moderation policies, and increase political content has sparked a surge in backlash, with Google searches like “how to delete Facebook” and “Facebook alternatives” reaching unprecedented levels. These changes, viewed as appeasement to the incoming Trump administration, have alarmed critics who warn about the potential spread of hateful speech and misinformation. Past controversies, including Meta’s role in events like the January 6 insurrection and the Rohingya genocide, have intensified scrutiny. Amid the uproar, searches for decentralized platforms like Bluesky and Mastodon are skyrocketing, signaling users’ desire for safer social media alternatives.

2. Microsoft is cutting less than 1% of its workforce, targeting underperforming employees across departments, the company confirmed Wednesday. While the move affects a small fraction of its 228,000-strong workforce, it reflects Microsoft’s emphasis on maintaining "high-performance talent." These reductions follow more significant layoffs in 2023 and 2024, including 10,000 employees early last year and nearly 2,000 in its gaming division after acquiring Activision Blizzard. Despite a $3 trillion market cap milestone and heavy AI investments, including over $13 billion in OpenAI, Microsoft's Microsoft 365 Copilot has seen slower-than-expected adoption, and its AI partnership faces "cooperation tension."

3. Wildfires continued to devastate the Los Angeles area Thursday, claiming at least five lives and forcing nearly 180,000 residents to evacuate, though orders for Hollywood Hills were lifted earlier yesterday. Five fires have been confirmed, including the Pacific Palisades blaze, which remains 0% contained, and the Hurst and Lidia fires, which are 10% and 40% contained, respectively. The fires have also disrupted local industries, halting productions like "Jimmy Kimmel Live" and shuttering attractions such as Universal Studios Hollywood and CityWalk. Authorities urged residents to heed evacuation orders for their safety.

4. Headlines

   1. Google and Microsoft have announced $1M donations to Donald Trump’s inauguration fund, adding to demonstrations of support for his administration by tech companies and entrepreneurs.

   2. Project Liberty is trying to buy TikTok ahead of their ban.

   _{* This is sponsored content.}

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