Facebook Will Give Users Option to Remove Political Advertising
- Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg says users will be able to turn off political adverts on the social network in the run-up to the 2020 US election.
- Facebook and its subsidiary, Instagram will give users the option to turn off political adverts when they appear or they can block them using the settings features.
- Facebook has faced heavy criticism for allowing adverts from politicians that contain false information. Rival social platform Twitter banned political advertising last October.
Fortnite Event Sees Massive Turnout
- Gamers in a virtual queue to join a much-anticipated live ‘Fortnite’ event were left disappointed when servers reached full capacity, one minute after fans had been asked to join.
- There were some 12 million in-game players, and a further 8.4 million watched via Twitch or YouTube. The event marked the end of Season 2 and the beginning of Season 3 for the Battle Royale game.
- Afterward, the firm tweeted: “We were overwhelmed by the response to the device. At 12 million players in-game we capped participation for stability while 8.4 million more watched live on Twitch and YouTube. As we push the edge of what live events can be, we’re improving systems so more of you can experience them in-game”.
Famous Footballer Admits Child Sexual Abuse
- A professional footballer has been warned he could face jail after he admitted a sex offence against a 14-year-old girl.
- The former Bradford City and Arsenal player will be sentenced at a later date after pleading guilty to making and distributing an indecent image of a child and engaging in sexual activity with a child.
- The footballer also entered a guilty plea to making and distributing an indecent image of a child via Snapchat on the same date.
NHS Warn Gambling Firms Not to Exploit Return of Televised Football
- NHS England’s Director of Mental Health, Claire Murdoch, has warned betting companies not to exploit the return of televised football with “reckless” advertising campaigns that could cause more problem gambling while health service resources are stretched responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Claire Murdoch said the service will struggle to cope with “avoidable harm” caused by gambling marketing. “The return of football will be a moment of excitement for millions but it must not be an excuse for gambling firms to open the floodgates of addiction,” Murdoch said.
- Michael Dugher, Chief Executive of the Betting and Gaming Council, which represents gambling companies, responded to Murdoch, highlighting the “whistle-to-whistle ban” on TV advertising during live sport, pledging that at least 20% of TV and radio advertising will promote safer gambling, and a promised £100m for research, education and treatment.
UK Government Will Now Provide Summer Food Vouchers in Major U-Turn
- Following a successful campaign led by footballer Marcus Rashford,the government has performed a major U-turn after previously rejecting a plea to provide children in England with free meals during the school summer holidays.
- Marcus Rashford’s campaign for an extension to the free school meal voucher scheme throughout the summer holidays was initially dismissed, but pressure increased from public figures and politicians joining the cause.
- Mr Johnson said he had spoken to Rashford to “congratulate him” on his campaign for free school meals over the summer, adding: “I thank him for what he’s done.”
- Children in Scotland and Wales will receive school meals until they return to school. In Northern Ireland, free school meal payments are due to stop at the end of June, but an extension to cover July and August is being considered.
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