Social media technology
Social media websites such as Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn have proved enormously popular, and while they are consumer focused, the principles of collaboration and information sharing that they embody are highly relevant for corporate IT. We analyse the latest trends in social media technology, social networking and explain how they can be applied to enterprise IT strategy.
-
News
20 May 2025
Interview: Driving tech innovation at the BBC
Computer Weekly speaks to Jatin Aythora, director of BBC Research and Development, about self-belief and learning from different industries Continue Reading
-
Opinion
15 May 2025
Can 'god-like technologies' be prevented from harming a generation of children?
US lawyers representing families of children harmed by social media are at the vanguard of fighting back against the impact of technologies that may be causing lifelong damage Continue Reading
-
News
20 May 2025
Interview: Driving tech innovation at the BBC
Computer Weekly speaks to Jatin Aythora, director of BBC Research and Development, about self-belief and learning from different industries Continue Reading
-
Opinion
15 May 2025
Can 'god-like technologies' be prevented from harming a generation of children?
US lawyers representing families of children harmed by social media are at the vanguard of fighting back against the impact of technologies that may be causing lifelong damage Continue Reading
-
News
07 May 2025
Meta awarded $167m in court battle with spyware mercenaries
WhatsApp owner Meta is awarded millions of dollars in damages and compensation after its service was exploited by users of mercenary spyware developer NSO’s infamous Pegasus mobile malware Continue Reading
-
Opinion
02 May 2025
Security Think Tank: What CISOs can learn from Signalgate
A leak of information on American military operations caused a major political incident in March 2025. The Security Think Tank considers what can CISOs can learn from this potentially fatal error. Continue Reading
-
News
02 May 2025
Government and Ofcom disagree about scope of Online Safety Act
MPs heard different views from the online harms regulator and the UK government about whether and how the Online Safety Act obliges platforms to deal with disinformation Continue Reading
-
Opinion
01 May 2025
Signalgate: Learnings for CISOs securing enterprise data
A leak of information on American military operations caused a major political incident in March 2025. The Security Think Tank considers what CISOs can learn from this potentially fatal error Continue Reading
-
Feature
29 Apr 2025
The top challenges of influencer marketing and their solutions
Brands can partner with influencers to build credibility and connect with their audiences. However, marketers often struggle to find the right influencers and spot fake followers. Continue Reading
-
News
28 Apr 2025
Digital twins critical for digital transformation to fly in aerospace
Technology consortium publishes whitepaper to address the challenges of digital twin adoption in the aerospace and defence industries highlighting requirements for successfully deploying these digital twin-enabling technologies Continue Reading
-
News
14 Apr 2025
Meta settles lawsuit over surveillance business model
Meta settles lawsuit over use of personal data in targeted advertising, opening up the possibility of other UK users raising legal objections to its processing Continue Reading
-
News
10 Apr 2025
Investigative reporter files legal action over police surveillance and social media monitoring
Journalist complains to Investigatory Powers Tribunal after Northern Irish police placed him under surveillance as he investigated their handling of a high-profile death Continue Reading
-
News
08 Apr 2025
NCSC issues warning over Chinese Moonshine and BadBazaar spyware
Two spyware variants are being used to target the mobile devices of persons of interest to Chinese intelligence, including individuals in the Taiwanese, Tibetan and Uyghur communities Continue Reading
-
News
08 Apr 2025
Spoofing vuln threatens security of WhatsApp Windows users
Meta has disclosed and patched a potentially dangerous spoofing flaw in WhatsApp for Windows that could have caused big problems for unwitting users Continue Reading
-
Tip
08 Apr 2025
12 benefits of influencer marketing
As modern consumers use social media to discover products and get recommendations, influencer marketing can help brands stand out, gain their trust and boost engagement. Continue Reading
-
News
02 Apr 2025
Interview: Tomer Cohen, chief product officer, LinkedIn
The professional social network’s product chief is leading the introduction of artificial intelligence for the firm’s in-house development processes and to enhance services for users Continue Reading
-
Definition
31 Mar 2025
Facebook
Facebook is a social networking website that was founded in February 2004 by Harvard University students Chris Hughes, Andrew McCollum, Dustin Moskovitz, Eduardo Saverin and Mark Zuckerberg. Continue Reading
-
News
28 Mar 2025
Digital Twin Consortium outlines spatially intelligent capabilities and characteristics
Consortium designed to drive increased virtual representation adoption across industries publishes whitepaper emphasising the importance of locational intelligence in practice Continue Reading
-
25 Mar 2025
Digital twins drive efficiency across machines and infrastructure
Digital twins of machines, facilities and infrastructures will create a portfolio of virtual representations that, in time, will connect to allow city planners and engineers to plan and monitor urban environments from the smallest features to its entirety Continue Reading
-
Feature
24 Mar 2025
Ethical qualms prompt challenging social media migrations
Changing content moderation and artificial intelligence training practices means social media has undergone a fundamental shift in the past six months, presenting organisations and people migrating away from these platforms for ethical reasons with a number of practical challenges Continue Reading
-
Tip
21 Mar 2025
How to incorporate social media into SEO strategies
While social media marketing and SEO seem like two separate practices, when used together, they can enhance any organization's digital marketing strategy. Continue Reading
-
News
17 Mar 2025
Online Safety Act measures come into effect
Regulator Ofcom is now able to take enforcement action against platforms under the Online Safety Act if they fail to proactively safeguard against content such as terrorist or child sexual abuse material Continue Reading
-
News
12 Mar 2025
Apple slated in CMA mobile browser investigation
Apple policies are main focus, but Google doesn’t escape the regulator’s scrutiny either, with its business practices to promote Chrome coming under fire Continue Reading
-
News
11 Mar 2025
Musk claims of Ukraine DDoS attack derided by cyber community
Elon Musk draws criticism after accusing Ukraine of being behind a significant DDoS attack against social media platform X Continue Reading
-
News
11 Mar 2025
Hadean, Google Cloud team to develop AI-powered spatial computing
Technology partnership looks to facilitate the creation of highly realistic and responsive simulations, optimising training exercises and planning scenarios to help organisations develop deeper understanding of potential situations Continue Reading
-
Definition
11 Mar 2025
What are social media metrics?
Social media metrics are the various data points that can help a company gauge the impact of social media activity on its revenue. Continue Reading
-
News
04 Mar 2025
MWC 2025: Comms tech consortium begins XR trials on 5G Standalone network
Collaboration between Ericsson, T-Mobile and Qualcomm looks to pioneer the next wave of 5G low latency operator services, beginning with supporting demanding mobile immersive experiences Continue Reading
-
News
27 Feb 2025
MPs grill X, TikTok and Meta about online misinformation
Representatives from the social media firms said that while the scale of their platforms makes content moderation difficult, they are effectively dealing with the vast majority of misinformation Continue Reading
-
News
26 Feb 2025
Apple and Dassault Systèmes join forces for digital twin Vision
Leading connected engineering software provider teams with CE giant to take advantage of state-of-the-art immersive viewing to realise digital twin-based product design and manufacturing platform Continue Reading
-
News
26 Feb 2025
Engineering at tipping point as manufacturing embraces Industry 5.0
Leading connected engineering software provider unveils vision of generative AI-based design to support new age of industrial applications with sustainability and virtual processes at the core Continue Reading
-
Definition
25 Feb 2025
What is LinkedIn and how does it work?
LinkedIn is a social networking site designed specifically for the business community. Continue Reading
-
News
24 Feb 2025
Government seeks payments tech partner through £49m contract
UK government wants tech partner to help it embed open banking functionality into its Gov.uk Pay platform Continue Reading
-
Definition
20 Feb 2025
What is social media marketing (SMM)?
Social media marketing (SMM) is a form of internet marketing that uses social media apps as a marketing tool. Continue Reading
-
Feature
20 Feb 2025
The many ways AI can empower XR
There is an almost ‘irresistible’ marriage between artificial intelligence and extended reality, yet while their combination will create benefits, there will also be some downsides Continue Reading
-
News
18 Feb 2025
Meta’s planned subsea cable will exceed circumference of Earth and support AI innovation
Meta’s planned 50,000 km subsea cable will be the world’s longest and connect the five major continents Continue Reading
-
News
17 Feb 2025
‘Times are hard’ for fintech but latest report reveals glimmer of recovery
Fintech investment in the UK hit a four-year low last year, as the wider EMEA region saw the lowest numbers in eight years Continue Reading
-
Feature
17 Feb 2025
Digital twins extend to biological systems
The use of digital twins in industrial, manufacturing and architectural firms is well known - now we can also include medical science, pharmaceutical research and agricultural management use cases Continue Reading
-
News
17 Feb 2025
AI-driven personalisation appealing to UK shoppers, says research
Retailers should be using artificial intelligence to increase brand loyalty through personalisation, according to research Continue Reading
-
Feature
17 Feb 2025
The irresistible marriage of AI and XR
Not long ago, the metaverse was on the lips of everyone in technological media. However, coverage has moved to the new technology darling of AI – but crucially, both technologies are synergistic Continue Reading
-
Definition
10 Feb 2025
What is a customer journey map?
A customer journey map is a visual depiction of the stages customers go through when interacting with a company -- from buying products online to accessing customer service on the phone to airing grievances on social media. Continue Reading
-
News
05 Feb 2025
Youth activists protest Meta over mental health impacts
Protest outside Meta’s London offices marks launch of Mad Youth Campaign, an effort by activists to challenge the ways in which corporate power negatively shapes the conditions young people live under Continue Reading
-
Feature
28 Jan 2025
EU law could usher in transformative change to digital ecosystems
The EU’s Digital Fairness Act aims to end exploitative practices online and enhance consumer protection, but civil society groups say it must address the power and information asymmetries between users and tech firms Continue Reading
-
News
23 Jan 2025
ICO launches major review of cookies on UK websites
ICO sets out 2025 goals, including a review of cookie compliance across the UK’s top 1,000 websites, as it seeks to achieve its ultimate goal of giving the public meaningful control over how their data is used Continue Reading
-
Definition
23 Jan 2025
What is social media?
Social media refers to websites and applications that focus on communication, community-based input, interaction, content-sharing and collaboration. Continue Reading
-
Definition
22 Jan 2025
What is social networking and how does it work?
Social networks are websites and apps that allow users and organizations to connect, communicate, share information and form relationships. People can connect with families, friends, others in the same area, and those with the same interests. Continue Reading
-
News
17 Jan 2025
US Supreme Court upholds TikTok ban
The US Supreme Court has upheld a legal ban on TikTok, meaning that the video-sharing application will be shut down from midnight on Sunday 19 January Continue Reading
-
News
16 Jan 2025
Russia’s Star Blizzard pivots to WhatsApp in spear-phishing campaign
The Russian cyber spy operation known as Star Blizzard changed tactics after a takedown operation by Microsoft and the US authorities, turning to widely used messaging platform WhatsApp to try to ensnare its targets Continue Reading
-
News
15 Jan 2025
Users protest, flee TikTok as clock ticks on US ban
As the US Supreme Court prepares to rule on the future of TikTok, rumours of a sale are swirling around Washington DC while panicked users make plans for an exodus Continue Reading
-
News
14 Jan 2025
CMA kicks off investigation into Google search engine dominance
The Competition and Markets Authority is using powers that came into force at the start of the year to assess Google’s reach Continue Reading
-
Feature
02 Jan 2025
Digital twins drive efficiency across machines and infrastructure
Digital twins of machines, facilities and infrastructures will create a portfolio of virtual representations that, in time, will connect to allow city planners and engineers to plan and monitor urban environments from the smallest features to its entirety Continue Reading
-
Feature
02 Jan 2025
Digital twins map the world and guide strategic decisions
Digital twins are seeing use in an increasing number of potential applications such as decision-making purposes with a focus on scenarios and potential dynamics to capture uncertainties and make them manageable Continue Reading
-
News
17 Dec 2024
Ofcom publishes Illegal Harms Codes of Practice
The codes of practice and guidance from Ofcom outline the steps online services providers can take to protect their users from illegal harms Continue Reading
-
News
06 Dec 2024
US TikTok ban imminent after appeal fails
TikTok’s appeal against a US government ban has failed, with a judge dismissing its arguments that its First Amendment free speech rights are being restricted Continue Reading
-
Opinion
02 Dec 2024
Unwrapping the benefits of AI for marketing
In the first of a new series of articles, the 12 Days of AI, we explore how AI is being used in marketing, the benefits and key use cases, as well as concerns and how marketers can best take advantage of AI Continue Reading
-
News
21 Nov 2024
US Department of Justice wants Alphabet to sell Chrome browser
The regulator is looking to put a stop to what it sees as the search engine giant’s anti-competitive practices Continue Reading
-
News
20 Nov 2024
Government issues strategic priorities for online safety regulator Ofcom
Technology secretary Peter Kyle sets out the government’s strategic priorities for how Ofcom should approach regulating online safety, including embedding safety by design and supporting innovation in technologies to help protect people online Continue Reading
-
News
15 Nov 2024
RealWear looks to reshape industrial AR with Almer acquisition
In what is said to mark a pivotal moment in a key part of the spatial computing sector and boost frontline worker productivity, industrial wearable technology firm acquires manufacturer of ultra-compact, user-friendly AR headsets Continue Reading
-
Feature
13 Nov 2024
Schools go smartphone-free to address online harms
Schools are implementing smartphone-free policies in an attempt to curb students’ exposure to online harms, but teachers and parents are worried the Online Safety Act will only partially address concerns Continue Reading
-
Feature
04 Nov 2024
Virtual collaboration within and across industries – promises and challenges
New technologies enable intuitive and realistic visual and auditory landscapes that put users within applications. We look at which industries will likely illustrate the impact of virtual collaboration in commercial environments Continue Reading
-
Feature
14 Oct 2024
The future of collaboration in virtuality
The internet has introduced a host of applications to enable increasingly sophisticated collaboration across distances. Email catapulted economies into near real-time cooperation of teams, but new technologies promise to unleash immersive collaboration tools Continue Reading
-
News
10 Oct 2024
UK and US pledge closer working on children’s online safety
In their first agreement on the subject of children’s online safety, the UK and US governments have said they will create a new working group to boost cooperation Continue Reading
-
News
10 Oct 2024
Google slams US government’s proposal to split company up on anti-competitive grounds
The US Department of Justice has incurred the wrath of Google for suggesting a series of remedies, after the US court ruled back in August that Google had an illegal monopoly over internet search market Continue Reading
-
News
02 Oct 2024
UK government opens Digital Catapult 5G Immersive Lab
Ribbon cut on facility in north-east of England set up to revolutionise how businesses in traditional sectors like retail, agriculture and manufacturing adopt technologies based on 5G communications Continue Reading
-
Feature
02 Oct 2024
7 effects of social media on mental health
Social media is linked to mental health issues, such as anxiety and body image distortion. Setting limits, taking breaks and engaging in offline activities can foster healthier habits. Continue Reading
-
Definition
17 Sep 2024
What is Hootsuite?
Hootsuite is a social media management platform that helps organizations deliver enhanced social media experiences to their customers at every stage of the customer journey. Continue Reading
-
Feature
17 Sep 2024
Misinformation runs deeper than social media
While social media may contribute to the increasing rapid spread and reach of misinformation, the root causes of the problem go much deeper than the role of a particular company or way of using technology to communicate Continue Reading
-
News
04 Sep 2024
Fraud and scam complaints hit highest ever level in UK
The Financial Ombudsman Service says it recorded almost 9,000 complaints about fraud and scams from April to June, the most ever recorded Continue Reading
-
News
28 Aug 2024
Telegram founder Pavel Durov questioned over cyber crime charges
Billionaire founder of Telegram accused of failing to co-operate with law enforcement requests for lawful interception Continue Reading
-
Opinion
27 Aug 2024
Public education on security must be a top priority for Labour
With Labour returning to 10 Downing Street after 14 years, the Computer Weekly Security Think Tank panellists share advice and wish lists for the new government Continue Reading
-
News
27 Aug 2024
AI drives strong Zoom second quarter
Comms and collaboration service provider reveals robust first half of 2025 fiscal year, outperforming guidance across the board and with marked strength in large accounts Continue Reading
-
News
21 Aug 2024
Pakistani national arrested over Southport ‘cyber terrorism’
Authorities in Pakistan have arrested a man on suspicion of cyber terrorism over his role in the spread of online misinformation in the wake of the Southport knife attack Continue Reading
-
News
20 Aug 2024
Zoom marks million milestone for webinar attendee capability
Zoom announces that it can now support seven-figure audiences for online conferences in use cases including enterprise, entertainment and public sector Continue Reading
-
Opinion
15 Aug 2024
Google's cookie conundrum: What comes next?
Google's revised approach to third-party cookies shouldn't come as a surprise, and may also be welcome Continue Reading
-
Feature
12 Aug 2024
AI interview: Thomas Dekeyser, researcher and film director
On the politics of ‘techno-refusal’, and the lessons that can be learned from a clandestine group of French IT workers who spent the early 1980s sabotaging technological infrastructure Continue Reading
-
News
08 Aug 2024
Ofcom issues online safety warning to firms in wake of UK riots
Ofcom has issued a warning reminding social media firms of their upcoming online safety obligations, after misinformation about the Southport stabbings sparked racist riots throughout the UK Continue Reading
-
News
01 Aug 2024
Meta’s Zuckerberg looks ahead to AI-generated adverts
Facebook’s parent company is driving artificial intelligence across its advertising platform, supported by open source development Continue Reading
-
Definition
30 Jul 2024
What are systems of engagement?
Systems of engagement are decentralized IT components that incorporate technologies such as social media and the cloud to encourage and enable peer interaction. Continue Reading
-
News
23 Jul 2024
NCA seizes thousands of social media accounts used by people smugglers
A three-year campaign has seen thousands of social media posts and accounts used to advertise the services of illegal people smugglers taken down Continue Reading
-
News
23 Jul 2024
Chrome cookies reprieved amid Google Privacy Sandbox changes
Google abruptly changes tack on third-party cookies in its Chrome web browser, cancelling plans to deprecate them in favour of an unspecified ‘new experience’ for users Continue Reading
-
News
18 Jul 2024
Growth in nude image sharing heightens cyber abuse risk
The normalisation of sharing self-created intimate content with others is putting great numbers of people at risk of online abuse, says Kaspersky Continue Reading
-
Feature
12 Jul 2024
The human side of the industrial metaverse
As the metaverse evolves, could workers get lost in the process of implementing advanced simulations, automated operations and increasing connectivity between systems? Continue Reading
-
News
12 Jul 2024
Public awareness of ID security grows, but big obstacles remain
Consumers are improving their awareness of the issues around digital identity security, but there are still some big issues preventing many from doing better, according to an Okta report Continue Reading
-
News
21 Jun 2024
Executive interview: Open models pros and cons
We speak to Meta’s vice-president of AI research about recent publicly released research and models, and the role of closed AI models Continue Reading
-
Feature
14 Jun 2024
The sustainable office in the age of hybrid work hotelification
For many, the phrase ‘hotelification’ may raise some hackles, yet in the context of the office, the concept has continued apace since the pandemic struck. The move towards creating a more sustainable workspace, however, remains rather more muted Continue Reading
-
News
07 Jun 2024
DDoS gang threatens to disrupt European elections
Russian hacktivists are threatening to disrupt the European Parliament elections, while the BBC reports on new deepfake threats to the UK’s electoral process Continue Reading
-
News
07 Jun 2024
European data chief prepares bid to get UK to join EU digital single market
Data initiative Gaia-X is trying to plug the UK into a planned digital European single market, as the EU seeks to extend the reach of vast and controversial data laws over global supply chains Continue Reading
-
News
06 Jun 2024
Zoom opens immersive Experience Centre in London
Leading collaboration and communications technology firm looks to raise bar of international footprint and strengthen UK commitment with major investment Continue Reading
-
News
04 Jun 2024
Russia used fake AI Tom Cruise in Olympic disinformation campaign
Microsoft threat researchers report a surge in Russian disinformation campaigns targeting the 2024 Summer Olympics, including AI-enhanced propaganda Continue Reading
-
News
21 May 2024
Parliamentary committee criticises big tech response to election threats
Parliamentary committee says tech companies ‘regurgitated publicly available content’ and failed to address questions raised by MPs and peers Continue Reading
-
News
15 May 2024
HP, Google bring Starline collaboration out of lab and into workplace
Tech firms unveil collaboration technology project based on AI and 3D imaging, designed to make co-workers feel like they’re together from any distance Continue Reading
-
News
13 May 2024
Norway bolsters digital transformation drive
Norway’s government backs digital transformation with major capital investment this year Continue Reading
-
News
09 May 2024
Executive interview: Adding common sense to generative AI creativity
We speak to the chief scientist at Neo4j about why graph databases should work alongside large language models to keep them in check Continue Reading
-
News
09 May 2024
Ofcom publishes draft online child safety rules for tech firms
In the draft codes, Ofcom calls on technology firms to use ‘robust’ age-checking and content moderation systems to keep harmful material away from children online Continue Reading
-
News
25 Apr 2024
Meta chief lays out long-term AI plan
During the company’s first quarter earnings call, Mark Zuckerberg and chief financial officer Susan Li discussed Meta’s long-term bet on AI Continue Reading
-
News
26 Mar 2024
Apple, Meta and Alphabet under EU scrutiny
Under the new Digital Markets Act, European commissioners are looking at potential issues with the way Apple, Alphabet and Meta operate their platforms Continue Reading
-
News
21 Mar 2024
US sues Apple, alleging smartphone monopoly
A major legal action against Apple over its dominance of the smartphone market has kicked off in the US, alleging anticompetitive practices on Apple’s part that have damaged the sector and restricted consumer choice Continue Reading
-
News
20 Mar 2024
Ukrainians crack network that stole 100m email, social accounts
Three members of an organised cyber criminal group who hacked and appropriated personal email and social media accounts face up to 15 years in prison Continue Reading
-
News
18 Mar 2024
Deep fake AI services on Telegram pose risk for elections
Deep fake services advertised on Telegram and other platforms pose a risk to upcoming elections in Europe, Asia and the US Continue Reading
-
News
13 Mar 2024
US authorities move a step closer to banning TikTok
Lawmakers in Washington DC have moved a step closer to enacting a broad national ban on controversial video app TikTok in the US, with global ramifications Continue Reading
-
News
05 Mar 2024
Meta outage disrupts social media globally
Meta services, including Facebook, Instagram and Threads, have been downed in a brief service outage Continue Reading
-
Feature
27 Feb 2024
Virtualising urban environments and smart cities with digital twins
As cities increasingly try to integrate smart features and applications into their operations, digital twins will become powerful enablers in designing and developing smart cities Continue Reading
-
News
20 Feb 2024
Telefónica, Matsuko launch holographic meeting experience
Telco and spatial computing firm to unveil holographic conferencing service to help users gain more effective communication and emotional connection in meetings Continue Reading