American businessman and programmer, co-founder of Meta Platforms
In late March and early April 2026, juries in New Mexico and California found Meta liable for harming children through addictive platform design and failure to protect against sexual exploitation. Meta was ordered to pay $375 million in New Mexico and $4.2 million in California, alongside Google’s $1.8 million penalty. These landmark rulings challenge legal protections like Section 230 and signal a shift toward greater accountability for social media companies.
The US government is advancing its AI strategy with significant industry backing, including a new $100 million initiative led by the Innovation Council Action, which aims to influence policy and support Trump-aligned efforts. Meanwhile, AI's role in military and ethical debates continues to grow.
Roblox is launching new age-based accounts in June to improve safety for children, following legal actions and government concerns over harmful content and grooming. The platform aims to restrict access and enhance parental controls, but faces ongoing lawsuits alleging negligence and harmful effects on youth mental health.
The UK government has been engaging social media companies to improve online safety for children. A consultation has received nearly 50,000 responses, with ongoing discussions about potential restrictions, including an Australia-style ban for under-16s. The government is considering measures to limit addictive features and AI chatbots, with decisions expected soon.
California has qualified a proposal for a billionaire wealth tax, which supporters say will fund healthcare and education. Opponents warn it will trigger a mass exodus of the wealthy, leading to significant job and revenue losses. The measure now faces a voter referendum in November 2026.
California’s billionaire wealth tax is facing a strong challenge as Brin and other tech leaders push back. Brin has funded Building a Better California and moved assets out of state, arguing the tax could devastate the economy. The state’s governor opposes the measure, while donors race to influence November ballots.
China's National Development and Reform Commission has ordered the unwinding of Meta's $2 billion acquisition of AI startup Manus, saying it is prohibiting foreign investment in the project. Manus had relocated to Singapore in 2025; Meta has integrated Manus teams into its Singapore office and said the transaction complied with law. The decision is sharpening US–China tech separation.
The billionaire tax measure proposed by SEIU Healthcare Workers West has collected signatures to go before voters. Projections warn of job losses and billions in revenue declines if approved, while opponents tie the measure to migration of ultra-wealthy residents.
Meta has reported a milestone quarter with revenue up 33% to $56.31 billion and earnings of $10.44 per share in Q1. The company cites momentum across its apps and the first model from Meta Superintelligence Labs, while guiding for Q2 revenue of $58–$61 billion and capital expenditure up to $125–$145 billion as it expands AI infrastructure and talent; headcount stands at about 78,000 after a 10% layoff previously.
New Mexico has pressed for a remedies phase to impose sweeping changes on Meta platforms, seeking a public nuisance finding and up to $3.7 billion in support for child-safety programs and enforcement. The phase follows a March verdict that Meta harmed children and ordered $375 million in damages.
European startups are launching new, independent social networks as concerns over U.S. platforms grow. Projects like Croatia-based eYou, W, Eurosky, Bulle, and Monnett are positioning as healthier, Europe-built alternatives amid debate on design practices, moderation, and data use. Investors report cautious early traction but face a crowded, competitive market.
Tech firms are cutting thousands of roles as AI surges influence across operations. Wix, Meta, LinkedIn, Cloudflare and others cite AI-driven efficiency and currency shifts as drivers of restructuring, with severance and AI-focused reassignments underway.
A consortium-backed safety institute in Europe will test AI products for harms to children, while the US weighs new vetting and export-control policies as AI labs race ahead. Separate reports show rising use of shadow AI in workplaces and ongoing national-security deals over AI in defence.
The White House has paused an executive order creating a voluntary framework for AI developers to engage with the U.S. government before releasing advanced models. The delay follows pressure from tech leaders and internal concerns about safety and speed, with lawmakers and industry players weighing safety guardrails against innovation.
Meta has settled with Breathitt County School District in Kentucky over claims that its platforms fuel addictive behavior harming students. Terms are undisclosed; the suit sought more than $60 million for a 15-year mental health program. Settlements with TikTok, Snap and YouTube precede this accord, while other bellwether trials are scheduled.
European leaders unveil a technology sovereignty package to boost domestic semiconductors, cloud capacity and data centers, aiming to reduce reliance on non‑European tech providers amid geopolitical tensions. The package faces Parliament and Council scrutiny and could reshape how public services rely on digital infrastructure.
Meta has expanded its AI agent capabilities, introducing Meta Business Agent across WhatsApp, Messenger and Instagram. The tools are designed for customer inquiries, product recommendations and appointment bookings, bundled within a Meta One subscription tier. The move positions Meta to monetize AI beyond advertising amid growing competition in AI agents.
The White House has hosted UFC Freedom 250 on the South Lawn, a seven-bout card timed to President Trump’s 80th birthday and the US semiquincentennial. The event has drawn legal challenges, cost estimates above $60m and criticism that it blurs public property, private sponsors and presidential interests while thousands watched on the Mall and 4,000 attended on the lawn.
The latest reporting shows Meta Technologies embedded a face-recognition system into its Meta AI app for smart glasses, which could identify faces using biometric signatures. The feature was not activated, and newer updates have removed most of the related code, while Meta says the feature is exploratory and no decision has been made.
Meta has announced a 168-megawatt AI-enabled data center in Jamnagar, Gujarat, built by Reliance Industries with renewable energy and desalinated water cooling. The facility will be ready within two years and can be expanded, supporting Meta’s global AI infrastructure as part of a broader India-focused expansion.
Microsoft’s CEO has warned that a future where a few AI providers capture most value could hollow out entire industries unless companies retain control of their learning systems. He calls for a broad AI ecosystem where businesses maintain ownership of knowledge and invest in governance and identity controls.
Meta will invest $900 million in Cred as Kunal Shah steps down as Cred CEO to lead WhatsApp, with Miten Sampat becoming interim WhatsApp chief strategy officer. The move highlights Meta's push to expand WhatsApp into payments, business services, and AI-enabled products while Cred scales toward an IPO.
Snap has unveiled Specs, its consumer AR glasses, priced at $2,195 with a $200 refundable deposit. The device aims to merge AI with real-world computing, featuring EyeConnect for shared experiences and on-device AI. Market reaction remains cautious as investors scrutinize affordability and the competitive hardware landscape.
Sean Penn is directing an as-yet-untitled drama about the January 6 riot, with Bradley Cooper in talks to star. The project, based on real individuals, follows an unexpected friendship and production is slated to begin mid-2027. The film’s release window overlaps with other political cinema, including Aaron Sorkin’s The Social Reckoning.
Meta unveils a new line of smart glasses priced at $299, developed with EssilorLuxottica, aiming to blend fashion with AI features. The glasses lack Ray-Ban branding and are positioned as lightweight, wearable tech in a competitive market where rivals push similar hardware.
Meta has paused its Model Capability Initiative after a privacy backlash and a data-access leak. The program tracked employees’ keystrokes and mouse activity to improve AI models, prompting protests and internal scrutiny. The pause follows reports that data tables were exposed within the company. Meta says it will investigate and respect personal choices on participation.
Meta Platforms is developing an independent, app-based prediction market dubbed Arena, seeking to compete with Kalshi and Polymarket. The project would initially use a points system rather than real money, with potential moves toward real-money betting in the future. Reports indicate Arena is a high-priority experimental project that could leverage Meta’s vast user base.
Investors are shifting focus from headline AI stories to smaller themes that Citrini says could outperform. US airlines are seen as likely beneficiaries, while senior living facilities and live events are highlighted as growth areas. Prediction markets are expanding, with Cboe launching a new product amid a broader trend of outcome-based trading.
The whistleblower has filed a federal complaint in California arguing that Meta's arbitration order and non-disparagement clause are invalid and that the severance deal was signed under financial duress. She seeks to lift the gag order, void the severance agreement, and damages tied to book sales and speaking fees. Meta counters that she violated the agreement and that the book is inaccurate.