Facebook shuffles top management, eyes Blockchain: Report
San Francisco, May 9: Mired in a massive data breach controversy, Facebook has reportedly rolled out biggest-ever shuffle at the senior management level since its inception -- across platforms, including WhatsApp and Messenger.
According to tech news website Recode, Facebook has made long-time executive Chris Cox in-charge of Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and Messenger -- now called a "family of apps".
"Facebook is also building a new team dedicated to Blockchain technology. David Marcus, the executive in-charge of Facebook's standalone messaging app, Messenger, is leaving that post to run the Blockchain group," the report said late on Tuesday.
The Blockchain team would come under "New platforms and infra" run by Chief Technology Officer (CTO) Mike Schroepfer, who will also take care of Facebook's AR, VR and Artificial Intelligence initiatives.
Facebook executive Javier Olivan, Vice President of Growth, will oversee the third division titled "Central product services".
This vertical will include shared features that operate across multiple products or apps such as ads, security and growth.
"Adam Mosseri, the Facebook product executive who runs News Feed, is headed over to Instagram to become the company's new VP of product," the report claimed.
Meanwhile, Chief Operating Officer Sheryl Sandberg will keep her duties.
Facebook on Tuesday announced the appointment of Jeff Zients, CEO of Cranemere, to the company's board of directors and audit committee, effective May 31.
In a jolt to Facebook, WhatsApp co-founder and CEO Jan Koum in April decided to move on amid reports that he had a difference of opinion with parent company Facebook over data privacy, encryption and other issues.
After the Cambridge Analytica data scandal, Facebook has warned investors that more users' data scandals in the future may adversely affect the social networking giant's reputation and brand image.
In its quarterly report shared with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), without mentioning Cambridge Analytica, Facebook said that its ongoing investments in safety, security and content review will identify additional instances of misuse of user data.
"We may also be notified of such incidents or activity via the media or other third parties," Facebook said.
Appearing before the US Congress, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg told the lawmakers that his own personal data was part of 87 million users' that was "improperly shared" with the British political consultancy firm Cambridge Analytica which has not shut down operations.
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CPI(M) alleges EC's inaction against BJP leaders’ anti-Muslim speeches despite complaints
New Delhi: Sitaram Yechury, the General Secretary of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)), has accused the Election Commission (EC) of failing to address the BJP's alleged anti-Muslim speeches during the ongoing Lok Sabha elections. Yechury's accusations come despite multiple complaints lodged by his party.
Yechury claims that the BJP leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, have been inciting hatred against Muslims with their speeches, yet the EC has not taken any action despite receiving several complaints. He highlighted instances where BJP leaders violated the Model Code of Conduct.
One such instance cited by Yechury is Modi's speech in Rajasthan on April 21, where he allegedly made divisive remarks implying that the Congress planned to favor Muslims over other citizens. Yechury asserts that the EC's notice to BJP President JP Nadda regarding Modi's speech had little impact, as subsequent speeches continued to violate the poll code.
Yechury also pointed out recent speeches by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, alleging similar attempts to stoke communal tensions.
In his letter to the EC, Yechury urged decisive action against Modi, Adityanath, and Sarma, emphasizing that the impartiality and credibility of the EC could be compromised if it fails to address such violations, especially when they involve high-ranking officials.
The CPI(M) had previously lodged complaints with the EC regarding Modi's references to the Ram temple in Ayodhya and his labeling of the opposition as opponents of the temple.
Yechury's allegations underscore growing concerns over the influence of divisive rhetoric in Indian electoral politics and the role of the EC in ensuring fair and unbiased elections.
