The Chicago Journal

Meta will charge users for its subscription service

Claire Peterson Claire Peterson on May 22, 2023

Meta – Another upcoming huge tweak Mark Zuckerberg made to Facebook and Instagram on Sunday has already angered users.

The CEO of Meta reportedly stated that the business is exploring a paid membership service that validates Facebook and Instagram users.

The unexpected Meta news surfaced just after Twitter said that it will start charging users for SMS two-factor authentication.

The news

In his introduction, Zuckerberg said that the subscription service will be dubbed “Meta Verified.”

Everyone who wants to utilize this service must pay $11.99 each month.

Those who use iOS, however, will have to pay $14.99 a month.

Australia and New Zealand will have access to Meta Verified this week before other regions.

Meta Verified

Meta’s subscription service is more than just a status symbol.

Also, it has benefits including enhanced protection against fake accounts.

Furthermore, Meta Verified provides clients with easy access to customer service.

A blue badge that enables account verification is given to users who utilize the subscription service.

Anybody who wants to utilize the subscription must have a government ID that exactly matches the name and photo on their profile.

They must also be at least 18 years old to subscribe to Meta Verified.

Statements

Mark Zuckerberg posted the following in a post on the Instagram broadcast channel Meta Verified:

“This new feature is about increasing authenticity and security across our services.”

The startling revelation shocked everyone, but Meta clarified to let everyone breathe.

The social media behemoth said that the verified accounts, which were previously exclusively accessible to real, well-known people, will not be impacted by the new subscription service.

“We are evolving the meaning of the blue badge to focus on authenticity so we can expand verification access to more people,” said a Meta spokesperson.

“We will display follower count in more places so people can distinguish which accounts are notable public figures among accounts that share the same name.”

A league of their own

Due to the company’s use of subscription services, Meta Verified falls under the same banner of platforms like:

  • Discord
  • Reddit
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Twitter has generated the hottest discussions out of all the websites with a committed subscription service.

Twitter Blue

In December, Twitter Blue, a premium service for verification, was re-released by Elon Musk and Twitter.

The firm had been utilizing the service up until a flood of fake “verified” accounts forced them to withdraw.

Twitter has also added new colors for a number of checkbox choices to make it simpler to distinguish between distinct accounts, including:

  • Gold checks for companies
  • Gray checks for government organizations and affiliates
  • Blue checks for individuals, celebrities or non-celebrities

Android and iOS users may use Twitter by subscribing to Twitter Blue for $11 per month.

Elon Musk wanted to increase the number of customers when he paid $44 billion to buy the business in late 2022.

Read also: Microsoft AI actually had errors in demo last week

Two-factor authentication 

There was uproar when Twitter said last week that it was reviewing how it handled two-factor authentication.

SMS texts are a two-factor authentication mechanism that is exclusively accessible to Twitter Blue subscribers, according to the press release.

A 2021 survey by Twitter Account Security found that just 2.6% of Twitter users had 2FA activated.

Around 74.4% of customers have so far chosen SMS authentication.

Beginning on March 20, non-Twitter Blue users will have two more, cost-free login options:

  • A security key
  • A mobile authentication app

On February 15, the news was made on Twitter in a blog post that read:

“Instead of only entering a password to log in, 2FA requires you to also enter a code or use a security key. This additional step helps make sure that you, and only you, can access your account.”

“While historically a popular form of 2FA, unfortunately we have seen phone-number based 2FA be used – and abused – by bad actors.”

“So starting today, we will no longer allow accounts to enroll in the text message/SMS method of 2FA unless they are Twitter Blue subscribers.”

“Non-Twitter Blue subscribers that are already enrolled will have 30 days to disable this method and enroll in another.”

“We encourage non-Twitter Blue subscribers to consider using an authentication app or security key method instead.”

“These methods require you to have a physical possession of the authentication method and are a great way to ensure your account is secure.”

…

Teenagers using social media should be older than 13

Jason Robinson Jason Robinson on March 13, 2023

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Teenagers: In the digital age, social media has had a big influence on people’s daily lives.

The bulk of users are millennials, who have grown up with technology and shaped the internet world.

On the other hand, Gen Zs are developing and starting to use social media as early as 13-year-old teenagers, according to experts.

Finding their identity

Children should wait until they are 13 years old to create profiles on social networking sites, according to US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy.

Murthy emphasized that although many websites allow teenagers that old to sign up, they are still just trying to figure themselves out.

For the social networking sites listed below, 13-year-olds can sign up:

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Snapchat
  • Snapchat
  • TikTok
  • Twitter
  • Wink

“I, personally, based on the data I’ve seen, believe that 13 is too early,” said Murthy.

“It’s a time where it’s really important for us to be thoughtful about what’s going into how they think about their own self-worth and their relationship and the skewed and often distorted environment of social media often does a disservice to many of those children.”

Concerns

The growing usage of social media among teenagers worries medical specialists.

They emphasized a number of academic research on the potential harms that the platforms may do to teenagers.

Vivek Murthy recognized that it would be difficult to discourage teenagers from using social media given their widespread use.

However, parents could succeed if they put up a unified front.

“If parents can band together and say you know, as a group, we’re not going to allow our kids to use social media until 16 or 17 or 18 or whatever age they choose,” he offered.

“That’s a much more effective strategy in making sure your kids don’t get exposed to harm early.”

Read also: RxPass joins array of Amazon projects in the pharmacy market

Psychological effects

Teenagers who use social media frequently have their brain chemistry changed, according to recent research.

According to a research that was released in January by JAMA Pediatrics, teenagers who often check social media exhibit increased neuronal sensitivity in some regions of their brains.

Their brains are more sensitive to social repercussions as a result.

Psychiatrist Dr. Adriana Stacey and her colleagues have raised the topic throughout the years.

The majority of the people Stacey deals with are college students and teenagers, and she claims that using social media causes a “dopamine dump.”

“When we do things that are addictive like use cocaine or use smartphones, our brains release a lot of dopamine at once,” she said. “It tells our break to keep using that.”

“For teenagers in particular, this part of their brain is actually hyperactive compared to adults. They can’t get motivated to do anything else.”

More time spent in front of a screen may affect brain development, according to recent studies.

For instance, younger children’s less developed reading and language skills were substantially connected with increased screen usage.

Lawmaker reacts

Democratic Senator Chris Murphy has heightened concerns about social media.

He recently expressed his worries regarding social media in an opinion post for Bulwark that addressed loneliness and mental health.

“We have lost something as a society, as so much of our life has turned into screen-to-screen communication,” said Murphy.

“It just doesn’t give you the same sense of value and the same sense of satisfaction as talking to somebody or seeing someone.”

The senator and surgeon general are both intimately familiar with the negative impacts of social media addiction.

Both Chris Murphy and Vivek Murthy are fathers; while Vivek has small children, Murphy has teenagers.

“It’s not coincidental that Dr. Murthy and I are probably talking more about this issue of loneliness more than others in public life,” said Murphy.

“I look at this through the prism of my 14-year-old and my 11-year-old.”

Chris Murphy went on to claim that the US is not a defenseless nation despite confronting Big Tech.

He thinks that government could take a number of steps to prevent teenagers from using social media, while also pressuring businesses to develop less addictive algorithms.

When speaking about the problem of addictive algorithms, Murthy claimed that teenagers and Big Tech aren’t in a fair fight.

“You have some of the best designers and product developers in the world who have designed these products to make sure people are maximizing the amount of time they spend on these platforms,” said the surgeon general.

“And if we tell a child, use the force of your willpower to control how much time you’re spending, you’re pitting a child against the world’s greatest product designers.”

Chris Murphy is hopeful about the future of social media in despite the obstacles.

“None of this is out of our control. When we had dangerous vehicles on the road, we passed laws to make those vehicles less dangerous,” he said.

“We should make decisions to make [social media] a healthier experience that would make kids feel better about themselves and less alone.”

Hallmark released two separate movies that are too alike

Nicholas Alexander Nicholas Alexander on January 24, 2023

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Hallmark is renowned for being equally predictable as the Marvel Cinematic Universe, although being less extravagant.

Online humor says that the central figure in Hallmark films is typically a career-driven someone who visits an old town for the holidays.

They meet an old flame there and are compelled to choose between their careers and their newly discovered love for the simple life.

In the end, they leave their professions.

Recently, two Hallmark films were singled out because their storylines were nearly identical.

The Sister Swap movies

Last year, Hallmark released two films: Sister Swap: A Hometown Holiday and Sister Swap: Christmas in the City.

Real-life sisters Kimberly Williams-Paisley and Ashley Williams played the same roles in the Christmas-themed tales of both films.

The Sister Swap movies, which contained some of the same dialogue and scenes but different perspectives and angles, were edited by the same person, Kristi Shimek.

Read also: Henry Cavill breaks news, he won’t return as Superman

Summaries

The plot descriptions for the Hallmark Christmas movies may be confusing to some due to how similar they are.

Sister Swap: A Hometown Holiday’s plot summary is as follows:

“Jennifer and Meg Swift are two sisters wanting to find a new sense of purpose.”

“During the Christmas holidays, they decide to swap homes and end up discovering what they both truly need in life.”

If you open a different tab and search for Sister Swap: Christmas in the City, the same synopsis will pop up.

Discovery

The 2021 Hallmark movies were discovered by Dan Harmon, the man behind Rick and Morty and Community.

He shared his discovery on Instagram and wrote:

“Okay. I don’t know how to start or finish discussing this so we should start discussing now and take our time,” wrote Harmon.

“There are two Hallmark movies called “Sister Swap.” One is called Sister Swap: Christmas in the City, the other is Sister Swap: Hometown Holiday.”

“So we thought oh cool it’s a franchise and there’s a sequel, which Sister Swap do we watch first? Well HERE’S THE THING. Both Sister Swaps are released in 2021.”

“They are not sequels.”

“Both Sister Swaps are the same story, about sisters – played by real sisters, who have to swap… cities.”

“It should be noted that the sisters AND the cities AND the MOVIES are, so far, indistinguishable. It’s not like one is a hillbilly and the other is a millionaire, that doesn’t matter, we don’t go to Hallmark for conflict.”

Read also: DC update: Shazam and Wonder Woman uncertain of future

“The crazy thing is that we also don’t go to Hallmark for experimentation on this level. Nothing in the description of the movie says “here’s the thing everybody.””

“The descriptions of each movie are honestly mostly excited that two real life sisters are playing sisters.”

“We found an article called “how to watch the Sister Swap movies” and got so excited and then it turned out to be instructions on how to find Hallmark on your streaming service.”

“I can’t keep talking about this, we just started watching, I can’t spend all night posting about it.”

“We keep going back and forth between the movies.”

“The same conversations are happening in each one but there’s no “Rashomon” or “Peep Show” angle, the dialogue in each version is identical but the scenes are cut differently because I assume they just had different editors.”

“In one of the movies, one of the sisters has a full flashback about her relationship with the other sister.”

“In the other sister’s movie, you don’t get a different version of the same flashback. You just don’t get a fucking flashback in that one.”

“In both movies, they spend 1 minute trying on hats but in ONE of the movies, they also try on glasses.”

“We’re freaking out and I can’t keep typing about it I will come back later i fucking love Christmas though.”

An explanation

More than 33,700 people liked Dan Harmon’s tweet, and in the comments, fans analyzed it and shared their own theories.

One user claimed that she and her partner had completely “fallen into the rabbit hole” after being inspired by his post to see the movies.

The movie’s lead actor, Kimberly Williams-Paisley, saw Harmon’s post and added, “HERE for this,” with laughing emojis.

Williams-Paisley explained:

“We wanted to do something outside the box for the genre but also stay in the genre, and my sister came up with this brilliant idea of two films that take place in the same time frame and sometimes overlap.”

“[And] it took us years to figure out the puzzle, and then, Hallmark finally let us DO IT.”

The explanation provides a unique viewpoint on the direction, and the Sister Swap movies’ unusual style will probably help them gain a huge cult following.

Reference:

Hallmark is being mocked for releasing two nearly identical Christmas movies

Twitter Blue is $3 more for iPhone users

Jason Robinson Jason Robinson on December 19, 2022

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With an emphasis on the Twitter Blue subscription service, Elon Musk and Twitter have been collaborating to improve the organization’s revenue model.

On Monday, the social media company revealed a new iteration of Twitter Blue.

Last month, Elon Musk halted and postponed the launch, which prompted the upgrade.

Apple service

For web users, Twitter Blue is $8 per month; however, Apple customers are in for a shock since the subscription costs them $11.

There is an additional $3 fee for iOS users who purchase the subscription through the Apple App Store.

The price rise is a result of Elon Musk, the new owner, lately expressing his displeasure with the tech giant’s 30% decline in digital revenue generated by applications.

The cut

Musk began criticizing Apple in November over its decreased Twitter advertising expenditures and its 30% decline in digital sales due to applications.

Tesla’s CEO added that Apple has threatened to remove Twitter from the App Store.

Musk said that he was “going to war” in a later deleted tweet.

Additionally, he suggested he would design his own brand of cellphones from the ground up.

Apple’s reactions

Apple CEO Tim Cook remained silent on Musk’s activities despite numerous provocations.

From a commercial standpoint, Twitter is just another app, and the major tech company doesn’t make much money from its in-app transactions.

Read also: Apple upgrades iCloud security for user safety

Government intervention

Republicans JD Vance, the next senator from Ohio, and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis advised Musk on how to pressure Apple.

DeSantis stated that Congress should investigate Apple’s use of monopoly power if it carried out its threat to fire Twitter.

“You also hear reports Apple is threatening to remove Twitter from the App Store because Elon Musk is actually opening it up for free speech,” said DeSantis.

“And [Musk] is restoring a lot of accounts that were unfairly and illegitimately suspended for putting out accurate information about Covid.”

“If Apple responds to that by nuking them from the app store, I think that would be a huge, huge mistake, and it would be a really raw exercise of monopolistic power.”

On the other hand, JD Vance expressed similar views and said:

“This would be the most raw exercise of monopoly power in a century, and no civilized country should allow it.”

Previous pullouts

The digital behemoths will likely delist Twitter’s app from the App Store if Apple stops collecting platform fees.

Fortnite launched a feature to the iPhone app in 2020 that allowed players to purchase in-game cash from Epic Games directly, lessening Apple’s typical 30% cut of purchases.

Apple took Fortnite off the App Store the same day.

Later, Apple prevailed in a court battle with the other party.

An appeal, however, is still ongoing.

Musk wants to generate more revenue through Twitter subscriptions rather than through adverts.

Twitter is cutting costs while carrying a sizable debt, which reduces Apple’s advertising, a significant challenge.

The subscription

Twitter announced on Saturday that users with verified phone numbers would see a blue checkmark when an account is reviewed and approved.

Subscribers to the Blue service will have access to exclusive features and services, such as tweet editing.

Twitter also promised users the following:

  • Fewer ads on their timeline
  • The option to post longer videos
  • Priority in replies and mentions

The relaunch includes a feature that enables companies to get a gold checkmark.

To avoid impersonations, governments will also have a gray checkmark.

Users can modify their username, display name, and profile photo, according to Twitter.

But if they did, their blue check would be forfeited until their account was again examined.

Elon Musk also disclosed that there would be other functionalities.

Early launch

An early version of Twitter Blue went live in November.

After some users started mimicking companies, the government, and prominent people, Musk promptly shut down the service.

One account tweeted that insulin was free while posing as the pharmaceutical company Eli Lily.

As a result of the false assertion, the company’s stock price fell sharply.

The same issue also plagued the website of the pharmaceutical business AbbVie.

It was once more delayed despite Musk’s assurances that the service would resume on November 29.

Read also: Meta threatens to remove news content on FB

Musk

The CEO of Tesla and SpaceX paid $44 billion in October to purchase the social media site.

He has concentrated on Twitter Blue since taking over to replace advertising revenue.

The “huge lever” and the power of the people would be provided by the new verification mechanism, according to Musk.

Before his acquisition, Musk was a vociferous opponent of Twitter’s prior verification process since it favored users like:

  • Politicians
  • Executives
  • Members of the press
  • Organizations

Other social networking sites operated by Meta, like Facebook and Instagram, utilize similar verification mechanisms.

Users who were verified under Twitter’s previous strategy are now regarded as legacy verified accounts that “may not be notable” due to the debut of the new service.

Elon Musk announced Monday that all legacy blue checks would soon be destroyed.

“The way in which they were given out was corrupt and nonsensical,” said Musk.

References:

Twitter Blue relaunches, now costs $11 per month if you subscribe from an iPhone

Elon Musk may be luring Apple into a fight with Republicans

TikTok research finds teens exposed to harmful content

Nicholas Alexander Nicholas Alexander on December 19, 2022

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In 2022, TikTok faced many issues, with security issues coming in the first place.

A recent study raises the possibility that it might negatively affect young users.

After kids create an account on the video-sharing app, it may begin to promote inappropriate material regarding eating disorders and suicide.

The outcomes are expected to fuel the fires as TikTok’s issues worsen, especially in light of how it impacts young users.

The study

The charity Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH) released a report on Wednesday.

They discovered that it takes less than three minutes to watch content on TikTok about body image and suicide after signing up.

Users can find a community on the app that promotes information about eating disorders five minutes later.

The researchers claim that they created eight more accounts in the US.

New TikTok users in the US, UK, Canada, and Australia must be at least 13 years old.

The accounts took a little break and liked content about mental health and body image.

Every 39 seconds throughout the course of a 30-minute period, TikTok suggested videos about mental health and body image, according to the CCDH.

TikTok woes

The study is being released as local, state, and federal officials look into potential sanctions for TikTok, particularly concerning privacy and security concerns.

They are also evaluating the app’s safety for teenagers.

The study was made available to the public more than a year after senators questioned executives from social media companies during congressional hearings.

They were worried that the harmful content that would be shared on their platforms would expose younger users, particularly adolescent girls, to their mental health and self-esteem.

Following hearings and disclosures by Facebook leaker Frances Haugen, the companies decided to tighten their control over teenagers.

The CCDH study, however, indicates that more work has to be done.

“The results are every parent’s nightmare,” said Imran Ahmed, the CEO of the CCDH.

“Young people’s feeds are bombarded with harmful, harrowing content that can have a significant cumulative impact on their understanding of the world around them and their physical and mental health.”

Read also: NetChoice claims California law violates First Amendment, sues state

Response

In response to the study’s publication, a TikTok official claimed that it was incorrect for a number of reasons, including:

  • Small sample size
  • The limited 30-minute window for testing
  • How the accounts scrolled past unrelated topics to find other content

“This activity and resulting experience does not reflect genuine behavior or viewing experiences of real people,” said the spokesperson.

“We regularly consult with health experts, remove violations of our policies, and provide access to supportive resources for anyone in need.”

“We’re mindful that triggering content is unique to each individual and remain focused on fostering a safe and comfortable space for everyone, including people who choose to share their recovery journeys or educate others on these important topics.”

The representative claims that the CCDH doesn’t differentiate between positive and negative videos on particular issues, noting that people frequently share inspiring stories of conquering eating disorders.

Safeguards

TikTok asserts that it is constantly enhancing user protections.

For instance, the app now has filters that may exclude explicit or “possibly harmful” videos.

TikTok developed a “maturity score” in July to identify videos with potentially mature or advanced content.

Additionally, users may choose how long they want to spend watching TikTok videos, regularly schedule screen breaks, and access a dashboard that shows information like how often they use the app.

Additionally, TikTok offers a number of parental restrictions.

Algorithm

The US Senator Richard Blumenthal’s office faked a 13-year-old girl’s Instagram account last year.

The account was followed by posts regarding dieting and eating disorders (which are supposed to be banned).

Blumenthal claims that the account began to be elevated to accounts with more extreme diets.

Instagram later deleted the accounts because it had violated its policies against encouraging eating disorders.

Read also: Donald Trump slumps in voter standing based on recent poll

Policy violations

According to TikTok, it is forbidden to post anything that suggests suicide or other self-destructive behavior or that normalizes, normalizes, or glorifies such behavior.

The information below shows videos that were taken down for breaking the laws against self-harm and suicide between April and June 2022:

  • 93.4% were removed at zero views
  • 91.5% were removed 24 hours after being posted
  • 97.1% were removed before anyone reported them

The representative claims that anyone looking for prohibited terms like “#selfharm” won’t come up with anything.

They will be recommended to local aid programs instead.

Despite the assurances, the CCDH argues that additional steps are required to limit some content and enhance protection for individuals under 18.

“This report underscores the urgent need for reform of online space,” said Ahmed.

“Without oversight, TikTok’s opaque platform will continue to profit by serving its users – children as young as 13, remember – increasingly intense and distressing content without checks, resources or support.”

Reference:

TikTok may push potentially harmful content to teens within minutes, study finds

Cardi B shares mouthwatering payslip to shut troll up

Jason Robinson Jason Robinson on December 12, 2022

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Cardi B is like any other musician who performs for an award, and the rapper recently shared a paycheck with a large sum of money.

Though the post has been deleted, fans were able to grab a screenshot of it.

The payslip

For an artist of Cardi B’s status, it should be no surprise how much it would cost to have her perform at events.

The prize is generally treated with confidence.

However, a recent encounter with an online troll compelled her to share.

On Twitter, one troll said Cardi B recently performed in “someone’s backyard” during Art Basel, Miami’s famous arts festival.

The rapper snapped back when she shared a photo of how much she was paid for a 35-minute set.

“I got payed [sic] 1 million dollars to perform at this elite bankers event private event for 400 people and only for 35 minutes,” she tweeted.

“Think about that when you type about this Grammy winner.”

Read also: Bob McGrath, Sesame Street alumni, passed away

Takeoff tribute

Cardi B’s Miami gigs come after her touching tribute to husband Offset’s former Migos bandmate and cousin Takeoff.

In early November, Takeoff was shot in Houston.

He was the youngest of the Grammy-nominated rap trio from suburban Atlanta, along with Quavo and Offset.

Takeoff died after someone opened fire on a Houston bowling alley the trio was visiting.

Cardi B posted on Instagram.

“Takeoff your untimely passing has brought a great deal of pain and sorrow to so many lives,” she wrote.

“The impact you had in this world was so considerable and we have struggled to grasp this tragedy.”

“I am heartbroken but I am grateful for all the precious memories we got to share while you were here with us.”

Read also: Cocaine Bear trailer finally unleashed

Shooter update

Houston police announced last week that they arrested Patrick Xavier Clark, 33, and charged him with murder related to Takeoff’s death.

A second man was also arrested earlier in the week, but he is not believed to have fired the weapon.

Reference:

Cardi B brags that got paid $1 million to perform 35-minute set

Meta finds US military connection in fake accounts

Jason Robinson Jason Robinson on December 12, 2022

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Meta on Tuesday announced that Facebook and Instagram accounts promoting US interests overseas have ties to the US military.

According to the social media giant, a network of fake accounts fueled interests by targeting audiences in Afghanistan and Central Asia.

The announcement marks a rare example of a US entity tying an online influence operation to Washington instead of a foreign government.

The news

Meta has removed more than three dozen Facebook and two dozen Instagram accounts for violating the platform’s “inauthentic coordinated behavior” policy.

While attributing it to the military, Meta did not name any specific US military command.

However, in September, the Pentagon opened a full investigation covering entities involved in online influence operations.

The Washington Post reported that US central command was among those being monitored.

Read also: Pakistan’s Civil-Military Relations A Rocky Road

The accounts

Meta claimed to have deleted the fake Facebook accounts.

The company also added that the United States is helping the country of Tajikistan secure its border with Afghanistan.

Furthermore, Meta said Washington is the key to stability in the region.

Researchers from analytics firm Graphika and the Stanford Internet Observatory documented the activity in a report in August.

The study says Afghanistan-related posts peaked during periods of strategic importance to the United States.

It covers the months leading up to the chaotic withdrawal of the US military from Afghanistan last August.

On Tuesday, Meta said the people behind the accounts had taken extra steps to hide their identities.

As a result, the activity has received little attention from legitimate users on Facebook and Instagram.

Read also: Shooting in LGBTQ nightclub results in five dead

Reception

One former US official who focused on Russian issues complained about the ineffective influence or that the US military even tried.

Gavin Wilde oversaw malign Russian influence and cybersecurity issues on the National Security Council for two years: 2018 and 2019.

Today, he is a senior scholar at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.

Regarding the Meta issue, Wilde said:

“I get the impulse, which is prevalent in military circles, that ‘the only way to lose is not to play’ in the information domain.”

“However, if their methodology gambles away the transparency and credibility the US wants to claim as benchmarks of an alternative to the Russian or Chinese model, is the payoff really worth it?”

Reference:

Fake Facebook and Instagram accounts promoting US interests had ties to US military, Meta says

Elon Musk gives surprising response to Kanye West

Edward Anderson Edward Anderson on December 12, 2022

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Elon Musk has become Kanye West’s latest target when the rapper aimed a post at the wealthiest man on earth.

After a series of disgustingly insensitive tweets, Ye was banned from the social media platform that Elon Musk had taken over.

Instead, the controversial rapper took to Instagram to take a dig at Musk.

Meanwhile, the Tesla CEO responded to Ye on Twitter.

Buildup

After buying Twitter, Elon Musk restored several suspended accounts, including Kanye West.

He had previously been banned for threatening to do “Death Con 3” against Jews.

It was only a matter of time before the rapper said something controversial again, and sadly, it didn’t take long.

He tweeted a picture of a swastika on the Star of David.

Additionally, Ye appeared in several interviews, spewing anti-Semitic comments.

Although Musk is an ambassador for free speech, he’s had enough.

As a result, Kanye West was once again banned from the social media platform.

Read also: Elon Musk wary of Twitter removal from Apple

Ye

After the ban, Kanye West turned to a different social media platform.

This time, he chose Instagram.

There, Ye slammed Elon Musk and wrote:

“Am I the only one who thinks Elon could be half-Chinese? Have you ever seen his pics as a child?”

“Take a Chinese genius and mate them with a South African supermodel and we have an Elon.”

Ye continued, writing:

“I say an Elon because they probably made 10 to 30 Elons and he is the first genetic hybrid that stuck… Well let’s not forget about Obama.”

Read also: Kanye West Yeezy office story emerges

Reception

Kanye West’s whimsical post earned over a million likes as his followers remained loyal to him.

Meanwhile, Elon Musk calmly addressed the post on Twitter, saying:

“I take that as a compliment!”

Although he no longer has access to Twitter, Ye learned of Musk’s response.

Someone likely sent the rapper a screenshot of the response, which Ye later acknowledged in another Instagram post.

Then, finally, he reassured Musk, writing:

“It was meant as a compliment, my friend. Now Obama on the other hand…”

Reference:

Elon Musk responds to Kanye West after he called him ‘half Chinese genetic hybrid’

Aaron Carter honored by Nick Carter and Backstreet Boys

Claire Peterson Claire Peterson on November 10, 2022

Aaron Carter, an influential artist from the 2000s and brother of Backstreet Boys member Nick Carter, passed away last Saturday.

Nick Carter

Aaron’s older brother Nick and the rest of the Backstreet Boys held tributes after the news broke.

Nick shared a series of heart-warming photos on Instagram, showing their upbringing and close relationship through the years.

“My heart is broken,” he wrote. “Even though my brother and I have had a complicated relationship, my love for him has never ever faded.”

“I have always held on to the hope that he would somehow, someday want to walk a healthy path and eventually find the help that he so desperately needed.”

“Sometimes we want to blame someone or something for a loss, but the truth is that addiction and mental illness is the real villain here.”

“I will miss my brother more than anyone will ever know. I love you Chizz.”

“Now you can finally have the peace you could never find here on earth… I love you baby brother.”

Read also: Rahmaan Statik brings Wakanda to Chicago with mural

Aaron Carter

Nick Carter’s younger brother, Aaron, was a former child star.

Like his brother, Aaron Carter sold millions of albums.

He rose to fame in the late 1990s, opening for Nick and the Backstreet Boys.

Aaron Carter’s body was found Saturday at his California home.

Aaron Carter’s cause of death has yet to be announced.

Read also: Takeoff dies after a stray bullet from a nearby shooting hits him

Tribute

On Saturday, Nick Carter and the BackStreet Boys held a concert in London when they announced the news to the audience.

Midway through their concert, member Kevin Richardson stopped to announce the grim news.

“Tonight, we got a little bit of heavy hearts because we lost one of our family members yesterday,” said Richardson.

“We just wanted to find a moment in our show to recognize that Nick’s little brother, Aaron Carter, passed away yesterday at 34 years old.”

“He was a part of our family, and we thank you guys for all the love and all the well-wishes and all the support.”

Footage showed Nick Carter getting emotional during the announcement.

Seeing their friend grieve, the rest of the band – AJ McLean, Howie Dorough and Brian Littrell – came over to embrace him.

The Backstreet Boys then dedicated their rendition of the song Breathe to Aaron Carter.

References:

Aaron Carter: Backstreet Boys star leads tributes to late brother

Nick Carter and Backstreet Boys tearfully honor Aaron Carter at London concert: ‘heavy hearts’