The tech world has been buzzing with a mix of disruptions and innovations. From widespread outages affecting popular social media platforms to the introduction of new features and the sunsetting of older services, here's a breakdown of the latest developments.
Global Outages Hit Meta Platforms
On a recent Friday evening, many users found themselves unable to access Facebook, WhatsApp, and Messenger. The problem wasn't your device; Meta Platforms, the company behind these services, experienced a significant global outage. Reports indicate that the disruption affected users not only in the Czech Republic but also across Europe, as well as in the USA and Canada.
According to DownDetector, the outage began around 16:00, with users reporting issues sending and receiving messages, and in some cases, being completely unable to connect to the internet through these mobile applications. This widespread disruption highlights the reliance we place on these platforms for communication and information.
Meta Tackles Fraud with Facial Recognition
In other news from Meta, the company is taking steps to combat fraudulent advertising. They've announced a new facial recognition tool designed to detect ads that use celebrity images without permission. This tool is being rolled out in the United Kingdom, the European Union, and South Korea, aiming to protect both celebrities and users from scams.
Meta's move into facial recognition follows earlier tests of tools designed to prevent scams based on the likenesses of famous individuals and to help users regain access to compromised accounts. This expansion demonstrates Meta's commitment to addressing the growing problem of online fraud.
Skype's Sunset and the Rise of Teams
Microsoft has announced that it will officially discontinue the Skype messaging service on May 5, 2025. Citing dwindling user interest, the tech giant is encouraging users to migrate to Microsoft Teams. "Apparently, there wasn’t enough user interest to keep the once-iconic video call app alive," stated a recent report.
For those still using Skype, Microsoft is offering a relatively seamless transition to Teams. Users will be able to log into Teams using their existing Skype credentials, automatically transferring chats and contacts. Microsoft also plans to allow seamless chatting and calling between Skype and Teams in the interim. If you're looking for alternatives, consider Zoom, Google Meet, Slack, WhatsApp, Cisco Webex, or Discord.
To move your contacts from Skype to Teams, open Microsoft Teams, select the three-dot menu, then Settings, then People. Under Synchronize contacts, select the Manage button. From there, you can synchronize Skype if you use the same Microsoft account for Teams.
It's a time of change in the tech landscape. As some platforms fade, others rise to take their place, and companies continue to innovate in the face of new challenges.
