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Technology

Meta introduces Forum app for Facebook Groups

Meta has launched a new app called Forum aimed at improving how users participate in Facebook Groups. The app provides a dedicated space for community discussions outside the main Facebook interface.

The Forum app is designed to organise group content more efficiently, making conversations easier to track and engage with. It allows users to view group posts and discussions in a simplified format without relying on the main Facebook feed.

The move reflects Meta’s broader effort to promote community-based interaction across its platforms. Facebook Groups continue to play a major role in user engagement, covering a wide range of topics and interests globally.

By separating group activity into a standalone app, Meta aims to reduce feed clutter and offer a more streamlined experience for active group members. The company is also expected to test additional features to improve moderation and content discovery.

Details about global availability and full feature rollout have not yet been announced.

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1 Minute-Read

Meta lays off 8,000 employees after WFH notice

Meta has started laying off around 8,000 employees globally, about 10% of its workforce, as part of a major restructuring focused on artificial intelligence.

Reports say employees were first told to work from home before termination emails were sent, with the earliest notices arriving around 4 AM in some regions. The cuts affect multiple teams, including engineering and product roles.

The move is part of Meta’s shift toward leaner AI-driven operations under CEO Mark Zuckerberg, who has prioritised heavy investment in AI infrastructure and development. Further restructuring is expected in the coming months.

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Beyond

Meta staff brace for May 20 layoffs

As Meta prepares for another round of layoffs expected on May 20, anxiety and uncertainty are reportedly growing among employees across the company. Reports suggest that nearly 8,000 workers, around 10% of Meta’s workforce, could be affected in the latest phase of restructuring.

The anticipation of job cuts has created an uneasy atmosphere inside the company, with employees describing workplace morale as extremely low. Some current and former workers said many employees have been worried about their future as speculation over layoffs continues to grow.

Reports also described unusual scenes inside offices as nervous employees tried to prepare for possible outcomes. Former staff members recalled a “doomsday-like” mood, with some workers even jokingly stocking up on free office snacks as uncertainty spread across teams.

The latest move comes despite Meta posting strong financial numbers in recent months. The company has been restructuring its operations while increasing investments in artificial intelligence and future technologies. Industry observers believe Meta is continuing to reshape its workforce as part of its long-term strategy focused on efficiency and AI-led growth.

Employees who are impacted are expected to receive severance benefits, including salary support and healthcare coverage for a limited period.

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Technology

Instagram ends encrypted DMs for users

Instagram has removed end-to-end encryption for direct messages (DMs), ending a feature that offered extra privacy for user conversations on the app. The change came into effect globally on May 8, 2026.

End-to-end encryption allowed only the sender and receiver to read messages, preventing others,  including the platform itself, from accessing conversations. With the feature now discontinued, Instagram chats will no longer have that level of protection.

Meta, Instagram’s parent company, said the decision was taken to improve safety monitoring and strengthen its ability to identify harmful or illegal activity on the platform. According to reports, the company wants better tools to detect scams, child exploitation, abuse-related content, and other violations.

The encrypted messaging feature was introduced as an optional setting in 2023. Users who enabled it for private chats have now started receiving notifications about the shutdown. Instagram has also advised users to download important chats, media, and shared files before the encrypted feature is fully removed.

The move has triggered criticism from digital privacy groups and cybersecurity experts, who argue that encryption is important for protecting user communication and personal data. Many users also expressed concerns online about reduced privacy on the platform.

Meta clarified that regular safety protections and account security measures will continue on Instagram. However, direct messages will now be subject to the company’s standard moderation systems.

The change currently applies only to Instagram DMs. WhatsApp, another Meta-owned platform, will continue offering default end-to-end encryption for personal chats.

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Technology

Meta issues warning over WhatsApp security bugs

WhatsApp has issued an alert asking users to update their app after discovering security bugs that could expose devices to harmful files. The company has already released fixes, but users need to install the latest version to stay protected.

The problems were found in the way WhatsApp processes files and attachments. Hackers could take advantage of this by sending files that appear harmless but may contain hidden risks. For example, a file might look like a simple document but behave differently when opened.

There is also a concern with how links are handled within the app. Some links could be disguised in a way that misleads users into opening unsafe pages or downloading unwanted content. These tricks often rely on users trusting the sender and not checking carefully before clicking.

Experts say these bugs alone do not infect devices. The risk mainly arises when users open suspicious files or click on unknown links. This makes awareness and caution just as important as the update itself.

Meta has confirmed that it has not seen large-scale misuse of these flaws so far. However, it is urging users to act quickly and update the app as a precaution.

Cybersecurity professionals point out that messaging apps are frequent targets for attacks because they are widely used and people often trust what they receive. This makes it easier for attackers to spread harmful content.

Users should make sure their apps are updated through official platforms like the Google Play Store or Apple App Store. It is also important to avoid opening files or links from unknown sources.

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Beyond

China blocks Meta’s $2 billion Manus deal

Meta’s plan to buy artificial intelligence startup Manus for $2 billion has been blocked by Chinese authorities, dealing a blow to the tech giant’s efforts to strengthen its AI business.

The decision shows how sensitive AI technology has become, with governments increasingly treating it as a strategic asset rather than just another business sector.

Meta had hoped the acquisition would help it move faster in the global AI race. Manus has attracted attention for building advanced AI systems that can perform tasks such as research, planning and customer support with limited human input.

For Meta, the startup was seen as a valuable opportunity to add both technology and talent at a time when competition is intensifying with rivals such as Google, Microsoft and OpenAI.

Chinese regulators reportedly opposed the deal on national security and foreign investment grounds. The move suggests Beijing is becoming more cautious about allowing promising domestic AI companies or their technology to come under foreign ownership.

Even though Manus had links outside mainland China, authorities appear to have taken a broad view of the company’s strategic importance.

For Meta, the setback is more than a lost acquisition. It means the company may now need to spend more time and money building similar capabilities internally or searching for other partnerships.

Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg has made AI one of Meta’s top priorities, investing heavily in smart assistants, business tools, advertising technology and future digital platforms.

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Meta, Microsoft cut jobs in AI shift

Meta and Microsoft have announced job cuts as they shift focus toward artificial intelligence and restructuring. Meta plans to reduce about 8,000 jobs, around 10% of its workforce, while also closing several unfilled roles to improve efficiency.

Microsoft is offering voluntary buyouts to nearly 7% of its US employees as part of internal restructuring, mainly targeting senior staff. Both companies are increasing spending on AI infrastructure, data centres and new technologies.

The decision reflects a wider trend in Big Tech, where firms are cutting costs while aggressively investing in AI development.

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Technology

Meta to monitor employee activity for AI training

Meta has started using a new internal system that tracks employee computer activity, including clicks, mouse movements and typing patterns, to help train its artificial intelligence tools. The company says the goal is to teach AI systems how people use software and complete everyday office tasks.

Meta said the data will be collected only from work devices and will not be used to judge employee performance. It also said safeguards are in place to protect sensitive information.

Still, the move has raised concerns among some employees, who worry about privacy and increased workplace monitoring. Critics say it reflects the growing tension between fast AI development and employee trust.

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Corporate

Meta cuts hundreds of jobs to focus on AI

Meta Platforms has laid off hundreds of employees as part of a plan to focus more on artificial intelligence (AI). The job cuts have affected several teams, including recruiting, sales, operations, and its Reality Labs division, which works on virtual reality and metaverse projects.

The company has not shared the exact number of employees affected, but the layoffs are said to be a small part of its total workforce. Meta had around 79,000 employees globally by the end of 2025.

These layoffs show a clear change in the company’s strategy. Meta is reducing its focus on the metaverse and putting more attention on AI, which it sees as a major area for future growth. The Reality Labs division, which leads metaverse efforts, has already faced cuts earlier as well.

Meta plans to spend heavily on AI in the coming years. This includes building data centres and improving technology needed for AI development. The company believes that investing in AI will help it grow faster and stay competitive in the tech industry.

The layoffs are also part of efforts to make the company more efficient. By cutting some roles, Meta is trying to reduce costs and redirect resources to more important areas like AI.

Earlier, there were reports that Meta could cut a much larger number of jobs, but no such decision has been confirmed. For now, the company has only carried out limited layoffs.

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Corporate

Meta brings in Dreamer team to build smarter AI agents

Meta Platforms is doubling down on its AI ambitions by hiring the team behind ‘Dreamer’, a startup focused on creating intelligent digital assistants. The move is part of Meta’s growing push into “AI agents”, systems that can act on their own to help users with tasks like managing schedules, sending emails, or organizing information.

The Dreamer team includes its founders and key developers, many of whom previously worked at leading tech companies. They are now joining Meta’s Superintelligence Labs, the company’s hub for cutting-edge AI research. This addition is expected to accelerate Meta’s work in creating autonomous, agent-driven AI solutions.

Dreamer, which launched earlier this year, specialised in tools that let people design personal AI helpers. Meta has licensed its technology to integrate into its projects while Dreamer continues as a separate entity. Financial details of the deal remain undisclosed.

This comes on the heels of Meta’s acquisition of ‘Moltbook’, a social network built for AI agents to interact with each other. Together, these moves show that Meta is aiming for more than simple chatbots; the company wants AI systems that can think, act, and collaborate independently.

Meta’s Superintelligence Labs, led by Chief AI Officer Alexandr Wang, is rapidly expanding. With experienced developers from companies like Google and Stripe, the lab is positioning itself as a hub for next-generation AI innovations.

By bringing in the Dreamer team and leveraging Moltbook, Meta is betting on autonomous AI as a key part of its future. The company aims to make digital assistants smarter, more capable, and better integrated into daily life.

The strategy reflects a broader tech trend: companies racing to build AI that doesn’t just respond but proactively assists users. Agentic AI could transform how people interact with technology, automating everyday tasks and acting as intelligent partners in work and life.

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