Tag: Meta

Categories
Technology

Meta and EssilorLuxottica’s new AI glasses

Meta has expanded its push into wearable technology with the launch of a new range of AI-powered smart glasses developed in partnership with eyewear giant EssilorLuxottica. The new product line, simply called Meta Glasses, starts at $299 and is aimed at bringing smart eyewear to a wider audience.

The launch marks an important step for Meta as it seeks to strengthen its position in the fast-growing smart glasses market. Unlike previous products developed under the Ray-Ban and Oakley brands, the new glasses carry Meta’s own branding while still benefiting from EssilorLuxottica’s expertise in eyewear design and manufacturing.

The collection debuts with 26 style options across different frame shapes, colours and lens combinations. Customers can also choose prescription lenses, making the devices suitable for everyday use. The lineup includes three main designs — Adventurer, Fury and a slim oval model created in collaboration with celebrity Kylie Jenner.

At the heart of the glasses is Meta AI, powered by the company’s latest Muse Spark technology. Users can interact with the AI assistant through voice commands, ask questions, receive contextual information and access hands-free assistance throughout the day. The glasses also feature built-in cameras, microphones and open-ear speakers, allowing users to capture photos and videos, make calls and listen to audio without needing headphones.

Meta says future software updates will add more advanced capabilities, including real-time language translation and turn-by-turn navigation. The company believes smart glasses could become one of the most important consumer AI devices in the coming years by offering assistance without requiring users to constantly look at a smartphone screen.

The launch comes as competition in AI-powered wearables intensifies. Rivals including Google, Apple and Snap are all investing heavily in smart eyewear, seeing it as a potential successor to traditional mobile devices. With a lower starting price and a strong focus on fashion, Meta hopes its latest glasses will help bring AI technology into everyday life for millions of consumers.

Also Read: Realme India CEO Michael Guo resigns

Categories
Leaders

CRED founder Kunal Shah takes charge of WhatsApp

Indian entrepreneur Kunal Shah has been named the new global head of WhatsApp, marking a major milestone not only in his career but also for India’s growing influence in the global technology industry. The appointment comes alongside Meta’s announcement of a significant investment in Shah’s fintech venture, CRED, underscoring the company’s confidence in his leadership and vision.

Shah, founder of CRED and co-founder of FreeCharge, will succeed longtime WhatsApp chief Will Cathcart, who has led the messaging platform since 2019. Cathcart is expected to move into a new role within Meta focused on developing next-generation products.

The move makes Shah one of the few Indian-origin executives to lead a major global consumer technology platform. It also reflects Meta’s increasing emphasis on integrating messaging, payments and commerce—areas where Shah has built considerable expertise over the past decade.

Born in Ahmedabad and raised in Mumbai, Shah began his entrepreneurial journey with FreeCharge in 2010. The digital payments platform quickly became one of India’s most recognised startups before being acquired by Snapdeal. After exiting the company, Shah launched CRED in 2018, initially focusing on rewarding users for timely credit card payments before expanding into lending, commerce, insurance and wealth products.

Alongside Shah’s appointment, Meta announced a $900 million investment in CRED, valuing the fintech company at around $4.5 billion. The investment gives Meta a minority stake in the Bengaluru-based startup and further strengthens ties between the social media giant and India’s digital payments ecosystem.

Industry observers see the appointment as a strategic move. India remains WhatsApp’s largest market, with hundreds of millions of users, and the platform has increasingly expanded beyond messaging into payments, business services and digital commerce. Shah’s deep understanding of consumer finance and technology is expected to play a key role in shaping WhatsApp’s next phase of growth.

For many in India’s startup ecosystem, Shah’s elevation represents another example of Indian entrepreneurs taking on influential leadership roles on the global stage.

Categories
Beyond

Meta, Reliance partner for AI data centre in Jamnagar

Meta has partnered with Reliance Industries to develop its first artificial intelligence-enabled data centre in India, marking a significant step in the country’s growing ambitions to become a global hub for AI and digital infrastructure.

The proposed facility will be located in Jamnagar, Gujarat, and is expected to support Meta’s expanding AI operations while catering to the increasing demand for computing power, data processing and cloud-based services. The collaboration brings together Meta’s expertise in artificial intelligence and digital platforms with Reliance’s infrastructure capabilities and large-scale project execution experience.

According to the companies, the data centre will be designed to support next-generation AI applications, including large language models, machine learning systems and advanced computing workloads. The project is expected to provide the high-performance infrastructure required for developing and deploying AI technologies at scale.

The partnership aligns with India’s broader push to strengthen its digital ecosystem and attract investments in emerging technologies. Demand for AI-ready data centres has risen sharply worldwide as technology companies invest heavily in artificial intelligence, cloud computing and data analytics.

The collaboration is a major endorsement of India’s growing importance in the global technology landscape.  Jamnagar has emerged as a key location for large-scale infrastructure projects because of its industrial ecosystem, energy resources and connectivity advantages. The proposed facility is expected to contribute to the development of a robust AI infrastructure network in the country.

The project is also likely to generate employment opportunities during both the construction and operational phases while encouraging further investment in technology and digital services.

For Meta, the initiative represents a strategic expansion of its AI infrastructure footprint in one of the world’s fastest-growing digital markets. For Reliance, the partnership strengthens its presence in the digital and technology sectors, complementing its broader ambitions in telecommunications, cloud services and artificial intelligence.

Also Read: India puts Starlink approval on hold for security reasons

Categories
Technology

Meta rolls out AI agents for businesses

Meta has unveiled a new generation of AI agents for businesses, marking a major step in the company’s efforts to expand its artificial intelligence offerings beyond consumer applications. Announcing the launch, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg said AI-powered business assistants could eventually handle a wide range of operational tasks, helping companies improve efficiency and customer engagement.

The AI agents are now available globally and can be deployed across Meta’s platforms, including WhatsApp, Facebook and Instagram. Businesses can use them to answer customer queries, provide product recommendations, assist with purchases, schedule appointments, track orders and support marketing campaigns. The tools are designed to operate around the clock, enabling companies to respond to customers even outside regular business hours.

Meta said businesses can customise the AI agents using information about their products, services and brand identity. This allows the assistants to provide more accurate and personalised responses while maintaining a consistent customer experience. The company believes the technology will be particularly useful for small and medium-sized businesses that may not have dedicated customer support teams.

Speaking about the launch, Zuckerberg said AI agents could become as common for businesses as websites or email accounts are today. He suggested that in the future, companies may rely on AI assistants to manage customer interactions, generate leads, handle routine administrative work and support sales efforts.

The rollout is part of Meta’s broader strategy to build new revenue streams and strengthen its position in the rapidly growing AI market. While advertising remains the company’s primary source of income, Meta is increasingly investing in AI-powered products and services for both consumers and businesses.

Industry analysts view the launch as an important move in the competition among major technology companies to commercialise generative AI. Firms such as Google, Microsoft and OpenAI are also developing AI tools aimed at improving workplace productivity and customer service.

Meta said the new AI agents are designed to learn from company information and provide personalised responses to customers. As businesses continue to adopt automation technologies, the company expects AI assistants to play an increasingly important role in everyday operations, helping organisations save time, reduce costs and improve customer satisfaction.

Also Read: SEBI bars Rajesh Exports promoter

Categories
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.

Also Read: Adani Ports to buy Jaypee fertilizers for ₹1,500 cr

Categories
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.

Categories
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.

Also Read: Rupee weakens further, touches ₹96.25 per dollar

Categories
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.

Also Read: Kalyan Jewellers Q4 Profit climbs up to ₹410 cr

Categories
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.

Also Read: Gold climbs to ₹1.52 lakh, Silver jumps around ₹91/g

Categories
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.

Also Read: UltraTech posts strong Q4, announces ₹240 dividend