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Media Beat: April 26, 2019

By David Farrell

Carole Cadwalladr on Facebook, Brexit, and the threat to democracy

The British investigative reporter who broke the Cambridge Analytica–Facebook scandal has taken down the tech giants for undermining democracy.


In a TED Talk in Vancouver, she calls out the "gods of Silicon Valley" for their role in helping authoritarians consolidate their power in different countries.

Facebook dispute with Canadian privacy watchdogs headed to court

A long-running standoff between Facebook and Canada’s privacy commissioner is heading to Federal Court after a scathing report from the privacy watchdog said the company “outright rejected” guidance that would bring it into compliance with Canada’s privacy laws.

Privacy Commissioner Daniel Therrien said the situation also highlights the lack of enforcement tools at his disposal. His office does not have the ability to levy fines or order companies to produce evidence, unlike other privacy watchdogs around the world. With no deterrent, Therrien said it allows companies to simply disregard his rulings. – Stuart Thomson, National Post

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Facebook’s little fine

A $3 billion to $5 billion penalty for privacy violations won’t change anything for a company sitting on $23 billion in cash. It’s a parking ticket. Not a speeding ticket. Not a DUI – Kara Swisher, The New York Times

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Macklemore at Rolling Stone Future of Music held at ACL Live at the Moody Theater on March 17, 2023, in Austin, Texas.
Dusana Risovic/Rolling Stone
Macklemore at Rolling Stone Future of Music held at ACL Live at the Moody Theater on March 17, 2023, in Austin, Texas.
Chart Beat

How Has Ed Sheeran Tour Chaos Affected Streaming Numbers for Macklemore, Other Openers & Ed Himself?

In the midst of controversy over Macklemore being taken off Sheeran's latest stadium tour, he's seen a major change in his streaming fortunes — as have some artists who've left in solidarity.

Welcome to Billboard Pro’s Trending Up newsletter, where we take a closer look at the songs, artists, curiosities and trends that have caught the music industry’s attention. Some have come out of nowhere, others have taken months to catch on, and all of them could become ubiquitous in the blink of a TikTok clip.

This week: The biggest story in pop music involves the fallout over Macklemore’s removal from Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour, following “Free Palestine” comments made by the rapper at some of his first dates opening the stadium trek. We look at how his streaming numbers have been affected since, as well as those of some of the tour’s other former openers, and for Sheeran himself.

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