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Trump’s social media app launches year after Twitter ban

JOHN RAOUX • Associated Press Former president Donald Trump speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) Sunday, Feb. 28, 2021, in Orlando, Fla. Trump’s messaging app challenging Twitter launched Monday, Feb. 21, 2022. Abortion-rights activists celebrate after the Constitutional Court approved the decriminalization of abortion, lifting all limitations on the procedure until the 24th week of pregnancy, in Bogota, Colombia.

By BERNARD CONDON

Associated Press

Former President Donald Trump’s social media app that he hopes will rival Twitter launched Monday as he seeks a new digital stage to rally his supporters and fight Big Tech limits on speech, a year after he was banned from Twitter, Facebook and YouTube.

His Truth Social app was offered for download from the Apple App Store to a limited number of subscribers who had preordered. Others who were added to a waiting list are to be given access over the next 10 days. The site encountered technical glitches shortly after launch, with reports that subscribers were shut out for hours. Others had trouble signing on. The site is not expected to be open to anyone who wants to download it until next month.

“Due to massive demand, we have placed you on our waitlist,” read a message to some of those trying to access the platform, adding, “We love you.”

Trump is hoping Truth Social will attract the millions who followed him on Twitter as he hints at a third presidential run, triggering a wave of other subscribers to justify the billions of dollars that investors have bet on the venture. Shares in a company that plans to buy Trump Media and Technology Group, the parent of Truth Social, have soared in recent months. According to Apple’s rankings, Truth Social was the top free app in the U.S. on Monday morning, besting the “Talking Ben the Dog” children’s game, streaming service HBO Max, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram and Facebook.

The partial launch Monday follows an experimental “beta” launch to test the platform last week. Trump was banned from top social media platforms following the Jan. 6 Capitol riot last year that critics accused him of inciting. The ban has raised difficult questions about free speech in a social media industry dominated by a few tech giants — an issue that Trump and conservative media have seized upon.

Republicans were quick to use the launch of Truth Social to raise money for their election efforts. “After over A YEAR of muzzling by the Liberal Big Tech Tyrants: TRUMP. IS. BACK,” wrote GOP House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy in a fundraising email.

Colombia’s highest court legalizes abortion

FERNANDO VERGARA • Associated Press

By Associated Press

Colombia became the latest country in Latin America to expand access to abortion Monday as the nation’s Constitutional Court voted to legalize the procedure until the 24th week of pregnancy.

The decision by the tribunal of nine judges fell short of the expectations of pro-choice groups. Those groups had been pushing for abortion to be completely decriminalized in Colombia.

But it was nevertheless described as a historic event by women’s rights groups, which estimate 400,000 women get clandestine abortions in the country each year.

Before the ruling, Colombia allowed abortions only when a woman’s life was in danger, a fetus had malformations or a pregnancy resulted from rape.

Now women in Colombia will be able to get abortions until the 24th week of their pregnancy without having to provide any justification.

After the 24th week of pregnancy, abortion will still be restricted to women whose health is in danger.

Elsewhere in Latin America, Argentina, Uruguay and Cuba also allow abortions without restrictions until certain stages of pregnancy.

Latin America is also a region where some countries prohibit the termination of pregnancy without exception, like in El Salvador, Nicaragua, Honduras and the Dominican Republic.

DRIVERS

MOVERS

SCHOLARSHIPS from page 1 would randomly select one fully vaccinated student to receive a scholarship for a full semester of tuition beginning Nov. 1. They moved on to offer the same scholarship to two more students during December, and another two in January.

Stiff was the first student to receive this award last November, and was surprised to say the least.

“I didn’t really believe it at first,” said Stiff. “That doesn’t really happen, you know?”

Jones was tasked with making the phone calls and said many of the winners took a few calls to reach.

“Not everyone believes me when I tell them,” said Jones, who then goes on to tell them, “No, this is legit, thank you for protecting the herd by getting vaccinated.” The winner of the award is chosen from the pool of students who are vaccinated and have reported this to the school.

Students are automatically put in for the drawing from the statewide confidential system that stores immunization records.

This month the University is changing it up, deciding instead to split up the larger award to give five students $1,000 toward their tuition every month, starting on Feb. 1.

“Based on my experience from the fall, it was my recommendation to spend about the same, but spread the money among more people,” said Jones about the decision.

Stiff noted that she was vaccinated last March in hopes of being able to spend time with her family.

“As soon as I qualified for it, I got it,” said Stiff, “It was more so I could see my grandparents.” While she was among the first to be vaccinated, Stiff understands that getting the vaccine is up to each individual.

“It is a personal choice,” said Stiff.

“I made the personal choice to get vaccinated.”

The hope of the program is to incentivize students to get vaccinated. According to Jones, seventy-three percent of students that attend MSU are currently vaccinated, as stated by MSU’s Student Health Services, and the University aims to keep increasing that number.

Jones cites the high vaccination rate as a main cause of a so far successful year of in-person classes.

“Our low rates are a result of people getting vaccinated,” said Jones, “We have been able to be here all year because of that.” • Full-Time & Part-Time Available • Starting pay $15/hr. • No CDL Required to be a Driver • Super flexible daytime hours and days • Applicants must take direction well and be in decent shape due to physically taxing job duties.

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Protecting your online data is crucial

Editorial

Imagine getting all of your personal information stolen just because you clicked a link that said “You won a $100 Visa gift card”. Unfortunately that isn’t so far fetched in today’s society as everyone is active online. With the digital age booming, almost everyone young or old has a form of an online presence used for work related situations, banking or other communication purposes like email. Not to mention the variety of social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram and TikTok plaguing every teens phone in which you post intimate details about your personal life. There is no surprise that criminals have found a way to obtain money and personal information from innocent online users. More often than not it is upsetting that the majority of the people scammed are either the youth or elderly as they are easily targeted. This is why we as students need to put in a greater effort to protect our information. How much would you pay if every private photo, message and bit of personal information was leaked? Not only is it human nature to keep your life private, it should be a concern that there is potential for that information to get stolen. Whether you know it or not you are being vulnerable online by sharing your vacation photos, tagging where you are and sharing your location with your friends or followers. You are also leaving a digital footprint on the internet for practically everyone to see forever. Being mindful of that and limiting your personal posts or realizing when it might not be a good idea to post certain information is one of the keys to keeping yourself safe. Being cyberaware is just as important as making sure your house is locked up before you leave. Many don’t take advantage of the resources out there for the public that will teach them how to be safe online. Something as simple as changing your password on different accounts can benefit you in the long run. Also having your password be one simple word is a common mistake. Having complex passphrases mixed with multiple characters and numbers is a way to create a stronger barrier between you and those whose mission it is to steal your information. Multifactor authentication is a good way to make sure you are the one who is signed into that account. If you receive a message that someone is trying to sign into your account that isn’t you then you should contact someone as soon as possible. The Minnesota State University, Mankato even offers a cyber awareness podcast that talks about the cyber world as well as videos and tips on how to shield your social media. Regardless, there are ways an online user can protect their information. You owe it to yourself to do the best you can to not end up getting scammed.

File photo

“How do you keep your online identity secure?”

Compiled by Ajay Kasaudhan

YONI TOLA, JUNIOR SUSHASAN KC, JUNIOR HUNTER VANEPS, FRESHMAN

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MUHAMMAD KHAN, SOPHOMORE

SPRING 2022

EDITOR IN CHIEF: MAXWELL MAYLEBEN

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