🛑 Facebook's New Privacy/Policy Changes Everything! 🛑

Don’t Let This Rainy Sunday Ruin Your Plans In The Hub City!

We wanted to do something lighthearted for this Labor Day weekend but this serious issue with Facebook is not being talked about enough! One thing about Jackson is that people love their privacy, so we thought it was important to keep you all informed on this!

In Today’s “HubCity Newsletter”:

• Why Is Facebook Doing This? 🤔

• What Data Is Being Used? 📊

• Can You Opt Out? ❌

• Growing Backlash 💢

• Weekly Events For The Kids 🛝

• Weekly Events For The Whole Family 🎡 

Read Time: 3 - 5 Minutes

We wanted to take a moment and thank everyone who reads our newsletters, leaves us feedback, answers our polls and shares our content! We never thought we would gain such a loyal following so quickly! Thank You!

Now Let’s Get Started!

Now imagine scrolling through your Facebook memories and stumbling upon a photo from 2007, only to realize that this image, along with countless others, could soon be used in ways you never intended.

Facebook’s latest policy change has quietly set the stage for your photos, videos, posts, and even comments, dating back to 2007—to be utilized by its AI algorithms. The implications of this new policy are vast, leaving many users concerned about privacy and the commercialization of their digital footprints.

🤔 Why Is Facebook Doing This? 🤔

Facebook’s primary motivation behind this new policy is to further enhance its AI capabilities and maximize profits. By tapping into the vast reservoir of user-generated content, Facebook aims to refine its algorithms, which will be used to create more personalized ads, improve content recommendations, and even develop new AI-driven features.

This move is in line with the broader trend in the tech industry to leverage big data for artificial intelligence. With the sheer amount of data Facebook has accumulated over the years, it’s no surprise that the company sees this as a goldmine.

By feeding its AI systems with billions of photos, videos, and written content, Facebook can train its algorithms to recognize patterns, predict behavior, and even create art. Yes, that selfie you took in 2009 could become part of an AI-generated artwork, or a video from your college days could help fine-tune Facebook’s video recognition technology.

The financial implications are also significant. As Facebook refines its AI with user data, it can offer more precise ad targeting to marketers, who are willing to pay top dollar for this service. This increase in ad revenue further strengthens Facebook’s dominance in the digital advertising space, solidifying its position as one of the world’s most profitable tech companies.

📊 What Data Is Being Used? 📊

Facebook’s new policy is alarmingly comprehensive. It encompasses almost everything you’ve ever posted on the platform, including:

Photos and Videos: Every image or video you’ve uploaded, even those long forgotten, is now fair game for Facebook’s AI.

Posts: Your status updates, whether trivial or deeply personal, can be analyzed and repurposed.

Comments: Even your comments on friends' posts, groups, and public pages can be used.

Likes and Reactions: Your engagement with content, including likes, loves, and other reactions, contribute to Facebook’s data pool.

Private Messages: While not explicitly mentioned, there is growing concern that private messages could also be analyzed to some extent.

The sheer scope of this data collection is staggering. It’s not just about the content you’ve willingly shared, but also how you’ve interacted with the platform over the years. The locations you’ve tagged, the people you’ve mentioned, and the events you’ve attended—all of this data is now part of Facebook’s AI arsenal.

❌ Can You Opt Out? ❌

For users in the UK and Europe, there is a silver lining—sort of. Due to stricter data protection regulations under the GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation), these users can fill out a form to opt out of having their data used in this manner. However, even this process has been criticized for being cumbersome and not entirely transparent.

For U.S. users, the situation is far less favorable. This policy is made possible in the U.S. due to a legal loophole known as “Legitimate Interests.” Essentially, this allows companies like Facebook to process user data without explicit consent if they deem it necessary for their business operations. While intended to cover reasonable business practices, it’s increasingly being used to justify extensive data use without user approval.

There is currently no official option to opt out for U.S. users. Some users have reported being able to disable certain settings, but this seems to be more of a glitch than a feature. Most U.S. users do not have access to any opt-out form or clear method to prevent their data from being used.

This lack of control has sparked outrage among privacy advocates, who argue that users should have the right to consent—or not—to such extensive use of their personal data. The absence of an opt-out option in the U.S. highlights the stark differences in privacy protections between the U.S. and Europe, leaving many American users feeling vulnerable and exploited.

💢 Growing Backlash 💢 

The controversy surrounding Facebook’s new policy has already caught the attention of several advocacy groups. These organizations are gearing up to challenge the legality of this data usage under U.S. law.

Legal actions are being formed, and there is growing pressure on Facebook to either provide an opt-out option or roll back this policy altogether. Privacy advocates argue that this policy represents a significant overreach by Facebook, infringing on users’ rights to control their data.

Facebook’s new policy represents a significant shift in how user data is handled, with far-reaching implications for privacy and personal autonomy. While the company positions this as a move to improve its services, the reality is that it further entrenches Facebook’s control over user-generated content. As users, we should have the right to maintain our digital privacy.

Whether you’re comfortable with your 2007 photos becoming part of Facebook’s AI training data or not, one thing is clear: the landscape of digital privacy is changing rapidly, and not always in the user’s favor.

In the meantime, keep an eye out for any updates from Facebook. AI is uncharted territory and we are learning as we go but the outcomes today will be our policies tomorrow!

FINAL NOTE: Right now there is no way for US users to currently opt out of this but when this changes we will update this newsletter to keep you posted.

That is all from us this week and we hope that you have a great Labor Day! Here’s Your Curated List Of Events For Next Week!

Monday, September 2nd

Dyer County Fair (Opening Day) 🎡
Date: Monday, September 2nd
Time: 5:30 PM
Location: Dyer County Fairgrounds
Price: $5 (General Admission)
Additional Details: Carnival Opens At 5:30 PM (Other Events All Throughout The Day!)

Tuesday, September 3rd

Casey Jones Craft Camp 🎨
Date: Tuesday, September 3rd
Time: 12:30 PM
Location: Casey Jones Home & Railroad Museum
Price: Free
Ages: Preschool

TimeSpace 🔭
Date: Tuesday, September 3rd
Time: 5:30 PM
Location: M. D. Anderson Planetarium
Price: Free
Additional Details: No Food Or Drinks Allowed. Please 15 Minutes Early & No Entry Once The Show Starts.

Story Time 📖
Date: Tuesday, September 3rd
Time: 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Location: Main Library
Price: Free

Wednesday, September 4th

Casey Jones Craft Camp 🎨
Date: Wednesday, September 4th
Time: 12:30 PM
Location: Casey Jones Home & Railroad Museum
Price: Free
Ages: Preschool

Storybook Station 📖 
Date: Wednesday, September 4th
Time: 10:30 AM
Location: Casey Jones Home & Railroad Museum
Price: Free 

Thursday, September 5th

Thursday Game Night
Date: Thursday, September 5th
Time: 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Location: Main Library
Price: Free
Additional Details: Enjoy A Wide Variety Of Games From Chess To Checkers, From Monopoly To Catan.

Friday, September 6th

TimeSpace 🔭
Date: Friday, September 6th
Time: 1:30 PM
Location: M. D. Anderson Planetarium
Price: Free
Additional Details: No Food Or Drinks Allowed. Please 15 Minutes Early & No Entry Once The Show Starts.

Where is Mr. Bradbury? (Auditions)
Date: Friday, September 6th
Time: 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Location: Catbird Studio
Age: 8 - 18 Years Old (👉 Signup! 👈)

Saturday, September 7th

Where is Mr. Bradbury? (Auditions)
Date: Saturday, September 7th
Time: 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM
Location: Catbird Studio
Age: 8 - 18 Years Old (👉 Signup! 👈) 

Open Play Toddler Hangout 🚼
Date: Saturday, September 7th
Time: 10:00 AM - 11: 30 AM
Location: Downtown Library
Price: Free

Music with Alice at TurnTable Coffee
Date: Saturday, September 7th
Time: 8:30 AM - 9:00 AM
Location: The Yellow Canary, 9 Jackson Walk Plaza
Price: Click For Pricing
Age: (0 - 5 Years Old)

Saturday Story Time 📖
Date: Saturday, September 7th
Time: 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Location: Main Library
Price: Free

Sunday, September 8th

Monday, September 2nd

Labor Day Weekend Celebration at Big Buck Resort (Breakfast Celebration) 🥞
Date: Monday, September 2nd
Time: 8:00 AM - 10:00 AM (Pancakes & Waffles Breakfast)
Location: Big Buck Resort and Campground
Price: (Guest Day Pass $10)
Additional Details: Free For Members & Those Staying At The Resort!

Dyer County Fair (Opening Day) 🎡
Date: Monday, September 2nd
Time: 5:30 PM
Location: Dyer County Fairgrounds
Price: $5 (General Admission)
Additional Details: Carnival Opens At 5:30 PM (Other Events All Throughout The Day!)

Jackson Roadrunners Labor Day 5 Miler 👟
Date: Monday, September 2nd (Registration @6:30 AM Race @7:00AM)
Time: 6:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Location: Lake Graham
Price: $5 ($15 For Non Members)
Additional Details: Join The Infamous Race That Pays You To Place! (Get Paid When You Place In Your Age Group.)

8th Annual Labor Day Arts & Crafts Festival 🎨 
Date: Monday, September 2nd
Time: 12:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Location: de terra Vineyard & Wines of Somerville
Price: $10 (Parking Per Vehicle)
Additional Details: Come Out For Our Labor Day Event! There Will Be Arts & Crafts Vendors, Live Music, Food & Helicopter Tours!

Tuesday, September 3rd

TimeSpace 🔭
Date: Tuesday, September 3rd
Time: 5:30 PM
Location: M. D. Anderson Planetarium
Price: Free
Additional Details: No Food Or Drinks Allowed. Please 15 Minutes Early & No Entry Once The Show Starts.

Story Time 📖
Date: Tuesday, September 3rd
Time: 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Location: Main Library
Price: Free

2024 Career Expo 🧰
Date: Tuesday, September 3rd
Time: 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM 
Location: Carl Perkins Civic Center
Additional Details: Please Dressed Professional, Over 50 Employers Will Be Present With Hundreds Of Potential Jobs Available. 

Casey Jones Craft Camp 🎨
Date: Tuesday, September 3rd
Time: 12:30 PM
Location: Casey Jones Home & Railroad Museum
Price: Free
Ages: Preschool

Dyer County Fair 🎡
Date: Tuesday, September 3rd
Time: 5:30 PM
Location: Dyer County Fairgrounds
Price: $5 (General Admission)
Additional Details: Carnival Opens At 5:30 PM (Other Events All Throughout The Day!)

Wednesday, September 4th

Brown Bag Book Club (HomeSchoolers)
Date: Wednesday, September 4th
Time: 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Location: Main Library
Price: Free 

Casey Jones Craft Camp 🎨
Date: Wednesday, September 4th
Time: 12:30 PM
Location: Casey Jones Home & Railroad Museum
Price: Free
Ages: Preschool

Dyer County Fair 🎡
Date: Wednesday, September 4th
Time: 5:30 PM
Location: Dyer County Fairgrounds
Price: $5 (General Admission)
Additional Details: Carnival Opens At 5:30 PM (Other Events All Throughout The Day!)

Storybook Station 📖 
Date: Wednesday, September 4th
Time: 10:30 AM
Location: Casey Jones Home & Railroad Museum
Price: Free 

Thursday, September 5th

Thursday Game Night 🎲
Date: Thursday, September 5th
Time: 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Location: Main Library
Price: Free
Additional Details: Enjoy A Wide Variety Of Games From Chess To Checkers, From Monopoly To Catan.

Dyer County Fair 🎡
Date: Thursday, September 5th
Time: 5:30 PM
Location: Dyer County Fairgrounds
Price: $5 (General Admission)
Additional Details: Carnival Opens At 5:30 PM (Other Events All Throughout The Day!)

Storybook Station 📖 
Date: Thursday, September 5th
Time: 10:30 AM
Location: Casey Jones Home & Railroad Museum
Price: Free 

Friday, September 6th

AMP Concert Series: Smooth Jazz Progressions 🎷
Date: Friday, September 6th
Time: 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM
Location: The AMP
Price: Free Entry

TimeSpace 🔭
Date: Friday, September 6th
Time: 1:30 PM
Location: M. D. Anderson Planetarium
Price: Free
Additional Details: No Food Or Drinks Allowed. Please 15 Minutes Early & No Entry Once The Show Starts.

Where is Mr. Bradbury? (Auditions)
Date: Friday, September 6th
Time: 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Location: Catbird Studio
Age: 8 - 18 Years Old (👉 Signup! 👈) 

Dyer County Fair 🎡
Date: Friday, September 6th
Time: 5:30 PM
Location: Dyer County Fairgrounds
Price: $5 (General Admission)
Additional Details: Carnival Opens At 5:30 PM (Other Events All Throughout The Day!)

First Friday Art Walk 🖼️
Date: Friday, September 6th
Time: 5:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Location: Jackson Walk
Additional Details: Explore local art throughout Downtown Jackson during the First Friday Art Walk. (Food Trucks, Art Venders, and Live Music On Site.)

Rhonda Vincent & The Rage
Date: Friday, September 6th
Time: 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Location: Williams Auditorium
Price: Check For Pricing
Additional Details: Come Join Us As We Witness One Of The Most Decorated BlueGrass Bands In The Country Take The Stage!

Fried Pie Festival
Date: Friday, September 6th
Time: 3:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Location: McNairy County AG Center
Price: $10 (Kids 12 & Under Free)
Additional Details: Community Booths, Vendors, Kid Friendly Attractions, Petting Zoo, A BBQ Competition & Much More!

Saturday, September 7th

West TN Comic Con
Date: Saturday, September 7th
Time: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Location: Carl Perkins Civic Center
Price: $15 - $40 (Click For More Details)
Additional Details: Come Out For One Of The Biggest Events In West Tennessee! 

Dyer County Fair 🎡
Date: Saturday, September 7th
Time: 4:00 PM
Location: Dyer County Fairgrounds
Price: $5 (General Admission)
Additional Details: Carnival Opens At 4:00 PM (Other Events All Throughout The Day!)

Where is Mr. Bradbury? (Auditions)
Date: Saturday, September 7th
Time: 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM
Location: Catbird Studio
Age: 8 - 18 Years Old (👉 Signup! 👈) 

Open Play Toddler Hangout 🚼
Date: Saturday, September 7th
Time: 10:00 AM - 11: 30 AM
Location: Downtown Library
Price: Free

Music with Alice at TurnTable Coffee
Date: Saturday, September 7th
Time: 8:30 AM - 9:00 AM
Location: The Yellow Canary, 9 Jackson Walk Plaza
Price: Click For Pricing
Age: (0 - 5 Years Old)

Fried Pie Festival
Date: Saturday, September 7th
Time: 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Location: McNairy County AG Center
Price: $10 (Kids 12 & Under Free)
Additional Details: Community Booths, Vendors, Kid Friendly Attractions, Petting Zoo, A BBQ Competition & Much More!

Appalachian Spring Concert Presented By The Jackson Symphony 🎼
Date: Saturday, September 7th
Time: 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Location: The Ned
Price: $40.00

Jackson Sports Cards & Collectibles Show
Date: Saturday, September 7th
Time: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Location: VFW Post 1848
Price: Free Entry
Additional Details: Sports Card Dealers From All Over The Mid-South Will Be Present Displaying Cards From All Sports!

Saturday Story Time 📖
Date: Saturday, September 7th
Time: 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Location: Main Library
Price: Free

Paris Lakeway Kiwanis Arts and Crafts Festival
Date: Saturday, September 7th
Time: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Location: Paris Landing State Park
Price: Free Entry (Merchandise Prices Vary)
Additional Details: Come Out For This Unique Event With Plenty Of High Quality Handmade and Handcrafted Goods! 

Sunday, September 8th

Fried Pie Festival
Date: Sunday, September 8th
Time: 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Location: McNairy County AG Center
Price: $10 (Kids 12 & Under Free)
Additional Details: Community Booths, Vendors, Kid Friendly Attractions, Petting Zoo, A BBQ Competition & Much More!

Paris Lakeway Kiwanis Arts and Crafts Festival
Date: Sunday, September 8th
Time: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Location: Paris Landing State Park
Price: Free Entry (Merchandise Prices Vary)
Additional Details: Come Out For This Unique Event With Plenty Of High Quality Handmade and Handcrafted Goods!