VSN - We'd like to keep you informed daily. Just subscribe here, and we'll keep you up to speed.
Subscribe to Get VSN.ist by Email
|
Apple Takes Down Russian Social Network VK's App From the App Store
TECH CRUNCH - Apple has taken down Russian social network VK's app from its App Store globally. The social media company said the VKontakte app is not "not available for download and update in the App Store." However, apps that are already installed on Apple devices will continue to work but there might be some issues with payments and notifications. Plus, users can access the social network through the mobile website.
|
TikTok Says Fake Account Removal Increased 61% to 33.6M in Q2 2022
TECH CRUNCH - In Q2 of 2022, TikTok reports that it removed 33.6M fake accounts for the quarter, representing a 61% increase from the 20.8M accounts it removed in the previous quarter. Looking further back to the corresponding Q2 of 2021 shows that TikTok's fake account removal rate has grown by ~2,000% over 12 months.
|
Tumblr Adds New Filters and Hints at Looser Moderation Rules
SAMACHAR CENTRAL - Tumblr is adding a new filtering feature called "community labels." Tumblr's parent company, Automattic, says its broader rules haven't changed so far - but the feature might lay the groundwork for a more liberal moderation policy. Community labels make the site's moderation tools more granular. Tumblr's new policies will be "more in line" with WordPress.com.
by Hemalata Nenete
See full article at Samachar Central
|
Asia's Largest Metaverse Platform Zepeto Ramps up Global Expansion
FINANCIAL TIMES - Asia's largest metaverse platform, Zepeto, is stepping up its global expansion as it looks to compete against the Big Tech groups that are betting billions on creating avatar-filled virtual worlds. Owned by Korean tech group Naver, Zepeto has attracted 340M users since it launched in 2018. The K-pop and fashion-focused avatar platform, which is valued at ~$1B, has attracted investment from Korean entertainment companies JYP Entertainment, YG Entertainment, and Hybe, as well as from SoftBank's Vision Fund II.
by Christian Davies & Song Jung-a
See full article at Financial Times
|
Meta Will Allow Users to Switch Between Facebook & Instagram Accounts
ECONOMIC TIMES - Meta announced that it is testing new features that will make it easier for people to switch between Facebook and Instagram. The new features will make it easier for users to create, access, and navigate between multiple accounts and profiles on the social networking platform. Meta also informed that the existing security features will still apply to the recently announced updates.
See full article at Economic Times
See the top news on Meta
See the top news on Facebook
See the top news on Instagram
|
A New Instagram Test Removes Shopping Tab From the Home Screen
TECH CRUNCH - Meta is making it harder to find the Shop tab on Instagram with its latest test. In the new test, the Shop tab has been removed from the app's Home Screen and is instead hidden underneath Settings. Meta tested other features this month, including a new monetization feature for creators, a nudity filter, and a repost feature.
|
TikTok Faces $29M Fine in the UK for 'Failing to Protect Children's Privacy'
TECH CRUNCH - TikTok is facing a $29M fine after the U.K.'s Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) provisionally found that the company breached child data protection laws for 2 years. The ICO noted that the company allegedly processed data of children under the age of 13 without parental consent. Additionally, it said the company may have "failed to provide proper information to its users in a concise, transparent and easily understood way" and "processed special category data, without legal grounds to do so."
|
Reddit Highlights Key Engagement Trends and Brand Opportunities in the App
SOCIAL MEDIA TODAY - Reddit interviewed ~2K social media users to find out how people are using social media to connect, and the role that Reddit, in particular, plays in facilitating community engagement. Reddit says that the platform was found, overall, to have a positive impact on users' mental well-being, by fostering a spirit of inclusion and community, as opposed to more addictive, harmful traits. Reddit also notes that its lack of reliance on algorithmic amplification, in favor of human moderation and feedback, democratizes access.
|
WhatsApp Finally Brings Feature to Turn Users Into a Sticker
MASHABLE - WhatsApp, a messaging service owned by Meta, is developing a new feature to put up an avatar as a profile photo. Currently, WhatsApp provides emoticons, GIFs, stickers, and more to spice up discussions. Users will be able to personalise their avatars.
|
TikTok Is Releasing Its Comment Dislike Button to All Users Worldwide
TECH CRUNCH - TikTok is rolling out its comment dislike button globally to all users. The short-form video app started testing the dislike button in April as a way for users to identify comments they believe to be irrelevant or inappropriate.
|
LinkedIn Ran Social Experiments on 20M Users Over 5 Years
NEW YORK TIMES - LinkedIn ran experiments on ~20M users over 5 years that, while intended to improve how the platform worked for members, could have affected some people’s livelihoods. In experiments conducted worldwide from 2015 to 2019, Linkedin randomly varied the proportion of weak and strong contacts suggested by its "People You May Know" algorithm - the company's automated system for recommending new connections to its users.
|
Amintro, Social Network for Older Adults Sets Sights for Northeastern Ontario Expansion
CBC - Amintro, a new social network that helps adults ages 50 and up meets people in their communities, is expanding to northeastern Ontario. To expand in the region, the federal government's New Horizons for Seniors program granted Amintro $25K to build a northeastern Ontario advisory committee to help it expand in the region and cater to French speakers.
|
Meta Has Begun Laying Off Workers to Reduce OpEx by 10%
SPICE WORKS - Meta has reportedly started to lay off some employees as part of their efforts to cut down operating expenses. According to the current and former managers, they are looking to slash costs by 10%. Meta's plans to lower operating expenses (opex) by 10% equate to a reduction of $2.046B in absolute terms to $18.41B.
|
Inkeverse Launches Social Metaverse Product Targeted at Gen Z
PANDAILY - Chinese social networking firm Inkeverse is continuing its push into the metaverse with the launch of a new social product for overseas markets called "The Place." As a 3D virtual social platform for Generation Z consumers in Europe and the United States, it provides users with immersive social experiences through virtual scenes and images, as well as through real-time audio interaction. Inkeverse achieved revenue of $573M in the H1, up 0.7% YoY.
|