HiTechEdge

Tag: social media

  • TikTok Introducing Three Minute Videos

    TikTok Introducing Three Minute Videos

    TikTok is introducing longer videos, up to three minutes, giving users even more opportunity to express themselves.

    TikTok is one of the fastest growing social media platforms, and has redefined social media with its short videos. While 60 seconds allows creators to do quite a bit, the company is now looking to expand the length of the videos even more, up to three minutes long, giving content creators even more freedom.

    Some users may have already noticed three-minute videos. The company says it has letting some creators around the world experiment with the new feature in advance of a full release.

    Three minute videos will be rolling out in the coming weeks to all users.

    With all the ways our community has redefined expression in under 60 seconds, we’re excited to see how people continue to entertain and inspire with a few more seconds – and a world of creative possibilities.

  • TikTok Releases 2021 Q1 Transparency Report

    TikTok Releases 2021 Q1 Transparency Report

    TikTok has released its first transparency report of the year, detailing the measures it has taken to protect users.

    TikTok has been under ongoing scrutiny for its privacy practices, as well as for not doing enough to protect the privacy of minors. Not surprisingly, its 2021 Q1 transparency report addresses a number of issues the company will likely use against its critics.

    The company says that during the first quarter of 2021, it removed 11,149,514 accounts for violating its Community Guidelines or Terms of Service. Of those, 7,263,952 were suspected of belonging to someone under the age of 13. For users in that demographic, TikTok has TikTok for Younger Users, with curated content and additional safeguards in place.

    TikTok also says it removed 86.1% of videos featuring adult nudity and sexual activity proactively, before they could be reported. A total of 89.8% were removed within 24 hours of being reported.

    Similarly, when it came to videos that featured harassment and bullying the company says “66.2% were removed before they were reported to us, and 83.8% were removed within 24 hours of being posted.”

    It’s clear TikTok is working to address the criticism it has faced. It remains to be seen if such efforts will win over any critics.

  • Twitter Down for Some Users, Ad-Blocking Blamed

    Twitter Down for Some Users, Ad-Blocking Blamed

    Twitter appears to be down for some users in France, with at least some blaming ad-blocking software.

    Twitter users started reporting an outage on Downdetector Sunday, primarily when accessing Twitter via a desktop web browser. Phone and tablet apps appeared to work just fine.

    Interestingly, according to some users, turning off ad-blocking software in their web browser fixed the problem. So far, Twitter has not issued a statement or acknowledgement.

    It remains to be seen if the issue was the result of an error, or if Twitter is beginning to target ad-blocking software.

  • TikTok in the Crosshairs of Dutch Consumer Group Over Data Harvesting

    TikTok in the Crosshairs of Dutch Consumer Group Over Data Harvesting

    TikTok is once again in hot water for its data practices, as a Dutch consumer group is launching a $1.8 billion claim against the company.

    TikTok is no stranger to controversy regarding its privacy and data practices. The company has faced accusations of exploiting child privacy, discrimination, lawsuits, bans — from corporations and the military — and criticism for being “fundamentally parasitic.”

    The Consumentenbond, along with the foundation Take Back Your Privacy, is bringing the claim against TikTok, according to ABC News.

    “The conduct of TikTok is pure exploitation,” Consumentenbond director Sandra Molenaar said in a statement. “The company earns hundreds of millions per year on the backs of children. And that while privacy law prescribes that children should receive additional protection.”

    TikTok has received a reprieve in the US, as the Biden administration has halted the previous administration’s attempts to ban TikTok. The company has drawn increased scrutiny from the EU, however, and this latest claim could have major repercussions.

  • How To Create A Successful Social Design

    How To Create A Successful Social Design

    After spending some time looking through the list of Facebook’s heaviest hitters I couldn’t help but notice a trend of characteristics that worked in favor of nurturing a positive, active social interaction between the brand and the fans.  However nothing is perfect and the same can even be said for the top three Branded Facebook Fan Pages as there are a handful of things that could be improved to make their social efforts even more successful.

     

    Top 3 Branded Facebook Pages

     

    One Chance to Make a First Impression

    First impressions make lasting statements both in reality and the virtual world. Much like a firm handshake and an inviting smile help break the ice during an introduction, a Facebook welcome page is a great way to say hello to new visitors while inviting them to explore the page’s content and become a fan. Interestingly enough, only one of the top three branded pages welcomes non-fans in this fashion. Both YouTube and Facebook’s Fan Page goes straight to the wall while Starbucks’ page directs non-fans to a tab inviting visitors to “Join the Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte Celebration.” This is a great example of providing non-fan visitors with compelling content promoting a seasonal product without blatant advertising. The result is an approachable social interaction that gives the users’ visit a purpose and directs them to further investigate the page, and ultimately click the Like button.

     

    Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte Celebration

     

    Socializing Requires a Two-Way Street

    Once users eventually arrive on the wall of a Fan Page, whether directly or after visiting a landing page, it’s important that the wall appears organized and uncluttered. Unfortunately many companies believe keeping a tidy wall requires restricting or eliminating user posts.  This could give off the wrong impression that a company is too worried about what others might say about them to allow user posting and it denies users the freedom of interacting with each other without the direction of the brand. The use of a display filter can offer greater flexibility that doesn’t remove the users’ ability to post comments to a page’s wall yet still maintains a neat, organized wall by default.

    Facebook’s own Fan Page only allows for site managed comments to show up with no option for users to post or view comments of their own while both Starbucks and YouTube defaults to their own comments but enables a filter that allows users to choose from viewing just YouTube’s comments, just others’ comments or all comments.  This gives users a clean glance at the official posts on the wall with the additional functionality of being able to post their own thoughts, feelings and experiences with others, resulting in a more open, inviting social experience than that of Facebook’s Fan Page.

    However, this doesn’t mean that your fans should be given free rein to post anything and everything under the sun. Careful monitoring and moderation are crucial for insuring that discussions remain on track and are void of vulgar or offensive material. Maintaining a balance between healthy discussion and a sense of structure lets visitors know their thoughts are being heard and that someone is watching over things to keep comments from getting out of hand while encouraging an inviting atmosphere.

  • TikTok Updates Terms to Collect Biometric Data

    TikTok Updates Terms to Collect Biometric Data

    TikTok is at it again, threatening user privacy as it updates its terms to collect biometric data.

    TikTok is one of the most controversial social media platforms, in large part due to its repeated, flagrant disregard for privacy. The company has been sued over accusations it collected and uploaded videos to servers in China without consent, without the user even having an account. The company has been accused of repeatedly violating child privacy, censoring individuals it didn’t consider beautiful enough to be showcased and has been warned by the EU over its handling of data. Even the CEO of Reddit called the platform “fundamentally parasitic.”

    The latest controversy involves a change to the company’s privacy policy, allowing it to collect biometric data.

    We may collect biometric identifiers and biometric information as defined under US laws, such as faceprints and voiceprints, from your User Content. Where required by law, we will seek any required permissions from you prior to any such collection.

    In many ways, the change is not particularly surprising. The company recently settled a lawsuit in Illinois for $92 million over its handling of biometric data. Notably, the company never admitted to the accusations in the aforementioned lawsuit. The change to the company’s privacy policy, however, gives it the ability to do what it was accused of doing, while committing to following applicable laws.

    All of which does little to change the validity of Reddit’s CEO that the platform is “fundamentally parasitic,” and not one anybody concerned about privacy should have on their phone.

  • Twitter and Eric Holthaus Partner to Create Local Weather Service

    Twitter and Eric Holthaus Partner to Create Local Weather Service

    Twitter is partnering with Eric Holthaus, the “Rebel Nerd of Meteorology,” to offer a local weather service.

    Twitter has long-since established itself as a major source for news, with usage spiking during significant events and major stories breaking on the platform. The company is now partnering with Eric Holthaus to help branch out into local weather.

    The service clearly aims to offer a more social approach to weather, involving users as much as informing them.

    “Every single evening, you’ll get a short message in your inbox with a forecast made by a meteorologist in your city, along with a news story, a poem, a meme, a short video, or a call to action,” says Tomorro’s About page. “Our goal is to share the joy of being alive at this particular moment in history, and be there with you no matter what the weather.

    “When the weather gets scary, we’ll have a team of experts to talk you through it. When there’s injustice happening somewhere that needs more attention, we’ll let you know about it. When there’s a project or idea that could use your help, we’ll ask you to pitch in if you want to. Our goal is to change the narrative of our shared Tomorrow. The bottom line is: The climate is changing, and it’s going to take all of us to build a better world that works for everyone.”

    The service is currently available in Atlanta, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas / Fort Worth, Detroit, Houston, Minneapolis, New York City, Philadelphia, Portland, Republica Dominicana, San Antonio, San Francisco, Toronto and Washington DC. More cities will continue to be added over time.

  • Facebook and WhatsApp Do About-Face on Privacy Update

    Facebook and WhatsApp Do About-Face on Privacy Update

    Facebook and WhatsApp appear to be doing an about-face on a controversial privacy update.

    Facebook sparked a furor when it announced it would start sharing WhatsApp data with other Facebook-owned companies. Users who failed to agree to the new terms would be locked out of the app until they did agree. Many users deleted their account and switched to competing platforms, and several countries came out in opposition to the move.

    In response to the backlash, Facebook initially postponed the rollout date, and then partially reversed course, saying people would not get locked out of the app. Instead, users would be persistently reminded to accept the terms, and be subjected to limited functionality until they did so.

    The company now appears to be doing a complete about-face, sayingit will not keep reminding individuals or limit their functionality.

    Considering the majority of users who have seen the update have accepted, we’ll continue to display a notification in WhatsApp providing more information about the update and reminding those who haven’t had a chance to do so to review and accept. We currently have no plans for these reminders to become persistent and to limit the functionality of the app.

    If WhatsApp does indeed abide by this statement, score one for privacy advocates who kept pushing back.

  • Twitter Blue Features Color Themes and Custom App Icons

    Twitter Blue Features Color Themes and Custom App Icons

    Jane Manchun Wong has struck again, spilling details on Twitter’s upcoming Twitter Blue subscription service.

    Jane Manchun Wong is a well-known leaker who often manages to find out details about an upcoming service or feature before they’re released. Twitter has been rumored to be working on a subscription service for some time, even buying Scroll to serve as the basis of it. Wong originally leaked the name and price of the upcoming service.

    Wong has now discovered additional details, including that Twitter Blue will come with color themes and custom app icons.

  • Facebook Declares War on People Who Repeatedly Share Misinformation

    Facebook Declares War on People Who Repeatedly Share Misinformation

    Facebook is stepping up its fight against misinformation, including taking action against people who repeatedly share it.

    Social media platforms have become one of the biggest conduits of misinformation about climate change, vaccinations, elections, social issues and more. Facebook has been taking an increasingly tougher stance against misinformation, adding fact checkers, warning labels and other measures.

    The company is now taking action against individuals who repeatedly share misinformation. One part of the company’s strategy is to share more context about pages that spread it.

    “We want to give people more information before they like a Page that has repeatedly shared content that fact-checkers have rated, so you’ll see a pop up if you go to like one of these Pages,” says the company’s blog. “You can also click to learn more, including that fact-checkers said some posts shared by this Page include false information and a link to more information about our fact-checking program. This will help people make an informed decision about whether they want to follow the Page.

    Individuals who continue to share information may face additional penalties. Facebook previously would reduce a single post’s distribution in News Feed if it contained misinformation. Starting today, however, Facebook will reduce the distribution of all of an individual’s posts, if they repeatedly share misinformation.

    The company is also improving the notifications a person receives when they attempt to share misinformation, including the fact-checking article that debunks the post.

    It remains to be seen if the changes will have the desired effect. One thing is certain, however: Facebook has declared war on misinformation and the people who share it.

    It’s likely this will be a non-issue soon based on news about Facebook’s AI development.