Welcome to Social Media Buzz Weekly, your weekly bulletin of the latest social media updates. With the social media landscape evolving with each passing day, it can be challenging to keep a tab on the rapid developments. Well, not anymore, as we have taken it upon ourselves to keep you abreast of every happening in the social media space.
So, without any further ado, let’s take a look at some of the most significant developments from the last week in the world of social media.
1. Google Wins Court Case Against Russian-Based Bot Scam Group
Google has won a significant court case against a group that had been operating a network of bots to manipulate its systems, which could have major implications for future cybercrime cases. The case relates to a Russian-based group called Glupteba, which had used bot exploits to infiltrate millions of Windows devices.
The Glupteba system stole user credentials and cookies, mined cryptocurrencies on infected hosts, and deployed proxy components that would target Windows systems and IoT devices. The malware was primarily distributed through questionable download links for pirated software.
2. Pinterest Reports Big Increases in Child Exploitation and Self-Injury Content Removals in 2022
Pinterest has published its latest Transparency Report, which outlines all of the content removals and other enforcement actions it took throughout the first half of 2022.
The report shows that child sexual exploitation removals increased in Q2 2022. Pinterest says that this was due to an update in its detection systems. Also, conspiracy theory removals and dangerous goods removals are way down, due to a mass clean-up in 2021.
3. Meta’s Removing Religious, Political, and Sexual Preference Fields from Facebook Profiles
Meta has begun informing Facebook users that it’s removing several profile info fields, in order to streamline the platform and make it ‘easier to navigate’. Meta is sending out notifications to users who’ve filled in details like their religion, political views and address to let them know that they’ll soon be removed.
So if you’ve entered this info in, it’ll soon be erased, and no longer displayed to visitors to your Facebook presence.
4. Meta Outlines Measures to Protect Users from Abuse During the World Cup
With the 2022 World Cup set to kick-off next week, Meta’s looking to get ahead of potential misuse, by outlining the various tools that it has in place to protect players from attacks in its apps, while it’s also issued a warning to those using its platforms that abusive behavior will not be tolerated.
This comes after England’s loss in the Euro 2020 final, which resulted in several English players being targeted, largely via Instagram DMs, with racial abuse. The incident sparked international condemnation and prompted Meta, and other platforms, to implement a range of new tools to offer more protection for users from DM attacks.
5. WhatsApp Launches New Business Search Functionality, Expands In-Stream Payments
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has announced a new update that will enable WhatsApp users to search for businesses - by category or name – direct in the WhatsApp UI.
Users will now be able to search for businesses in a dedicated element, accessible via the search function in the app. The search function will include a mini-map so you can check out nearby businesses, along with category filters and verified business accounts, making it easier to access your various in-app shopping options.
6. Meta Releases ‘Galactica’ AI System Which Can Produce Academic Papers Based on Simple Prompts
Meta has launched a demo version of its new ‘Galactica’ language model for scientific papers, which is able to summarize academic literature, solve math problems, generate Wiki articles, and more, all based on simple text prompts.
At the Galactica demo site, you can enter any subject, and it will produce articles and explainers based on that prompt.
7. LinkedIn Launches New ‘Brand Safety Hub’ to Manage Audience Network Placements
LinkedIn has launched a new Brand Safety hub for its Audience Network ads, which will enable advertisers to find out more information about LinkedIn’s partner platforms, and create allow and block lists to manage the same.
LinkedIn’s Audience Network enables advertisers to extend their campaigns beyond LinkedIn itself, and share their promotions across the platform’s network of publishing partners, which includes ‘thousands of premium partner apps and websites where LinkedIn members spend their time’.
8. Snapchat Launches New Features to Celebrate the 2022 World Cup
Snapchat has announced a range of new features to help fans engage with the 2022 World Cup, including team-based AR filters, new AR Try-On features, so that you can see what you’d look like in each team’s kit, and live update overlays to keep you informed of the latest.
Snap’s new face-paint-inspired team color Lenses provide a simple way to show your support in the app. Snapchat is also launching a new experience called ‘Live Garment Transfer Lenses’ which will enable you to virtually try on each participating team’s uniform. Snap’s also launching a Global Match Data Lens, which will be dynamically updated with live match data visualizations during the tournament.
9. Meta Launches New Holiday Marketing Planning Tools and Guides for SMBs
Meta has published a new SMB marketing guide to help businesses make best use of Meta’s various tools and products to help maximize their results during the end-of-year push. The interactive mini-site includes a range of notes and pointers on Meta’s various promotional options, which could provide some helpful guidance for your approach.
Meta’s also running its annual #BuyBlack support initiative once again, which aims to help Black-owned businesses maximize their promotional efforts in the lead-up to the Christmas shopping period.
10. YouTube Tests New Product Tags for Shorts, Expands Music Options for Shorts Clips
YouTube’s launching another monetization option for Shorts, with a new experiment that will see some creators able to tag products for purchase within their Shorts clips. It has begun a new pilot program with selected creators in the US, which will see product tags displayed within Shorts, with viewers in the US, India, Brazil, Canada, and Australia able to see the tags and shop directly in the app.
That could provide a key lifeline for Shorts creators, and another key element in YouTube’s favor, as the battle for creative talent heats up in the space.
11. TikTok Says Parents Need to be More Proactive in Discussing Online Safety with Teens
TikTok has published the results of a new survey it conducted, in association with ConnectSafely, which looks at how parents are approaching discussions about online safety with their teens, and what can be done to improve openness and engagement around this critical topic.
According to the survey, 78% of surveyed parents believe that they have the biggest responsibility to talk to their kids about online safety. Also, 61% of parents only talk with their teens about online safety after their teens encounter a problem and come to them about it.
The findings show that while most parents feel a level of confidence in talking about these issues with their kids, many hesitate to proactively and consistently initiate these conversations.
12. TikTok Announces its 2022 ‘Discover List’ of Top Creators and Innovators in the App
TikTok has announced its 2022 Discover List, which highlights 50 platform creators that are not only building communities on the platform, and advancing creativity, but are also driving positive impact, on TikTok and beyond.
TikTok will be highlighting its Discover List creators in its brand channels in the app, while it’s also published a digital booklet that provides an overview of each of the chosen innovators.
Wrapping Up
And that was a wrap of this week’s Social Media Buzz. We’ll be back next Monday with more news and updates for you from the social media world. Till then, stay tuned!
If you want to read more on the latest developments taking place in the social media space, take a look at ClickInsights’ Social Media Buzz, wherein we bring to you monthly reports on everything going on in social media, ranging from platform updates to policy changes that influence the way we market.
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