WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook Experience Major Outage
WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook experienced a major outage, leaving thousands of users unable to access the popular social media platforms. Meta, the parent company of the three social media platforms, acknowledged the issues and assured users that they were working to resolve the disruptions. The outage, which began around 19:00 BST, resulted in approximately 82,000 issues with WhatsApp, 3,700 outages on Instagram, and 1,840 reported issues on Facebook.
Senator Ron Wyden Criticizes Steven Mnuchin’s Bid to Acquire TikTok
Senator Ron Wyden criticizes former Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin’s bid to acquire TikTok, citing concerns over his ties to money from the Middle East. Mnuchin’s plans to lead a group of investors in purchasing the social media platform has raised bipartisan concerns, with Senator Wyden expressing apprehension about potential security risks and access to personal data. Reports indicate substantial investment from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates in Mnuchin’s fund, raising further questions about foreign influence.
Facebook’s Poke Feature Makes a Comeback, Gains Popularity Among Gen Z Users
Facebook has brought back the Poke feature, and it’s gaining popularity among Gen Z users. Meta reported a 13 times surge in Pokes after making the button more visible. Over 50% of the new Pokes are from users aged 18 to 29, indicating strong interest from younger demographics.
Study Examines Meta’s Efforts in Suppressing Misinformation on Facebook During COVID-19 Pandemic
A recent study by researchers from the University of Technology Sydney and the University of Sydney scrutinized Meta’s efforts in suppressing misinformation on Facebook during the COVID-19 pandemic. The analysis revealed that Meta’s content moderation policies have not been entirely successful in deterring the dissemination of harmful content, raising concerns about the company’s commitment to removing misinformation. The study sheds light on the complexities of content moderation and the challenges faced by social media platforms in combatting the spread of misinformation.
Global Events Update
President Ruto signs Affordable Housing Bill into law, UN reports increase in violence in South Sudan, discrimination faced by black coaches in English football, and more global developments.
Google Maps Social Upgrade Allows Users to See Brands’ Latest Posts
Google Maps is now integrating social media posts from businesses directly into their profiles, allowing customers to engage with brands more easily. This new feature provides businesses with additional marketing opportunities and aims to enhance their online presence. Business owners can link their social media profiles to their Google Business Profiles, enabling their posts to appear automatically. While this feature is currently available in specific regions, Google is working to expand its availability, demonstrating its commitment to improving user experience and providing innovative tools for businesses.
TikTok Photos: The New Instagram Rival
TikTok Photos, a new app from the popular video-sharing platform, is set to rival Instagram in the realm of photo sharing. With seamless connectivity to TikTok, the app aims to fill the gap for dedicated photo sharing. Anticipation is mounting as users express excitement and concerns about the potential impact of ‘TikTok Photos’ on the social media landscape.
TikTok Experiences Slowdown in Growth Rate as User Base Matures
TikTok, the popular short-form video app, has experienced a significant slowdown in its growth rate, with a reverse trend observed in the U.S. during the final quarter of 2023. This decline is attributed to the transition of its core user base, who started using the app as teenagers and are now entering adulthood, where they are confronted with new responsibilities and time constraints. The changing demographics of TikTok’s user base are a key factor contributing to this trend, with a nearly 9% decrease in average monthly users among the 18-24 age group in the U.S. from 2022 to 2023.
LinkedIn experiences widespread outage
LinkedIn is experiencing a widespread outage, causing frustration among users. The cause is unclear, but tens of thousands of complaints have been registered. This follows recent outages on other major websites. The Help Center link is dead, and theories about the cause of the outage are circulating on social media. LinkedIn’s team is working to resolve the issue, and users are advised to check the LinkedIn Status Page for updates.
Facebook and Instagram Restored After Global Outage
Facebook and Instagram have been restored after a global outage attributed to a ‘technical issue’. The disruption impacted users worldwide, highlighting the widespread reliance on Meta’s platforms. Despite recent outages, Meta faces challenges and initiatives, including addressing AI-generated content and legal action in London.