WhatsApp Launches New COVID-19 Info Hub Amid Concerns Around Misinformation Being Shared In-App

WhatsApp has launched a new information hub to help ensure its 2.5 billion users are getting accurate information on the COVID-19 outbreak.

By Andrew Hutchinson • March 19, 2020

Twitter Now Enables Users to Invite Guests to Live-Streams Ahead of Time

Twitter has launched an update for its Go Live with Guests feature which enables users to invite guests into the stream before it begins.

By Andrew Hutchinson • March 18, 2020

Facebook-Owned CrowdTangle Provides New Trend Search Tools and COVID-19 Content Tracking

Facebook-owned social media monitoring tool CrowdTangle has launched a new search feature to help journalists track down relevant information on evolving web trends.

By Andrew Hutchinson • March 18, 2020

WhatsApp's Testing Disappearing Messages Based on a Set Time Limit

WhatsApp is reportedly developing a new option which would enable users to set their WhatsApp messages to auto-delete after a set time limit.

By Andrew Hutchinson • March 18, 2020

Linkedin Launches 'Conversation Ads' to Help Brands Capitalize on the Rise of Messaging

LinkedIn has launched a new 'Conversation Ads' option, which essentially enables you to add clickable options for your email recipients to choose.

By Andrew Hutchinson • March 18, 2020

Facebook Will Provide Staff With $1000 Bonus and Eliminate Performance Reviews Amid COVID-19 Concerns

Facebook is looking to provide assistance for its staff and local communities amid the COVID-19 outbreak with a one-off bonus payment and additional benefits.

By Andrew Hutchinson • March 18, 2020

Facebook Launches New, Million-Dollar Grant Programs to Support Fact-Checkers and Local Newsrooms

Facebook is launching two new grant programs to help better ensure the flow of accurate, relevant information amid the COVID-19 outbreak.

By Andrew Hutchinson • March 18, 2020

Twitter Will Increase Its Use of Automation Tools as It Looks to Ensure Accuracy in COVID-19 Discussion

As it works to deal with a major shift in its workforce, and a rise in misinformation, Twitter will up its reliance on automation tools to detect potentially abusive and manipulative content.

By Andrew Hutchinson • March 17, 2020

TikTok Partners With World Health Organization on COVID-19 Information Program

TikTok has announced a new partnership with the World Health Organization to share COVID-19 information with its users.

By Andrew Hutchinson • March 17, 2020

Instagram's Testing a New 'Mirror' Camera Mode for Stories

Instagram is testing a new 'Mirror' effect for the Stories camera, providing another way to enhance your visual presentation. 

By Andrew Hutchinson • March 17, 2020

TikTok Once Again Comes Under Scrutiny Over Extreme Moderation and Censorship

A new investigation has uncovered another set of controversial TikTok moderation guidelines, this time related to content restrictions based on user appearance and censorship of political content.

By Andrew Hutchinson • March 17, 2020

Google Outlines Latest COVID-19 Tools on Google and YouTube, Including Changes to Content Reviews

Google has announced a new set of updates and tools as it seeks to help the community amid the COVID-19 outbreak.

By Andrew Hutchinson • March 17, 2020

Snapchat Outlines Its Efforts to Ensure Users Are Accurately Informed About COVID-19

Snapchat has provided an overview of the steps its taking to ensure users are getting accurate information about the COVID-19 outbreak.

By Andrew Hutchinson • March 17, 2020

Instagram Launches First Stage of IGTV Monetization, With In-Stream Ads Coming to Selected Channels

Instagram is reaching out to selected creators, inviting them to take part in the initial launch of ads in IGTV content. 

By Andrew Hutchinson • March 17, 2020

YouTube Switches 'Trending' Tab to 'Explore', Which Will Highlight More Content Categories

YouTube is updating its 'Trending' tab to a new 'Explore' listing, which will cover more content categories and seek to generate broader engagement.

By Andrew Hutchinson • March 14, 2020

Instagram Bans Searches for COVID-19 AR Effects, Adds New Information Prompts in Home Feeds

Instagram is adding some extra informational prompts related to COVID-19, while it's also banning coronavirus-related AR masks.

By Andrew Hutchinson • March 14, 2020

TikTok Continues to Gain Momentum, But Challenges Remain in Maximizing the App's Growth

TikTok is closing in on two billion total app downloads worldwide, with February being its biggest ever month for downloads thus far.

By Andrew Hutchinson • March 14, 2020

The UK Government is Partnering With Social Media Influencers to Combat COVID-19 Misinformation

In another sign of the rising influence of social media, the UK Government has launched a new program to partner with social media influencers in sharing accurate COVID-19 info.

By Andrew Hutchinson • March 14, 2020

Facebook Expands Access to Local Alerts in Order to Help Communicate COVID-19 Updates

Facebook has announced that it will expand access to its local alerts feature, while it's also matching up to $10 million in donations for COVID-19 research.

By Andrew Hutchinson • March 14, 2020

Facebook Takes Down Another Russian-Backed Cluster of Accounts Attempting to Shift US Political Sentiment

Facebook has announced the detection and removal of yet another group of accounts engaging in coordinated inauthentic behavior.

By Andrew Hutchinson • March 13, 2020

Facebook Plays a Significant Role in Fueling Political Division - So How Can That Be Fixed?

No matter how you look at it, Facebook plays a significant role in fueling political division. But can that be addressed?

By Andrew Hutchinson • March 13, 2020

Snapchat Launches 'Lens Web Builder' to Simplify the Creation of AR Lens Campaigns

Snapchat has launched a new process which enables brands to build AR Lens campaigns based on full templates or existing 3D objects.

By Andrew Hutchinson • March 13, 2020

YouTube Will Ease its 'Sensitive Events' Policy to Allow Monetization of Some Coronavirus-Related Videos

YouTube says that it will update its policies to allow monetization of some coronavirus-related videos due to the scope of the issue.

By Andrew Hutchinson • March 12, 2020

Instagram Is Testing a New Option to Re-Share Live Videos to IGTV

Instagram is now testing a new feature that would enable you to immediately upload any live videos to IGTV after the broadcast has ended.

By Andrew Hutchinson • March 12, 2020

LinkedIn Makes 'LinkedIn Learning' Courses on Working From Home Available for Free Amid Coronavirus Changes

LinkedIn has announced a range of updates related to the coronavirus outbreak, including making several LinkedIn Learning course available for free to assist those working from home.  

By Andrew Hutchinson • March 12, 2020