Here’s our round-up of the latest trends and updates in social media…
Facebook introduces new privacy protections to everyone:
- Following the Cambridge Analytica scandal which involved the breach of millions of users’ data, Facebook has invited all users to manage their data settings.
- Users now have the option to turn off face recognition technology and opt out of advertising targeting, such as when Facebook uses data to gain information about personal preferences, hobbies, relationship status or political affiliation.
- A higher level of protection has been introduced for teenagers, such as limiting the certain types of adverts that can be shown to them.
- The terms of service have been updated in order to adhere to the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
Facebook introduces a new marketing campaign, focusing on ‘the good old days’:
- With the Cambridge Analytica scandal ongoing and the higher focus on adverts, apps and fake news, Facebook have realised that the days of keeping in touch with friends, maintaining relationships and connecting with new people are disappearing.
- Their new campaign ‘Here Together’ is an attempt to recognise this change and revert back to what Facebook used to be. After a stream of negativity, it seems this is the first positive story the world has seen from Facebook in a while!
Pinterest has introduced a new design:
- Profile pages have been completely redesigned for both users and brands.
- The new design showcases their latest pins across the top of the page, creating a header image.
- With 93% of active pinners saying they use Pinterest to plan for purchases, the new design will undoubtedly create a smoother user experience.
Snapchat plans to test six-second unskippable video ads:
- Previously, users could tap their phone screen to skip adverts, however things are about to change, with tests for unskippable ads beginning in May.
- It seems that Snapchat is warming up to the idea of unskippable ads after a difficult first year since going public with ads in March 2017.
- The dilemma they face is attempting to please clients that are buying the ads, but also preventing aggravating audiences with distracting advertisements at the same time.
Twitter adds to the Cambridge Analytica data scandal:
- It has been reported that Twitter sold data to Cambridge Analytica.
- Aleksandr Kogan, who created tools for Cambridge Analytica which allowed the political consultancy to psychologically profile and target voters, bought the data in 2015, before the recent scandal emerged.
- Dr Kogan insisted the data had only been used to create “brand reports” and “survey extender tools”.
- Following this, Twitter has released a new privacy policy to comply with GDPR, which will take effect on May 25th.
WhatsApp increases the minimum user age in Europe to adhere to GDPR:
- The minimum age for accounts will increase from 13 to 16, as parent company Facebook changes its policies to abide by the new GDPR rules that come into play on May 25th.
- It remains unclear how WhatsApp will ensure users are at least sixteen, as it is very easy for children to enter a fake age without any approval needed from WhatsApp.
By Hannah Old