Social Media
Ongoing coverage on Social Media.
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Morning Metaverse
This article touches on various topics including the metaverse, a YouTube spinoff of Jeopardy!, and a UK social media ban. It also mentions the government's website and briefly references Google and Sony Interactive Entertainment.
X is changing its revenue-sharing policy to deter users pretending to be Americans
X is updating its revenue-sharing policy to prioritize engagement from a user's home region, according to Head of Product Nikita Bier. This change aims to encourage content relevant to local audiences and discourage users from gaming the system by pretending to be in the US or Japan. The new policy, effective March 26, 2026, will no longer send money overseas for content focused on American politics.
Evening Metaverse
This article briefly touches on several unrelated tech news items. It mentions a BBC report about UK teenagers trialing social media bans and digital curfews, and an Ars Technica report about Vizio TVs requiring Walmart accounts for smart features.
Meta is letting creators fill their Reels with shopping links
Meta is enabling creators on Instagram and Facebook to add clickable shopping links directly within their Reels, allowing them to tag up to 30 products. This feature aims to simplify brand partnerships and affiliate marketing for creators, bringing Meta's platforms in line with competitors like TikTok and YouTube Shorts. While Meta is not currently taking a cut of sales, the data gathered could inform its advertising business.
Snapchat users sent 'nearly' 2 trillion snaps in 2025
Snapchat users sent nearly 2 trillion snaps in 2025, averaging 5.5 billion per day. This data highlights the platform's engagement, with nearly 15-year-old Snapchat approaching 1 billion monthly users. CEO Evan Spiegel has set reaching a billion users as a long-term goal.
Twitter turned 20 and I feel nothing
The author reflects on Twitter's 20th anniversary, noting a lack of nostalgia despite being a long-time user. The article discusses the platform's transformation into X, its current algorithm, controversial AI tool Grok, and the legacy of its founder Jack Dorsey.
Evening Metaverse
The New York Times is blocking the Internet Archive, a move criticized as a mistake. Separately, Pinterest CEO Bill Ready stated that teenagers under 16 should be banned from social media platforms, though he excluded Pinterest from this recommendation.
Pinterest CEO says teens under 16 should be banned from social media (but not Pinterest)
Pinterest CEO Bill Ready advocates for a global ban on social media for individuals under 16, arguing it is unsafe for this age group. He believes Pinterest, which already has restrictions for younger users and identifies as a visual search platform, should be exempt from such bans.
Evening Metaverse
Facebook, now Meta Platforms, is offering $3,000 to TikTok and YouTube creators to post reels on its platform. This initiative aims to attract more content creators and boost engagement on Facebook's short-form video offerings.
Meta's latest creator push comes with $3,000 bonuses for posting on Facebook
Meta has launched a new "Creator Fast Track" program offering bonuses up to $3,000 per month to lure popular creators from platforms like TikTok and YouTube to post on Facebook. The initiative aims to boost Meta's Content Monetization program, with bonuses lasting for three months and intended to offset the initial effort of joining a new platform.
Morning Legal Briefs
A legal analysis discusses whether Elon Musk's tweets were deliberate or simply foolish, leaving it to a jury to decide. The article touches upon the legal implications of his public statements.
30% OFF Klap Promo Code "BIG30" to All Customers
Klap is offering a 30% discount on its video editing software with the promo code "BIG30". This tool helps users convert long videos into short, viral clips suitable for platforms like TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts. The discount is available to all customers.
OpTic Texas Eliminated from CDL as League Drops Brutal ‘NOT TODAY’
The Call of Duty League publicly announced the elimination of OpTic Texas with a blunt "NOT TODAY" message on social media, sparking widespread discussion. While some criticized the league's approach as unprofessional, others praised it for generating engagement and drama within the esports community.
Digg shuts down for a 'hard reset' because it was flooded with bots
Digg has temporarily shut down its service for a complete reset due to overwhelming bot activity shortly after its open beta launch. CEO Justin Mezzell stated that sophisticated AI agents and automated accounts flooded the website, making comments and votes untrustworthy. Founder Kevin Rose is rejoining the company full-time to help rebuild it with a genuinely different approach.
Meta is killing end-to-end encryption in Instagram DMs
Meta is discontinuing end-to-end encryption support for Instagram Direct Messages after May 8, 2026, citing low user adoption. While WhatsApp offers default encryption, the feature on Instagram was opt-in and available only in select regions. The company's approach to encryption across its platforms, including Messenger, has evolved over time amidst debates about privacy and child safety.
X could be breaching US sanctions on Iran, watchdog warns
A watchdog group, the Tech Transparency Project, has warned that X may be violating US sanctions on Iran. This concern stems from X's verified account for Iran's supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, who is himself sanctioned, appearing to pay for a premium subscription. The TTP has previously identified similar instances of sanctioned individuals and groups subscribing to X's premium services.
Meta is testing clickable links in Instagram captions for verified subscribers
Meta is testing a new feature that allows verified subscribers to include clickable links directly within Instagram post captions. This long-requested update for creators is currently in a limited test phase, with users able to add up to 10 links per month. The move could significantly alter creator-follower interactions on the platform and follows Meta's previous experiments with making link-sharing a paid feature.
Top 10 Movies Everyone on Letterboxd Talks About
Letterboxd, a social platform for film enthusiasts, has become a significant force in shaping contemporary movie culture. This article highlights the top 10 most influential films discussed on the platform, including "Parasite," "Interstellar," and "Donnie Darko," showcasing how these movies foster debate, analysis, and community among cinephiles worldwide.
Meta will let kids under 13 use WhatsApp with parent-managed accounts
Meta is introducing parent-managed accounts on WhatsApp, allowing children under 13 to use the messaging platform with enhanced safety controls. Parents can manage who messages their child and restrict access to certain features like Channels and Meta AI. This initiative is part of Meta's broader effort to expand parental controls across its platforms, following similar features introduced for Facebook, Messenger, and Instagram.
AI Yi-Yi!
Meta, the owner of Instagram, has acquired a social media network focused on AI, signaling a significant investment in artificial intelligence. The company has also developed four new chips to power its AI and recommendation systems, underscoring its commitment to advancing AI technology.