Social Media
Ongoing coverage on Social Media.
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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.
Highguard technical artist returns to social media, apologizes for his "misdirected" anger about the game's troubled launch
Highguard technical artist Josh Sobel has apologized on X/Twitter for his public anger regarding the hero shooter's troubled launch and subsequent cancellation. Sobel, who had been absent for a month, admitted his online outburst was "misdirected" and poorly phrased due to stress, though he stands by the intent behind his criticisms of external narratives impacting the game.
X says it suspended 800 million accounts in 2024 over spam and manipulation
X reported to UK MPs that it suspended 800 million accounts in 2024 due to violations of platform manipulation and spam policies. The company identified state-backed campaigns, primarily from Russia, China, and Iran, as the source of these accounts, which aimed to spread disinformation and manipulate discussions, including those related to the US Presidential Elections.
Bluesky CEO Jay Graber steps down
Jay Graber has stepped down as CEO of Bluesky. Venture capitalist Toni Schneider will take over as interim CEO of the social media platform.
Evening Metaverse
Bluesky's Chief Executive Officer is stepping down after nearly five years at the helm of the social media platform. Further details regarding the transition and successor are expected.
Bluesky's CEO is stepping down after nearly 5 years
Bluesky CEO Jay Graber is stepping down after nearly five years to become Chief Innovation Officer, with Toni Schneider taking over as interim CEO. Graber, who led the social platform since its inception as a Twitter side project, will focus on building new initiatives while Schneider, formerly of Automattic, will oversee scaling and execution as the company searches for a permanent CEO.
X's Exclusive Threads feature lets creators paywall the end of tweet threads
X has introduced a new feature called Exclusive Threads, allowing creators to paywall parts of their tweet threads for subscribers. This update to the creator subscriptions platform aims to provide new monetization tools by enabling creators to tease content before locking the remainder behind a subscription. The company is also promoting other features like paid partnership labels for sponsored posts.
Top Indie Game Releases of January 2026, Part 2 – GTOGG’s Curated Picks – Zombies, card battles and a time-traveling vigilante – GTOGG
This article highlights promising indie game releases from the second week of January 2026, featuring a variety of genres. Titles include the zombie apocalypse survival game Quarantine Zone: The Last Check, the pixel art fantasy RPG Philna Fantasy, and the psychological horror BrokenLore: UNFOLLOW. Other featured games are the one-turn-kill card battler One Turn Kill, the anime-inspired metroidvania Kotama and Academy Citadel, and the time-traveling vigilante superhero game Hank: Drowning On Dry Land.
Searching for Wonder in a Toxic Gaming Landscape
This opinion piece reflects on the decline of wonder in gaming culture due to pervasive toxicity amplified by social media platforms. It argues that outrage and personal grievances have replaced nuanced discussion, leading to burnout and a less welcoming environment for players and developers alike. The author calls for a return to curiosity, empathy, and a recognition of the human effort behind game creation.
