Social Media
Ongoing coverage on Social Media.
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Elon Musk says X will DM you about posts that receive a Community Note
X, formerly Twitter, will now send direct messages to users about posts that have received a Community Note. This new feature aims to make the platform's crowd-sourced corrections more noticeable and harder to ignore.
'Not once have we been asked to verify our age': Study suggests companies falling under Australia's under-16 social media ban are failing to verify accounts
A recent study suggests that social media companies are failing to enforce Australia's ban on users under 16, with many platforms not verifying account ages. Testers found that nine out of ten services, including Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, and YouTube, did not ask for proof of age. Only Kick reportedly implemented age verification measures.
Meccha Chameleon sells 15,000,000 copies to become game equivalent of Obsession
The hide-and-seek indie game Meccha Chameleon has achieved over 15 million copies sold worldwide since its launch on Steam on June 10. Developed by two Japanese indie developers in under two months, the game's success is attributed to its low price point, viral popularity on platforms like TikTok, and its classification as a 'friendslop' title. Despite its modest revenue, Meccha Chameleon has become the best-selling game of 2026 so far across Steam, PlayStation, and Xbox.
Detaljer om GTA VI verkar läcka från butikssidor
Details for Grand Theft Auto VI appear to have leaked from Brazilian online store listings for Amazon and Kabum. The descriptions, which have since been edited or removed, suggested advanced AI would control NPCs with their own routines and that social media would play a significant role, with in-game mobile phones showing viral videos in real-time. The leaks also hinted at the ability to switch between characters and unique character abilities.
GTA 6 takes aim at TikTok with a new social network where we'll apparently be able to follow influencers, get side missions, and maybe get famous?
Grand Theft Auto 6 will feature an integrated social network, inspired by platforms like TikTok and Instagram, where players can follow influencers and discover side missions. Retailer listings suggest NPCs will have AI-driven routines, creating organic events, and players can switch between protagonists Jason and Lucia in real-time. The game is set to release on November 19th for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series S/X.
The most popular Grok feature is, apparently, exactly what you think
A new report indicates that the most popular feature of the Grok AI chatbot is its NSFW content filter. Usage of this feature accounts for over half of all traffic to the chatbot, suggesting a significant user interest in adult-oriented content.
NEW STUDY REVEALS THE GROWTH, ENGAGEMENT, DISCOVERABILITY, AND VALUE DRIVING WEB GAMING TO OUTPERFORM GAMING GIANTS AND SOCIAL MEDIA
A new study commissioned by Poki and conducted by Atomik Research reveals that web gaming is experiencing significant growth, outperforming social media in consumer attention. The report, based on surveys of 2,000 consumers and 400 developers, highlights that web gamers are highly engaged and valuable, with many also owning premium gaming hardware like PlayStation and Xbox consoles. Web gaming is also serving as a crucial discovery layer for new games and IPs, with a majority of players downloading or purchasing titles after first experiencing them on the web.
Polymarket has reportedly been paying creators to post fake betting videos
Polymarket has reportedly been paying creators to produce and post fake betting videos. The Wall Street Journal reviewed over a thousand videos and creator guidelines, indicating a coordinated effort to disseminate misleading content.
Evening Metaverse
Ohio is considering a new law that would require parental consent for minors to use social media platforms. This proposed legislation aims to address concerns about children's online safety and data privacy.
At least one UK government department is reportedly done with X
The UK attorney general, Richard Hermer, has reportedly informed his staff that his office will cease using the social media platform X. This decision follows reports from The Guardian and The Observer.
Instagram now lets you add a unique caption to each carousel slide
Instagram has introduced a new feature allowing users to add a unique caption to each individual slide within a carousel post. Carousels can now contain up to 20 slides, each with its own distinct caption.
No, Commodore's next project isn't an Amiga remake, it's a flip phone with 2000s vibes that's already prepped to deal with the under-16s UK social media ban
Commodore has announced its next product, the Callback 8020, a flip phone designed with a 2000s aesthetic and featuring physical keys. Running on Sailfish OS, it offers access to apps like WhatsApp and Spotify but blocks social media and web browsing to combat distraction. CEO Christian Simpson aims to provide a 'not dumb dumbphone' experience, inspired by his own switch to a minimal phone.
Meta's Threads app now has half a billion monthly users
Meta's social media app Threads has reached half a billion monthly users. The platform, which serves as a competitor to X, continues to experience significant growth nearly three years after its launch.
UK to ban social media and streaming platforms for under 16-year-olds, but the full impact on games and the gaming industry remains unclear
The UK government plans to ban social media access for individuals under 16, with legislation intended for spring 2027. Similar restrictions are being considered for undisclosed streaming platforms, potentially impacting gaming sites like Twitch and YouTube. The ban aims to protect children online, though its full implications for the gaming industry and advertising remain unclear.
Under-16s to Be Banned From Social Media, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer Says
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced plans to ban individuals under the age of 16 from using social media. The government aims to pass the necessary regulations before Christmas, with the ban expected to be implemented by spring 2027.
Evening Metaverse
Amazon has significantly updated the user interface for its Echo Hub smart display. Separately, Reddit has introduced a new feature allowing users to post videos directly within comments on the platform.
Reddit now lets you post videos in comments
Reddit has introduced a new feature allowing users to post videos directly within comment sections. This update aims to enhance user engagement and content sharing on the platform.
Morning Metaverse
This article is a brief roundup of recent news across various tech and media platforms. It mentions how to watch the 2026 World Cup in 4K, Bluesky's upcoming Reddit-style communities, and YouTube's reintroduction of its direct messaging feature.
Bluesky will launch Reddit-style communities this year
Bluesky is planning to launch a new communities feature later this year, similar to Reddit's community structure. This update aims to enhance user interaction and content organization on the platform.
Here’s Why Everyone Is Talking About Hideo Kojima And Geoff Keighley’s “Divorce”
Speculation arose online about a falling out between game director Hideo Kojima and The Game Awards host Geoff Keighley, fueled by their perceived lack of interaction on social media and at industry events. The "divorce rumors" intensified with social media posts and fan reactions, but the pair have since shared posts of their reunion, putting an end to the speculation.