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TikTok bypasses U.S. App Store restrictions, offers direct Android downloads
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DR Congo faces widespread social media restrictions amid tensions in the East
Staff WriterYouTube expands ‘Communities’ feature to rival Discord for creator-fan engagement
Staff WriterMayor John Mpe launches MyPolokwane app for citizen engagement in South Africa
Modupeoluwa OlalereTikTok expands in Kenya with Aleph Holdings and Wowzi partnerships
Staff WriterMeta’s Threads exceeds 320 million users, unveils media tab and photo tagging features
Staff WriterBluesky adds video tab for users
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Instagram goes vertical, debuting TikTok-style feed
Instagram announced on Monday a significant update to its profile grid, introducing vertical-aligned thumbnails instead of the traditional square format. This change, spearheaded by Instagram’s head, Adam Mosseri, aims to better accommodate the platform’s increasing prevalence of vertical content. Read also: Instagram empowers creators with new in-app editing tools Embracing vertical content Mosseri explained that […]
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Instagram empowers creators with new in-app editing tools
Instagram announced the launch of a new video editing app called Edits on Monday. This initiative, led by Instagram’s head, Adam Mosseri, aims to provide creators with powerful editing tools and analytics. The app is designed to help content creators produce high-quality videos and compete with popular platforms like TikTok and CapCut. Read also: Instagram […]
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Amazon adds naira, Egyptian pound payment options to web services
Amazon Web Services (AWS) said on Tuesday that it will expand its payment flexibility to include support for the Egyptian Pound and Nigerian Naira. The goal is simplifying customer transactions in these locations and lowering foreign exchange and regulatory costs. Read also: Meet Amazon’s best-selling laptop, the Acer Aspire 5 New payment options for local […]
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WhatsApp introduces Meta AI Widget for smarter home screen interactions
WhatsApp, a leading messaging platform owned by Meta, is taking a bold step forward with developing its Meta AI widget. Highlighted in the latest beta release (version 2.25.1.27) for Android, this feature was reported by WABetaInfo on Monday. The widget aims to enhance user interactions by integrating artificial intelligence directly onto users’ home screens. Read […]
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X introduces profile labels for parody accounts to curb fake news
Social media platform X has unveiled a new feature to address user concerns about misleading content. The platform will now introduce profile labels for parody accounts to ensure clarity and prevent confusion among its users. Read also: Meta expands Marketplace with eBay integration in major test across three countries X adds parody labels to prevent […]
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Elon Musk tests X’s live streaming feature
Elon Musk’s vision for X, formerly known as Twitter, is taking shape as the platform explores live streaming capabilities, marking a significant step toward becoming an “everything app.” On January 7, 2025, Musk tested this feature by live-streaming himself playing a video game for 1 hour and 38 minutes, attracting approximately 3.8 million views and […]
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WhatsApp introduces built-in document scanner to simplify file sharing
WhatsApp has introduced a built-in document scanner, enhancing its functionality for over 2 billion users. This feature, announced on December 27, 2024, enables users to scan and share documents directly in the app, removing the need for third-party tools. Read also: From messaging to money: WhatsApp Pay brings simple, secure payments to Indian users How […]
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TikTok Live accused of being a ‘Virtual Strip Club’ for minors, Utah lawsuit claims
Shocking allegations emerged from a Utah lawsuit on Saturday claiming that TikTok knowingly allowed its livestream feature, TikTok Live, to exploit children. The lawsuit, filed by Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes, describes the platform as a “virtual strip club,” connecting minors with adult predators in real-time. Internal documents suggest that TikTok was aware of these […]
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Telegram introduces NFT gifts, advanced search filters in new update
With its first update of the year, Telegram has introduced additional message search filters, the ability to convert presents into NFTs, and a new third-party-powered account verification method. In addition to its program for verifying public figures and organisations on the platform, the chat app has started a project to allow third-party agencies, including educational […]
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From messaging to money: WhatsApp Pay brings simple, secure payments to Indian users
WhatsApp on Thursday announced that its payment service, WhatsApp Pay, is now accessible to all users in India. This significant change follows the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) lifting the limit of 100 million users, allowing the platform to expand its services to its entire user base of over 500 million. Read also: WhatsApp […]
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Meta exploring AI-powered virtual users for social platforms
Meta Platforms Inc., founded by Mark Zuckerberg, announced on December 31, 2024, its ambitious plan to integrate AI-generated users into its social media platforms, including Facebook and Instagram. This initiative aims to enhance user engagement by introducing virtual personas to interact with real users, creating a new layer of digital communication. Read also: Clash of […]
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WhatsApp celebrates 10 years of privacy with new group features, AI tools
WhatsApp recently celebrated 10 years of prioritising user privacy, announcing new features on December 27, 2024. WhatsApp, a prominent messaging platform, has become renowned for its dedication to security since its inception in 2009 by Brian Acton and Jan Koum. Read also: YouTube simplifies content discovery with ‘Play Something’ button A decade of privacy innovation […]
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YouTube simplifies content discovery with ‘Play Something’ button
YouTube is set to enhance user experience on its mobile app by introducing a new feature called “Play Something.” This feature, which aims to streamline video discovery by allowing users to play suggested content with a tap, was announced on Friday. A new way to discover content Read also: YouTube expands AI auto-dubbing feature to […]
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