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Google+ is dead, but its legacy lives on
Following the revelation of a security vulnerability that exposed the private data of up to 500,000 Google+ users, Google is finally ready to pull the plug on the consumer version of its troubled social network. Simply put, the company said Monday, Google+ has not achieved the broad consumer or developer adoption it had hoped for. Google even said that 90 percent of Google+ user sessions were lasting less than five seconds. This sums up the sad state of a service that, when it launched in 2011, Google dreamed of turning into a serious Facebook competitor.
Instagram's app-based two-factor authentication is available now
Now might be a good time to add an extra layer of security to your Instagram account. As previewed in August, Instagram has switched on two-factor authentication using apps like Google Authenticator and Duo Mobile, promising a more secure sign-in process than receiving a text message (an option since 2016). You can enable it by visiting the Privacy and Security section of the mobile app's settings, choosing Two-Factor Authentication, and then toggling the Authentication App option. Instagram can scan for compatible authenticators on your phone or invite you to download one.
Instagram uses machine learning to spot bullying in photos
Instagram can already thwart some bullying in comments. Now, however, it can do the same for photos. The social service is introducing a system that uses machine learning to "proactively" spot bullying in photos and their captions. Human moderators will still review the content before making a judgment call, but this theoretically catches harassment that might not be reported for a while, if at all. You'll see the feature roll out over the "coming weeks."
Instagram uses Snapchat-like tags to make adding friends easier
Instagram has yet another answer to Snapchat, but this time it's covering one of the basics: namely, adding friends. Months after it started testing, the social network has introduced "nametags" that make friend additions as simple as pointing your camera at a code, much like Snapcodes. Once you've created a nametag (complete with colors, emojis and selfies), your soon-to-be pal just has to launch the camera and hold down on the screen when the tag is in view. From there, they'll receive options to either follow straight away or view the profile. You can share nametags with others through text messages or other social platforms if you're trying to build as wide an audience as possible.
Twitter brings a data-saving feature to its main mobile app
To date, invoking Twitter's data-saving mode on your phone has meant either installing Twitter Lite or relying on the mobile web version. You won't have to make that compromise from now on, as Twitter has introduced a data saver option to its Android and iOS apps. Toggle the feature in your Data Usage settings and it will both lower image quality as well as disable autoplay for videos. You can choose to load higher-quality pictures in those moments when you have data to spare.
Facebook's political ad policy also blocked LGBT messages
Facebook's tougher political advertising policy has had more unintended side-effects. The Washington Post has discovered that the social network inadvertently blocked dozens of LGBT-themed ads after its screening system (which includes automated and human moderators) deemed them political. Most didn't contain advocacy or obvious political leanings -- the only common link was a reference to LGBT keywords. When the ad runners complained to Facebook, it responded more than once that mentioning LGBT made it about civil rights and thus a "political topic."
Facebook tests Snapchat-like map for Nearby Friends
Facebook's eagerness to replicate Snapchat features might extend beyond particularly conspicuous elements like Stories and selfie filters. The company has confirmed to TechCrunch that it's testing a rework of Nearby Friends that introduces visuals uncannily like Snapchat's Snap Map. While the conventional list is still there, testers can see friends grouped by city and neighborhood. You'd have a better sense of whether or not a friend is town without having to read a sea of text.
Facebook increases account deletion grace period to 30 days
You may be determined to delete Facebook from your life after the Cambridge Analytica scandal and hacking reports, but the company wants to give you extra time for a change of heart. A spokesperson for the social site has confirmed to The Verge that it expanded the account deletion grace period from 14 to 30 days, giving you up to a whole month to revive your presence. According to Facebook, people have tried to sign into deleted accounts after 14 days. This offers an opportunity to make a "fully informed choice," the spokesperson said.
Facebook: Hackers didn't access third-party sites with our sign-in
The Facebook hack compromised 50 million users, but the damage might not be as extensive as some expected. In a statement, company security VP Guy Rosen revealed that investigators "found no evidence" of the intruders accessing third-party apps with its Facebook Login feature. Some sites using the single sign-on also confirmed that there was no indication of a data breach on their end, although they're not necessarily taking chances.
Facebook takes on Twitch and YouTube with video premieres
Facebook just ramped up its bid to compete with Twitch (and more recently, YouTube). After months of tests, the social network is rolling out video Premieres that turn the launch of pre-recorded clips into live events. Creators can schedule video releases up to a week in advance, building up hype ahead of a debut that incorporates a live chat for fans. A game streamer could debut a Let's Play video with fanfare, for example, while a company could make a big announcement without having to wait until launch day to post their sizzle reel.
Twitter touts its recent work to 'protect the integrity of elections'
It's almost the midterm elections in the US, and that means disinformation campaigns could be working overtime. Social networks have been introducing new features, rolling out changes and even asking the government for help to fight off trolls and fake news disseminators. Twitter, for instance, has expanded its ability to spot and remove fake accounts. In a post detailing its elections integrity work, the microblogging platform said it may now delete "fake accounts engaged in a variety of emergent, malicious behaviors."
Instagram's new CEO is Facebook veteran Adam Mosseri
Instagram has a new leader after the abrupt exit of its co-founders Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger. The social network has appointed Adam Mosseri (shown at center), a long-time Facebook veteran, as Head of Instagram. He takes control effective immediately. Systrom and Krieger characterized him as ideal for the role between a "focus on craft and simplicity" and a "deep understanding" of community.
Cellphone and internet adoption may have peaked in the US
There's no question that technologies like cellphones and internet access have become ubiquitous, but they now appear to be hitting their peak in the US. Pew Research Center's latest technology study has shown that key categories technological adoption has gone virtually unchanged since the last study in 2016, suggesting they've hit saturation points. Much like two years ago, about 95 percent of all Americans studied (99 percent in the ages 18-49 group) have cellphones, 89 percent have internet access, 77 percent have smartphones and 69 percent use social networks. In fact, PC adoption went down -- 73 percent have a computer where 78 percent did in 2016.
Facebook pulls over a dozen political pages tied to fake accounts
Facebook isn't just removing fake political pages to thwart election meddling -- sometimes, it's just about culling spam. The social site has removed more than a dozen "hyperpartisan" pages across the political spectrum after learning that fake accounts were administering the bunch. All of them had recently started spamming links to LifeZette, the conservative site founded (and still promoted by) Fox News' Laura Ingraham. These were not small outlets, either. At least several of the pages, such as American News and Truth Examiner, had millions of fans each.
Former Facebook moderator sues over mental trauma
Facebook's content moderators don't have an easy task. They often have to see the very worst of what people post, including graphic violence and sexual abuse. And while the social network has resources to help, at least one former worker doesn't believe that's enough. Ex-contractor Selena Scola has sued Facebook for allegedly "ignoring its duty" to protect moderators who deal with mental trauma after seeing disturbing imagery. Rather than create a safe environment, it's producing a "revolving door of contractors" who are permanently scarred by what they've seen, Scola's lawyer Korey Nelson said.
Facebook pushed for access to financial firms' user data
Facebook is in hot water again over its data sharing deals -- or rather, attempted deals. The Wall Street Journal has learned that Facebook had spent "years" negotiating for access to financial companies' user data. The amount of data it wanted to collect varied. It initially insisted that it had access to all data on its servers, but later backed off and arranged limited data use.
Facebook is hiring a human rights policy director
Facebook has faced criticism for its slow response to the Myanmar government's use of its social network to fuel atrocities, and it's determined to prevent that from happening again. The company is hiring a Director of Human Rights Policy who will develop approaches that foster human rights and peace while simultaneously cracking down on those who "enable harm, stifle expression, and undermine human rights." This leader would steer investigations into human rights abusers and work with both government and corporate partners.
Reddit bans communities promoting QAnon conspiracy theory
Reddit's tougher policies just led to more community bans, albeit not for typical reasons. The site has confirmed to Slate that it shut down subreddits associated with the QAnon conspiracy theory, including GreatAwakening, QProofs and thestorm, among others. While the company didn't say exactly what had prompted the bans, it noted that its rules bar activity that "incites violence, disseminates personal information, or harasses." It had banned a related board in March, but it hadn't conducted such a sweeping response until now.
Instagram offers help to people struggling with drug abuse
Instagram is expanding its proactive help to people grappling with drug addiction. The social network will pop up an offer of support when users search for certain drug-related hashtags, including references to opioids and other frequently abused substances. The message won't prevent people from finding material if they insist on it, but it will give them a moment of pause and could help them find treatment referrals as well as prevention and recovery information.
Instagram's emoji shortcuts help you comment in record time
If you can't post comments without tossing in at least one emoji to make your feelings clear, you'll be glad to know that Instagram has your back. After months of testing, Instagram has introduced an emoji shortcut bar on Android and iOS that offers quick access to your most-used icons when wading into a post's comments. You won't have to sift through your phone keyboard's emoji selection when you want to heart someone's touching moment or tell them their new look is fire.
