Snapchat launches ‘Snap Select’ ad buying platform in the UK
Snapchat has released its long-awaited ad-buying tool, Snap Select, which will enable UK brands and advertisers to buy and reserve commercials for shows in Snapchat Discover. The announcement comes as Snap revealed the global daily average number of Snapchatters watching Discover shows has increased by more than 45 per cent year-on-year.
Pinterest introduces Story Pins and new profiles for creators
Pinterest has added several new features for content creators on the platform, including the introduction of Story Pins in beta (with Pinners in the US), a new creator profile, and improved analytics tools. The new creator profiles will focus on showcasing the creator’s published content, rather than Pins they saved, and will give users the option of messaging creators directly, as well as reacting to their content.
Tech giants pledge to fight harmful content
Facebook, Twitter and YouTube have each agreed to adopt a common set of definitions covering hate speech and other content, and have promised to work together in monitoring industry efforts, according to the Global Alliance for Responsible Media – a cross-industry initiative founded and led by the World Federation of Advertisers. The deal also covers the standardisation of reporting methods and the need for independent oversight in this space.
The US Federal Court pauses Trump’s TikTok ban
President Trump’s nation-wide ban on TikTok will not go into effect this week as scheduled, following a ruling by the US Federal Court on Sunday. The exact details of this ruling are yet to be announced, due to the sensitive material included in the government’s motion, but a deal reached between by both parties last weekend was believed to have resolved the standoff. Last weekend, a federal magistrate judge in San Francisco also placed an injunction on the Commerce Department’s ban on WeChat, pending further court deliberations.
YouTube rolls out greater age-restrictions on content
YouTube is harnessing AI-powered technology to try and catch more videos that may require age restrictions, meaning that more users globally may be asked to sign into their accounts to verify their age before watching content on the platform. The rollout comes as YouTube tries to address global criticism from concerned parents groups and advocacy boards over it being unsafe for children.
YouTube brings fact-check information panels to UK and Germany
As part of ongoing efforts to tackle misinformation, YouTube is extending its fact-check information panels to the UK and Germany. Using third-party fact-checkers, the service will inform users of possible controversy within search results, through terms such as ’hoax alert’ and ’fake’. The move follows the success of similar panels in the US, Brazil and India.
