April 10, 2024
Social Media Companies Compete as Legislation Looms
Despite recent U.S. regulatory efforts, TikTok is moving ahead with new features and PR efforts to keep the popular app afloat. TikTok released a report claiming it contributed $24.2 billion to the U.S. economy last year, benefiting more than seven million businesses. TikTok is developing an Instagram competitor called TikTok Notes, a dedicated photo-sharing app that shares users’ existing photo posts. A new Pew Research study shows that TikTok’s usage among U.S. adults, especially under 30, is increasing.
To better compete with TikTok and YouTube, Facebook is rolling out a new vertical-first video player for its platforms in the U.S. and Canada. Research shows Gen Z continues to use Facebook primarily for its Marketplace feature, a popular forum to buy and sell secondhand items. Facebook parent company Meta is facing criticism after temporarily blocking links from a nonprofit newspaper.
AT&T Data Breach Impacts More Than 70 Million Customers
Major data compromises are eroding consumer confidence. AT&T disclosed a massive data breach of personal information, including Social Security numbers and passcodes. The breach affected more than 70 million current and former customers. The dataset was found on the “dark web,” parts of the Internet that allows users and website operators to remain anonymous or untraceable.
Increasing concerns over data privacy is leading to new legislation. Bipartisan lawmakers have introduced the American Privacy Rights Act, which aims to establish national data privacy standards. The legislation would limit data collection to necessary information, allow individuals to opt out of targeted ads, and ensure the right to sue for privacy violations.
The Lines Between Journalist and Influencer Continue to Blur
Journalism is changing as new efforts to expand influence and elevate the industry are taking shape. ProPublica recently launched a 50 State Initiative to expand local journalism over the next five years. The program will increase support for local news and provide new resources for journalists. The line between traditional journalism and influencer-style content creation is blurring, as the rise of the ‘journo-fluencer’ reflects a major shift in media relations.
Nonprofit newsrooms are increasingly seen as a beacon of hope for journalism, yet many suffer from low readership due to insufficient marketing, according to new reporting by Poynter. Public efforts to strengthen local journalism are gaining steam. A Washington State University program has hired six fellows to enhance local news across communities in the Evergreen State.
Sequence Summaries: Social Showdown, Privacy Problems, and Journalism Jolt
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