Online&Social
WhatsApp is Behind the “Largest Digital Migration in History”, says Telegram Founder
Facebook’s recent attempt to update WhatsApp’s privacy policy has left many users concerned and searching for a more ‘secure’ messaging platform, like Telegram. This move has sparked what Telegram founder, Pavel Durov, says is “the largest digital migration in human history” after the platform saw a massive increase in active users. In a recent statement, Durov revealed that a number of political leaders and numerous public organizations, rely on Telegram to combat misinformation and spread awareness about important issues in their societies. He goes on to say that “unlike other networks, Telegram doesn’t use nontransparent algorithms to decide whether a subscriber will see content they subscribed to or not. As a result, Telegram channels are the o...
Showmax Introduces 2 New Pop-up Channels
Showmax subscribers in South Africa are now able to live stream kykNET and Mzansi Magic 24/7 with the launch of two pop-up channels. “We’re always looking at ways of making the Showmax experience better for our customers,” says MultiChoice Group CEO for General Entertainment and Connected Video, Yolisa Phahle. “During last year’s lockdown, we gave subscribers access to live news channels. Now, following this month’s Presidential address, South Africans will continue to spend more time at home, and so, once again, we’d like to make sure our customers have something extra.” The Mzansi Magic live stream is available exclusively in South Africa while kykNET is also available in Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe. /* custom css */ .tdi_3_0ee.td-a-rec-img{ text-align: left; }.tdi_3_0ee.td-a-...
Telegram Reaches 500 Million User Milestone
Image sourced from The Independent Telegram has officially surpassed 500 million users – this comes after more than 25 million people downloaded the platform in the last 72 hours. “Twenty-five million users have joined Telegram in the last 72 hours. 38% of them are from Asia, 27% from Europe, 21% from Latin America, and 8% from MENA,” says Telegram Founder, Pavel Durov. The rise in demand is attributed to Facebook’s recent move to update WhatsApp’s terms of service and privacy policy – leaving many WhatsApp users concerned and searching for a more secure messaging platform, like Telegram. “People no longer want to exchange their privacy for free services. They no longer want to be held hostage by tech monopolies that seem to think they can get away with anything as long as their apps have ...
YouTube Removes Video from Trump Account
Image sourced from Variety YouTube has removed a video uploaded to US President Donald Trump’s account. According to the content-sharing platform, the video violates its policies on inciting violence. The Verge also reported that Trump’s account has been issued with a strike, and “is unable to upload new content for at least a week”. “After careful review, and in light of concerns about the ongoing potential for violence, we removed new content uploaded to the Donald J. Trump channel and issued a strike for violating our policies for inciting violence,” says YouTube. “As a result, in accordance with our long-standing strikes system, the channel is now prevented from uploading new videos or live streams for a minimum of seven days — which may be extended.” /* custom css */ .tdi_3_fd0.td-a-r...
7 Tips to Ensure Telegram is Private and Secure
When discussing the privacy and security of messenger apps, one needs to understand that the Telegram’s functionality goes beyond the simple messages exchange and has many surprising features. With Telegrams’ user-base exceeding over 500 million active monthly users, it now combines elements of a massive communication hub, messaging board and social media – and its security and privacy concepts differ from others. Here are seven tips to make sure Telegram is as secure as possible, as told by Kaspersky researchers: Pick a username and use it instead of your actual name or associated phone number when chatting with others. Enable 2FA for your account. If someone tries to take control over your account, hijacking a voice call or a text message with a temporary verification code won’t be enoug...
5 Ways to Protect Private User Data on Messaging Apps
Facebook recently asked WhatsApp users to accept its updated terms of service and privacy policy – or else lose access to the app. “As part of the Facebook family of companies, WhatsApp receives information from, and shares information with, this family of companies. We may use the information we receive from them, and they may use the information we share with them, to help operate, provide, improve, understand, customize, support, and market our Services and their offerings,” reads WhatsApp’s updated privacy policy. “This includes helping improve infrastructure and delivery systems, understanding how our Services or theirs are used, securing systems, and fighting spam, abuse, or infringement activities.” This move has left many WhatsApp users concerned and searching for a more secure mes...
Facebook Bans US President Trump ‘Indefinitely’
Image sourced from Al Jazeera Facebook founder and CEO, Mark Zuckerburg has revealed that US President Donald Trump’s Facebook and Instagram accounts will be banned “indefinitely”. In a post, Zuckerburg says “we are extending the block we have placed on his Facebook and Instagram accounts indefinitely and for at least the next two weeks until the peaceful transition of power is complete.” This comes after Facebook made the decision to stop Trump from posting for 24 hours, following a pro-Trump attack on the US Capitol. “The shocking events of the last 24 hours clearly demonstrate that President Donald Trump intends to use his remaining time in office to undermine the peaceful and lawful transition of power to his elected successor, Joe Biden,” reveals Zuckerburg. /* custom css */ .tdi...
Facebook and Instagram Ban US President Trump for 24 Hours
Sourced from Politico. Facebook has made the decision to stop US President Donald Trump from posting for 24 hours. This comes after the social media giant removed two posts that were reportedly in support of a pro-Trump attack on the US Capitol. “We’ve assessed two policy violations against President Trump’s Page which will result in a 24-hour feature block, meaning he will lose the ability to post on the platform during that time,” reads a statement from Facebook. We’ve assessed two policy violations against President Trump’s Page which will result in a 24-hour feature block, meaning he will lose the ability to post on the platform during that time. — Facebook Newsroom (@fbnewsroom) January 7, 2021 Not long after, Facebook-owned Instagram also confirmed that it would be blocki...
Trump Pushes Executive Order to Ban Alipay, WeChat Pay and other Chinese Platforms
Image sourced from Al Jazeera US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order that aims to prohibit transactions with eight digital Chinese payment platforms, including Ant Group’s Alipay and Tencent’s QQ and WeChat Pay. “Additional steps must be taken to deal with the national emergency with respect to the information and communications technology and services supply chain,” reads the order. “The pace and pervasiveness of the spread in the United States of certain connected mobile and desktop applications and other software developed or controlled by persons in the People’s Republic of China… continue to threaten the national security, foreign policy, and economy of the United States.” US Commerce Secretary, Wilbur Ross confirmed that the Commerce Department will “begin imple...
Mondia Launches New Entertainment Platform in Nigeria
Mondia has announced the launch of Monsooq in Nigeria. This follows on the heels of the time-based entertainment platform’s initial launch in South Africa. Monsooq is a first-of-its-kind model which utilises time as the currency. Users pay only for the time they spend consuming content and are not required to take out any contracts or subscriptions. This platform allows consumers to buy entertainment time just as they would mobile airtime and use that time to consume any content they choose, including movies, sports, educational content, books, series, games and music – all on a single, convenient, end-to-end entertainment platform. Whether a consumer wishes to play a game for 30 minutes while commuting, or binge a new series for six hours, they are able to load that amount of time to...
Mondia Launches New Entertainment Platform in Nigeria
Mondia has announced the launch of Monsooq in Nigeria. This follows on the heels of the time-based entertainment platform’s initial launch in South Africa. Monsooq is a first-of-its-kind model which utilises time as the currency. Users pay only for the time they spend consuming content and are not required to take out any contracts or subscriptions. This platform allows consumers to buy entertainment time just as they would mobile airtime and use that time to consume any content they choose, including movies, sports, educational content, books, series, games and music – all on a single, convenient, end-to-end entertainment platform. Whether a consumer wishes to play a game for 30 minutes while commuting, or binge a new series for six hours, they are able to load that amount of time to...
4 Ways Technology is Recreating the Offline Retail Experience Online
As the COVID-19 pandemic catalyses the move to eCommerce, new technologies are attempting to bridge the gap between offline and online retail by offering rich and immersive experiences that replicate in-person shopping and redefine how people experience online shopping. In brick and mortar stores, consumers are able to try, touch, and fully experience products before purchasing them, something eCommerce has until now, failed to replicate. /* custom css */ .tdi_3_0f9.td-a-rec-img{ text-align: left; }.tdi_3_0f9.td-a-rec-img img{ margin: 0 auto 0 0; } But, immersive technologies like augmented reality (AR), 360° video, 3D content and virtual reality (VR) are proving to be the next frontier in eCommerce, providing shoppers with greater purchasing certainty, personalization, and control o...
