Facebook Archives - Page 2 of 40

Facebook knows when teens are vulnerable, then targets them with ads
By Andy Walker: Editor on 2 May, 2017
"Don't be evil" is a common phrase uttered by Google executives, but we can't help but think Facebook should perhaps adopt it too. A 23-page document, which sheds some light on Facebook's more sinister algorithm and advertising practices, was leaked Monday and obtained by online paper The Australian (paywall). Later picked up by news.com.au, the document reveals how Facebook Australia and New Zealand employed the hive of user data it gathers to help advertisers better promote campaigns. And no, it's not just talking about age, location or preference in pizza toppings. The document notes that the social network can target teenagers as...
Facebook’s plan to connect the world includes this record-breaking tech
By Andy Walker: Editor on 20 April, 2017
It's difficult to keep up with Facebook's slew of announcements from its F8 conference this week. But at least it plans to make it easier in the future. The company updated developers and consumers on its connectivity plans going forward -- a sphere of Facebook's development model that's perhaps one of its more exciting. And no, not entirely because it's geeky as hell. New developments in its MMW radio tech means that citizens of Earth might soon be able to bury the word "buffer" in the future. Facebook pushes 80Gbps through its radio network Alongside improvements to its inner city internet connectivity trials...
Facebook Messenger is changing: here’s what you should know
By Andy Walker: Editor on 19 April, 2017
Having a large userbase might seem like a blessing, but it also surfaces a problem for social networks: monetisation. Twitter's experiencing this right now, and Facebook is seemingly just beginning its trials. To prevent itself from becoming the latest victim of the 140-character effect, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg took to the stage at the company's F8 developers conference, and rang the changes. But no, we're not talking about Facebook proper. We're talking about Messenger. Facebook Messenger now has over 1.2-billion users, a figure four times greater than Twitter, and double that of Instagram. And with all those users available, Facebook smells massive...
US man who killed someone on Facebook still at large
By Julia Breakey on 18 April, 2017
Update, 19 April 8.43am: Police have confirmed that Steve Stephens took his own life during a car chase in Pennsylvania yesterday. Original article: Ohio police are still searching for alleged murderer Steve Stephens after he shot an elderly man on Sunday and posted a video of it to Facebook. The video, originally reported as live but later found to be previously recorded, depicted Stephens shooting 74-year-old Robert Goodwin Sr as he was picking up aluminium cans. Stephens told Goodwin that a woman (whose name has been kept private) was the reason for his death. Goodwin was forced to say her name before asserting he didn't know who she was....
Revenge porn is the focus of Facebook’s latest announcement
By Julia Breakey on 5 April, 2017
Facebook is making it harder to share "non-consensual images" on its platform, it announced today. Revenge porn -- the act of releasing intimate images or video of someone as a way of getting back at them -- is receiving tighter restrictions "as part of ongoing effort to help build a safe community on and off Facebook". Users can now report any post they believe fits that description from Facebook's standard report feature. Trained professionals then review the report, and if an image is deemed contrary to Facebook's community standards, it is removed. The company also assert that most accounts found guilty of posting intimate...
Facebook outgrows JHB office as African userbase tops 170m
By Andy Walker: Editor on 5 April, 2017
Facebook South Africa has outgrown its original Johannesburg office and has expanded to a new location, the company announced Wednesday. "Facebook has moved its Johannesburg offices into new premises, creating a new home for the company to work with its partners to boost innovation and provide an African home for the Facebook culture," the company reveals in a press release. The new pad located in Bryanston "will continue to provide support to Facebook advertisers, application developers and other key partners across the continent". The social giant originally occupied an office in Melrose Arch, Johannesburg, which it held since its arrival in South...
Facebook launches personal crowdfunding feature
By Julia Breakey on 31 March, 2017
People are often wary of donating money to personal crowdfunding causes when they don't know the person directly -- or if the campaign is even legit. Facebook is now making it easier to donate to people you are connected to personally. The company, which has allowed non-profit organisations to sport donate buttons since last year, has now made it possible for personal accounts in the US to do the same. Users over the age of 18 will be able to raise money for causes that fall into categories that Facebook deems worthy of a crowdfunding campaign. These categories are education, medical,...
Viral video proves there are still leopards around Cape Town [update]
By Andy Walker: Editor on 30 March, 2017
Update, 30 March: CapeNature this week announced that the social media-famous leopard was "translocated to natural environment". "A leopard that was recently seen approaching a vehicle in Gordon’s Bay has been safely rehomed in a natural environment within the Western Cape," the organisation writes. "On Monday 27 March, 2017 the animal was coincidentally caught on a smallholding near Gordon’s Bay in a cage trap legally set for feral dogs and caracal. The Cape Leopard Trust (CLT) was able to identify it as the same leopard that was seen in the video, as well as in other previous encounters in the...
Day #98209: Facebook is still copying Snapchat
By Julia Breakey on 29 March, 2017
Facebook is continuing its fight to become the One App to Rule Them All, and we're all very, very tired. Yesterday, the company introduced its Snapchat stories clone to its final frontier: the Facebook app. The clone includes -- you guessed it -- interactive filters, effects and frames. It's even going to feature sponsored filters and content from upcoming films like Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 and Despicable Me 3. Oh yes. Minions. Late last year, Facebook introduced stories to Instagram, where it has become relatively popular. It then wildly misunderstood why people are using WhatsApp and introduced the feature there (is there anyone even using...
Facebook’s new feature could save your life
By Julia Breakey on 28 March, 2017
Facebook is in the process of rolling out a feature that could save your life -- or just help abusers. Live Location in Messenger allows you to send your current, moving location to a person or group. For a period of 60 minutes -- or until you stop sharing -- your friends will be able to follow your movements on the Messenger app. They will also be told how long it would take you to get to them. "We've been testing this for a little while, and people tell us that Live Location is helpful when trying to coordinate with friends, telling...
Facebook’s new feature will turn it into a digital shopping mall
By Andy Walker: Editor on 23 March, 2017
In its never-ending quest to connect the world and make loads of cash doing it, Facebook has today announced a new shopping advertising format dubbed Collection that will helps brands showcase products on mobile. And yes, only mobile. "Mobile has reshaped how people discover, learn and ultimately buy from businesses," the company writes in an update. "People are also watching more videos on mobile, and shoppers want to see products as they exist in the real world—but they also expect fast-loading, seamless experiences when they discover and buy on mobile." The company's solution to this is to allow brands to tell their own...
You can now use Facebook Live from your computer
By Julia Breakey on 23 March, 2017
As of yesterday, friends around the world can use their poor quality in-built webcams to Facebook livestream themselves sitting at home doing nothing. Just what the platform needed. Before, the feature was only available on mobile -- which made sense as the things you actually want to watch live are often on the move -- but Facebook has announced that this week all desktops and laptops are able to broadcast live. According to the platform, "computers provide a stable camera setup that can be beneficial to many types of Facebook Live broadcasts — from Q&As to vlogs to tutorials to any...
Facebook struggling to get live TV you’d want to watch
By Julia Breakey on 17 March, 2017
Facebook has been working very hard to establish itself as an inevitable competitor in the TV industry. Last month, the company hired former MTV executive Mina Lefevre as Head of Development. Before that, the company made it clear they were placing a greater emphasis on longer videos, and has even paid media outlets like Buzzfeed and The New York Times to use the live feature. But, unlike YouTube TV, Facebook have not managed to acquire access to what people actually care about: popular content. So far, the company has cracked streaming deals with US Major League Soccer and World Surf League -- hardly anything the...
Lancewood cheeses Facebook Messenger bots to bring you novel recipes
By Andy Walker: Editor on 15 March, 2017
Humans have been sending other humans emoji for thousands of years now, so it's only right that the system should be used by brands. Speaking of which, South African cheese brand Lancewood has announced a nifty little marketing campaign relating to its Ultimate Braai Master partnership. Dubbed Lancewood Emoji Meals, the company's using a Facebook Messenger bot and your choice of emoji to receive related recipes featuring one of the company's products. "By sending a food Emoji to LANCEWOOD®’s Facebook page via private message, the Bot instantly responds with a recipe or tip related to the Emoji. As an example, Clarissa...
Facebook brings Snapchat Story clone to Messenger
By Julia Breakey on 10 March, 2017
Another day, another clone. Facebook has launched Messenger Day for it messaging app, a month after it gave WhatsApp the unnecessary and underused WhatsApp Status. The feature allows you to add pictures to your "Day", where your friends can view what you've been up to in the past 24 hours. Messenger users in Poland and Australia have been the guinea pigs for the product since late last year, but the feature has been rolling out globally as of yesterday. Messenger Day boasts more than 5 000 frames, stickers and effects, as well as the ability to monitor who can see what you post. "You’re always in control of who...