instagram Instagram Expands Hidden Like Counts Test to Global Audience Instagram rolls out its hidden Like counts experiment to a small subset of users worldwide, aiming to reduce social pressure on the platform.
facebook pay Facebook Launches Cross-App Payment System to Rival Existing Services Facebook introduces Facebook Pay, a unified payment system that works across Messenger, Instagram, WhatsApp, and the main Facebook app. The feature launches first in the US on Facebook and Messenger.
instagram Instagram Launches U.S. Test to Hide Like Counts from Public View Instagram begins testing a new feature that hides public like counts on posts for a select group of U.S. users. The change aims to reduce competitive pressure and improve the well-being of younger users on the platform.
instagram Instagram Expands Hidden Like Counts to U.S. Users to Reduce Anxiety Instagram rolls out a test hiding public Like counts in the U.S. to reduce social pressure, despite potential drops in influencer engagement.
instagram Instagram Bans Fictional Suicide Content Including Memes and Cartoons Instagram broadens its self-harm policies by prohibiting fictional depictions of suicide, such as drawings and memes, along with content showing related methods or materials.
instagram Instagram Shuts Down Notorious Following Tab to Curb Digital Stalking Instagram officially removes its Following tab, a feature notorious for exposing user activity rather than aiding account discovery. The company directs users to the Explore tab instead.
facebook Zuckerberg's TikTok Misunderstanding Threatens Facebook's Future Leaked audio reveals Mark Zuckerberg views TikTok as merely an Explore Tab, missing its true nature as a new form of premeditated social entertainment.
facebook Facebook Hides Like Counts in Australia to Improve User Well-Being Facebook begins testing hidden Like counts in Australia, allowing only post authors to see the exact number of reactions. The social network hopes this change reduces social pressure and encourages more authentic sharing.
facebook Facebook Considers Hiding Like Counts to Improve User Mental Health Facebook is prototyping a feature that hides public Like counts on News Feed posts, following similar ongoing tests on Instagram. The goal is to reduce unhealthy social comparison and encourage users to share more freely without fear of judgment.
instagram Instagram Bans Partner Hyp3r for Secretly Tracking Millions of User Locations Instagram removes marketing partner Hyp3r after the company secretly collects location data and ephemeral stories from millions of users. The social network makes a product change to prevent similar scraping in the future.
facebook Facebook Agrees to Record $5 Billion FTC Settlement Over Privacy Violations Facebook faces a historic $5 billion penalty and strict new corporate oversight to settle FTC charges regarding user privacy deception. The record-breaking fine forces the social network to restructure its privacy practices across all its platforms.
facebook Facebook Beats Earnings Expectations Amid Costly FTC Settlement Facebook reports stronger than expected second quarter earnings and revenue, even as it absorbs a $2 billion charge from a record $5 billion FTC privacy settlement. The tech giant sees continued advertising growth but warns that new compliance efforts impact product development.
instagram Instagram Hides Like Counts in Global Mental Health Test Instagram is hiding public like counts for select users across seven countries to see if it improves the platform experience. The test aims to shift user focus away from popularity metrics and toward the actual content being shared.
instagram Instagram Introduces Ads to Explore Tab in Discovery Feed Instagram brings advertisements to its Explore tab for the first time, placing them only in the scrolling feeds users see after tapping a post. The company plans a slow rollout to ensure the marketing feels natural to users in a discovery mindset.
facebook Facebook Unveils Libra Cryptocurrency to Disrupt Global Payments Facebook introduces Libra, a stable cryptocurrency backed by a reserve fund, launching next year across its messaging platforms. The digital currency aims to simplify online payments and offer low-cost money transfers for unbanked populations.