In this week’s Platform Five: Facebook is removing a range of location tracking tools
What’s changed in the last seven days? What does it mean?
Facebook is removing a range of location tracking tools, LinkedIn adds live captions for audio events, YouTube updates green screen option for Shorts, Meta moves publishers towards short video content, and Twitter launches new game to highlight privacy protection options.
Let’s take a look at these changes in more detail.
Facebook is removing a range of location tracking tools
Several location-based functions will no longer be available after 31 May, including Nearby Friends, weather alerts and Location History. From 31 May, Meta will stop collecting the information used to provide these services, and all of the previously logged information will be deleted on 1 August.
Learn more here.
LinkedIn adds live captions for audio events
LinkedIn has announced a number of new accessibility updates, including real-time captions for LinkedIn audio events, improved search for posts you’ve seen, and a customURL display option on Creator profiles. Audio event attendees will now have the option to read along with what’s being said, making the events more inclusive for members with hearing impairments.
Find out the details here.
YouTube updates green screen option for Shorts
YouTube is enabling creators to use any eligible YouTube video or Short as the background for Shorts clips running for a maximum of 60-seconds. The original creator of the background will be attributed via a source link within the Shorts display.
Read about it here.
Meta moves publishers towards short video content
Meta is reportedly rethinking the value of including news in the Facebook app, and is hoping to push news organisations into creating more short-form video content. Meta is seeing the most growth in users watching short video content, and is hoping to get news outlets to create this content and keep more users engaged in Facebook as a result.
Learn more here.
Twitter launches new game to highlight privacy protection options
Twitter has created a new game called ‘Twitter Data Dash’, where players are taken through Twitter’s new privacy policy elements in a fun, 2D side-scrolling game. Importantly, Twitter has also updated their privacy policy, and redesigned their privacy site to remove the legal jargon and include clear language.
Find out more here.
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