Snapchat to grow 27% as older users sign up
Snapchat will continue to see double-digit growth this year, as the popular chat app contiues to attract older users alongside its core audience of millenials, according to new research.
Social
WhatsApp opens up to ads for first time
WhatsApp has updated its privacy policy in a move that will see it share its users’ phone numbers with parent company Facebook, meaning the chat app will get ads for the first time.
Time spent on social media to overtake linear TV
Time spent on social networking and messaging apps is set to overtake linear TV use globally, according to new research.
Facebook ‘Lifestage’ school app sparks privacy fears
Facebook has launched a new social media app aimed at school teenagers, but the move has sparked privacy concerns as all posts are public.
Microsoft and Dutch boy band pranks users to warn of online privacy dangers
Microsoft teamed up with popular Dutch boy band B Brave this month to launch an elaborate stunt to warn the public abuot keeping their personal details safe online.
Tencent tops Alibaba as China’s biggest tech company
Tencent, the owner of popular social messaging app WeChat, overtook e-commerce giant Alibaba to become China’s most valuable technology company on Thursday.
EU plans stricter privacy rules for chat apps
The EU is clamping down on chat apps such as WhatsApp and Facebook messenger, publishing draft law to ensure that online messaging services have privacy rules like those for texts and calls.
Research: 4 in 10 Facebookers blocking ads on desktop
Nearly half (40%) of Facebook users are deploying some form of ad blocking software, according to new research from Global Web Index.
Google takes on Facetime with “Duo” video chat app
Google has launched a simple one-to-one video chat app called Duo that looks to compete with FaceTime, Skype and Facebook Messenger.
Twitter debuts “Sponsored Stickers”: Pepsi first brand to sign up
Twitter has introduced its #Promoted Stickers campaign, with Pepsi as its first customer.