Latest news with #MattNavarra
BBC News
5 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
WhatsApp wan monetize di app for users all ova di world?
WhatsApp dey launch three new ad features inside one global roll-out across di messaging app. Meta say di new ads no go show for pipo private chats, and for di contents of dia messages wey dey coded. WhatsApp instead go use di kontri, city and language of di user, plus how dem dey interact wit oda ads and which channel dem dey follow, to increase suggested content. But pipo wey don choose to link dia WhatsApp account to Facebook or Instagram go see more personalised ads. Di new ad features go appear for one section dem call Updates, wey be one separate tab for di bottom of di app. How di Update section go work WhatsApp claim say dem get 1.5 billion users globally. Businesses wey get channels go fit choose to promote ads for di Updates section to attract new followers, and dem go fit also charge subscription to access extra contents. WhatsApp go take 10% commission from dat money, dem fit also charge extra money for di app store level depending on di size of di business. Companies go also fit advertise dia products for di form status update, wey dey similar to Instagram story and e go link through to start chat if dem click on am. Social media expert Matt Navarra tell BBC say Meta dey "lay di foundation for WhatsApp to finally become a monetisable platform at scale". But "monetising part of" WhatsApp, while keeping personal chats private, no go dey without risk for di company, e add. Dis particularly go be di case for markets like UK and Europe, e tok, wia dem see di app primarily as a messaging tool, wey no too send for content feeds or adverts. "Any perception say di app dey become noisy or Facebook-ified go spark backlash," e tok. 'Natural extension' No be coincidence say di new features bring WhatsApp more in line wit Meta oda platforms Facebook and Instagram. "Obviously all join togeda," WhatsApp boss Will Cathcart tok. "We get stories on Instagram and stories on WhatsApp, and now we get way for businesses to promote themselves in both, and we think say dat na good thing." E say im believe say di move na "natural extension of messaging services" and di features no different from rival apps like Snapchat and Telegram. For Oga Navarra, e also reflect a wider shift for di social media landscape. "Di feed dey die, public sharing dey down, pipo dey retreat into DMs and Stories in small groups," e tok. "Meta dey try turn WhatsApp to platform without users realising it and if dem move too fast or e begin dey look like anoda ad network, pipo fit stop to dey use di app or worse, distrust di app." WhatsApp make users vex recently wen di introduce permanent button for Meta AI tool, wey users no fit deactivate or delete, and Oga Cathcart say users wey no wan see di ads or follow channels no go dey forced to. "I want to stress this won't affect your inbox," he said. "If na only messaging you dey use WhatsApp for, you no go see am." "I wan make am very clear, dis no go affect your inbox," e tok. "If you dey use your WhatsApp only for messaging, you no go see di ads." E say di Update section of di app "no dey popular" for UK but dem dey use am more for oda parts of di world, and di firm go "look di feedback" about di unremovable AI tool - but many other features dey for di app wey also be permanent. "You no fit delete di channels button, you fit delete di Updates button, you no go fit delete di calls button," e tok. "I mean, we also no wan get service wey get plenty settings….e go dey too complex"
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
WhatsApp to start showing more adverts in messaging app
WhatsApp is launching three new ad features in a global roll-out across the messaging app. The Meta-owned platform says the new ads will not be shown in the same place as people's private chats, nor will the contents of their messages - which are encrypted - be used to decide which ads to display. WhatsApp will instead use the country, city and language of the user, as well as how they interact with other ads and which channels they follow, to drive suggested content. But people who have chosen to link their WhatsApp account to Facebook or Instagram will see more personalised ads. The new ad features will appear in a section called Updates, which is a separate tab at the bottom of the app. WhatsApp claims to have 1.5 billion users globally. Businesses with channels will be able to choose to promote ads in the Updates section to attract new followers, and also charge a subscription to access extra content. WhatsApp will eventually take a 10% commission of that fee, and there may also be extra costs on top of that taken at the app store level depending on the size of the business. Firms will also be able to advertise in the form of a status update, which looks similar to an Instagram story and will link through to start a chat if clicked on. Social media expert Matt Navarra told the BBC that Meta is "laying the foundation for WhatsApp to finally become a monetisable platform at scale". But "monetising the periphery" of WhatsApp, while keeping personal chats private, would not be without risk for the company, he added. This could particularly be the case in markets like the UK and Europe, he said, where the app is viewed primarily as a messaging tool with less appetite for content feeds or adverts. "Any perception that the app is becoming noisy or Facebook-ified will spark backlash," he said. How does WhatsApp make money? It's no coincidence that the new features bring WhatsApp more in line with Meta's other platforms Facebook and Instagram. "Obviously there's overlap," said WhatsApp boss Will Cathcart. "We have stories on Instagram and stories on WhatsApp, and we now have a way for businesses to promote themselves in both, and we think that's a good thing." He said he believed the move was a "natural extension of messaging services" and not dissimilar to features of rival apps such as Snapchat and Telegram. For Mr Navarra, it also reflects a wider shift in the social media landscape. "The feed is dying, public sharing is down, people are retreating into DMs and Stories in small groups," he said. "Meta's trying to turn WhatsApp into a platform without users realising it and if they move too fast or it starts to feel like another ad network, people might disengage or maybe worse, distrust the app." WhatsApp angered users recently with the introduction of a permanent button for Meta's AI tool, which cannot be deactivated or deleted, and Mr Cathcart said users who did not want to see ads or follow channels would not be forced to. "I want to stress this won't affect your inbox," he said. "If you're only using WhatsApp for messaging, you're not going to see this." He said the Update section of the app was "not particularly popular" in the UK but was used more in other parts of the world, and the firm would "look at the feedback" about the unremovable AI tool - but there were many other features of the app which were also permanent. "You can't delete the channels button, you can't delete the Updates button, you can't delete the calls button," he said. "I mean, we also don't want to have a service that has lots of settings… that's complexity too." WhatsApp tells BBC it backs Apple in legal row with UK over user data Meta AI searches made public - but do all its users realise? Sign up for our Tech Decoded newsletter to follow the world's top tech stories and trends. Outside the UK? Sign up here.
BBC News
6 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
WhatsApp to start showing more adverts in messaging app
WhatsApp is launching three new ad features in a global roll-out across the messaging Meta-owned platform says the new ads will not be shown in the same place as people's private chats, nor will the contents of their messages - which are encrypted - be used to decide which ads to will instead use the country, city and language of the user, as well as how they interact with other ads and which channels they follow, to drive suggested people who have chosen to link their WhatsApp account to Facebook or Instagram will see more personalised new ad features will appear in a section called Updates, which is a separate tab at the bottom of the app. WhatsApp claims to have 1.5 billion users with channels will be able to choose to promote ads in the Updates section to attract new followers, and also charge a subscription to access extra will eventually take a 10% commission of that fee, and there may also be extra costs on top of that taken at the app store level depending on the size of the will also be able to advertise in the form of a status update, which looks similar to an Instagram story and will link through to start a chat if clicked media expert Matt Navarra told the BBC that Meta is "laying the foundation for WhatsApp to finally become a monetisable platform at scale". But "monetising the periphery" of WhatsApp, while keeping personal chats private, would not be without risk for the company, he could particularly be the case in markets like the UK and Europe, he said, where the app is viewed primarily as a messaging tool with less appetite for content feeds or adverts."Any perception that the app is becoming noisy or Facebook-ified will spark backlash," he does WhatsApp make money? 'Natural extension' It's no coincidence that the new features bring WhatsApp more in line with Meta's other platforms Facebook and Instagram."Obviously there's overlap," said WhatsApp boss Will Cathcart. "We have stories on Instagram and stories on WhatsApp, and we now have a way for businesses to promote themselves in both, and we think that's a good thing."He said he believed the move was a "natural extension of messaging services" and not dissimilar to features of rival apps such as Snapchat and Mr Navarra, it also reflects a wider shift in the social media landscape."The feed is dying, public sharing is down, people are retreating into DMs and Stories in small groups," he said."Meta's trying to turn WhatsApp into a platform without users realising it and if they move too fast or it starts to feel like another ad network, people might disengage or maybe worse, distrust the app."WhatsApp angered users recently with the introduction of a permanent button for Meta's AI tool, which cannot be deactivated or deleted, and Mr Cathcart said users who did not want to see ads or follow channels would not be forced to."I want to stress this won't affect your inbox," he said. "If you're only using WhatsApp for messaging, you're not going to see this."He said the Update section of the app was "not particularly popular" in the UK but was used more in other parts of the world, and the firm would "look at the feedback" about the unremovable AI tool - but there were many other features of the app which were also permanent."You can't delete the channels button, you can't delete the Updates button, you can't delete the calls button," he said. "I mean, we also don't want to have a service that has lots of settings… that's complexity too." Sign up for our Tech Decoded newsletter to follow the world's top tech stories and trends. Outside the UK? Sign up here.
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Yahoo
4chan and porn site investigated by Ofcom over online safety
The online message board 4chan is being investigated by the UK communications regulator over failure to comply with recently introduced online safety rules. Ofcom says it has received complaints over potential illegal content on the website, which has not responded to its requests for information. Under the Online Safety Act, online services must assess the risk of UK users encountering illegal content and activity on their platforms, and take steps to protect them from it. Ofcom is also investigating porn provider First Time Videos over its age verification checks, and seven file sharing services over potential child sexual abuse material. 4chan has been contacted for comment. Ofcom says it requested 4chan's risk assessment in April but has not had any response. The regulator will now investigate whether the platform "has failed, or is failing, to comply with its duties to protect its users from illegal content". It would not say what kind of illegal content it is investigating. Ofcom has the power to fine companies up to 10% of their global revenues, or £18m - whichever is the greater number. 4chan has often been at the heart of online controversies in its 22 years, including misogynistic campaigns and conspiracy theories. Users are anonymous, which can often lead to extreme content being posted. It was the subject of an alleged hack earlier this year, which took parts of the website down for over a week. How can you keep your child safe online? Seven file sharing services also failed to respond to requests for information from the regulator. They are Krakenfiles, Nippybox, Nippydrive, Nippyshare, Nippyspace and Yolobit. Ofcom also says it has received complaints over potential child sexual abuse material being shared on these platforms. Separately, porn provider First Time Videos, which runs two websites, is being investigated into whether it has adequate age checks in place to stop under-18s accessing its sites. Platforms which host age-restricted content must have "robust" age checks in place by July. Ofcom does not specify exactly what this means, but some platforms have been trialling age verification using facial scanning to estimate a user's age. Social media expert Matt Navarra told BBC News earlier this year facial scanning could become the norm in the UK. Two porn sites investigated for suspected age check failings Pornhub leaves France over age verification law Sign up for our Tech Decoded newsletter to follow the world's top tech stories and trends. Outside the UK? Sign up here.
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Yahoo
Discord's face scanning age checks 'start of a bigger shift'
Discord is testing face scanning to verify some users' ages in the UK and Australia. The social platform, which says it has over 200 million monthly users around the world, was initially used by gamers but now has communities on a wide range of topics including pornography. The UK's online safety laws mean platforms with adult content will need have "robust" age verification in place by July. And social media expert Matt Navarra told the BBC "this isn't a one-off - it's the start of a bigger shift". "Regulators want real proof, and facial recognition might be the fastest route there," he said. But campaigners have said these types of checks are ineffective and could lead to privacy issues. "Age assurance is becoming the new seatbelt for the internet," said Mr Navarra. "Will it become the norm in the UK? Honestly, yes, probably." He said he believed the incoming changes in online safety laws mean online platforms would beef up their age verification processes. "The era of 'click here to confirm you're 13' is dead," he said. "Get age verification wrong now, and you don't just lose users - you could lose a courtroom battle or incur fines." Firms which do not comply with the Online Safety Act could be fined up to 10% of their global turnover. Instagram previously brought in age checks using facial recognition in 2022 for users who want to change their profile settings to be over 18. The social media company requires users to take a selfie video on their phone and uses AI to estimate the person's age. Like Discord, they can alternatively upload a picture of their photo ID. How can you keep your child safe online? The US-based platform says the verification - which it describes as "an experiment" - will be a one-time check. It will apply the first time a user comes across content which it has flagged as sensitive, or if they change their settings on viewing sensitive media. Users can either use the face scanner or upload a photo of their ID to confirm their age. It says information used for age checks will not be stored by Discord or the verification company. Face scans will stay on the device and not be collected, and ID uploads will be deleted after the verification is complete, according to the company. Content which is flagged as sensitive is already automatically blocked or blurred for teenagers. Privacy campaign group Big Brother Watch says age check technology "shouldn't be seen as a silver bullet solution". Senior Advocacy Officer Madeleine Stone says they can pose a risk to users, "including security breaches, privacy intrusion, errors, digital exclusion and censorship". While industry group the Age Verification Providers Association says there is a "wide range of convenient, privacy-preserving methods". Their executive director Iain Corby told the BBC the latest technology can estimate age "within 1-2 years based on a selfie or how you move your hands". But he also said platforms have a choice on how to use age verification. "They can remove the harmful content altogether, apply age checks to access the whole site, or just check ages before allowing access to high-risk pages and posts," he said. Australia is planning to bring in a social media ban for all under-16s this year. Recent research found more than 80% of Australian children aged eight to 12 use social media or messaging services that are only meant to be for over-13s Meta expands restrictions for teen users to Facebook and Messenger Leave school phone bans to head teachers, children's commissioner says
