Social Media Buzz Weekly: Roundup of Social Media Updates

Welcome to Social Media Buzz Weekly, your weekly bulletin of the latest social media updates. With the social media landscape evolving with each passing day, it can be challenging to keep a tab on the rapid developments. Well, not anymore, as we have taken it upon ourselves to keep you abreast of every happening in the social media space.

So, without any further ado, let’s look at some of the most significant developments from the last week in the world of social media.

1. Indonesian Government Proposes Scheme To Force Digital Platforms To Pay for News Content

https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/indonesia-issues-regulations-requiring-digital-platforms-pay-media-content-2024-02-20/

Indonesian President Joko Widodo has announced that he has approved a new regulation that will require digital platforms, including Facebook and Google, to share revenue with local media outlets that provide them with content.

A similar regulation has already been enacted in Australia, while Canada tried to follow suit last year, to less than ideal effect. Back in 2021, the Australian government proposed a revenue-sharing structure designed to benefit local publishers, which would essentially force Facebook to pay for news content shared within its apps. Meta responded by banning Australian publisher content from its apps for a period before rapid renegotiations saw a new, compromised deal struck. 

2. New Report Looks at TikTok Usage Behaviors in the US

https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2024/02/22/how-u-s-adults-use-tiktok/

Pew Research has shared some new data on TikTok usage in the U.S., and how Americans are interacting with the Chinese-owned app.

The survey, which is based on responses from 2,745 adult U.S. adults, shows that the top 25% of U.S. adults on TikTok produce some 98% of all publicly accessible videos from this group. Pew’s data also shows that around 52% of U.S. adults on TikTok have ever posted a video on the platform, while most users get more value out of their “For You” feed, as opposed to their own following list.

3. EU Officials Launch Investigation Into TikTok Over Potential DSA Violations

https://www.reuters.com/technology/eu-opens-formal-proceedings-against-tiktok-under-digital-services-act-2024-02-19/

The European Commission has announced a new investigation into whether TikTok currently violates DSA rules concerning the protection of minors in the app.

TikTok will now need to provide further information to EU investigators to assess its efforts, with a maximum penalty of up to 6% of its global earnings on the cards if it is found to be in violation. Though that’s probably unlikely, given that the DSA also includes clauses that enable investigators to “accept any commitment made by TikTok to remedy on the matters subject to the proceeding”.

4. TikTok Announces Third Annual TikTok Short Film Competition

https://itp.live/news/social-media/tiktok-third-short-film-competition-back

TikTok has announced that it’s hosting its third annual #TikTokShortFilm competition this year, as part of its broader partnership with the Cannes Film Festival, providing TikTok creators with an opportunity to showcase their short films, “and be discovered by over 1 billion people around the world”.

Interesting to note that the video has to be in vertical format, considering TikTok’s more recent push to get more landscape videos in the app. The Grand Winner will receive a cash prize of 10,000€ (approx $US10,700), while winners of the Best Script and Best Directing categories will receive 5,000€ ($US 5,350) each to support their projects. And for the first time this year, US creators will be able to take part, which will expand the pool of talent for the festival, and provide more opportunities for aspiring filmmakers.

5. Pinterest Launches Video Programming in Partnership With Tastemade

https://newsroom.pinterest.com/news/pinterest-launches-first-ever-streaming-tv-show-with-tastemade/

Pinterest is looking to take the next step with its original content push, with the launch of a new streaming show, in partnership with Tastemade, that will feature various lifestyle elements, which viewers will also be able to easily access to purchase in the app.

The new, 10-part cooking and lifestyle series, called “Deliciously Entertaining”, will be hosted by cookbook author Danni Rose. Viewers will also be able to catch up on replays on Pinterest and Tastemade.

6. X Expands Audio and Video Calls To Nonpaying Users

https://www.businessworld.in/article/X-Expanding-Audio-Video-Calling-Features-To-Non-Paying-Users/26-02-2024-510975/

X is expanding its audio and video calling features to all non-Premium subscribers in the app. This means that you don’t have to be a paying user to access the new connection options. X launched audio and video calls with X Premium subscribers on iOS last October, then brought them to paying users on Android last month. And now, it’s expanding access once again.

Wrapping Up

And that was a wrap of this week’s Social Media Buzz. We’ll be back next week with more news and updates for you from the social media world. Till then, stay tuned!

If you want to read more on the latest developments taking place in the social media space, take a look at ClickInsights’ Social Media Buzz, wherein we bring to you monthly reports on everything going on in social media, ranging from platform updates to policy changes that influence the way we market.