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1. Meta is testing its new paid verification system across Australia and New Zealand. The Bay Area-based social platform will now charge users $11.99 per month for both Facebook and Instagram to access premium features, including blue checkmark verification and account protection. |
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2. In an effort to engage followers, Instagram announced the launch of its new feature called "Channels." The feature allows creators to mass share their public content or info through a direct one-to-many message, offering a more personalized way to reach audiences. |
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3. The battle for creators continues as TikTok announced the beta launch of its creator fund, known as the "Creativity Program." The company noted users will have to be at least 18 years old and said it will help generate new opportunities for creators, including higher revenue sharing. |
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4. On Friday, Vermont's executive branch announced the ban of TikTok from all state government devices, joining more than 27 other states and the federal government to do so. The move comes as many have cited data and security concerns over the Chinese-owned social media platform. |
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5. Twitter announced the paywalling of SMS-based two-factor authentication over the weekend, noting users will lose access to the feature unless they subscribe to Twitter Blue. Users will be locked out of their accounts if they don't subscribe, deactivate the feature, or switch to another 2FA method by March 19. |
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6. Up-and-coming French social media BeReal has seen its daily active users drop by 48% since its high last October. The data shows the company, which raised $60M at a $587M valuation, now has 10.4 million daily active users in February compared to 20 million late last year. |
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7. California is gearing up to take on social media companies with Senate Bill 287, which would hold online platforms accountable for selling and promoting various drugs and Fentanyl pills. The move comes as lawsuits in various states have alleged social platform Snapchat made it increasingly easy for teens to buy and sell drugs on its platform. |
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