Tag: Instagram News

Instagram calls it a day on end-to-end encyption

Posted on by Ozymandias

Instagram has officially discontinued its “ultra-private” messaging feature worldwide, marking a significant shift in the platform’s approach to user privacy.

The move means the app is stepping away from end-to-end encryption (E2EE) for direct messages, despite previously promoting the technology as a key part of its privacy strategy.

Major change in Meta’s privacy direction

The decision represents a notable policy reversal for Meta, whose CEO Mark Zuckerberg had previously championed private messaging as the future of online communication.

Back in 2019, Zuckerberg publicly stated that “the future is private” while outlining plans to strengthen encrypted communication across the company’s platforms.

Although Meta successfully rolled out end-to-end encryption on Facebook Messenger in 2023, the same feature remained optional on Instagram.

After years of development and testing, the company has now decided to halt the broader rollout on the photo-sharing platform.

What changes for users

According to reports, Instagram will now rely on standard encryption instead of full end-to-end encryption for direct messages.

Unlike E2EE, standard encryption allows service providers to potentially access message content when necessary.

This means Meta may now have the ability to access users’ direct message content, including photos, videos and voice notes shared within chats.

Why Meta changed course

Meta reportedly told journalists that the decision was influenced by low usage of the optional private messaging feature.

However, some technology experts argue that optional privacy tools often see limited adoption because they require additional setup or user awareness.

The change has already sparked conversations around digital privacy, user trust and the balance between convenience, moderation and secure communication on major social media platforms.

Facebook remains king of social media in Africa

Posted on by Ozymandias

Facebook remains the most popular social media platform in Africa, despite the growing popularity of TikTok.

A recent Social Media Usage report by GeoPoll reveals that the number of social media users in Africa has steadily increased, with the total now surpassing 384 million. Facebook maintains its dominant position with a staggering 170 million active users, accounting for approximately 44% of Africa’s social media enthusiasts.

TikTok, while gaining ground rapidly, stands as the second most engaging platform with a 60% active user rate, indicating its surging popularity among African youth. Instagram follows closely with a 54% user engagement rate, while Twitter and LinkedIn hold respective active user percentages of 49% and 28%.

The GeoPoll report further delves into the different purposes that drive African users to each social media platform.

Communication, entertainment, news, and updates were identified as key drivers of social media usage on the continent. For instance, 68% of surveyed users turn to social media platforms to discover news and stay updated on current events. In contrast, Facebook serves as a platform for socializing, with 49% of users using it to make new friends and engage in social interactions.

TikTok has carved a niche as an entertainment and learning platform. An impressive 73% of respondents use TikTok primarily for watching and sharing short-form videos, while 72% view it as a source of entertainment. Remarkably, 61% of users turn to TikTok as a learning platform to acquire new skills, underscoring its educational value despite concerns about sexualized content.

Instagram stands out as a trend-following platform, with 61% of users using it to keep up with the latest trends and follow influencers and celebrities. Additionally, 59% of users utilize Instagram as a visual memory vault, uploading photos and moments that matter to them.

Unsurprisingly, Twitter emerged as the go-to platform for staying updated on news and current affairs, with 78% of respondents citing it as their primary use. Additionally, 59% use Twitter to connect with like-minded individuals and engage in thought-provoking discussions and debates.

LinkedIn remains firmly rooted in its professional niche, with 87% of active users turning to the platform for job hunting and career advancement.

The GeoPoll survey also examined the impact of social media on African users.

An overwhelming 80% of respondents admitted to purchasing a product or service advertised on social media, highlighting the pivotal role that social media plays in e-commerce and advertising in Africa. Due to the ease of access provided by mobile phones, Africans spend an average of 3 to 6 hours per day on social media platforms. Interestingly, 61% of those surveyed reported that social media has positively impacted their mental health.

GeoPoll conducted this insightful survey in four African countries—Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa—in August 2023, gathering data from 4,170 participants. The report provides valuable insights into Africa’s evolving social media landscape and its multifaceted influence on the continent’s diverse population.

In conclusion, Facebook remains the most popular social media platform in Africa, but TikTok is gaining ground rapidly. African users turn to different platforms for different purposes, with communication, entertainment, news, and updates being the key drivers of social media usage on the continent.

Social media plays a significant role in e-commerce and advertising in Africa, and it has a positive impact on the mental health of many users.

Is Betty Kyallo okay? She has not been herself lately

Posted on by David Kingsley

I don’t know about you but I think Betty Kyallo is going through something because of late she hasn’t been herself. It almost seems like she is really depressed.

I’m not a psychologist but I can tell that things are not okay with her and if you are keen, I’m sure you’ve noticed that she has been making a fool of herself publicly.

Betty Kyallo

She goes live on her IG page almost on a daily basis and on most occasions she’s too drunk to answer questions from her fans.

Some times she says more than she needs to like that time in March when complained about the pressure that comes with her job and told off anyone who thought she is their role model.

Granted, being a public figure is tough because you have to live up to societal standards but that does not mean that you have to show the whole world that it’s tough doing what she does because many people look up to her.

Betty Kyallo

A few hours ago, Betty uploaded a video on her IG TV where she attempted to explain the things that she does when she is drunk and even in that video you could notice that she is not okay with the fake laughs.

You could say that she’s worried like the rest of us because of coronavirus and the fact that the world is crumbling in front of our eyes that she was among the people who have had to take huge pay cuts as a result of the pandemic.

Maybe, just maybe, she parted ways with her Somali bae because we’ve not seen him around lately. Or is she getting stress from her baby daddy Dennis Okari? I don’t really know.

All I know is that Betty needs to take a break from social media because she’s damaging the reputation that she has worked so hard to build over the years. She also needs to see a shrink as soon as possible.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B_ss6yXlBQD/

Oga Obinna drops sizzling jam ‘For The Instagram’ (Video)

Posted on by David Kingsley

Award-winning comedian and singer Obinna Ike Igwee, better known as Oga Obinna, has released a new jam and it’s getting so much love from his fans.

Also read: Kenyan comedians should stay away from music!

The track dubbed For The Instagram basically talks about the fake lives that many people, especially ladies, show on their social media platforms, more so Instagram.

Oga Obinna

According to Obinna, girls not only filter their photos but they also lie about visiting certain destination and pretend to own certain things yet some of them don’t even have a job to begin with.

He says that they fake their lifestyles to make others see that they are living the good life and it is not necessary since they are only fooling themselves.

I honestly don’t know what to make of this song. The first time I listened to it, I felt it was so mediocre not because of the message but the way it was packaged.

Comedian Oga Obinna
Oga Obinna

Oga Obinna has been in the entertainment industry for a while and I feel he could have done better with this track as is the case with some of his releases but then again maybe that’s just me.

However, the beat and instrumentation is really impeccable and this doesn’t come as a surprise seeing as it was done by the one and only Mavo On The Beat.

The video is a collection of short clips, presumably for Instagram, and in my opinion the person who was tasked with putting them together did not do a good job at all.

Watch For The Instagram below and tell us what you think.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-SsVOLSNGQ