Locket hits the top of the App Store

  • A new social app, Locket, has hit the top of the App Store.
  • The app turns Apple’s widget system into a private social networking platform by displaying photos from friends.
  • Users can invite and add friends on Locket and their photos will be displayed on a widget on the iOS home screen throughout the day.
  • Users can also open the app and add their own photos which will be displayed on their friends’ home screen.
  • The app gained popularity after videos were shared on TikTok.
  • Full story, here.

Twitter will now let all iOS and Android users record Spaces

  • Twitter users on Android and iOS can now record Twitter Spaces when setting one up.
  • The recording will be available for public playback for 30 days after the Space ends.
  • An icon at the top of the ‘Space’ will let other users know that it is being recorded.
  • For more information on Twitter, check out our safety card.
  • Full story, here.

‘Significant improvements’ to be made to proposed online safety laws

  • Efforts to tackle cyber flashing and paid-for scam advertising could be part of “significant improvements” to proposed online safety laws.
  • The Online Safety Bill can be improved with a piece of legislation expected in the coming months.
  • The legislation includes paid-for-scam, fraudulent adverts, cyber-flashing, content promoting self-harm and deliberate sending of flashing images to people with photosensitive epilepsy.
  • An MP is also calling for the introduction of the ‘Digitally Altered Body Image Bill’ where influencers could be required to display warning logo on edited body image photos.
  • Full story, here.

Meta faces billion-pound class-action case

  • A competition expert intends to sue Facebook’s parent company, Meta.
  • Dr Liza Lovdahl alleges Meta “abused its market dominance” to set an “unfair price” for free use of Facebook – UK users’ personal data.
  • Up to 44 million UK Facebook users could share £2.3bn in damages.
  • The case is due to be brought to the Competition Appeal Tribunal.
  • Anyone living in the UK who used Facebook at least once between 2015 and 2019 will be part of the claim unless they choose to opt out.
  • Full story, here.

‘Gingerism’ – the last socially acceptable form of bullying?

  • The head of a human rights charity has warned that prejudice against people with ginger hair is not just ‘harmless banter’.
  • Chrissy Meleady, CEO of Equalities and Human Rights UK, claims that red-haired children need to be protected.
  • A teaching assistant at a Sheffield primary school lost an appeal after being dismissed for bullying and “humiliating” pupils.
  • Reported incidents include searching for “gingerphobia” during a lesson which led to a child being teased and getting upset.
  • What is presented as ‘banter’ “can strip red-haired children of their positive self-identity and confidence”.
  • Full story, here.

Former First Minister urges crackdown on online trolls

  • Former First Minister and former leader of the DUP, Arlene Foster calls for a crackdown on online trolls.
  • This follows the abuse of Diane Dodds MLA and her family by an anonymous twitter user over the New Year period.
  • Twitter only acted after a public outcry, initially stating that the tweet was not in breach of their policies.
  • The “gross indecency” of online trolling “has to be dealt with by the social media platforms which host these abusers”.
  • Foster is “concerned about the amount of bullying that occurs online, which can lead to poor mental health, and in some cases, self-harm”.
  • Full story, here.