The Scoop: 10.12.21
Facebook has been making headlines left and right. From all of its platforms (Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp) being down for six hours last week ❗ ❗ (giving
Twitter a new breath of life) to a former employee taking to ‘60 minutes’ to criticize the company’s tactics. Meanwhile, LinkedIn is testing the idea of letting users charge for virtual events hosted on its platform and a TikTok star is taking the internet by storm by “improving” brand logos.
The Fight Against COVID Continues: Online & At Work
Our latest in an ongoing series examining the return to a “new normal,” this edition takes aim at the fiery topic of vaccine mandates, why such fervent resistance exists, and which healthcare industry titans are implementing them. It’s no surprise that social media may be at least partly to blame for that hesitancy; YouTube has even been described as an “'absolute sewer' of COVID vaccine misinformation.” The company announced it would remove content that falsely alleges approved vaccines are dangerous or do not reduce transmission, or contain misinformation on the substances in vaccines. While the impact of the new policy remains to be seen, government continues to spar over a sweeping vaccine mandate for businesses employing more than 100 workers while other businesses, such as Johnson & Johnson, Walgreens, CVS Health and Pfizer have wasted no time implementing various forms of a vaccine mandates for employees.
Sources: THE NEW YORK TIMES, ENGADGET, MSNBC, YOUTUBE, THE HILL
A More Inclusive Future: Accessible Technology
While technology offers many benefits – connecting individuals living with similar experiences and allowing easier access to information – industry leaders have been slow to incorporate basic features that accommodate disabled people. Many tech heavyweights are working to close that gap by providing a wider range of accessibility features. Recently Apple rolled out improvements to Apple iOS VoiceOver while Google announced its enhanced Android Accessibility Suite which helps blind and visually impaired users operate their devices with the help of vibrations and spoken feedback. Likewise, social media platforms are taking steps to integrate feedback from users with disabilities. Snap celebrated International Week of the Deaf this year with custom stickers and AR Lenses that help users learn to fingerspell their names and common words. Additions like this aim to provide a more inclusive environment for all tech users.
Sources: THE VERGE, TEEN VOGUE
Data as Currency: What Will Replace It?
As tech companies keep up with their users’ growing yearning for digital privacy, they’re making significant changes. Facebook has a dedicated team reworking how they display ads without leveraging personal data. Google plans to disable a Chrome data monitoring tool. Apple granted users the control of opting into being tracked by applications. Ad tech firms report that 80% of iPhone users have opted out of app tracking and monitoring, highlighting a clear consumer desire for privacy. As society and tech approach the crux of what data privacy will look like, it begs the question, “If personal information is no longer the currency people give in exchange for online content and services, […]” what will replace it?
Sources: AD EXCHANGER, THE NEW YORK TIMES, NY MAG
In Other News…
In case you missed it: Facebook says it’s pausing efforts to build Instagram for kids.
CGI influencers are here. 😲 And these "digital humans" are pushing the boundaries of possibility.
Real Chemistry’s The Scoop is brought to you by an editorial collective, featuring industry updates and insights from subject matter experts across social media, digital and influencer activation teams.
Contributing writers and editors: Tiffany Bullock, Nick Cardillo, Taylor Edwards, Ricki Kahn
and Stephen O’Neil
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