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Twitter’s New ‘Tip Jar’ Button Leads to Privacy Issues, Requests for Payment

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twitters new tip jar button leads to privacy issues requests for payment

Okay, so there are probably a few kinks in Twitter’s new ‘Tip Jar‘ system that it needs to iron out yet.

Launched in broader test mode yesterday, with a range of ‘creators, journalists, experts, and nonprofits’ getting access to the tool, Twitter’s new Tip Jar button on profiles aims to provide another way for users to generate income from their Twitter efforts, with all the proceeds, at least at launch, going direct to the creator (minus payment platform fees).

Twitter Tip Jar

Which seems pretty straightforward, potentially beneficial – a new way for users to do more to help their favorite tweet creators, who might well be doing it tough at the moment due to the ongoing impacts of the pandemic.

I mean, other platforms have tip jar options, so it’s nothing new. Should be all fine. Right?

Well, there are a couple of significant issues at present.

The first, as noted by cybersecurity expert Rachel Tobac, is that people may well be inadvertently sharing their personal address when they provide a ‘tip’ and they pay via PayPal.

So when the user you’ve donated to gets the PayPal receipt, it may have your personal address right there – which seems like a fairly significant privacy concern.

Following Tobac’s discovery, Twitter quickly responded, saying that it would update its process:

So Twitter says that it’s a PayPal issue – the problem, as PayPal communicates in its terms, is that when people are receiving payments through the platform, they either select a “goods and services” payment, where their address is shared, or they select “friends and family” payment, in which their details are not submitted.

So if you have a business PayPal account, you’re probably going to be sharing your address info with whomever you make a Twitter tip to. Twitter will no doubt be working to address this, but that’s a fairly significant early hiccup, which it’ll need to update before a broader roll-out.

The other major problem that users have found with Twitter’s new Tip Jar button is that it’s just as easy for people to request a payment through the process as it is for them to make one.

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Twitter Tip Jar request

As you can see in this example, posted by Robert Martin, because the Tip Jar process is simply connecting users through to these third-party payment platforms, it doesn’t define exactly whether this is to send or receive money systematically. It therefore gives users the option to choose one or the other. I tested the same through PayPal, and it did indeed give me the option to request money from the user.

As you would expect, that’s already lead to profiles with the new Tip Jar button getting a flood of requests from users trying to trick them into paying out. That, alone, could make it an extremely annoying function. Twitter can likely solve this by working with the payment platforms to improve the system here, and they’ll definitely need to, because if they don’t, 90% of the button’s usage is going to end up being for the opposite of its intended purpose.

The Tip Jar proposal in itself is an interesting option, and another element in Twitter’s broader effort to provide more financial incentive to keep creators tweeting, which could definitely help in boosting on-platform engagement. And it is in test mode. Twitter hasn’t gone to a full roll-out as yet, as it needs to sort out any potential problems, so the fact that these issues have been detected now is, in some ways, exactly what’s supposed to happen at this stage.

But it is a little concerning that as Twitter moves into financial transactions, that it’s overlooked some fairly significant details. 

It’s all part of the process, I guess, and Twitter will no doubt update its Tip Jar system soon. 

Socialmediatoday.com

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Snapchat Explores New Messaging Retention Feature: A Game-Changer or Risky Move?

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Snapchat Explores New Messaging Retention Feature: A Game-Changer or Risky Move?

In a recent announcement, Snapchat revealed a groundbreaking update that challenges its traditional design ethos. The platform is experimenting with an option that allows users to defy the 24-hour auto-delete rule, a feature synonymous with Snapchat’s ephemeral messaging model.

The proposed change aims to introduce a “Never delete” option in messaging retention settings, aligning Snapchat more closely with conventional messaging apps. While this move may blur Snapchat’s distinctive selling point, Snap appears convinced of its necessity.

According to Snap, the decision stems from user feedback and a commitment to innovation based on user needs. The company aims to provide greater flexibility and control over conversations, catering to the preferences of its community.

Currently undergoing trials in select markets, the new feature empowers users to adjust retention settings on a conversation-by-conversation basis. Flexibility remains paramount, with participants able to modify settings within chats and receive in-chat notifications to ensure transparency.

Snapchat underscores that the default auto-delete feature will persist, reinforcing its design philosophy centered on ephemerality. However, with the app gaining traction as a primary messaging platform, the option offers users a means to preserve longer chat histories.

The update marks a pivotal moment for Snapchat, renowned for its disappearing message premise, especially popular among younger demographics. Retaining this focus has been pivotal to Snapchat’s identity, but the shift suggests a broader strategy aimed at diversifying its user base.

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This strategy may appeal particularly to older demographics, potentially extending Snapchat’s relevance as users age. By emulating features of conventional messaging platforms, Snapchat seeks to enhance its appeal and broaden its reach.

Yet, the introduction of message retention poses questions about Snapchat’s uniqueness. While addressing user demands, the risk of diluting Snapchat’s distinctiveness looms large.

As Snapchat ventures into uncharted territory, the outcome of this experiment remains uncertain. Will message retention propel Snapchat to new heights, or will it compromise the platform’s uniqueness?

Only time will tell.

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Catering to specific audience boosts your business, says accountant turned coach

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Catering to specific audience boosts your business, says accountant turned coach

While it is tempting to try to appeal to a broad audience, the founder of alcohol-free coaching service Just the Tonic, Sandra Parker, believes the best thing you can do for your business is focus on your niche. Here’s how she did just that.

When running a business, reaching out to as many clients as possible can be tempting. But it also risks making your marketing “too generic,” warns Sandra Parker, the founder of Just The Tonic Coaching.

“From the very start of my business, I knew exactly who I could help and who I couldn’t,” Parker told My Biggest Lessons.

Parker struggled with alcohol dependence as a young professional. Today, her business targets high-achieving individuals who face challenges similar to those she had early in her career.

“I understand their frustrations, I understand their fears, and I understand their coping mechanisms and the stories they’re telling themselves,” Parker said. “Because of that, I’m able to market very effectively, to speak in a language that they understand, and am able to reach them.” 

“I believe that it’s really important that you know exactly who your customer or your client is, and you target them, and you resist the temptation to make your marketing too generic to try and reach everyone,” she explained.

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“If you speak specifically to your target clients, you will reach them, and I believe that’s the way that you’re going to be more successful.

Watch the video for more of Sandra Parker’s biggest lessons.

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Instagram Tests Live-Stream Games to Enhance Engagement

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Instagram Tests Live-Stream Games to Enhance Engagement

Instagram’s testing out some new options to help spice up your live-streams in the app, with some live broadcasters now able to select a game that they can play with viewers in-stream.

As you can see in these example screens, posted by Ahmed Ghanem, some creators now have the option to play either “This or That”, a question and answer prompt that you can share with your viewers, or “Trivia”, to generate more engagement within your IG live-streams.

That could be a simple way to spark more conversation and interaction, which could then lead into further engagement opportunities from your live audience.

Meta’s been exploring more ways to make live-streaming a bigger consideration for IG creators, with a view to live-streams potentially catching on with more users.

That includes the gradual expansion of its “Stars” live-stream donation program, giving more creators in more regions a means to accept donations from live-stream viewers, while back in December, Instagram also added some new options to make it easier to go live using third-party tools via desktop PCs.

Live streaming has been a major shift in China, where shopping live-streams, in particular, have led to massive opportunities for streaming platforms. They haven’t caught on in the same way in Western regions, but as TikTok and YouTube look to push live-stream adoption, there is still a chance that they will become a much bigger element in future.

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Which is why IG is also trying to stay in touch, and add more ways for its creators to engage via streams. Live-stream games is another element within this, which could make this a better community-building, and potentially sales-driving option.

We’ve asked Instagram for more information on this test, and we’ll update this post if/when we hear back.

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