SOCIAL
Meta Launches New Legal Action Against Data Scraping Companies
Meta is taking legal action against yet another company for scraping profile data from both Facebook and Instagram, as it continues to push for the establishment of legal precedent to stamp out data misuse.
As explained by Meta:
“Today, Meta has filed legal action against Voyager Labs in the federal court in California. Voyager Labs is a scraping and surveillance service that improperly collected data from Facebook, Instagram and other websites. We disabled Voyager’s accounts, filed this action to enforce our Terms and Policies, and asked the Court to ban Voyager from Facebook and Instagram.”
Meta alleges that Voyager Labs used proprietary software to launch scraping campaigns on Facebook and Instagram, as well as Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn and Telegram.
“Voyager designed its scraping software to use fake accounts to scrape data accessible to a user when logged into Facebook, including users profile information, posts, friends’ lists, photos and comments. Voyager used a diverse system of computers and networks in different countries to hide its activity, including when Meta subjected the fake accounts to verifications or checks. Voyager did not compromise Facebook, instead it used fake accounts to scrape publicly viewable information.”
The question around the legality of scraping publicly accessible sites has been long debated, with LinkedIn battling for years to stop a company from using its publicly available user info to fuel its own service.
LinkedIn first launched legal action against hiQ Labs back in 2017, after discovering that hiQ had been harvesting LinkedIn user data in order to build its own recruitment information service. The case has gone back and forth, with some readings of the law suggesting that such action is not in violation of any specific terms, though most recently, in November last year, the courts ruled that LinkedIn’s User Agreement ‘unambiguously prohibits scraping and the unauthorized use of scraped data as well as fake accounts’, which will enable LinkedIn to move forward with its claim.
Meta’s now looking to use the same clause:
“Our lawsuit alleges that Voyager has violated our Terms of Service against fake accounts and unauthorized and automated scraping. We are seeking a permanent injunction against Voyager to protect people against scraping-for-hire services.”
It’ll be interesting to see whether the LinkedIn case can be used as a precedent, which could make it much clearer as to how platforms can stop data scraping in future.
It’s the latest in a range of legal actions launched by Meta over the last few years, in a bid to push for updates to current laws, and regulations as they pertain to social media specifically.
Meta also launched legal action against two companies for data scraping last July, while it’s also added data scraping detection into its Bug Bounty program, rewarding developers for highlighting platform misuse.
And it does seem like this increased push from Meta is having an impact, which could ensure that scrapers find it much more difficult to operate moving forward.
SOCIAL
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.
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.
SOCIAL
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.”Â
“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.
“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.
SOCIAL
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.
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.
5 Psychological Tactics to Write Better Emails
Weekend Google Core Ranking Volatility
20 Neuromarketing Techniques & Triggers for Better-Converting Copy
WordPress Releases A Performance Plugin For “Near-Instant Load Times”
Daily Search Forum Recap: April 15, 2024
Reddit Post Ranks On Google In 5 Minutes
Google Clarifies Vacation Rental Structured Data
4 New Google Ads Performance Max Updates: What You Need to Know
Daily Search Forum Recap: April 16, 2024
19 Best SEO Tools in 2024 (For Every Use Case)
-
MARKETING6 days ago5 Psychological Tactics to Write Better Emails
-
SEARCHENGINES7 days agoWeekend Google Core Ranking Volatility
-
PPC6 days ago20 Neuromarketing Techniques & Triggers for Better-Converting Copy
-
SEO7 days agoWordPress Releases A Performance Plugin For “Near-Instant Load Times”
-
SEARCHENGINES6 days ago
Daily Search Forum Recap: April 15, 2024
-
SEO6 days agoReddit Post Ranks On Google In 5 Minutes
-
SEO4 days agoGoogle Clarifies Vacation Rental Structured Data
-
PPC5 days ago4 New Google Ads Performance Max Updates: What You Need to Know
You must be logged in to post a comment Login