Instagram to hide target comments

Instagram inquired by EU over handling of children’s personal data

October 19, 2020 by Arhama Altaf

Globally popular photo and video sharing platform Instagram is being investigated by Ireland’s Data Protection Commissioner (DPC) over its handling of children’s personal data.

The app’s owner Facebook might face a large fine if Instagram found to have broken privacy laws.

According to the complaints, Instagram made contact information on business accounts publicly visible to anyone accessing the app.

A number of US tech giants have their European headquarters in Ireland which came into force in 2018.

However, the DPC is the lead European Union regulator under the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

The DPC is responsible for protecting individuals’ right to online privacy, and has the power to issue large fines.

Furthermore, the Irish regulator currently investigating whether Facebook has a legal basis for processing children’s personal data.

Separately, it is also looking at whether Facebook has adhered with GDPR requirements in relation to Instagram’s profile and account settings.

It also inquires whether Facebook is adequately protecting the data protection rights of children as vulnerable persons.

Also, the minimum age for having an Instagram account is 13.

Instagram agrees curbs on paid influencers, says UK watchdog

October 17, 2020 by Arhama Altaf

Popular photo-sharing application Instagram has agreed measures to crack down on hidden advertising by so-called influencers.

Influencers with thousands of followers can earn large fees from companies to promotes a product on Instagram.

According to Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), Facebook Ireland, which operates the photo-sharing app in Britain, has committed to a package of changes.

“This will make it much harder for people to post an advert on Instagram without labelling it as such,” the CMA said in a statement.

Facebook said the company was pleased to work with the CMA on its continued efforts to increase transparency on when people are paid to post content on Instagram.

“We are also proud to be launching a programme with MediaSmart to help educate young people about branded content and how to identify it,” Facebook added.

The CMA said it has been investigating concerns that too many influencers are posting content about businesses without making it clear they have been paid or received other incentives to do so.

Influencers will have to confirm and disclose if they have received any incentives to promote a product or service.

Instagram will also use technology to spot when users might not have disclosed clearly that a post is an advertisement, the CMA said.

Earlier, 16 celebrities pledged to clean up their act on social media after CMA action, the watchdog added.

Instagram to automatically hide target comments to reduce bullying

October 7, 2020 by Arhama Altaf

Instagram has announced that it will automatically hide negative comments in posts to reduce bullying and harassment.

This is one of several new steps that Instagram is taking to avoid target comments that users have reported as inappropriate.

The first new feature will automatically hide comments that could be seen as offensive by users, specifically those that are similar to comments that have been reported earlier.

Users on whose post the comments were made will be able to see the content of the hidden ones but those that are against community guidelines will be automatically removed.

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