YouTube takes a stand against copyright content, Twitter introduces a multitasking feature, Instagram makes itself safer and Tinder introduces Bitmoji to break the ice

YouTube strikes down on copyright content

YouTube has declared war on copyright content this week. It has created a Match Tool that will help creators on its platform find out whether other creators have used or re-uploaded their content on other channels.

Obviously, having content that you have worked hard on be re-uploaded by another YouTuber without permission is frustrating. So, to make things better for the YouTube community, YouTube has announced that after testing its Copyright Match Tool for the past year, it will now start rolling out to creators who have over 100,000 subscribers. And, after monitoring the usage of the tool over the next few months, they plan to roll out the service to all the creators on its YouTube Partner program.

In his blog post last week, the Product Manager at YouTube, Fabio Magagna, explained that creators already have “a number of ways to protect their copyright”, but YouTube is working to give these creators more power over who shares and uses their content. The tool scans for similar videos after the creator has uploaded their video and, “when there is a match, it will appear in the ‘matches’ tab in the tool, and you can decide what to do next.”

Twitter makes a much needed change!

Twitter is rolling out a new feature that will allow users to ‘dock’ videos that they are watching in the corner of their screen in order to continue scrolling through their timeline.

It’s simple, there is just too much content for us to enjoy and too little time! So what are social platforms supposed to do? Roll out multitasking features that allow users to consume video content as they continue to browse the page.

The feature looks pretty straight forward; users simply have to tap on the new dock option that appears at the top right of the play window while a video is in full screen. The video will then minimise and continue playing as users scroll through and read other tweets, much like YouTube and Facebook. If the ‘docked’ video gets in the way, users can easily move it to wherever they want, or just swipe to get rid of it.

Instagram is protecting us from hackers

Instagram is going the extra mile again, after its recent decision to test the verification process for verified accounts; Instagram is now making sure that its users stay safe by adding a new 2-factor authentication system that doesn’t rely on SMS.

The traditional 2-factor authentication method that relies on SMS is not safe from hackers and Instagram is not taking the risk anymore. Recent research has found that hackers can steal a users Instagram account by porting their phone number onto their own SIM card and simply requesting to change the password. And this can be done without the user even knowing. The hackers can then sell the accounts on for Bitcoin. To fix this problem, Instagram is building this non-SMS 2-factor authentication system that works with security apps such as Google Authentication an Duo, this is because these apps generate codes that can’t be generate on different devices with a ported SIM.

Instagram is now allowing users to remove followers without blocking them

Having a public Instagram comes with its ups and its downs. Yes, users get better engagements and can reach the explore page, but getting more likes, shockingly, has its downfalls; these being the overly nice/kind of creepy followers. Of course, users can simply block someone, but Instagram has started testing a softer way to let followers go, allowing users to remove followers manually.

Those users who are part of the test group can go to their profile pages, tap on followers and then on the three dots button. Tapping this icon will open up a pop-up that allows users to remove those followers. And what’s even better is that Instagram has confirmed that these removed followers are not notified!

Tinder tests Bitmoji

After the success of Bitmoji’s integration with Snap Kit, Tinder is joining the bandwagon and introducing Bitmoji to its platform, allowing users to send them to their matches.

According to Tinder “breaking the ice has never been easier.” Let’s be honest, the right opener is never the one you send. The appearance of Bitmoji on Tinder is made possible by the integration of Snap Kit that allows third-party apps to take advantage of Snapchat’s login, Snap Map and Bitmoji.

Bitmoji can be added onto Tinder really easily. If you have access to them:

1.Tap the green Bitmoji icon next to GIF

2.Tap “Connect to Snapchat”

3.Confirm you’d like to chat on Tinder using your Bitmoji

4.Start chatting with your Bitmoji

Bitmoji on Tinder is currently only being tested in Canada and Mexico, but there’s no news as to when it will roll out to further markets. Tinder’s testing of Bitmoji on the platform makes it the debut partner for Snap Kit, and the first integration so far.