TechPression

Tag: Snapchat

  • Snapchat extends 24-hour chat retention, offering users more time to keep conversations

    Snapchat extends 24-hour chat retention, offering users more time to keep conversations

    Snapchat has announced an exciting update today. Instead of the previous 24-hour auto-delete setting, users can retain chat messages for up to seven days. This change aims to enhance user experience by providing more conversation management flexibility.

    A new direction for messaging

    Bobby Murphy, Reggie Brown, and Evan Spiegel established Snapchat in 2011. The application gained popularity due to its distinctive messaging system, which involves messages disappearing after they have been viewed.

    Read also: Snapchat allows parents to track teens with new location-sharing feature

    This design aimed to mimic real-life conversations where not everything is saved. However, as users’ needs have changed, many have expressed a desire for longer message retention.

    This new update allows users to keep specific conversations for up to a week. If you want to refer back to a chat later, you can do so without worrying about it disappearing after a day. 

    Snap stated, “We’re constantly listening to and learning from Snapchatters… we hope this provides even more flexibility and control.”

    Balancing privacy and convenience

    This update is part of Snapchat’s effort to attract more users, especially those who might prefer features found in other messaging apps like iMessage or WhatsApp. 

    Read also: Snapchat plans to introduce watermarks to AI-Generated image

    Snap aims to remain competitive in the messaging market by offering features that appeal to a broader audience. They mentioned, “With more people using Snapchat as their key messaging platform… we want to enhance its appeal.”

    While some long-time users are concerned that this change could diminish Snapchat’s unique identity, the company assures users that chats will still be deleted automatically unless they choose to keep them. This way, Snapchat aims to maintain its core values of privacy and spontaneity while adapting to what users want.

  • Instagram rivals Apple and Snapchat with live location sharing in DMs

    Instagram rivals Apple and Snapchat with live location sharing in DMs

    Instagram on Monday announced a new feature that lets users share their live locations with friends through direct messages (DMs). This development marks a strategic move by the Meta-owned platform to compete with similar location-sharing services like Apple’s “Find My” and Snapchat’s Snap Map. These features have gained popularity as convenient ways for users to keep track of friends and loved ones’ locations.

    The introduction of live location sharing doesn’t come as a complete surprise. Earlier this year, Instagram was spotted testing a way for users to see their friends’ live locations. It’s worth noting that Meta’s other platform, WhatsApp, has had a similar feature for years, allowing users to share live locations with others.

    Read also: Threads to begin ad Testing in 2025, Meta eyes revenue from rapid user base

    How location sharing works on Instagram

    Unlike Apple and Snapchat, which allow users to share their locations indefinitely, Instagram’s live location sharing is limited to one hour. This feature is designed to help users coordinate arrival times or find friends in crowded areas. Users can share their live location with an individual or a group chat. Only the members of the specific chat can see the location, which cannot be forwarded elsewhere. Additionally, a reminder at the top of the chat will indicate that live location sharing is active.

    All shared locations automatically expire after one hour. This contrasts with WhatsApp’s more flexible options, which allow live location sharing for up to eight hours. It remains to be seen if Instagram will extend its time limit.

    Expanded availability and other DM features on Instagram

    The live location-sharing feature is currently being rolled out in select countries. Instagram has yet to provide specifics about its availability, but users can expect further updates as the feature expands globally.

    Read also: Instagram introduces new teen accounts to improve safety for young users

    In addition to live location sharing, Instagram has introduced customisable nicknames for DMs. Users can now assign nicknames to themselves or others in conversations, which can be used for inside jokes or to simplify lengthy usernames. To create a nickname, tap on the chat name at the top of a conversation, select “Nicknames,” and assign one to the desired contact. Nicknames are private and only visible within the DM chat.

    To enhance user interaction further, Instagram is also launching 17 new sticker packs featuring more than 300 stickers for use in DMs. These updates aim to make direct messaging on Instagram more engaging and personalised.

    Instagram’s latest updates demonstrate its commitment to competing with other platforms while enhancing the user experience with fresh and practical features.

  • Bubbl acquires $350K pre-seed funding, aims to rival Glide

    Bubbl acquires $350K pre-seed funding, aims to rival Glide

    Saudi-based social media platform Bubbl has successfully raised $350,000 in a pre-seed funding round led by angel investor Abdullah Al Dosari, which was announced on Sunday. Aya Alhamoud, an entrepreneur, started Bubbl in March 2024 to change how people use social media in the Kingdom by giving them a platform tailored to their culture and social life.

    The recent funding will enable Bubbl to enhance its technological capabilities, expand its feature set, and broaden its reach within Saudi Arabia and international markets. With a vision to create a vibrant online community that fosters genuine connections, Bubbl is poised to challenge existing global social media giants while promoting local innovation.

    Read also: TikTok deletes 12 million videos across Africa, enforces stricter age rules

    Bubbl: Local innovation with global ambition

    Bubbl is positioned as a platform with the potential to rival established global social media giants such as Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat. These competitors dominate the market with their extensive user bases and diverse features, but Bubbl aims to carve out its niche by focusing on intimate connections among a limited circle of friends, allowing users to share thoughts without the pressures of likes and follower counts. 

    Abdullah Al Dosari, the lead investor, recognises the app’s unique approach, which includes localised features tailored to Saudi users.This strategic focus on local needs allows Bubbl to scale effectively in international markets, representing a significant shift in a space previously dominated by a few major players.

    The platform sets itself apart by offering a distinctive social media experience. It integrates a widget that displays live text feeds from close friends directly on users’ home screens, fostering a sense of immediacy and intimacy in interactions. Users can share thoughts and statuses with a limited circle of up to 20 people, allowing for genuine connections without the pressures of follower counts commonly seen on other platforms.

    Bubbl surges to 60,000 daily users, tops App Store charts

    Since its launch in March, Bubbl has experienced remarkable user growth, attracting 60,000 active users daily. This surge has propelled the app to top the Apple App Store rankings in Saudi Arabia. Alhamoud has expressed his goal to reach 1 million daily active users, with plans to use the newly acquired funding to enhance app features and broaden market presence.

    Read also: NITDA releases guidelines on protecting WhatsApp accounts from hackers

    Elevate your connections with Bubbl

    Bubbl’s innovative features contribute significantly to its appeal. The app allows users to send custom notes that appear instantly on their friends’ widgets, creating an engaging and interactive experience. Users can react to notes without worrying about likes or follower counts, promoting authenticity in communication.

    Bubbl also lets users preserve shared notes as images of key times. This feature promotes personal ties while ensuring privacy in a close group.

    As Bubbl looks toward future growth, it remains committed to preserving its local essence while expanding its global footprint. The recent funding is crucial for realising these ambitions, ensuring that Bubbl continues to innovate and effectively meet its users’ needs.

  • Snapchat allows parents to track teens with new location-sharing feature

    Snapchat allows parents to track teens with new location-sharing feature

    Snapchat has announced a new feature that allows parents to request their teen’s real-time location. On Thursday, the video-sharing app  introduced Snap Map, a location-sharing feature within its Family Center, an in-app hub offering parental tools and resources.

    Snapchat enhancing safety for families

    The new location-sharing capability is designed to empower parents, allowing them to monitor their children’s whereabouts when necessary. Parents can send a request to their teens, who can choose to share their location for a specified period. This initiative reflects Snapchat’s commitment to enhancing user safety while balancing the need for privacy among younger users.

    Read also: Snapchat plans to introduce watermarks to AI-Generated image

    This feature is particularly relevant as concerns about teen safety continue to rise, especially regarding issues like bullying, abduction, and other risks associated with unsupervised outings.

    According to Snap, these location features are accessible only by opting in and are limited to people already added as friends. The platform will also add reminders for users who share their location with all friends on their list, encouraging them to review their settings regularly.

    Contextual relevance in Africa

    In Africa, where mobile connectivity is rapidly expanding, features like real-time location sharing can play a crucial role in enhancing family safety. As urbanisation increases and more young people engage in social activities outside the home, tools that facilitate communication and safety become increasingly relevant. Countries like South Africa and Nigeria are witnessing a surge in smartphone usage among youth, making such features particularly impactful.

    Moreover, as digital literacy improves across the continent, parents are becoming more proactive in leveraging technology to ensure their children’s safety. Snapchat’s new feature aligns with this trend, providing families with innovative solutions tailored to contemporary challenges.

    Read also: Snapchat to reduce workforce by 10%

    Concerns about safety with location sharing

    While this feature aims to enhance family safety, it also raises concerns about potential misuse by stalkers or individuals who may exploit access to real-time locations. Parents must remain vigilant about how they discuss and implement these tools with their teens to ensure that safety measures do not inadvertently compromise their children’s security or privacy.

    Snapchat’s introduction of a real-time location-sharing feature represents a significant step towards enhancing family safety while navigating the complexities of modern parenting.

    By allowing parents to request their teen’s location, Snapchat aims to foster a safer environment for young users without compromising their autonomy.

    As this feature rolls out, it will be essential for families to engage in open dialogues about privacy and trust, ensuring that technology serves as a tool for connection rather than control.

  • Enhancing Your Snapchat Experience with PSTNET Cards

    Enhancing Your Snapchat Experience with PSTNET Cards

    Virtual cards are becoming increasingly popular among marketers and advertisers, especially for paying for Google, Snapchat, Facebook, and TikTok ads. The main reason for this rise in fame is that these cards offer high transaction security levels, keeping banking information safe from possible threats. 

    They make it easy and flexible to handle money, which is very important for campaigns that buy media. Virtual cards also let you avoid many of the rules and fees of regular bank accounts. This makes them perfect for managing advertising funds quickly and easily.

    This post examines PSTNET’s Snapchat payment cards and their benefits.

    Read also: Snapchat plans to introduce watermarks to AI-Generated image

    Paying on Snapchat Made Easy with PSTNET Virtual Cards

    PSTNET provides multi-currency virtual Visa/MasterCard cards for varied needs. This card can be used to buy digital goods or on famous sales platforms. PSTNET offers dedicated media buying cards for Snapchat, Facebook, TikTok, Google, and other platforms. These cards make individual and teamwork easy.

    Every PSTNET card, including Snapchat Ads cards, has a low charge—no fees for transactions, withdrawals, or chargebacks. Blocked and frozen card operations are free.

    PSTNET’s no-card limits are another benefit. Cards can be made as needed for advertising or market situations. Snapchat advertising campaign management requires this.

    You have to sign up for the site and finish a quick registration process that doesn’t take more than a minute before you can start giving out cards for Snapchat Ads. 

    Sign up using your Google, Telegram, WhatsApp, Apple, or email address. As soon as you sign up, you can view your dashboard and start giving out cards that are activated immediately. It is possible to get the first card without verifying your info. There needs to be an easy verification process for giving out a lot of cards.

    Key Features of PSTNET Cards for Snapchat Payments

    Flexible Funding Options: You can top up your card balance through USDT TRC20, BTC (plus 15 other cryptocurrencies), SWIFT bank transfer, SEPA, or using another Visa/MasterCard.

    Low Risk of Payment Flags: Numerous unique BINs from US and European banks minimise the risk of flagged transactions.

    BIN Checker Tool: A convenient BIN checker, “Pulse” on the PSTNET website, provides comprehensive card information.

    Funds Withdrawal: Funds can be withdrawn from the cards in USDT.

    Enhanced Security: Cards are equipped with 3D-Secure technology, ensuring additional transaction security.

    Telegram Bot: A Telegram bot provides notifications 3DS codes and connects you to support specialists.

    24/7 Support: Customer support is available around the clock via Telegram bot, email, or other convenient methods.

    Read also: Snapchat to reduce workforce by 10%

    PSTNET cards Boost Productivity with Team Collaboration

    PSTNET works best when used by a group as well. The service can be changed to fit any business process through the personal dashboard, where you can control team members. Each person on the team can be given a job and a budget. Users can also make and receive requests for team members to fund their cards and make financial reports to keep track of and examine spending.

    For media buyers, PSTNET offers a unique program called PST Private, which includes:

    3% Cashback: Earn 3% cashback on advertising expenses.

    Up to 100 Free Cards Monthly: Issue up to 100 cards monthly at no cost.

    3% Top-Up Fee: A minimal 3% fee on balance top-ups.

    You do not need to verify advertising expenses to join the program and enjoy its benefits.

    Agencies and media buyers should use PSTNET virtual cards to make Snapchat ad payments. Virtual cards from PSTNET offer no transaction costs, limitless card issuance, and excellent security. PSTNET is essential for protecting and managing advertising budgets due to its easy registration, financial administration, and PST Private program.

  • Snapchat plans to introduce watermarks to AI-Generated image

    Snapchat plans to introduce watermarks to AI-Generated image

    Snapchat, a prominent social media platform renowned for its ephemeral photo and video sharing capabilities, is taking significant steps towards enhancing transparency and authenticity in its content. Recently, the company announced its plans to introduce watermarks on AI-generated images shared on its platform. This move aims to provide users with clear indicators of AI-generated content and maintain trust within its community.

    Snapchat has evolved significantly since its inception, continually adapting to user preferences and technological advancements. Initially known for its disappearing messages, the platform has expanded its features to include a diverse range of multimedia content, filters, and augmented reality experiences. With the integration of AI technologies, Snapchat has empowered users to create unique and engaging content effortlessly.

    Read also: Snapchat to reduce workforce by 10%

    In a recent blog post, Snapchat disclosed its intention to introduce watermarks on AI-generated images within its platform. The watermarks will prominently feature a logo depicting a tiny ghost with a sparkling emblem, serving as a distinct identifier for AI-generated content. This initiative aligns with Snapchat’s commitment to fostering transparency and ensuring users can differentiate between human-created and AI-generated content seamlessly.

    Snapchat promoting transparency on AI-generated images 

    Snapchat’s decision to implement watermarks on AI-generated images underscores its dedication to ethical content practices and user awareness. By visibly marking AI-generated content, Snapchat empowers users to make informed decisions about the content they consume and share.

    Adding watermarks to AI-generated images is a cosmetic change and a strategic decision to enrich the user experience. As users engage with a diverse range of content on Snapchat, the presence of watermarks will prompt critical thinking and promote discussions around artificial intelligence and creativity.

    Integrating AI into social media platforms has sparked conversations about accountability, authenticity, and data privacy. Snapchat’s proactive approach to labelling AI-generated content sets a positive precedent for other platforms to follow suit. By adopting clear indicators such as watermarks, platforms can mitigate misinformation risks and build trust among their user base.

    Snapchat’s emphasis on transparency extends beyond the digital realm, reflecting broader societal concerns about the responsible deployment of AI technologies. As AI shapes various aspects of our digital experiences, establishing transparent practices becomes paramount in fostering user trust and confidence.

    Read also: Meta ups generative AI : Llama 3, unveils Image generator

    Snapchat promotes content authenticity

    Snapchat’s decision to implement watermarks on AI-generated content indicates broader industry trends toward transparency and accountability. As users become more discerning about digital content’s origins and authenticity, platforms must embrace initiatives that promote transparency and ethical AI use.

    Snapchat’s initiative to add watermarks to AI-generated images represents a pivotal step toward fostering transparency, accountability, and user trust in digital content. By distinguishing AI-generated content through identifiable markers, Snapchat empowers its users to navigate digital spaces confidently. This proactive approach not only aligns with evolving user expectations but also sets a positive example for responsible AI integration across social media platforms. As technological advancements continue to shape our digital landscape, initiatives like these play a crucial role in shaping ethical standards and fostering a more trustworthy online environment.

  • Snapchat to reduce workforce by 10%

    Snapchat to reduce workforce by 10%

    Snap Inc., Snapchat’s parent company, has announced a staff reduction in an effort to streamline operations and create a more agile organisational structure. 

    A Form 8-K filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission revealed the decision, which details plans to cut the global headcount of Snapchat’s parent company’s full-time employees by about 10%.

    Revealed on February 5, 2024, the reorganisation effort exemplifies Snap Inc.’s goal of directing its assets towards its most important objectives and setting itself up for long-term success and innovation in the ever-changing digital market. The decision is made in response to the evolving market conditions and the company’s strategic need to improve operational efficiency and scale.

    Snap Inc. expects to pay between $55 million and $75 million in pre-tax charges due to restructuring-related expenses, severance, and other factors, as stated in the filing. The bulk of these costs are expected to come to fruition in the first quarter of 2024, with an estimated $45 million to $55 million representing future cash expenditures.

    Read also: Snap announces layoffs amidst competition, market challenges

    Why workers were laid off

    Snap Inc.’s employee reduction initiative is subject to local law requirements and consultation processes in each country where the company operates. This reflects the proactive approach the company takes to optimising resources. To be sure everything is in order according to the rules and regulations, the execution schedule might end up running into the second quarter of 2024 or later in some places.

    Along with the filing, Snap Inc. reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining the highest corporate governance and stakeholder engagement standards, highlighting its emphasis on open and honest communication and accountability. The company stressed that the charges related to the restructuring are based on several assumptions and might end up being different from the estimated figures provided in the filing.

    Snap Inc.’s decision to reduce its workforce demonstrates its firm commitment to creating value in the long run and maintaining its position as a world leader in digital media and technology. Snap Inc. aims to strengthen its position for future success by improving its competitive agility through reorganising its resources and focusing on strategic growth areas.

    Along with the workforce reduction initiative, Snap Inc. reaffirmed its goal of fostering an environment that encourages innovation and collaboration. The company emphasised the significance of developing and retaining talent to drive long-term business success and operational excellence. As the digital ecosystem continues to evolve, the company’s primary goal is to provide its worldwide user base with simple and straightforward experiences.

    ‘Microsoft Teams’ partners Snapchat Lenses

    Snapchat in Africa

    The biggest concentration of Snapchat users on the African continent was in Northern Africa. The social media site had nearly 29 million users as of July 2022. After that, about 11 million people lived in Western Africa, while six million lived in Southern Africa.

    A survey that looked at the distribution of users of instant messaging applications in South Africa by province in 2021 found that 36% of Snapchat users were from Gauteng. North West had about 25% of all users, which was the second-highest percentage.

    There are about 12 million Snapchat users in Nigeria. Among them, women make up 51.5% and men 46.7%. In Nigeria, 10% of internet-enabled adults use Snapchat.

    The number of daily active users on Snapchat increased by over 50 million from the same quarter in 2021 to 347 million in Q2 2022, according to Statista. Additionally, Snapchat’s total advertising reach of over 617 million people is illuminated by Data Reportal. Because of this, it is now one of the world’s top ten social networks. Put another way, it’s a platform that marketers can’t pass up. This is true all over the world, including Africa.

  • Photography, video apps will earn $12 billion in 2023

    Photography, video apps will earn $12 billion in 2023

    Social media has grown into a large ecosystem. The platform has expanded from communication to retail, digital marketing, and content development. Photo and video apps help social media users expand their online presence.

    Snapchat and YouTube usage are rising. Use cases like live broadcasting and image manipulation have also been significant.

    OnlyAccounts found $12 billion in revenue from photo and video applications this year. 

    Read also: Tecno Mobile unveils Pova 5 Series, MEGABOOK Laptop 

    App downloads reached 29.1 billion. This shows that photo and video apps are becoming increasingly popular, with users willing to pay for their diverse capabilities. It’s no surprise that they’re among Google Play and the App Store’s highest-grossing categories.

    Smartphone users use a lot of photo and video apps, which is another thing to consider. Depending on how much computer power they have, smartphones can easily do different things, like edit photos.

    Statista’s Global Consumer Survey found that about 4 out of 10 people who own smartphones in many big markets use photo editing apps often. Because of this, picture editing apps are now more popular than news, video, dating, and fitness apps. Canada (46%), Spain (44%), the U.S. (42%), China (40%), and India (40%) are the top five markets where people regularly use picture editing apps on their smartphones.

    “Samsung Unpacked” unveils 7 new “budget-friendly” Galaxy products

    Trends for photo and video apps in the future

    Statista says that 37 billion picture and video apps will be downloaded by 2027, based on their fast growth. Because there are benefits for both businesses and individuals and because the number of downloads is rising, the above prediction is not entirely impossible.

    FaceApp, which lets people take pictures of their younger or older selves, took the world by storm in 2019 because it could do that. Similarly, Lensa AI, a picture editing app that uses AI, hit over 19 million downloads in a month after adding the Magic Avatars feature.

    When it comes to money, there’s a good chance that the industry’s cash streams will grow. In-app purchases and ads are two of the most significant ways businesses make money. Statista thinks the money from in-app sales and paid apps will grow by 50% in 2027. Over the next four years, income from ads is expected to grow by 66%.

  • How to cope with changing workplace and the new digital age

    How to cope with changing workplace and the new digital age

    Work has always changed and grown in tandem with new technologies and significant shifts in consumer purchasing habits. 

    Did you know that in Victorian Britain, factory workers were paid to tap on their windows to inspire them? They were known as “knocker-uppers” and were popular until alarm clocks rendered them obsolete.

    You may have read in recent months that as artificial intelligence (AI) solutions like ChatGPT gain popularity, timely engineering will become a significant and vital professional skill. 

    Some experts believe that the field, which boils down to providing the best information possible to AI tools, is so important that it could become a career path in and of itself. 

    However, this is only one example of how work is changing. If you truly want to be prepared for the future, you should have a far broader perspective. And you could do a lot worse than keeping a close eye on the digital marketing sector on this front.

    Read also: Google announces Google Security AI Workbench

    An adaptable workspace sector

    Digital marketing has always kept up with big changes in technology and society. From spot ads on websites to new products on social media and streaming platforms, each change has forced people in the industry to learn new skills so they can better serve their clients.

    It’s not likely that will change soon, either. LinkedIn says that “Digital Marketing Specialist” is one of the top 10 most-wanted jobs, with more than 860,000 job openings. The fact that social media, content planning, SEO, and analytics are the most sought-after skills in digital marketing shows how broad the field has become 

    Even those areas of expertise change. Before 2016, when Facebook and Twitter were well established, no one knew how to market on TikTok. 

    Today, the platform has more than a billion users and is an increasingly important part of any organization’s digital marketing strategy. As a result, people in digital marketing have had to build up the skills necessary to market on the platform.

    Social media sites’ new products are the same. Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, and Spotify appear different. It’s also vital to realize that TikTok’s performance is unrelated to Twitter’s. Few people know a lot about all platforms. To succeed in digital marketing, you must constantly learn and adapt. 

    These traits are also necessary in a fast-changing workplace.

    ‘Remote working will end’: Elon Musk tells Twitter staff

    Acquiring the right skills

    How should you go about getting the skills you need to be successful in digital marketing and other similar fields?

    Without a doubt, getting a formal certification can be very helpful, especially in the beginning stages of a pursuit. 

    Self-exploration is crucial after those basics. Be curious. Learning requires desire. It’s mandatory. By certification on all systems (typically free). Learn Google Adwords, Instagram marketing, and as many additional products as possible. 

    It won’t take long to get there. Some people can get there in as little as six months. Practice more. Market yourself to find a client. In a fast-changing environment, results matter more than experience.

    Digital marketing has always had this. In general, work is growing more like that. If you want to be ready for the future, look to an industry that has adapted well to epoch-shifting developments.

  • Snapchat introduces AI amidst criticisms

    Snapchat introduces AI amidst criticisms

    Snapchat’s new AI chatbot, dubbed ‘My AI,’ debuted recently to mixed reviews, with some users concerned about its feasibility on the social media network.

    The chatbot employs OpenAI’s GPT technology, which is also used by Microsoft’s Bing search engine. However, because the function is pinned to the top of users’ chat streams, only paid customers have the option to disable it.

    This has resulted in online criticism, with questions raised about how the app uses location data.

    Read also: ‘Microsoft Teams’ partners Snapchat Lenses

    How does ‘My AI gain’ access to location data?

    Snap, on the other hand, has created a blog post about how location data is handled in My AI, clarifying that the chatbot “does not collect any new location information” from its users.

    “Snapchat can only ever access your location if you consent to share it,” the company stated.

    It also stated that My AI has been changed to “clarify when it is aware of a Snapchatter’s location and when it isn’t.”

    “Privacy is a foundational value for us – it is critical to our core use case of helping people visually communicate with their friends and family,” the company stated.

    “Across our app, we strive to minimise the amount of data we collect and to be as transparent with our community as possible about how each of our products uses their data.”

    An experimental, friendly chatbot

    Snap has described its new chatbot, ‘My AI’, as an experimental and friendly tool capable of performing various tasks such as answering questions, providing advice, and planning trips. 

    However, the company acknowledges that the chatbot may not always be accurate, and its responses may contain biased, incorrect, harmful, or misleading content.

    ‘My AI’ has been rolled out to millions of users globally, having first been introduced to paid subscribers.

    For a monthly fee of £3.99 in the UK, Snapchat+ users can customize their Snapchat experience by pinning and unpinning features, such as ‘My AI’. 

    According to a spokesperson for Snap, the majority of early-access users have been enjoying the new feature, with millions of messages being sent per day.

    “We’ve appreciated all the feedback from our passionate community as we continue to improve the experience.”

    Microsoft drops Twitter from its advertising platform

    Some Snapchat Reviews 

    Snapchat faced a barrage of one-star reviews from some US users who engaged in “review bombing” on Apple’s App Store.

    According to app intelligence firm Sensor Tower, the average review for Snapchat in the US App Store was 1.67 for the past week, with 75% being one-star reviews, compared to an average of 3.05 during Q1 2023.

    However, in the UK, reviews have been more balanced, with some critical app store reviews stemming from users unable to access a particular feature. The app has received widespread praise in the UK, with users asking it to rank footballers and name the best player in the Premier League. Snap has also come under fire for being vague about whether its chatbot can access private information, such as location data.

    ‘My AI’ has received other negative reviews and backlash from users after its wider release to Snapchat’s community. 

    The chatbot, named “My AI,” can be pinned to the top of the app’s chat tab above conversations with friends, and many users are unhappy that it has been embedded into their personal inboxes, making it feel intrusive, and there is no way to remove it. 

    The new feature has triggered privacy and consent concerns, and many users are threatening to quit Snapchat over this forced feature. 

    The bot has been built in compliance with Snapchat’s business policies, and Snap’s goal is to eventually make it available to all of Snapchat’s 750 million monthly users.