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Meta Says No Sign of Generative AI Bedeviling Elections in 2024

Meta

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December 14, 2024

Meta Says No Sign of Generative AI Bedeviling Elections in 2024

It has been widely reported that Meta, the company behind Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, said the public’s concerns about AI being used to manipulate the social media platforms and influence the 2024 election were overstated. The social media giant was able to hold off disinformation campaigns as evidenced by Meta’s president of global affairs, Nick Clegg.

Achievements in Combating AI-based Fake News

In contrast to the expectations of skeptics, generative AI tools did not cause a major impact on global elections. Clegg said, “The gap between expectation and appearances is quite wide,” in relation to the anticipated AI misuse in electoral processes. In this case, Meta’s systems were rather successful in detecting and preventing such malicious activities, which are mainly launched from Russia, Iran, and China.

Though Meta has been acting proactively this year, it still is on its toes as the generative AI tools are being developed. The election year 2024 recorded one of the biggest exercises of the democratic right, as about two billion people voted in different countries. The scale raised the awareness of the necessity of complex measures to protect electoral processes from IT threats.

Collaboration Industry Initiative

Clegg underscored the fact that countering the misuse of generative AI in the course of elections is only possible if all the relevant players in the tech industry join the efforts. Businesses collaborated with each other in order to mitigate possible threats which include the deep fakes and AI-facilitated fake news.

In the future Meta has plans to make the systems better in order to meet new threats that are likely to emerge. Clegg said that although no platform can be 100% moderated, the company will continue to improve its tools and policies. He also pointed out that Meta has constantly been updating its content rules to counter new threats.

Some thoughts on content moderation

In its annual report, Meta admitted that it could have gone too far in moderating content during the Covid-19 pandemic. Clegg has said the company’s new approach is to get better at moderating content to ensure that people do not lose all their freedom of speech while protecting the company’s platform.

This rebalancing is in line with Meta’s broader process of promoting trust and responsibility besides the protection of services from being exploited. The changes in the company’s content policies are meant to respond to various issues without betraying users’ trust.

Meta and Political Engagement

He refused to elaborate on the recent meeting between Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and president-elect Donald Trump which occurred at Trump’s Florida resort. But he also stressed Zuckerberg’s concern about the further evolution of the discussion on how to sustain America’s technological dominance — in the field of artificial intelligence, in particular.

Trump has earlier condemned Meta as it allegedly suppresses conservative opinions. However, the management of the company continues to draw its efforts towards encouraging or supporting openness or a fair play action on the respective sites.

Meta’s capacity to prevent the abuse of AI in this year is evidence that the company is ready to tackle new technological threats. As the tools based on generative AI become increasingly advanced, the company is stepping up the efforts to address possible risks.

By implementing and updating its content policies and effective cooperation with other companies, Meta is gradually becoming an example for ensuring digital credibility. Of these measures, some safeguard electoral processes and at the same time strengthen Meta’s pro-active brand as a responsible actor within the technology sector.

source:: barrons.com

Open-Source AI: Driving U.S. Leadership and Advancing Global Security

Meta

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December 14, 2024

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Open-Source AI: Driving U.S. Leadership and Advancing Global Security

Meta Platforms Inc. is revolutionizing the function of artificial intelligence (AI) in defending nations and advancing new technology with its open-source model, Llama. In making this powerful tool available to the US government agencies and contractors, Meta is not only building up America’s open-source AI capability but also meeting real global problems of security and leadership of technologies.

Revolutionizing National Security Application

Meta’s Llama is currently on the frontline of supporting national security measures. The integration of the model in defense and intelligence operations is done through partnerships with leading technology and consulting companies including Microsoft, Oracle and Lockheed Martin. These partnerships are enabling Llama to address critical use cases:

Oracle: Improving the organization of documents related to aircraft maintenance, cutting a considerable amount of time that aircrafts need for essential repairs.
Scale AI: Applying Llama to enhance mission planning and to identify vulnerabilities in the opponent’s approach.

Lockheed Martin: By automating activities such as data analysis, code making and improving operational efficiency in the integration of the Llama in the formation of its AI Factory.

The following applications show how open-source AI tools enhance the continuity of operations and protect US defense assets.

The last two areas of focus are promoting ethical and responsible use of AI.

Thus, Meta remains devoted to responsible AI implementation that brings the commitment that open-source models can enhance worldwide safety and adherence to democratic values. The company values are transparency, accountability, and adherence to international law. Meta and its partners make sure that new AI technologies are used for great and useful purposes only, as they set high ethical standards.

Partnering for Broader Public Interests

In addition to defense, open-source AI has the potential to revolutionize public services and solve some of the world’s problems. Meta has partnered with the United Nations and the United States State Department to address problems as diverse as education and energy consumption, distribution of resources, and humanitarian crises. For instance:

Partnerships with the U.N. have provided for sophisticated translation capabilities, including more than 200 languages, including the less-represented.

Such collaborations with organizations such as Deloitte are useful in enhancing service delivery of non-profit making organizations and government departments.

All these efforts show how open-source AI is used to achieve both the national and the international objectives.

Promoting AI in America to win the Global Race

The race to AI superiority is on, and countries such as China are quickly developing their own unrelated open-source systems. Meta this underlines the critical importance of American stewardship in shaping standards of open-source AI around the world. Of course, by supporting models that advance the principles of openness and effectiveness, the U.S. will be able to strengthen its position as a leader in technological development and help build a stable world.

Nick Clegg, Meta’s President of Global Affairs, continues noting that beneficial uses of open-source AI models like Llama, pose no threat to American well-being but rather can help increase it. In addition, they can use the funding to promote U.S.-backed open-source standards as the reference point amidst the rising global AI rivalry.”

A Vision for the Future

By following the Llama project and its open-source perspective, Meta is creating an environment for AI development that corresponds to democracy, ethics, and economy. Since the model is provided to government organizations and research, and private partners, there is evidence that the model is not limited to the defense and public sectors but also international cooperation.

Besides, it reveals the United States as a country that is leading the AI revolution, and its commitment to the safety of the world and development of the technologies that will be useful for all people around the globe.

source:: about.fb.com

Meta seeks new nuclear reactors as reliable source to run US data centres

Meta

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December 14, 2024

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Meta seeks new nuclear reactors as reliable source to run US data centres

Meta is now considering Nuclear Reactors to fuel the growth of Artificial Intelligence.

Facebook’s parent company Meta Platforms Inc. has recently been looking for solutions to address the rapidly rising energy needs of its AI systems. Meta has recently launched a request for offers to build between 1 and 4GW of nuclear reactor capacity with the intention to go online at the start of the 2030s. This massive project is proof of the tech giant’s dedication to renewable energy sources that are also dependable.

An Increasing Demand for Renewable Energy

Since the use of AI has become more or less mainstream at Meta, the company’s energy consumption has risen significantly. Overall, power usage in data centers in the United States is expected to increase threefold by the year 2030; hence, new generation capacity of 47 GW. In response to this, Meta has considered both the large conventional nuclear reactor power plants and the small modular reactors. The latter is an advanced approach that is expected to be deployed faster and at reduced expense while at this time constituting a relatively novel commercial concept.

“At Meta, we envision nuclear as the critical path to a cleaner, more reliable, and diversified electric grid,” the company said in a statement for the release.

Major Tech Companies Leading the Nuclear Energy Renaissance

Meta is not the only tech company that has been considering nuclear energy as its source of power with Microsoft, Amazon, and Alphabet among others. Microsoft recently teamed up with Constellation Energy to revive a nuclear reactor unit at Three Mile Island in Pennsylvania, the first project of its kind related to data centers. Earlier this year, Amazon also invested in a nuclear-powered data center funded by Talen Energy.

Adam Stein, director of nuclear energy innovation at the Breakthrough Institute, also pointed to the tech companies as the key in reinvigorating nuclear energy investments. “Early-stage financial risks that utilities tend to shy away from are now being taken by tech firms, according to Stein.”

A Vision for the Future

Meta’s nuclear energy plans are also about AI and environment as well as the company’s needs. It has laid out plans that show it believes that the world is moving towards a clean energy future and nuclear reactors are the key to achieving that.

The company’s request for proposals came out with a precondition of selecting experienced developers in community engagement, regulatory permitting and project development. The call for submissions will close on the 3rd of January 2025. If successful, Meta’s initiative could be the first of the next generation nuclear energy projects that could be adopted as a new trend by the tech corporations.

Challenges and Opportunities

However, nuclear energy has challenges such as high costs of construction and even longer time to complete construction of plants. Still, according to the specialists, Meta is right to place its reactors operational by the early 2030s if the development starts.

Stein agrees with the time frame but he remains hopeful, “There are definitely some candidates that may be ready by the early 2030s if they get started very soon.”

Meta’s entry into nuclear energy is among the continually emerging convergence of technology and sustainability. With the ever growing demand for energy, nuclear reactors would have a tremendous opportunity of providing a clean and resilient energy system.

source:: ndtv.com

Microsoft points the finger at Google in latest Xbox Android app battle

Microsoft

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December 14, 2024

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Microsoft points the finger at Google in latest Xbox Android app battle

Microsoft has delayed a new Xbox app for Android because of the Google legal conflict.

Microsoft was expected to release an update to the Xbox Android app this month to enable users to buy and download games through their handheld gadgets. The update, however, has not been accomplished, and Microsoft is shifting the responsibility to Google. As per the insight of Sarah Bond, the President of Xbox, the update is possible only when a court order forces Google to change Play Store materially.

The Law Fight Against Google Play Store’s Monopolistic Control

Microsoft and Google have been in a bitter battle over a recent court decision. At the start of October, a judge decided that Google’s Play Store on Android is an unlawful monopolist and which requires the company to significantly alter its app store. The ruling directs Google to open its Play Store to more competition for three years, but the biggest change is that Google could no longer require apps to use its billing system. This would enable developers such as Microsoft to integrate their own billing systems but has been halted for some time by Google’s appeal.

Sarah Bond clarified further that Microsoft’s Xbox Android app update is prepared, but Microsoft cannot perform it due to a preliminary injunction order from the court. This delay was to be done to allow Google undergo the appeal process as was requested by the search engine giant. Microsoft cannot go ahead with the new Xbox Android app as intended until the appeal is settled.

Google’s Reaction to the Legal Decision

Google has been keen on challenging the ruling by the judge on the grounds of security in regard to the proposed change. The company’s case is that forcing it to allow third-party app stores and the removal of the Google Play Billing are likely to compromise the Play Store’s security and safety, which Google says shields users from malicious applications and fraud. In its response to the move by Microsoft, Google said, “The Court’s order, and the desire to execute it immediately, jeopardises Google Play’s capacity to deliver a secure platform.”

This issue spawns from the continuous case of Epic Games v. Google case where many developers including Epic Games have alleged that Google controls the Play Store as a monopolistic avenue. Microsoft and Epic Games are on the forefront of demanding more freedom within the app store, authorization of billing models and other methods of delivering apps. But this is where Google’s appeal could prolong such changes for as long as possible.

The Effectiveness of an Administrative Stay

The administrative stay granted by the courts helps to refrain from implementing the judge’s order, which, in other words, stops any alterations Google has to make on the Play Store. This halt has major implications for developers, including Microsoft, who want to grow their businesses on Android markets without following Google directives. Should the stay persist for a long time, Microsoft cannot update the Xbox Android app, and it will be unable to integrate the highly anticipated features such as purchasing and playing games from the app.

What is in Store for Xbox Android and the Law?

The future of the Xbox Android app is in the hands of Google for it to decide to appeal or the courts to uphold or dismiss Google’s case. In Google’s case, if the appeal is dismissed, then Google will be compelled to modify its Play Store extensively, which could create more competition. This would let developers such as Microsoft to integrate their own billing solutions and enable greater control over applications thus contributing to the advantage of both the buyer and the seller. But until the appeal is decided, the Xbox Android app will stay in legal limbo, hoping for change.

source:: pocket-lint.com

Microsoft Outage: Services Mostly Restored After Impact on Outlook and More

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December 14, 2024

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Microsoft Outage: Services Mostly Restored After Impact on Outlook and More

Microsoft works to restore services after a major outage affects Outlook and Teams

On Monday, people using Microsoft’s productivity suite, such as Outlook and Teams, encountered severe downtime caused by a massive Microsoft outage. The problems, which started in the morning, affected Microsoft 365 and the Microsoft Store, as well. At the end of the day, the company said that most of the services had been restored while some small glitches were observed to be still affecting a few users.

Timeline of Events

The initial reports of the Microsoft outage began at approximately 5 a.m. ET when users reported access issues with Microsoft 365 services to Downdetector. Soon after, the Microsoft 365 Status account on X (previously known as Twitter) reported that people were unable to sign in to Exchange Online and some Microsoft Teams features like calendar.

The company’s response was that the disruption had been caused by a “recent change” in their surroundings. At 9 AM ET, Microsoft released the fix and recovery processes started being implemented across the systems that were impacted by the attacks. But then the progress was not as fast as it was expected and there were some delays later in the morning.

At 3:At 30 p.m. ET, more measures were reported to have been taken, and recovery was in progress. After 6 p.m. ET, the number of complaints reduces, this shows that the solution worked. Later that night, Microsoft said most of its services were back online including Teams, Outlook and other core applications. The company remained vigilant in order to confirm complete recovery from the storm.

Impact on Users

The Microsoft outage interfered with the workday of millions of users all over the world. Many people complained and joked about the interruptions on social media platforms such as X. One user said: “@Microsoft: outages to my planned productive work day. Phone calls and handwriting may yet help to bring order out of the chaos. One said, “Microsoft, can you please correct this Outlook problem now?” A girl has deadlines before the holidays!

In spite of this, Microsoft admitted that there were still problems with Outlook on the Web for a small number of users. The company also observed that mail queuing had been delayed and said it was already looking into such remaining issues.

Topics with Frequent Trouble and Background

This Microsoft outage comes after other disruptions that were reported early this year. In September, thousands of users faced the same problems in Skype, SharePoint, and OneDrive applications. In that instance Microsoft blamed the difficulty in a third party ISP managed environment that was causing a number of connectivity problems.

Another incident occurred earlier this year, a CrowdStrike update affected millions of Microsoft computers, including banks, airlines, healthcare providers, etc. Delta Air Lines, which was one of the most affected organizations, confirmed that it had to cancel as many as 7,000 of its flights. These repeated outages are indicative of the problems that Microsoft has to deal with when it comes to providing uninterrupted service to its clients across the world.

Moving Forward

Microsoft said late Monday night that all but one of its services had been restored, a problem that affected some users using Outlook on the web. Regarding these outstanding problems the company assured to address them as soon as possible. However, the quick response to the Microsoft outage shows that this company will do all in its power to prevent disruptions to its users.

This is especially important as businesses and persons depend on cloud services in performing their activities or daily tasks. How well Microsoft will cope with these outages in the future will determine the trust of its users.

source:: msn.com

Microsoft Faces Wide-Ranging Federal Trade Commission Antitrust Probe

Microsoft

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December 14, 2024

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Microsoft Faces Wide-Ranging Federal Trade Commission Antitrust Probe

The United States Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has opened a sweeping antitrust probe against Microsoft which is targeting the firm’s cloud services and software resale. It has sparked international interest in Microsoft’s alleged exploitation of market supremacy in Azure cloud services and productivity suites.

Licensing and Cloud Computing under Attack

Lodged at the heart of the probe are accusations that Microsoft offers unfair and expensive licensing conditions that trap clients into using only Azure. They said that these terms also restrict customers from moving their data to the other services, thus erecting hurdles to competition and strengthening Microsoft’s dominance in the cloud market. There are opponents of such practices, both in the form of competitors and corporate lobbying organizations, such as NetChoice.

A Study on the Focus Areas of the Federal Trade Commission

The Federal Trade Commission inquiry does not only cover cloud services. It also covers the Microsoft cybersecurity and artificial intelligence (AI) solutions – AI built-in Office and Outlook applications. Issues raised are whether such products meet competitive standards or if they are designed to put off rivals.

Also, there are criticisms on licensing customers who run Windows Server on competitive platforms in the market. Google has accused Microsoft of overcharging customers who switch to non-Microsoft platforms by as much as 400%, while allegedly providing slower security updates.

Counter plaints and General Considerations

Even Google and Amazon have expressed their concern in Microsoft gaining control in the market. Google has also provided complaints to the European Commission explaining how Microsoft’s actions are costly to rivals. However, NetChoice has pointed to the Microsoft ecosystem-locking measures as antitrust.

AI Investments and Competitors’ AnalysisMicrosoft’s latest investment of $650 million in AI startup Inflection AI, and collaboration with OpenAI has also drawn the attention of the Federal Trade Commission. European Commission, emphasizing how Microsoft’s practices increase costs for competitors. Meanwhile, NetChoice has highlighted Microsoft’s ecosystem-locking strategies as anti-competitive.

AI Investments and Competitive Landscape

Microsoft’s recent $650 million stake in AI startup Inflection AI, along with its partnership with OpenAI, has also caught the Federal Trade Commission’s attention. These advancements increase worries regarding Microsoft increasing dominance on the artificial intelligence market which regulators question as violating antitrust laws.

A Global Ripple Effect

This study has significant relevance not only for the United States. Microsoft’s practices are to come under regulatory pressure from different countries and might reset antitrust regulation in cloud services, AI, and software licensing industries.

Limited Repercussions So Far

However, unlike Meta, Apple, or Amazon, Microsoft has experienced rather insignificant consequences of such probes compared to the giants of Big Tech. However, the rising pressure from both the US and European regulators may change this situation, which is a major problem for the company.

Background and Political Factors

The Federal Trade Commission’s investigation has happened at a time when the United States antitrust policies are evolving. In the previous governments inclusive of Trump’s government, Microsoft has benefitted from good politics especially in contracts such as the $10 billion Pentagon cloud contract that was initially awarded to Amazon. These political dynamics have not ceased to shape the course of antitrust investigations as we speak.

The Road Ahead

This paper focuses on the issue that Microsoft has to address, namely the fact that as the regulators start considering its activities, the company has to deal with the problem of adhering to the new standards of behavior while staying competitive at the same time. This investigation may have wide implications that affect Microsoft in at least three fronts; cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and licensing; and secondly, the global standards in antitrust enforcement.

Microsoft’s management of these claims will define whether it will escape fines, retain its market share, and respond appropriately to changing regulations.

Source :: insurancejournal.com

Is Microsoft AI Models Training Using Consumers’ Data from Office Apps?

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December 14, 2024

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Is Microsoft AI Models Training Using Consumers’ Data from Office Apps?

Microsoft has gone to great lengths to assure its users that it does not employ customer data gathered from Office apps to train its Microsoft AI algorithms. This created confusion on social media, especially between Word and Excel documents for AI model training. Microsoft also stressed the point on the safety and privacy of customer data and how data was not mixed or incorporated into the training of AI models, proving its policy towards secure practices.

By Delving into Connected Experiences in Office Apps

The feature known as “Connected Experiences” in Microsoft Office apps makes it easier to work by analyzing the content of the user. However, some users felt that this analysis would be used to train Microsoft AI models. Microsoft later explained that the feature is limited to working with internet-based features such as co-authoring and does not help in training AI models. These features, which are on by default, have no connection to the datasets employed in AI construction.

Microsoft’s response to privacy concerns

However, recent revelations that user documents could be used to train Microsoft AI models was enough to spur the company into action. Through the official Microsoft sources, the company stated that user data from Microsoft 365 consumer or commercial applications is not utilized for the training of basic AI models. These myopic notions were dismissed by Frank Shaw, Microsoft’s Communications Head, by pointing out the fact that customer data is never mixed with AI systems.

Some of the areas that needed to be addressed included, Default Settings and User Awareness.

Some of the complaints that had been made by the users of Facebook related to the Connected Experiences included the fact that its activation was automatic, thus causing concerns among the users on the implications of privacy. Some said that misunderstanding is at the root of the problem and that if this was cleared up, it would do much to allay the fears, especially in relation to the software giant Microsoft AI models. Microsoft told its users that these features don’t work on the data that is used to train AI models, and they can be turned off without affecting the app’s core functionality.

This paper looks at the issue of transparency in the training practices of artificial intelligence systems.

Microsoft has been very vocal on the fact that Microsoft AI models are trained on datasets that do not include content generated by customers. Lack of understanding regarding relative privacy options was a source of misunderstanding, which was eliminated through the company’s interventions and interaction with its users. Experts are convinced that expanding the transparency of the policies regarding the use of data will contribute to avoiding similar scandals in the future.

Microsoft’s Measures on Data Protection

The company promised to remain committed to data protection, and the materials like metadata of the documents or the content of cloud storage are not used for training Microsoft AI. With features such as real-time collaboration and online storage, these features do not impact the user’s privacy in any way while working independently of AI model development.

User Control and Privacy Option

To try to reassure users, Microsoft again pointed out that Connected Experiences is an opt-in feature and can be switched off at any time. Despite the fact that these features are critical for providing Internet-based capabilities, they are unrelated to the data pipelines used by Microsoft AI models. Through these privacy settings, the company makes it possible for the users to set their levels of comfort in using the Office apps.

Building Confidence in the Microsoft AI Models

This recent event again shows that Microsoft is committed to providing more privacy and ethical use of AI technologies. To try and regain the trust of its users, Microsoft has sought to define the objectives of the Connected Experiences and also ensure that customer data is not used to train Microsoft AI models. Going forward, enhanced disclosures and end-user awareness will further strengthen Microsoft’s position in secure and innovative productivity technologies.

source:: timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Instagram Hacks: How to Set an Instagram Nickname for Your Friend on Android, iOS

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December 14, 2024

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Instagram Hacks: How to Set an Instagram Nickname for Your Friend on Android, iOS

How to Set a Nickname on Instagram: A Complete Guide

Instagram just released a fun new feature called ‘Instagram Nickname’ where people can give friends and family in DMs a nickname. This new feature makes it possible to have fun whilst chatting with other people in your chats. If you wish to call your friend by another name or even set a nickname for yourself, this service is user-friendly. Here is how to make the best out of this feature and how to use the Instagram nickname feature properly.

What is the Instagram Nickname Feature?

The Instagram feature called Nickname allows users to give their interlocutors in the DMs individual and specific names. This nickname is only active in the certain chat or the group where it has been set. Instagram says the nickname will not be seen anywhere else on the app and your user name won’t be altered. This means that the person’s username remains the same throughout the application, and the nickname is only visible in the chosen chat.

By default, the option of setting a nickname is enabled for followed people only. However, you can change this so that only you can change your nickname or you can allow the members of the chat to change your nickname too.

How to Set a Nickname on Instagram on Android & iOS

Open Instagram Direct Messages

Go to the DM icon at the top right corner of the Instagram home page. This will lead you to your direct messages inbox where you will begin to set up nicknames for your friends.

Select a Chat

Select the conversation in which you would like to change the nickname for someone. This is the screen where, be it in a group conversation or in a direct message, you will set the nickname.

Access Chat Settings

Once you’re in the chat, tap the chat name at the top of the screen to open the chat settings. This will open the chat settings menu and in there, you will see the nickname option.

Tap ‘Nicknames’

The change can be made in the chat settings – in the section called Nicknames, tap on it to start the editing.

Set a Nickname

When you press on the Nicknames option, you will be presented with the list of people in the chat. Choose the individual you wish to have a nickname for. Then, merely, type in the name you want. It could be a funny nickname, a pet name or any other name which the two of you have that is special to your relationship.

Save the Nickname

After entering the nickname, click on the Done in the right top corner of the screen and changes will be saved.

How to Control Who Can Edit Your Nickname

In the chats, Instagram gives you an option to decide who can edit the Instagram nickname. It can be made private and only you can edit it or you can give the rights to everyone in the chat to edit it. Here’s how to manage nickname editing permissions:

Open the Chat

Click on the chat name at the top of the DM conversation.

Tap ‘Nicknames’

If you are in the chat settings menu, select the option that says Nicknames.

Select The People That Can Change Your Nickname

In the upper right corner of the screen, select Edit, and then under the section Change who can edit your Nickname. There will be a choice to make for Everyone in this chat or Only you.

Some Relevant Facts Regarding the Instagram Nickname Option

Nickname Visibility: Nicknames are only used in the chat where they are set and cannot be seen in other chats even if you are in a group with the person.
Notification Alerts: Instagram informs users whenever a nickname is added or edited in a chat, so the changes are known to all.
Privacy Controls: You have the control who can change your nickname on Instagram which means you have more control over your interactions.

Why the Instagram Nickname Feature Matters

This Instagram nickname feature brings more personality into your chats, and as a result, makes it more entertaining to chat. In fact, nicknames make it possible for people to say what they want to say in a more creative manner, for instance within a circle of friends, or within a family. It’s also a great tool for making your chats feel more casual and thus easily relatable to your target audience.

This feature helps improve the user experience in the sense that messaging on Instagram would be made personal though this feature helps to create a relaxed environment.

Using the nickname feature on Instagram, one can change the way people interact with their friends and close ones – making every message exchanged, unique.

Source:; msn.com

Tired of Inappropriate Instagram Reels? Reset Your Instagram Reels Algorithm with These Simple Steps

Instagram

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December 14, 2024

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Tired of Inappropriate Instagram Reels? Reset Your Instagram Reels Algorithm with These Simple Steps

How to Reset Your Instagram Reels Algorithm: A Step-by-Step Guide

Instagram Reels is also used for sharing short videos and now people can watch a variety of content in this section. Be it funny videos, informative videos, and what not the app provides a mix of videos. Nonetheless, the algorithm of Instagram Reels may start showing some videos that are not suitable or related in some way. This tends to occur once the algorithm begins to recommend content based on its observation of your personal participation with content, either through a like, comment or constant views. If you’re tired of seeing certain content and do not wish to individually tap ‘Not Interested’ on each reel, Instagram has a way of resetting the Reels algorithm.

Here’s how you can take control and reset the Instagram Reels algorithm on your account.

Step 1: Open Your Profile

Firstly, open your profile by clicking on the profile picture located in the lower right corner of the Instagram app.

Step 2: Access the Menu

When you are on the profile page, click on the three horizontal lines at the top right corner of the page, This will open a sidebar with various options.

Step 3: Go to the ‘Content Preferences’

In the ‘What You See’ section, look for and click on Content Preferences. This section will enable you to customize the content that is delivered to you across the platform.

Step 4: Reset Suggested Content

In the Content Preferences menu, you will find the option of Reset Suggested Content. Select this one, and Instagram will warn that deleting suggestion resets cannot be undone. Make sure you read the warning message very well.

Step 5: Confirm the Reset

If you want to continue, please acknowledge that you would like to clear the recommended content. Once you’ve completed this, the Instagram Reels algorithm will not recommend the content that you have engaged with, and the feed will be refreshed to provide more diverse posts.

Traditional Approach to Modify Your Instagram Reels Recommendations

If you haven’t had the opportunity to use the reset feature yet, you can still modify the algorithm of Instagram Reels by halting certain suggestions from appearing on your feed. Here’s how to do that:

Step 1: Tap the Three-Dot Menu

If you are watching a Reel that is not suitable or interesting to you, click on the three-line menu (three dots) which is close to the share Reel option.

Step 2: Select ‘Not Interested’

It is suggested to choose the Not Interested option among the options that are offered. Instagram will then start realizing that you have no interest in seeing such content in the future.

Step 3: Refine Your Preferences

When you select ‘Not Interested,’ Instagram will further inquire from you. You’ll have options such as:

This option is if you receive constant content from a particular user that you do not find interesting.

The posts offended you – This is self-explanatory and, by choosing the option, you will not see similar posts to offend you in the future.

Exclude words – Rather than recommending content containing specific words which can be insulting, this feature prevents content with such words.

If you choose one or several of these options, you will be able to fine-tune the Instagram Reels algorithm even more.

Why Resetting the Instagram Reels Algorithm Is a Good Thing Reels algorithm works in a way that it recommends content based on what you are doing. Now, it adapts itself to user preferences based on likes, comments, and shares, hence, it brings unworthy content into your feed. If you reset the algorithm, then you allow Instagram to learn your preferences all over again. This will make the content that returns on your feed as relevant to the content you are sharing as possible making your Instagram Reels more interesting.

How to Reset the Instagram Reels Algorithm

In the above steps, you will be able to reset the Reels algorithm as follows: Whether you want to use the auto reset button or scroll down to change your preferences, Instagram offers the tools to help you create the feed you desire. This guarantees that your experience is still fun and that you are able to get precisely what you want to watch without all the fluff.

When you learn to manipulate the of your Instagram Reels algorithm , you get to see content you want to see and not what you don’t want to.

source:: tech.hindustantimes.com

Instagram Location: Live Location Sharing Introduced, Marking a New Era of Safety and Connectivity

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December 14, 2024

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Instagram Location: Live Location Sharing Introduced, Marking a New Era of Safety and Connectivity

Another feature that is still being developed is the integration of one of WhatsApp’s biggest features with Instagram location sharing. This new feature allows users to share their current location with friends and family in real-time, safety, coordination, and updates. With this feature, Instagram wants to remain true to its mission of being creative while being practical at the same time. That’s all you need to know about the feature, how it works, and what other improvements have been made to it.

What does Live Location Sharing mean?

The new addition to Instagram location is the ability to share one’s within the application for up to one hour. It is intended for live tracking so that people can more easily arrange meetings or monitor the safety of their relatives and friends. This feature is available in the current release and allows users to enable it in certain individual conversations or groups of people of their choice.

It says whenever live location sharing is on, it is indicated at the top of the chat, so users know that the feature is working properly. This feature resembles WhatsApp’s live location tool but for now, it is only for a limited time as WhatsApp allows up to eight hours of shared location.

How Does It Work?

To share a live Instagram location, users must:

Go to the direct message and open the chat or the group that you want to change the color of.
Choose the real-time location-sharing button.
Select the length of time for which the location will be active up to a maximum of one hour.

This feature is secure to use since only those people in the selected chat or group have the ability to share the current location. Instagram says that this tool will be helpful when people are in places with large crowds like concerts, malls or festivals, and everyone is trying to find their friends.

Increasing the Functionality of the Feature

Despite this first application of this Instagram location feature only allowing sharing for one hour, users and experts expect the duration to be increased to be in harmony with that of the WhatsApp platform. This enhancement would make it even more convenient for the extended tracking during the travel or long events.

Instagram emphasized the feature’s focus on fostering real-time connections with its statement: “Share more time with each other and less time planning.” While this feature is now available only in some countries, Instagram plans to open it for everyone soon.

More Exciting Updates: Stickers and Nicknames

Besides, live Instagram location sharing on Instagram has expanded new features of personalization. Users can now download 17 new packs of stickers that include over 300 bright stickers. These stickers can be applied in chats in order to add some sort of interactivity to the conversation.

The other significant improvement is the nickname function that enables a user to assign funny or specific names to friends or groups. This makes the chatting even more entertaining by replacing the long username with a unique, interesting nickname. These aspects though are already noticeable in some countries such as India make Instagram chats much more appealing and easy to use.

The Future of Instagram

With the help of the new live Instagram location sharing tool the platform strengthens its status as the social networking service and the source of various useful features. Whether it is arranging a meeting with friends in crowded areas, safety during travelling or just making conversation with friends more interesting through stickers and nicknames, Instagram is still trying to meet the needs of the various users.

Although this feature has only recently started being rolled out across the globe, it might be important to note that Instagram is much more than a subtle method of sharing content – it is also a way of forming genuine, real-life connections. Please wait for further development as Instagram location develops more updates so that users will have a more personalized platform and interaction.

source:: msn.com