You’re probably seeing more social media propaganda, but don’t blame the bots
As the amount of social media propaganda climbs, so does the number of different tactics to avoid detection. A recent study from the University of Oxford suggests that more countries use social media accounts run by actual people — including communication firms and hired students — than bots.
Vloggers arrested in Iran for flying a drone have been freed
Two vloggers sent to jail in Iran in July 2019 for allegedly flying their drone without a permit have been released. Australians Mark Firkin and Jolie King had been enjoying a world trip, documenting their adventures on YouTube and social media sites, when they were detained by the Iranian authorities.
You can finally watch YouTube TV on Amazon Fire TV devices
Due to a very public spat between Amazon and Google, it was impossible to watch YouTube TV on an Amazon Fire TV device. But after a reconciliation earlier this year, that has now changed, with Amazon announcing full support for Google's live-TV streaming service on all but two of its Fire TV streamers.
YouTube Music replaces Google Play Music as default app for tunes in Android 10
Google has announced that YouTube Music will now come pre-installed on Android 10, essentially replacing Google Play Music as the default music-streaming app on Android. The service will also now come pre-installed on new devices sold with Android 9.
YouTube removes verification from channels, faces backlash, reverifies everyone
YouTube is facing a backlash from its content creators once again, this time for taking away and then re-instating the verification of a large number of channels. On Thursday, many YouTube channels were unverified. After significant complaints from content creators, the company re-verified the accounts.
YouTube struts onto the runway with a new hub for fashionistas
Fashionistas have a new online destination with the launch this week of a YouTube hub featuring a huge range of style and beauty content gathered from right across the platform. Contributions come from major brands and top models to industry insiders and YouTube creators.
Digital Trends Live: YouTube gets fined, paying with your hand at Whole Foods
On this episode of Digital Trends Live, we dig into the biggest trending stories in tech, including a $170 million dollar fine for YouTube child privacy violations, Facebook to stop using facial recognition by default on your photos, paying at Whole Foods with just your hand, and much more.
YouTube slapped with $170 million fine for violating children’s online privacy
The FTC has fined YouTube $170 million as part of a settlement for the video platform’s treatment of kids. YouTube allegedly collected personal information used to track internet users from viewers on channels aimed at children. The FTC alleges YouTube collected this information without notifying parents.
YouTube deletes 30,000 videos for hate speech and promises new harassment policy
YouTube said that it removed more than 30,000 videos last month that contained hate speech content. According to YouTube, the videos containing hate speech content that were removed over the last month represented only about 3% of the views that videos about knitting had during the same time frame.
Any child who can do basic math can hack YouTube Kids’ parent controls
YouTube Kids officially launched Friday on the web. The website offers a similar experience to the YouTube Kids mobile app and allows parents to set limits on what content their children are able to watch on the platform. But those limits are only protected by math questions most kids can answer.
YouTube disables 210 channels spreading misinformation about Hong Kong protests
YouTube has disabled 210 accounts believed to be working in tandem to spread misinformation about the ongoing protests in Hong Kong, Google announced Thursday. The move comes days after Facebook and Twitter removed hundreds of accounts from their platforms that were focused on discrediting the protests.
YouTube to stop serving targeted ads to kids, but groups say it’s not enough
YouTube has agreed to stop serving target advertisements to children, Bloomberg reports. The company was the subject of an FTC investigation over the practice but has apparently settled. YouTube's critics say it's not enough, and vow to challenge the decision.
Apple has released some videos designed to give you a tingly feeling
Does your iPhone ever cause you frustration? How about your MacBook Pro keyboard, do those sticky keys drive you crazy? If so, you might like to check out Apple’s first ASMR videos, designed to calm your soul. You have four to choose from, though none feature Tim Cook eating a watermelon.
Fortnite views on Twitch fall, Apex Legends misses top 10 games played
Fortnite continues to reign as the top game being played on Twitch but non-gaming content continues to rise. StreamElements' livestreaming report also showed that Facebook Gaming is on the rise and the top streamer crown continues to elude Ninja. Not one can claim it, actually.
YouTube offers creators more ways to boost their bank accounts
YouTube has unveiled several new features aimed at helping creators to monetize their channel outside of the usual ad-based system. Super Stickers, for example, lets fans buy animated stickers to drop into livestream chats, while Channel Memberships now lets you offer various price points for different perks.
Google-Amazon truce brings YouTube to Fire TV, Prime Video to Chromecast
After a yearslong battle, Amazon and Google have finally made peace over their two main video products: Prime Video and YouTube. The YouTube app is coming to Fire TV devices, while the Prime Video app on mobile devices will get support for Chromecast devices, as well as compatibility with a range of Android TV products.
YouTube now gives you more control over the videos it picks for you
If you've ever wished for greater control over the videos that show up in YouTube's homepage or Up Next areas, it's your lucky day: The company is bringing new features to its iOS, Android and desktop apps that let you see more relevant content, and ban suggestions from channels you don't like.
A new Senate bill would fundamentally change the internet as we know it
A new bill in the U.S. Senate could cause the internet as we know it to cease to exist by holding major tech companies like Facebook or YouTube liable for anything posted on their platforms. The proposal could destroy social media as we know it, experts said
YouTube’s new HD music videos let you relive your youth in vivid detail
You can now watch your favorite classic music videos with improved clarity with YouTube’s new remastered music videos. Effective June 19, the video-sharing website, via a partnership with Universal Music Group, will be upgrading up to 1,000 music videos to HD by the end of 2020.
YouTube could make big changes to children’s content amid federal investigation
YouTube is considering major changes to its recommendation algorithm amid an investigation by the Federal Trade Commission into how it handles videos aimed at children. The changes could include moving children's content to its own app or removing the auto-play feature
Digital Trends Live: Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy Note 10, Harry Potter AR, and more
On this episode of Digital Trends Live, we dive into the trending tech topics of the day, including Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy Note 10 unveiling, YouTube’s AR makeup tutorials, Niantic's new AR game Harry Potter: Wizards Unite on June 21st, building a Tesla pickup, and more.
Tesla hasn’t made a pickup, so YouTuber Simone Giertz made one out of a Model 3
There’s a new Tesla model in town (sort of). Sick of waiting for Tesla to release an electric pickup truck, YouTuber Simone Giertz decided to make her own — post a fake commercial for it on YouTube. She calls it the "Truckla."
Brush up on your makeup skills with YouTube’s new augmented reality feature
YouTube will soon let users try on makeup while watching popular makeup tutorials through augmented realtiy. Known as AR Beauty Try-On, viewers will be able to "try on" the makeup products the online tutorials are showcasing and promoting.
Kim Kardashian can get a deepfake taken off YouTube. It’s much harder for you
YouTube took down an incredibly realistic — and fake — video purporting to show Kim Kardashian West mocking her fans for violating copyright. It could give public figures a new weapon in the fight against deepfakes, but won’t help much as fake videos increasingly target everyday people.
Tesla screens may support YouTube with next software update
Tesla is planning on supporting YouTube on their cars' central infotainment screen very soon. This announcement was made today at the 2019 E3 video gaming event by Elon Musk himself during a Q&A. This further confirmation is the first time that YouTube has been named explicitly.
Digital Trends Live: Amazon’s drone deliveries, Ubercopter, and PlayStation 5
On this episode of Digital Trends Live, we discuss the top trending tech stories of the day, including the latest on Amazon’s planned drone deliveries, YouTube purges extremist videos, Ubercopter takes flight, more details on Sony’s PS5, the 35th anniversary of Tetris, and more.
YouTube purges extremist videos, from flat-earthers to Holocaust denial
YouTube announced its plans to remove and reduce the amount of hateful, supremacist, borderline content on its platform. As part of its new policies, YouTube will soon remove content that features hate speech, supremacist content, and denials of well-documented violent events.
How to protect your family videos on YouTube
Not everyone has good intentions when it comes to viewing videos of kids online, so keep your family videos private and away from YouTube's algorithm
YouTube VR app to bring more than 1 million experiences to Oculus Quest at launch
The untethered Oculus Quest launches later this month and a major force in media is making sure you have access to a wealth of content if you're one of the early adopters. YouTube has announced that the company's VR application will be a part of the Quest launch, delivering Emmy-award winning content.
Changing some code on YouTube could help lower its carbon footprint
The idea of saving the planet by changing a bit of code on YouTube sounds crazy. But it could actually make a surprising amount of difference to the quantities of CO2 pumped into the atmosphere -- and it wouldn’t even involve any change to the overall YouTube user experience.
YouTube is making its own Bandersnatch-style interactive shows
Not to be outdone by companies like Netflix and Walmart, which are investing more and more money into Choose-Your-Own-Adventure-style programming, YouTube has created a new division devoted to producing original interactive content in the style of Netflix's Black Mirror: Bandersnatch.
YouTube Poop is punk rock for the internet age, and you probably don’t get it
Ever heard of a YouTube Poop video? These weird, experimental pop culture montages are a kind of ground zero for modern internet meme culture. Turning 15 years old this year, is it time that we finally gave YouTube Poops the respect that their creators claim they deserve?
As Apple takes on Netflix, is YouTube ditching its original content strategy?
As Apple's new video subscription service and original content launches, Google is denying a report that YouTube is reportedly stepping away from its own original content ambitions. However some shows have been shelved, and YouTube's revenue model appears in flux.
New Zealand attack shows that as A.I. filters get smarter, so do violators
The shootings in Christchurch, New Zealand were livestreamed to social media, and networks spent the next few days trying to take down remixed videos of the horrific attacks. While stats show networks are improving at removing offending videos, as the system improves, so do the violators' workarounds.