Category: Social Network

The platform is accused of illegally transferring users’ personal data outside Europe, in breach of GDPR

The third-largest GDPR fine in history

The Irish Data Protection Commission (DPC) has hit TikTok with a staggering €530 million fine, ranking it as the third-largest sanction ever issued under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Only Amazon (€746 million) and Meta-Facebook (€1.2 billion) have received higher penalties.

At the core of the issue is the unauthorized transfer of EU users’ personal data to China, where parent company ByteDance is headquartered. The DPC determined that TikTok failed to comply with privacy obligations, exposing European data to significant risks.

Why Ireland decides for all of Europe

Under the GDPR, any non-EU company with its European base in a member state is subject to that country’s data authority. In TikTok’s case, its European headquarters in Ireland makes the DPC responsible for investigations and enforcement.

The fine follows a lengthy investigation, which found that TikTok did not offer sufficient safeguards to protect data transferred outside the EU, putting users’ rights at risk.

TikTok fights back: “We’ll appeal”

TikTok strongly disagrees with the DPC’s decision and has announced plans to file an appeal. The platform argues that it has already updated its data practices to comply with European standards and called the fine disproportionate.

Regardless of the outcome, the case sends a powerful message to big tech companies: if you operate in Europe, you must respect data protection laws — no matter where your servers are.

Transferring Data Outside the EU: What the GDPR Says

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) restricts the transfer of personal data to countries outside the European Economic Area (EEA) unless those countries ensure an adequate level of data protection. In the absence of an adequacy decision by the European Commission, transfers can still occur if specific safeguards are in place, such as:

• Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs) approved by the European Commission
• Binding Corporate Rules (BCRs) for intra-group data transfers
• Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs) to assess and mitigate risks
• Participation in recognized data transfer frameworks, such as the EU-U.S. Data Privacy Framework

In the TikTok case, the Irish Data Protection Commission found that the company transferred European users’ data to China without sufficient safeguards, breaching Articles 44 to 49 of the GDPR. Since China is not covered by an EU adequacy decision, companies transferring data there must take extra precautions.

Implications for Businesses

This record-high fine underscores how European data protection authorities are ramping up GDPR enforcement, particularly in cases involving:

• Transparency in data processing
• Protection of minors
• Data security and localization

To remain compliant, companies should:

1. Map international data flows and identify high-risk transfers
2. Assess the legal basis for each transfer and apply necessary safeguards
3. Review contracts with vendors and partners outside the EEA
4. Implement encryption, anonymization, and privacy-by-design measures

Instagram introduces the option for creators to enable replies in broadcast channels, boosting engagement with time-sensitive prompts and advanced analytics.

Broadcast channels become interactive

Meta has revamped the broadcast channel feature on Instagram, allowing creators to turn one-way communication into a dialogue. Followers can now reply to messages and comment on posts within channels. This update, officially announced by Meta, represents a significant shift from the original design, which limited interaction to emoji reactions.

Additionally, creators can spark conversations through prompts, time-sensitive questions or cues designed to encourage active participation. For instance, a prompt might ask: “What’s your favorite dish from local cuisine?” Responses can be text or photos and remain active for 24 hours, with the option to like contributions from other users.

How the new options work

Despite these updates, creators can still choose to keep replies disabled for their channels. Enabling this feature is straightforward: select “Channel Controls” and toggle “Allow members to reply to messages.”

This flexibility allows creators to control the level of engagement they want, ensuring better audience management. Moreover, prompts help create direct and engaging conversations, increasing follower participation.

New metrics and personalized tips

To support creators, Meta has introduced advanced analytics tools, including data on total interactions, shares, and poll votes. These metrics provide detailed insights into content performance, helping creators better understand their audience.

Instagram also offers personalized suggestions to enhance engagement, such as sending frequent messages or exclusive behind-the-scenes content. These tips aim to optimize channel management and strengthen the bond with followers.

An Instagram exclusive

While Messenger and WhatsApp also support broadcast channels, these new features are currently exclusive to Instagram. Meta has yet to confirm whether these updates will roll out to other platforms, hinting that Instagram could serve as a testing ground.

Spectacles arrives in six European Countries with the support of a dedicated developer program

Snapchat recently announced the European launch of its new Spectacles , available in Austria, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and Spain. This marks the first time the fifth-generation Spectacles have been made available outside of the United States, bringing advanced augmented reality (AR) innovation to new markets.

Snap OS and the official launch

Spectacles were officially unveiled during the Snap Partner Summit, where Snapchat also unveiled Snap OS , the new operating system that makes Spectacles a powerful tool for creating AR content .

A program dedicated to developers

Snapchat introduced the Spectacles Developer Program at Lens Fest, giving developers and creators access to Spectacles and an exclusive subscription to create AR lenses . The program costs $110 per month for 12 months, offering exclusive access to dedicated resources and a support team.

Developers’ Experience with Spectacles

Ines Hilz , AR Designer, expressed her excitement about the new Spectacles : “These smart glasses offer an immersive experience that goes beyond smartphone use, opening up new possibilities for AR storytelling and gameplay . With features such as AI integration and voice control, the innovation reaches an extraordinary level.”

“I was immediately excited about the Spectacles! Navigating the digital world directly with your hands instead of through a smartphone screen opens up a whole new level of storytelling and immersive gameplay. I find it exciting to experience AR with friends through the Connected Lenses, as well as enjoying the seamless integration of AI and voice control. The combination of so many features in a small pair of glasses is truly amazing!” 

For development, Snap provides many useful tools that make it easy to create and experience interactive AR worlds for Spectacles. Tracking is precise, the image is crystal clear and high contrast, and you can see and test the AR Lenses on the glasses in seconds. 

I am convinced that we are already very close to the optimal AR glasses for the general public and that Snap, through continuous innovation, is playing a key role in this development path.” – Ines Hilz ,

An innovative tool for AR storytelling

Antoine Vu , CEO and Co-Founder of Atomic Digital Design, emphasized the value of the Spectacles for the team: “The Spectacles are a revolutionary device that allows us to create immersive experiences while keeping our hands free, facilitating innovative interactions and storytelling in AR.”

“Spectacles are a truly innovative tool for our team! Creating hands-free, live immersive experiences is revolutionary for an agency like ours, and allows us to enhance everyday interactions and explore new dimensions of storytelling in AR.

The lightweight and compact design of the Spectacles makes them comfortable for extended use, unlike bulkier AR/XR devices on the market. Additionally, the ability to share the same AR content with multiple people at once enables truly exciting shared experiences.

Lens Studio allows us to take full advantage of advanced features like precise hand tracking, AI-powered interactions, and stunning visual effects, which allow us to tell stories in a seamless and incredibly immersive way. We are thrilled to be part of this adventure!” – Antoine Vu

How to join the Spectacles program

Interested developers can apply on the official Spectacles website at: spectacles.com/lens-studio .

How to join the Spectacles program

Interested developers can apply on the official Spectacles website at: spectacles.com/lens-studio .Come partecipare al programma Spectacles

In recent years, Reddit has carved out an important space for itself among social platforms, becoming the reference point for online communities on various topics. It is often called “ the front page of the Internet ” thanks to its ability to concentrate and organize traffic on news, trends, debates and resources, involving millions of users around the world.

The platform has been in the news for its social, economic and cultural impact: just think of the GameStop case in 2021, in which Reddit users of the r/WallStreetBets subreddit influenced the stock market.

With a particularly active user community, Reddit offers extraordinary opportunities for brands and marketers, becoming a very powerful social news and community marketing tool . Let’s dive into what Reddit is, how it works and how it can be useful in the digital world.

Table of Contents

• Reddit: what it is and how it was born
• How Reddit Works: Subreddits, Karma, and Communities
• Register and browse Reddit
• Why Reddit is useful: Benefits for marketers
• Reddit Italia: the subreddit of Italians
• Reddit for Businesses and Professionals
• To conclude…
• Questions and Answers

Reddit: what it is and how it was born

What is Reddit ? Founded in 2005 by Steve Huffman and Alexis Ohanian, with essential contributions from Aaron Swartz , Reddit is a social network organized into thematic forums. The name Reddit is a play on words on the phrase “read it”.

These forums, called subreddits , are communities dedicated to specific topics, where users can post, comment, vote on content, and participate in discussions on all kinds of topics: technology, culture, finance, travel, hobbies, and more.

Reddit has achieved great notoriety for its openness and transparency, where information is accessible to anyone, regardless of registration.

Aaron Swartz, a young programmer and digital freedom activist, played a key role in the creation of Reddit, contributing to the initial development of the platform and establishing its basic principles. These values ​​of sharing, accessibility, and collaboration are still part of the platform’s philosophy.

How Reddit Works: Subreddits, Karma, and Communities

Reddit is based on a system of topic-based forums, called subreddits , identified by the prefix “/r/” (for example, Reddit Italy is /r/italy ). Subreddits are managed by moderators, who regulate user behavior and define discussion guidelines.

Each subreddit is actually a community, where users can post new topics, comment on others’ topics, and assign votes, the so-called upvotes and downvotes . This voting system determines the visibility of the content: the most voted posts appear at the top and receive more attention.

An important aspect of Reddit is karma , a score that reflects the active participation of users. The higher the karma, the higher the reputation within the community. However, it is important to avoid spamming or aggressive promotion, as Reddit rewards authentic and genuine contributions to the conversation.

Register and browse Reddit

To use Reddit, simply create an account and choose a username . After completing the registration, you can start following the subreddits that interest you.

You can download the reddit app, available for both iOS and Android, or use the web version. Once logged in, users have access to thousands of subreddits and can explore content based on their interests via the search bar in the top right.

For those who want an ad-free experience, Reddit also offers a paid version called Reddit Premium , which includes additional perks like Gold comment support and other exclusive bonuses.

Why Reddit is useful: Benefits for marketers

Using Reddit can be a huge advantage for companies and digital marketing professionals. First of all, it works as an invaluable source of information and opinions on the most diverse topics, thanks to the active participation of other users . Reddit can be an important research basin for understanding the opinions of the public and identifying new trends, and it also offers a wide range of content that can be used to improve communication strategies.

Another key aspect is the possibility to interact authentically with communities. Being a social network where anonymity is widely allowed, users can freely express their opinions, making discussions transparent and genuine.

Reddit allows you to get authentic feedback, but it requires care and respect to avoid promotional posts that can be interpreted as spam. Some specific benefits of Reddit for marketing include:

• Niche Communities : Subreddits allow you to identify groups of users interested in specific topics, ideal for targeted campaigns.
• Direct Feedback : Reddit is a great place to gather honest feedback on products and services.
• SEO and Traffic : Links shared on Reddit can generate traffic to a website, improving its visibility on search engines.
• Market Research and Resources : Reddit content offers a wealth of information for market analysis, allowing marketers to discover authentic opinions.

Reddit Italia: the subreddit of Italians

Reddit Italia is one of the most popular subreddits among Italian speakers, and it deals with topics of national interest, such as politics, current affairs, culture and much more. Within Reddit Italia, users find a welcoming and participatory community, where they can discuss topics that concern Italy and get opinions on local services or products. Reddit Italia is also an excellent resource for most Italian companies, as it offers a direct overview of the opinions and preferences of local users.

Reddit for Businesses and Professionals

Reddit is a great option for businesses that want to understand their audience’s needs and engage with communities . The platform can be especially useful for startups or niche brands, who can leverage specific subreddits to get feedback and reach an interested audience.

To use Reddit effectively, marketers should avoid direct marketing and instead focus on providing value through useful and relevant content, engaging users in discussions, and offering solutions.

Another way to connect with potential customers is through Reddit advertising, which allows you to create sponsored posts that target users with specific interests. Reddit allows for fine-grained segmentation to target the most relevant subreddits, maximizing the potential of your advertising campaigns in a subtle and non-invasive way.

To conclude…

Reddit is a platform that goes beyond a simple social network, and positions itself as a social search engine and a unique discussion space. Its structure based on subreddits and karma makes it a powerful tool for both those looking for information and those working in digital marketing.

Understanding how to use Reddit strategically is essential for businesses, which can benefit enormously from the ability to authentically engage with communities, gather actionable insights, and reach targeted groups of users.

Reddit will continue to be a central platform for social news and community marketing, adapting to the needs of its users and remaining a valuable resource for those who want to better understand the online social landscape.

If you have any questions please use the comment form below. I will be happy to answer you.

Questions and Answers

1. What is Reddit? Reddit is a social network based on thematic forums called subreddits, which host discussions on all sorts of topics.
2. What are subreddits? Subreddits are topic-specific forums within Reddit, like small communities.
3. How can I use Reddit for my business? Reddit offers opportunities for niche community engagement, market research, and targeted advertising.
4. How do you create a Reddit account? Simply register with a username and password, and you can start exploring the platform.
5. Is Reddit free? Yes, Reddit is free. There is also Reddit Premium, which is paid, has no ads and has extra benefits.
6. What is Reddit Italia? Reddit Italia is the subreddit for Italian users, where they can discuss current events, politics, culture and more.
7. What is karma on Reddit? Karma is a score that measures a user’s reputation on Reddit, based on the votes they receive.
8. Can I advertise on Reddit? Yes, Reddit allows advertising through sponsored posts and subreddit targeting.
9. How does Reddit work? Reddit relies on content shared by users, which is upvoted and downvoted to determine its visibility.
10. What are the benefits of Reddit Premium? Reddit Premium offers an ad-free experience, access to exclusive content, and Gold comment support.

Learn how to break down your YouTube videos into chapters, making them more accessible and easy to navigate for viewers.

Adding chapters to a YouTube video is an effective way to make your content more navigable. Chapters allow viewers to skip directly to the sections they’re interested in, improving the experience and making the video more engaging.

Table of Contents

• How to add chapters to videos
• Steps to insert chapters in YouTube videos
• Adding timestamps to the description
• Essential rules for YouTube chapters
• Why chapters improve video visibility

How to add chapters to videos

Adding chapters is simple and requires only a few steps. Here’s how to break a video into sections.

Steps to insert chapters in YouTube videos

1. Log in to YouTube Studio with your account.
2. Select the video you want to edit or upload a new one.
3. Go to the Details section of the video and scroll down to the description field.

Adding timestamps to the description

To create chapters, add timestamps to the video description in hh:mm format. Each section should have a brief description that previews the content, and the first chapter must always start at 00:00.

Example timestamp format:

00:00 – Introduction
01:15 – Step 1: Access Google Analytics
02:45 – Step 2: Add a new user
04:10 – Assigning roles and permissions
05:30 – Conclusion

Essential rules for YouTube chapters

• The first chapter must start at 00:00.
• Each chapter should have a minimum duration of 10 seconds.
• Avoid adding too many chapters to keep it simple for viewers.

Why chapters improve video visibility

Breaking videos into chapters helps not only viewers but also YouTube’s algorithm understand the content, which enhances visibility and indexing.

By following these simple steps, your videos will be more user-friendly and well-structured. Adding chapters enhances the viewer experience and makes your YouTube channel more competitive.

If you have any questions please use the comment form below. I will be happy to answer you.

The platform scales down resolution based on views, sparking backlash among creators

Instagram adjusts video quality based on popularity

Instagram recently confirmed that video quality may vary depending on content popularity. Adam Mosseri, CEO of Instagram, explained that less viewed videos are displayed in lower quality compared to popular ones—a decision that has stirred mixed reactions among users.

Why Instagram limits video resolution

Mosseri clarified that Instagram aims to display videos at the highest quality possible. However, if a video does not gain many views, especially after the initial publication period, the platform reduces quality to optimize resources.

A controversial strategy among emerging creators

This approach seems to favor established creators, as their content benefits from higher-quality encoding and more powerful servers. This creates a gap between popular accounts and newcomers, making it more challenging for new users to compete.

User and Mosseri’s response

Many users criticized the decision, accusing Instagram of supporting an elite group of creators while disadvantaging those with smaller followings. Mosseri responded that the quality reduction is minimal and that engagement depends more on video content than resolution.