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Facebook Plans to Launch Instagram for Desktop

June 28, 2021

Instagram, Facebook’s picture-sharing social media powerhouse is currently testing the ability to create posts using web browsers on desktop computers. This new feature was spotted by social media consultant Matt Navarra, who posted a series of screenshots to Twitter, demonstrating the new system’s functionalities.

“We know that many people access Instagram from their computer,” Facebook spokesperson Christine Pai was quoted as saying.

“To improve that experience, we’re now testing the ability to create a Feed post on Instagram with [users’] desktop browser.”

The screenshots show that users are able to select different aspect ratios, use basic editing features and even apply built-in features on the desktop browser version of Instagram.

Editing and posting aren’t appearing for everyone’s browser version of the app just yet – but when it is, it is highlighted at the top right of the screen with a message that reads: “Now you can create and share posts directly from your computer.”

The Verge believes that this is evidence that Instagram is interested in a larger scale rollout. If this is the case it coincides perfectly with the news that Microsoft’s new OS Windows 11 will feature Android apps like TikTok and Instagram. The new Instagram desktop capabilities could be a future look at what Instagram for Windows could look like.

Founded in 2010, the company has been historically slow in implementing new features on its browser app for desktops. For example, direct messages through the browser version only became available last year.

More than ever, professional photographers and social media marketers are using “third-party tools” to post highly edited images and videos to Instagram via desktops – this change could be a move towards making their lives easier.

“I suspect Instagram’s decision to add publishing via desktop is part of a much bigger plan for the platform going forward,” Navarra said, as Instagram designs more tools to lure content creators from competitors like TikTok and YouTube.

Kelechi Deca

Kelechi Deca has over two decades of media experience, he has traveled to over 77 countries reporting on multilateral development institutions, international business, trade, travels, culture, and diplomacy. He is also a petrol head with in-depth knowledge of automobiles and the auto industry

Facebook ad Tools Slammed Over Gender Bias

April 11, 2021

There are new allegations that Facebook users may not be learning about jobs for which they are qualified because the company’s tools can disproportionately direct ads to a particular gender “beyond what can be legally justified,” university researchers said in a study published on Friday.

According to the study, in one of three examples that generated similar results, Facebook targeted an Instacart delivery job ad to a female-heavy audience and a Domino’s Pizza delivery job ad to a male-heavy viewership.

Instacart has mostly female drivers, and Domino’s mostly men, the study by University of Southern California researchers said.

In contrast, Microsoft Corp’s LinkedIn showed the ads for delivery jobs at Domino’s to about the same porportion of women as it did the Instacart ad.

“Facebook’s ad delivery can result in skew of job ad delivery by gender beyond what can be legally justified by possible differences in qualifications,” the study said. The finding strengthens the argument that Facebook’s algorithms may be in violation of U.S. anti-discrimination laws, it added.

Facebook spokesman Joe Osborne said the company accounts for “many signals to try and serve people ads they will be most interested in, but we understand the concerns raised in the report.”

Amid lawsuits and regulatory probes on discrimination through ad targeting, Facebook has tightened controls to prevent clients from excluding some groups from seeing job, housing and other ads.

But researchers remain concerned about bias in artificial intelligence (AI) software choosing which users see an ad. Facebook and LinkedIn both said they study their AI for what the tech industry calls “fairness.”

LinkedIn engineering vice president Ashvin Kannan said the study’s results “align with our own internal review of our job ads ecosystem.”

Kelechi Deca

Kelechi Deca has over two decades of media experience, he has traveled to over 77 countries reporting on multilateral development institutions, international business, trade, travels, culture, and diplomacy. He is also a petrol head with in-depth knowledge of automobiles and the auto industry

Facebook Launches Climate Science Information Centre in sub–Saharan Africa

February 19, 2021

Facebook's Climate Science Information Centre

The need for sub–Saharan African countries to have hand-on access to climate challenges in the region might have prompted Facebook to launch its Climate Science Information Centre in South Africa for the region. This project is expected to be part of the social platform’s “commitment to connecting people to accurate, expert advice and information about global developments that affect their lives”.

The centre, available in 16 countries aims to connect people on Facebook with resources from the world’s leading climate change organizations. Modelled on the Facebook COVID-19 Information Centre—which has so far, directed more than 2 billion people to information from health authorities—the Climate Science Information Center offers facts about climate change and actionable steps people can take in their everyday lives to combat climate change.

Along with expanding the centre, Facebook is improving it. The centre now includes a section that features facts that debunk common climate myths – including facts such as how the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere harms the earth’s plant life and polar bear populations are declining because of global warming.

To debunk the myths with current and specific facts, Facebook has brought in climate experts from the George Mason University, the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication, and the University of Cambridge.

“We can only address climate change if we all work together on a global scale,” says Kojo Boakye, Director of Public Policy for Africa.

“We are taking important steps to reduce our emissions and arm our global community with science-based information to make informed decisions and tools to take action. We hope with these efforts that we can continue helping to inspire real action.”

Kelechi Deca

Kelechi Deca has over two decades of media experience, he has traveled to over 77 countries reporting on multilateral development institutions, international business, trade, travels, culture, and diplomacy. He is also a petrol head with in-depth knowledge of automobiles and the auto industry

Ghana: Facebook Partners with BellaNaija and Guardian TV to Spotlight SMBs

November 22, 2020

Efforts aimed at spotlighting Ghanaian entrepreneurs using Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp to grow their business the global social media giant Facebook joined forces with BellaNaija & Guardian TV as part of its #FBSuccessStory campaign. Speaking on the development, Kezia Anim-Addo, Facebook’s Head of Communications for Africa said that “we’re proud of the role that we have in enabling SMBs to grow and scale. We know that small businesses are the cornerstone of the economy and make significant contributions. This campaign is a celebration of some of these Ghanaian SMBs making an impact, both in Ghana and beyond,”

Kezia Anim-Addo, Facebook’s Head of Communications for Africa

Running from November 18th to 21st of December 2020, #FBSuccessStory will air exclusively on both BellaNaija and Nigerian online TV platform Guardian TV. The two entrepreneurs selected include Aisha Ayensu, founder of Christie Brown, a luxury Ghanaian fashion brand and Ameyaw Debrah, the founder of the popular Ameyawdebrah.com, and Ameyaw TV, a video production channel and a content creation platform focused on entertainment and lifestyle.

Speaking on the campaign, Aisha Ayensu of Christie Brown said: “Using platforms like Instagram and WhatsApp has enabled our brand and fashion line to be more visible to more people from around the world. We’ve been able to drive direct sales and communicate with clients both locally and internationally, leading to an amazing growth. At the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, we were also able to host our first-ever virtual show on Instagram LIVE where we reached over 30,000 viewers.”

Bunmi Amosu, Head of Video Content at The Guardian TV, adds “As one of Nigeria’s foremost multi-media and news platforms, we are continually seeking new ways to share the authentic African story. It is exciting to partner with Facebook on this project to showcase entrepreneurs doing their best to rewrite the narrative about Africa. We trust this project would inspire many more African business owners to take advantage of the opportunities available and write their own success stories.”

Kelechi Deca

Kelechi Deca has over two decades of media experience, he has traveled to over 77 countries reporting on multilateral development institutions, international business, trade, travels, culture, and diplomacy. He is also a petrol head with in-depth knowledge of automobiles and the auto industry

Facebook Opens a New Office in Lagos, Nigeria

September 19, 2020

Regional Director Facebook Africa, Nunu Ntshingila

As part of its continued commitment and ongoing investment in Africa, Facebook today announced it will be opening an office in Lagos, Nigeria – its second office on the African continent. Aimed at supporting the entire Sub-Saharan Africa region, the office is expected to become operational in H2 2021 and will be the first on the continent to house a team of expert engineers building for the future of Africa and beyond.

Facebook’s office will be home to various teams servicing the continent from across the business, including Sales, Partnerships, Policy, Communications as well as Engineers.

Commenting, Ime Archibong, Facebook’s Head of New Product Experimentation said: “The opening of our new office in Lagos, Nigeria presents new and exciting opportunities in digital innovations to be developed from the continent and taken to the rest of the world. All across Africa we’re seeing immense talent in the tech ecosystem, and I’m proud that with the upcoming opening of our new office, we’ll be building products for the future of Africa, and the rest of the world, with Africans at the helm. We look forward to contributing further to the African tech ecosystem.”

The investment of the new Facebook office follows the 2018 opening of NG_Hub, its first flagship community hub space in Africa in partnership with CcHub, and the 2019 opening of a Small Business Group (SBG) Operations Centre in Lagos, in partnership with Teleperformance. Providing outsourced support to all English-speaking advertisers across Sub-Saharan Africa, the SBG office supports Small Medium Businesses (SMBs) through its Advocacy, Community & Education (ACE) programme, as well as its Marketing Expert sales programmes – all aimed at enabling SMBs to accelerate the growth and development of their businesses.

“Our new office in Nigeria presents an important milestone which further reinforces our ongoing commitment to the region”, commented Kojo Boakye, Facebook’s Director of Public Policy, Africa. “Our mission in Africa is no different to elsewhere in the world – to build community and bring the world closer together, and I’m excited about the possibilities that this will create, not just in Nigeria, but across Africa.”

Since the opening of its first office in 2015, Facebook has made a number of investments across the continent, aimed at supporting and growing the tech ecosystem, expanding and providing reliable connectivity infrastructures and helping businesses to grow locally, regionally and globally. This includes the recent rollout of its SMB Grants programme in Nigeria and South Africa, aimed at supporting over 900 businesses by providing a combination of cash and ad credits to help small businesses as they rebuild from COVID. The development of 2Africa, the world’s largest subsea cable project that will deliver much needed internet capacity and reliability across large parts of Africa, as well as its ongoing training programmes across the continent which support various communities including students, SMBs, digital creatives, female entrepreneurs, start-up’s and developers.

Nunu Ntshingila, Regional Director, Facebook Africa,said: “We’re delighted to be announcing our new office in Nigeria. Five years on from opening our first office on the continent in Johannesburg, South Africa, we’re continuing to invest in and support local talent, as well as the various communities that use our platforms. The office in Lagos will also be key in helping to expand how we service our clients across the continent.”

Kelechi Deca

Kelechi Deca has over two decades of media experience, he has traveled to over 77 countries reporting on multilateral development institutions, international business, trade, travels, culture, and diplomacy. He is also a petrol head with in-depth knowledge of automobiles and the auto industry

Facebook launches Coronavirus Information Center in 17 African Countries

April 9, 2020

Facebook’s Head of Public Policy, Africa, Kojo Boakye

Global social media giant, Facebook is expanding its Coronavirus Information Center to 17 more countries in sub-Saharan Africa. The Information Centers form part of Facebook’s effort to help the global fight against COVID-19 by providing people with the latest news and information from trusted health authorities as well as resources and tips to stay healthy and support their family and community.

The Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information Center is featured at the top of News Feed, that provides a central place for people to keep informed about the Coronavirus. It includes real-time updates from national health authorities and global organizations such as the World Health Organization, as well as helpful articles, videos and posts about social distancing and preventing the spread of COVID-19. Facebook users can opt in to follow the center to get notifications and see updates in their News Feed from official government health authorities.

The center has already launched in South Africa, it will now be expanded to the following new sub – Saharan African markets: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, CapeVerde, Chad, Côted’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Gabon, Guinea, Kenya, Mali, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, Seychelles, The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Togo

According to Facebook’s Head of Public Policy, Africa, Kojo Boakye, “We’ve built the information centers, in collaboration with national health partners, to ensure that people can get access to information from trusted health sources. The launch of the COVID-19 Information Center on Facebook in more than 17 countries across sub-Saharan Africa aligns with our commitment to making accurate, timely information about the pandemic accessible to all communities.”

Kelechi Deca

Kelechi Deca has over two decades of media experience, he has traveled to over 77 countries reporting on multilateral development institutions, international business, trade, travels, culture, and diplomacy. He is also a petrol head with in-depth knowledge of automobiles and the auto industry

Facebook Highlights Key Achievements in sub Saharan Africa in 2019

December 12, 2019

Global technology firm, Facebook, has released its ‘2019 Year in Review’ infographic, showcasing some of its investment and outstanding achievements across Sub-Saharan this 2019. Facebook pointed out that it is fully committed to giving people the power to build community and bring the world closer together, throughout the year this translated into significant support and investments into growing the ecosystem of developers, entrepreneurs, creatives, and many other communities.

According to Facebook Africa, the organization trained over 7,000 woman-owned businesses in digital skills across sub Saharan Africa and celebrated 79 Community Leadership Circle meetups with over 2, 650 people attending. Also it reached its 45th Developer Circle, with circles now in 17 African countries and representing more than 70,000 members.

During the year under review, Facebook hosted the first-ever iD8 Nairobi Conference with over 400 African developers and startups in attendance, and also expanded Third-Party Fact-Checking across 10 African countries. The firm equally announced the creation of the world’s most detailed population density maps of Africa, created by Facebook AI researchers to help humanitarian aid and relief agencies; and much more.

Speaking on these key milestones, the Regional Director of Facebook Africa, Nunu Ntshingila, said that “Africa is important to Facebook, and we’re committed to investing in its youth, entrepreneurs, the creative industries, tech ecosystem as well as its many other communities. Our 2019 Year in Review highlights just some of these investments, and the impact we’ve been able to have here in the region”. He expressed his excitement about the future of Facebook and its family of apps here in Africa, as well as the potential of this young, mobile and dynamic continent, and look forward to creating partnerships in 2020 and beyond.

Kelechi Deca

Kelechi Deca has over two decades of media experience, he has traveled to over 77 countries reporting on multilateral development institutions, international business, trade, travels, culture, and diplomacy. He is also a petrol head with in-depth knowledge of automobiles and the auto industry

Facebook Celebrates the Growing Tech Ecosystem Across Africa

November 22, 2019

As part of its efforts to recognize the amazing story of start-ups, developers and techie talents across Africa, Facebook is bringing together over 400 developers, startups and businesses from across Sub-Saharan Africa in a first of its kind conference dubbed “Facebook iD8 Nairobi”.The event which forms part of the company’s strategy to create opportunities for innovation, community building and education throughout the continent will further create a space for developers and startups to showcase and celebrate talent from across the continent, while sharing their developer journey.

The Conference will kickstart with a keynote address from Facebook’s Global Head of Developer Programmes, Emeka Afigbo will highlight Facebook’s plan in partnership with Andela to train and equip thousands of developers from its Developer Circles across 10 countries in Africa with technical and non-technical skills in 2020. This follows Facebook’s successful three-month training programme with Andela across Nigeria and Kenya in 2019.

A career fair – aimed at connecting this year’s top developers from Facebook’s and Andela’s three-month training programme in Nigeria and Kenya with employment opportunities through meets ups with potential employers.

The 2019 Facebook SSA Developer Circle Leads Summit bought together 60 Developer Circle leaders, who represented 45 circles in 17 countries across the continent in a two-day networking event. Facebook iD8 Nairobi also highlighted the latest insights from Facebook, with new technologies and products for attendees to build and experiment with, and programmes to help them at any stage of their journey. There were hands-on demonstrations and discussions with Facebook product experts who provided guidance and help to unlock challenges developers face in their development process. The conference also provided an opportunity for developers and startups to learn how technology such as AR/VR, Messaging and Open Source can offer tangible solutions for businesses in Africa.

Emeka Afigbo further said that “we look forward to reconnecting with the ecosystem to share the latest technology, product and program updates. Facebook iD8 is a two-way dialogue where we also have a chance to hear from our developer and startup community’ about their experiences and roadblocks as well as provide an opportunity for members of our community to connect with others who share their challenges and aspirations.

Fatma Ali a Developer Lead for a Facebook Developer Circle in Eldoret stated, “This opportunity has enabled me to connect and get mentorship to build my career while equipping me with leadership skills to work with the developer community. Through my Facebook Developer Circle I have gotten exposure and recognition in the Developer ecosystem. The experience has been enlightening and I am confident that I will have a successful career in technology”.

Sewagodimo Matlapeng a Developer Lead for a Facebook Developer Circle in Cape Town concluded, “My experience leading a Developer Circle in Cape Town has enabled me to advocate for the inclusion of women in the developer community in Cape Town with my circle having the highest female members in Africa. Through Facebook iD8, I gained insights on how we as developers, male and female can seize opportunities and curb challenges in the developer community.”

Kelechi Deca

Kelechi Deca has over two decades of media experience, he has traveled to over 77 countries reporting on multilateral development institutions, international business, trade, travels, culture, and diplomacy. He is also a petrol head with in-depth knowledge of automobiles and the auto industry.

How Africans Reacted to AFCON talking on Facebook

July 26, 2019

July 19, 2019, marked the end of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), a spectacular tournament that had people glued to their screens for the month of its duration. Africa moved to the rhythm of AFCON 2019, with more than 10 million people choosing Facebook to share their passion and excitement.

People across barriers of nation, language, class, and culture took to Facebook to discuss the AFCON 2019. Based on data measured between June 21st when AFCON started and July 16th:

People on Facebook generated more than 30 million AFCON-related interactions (likes, comments, reactions, etc).
The day that got most people engaged on Facebook so far was the 14th of July, the day of the semi-finals.
Riyad Mahrez from Algeria was the most talked about player, followed by Mohamed Salah from Egypt.
The most discussed national teams were, in order: Nigeria, Senegal, Algeria, South Africa, and Tunisia.
The countries that discussed AFCON the most were Nigeria, South Africa, Ghana, Algeria, and Senegal.
Egypt, the country who hosted the championship, was the 6th most engaged in the conversation.

Facebook measured Facebook conversation including posts, comments, shares, likes, and reactions related to the tournament. All data was aggregated and de-personalized. Conversations were identified based on keywords and combinations of keywords that were associated with discussions around AFCON 2019.

Kelechi Deca

Kelechi Deca has over two decades of media experience, he has traveled to over 77 countries reporting on multilateral development institutions, international business, trade, travels, culture, and diplomacy. He is also a petrol head with in-depth knowledge of automobiles and the auto industry.

Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/Afrikanheroes/

Facebook, Other Tech Companies May Be Barred Entirely From Offering Financial Services and Digital Currencies

July 15, 2019

The US House of Reps is pushing to ban Facebook and other tech companies from ever having anything to do with financial services or digital currencies.

A bill to prevent big technology companies from functioning as financial institutions or issuing digital currencies is currently being circulated for discussion by the Democratic majority that leads the House Financial Services Committee, according to a copy of the draft legislation.

Here Is What The Bill Is Proposing

In a sign of widening scrutiny after Facebook Inc’s (FB.O) proposed Libra digital coin aroused widespread objection, the bill proposes a fine of $1 million per day for violation of such rules.
Such a sweeping proposal would likely spark opposition from Republican members of the house who are keen on innovation, and would likely struggle to gather enough votes to pass the lower chamber, says Reuters.
Even if it were to pass the full house, it would still have to pass the Senate which would also likely be an uphill struggle.
Nevertheless, the draft proposal sends a strong message to large tech firms increasingly eyeing the financial services space.
The draft legislation, “Keep Big Tech Out Of Finance Act”, describes a large technology firm as a company mainly offering an online platform service with at least $25 billion in annual revenue.

“A large platform utility may not establish, maintain, or operate a digital asset that is intended to be widely used as medium of exchange, unit of account, store of value, or any other similar function, as defined by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System,” it proposes.

Facebook, which would qualify to be such an entity, said last month it would launch its global cryptocurrency in 2020.

Facebook and 28 partners, including Mastercard Inc (MA.N), PayPal Holdings Inc (PYPL.O) and Uber Technologies Inc (UBER.N), would form the Libra Association to govern the new coin. No banks are currently part of the group.
Last week, U.S. President Donald Trump criticized Libra and other cryptocurrencies and demanded that companies seek a banking charter and make themselves subject to the U.S. and global regulations if they wanted to “become a bank.”

His comments came after Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell told lawmakers that Facebook’s plan to build a digital currency called Libra could not move forward unless it addressed concerns over privacy, money laundering, consumer protection, and financial stability.

Charles Rapulu Udoh

Charles Rapulu Udoh is a Lagos-based Lawyer with special focus on Business Law, Intellectual Property Rights, Entertainment and Technology Law. He is also an award-winning writer. Working for notable organizations so far has exposed him to some of industry best practices in business, finance strategies, law, dispute resolution, and data analytics both in Nigeria and across the world.