messaging | Common News Update

Jun62020 by adminNo Comments

How messaging technology is helping fuel global protests

Technology

When a friend shared a Facebook post with Michelle Burris inviting her to protest in downtown Washington, D.C., last Saturday, she knew she had to go. So she bought a Black Lives Matter mask from a street vendor before marching the streets of the district with a “No Justice, No Peace" sign. After that march ended, she pulled up details on Instagram for a car caravan demonstration just a few blocks away. “It was extremely powerful, not only Facebook but Instagram,” Burris said. “It was very easy to mobilize.” Protesters are using a variety of technology tools to organize rallies, record police violence and communicate during the marches sweeping the U.S. and other countries following the death of George Floyd. Some of that involves secure messaging services like WhatsApp, Signal and Telegr...

Zuckerberg: Facebook to shift towards encrypted messaging

Technology

Facebook's chief has promised to transform privacy on the social networking platform, with new encryption that even the site's bosses cannot penetrate.The move comes after criticism of Facebook's problems with privacy controls and data sharing. In a blog post, Mark Zuckerberg wrote: "As I think about the future of the internet, I believe a privacy-focused communications platform will become even more important than today's open platforms."Privacy gives people the freedom to be themselves and connect more naturally, which is why we build social networks." Image: Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg has been under pressure over Facebook's privacy His multi-year plan would see Facebook's messaging services covered with encryption so stro...

Russia threatens to ban messaging app

Technology

Russia has threatened to block access to Telegram unless the company which runs the messaging app provides information about itself.Alexander Zharov, head of communications regulator Roskomnadzor, said repeated efforts to obtain the information had been ignored and warned that "time is running out" for the app.If Telegram hands over the details and joins Roskomnadzor's registry it would be required to keep and share users' chat histories and encryption keys with authorities if asked, according to Russian news agency TASS.Image:Telegram provides end-to-end encryption messagingIn an open letter, Mr Zharov said: "There is one demand and it is simple: to fill in a form with information on the company that controls Telegram."And to officially send it to Roskomnadzor to include this data in the ...