News
UK to Introduce Stringent Online Ad Regulation
On 1 March 2011, the United Kingdom is set to implement the world’s most comprehensive online ad regulation. This new code, written by the Committee of Advertising Practices, serve as response to over 4,500 complaints received by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) over the past two years on adverts where the ASA didn’t have the authority necessary to take action. All advertisements or statements made on a website with intent to selling products or services will be affected. This includes fund-raising and direct requests for donations. Actual commentary and content of a journalistic or editorial nature will not be affected.
AT&T Claims Restricting Paid Prioritisation Harmful to Net Neutrality
Paid prioritisation – the ability to set higher prices for certain types of Internet service – and its impact on net neutrality has long been in debate. Now, with the recent ruling by a federal appeals court against FCC interference, the debate is raging louder; with Free Press and AT&T standing on opposite ends of the issue.
Digg Users Swamp Revamped Site with Reddit Links
Last week everyone was discussing and trying out the newly-redesigned Digg site which went live on 25 August. With changes like a new focus on social interaction and incorporating friends from Facebook, Twitter, and Google and an upgraded link submission, Kevin Rose, Digg’s co-founder and the rest of the Digg crew waited in anticipation to see our reaction. Unfortunately for some, it was like throwing gasoline on a fire.
Digg’s New Site Goes Live
Yesterday, Digg version 4 went live. Announced throughout the day via social media venues like Twitter, people logged in to discover that the site had been completely redesigned.
Wales Celebrates the Explosion of the Blogosphere
Wales is celebrating their bloggers. In the first-ever Wales Blog Awards, Media Wales, in conjunction with Warwick Emanuel PR, will be celebrating and recognising Welsh bloggers – with awards categories including best Welsh language blog, best fashion blog, and best writer.
Apple develops kill switch against jailbreaking iPhones
Earlier this month, it was announced that the US Library of Congress determined jailbreaking an iPhone (unlocking it in order to run non-Apple approved code) was a fair use activity and therefore legal. Of course, Apple was not happy with the decision; and now they are doing something about it.
US City Charges its Bloggers for Business Privilege License
In Philadelphia Pennsylvania, the city government has asked its bloggers who run adverts on their blogs (thus turning it from hobby to business) to pay for a ‘business privilege license’ consisting of a one-time fee of $300 or $50 a year.
The Pollution of Google News
In a recent article written by Scott Rosenberg on the Open Salon website, Rosenberg discusses the use of content farms to take advantage of Google bots through exploitation of keywords. The surprise did not come at the use of content farms, they are prevalent on the Internet, but in Google’s providing one with top ranking:
Facebook’s new technology lets users track friends’ whereabouts
Soon, Facebook users in the USA will able to track their friends’ whereabouts using the site’s new “Places” tool. The feature, which is being presented to select users beginning next week, is said to allow users to share where they are, locate friends in the area, as well as check out local services and events.
Unemployed Graduate to Twitter Jockey; Gabi Gregg Makes Good
Last week, Gabi Gregg, a plus-size fashion blogger with a degree in international relations and African-American studies, set a new precedent by becoming MTV’s first official ‘Twitter Jockey’. In her new role, Ms Gregg will serve as a sort of ‘virtual liaison’ between MTV and its fans – providing her followers with a peek inside the world of the MTV offices.
