iWorld
Meta’s ‘Link History’: Decoding privacy dilemma
Mumbai: In a move that has sparked conversations about digital privacy and user tracking, Meta, the parent company of social media giants Facebook and Instagram, has introduced a new feature called ‘Link History.’
Meta’s ‘Link History’ is a feature designed to provide users with a comprehensive record of the websites they visit through Facebook and Instagram. This means that every link clicked while using these platforms will be logged and stored in a personal archive accessible to the user. The intention behind this feature, as Meta claims, is to allow users to revisit and manage the content they engage with on a daily basis more easily.
This feature, while aiming to enhance user experience, also raises concerns about the extent to which our online activities are monitored and recorded. While Meta emphasises the user-centric benefits of ‘Link History,’ critics argue that it raises red flags concerning privacy. The concern primarily revolves around the vast amount of personal data that Meta already possesses about its users and how this new feature might contribute to a more extensive and detailed user profile.
In this article, we reached out to some experts who delved into the details of Meta’s ‘Link History’ and explored the implications it holds for user privacy.
Edited excerpts
Content creator Akshat Tongia
While the concept of increased accessibility seems promising, there’s a level of uncertainty surrounding how Meta intends to leverage our data for understanding our online behaviours.
What stands out is the somewhat intricate process of turning off this feature, suggesting a preference for users to keep it enabled. Additionally, many users may not be aware of these settings, contributing to heightened privacy concerns.
From a content creator’s perspective, where my digital presence is integral to my work, I appreciate tools that enhance efficiency. However, the ambiguity surrounding the use of this data prompts a thoughtful consideration of striking the right balance between convenience and privacy.
Newton Consulting India & Newton PR COO Smita Khanna
Meta’s ‘Link History’ isn’t convenient, it’s an off-site surveillance dragnet. This granular record of our non-Facebook journeys raises not just ethical alarms, but blatant hypocrisy for a company notorious for data stumbles. We deserve an online world where our clicks don’t morph into targeted nightmares. Meta needs to ditch the Big Brother act and grant users control over their digital footprints.
iWorld
Snap hits $1B revenue as subscriptions cross 25 million
Snap’s paid products boom with Snapchat plus, Lens plus and creator subscriptions
CALIFORNIA: Snapchat’s subscription push is paying off handsomely, with the platform’s direct revenue business now cruising past a $1 billion annualised run rate. At the heart of this milestone is a loyal global subscription community that has just topped 25 million Snapchatters.
Since its launch in late 2022, Snapchat plus has grown rapidly to become one of the fastest-growing consumer subscriptions worldwide. What began as an early-access perk for the platform’s most engaged users has scaled into a robust revenue engine alongside Snap’s ad business.
Snapchat plus thrives because it taps into something deeply human. With more than 946 million monthly active users, Snapchat is fast approaching the one-billion mark. Its subscription service offers personal touches that matter in everyday chats. From pinning a best friend to customising chat wallpapers or adding a Bitmoji Pet, these simple features bring warmth, context and joy to conversations.
But Snap isn’t stopping there. The company has expanded its direct revenue offerings with paid versions of Lens plus, Snapchat Platinum, and Memories Storage Plans. Lens plus gives subscribers advanced AI and AR creative tools, including exclusive generative AI Lenses and unlimited use of the Imagine Lens for instant image creation. Snapchat Platinum delivers an ad-light experience focused on friends and creators, while Memories Storage Plans give heavy users the option to upgrade storage and keep thousands of their most cherished Snaps safe.
Snapchat is also opening doors for creators. Its new creator subscriptions let fans pay directly for exclusive content, priority engagement, and ad-free Stories, giving influencers fresh ways to connect with their audience.
Snap credits its 25 million subscribers for helping shape the future of the platform. Their creativity, feedback, and enthusiasm not only inspire new features but also fuel Snap’s growing direct revenue business.
With these moves, Snap is proving that personalisation, self-expression, and friendship aren’t just buzzwords, they’re the secret sauce behind its subscription success.
