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Instagram Launches New Tools to Help Fight Online Bullying

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Instagram has announced it is rolling out new tools to help lead the fight against online bullying. The tools are grounded in a deep understanding of how people bully each other and how they respond to bullying on Instagram and are only two steps on a longer path.

Instagram has been using artificial intelligence (AI) for years to detect bullying and other types of harmful content in comments, photos, and videos. In the last few days, it has started rolling out a new feature powered by AI that notifies people when their comment may be considered offensive before it is posted.

This intervention gives people a chance to reflect and undo their comment and prevents the recipient from receiving a harmful comment notification. Early tests have shown that it encourages some people to undo their comment and share something less hurtful once they have had a chance to reflect.

As well as identifying and removing bullying on the platform, Instagram is also empowering its community to stand up to this kind of behaviour. It is creating a feature that allows people to control their Instagram experience, without notifying someone who may be targeting them. Instagram will soon begin testing Restrict, a new way for people to protect their account from unwanted interactions.

Once people Restrict someone, comments on their posts from that person will only be visible to that person. People can choose to make a restricted person’s comments visible to others by approving their comments. Restricted people won’t be able to see when you’re active on Instagram or when you’ve read their direct messages. The rationale behind the Restrict feature is that young people are reluctant to block, unfollow or report their bully because it could escalate the situation, especially if they interact with their bully in real life.

Commenting on the new tools, Adam Mosseri, Head of Instagram said: “Our mission is to connect you with the people and things you love, which only works if people feel comfortable expressing themselves on Instagram. We know bullying is a challenge many faces, particularly young people. We are committed to leading the industry in the fight against online bullying, and we are rethinking the whole experience of Instagram to meet that commitment.”

He added: “It’s our responsibility to create a safe environment on Instagram. This has been an important priority for us for some time, and we are continuing to invest in better understanding and tackling this problem. I look forward to sharing more updates soon.”

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Google Photos Upgrades with AI Video Editing

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Google Photos, the popular photo and video management service, has announced a significant update to its mobile video editor. The redesigned editor aims to simplify the video editing process and make it more accessible to users of all skill levels.

The new video editor interface places key editing tools front and centre, making it easier for users to access and utilize features like muting, enhancing, adjusting speed, stabilizing, and exporting frames. Additionally, the trim tool has been improved with more precise controls, allowing users to cut footage with greater accuracy.

One of the most notable additions to the video editor is the introduction of AI-powered video presets. These presets offer a variety of editing options, including basic cuts, slow-motion effects, zooming, and dynamic motion tracking. By applying these presets, users can quickly and easily create professional-looking videos without extensive editing knowledge.

Google has begun rolling out these improvements to Google Photos, but a specific timeline for the update has not been provided. You are encouraged to check your app regularly for new features to become available.

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Gemini Chat Joins Google Workspace

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Google is enhancing its business productivity suite, Google Workspace, with the addition of Gemini chatbot. This move aims to expand access to its enterprise-grade AI app and provide users with a powerful AI-powered assistant. “With built-in enterprise-grade data protections, employees can now save time and deliver higher quality work securely and compliantly,” said Aparna Pappu, vice president and general manager of Google Workspace.

Workspace users in the Business, Enterprise, and Frontline plans will automatically gain access to the Gemini app. The app allows users to ask questions about company information and suggest actions based on organizational policies. Similar to Microsoft’s Copilot, Gemini offers a seamless integration into the Workspace suite.

Google emphasizes user control over data and privacy. The company reiterates that data, prompts, and generated responses will not be used to train Gemini models. This is not the first time Google has incorporated generative AI into Workspace. For an additional fee, users can add the Gemini AI model to Gmail, Docs, Drive, and other apps. Google has also previewed Google Vids, an AI video generation platform for enterprise users.

To enhance security, Google announced a new security advisor tool for Workspace customers. This tool provides tailored insights, actionable guidance, and additional threat prevention and data protection controls. The advisor will send security insights directly to IT administrators’ inboxes. Google has also secured industry certifications for Gemini for Workspace, including SOC 1/2/3, ISO 27001, and ISO 27001 compliance. Earlier this year, it also achieved HIPAA compliance.

A recent Google survey revealed that 75% of daily Gemini users on Workspace reported improved work quality and time savings of 105 minutes per week. Google Cloud CEO Thomas Kurian highlighted the significant adoption of Gemini among organizations, with over two million developers building with its AI platforms and a 36-fold increase in API usage. Many customers have successfully built AI agents and applications to boost productivity. “We are inspired by the ingenuity and speed with which our customers are embracing generative AI,” said Kurian. “We continue to partner with customers to help them deliver real business value.”

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Botim Launches ‘Send Now, Pay Later’ Service

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Astra Tech has introduced a first-of-its-kind service in the UAE: “Send Now, Pay Later” (SNPL) via its Botim Ultra App. This new service allows users to send money internationally with instant transfers, while deferring payments, making Botim the first fintech in the MENA region to offer such a solution—further solidifying its pioneering role in the region’s financial technology landscape.

SNPL builds on the rapid growth of Astra Tech’s fintech ecosystem, which has fueled exponential increases in transaction volumes quarter-on-quarter. Following the success of its expanded remittance services in 2023, Astra Tech is strategically positioning SNPL to capture a substantial share of the UAE’s multi-billion-dollar remittance market.

Designed to support the UAE’s large expatriate workforce, which constitutes a significant part of the country’s growing population, SNPL offers enhanced financial flexibility. Users can send money abroad and pay later in manageable instalments, providing much-needed relief during financially demanding periods, such as month-end.

Abdallah Abu Sheikh, Founder of Astra Tech and CEO of Botim, commented,k “The launch of ‘Send Now, Pay Later’ marks a pivotal moment for Botim and Astra Tech. By leveraging advanced credit infrastructure, we’re offering users a faster and more accessible way to send remittances. This service gives millions of users the flexibility to manage their financial obligations more effectively while continuing to support their families abroad.”

Introduced in 2022, Botim’s financial services, including international transfers and bill payments, are now enhanced with SNPL, removing the burden of upfront payments. In the first five months of 2023 alone, Dh6.74 trillion was processed in remittances from the UAE, which benefits economies like India, Egypt, and Pakistan. SNPL will further ease these transfers, reducing financial strain on the workforce.

The launch aligns with Astra Tech’s mission of expanding financial inclusion in the region. This follows their acquisition of a Finance Company License through Quantix, a financial service provider licensed by the Central Bank of the UAE. Quantix offers a range of credit solutions, including SNPL and Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL).

Ahead of the official rollout, Botim will introduce a pre-registration form for its 9 million users, inviting early adopters to benefit from instant remittance transfers and flexible payment terms.

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