"Mr Branding" is a blog based on RSS for everything related to website branding and website design, it collects its posts from many sites in order to facilitate the updating to the latest technology.
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Thursday, July 10, 2025
Instagram Users Face Account Bans Over False Child Safety Flags
These bans, according to firsthand reports compiled by BBC News, are happening without warning, explanation, or any clear path to appeal. The platform, owned by Meta, appears to be relying heavily on automated systems. And when those systems misfire, people’s digital lives vanish, sometimes for weeks.
One user, a man based in Aberdeen, lost access not only to Instagram, but to Facebook and Messenger as well. Ten years of memories, wiped out. He says he appealed immediately, but heard nothing. His account only came back after the BBC contacted Meta on his behalf.
Another user, a young creative in London, was building a small but growing career off his Instagram work. One day it’s there, the next it’s gone. They described the experience as isolating and emotionally draining, not just because of the lost content, but because of the weight of the accusation. These bans relate to policies around child sexual exploitation. Getting caught in that net, even by mistake, can feel like being labeled without trial.
Meta hasn’t said much. In fact, they declined to comment when asked about these cases. But in South Korea, one official claimed that Meta did acknowledge wrongful bans could be happening. That’s a rare admission from a company usually guarded when it comes to moderation issues.
It’s hard to know what exactly is going wrong. Researchers think it might have something to do with recent tweaks to Meta’s guidelines. Or maybe the AI just isn’t smart enough to understand context. Whatever the cause, it’s clear that mistakes are being made, and ordinary users are paying the price.
The thing is, these systems weren’t supposed to work like this. Meta says it uses a mix of human and machine review. When a violation is flagged (real or not) they claim it gets reported to a child safety center in the U.S. From there, law enforcement can get involved.
But if the AI flags the wrong person, and the appeal system is just a black hole, how would anyone even clear their name? That’s where the fear comes in. The bans aren’t just temporary inconveniences — they’re reputational landmines.
In Islamic ethics, there’s a clear warning against suspicion without evidence. You don’t accuse without proof. Justice, in that framework, requires process and mercy, not automation and silence.
The Bigger Problem in the Industry
What’s happening at Instagram isn’t isolated. Other platforms are going the same route, using algorithms to spot rule-breakers at scale. TikTok, YouTube, even X (what used to be Twitter) are leaning into automation. It’s faster, sure. But it’s also riskier.
False positives are becoming more common. People are getting flagged for jokes, drawings, even misunderstood posts. And when it happens, there’s often no person on the other side, just forms, auto-replies, and the sinking feeling that no one’s really listening.
That’s the cost of scale. These platforms are too big for their own moderation teams. So they let machines take the wheel. And when those machines get it wrong, it can take media pressure, not just a simple appeal, to fix the damage.
The digital world is moving fast. But that doesn’t excuse what feels like procedural neglect. Safety matters, absolutely. But so does fairness. And the more these systems decide what’s right or wrong on their own, the more people fall through the cracks.
Maybe it’s time these platforms remembered they’re dealing with human beings, not just data points.
Notes: This post was edited/created using GenAI tools. Image: DIW-Aigen.
Read next: YouTube Tightens Monetization Rules as AI Spam Floods the Platform
by Irfan Ahmad via Digital Information World
Bitchat’s Big Claims Meet Harsh Reality After Early Security Flaws Surface
Bitchat was pitched as something different, decentralized, encrypted, and outside the reach of traditional servers. Its white paper made it clear: this app was supposed to put security first. But it didn’t take long for cracks to show.
Within days, a warning appeared on Bitchat’s GitHub page. It stated plainly that the app hadn’t gone through outside security review, and users were urged not to depend on it yet. That notice wasn’t there when the app first dropped, which raised a few eyebrows. By midweek, the listing also carried a quiet note: “Work in progress.”
Then things took another turn. A security researcher, Alex Radocea, dug into the code and found a major issue. According to him, someone could pose as a trusted contact inside the app, tricking people into believing they were talking to someone familiar. He documented how the app’s verification feature, meant to confirm identities between users, could be manipulated. He posted his concerns publicly.
- Also read: Researchers Warn: This Android Animation Glitch Lets Apps Spy, Snap, and Steal... Undetected
More developers chimed in. One said the app’s claim of supporting “forward secrecy” might not hold up. That’s a cryptographic technique meant to keep old messages safe even if someone manages to steal a key later. Another person pointed out a potential buffer overflow problem, a type of bug that could allow someone to push past memory boundaries and access data they shouldn’t.
Radocea didn’t mince words. He warned that apps like this shouldn’t be treated as secure just because the branding says so. In situations where privacy can mean the difference between safety and danger, a false sense of security might do more harm than good.
For now, Bitchat is still available as an open-source project. It’s live, editable, and clearly unfinished. No official response has come from Dorsey himself, and the app continues to carry its caution label.
The idea behind Bitchat might be promising. But as things stand, the execution needs more work, and a lot more eyes on the code, before anyone should bet their safety on it.
Note: This post was edited/created using GenAI tools.
Read next: Brands Face Generational Shift as Consumers Demand Personalized Content, Prefer Short-Form Videos and Emojis
by Irfan Ahmad via Digital Information World
Wednesday, July 9, 2025
Brands Face Generational Shift as Consumers Demand Personalized Content, Prefer Short-Form Videos and Emojis
Consumers today engage with brands through a wider range of mediums than ever previously available. As channels diversify, consumers set new expectations for how brands should be communicating with them.
The challenge for marketers today? Transforming fragmented, often outdated, campaign content into deeply personalized experiences that will capture attention, yield tangible results, and develop loyalty.
A new study from Adobe for Business, which surveyed over 1,000 American consumers, has revealed what consumer expectations look like for content personalization today, providing key insights for performance marketers to enhance campaign optimization.
Understanding consumer content preferences - format and frequency
Knowing how and when to engage with your consumer audience with brand content is the key to resonating, and the survey confirmed that consumers have clear preferences regarding format and frequency.
All in all, consumers surveyed noted that their ideal preference for the frequency of brand touchpoints is twice a week; however, this varies by channel. If you’re planning new campaign content activations via social media or SMS, consumers are looking for new content three times a week. Consumer preferences differ for email, where consumers surveyed want to see new content twice a week. To avoid content fatigue within your target audience, it’s crucial to have clarity on consumer preferences and channel-specific frequency of content to maintain consistent engagement.
Consumers also want brands to deliver engaging visual content, according to the study. Short-form videos were the top format preference amongst 42% of surveyed consumers. This is followed by long-form videos (40%) and interactive content (37%) suggesting that a balanced approach to video content is often beneficial. Catering to both quick consumption and deeper engagement.
Content and platform preferences vary by demographic, with each generation favoring different content types. While older demographics surveyed, such as Baby Boomers (50%) and Gen X (54%), primarily interact with brands on Facebook, younger Americans, categorized as Millennials (63%) and Gen Z (66%), gravitate toward YouTube.
The differences don’t end there. Gen Z exhibits strong social media engagement on Instagram (65%) and TikTok (57%), with Millennials also showing a preference for Instagram (59%). Despite their preference for brand content interactions via Facebook, older-generation respondents are craving long-form video content. All other generations prefer to opt for short-form video; Gen Z respondents show a 174% greater appetite for short-form content compared to Baby Boomers.
These insights remind marketers to consider not only content format and frequency preferences but also the interactivity preferences of their target audience, specifically within generation segments. Understanding these distinct generational preferences highlights the need for varied content output and delivery strategies.
How to capture attention with personalization consumers want
In combination with insights into which channels and how often consumers want to be engaged, it’s essential to understand personalization method preferences within campaign content to not only foster brand resonance but also ensure brand compliance and support in driving conversions.
The study provides actionable insights for performance marketers into the campaign copy, visual elements, language use, and emojis that are gaining attention and driving action.
Consumers respond to branded content that uses value- and benefits-focused language such as “free shipping” and “save big” which drive them to visit a brand's website the most (74%). Demonstrating scarcity and urgency also elevates the likelihood of site visits with language such as “limited-time offer” or “exclusive deal”, influencing 45% of surveyed respondents.
Marketers should continue to use social proof, as it's a powerful motivator in capturing attention. Phrases such as "bestseller" and "#1 rated" attract 40% of the consumers surveyed. Gen Z respondents surveyed are most effectively impacted by social proof, according to the study (47%).
It’s not just buzzword use that catches consumer attention. The study also found that color plays a crucial role in campaign content, with 54% of consumers choosing blue as their top preference. The top color choice is blue, followed by red (44%) and gold (37%).
Don’t downplay the strategic use of emojis either, as 62% of consumers surveyed agreed that emoji usage would encourage them to visit a brand’s site. The top emojis that draw consumers to your brand's site are 🎁 (29%), 🔥 (25%), and 💰 (20%). Gen Z respondents, in particular, are the most engaged with emoji usage compared to all other generations, with 🔥 (28%), ✨ (27%), and ❤️ (26%) being their top choices. These findings highlight the true function of emojis as a distinct language for the younger digitally native generation.
There continues to be considerable promise in using contemporary slang in campaign copy as well. The study revealed that 43% of all consumers and 55% of Gen Z respondents surveyed report that it could drive them to convert. Overall, respondents identified the top three slang phrases to include as “Vibe” (33%), “Legit” (29%), and “IYKYK” (25%).
Gen Z respondents slightly differ, reporting that “It’s giving…” was found to be the most effective slang term for targeting them (31%). Over one in five Gen Z respondents stated that the use of “slay” will pique their interest and boost conversions. The varying personalization preferences uncovered in the study confirm the importance of campaign strategies that are flexible and allow for dynamic content variation.
The key to building consumer trust and pitfalls to avoid
Even well-personalized campaigns can result in a loss of consumer trust if consumers feel like they’re not being listened to in the content of the campaigns.
The Adobe for Business research revealed the trust signals that consumers most highly value, leading them toward a favorable purchase decision. Consumers identified customer reviews and testimonials as the top trust signal, confirming the benefits of leveraging user-generated content. Easy returns policies, visible security badges, and clear contact information followed this top trust signal.
While social proof, such as the number of followers a brand has ranked lower overall, it still boosts brand trust for purchase decisions among Gen Z and Millennial respondents, 10% more than it does for older generations. On the other hand, older generation consumers surveyed noted that their brand trust could be gained by ensuring contact information is readily available, 16% more so than among younger Gen Z and Millennial respondents.
While we know the tactics that encourage brand trust that lead to purchase decisions, what signals deter consumers? The most significant purchase barrier, according to the study, is the presence of misleading claims and aggressive sales tactics, both of which are cited by 71% of respondents. The top two reasons for avoiding brand purchases were followed by hard-to-find information on the brand website (63%), poor website design and user experience (62%), and a lack of transparency (61%).
This is strong confirmation for marketers that it’s crucial to avoid these brand purchase barriers that can not only severely erode trust but also negatively impact campaign performance across channels. Achieving content variation at scale is essential for engaging with the audience authentically and building brand touchpoints that resonate.
The key to meeting the demands of modern consumers today is delivering high-quality, personalized content that creates relevant, engaging experiences. To enable and empower marketing teams to reach these consumer goals, workflows need to be assessed and optimized, allowing for strategic automation to be deployed and supporting resources at their fingertips.
Refreshing workflows not only clears the path for more deeply personalized customer experiences but also enhances brand loyalty while freeing up time within creative teams for them to focus on the work that will create the most impact.
To deliver exceptional content, teams must assess and optimize their workflows to be able to craft personalized, relevant, and engaging experiences at scale that modern consumers expect. Workflow optimization empowers teams with the right resources, and by strategically implementing automation, brands can effectively meet the evolving expectations of their customers.
This approach frees up time within creative teams for them to be truly creative while enhancing brand loyalty by clearing the path for more deeply personalized customer experiences. The path forward involves reimagining marketing strategies to build stronger brand loyalty and deliver unparalleled customer experiences.
Read next: Researchers Warn: This Android Animation Glitch Lets Apps Spy, Snap, and Steal... Undetected
by Irfan Ahmad via Digital Information World
Can Tech Leaders Say Anything Anymore? A Sequoia Partner’s Post Just Reignited the Debate
Comments Spark Petition Across the Industry
Maguire made the remarks on X after The New York Times reported Mamdani's college application included both “Asian” and “Black or African American” checkboxes. In his posts, Maguire accused Mamdani of dishonesty, tying it to what he called a broader ideological agenda. That message didn’t sit well with much of the tech community.In response, hundreds of founders, investors, and tech workers signed an open letter demanding accountability. They’ve asked Sequoia to investigate Maguire, issue a public apology, and set up a formal process for reporting discrimination. The petition also pushes for a zero-tolerance policy on hate speech. Organizers have given the firm until July 14 to respond.
Some of the signatories claimed ties to major tech firms including Microsoft, Apple, and Google. A few names raised eyebrows for being unverified or potentially fake, but others, leaders of startups backed by Sequoia-related funds, confirmed their support through other channels.
Maguire Stands His Ground
Maguire hasn’t backed away from the controversy. Instead, he’s posted several times defending his original statement, insisting that his views were rooted in politics, not religion or race. In a follow-up video, he clarified that he meant “Islamist” in a political sense and not as a slur against Muslims. He also extended an apology to those who may have misunderstood his message, though his tone in later posts became increasingly defiant.His critics, he claimed, were trying to silence him for his views. He described them as politically motivated and labeled many as aligned with left-leaning causes. Supporters, including other figures in the venture capital world, have rallied behind him as well, circulating letters of their own in defense.
A Long History of Political Commentary
This isn’t Maguire’s first online clash. In recent years, he’s become known as one of Silicon Valley’s more openly conservative voices. He regularly uses X to comment on politics, criticize diversity programs, and question left-leaning narratives. He has described his shift toward right-wing politics as a personal evolution, sparked partly by foreign policy disagreements and cultural debates.His financial support reflects that shift. Last year, Maguire donated about $800,000 to Republican campaigns and causes, including a large contribution to Donald Trump’s reelection efforts. He also contributed to a political action committee founded by Elon Musk.
From High School Dropout to Silicon Valley Investor
Maguire didn’t take the usual route into venture capital. He dropped out of high school with a 1.8 GPA and later earned a GED. He attended community college, then transferred to the University of Southern California, where his interest in math took hold.After completing graduate studies at Stanford and Caltech, including a PhD in physics, he worked with DARPA in Afghanistan and later launched a cybersecurity startup, Expanse. That company was eventually acquired for about $800 million. He later joined Google Ventures and then moved to Sequoia in 2019.
At Sequoia, Maguire led or co-led investments in AI and infrastructure startups, including ventures linked to Elon Musk such as The Boring Company, xAI, and SpaceX. He’s also focused on supply chain reshoring through technologies like drones and silicon photonics, aligning with broader national priorities pushed by Trump.
Fallout Reaches Sequoia’s Doorstep
The comments targeting Mamdani have pushed Maguire further into the spotlight, and not in a way Sequoia may welcome. Critics say his behavior is damaging the firm’s reputation and undermining trust among global founders. With a public response from the firm still missing, many are watching to see how it handles internal accountability for one of its high-profile partners.Mamdani has not issued a statement on Maguire’s comments. His campaign platform focuses on affordable housing, childcare access, and wage reform. Despite previous accusations of anti-Israel sentiment from critics, he has denied endorsing hate speech or promoting religious agendas.
The public pressure campaign around Maguire’s comments continues to grow. What started as a post on a social platform may now test how venture capital firms respond when one of their own goes too far for comfort.
Notes: This post was edited/created using GenAI tools. Image: DIW-Aigen.
Read next: More Americans Are Turning to AI for Tax Filing Help
by Irfan Ahmad via Digital Information World
More Americans Are Turning to AI for Tax Filing Help
According to SesnorTower data, in April, 16% of ChatGPT activity involved tax-related questions. That figure rose four points from the same period last year. The increase suggests more users are willing to bring AI into personal financial tasks.
TurboTax users showed a stronger connection. About 36% of them also used ChatGPT in April. In 2024, that number was 13%. Engagement also ran higher. These users averaged more sessions and spent more time on the platform than others.
- Also read: AI Now Influencing Promotions, Raises, and Firings Across U.S. Workplaces With Minimal Oversight
For software companies, the trend suggests a chance to adapt. TurboTax and similar platforms could use AI to support users directly within their services.
Use of AI for financial tasks is becoming more common. If growth continues, next year’s tax season may bring even higher numbers.
Note: This post was edited/created using GenAI tools.
Read next: Digital Platforms Where Users Are Confused by Text Abbreviations the Most
by Irfan Ahmad via Digital Information World
Tuesday, July 8, 2025
Digital Platforms Where Users Are Confused by Text Abbreviations the Most
If you scratch your head when seeing EMBM (early morning business meeting), you’re not alone. Texting has completely changed how we communicate. We’ve gone from using full sentences to adding emojis, dropping punctuation, and replacing common phrases with an alphabet soup of acronyms.
Although we’ve incorporated some popular text acronyms into our everyday language, like LOL or YOLO, other abbreviations have become a bit more far-fetched, like 4AO, which means “for adults only.” Sure, text abbreviations might help save our thumbs, but some of these shortcuts have gone from simple phrases to unrecognizable clumps of letters that come at the cost of understanding.
Preply, an online language learning app that connects experienced tutors to learners worldwide, conducted a study to see which abbreviations are most confusing in Reddit threads, TikTok comments, and other digital media. So if you routinely think confusing text abbreviations are NAGI (not a good idea), read on to learn about the ones most Americans hate.
Platforms with the Most Complicated Acronyms
If you hop on Reddit, you’ll end up finding the most complicated acronyms, as 1 in 4 users are unsure about what those acronyms mean. Phrases like TLDR and NSFW are quite common on this platform, but not every Redditor will understand every acronym that gets used. Then when you dive into subreddits, the confusion can be so unclear that some users even go to Google to figure out what those text abbreviations mean.
X, also known as Twitter, houses the second most confusing text abbreviations, which isn’t too surprising since you’re limited to 280 characters per post. To fit thoughts into one post, you might employ a flurry of complicated acronyms, but doing so leaves 1 in 5 users saying they’re routinely confused. When you’re dealing with character limits, some people give up on clarity to avoid running out of space.
Aside from Reddit and X, the top 5 digital platforms with the most complicated acronyms are TikTok, online forums in general, and Instagram. Using acronyms certainly saves time and characters, especially if you face a limit on how much you can post, but it can take a toll on those you’re trying to reach. Communicating quickly online with text abbreviations isn’t always the most effective when it comes to making connections. It can leave users confused and frustrated, and if they don’t understand your content, they might hit that unfollow button.
Text Acronyms Americans Hate
Whether you use text abbreviations or not, some acronyms get used so often that they become a regular feature across platforms and even generations. But most Americans can agree that some abbreviations are so annoying, they refuse to even use them.
The most annoying acronym for Americans is LMAO, or laughing my a** off. While 31% of Americans say they find LMAO annoying, it’s also the third most common abbreviation to be understood. The second most annoying abbreviation is GRATZ, or congratulations, while the third most annoying abbreviation is IANAL, or I am not a lawyer. Plenty of people might do a double-take when faced with a text featuring IANAL. So, if you tend to use text abbreviations, you’re better off being selective about the ones you include.
While some of these abbreviations might be annoying, others are downright confusing. The text acronym Americans understand the least is EMBM, or early morning business meeting, with only 3.79% of Americans saying they understand it. The top 5 most confusing abbreviations also include AYOR (at your own risk), RLRT (real-life retweet), WTPA (where the party at?), and KPC (keeping parents clueless).
Interestingly enough, three other text abbreviations that Americans also understand the least are acronyms about evading the attention or understanding of parents. These include PITR (parent in the room), POMS (parent over my shoulder), and PAW (parents are watching). These three may be functioning exactly as intended.
Some text abbreviations are generally recognized, like LOL. Other abbreviations are far too long and confusing for most people to understand. Before you use an abbreviation, it might be best to think about who you’re communicating with to see if they will be able to understand your meaning.
Generational Abbreviation Trends
As the ones who grew up surrounded by technology like smartphones and tablets, you might expect Gen Z to be the generation that understands text acronyms the most. But it was millennials in this study who picked up on what each acronym meant the best. Growing up in the times of Y2K, it makes sense for millennials to be the most savvy about text abbreviations.
While Gen Z may not understand text acronyms the best, they certainly understand when to use those abbreviations and when to avoid them. Around 53% of Gen Zers surveyed had answered outright "no" to allowing text abbreviations in a work setting. The last thing employers would like to see in professional emails is the use of LOL, and Gen Z realizes that the use of text acronyms may not be a good idea “WH”(during work hours).
Those in older generations tend to have more of a problem with the use of text abbreviations. Around 23% of Gen Xers find text acronyms annoying and were the most annoyed by the use of LOL. According to the survey, 0% of Baby Boomers said they feel "very confident" in understanding Internet slang or abbreviations. What you might see as a way to streamline communication might be an entirely new language for someone else.
Text abbreviations can certainly be a fun timesaver to use. Not only do they allow you to text faster and use fewer characters, but they can also help punctuate emotions. While digital language may have evolved along with technology, it’s important to remember that not every person has changed along with it.
If the person you’re texting doesn’t understand the acronyms you’re using, you might waste time by trying to explain it to them. Some people could struggle with RBTL (reading between the lines) when it comes to these confusing clumps of letters, and you don’t want people to have to Google what you mean. So, the next time you’re communicating with someone online or in text, remember some language might not translate the way you’ve intended.
Read next: New Research Shows Language Choice Alone Can Guide AI Output Toward Eastern or Western Cultural Outlooks
by Irfan Ahmad via Digital Information World
Jack Dorsey Builds Offline Messaging App That Uses Bluetooth Instead of the Internet
The app works through Bluetooth, bouncing messages from one device to another. You don’t need a data plan or even a Wi-Fi signal. If someone else nearby has the app open, messages pass along through them. That chain can stretch across multiple people, giving the network a longer reach than regular Bluetooth. In good conditions, it can hit around 300 meters.
You won’t find usernames, chat backups, or inboxes from three weeks ago. Conversations are short-lived. Everything gets encrypted and stays local, then disappears. That’s the whole idea, skip the servers, skip the tracking.
It’s not the first app to take that route, as Bridgefy tried something similar years back. Protesters in Hong Kong used it to communicate when mobile networks were unreliable or cut off. Bitchat runs on a related principle, but it's built from scratch and follows Dorsey’s own design preferences.
The beta launched on Apple’s TestFlight, and the initial batch of testers filled up fast. Ten thousand slots went live, and then they were gone. Dorsey also posted a white paper online, calling the whole thing a personal experiment. The project explores Bluetooth-based networking along with message relays, encryption methods, and data transfer without any central control.
The app already supports small group chats. You can create rooms, tag them with hashtags, and add password protection if you want to keep things limited. Down the line, Dorsey and his team plans to add WiFi Direct support. That would mean faster delivery and longer range, all while keeping things offline.
Compared to WhatsApp or Messenger, Bitchat barely resembles what most people think of as a messaging app. There are no profiles, no syncing, no cloud. It’s just one phone talking to another, quietly and directly.
Whether it catches on or stays a side project, Bitchat fits right in with Dorsey’s push toward simpler, user-controlled tech. No announcements, no fanfare, just a new tool passed hand to hand.
Note: This post was edited/created using GenAI tools.
Read next: Chatbots Are Pointing Millions Of Users to the Wrong Sites and Scammers Are Cashing In
by Irfan Ahmad via Digital Information World











