App news roundup 26 November

Are you plans for your new business app for 2020 already forging ahead? We know that many brands are keen to elevate their presence in the New Year with a brand new business app. To help you really understand the app market and make the best decisions possible regarding your app development, branding and marketing, we’re rounding up a few of the latest industry news stories here for you from the last couple of weeks. This market insight is critical if you’re dipping your toe into the waters with a new app for your business so read to get a feel for what’s happening across the app industry this week…

App News – Facebook Policy Takes New Stance on Sexual Material in Advertising

Not long after the controversy surrounding Facebook’s arguably relaxed stance on political fact verification for political advertising on the platform, the social media network has released details of updates to its advertising policy relating to sexual material which will affect app users under the age of 18.

From next year, the platform will not allow advertising of a sexual or sexually alluding nature to be shown to under 18s. While the specific and finer details of how this will be enforced across both its app and desktop site is under some scrutiny, the platform promises that any sexual imagery, depictions of sex or overly suggestive sexual content will not be shown where the person’s profile indicates they are not of adult age.

Teenagers would be barred from viewing sexualised adverts, fictional depictions of sex and artistic portrayals of nudity or sexual acts regardless of how they are accessing Facebook, the Daily Mail reported on Monday quoting The Telegraph.

There are however no changes to the policies regarding sexual portrayal in advertising to adults and as such advertising to over 18s will not be affected by the changes. The social networking giant reportedly consulted 25 experts, including LGBT, diversity and free speech activists as well as child-safety campaigners, before considering the policy changes.

We’re sure many will be happy to hear of the policy changes, not least of all parents of active social media using teenagers. In the UK alone it is estimated that as many as 70,000+ under 13-year olds are using the platform despite the age restriction of 13. Given how easy it is to manipulate the system with a false DOB after downloading the app, which of course can be kept hidden from public view, it does make one wonder if child safety on social platforms still has a long way to go.

Taxi app banned in London

The ride hailing app Uber has had its London license revoked this week after failing to convince Transport for London (TfL) that it met required operational and safety standards. This is a huge blow for the app, as it means that it will no longer be able to operate in the capital.

TfL said in a statement, “Despite addressing some of these issues, TfL does not have confidence that similar issues will not reoccur in the future, which has led it to conclude that the company is not fit and proper at this time.” The ban is effective immediately, with Uber no longer permitted to take app bookings or fares in London from 11.59pm on 26 November.

If your business operates in the transport arena, this could be the incentive you need to get your own Uber alternative into development for the New Year.