Mediaboss Marketing

Recent news of Bitcoin going over $4,300 has a lot of people talking. Blockchain disruption has seen a major shift this year in the eyes of the mainstream, from a weird basement project to something that they literally can't take their hands (and wallets) off of. People from all walks of life are getting involved either in buying cryptocurrency or supporting various blockchain projects (Ethereum, NEO, Bitcoin, Siacoin, and others) aimed at disrupting old, centralized industries.

One of those industries or business models ripe and primed for disruption is social networks themselves. The same small number of players have been at it for over a decade now, with only a few exceptions. The power and control is centralized in just a few hands.

One of the issues, which most people don't realize, is that social networks essentially own all of your photos, content, and data when you post to them. You, the user, get nothing and these social networks continue to get bigger and bigger by riding off the backs of users giving away rights to their content. They are centralized in every way, literally decide what you will see and not see through their algorithms on your feed, and completely lack transparency. To me, this sounds like something ripe for disruption.

Social networks are currently the opposite of decentralized. They are controlled from the top down by large companies and their CEOs. And in almost all cases, in addition to giving away the rights to your data, they are also recording every single keystroke you make anywhere on their platforms.

Indorse, a new platform based on Ethereum, is creating a truly decentralized professional social network. On this platform, you own all your data and get paid directly for contributions. This solves the two major issues surrounding social networks:

First, nobody wants to create amazing content only to essentially sign away their rights to the social networks. You want to instead own all of your data, and actually get paid for it. Indorse empowers you and allows you to retain your rights instead of taking away those rights as a content creator.

Secondly, Indorse (who is currently running its ICO) physically pays you in tokens for helping them build the platform, rather than giving you nothing. On a side note, it's actually quite incredible that up until this point nobody has stopped and questioned the fact that the social networks make all this money and you, the user, literally do all the work. Instead of paying users for their content and traffic, they literally charge you to run ads to your own audience that you built. When you think about it in this regard, it's clear why this needs disruption.

Does this make sense? You build the business for them, they own all your rights and data, and they make all the money. Clearly not. Now that a company like Indorse is coming along, it solves these issues and puts the power back in the hands of the people. This is literally a picture-perfect business and industry primed for disruption through blockchain technology and the set of principles the community stands for.

On top of solving all of these major issues in the social-networking space, it will force some of the big players to adapt or die. The beauty of platforms like Indorse utilizing blockchain is that it forces change the same way Uber forced the taxi industry to change. At first, they tried to squash it and make it sound like some weird sci-fi alternate reality that was decades away, but then when it actually happened, they had to react or become obsolete.

Before getting involved in any cryptocurrency or ICO, you should do your own research. Nothing in this article should be considered investment advice.

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Blockchain Is Now Aiming to Disrupt Social Networks in a Major Way - Inc.com

(Updated with statements from Google and Gab.)

Gab, the conservative social network that has acted as a haven for people banned from the usual platforms, has been removed from the Google Play Store for violating the companys hate speech policy, the company announced on Twitter. Apple rejected it from the App Store in June for similar reasons.

That policy is pretty straightforward: We dont allow apps that advocate against groups of people based on their race or ethnic origin, religion, disability, gender, age, nationality, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity.

Its not clear what specifically Gab did that warranted its being kicked off the store, but presumably it would have to be at the level of the app itself, not just someone idly venting hatred on the service. After all, theres plenty of hate speech on Twitter and YouTube, but those apps are still available despite a crackdown this week following the events in Charlottesville. Perhaps its a question of volume.

In a statement, Google didnt get too specific, but indicated it was a lack of moderation:

In order to be on the Play Store, social networking apps need to demonstrate a sufficient level of moderation, including for content that encourages violence and advocates hate against groups of people. This is a long-standing rule and clearly stated in our developer policies. Developers always have the opportunity to appeal a suspension and may have their apps reinstated if theyve addressed the policy violations and are compliant with our Developer Program Policies.

This doesnt mean Google has blocked the app entirely it cant do that. You just cant download it from the Play Store any more. It should still function fine and users will be able to sideload it if they like, and Gabs Twitter account indicates theyre working on making that easy.

Gab is aimed at people interested in Western values, individual liberty, and the free exchange of ideas looking to avoid the special interests pushing a very specific agenda in tech. If that dog whistle isnt loud enough, the investment page lists readers of Breitbart, Drudge and Infowars as the target demographic.

It was founded by Andrew Torba, who in December was removed from Y Combinators alumni network (which he had joined after taking part in the program) for his behavior among the other founders there.

I asked Torba whether there had been any recent changes or warnings that might explain the ban. He wrote back:

No there have not been any major changes. We have had an app on the Play Store for months. This is targeted. We have been very consistent with promoting free and lawful expression and speech for everyone for over a year now. We have a diverse community (and also a diverse team that includes our Muslim Co-Founder and Indian CCO) of 225,000 people from around the world. What you should be writing about is Silicon Valleys war on free speech and individual liberty online. This is the beginning of the alt tech revolution.

Read more:
Alt-social network Gab booted from Google Play Store for hate speech - TechCrunch

The Office of the Court Administrator (OCAD) has advised judges and court personnel nationwide to be cautious when sharing their photographs and views on social networking sites.

OCA Circular No. 173 dated Aug. 17, 2017, was issued as it noted that some judges and court personnel have been active in various social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

It has been observed that some judges and court personnel have been taking active part in social networking sites by sharing personal photographs and updates, and posting their views and comments on certain issues and current events, the circular, which was signed by Court Administrator Jose Midas Marquez, stated.

Marquez said that while being active on social networking sites can be considered an exercise of freedom of expression, it may be considered inappropriate for members of the judiciary due to the higher standard of integrity, candor and fairness reposed on them.

Accordingly, in communicating and socializing through social networks, judges must bear in mind that what they communicateregardless of whether it is a personal matter or part of his or her judicial dutiescreates and contributes to the peoples opinion not just of the judge but of the entire judiciary of which he or she is a part, he added.

Marquez cited Section 6, Canon 4 of the New Code of Judicial Conduct, which provides that in the exercise of freedom of expression, judges and court personnel shall always conduct themselves in a manner as to preserve the dignity of the judicial office and the impartiality and independence of the judiciary.

All told, judges and court personnel who participate in social media are enjoined to be cautious and circumspect in posting photographs, liking posts and making comments in public on social networking sites, for public confidence in the judiciary (may be) eroded by their irresponsible or improper conduct,' the circular read.

Covered by the circular were judges and court personnel in the first and second level courts.

The first level courts include the Metropolitan Trial Courts, Municipal Trial Courts, Municipal Trial Courts in Cities, Municipal Circuit Trial Courts and Sharia Circuit Courts.

The second level courts are the Regional Trial Courts and Sharia District Courts. JPV

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SC admin orders judges, personnel to observe caution in posts to social media - Inquirer.net

To show appreciation for their customers, mobile telecommunications firm, MTC announced its latest Aweh campaign which will give subscribers an additional 50% data for social media use.

The campaign which started this week and will run until 13 September and will be available to all MTCs customers that subscribe to any of the Aweh bundles.

Tim Ekandjo, MTCs Chief Human Capital and Corporate Affairs officer said that the campaign attests to the companys appreciation of its customers, adding that the gesture is an appreciative act of the unwavering loyalty and patronage from its valued customers.

Given the ever-changing and increasing social media features being rolled-out on a daily, data use has become a daily exercise, and it is against this background that MTC decided, through the Aweh campaign to give its loyal subscribers 50% extra data specifically for social media usage.

The offer is valid for all Aweh products, including those sold by MTC Dealers as well as those that are available via the vending units and Customers will not be required to make any additional payment, MTCs Product Solutions Manager, Andre De Jager said.

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MTC spoils customers with extra data for social networking - Namibia Economist

BE careful. With the rise of social media, the Office of the Court Administrator (OCA) has called on trial judges and court employees to exercise prudence in posting photographs, liking posts and making comments in social networking sites.

In a circular dated August 17, 2017, Court Administrator Jose Midas Marquez said much is expected of members of the judiciary and other court employees due to the higher standard of integrity, candor, and fairness reposed on them.

As the visible personification of law and justice, judges and court employees have a higher standard of conduct. The standard of conduct expected from members of judiciary is much higher than an ordinary man, he said.

Thus, judges and court personnel are reminded to conduct themselves in a way that would not call into question the dignity of the judiciary. Judges and court personnel must be above suspicion, he added.

Copies of the circular were sent by the OCA to all first and second level trial courts nationwide. The circular was issued after OCA observed that some judges and court personnel have been active in social networking sites by sharing personal photographs and updates as well as posting their views and comments on certain issues and current events.

While judges and court employees are not prohibited from engaging in social media, they are reminded that when they do, they do not thereby shed off their status as members of the judiciary, Marquez said.

He said using of social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram is an exercise of freedom of expression, but there are restrictions upon a judges conduct inherent in the judicial office.

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Judges, court workers told: Exercise prudence in using social media - Inquirer.net