Instagram is launching creator subscriptions in Australia, Canada, the UK, and more

Today, Meta has announced the rollout of Instagram subscriptions to eligible creators in several countries, including Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Spain, and the United Kingdom. Following its successful launch in the United States in January 2022, Instagram subscriptions will soon offer creators across the globe the opportunity to provide exclusive paid access to their followers.

This innovative feature enables creators to offer a variety of exclusive content, such as posts, Live videos, Stories, reels, and highlights, to their subscribers. In addition, subscribers receive a special badge that distinguishes them in the comments section and creators’ inboxes, fostering a sense of community and appreciation.

To qualify for Instagram subscriptions, creators must be at least 18 years old and have a follower count exceeding 10,000. They can then set their desired monthly price for the exclusive content, choosing from eight available price points. The prices range from $0.99 per month to a maximum of $99.99 per month, empowering creators to determine the value of their content based on their fan base’s support.

Meta’s goal with subscriptions is to provide creators with a consistent source of monthly income, driven by the loyalty and support of their most dedicated fans. As the rollout continues, Meta plans to expand access to Instagram subscriptions worldwide in the coming months, offering even more creators the opportunity to monetize their content.

In a blog post, Meta emphasized its commitment to developing tools that enable creators to earn revenue, promising more updates in the future. The company initially launched subscriptions on Facebook in 2020 before extending the offering to Instagram, allowing Pages in various countries to offer subscriptions as well.

Instagram joins the ranks of other social media platforms embracing the concept of paid exclusive content. TikTok’s “Series” feature, introduced earlier this year, permits eligible creators to post premium content behind a paywall, while Twitter also provides a subscription feature enabling users to access exclusive tweets from their favorite creators.

The expansion of Instagram subscriptions marks another significant step in empowering creators and fostering mutually beneficial connections between creators and their devoted audiences.

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Social Tech

TikTok Denies Reports of Potential US Sale to Elon Musk

by George Mensah 2025-01-19

TikTok has categorically denied reports suggesting that its U.S. operations might be sold to billionaire Elon Musk.

This statement came in response to a Bloomberg report claiming that Chinese officials were considering selling TikTok’s U.S. business to Musk if their efforts to overturn an impending ban in the Supreme Court failed.

“We can’t be expected to comment on pure fiction,” a TikTok spokesperson told Variety.

TikTok’s Legal Battle Over U.S. Ban

The platform is currently awaiting a Supreme Court ruling on whether the ban violates the First Amendment. On January 10, justices heard arguments, with initial indications suggesting they might uphold the ban. The restriction is set to take effect on January 19.

The ban stems from legislation signed by President Joe Biden in April 2024, allowing the government to block foreign-owned apps viewed as potential threats to national security. TikTok faces a January 19 deadline to divest its U.S. operations or risk removal from app stores across the country. Instead of complying, TikTok has chosen to challenge the law in court.

Reports of Contingency Plans

According to Bloomberg, Chinese officials are reportedly exploring alternative options, including the possibility of selling TikTok’s U.S. branch. One scenario mentioned involves Musk’s company, X (formerly Twitter), taking over TikTok’s U.S. operations in collaboration with ByteDance, the app’s Chinese parent company.

This speculation has drawn attention due to Musk’s perceived alignment with President-elect Donald Trump. Trump recently requested the Supreme Court delay the ban, stating his intention to address the issue diplomatically after taking office.

Broader Context and Implications

The situation highlights the ongoing tension between the U.S. and China over issues such as data security and technological influence. While TikTok has consistently denied accusations of data misuse or ties to the Chinese government, the app has become a flashpoint in broader geopolitical conflicts.

A potential sale to Musk could significantly reshape TikTok’s U.S. operations, aligning them with the vision of an entrepreneur already transforming social media under his leadership. However, TikTok’s outright dismissal of such claims indicates its commitment to maintaining its independence and fighting the ban through legal channels.

As the Supreme Court decision looms, the future of TikTok in the U.S. hangs in the balance, with far-reaching implications for its American user base and the global tech ecosystem.

Social Tech

Why changes to the block on Elon Musk’s X are driving users away

by George Mensah 2024-10-19

Elon Musk’s platform X is preparing to overhaul its block function, breaking away from traditional social media practices. Under the new policy, blocked users will still be able to view the posts of the person who blocked them, as long as the posts are public. However, they will be restricted from liking, reposting, or replying to these posts.

Musk has previously voiced his opinion on the issue, stating, “Blocking public posts makes no sense. It needs to be replaced by a stronger mute function.” Jack Dorsey, former Twitter co-founder and CEO, also supports this approach.

Elon Musk’s X are driving users away

While Musk and Dorsey argue that blocking public posts is redundant—since anyone can access them by simply logging out—others, like Tracy Chou, founder of the anti-harassment tool Block Party, believe the block function provides an essential layer of protection. Chou stated on X, “The friction matters! Making it easier for people to engage in harmful behavior isn’t a good thing.”

In response to the proposed changes, many X users are exploring alternatives, leading to a significant rise in activity on platforms like Bluesky. Over a two-day span, Bluesky saw 1.2 million new users and climbed to the second spot in the U.S. App Store’s Social Networking category, a dramatic jump from its previous ranking of 181.

Though user spikes don’t always translate into sustained engagement, this policy shift could have more lasting effects compared to X’s previous changes, such as its rebranding from Twitter. The adjustment focuses on the rights of blocked users, potentially putting those who rely on blocking for protection at greater risk.

X’s engineering team defended the update, stating, “Currently, block can be used to hide harmful or private information. With this change, users will gain more transparency and visibility into these behaviors.”

As X continues to evolve under Musk’s leadership, these changes may lead to a shift in user behavior, with more people seeking alternatives, potentially reshaping the social media landscape.

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