Tech This Week: Pinterest Promotes Body Positivity, Nintendo Reveals New Switch Model

Welcome to another super-busy week in the competitive tech world. We're officially in the second half of the year and the start of Q3, so tech companies are ramping up efforts to close the second quarter with more surprising features.

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We dug into the world of tech to give you the short gist of all the tech news highlights you missed last week. Let’s Goooo 🏁

Instagram Mulls Launching Paid Following Option

Facebook’s Instagram is developing a Twitter-like Super Follow feature that allows users to post paid ‘Exclusive Stories’, according to Mobile Developer and Leaker Alessandro Paluzzi:

Pinterest Bars Weight Loss Ads

As the summer season kicks off, Image sharing app, Pinterest, updated ad policy to embrace body positivity between Pinners by banning all weight loss language and imagery based on advice of National Eating Disorders Association NEDA: 

According to Pinterest, the policy specifically prohibits ads that advertise:

- Weight loss or appetite suppressant pills, supplements, or other products

- Before-and-after weight-loss imagery.

- Weight loss procedures like liposuction or fat burning.

- Body shaming, such as imagery or language that mocks or discredits certain body types or appearances; and

However, the app declared that ads promoting healthy habits or fitness services and products are an exception and will still be allowed. Pinterest explains in a blog post: ‘According to the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA), there’s been a steep rise in unhealthy eating habits and eating disorders in young people since the COVID-19 pandemic started last year 1,2. Many are now feeling added pressure as they look to rejoin their social circles in person for the first time in 15 months’.

Norway Forces Influencers to Label Their Retouched Photos

Last week. the Norwegian Ministry of Children and Family Affairs amended the Marketing Act 2009. The new change states that advertisements involving the act of altering someone’s body or skin tone, as well as adding a filter, will have to be labeled with the Ministry’s standardized label. Those who fail to comply will face heavy fines and possible jail time.

TikTok Introduces Longer Videos

In a recent update, TikTok is extending video time allowing users to create up to three minutes long videos. This will allow TikTokers to elaborate more in making their beauty tutorials, educational lesson plans, cooking videos and comedic sketches, according to the release.

Instagram Creates ‘Black-Owned’ Label

Instagram is taking another step to support diversity in e-commerce by rolling out a new feature that designates US-based Black-owned brands using a badge that appears on their profiles and products. 

^{Courtesy of Instagram}

This feature is expected to make Black-owned businesses more discoverable and visible to shoppers.

To highlight these brands, the photo-focused app has teamed up with @blackownedeverything, @ghettogastro, @alexandrawinbush, and @browniepointsforyou.

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Nintendo Announces New Nintendo Switch OLED: No 4k Resolution

After years of rumors and speculation, Nintendo has finally lifted the lid on its revised and upgraded Switch system. Introducing the Nintendo Switch OLED Model, launching on October 8th (the same day as Metroid Dread).