TikTok to rank as the third largest social network

  • A new 2022 forecast has placed TikTok as the world’s third-largest social network, just behind Facebook and Instagram.
  • The forecast predicts that TikTok will reach 755.0 million monthly users in 2022.
  • This follows a growth of 59.8% in 2020 and 40.8% in 2021.
  • TikTok’s growth is reported to be “a clear reflection of the addictive nature of its content”.
  • For more information, check out our TikTok safety card.
  • Full story, here.

 

UK donates 225 million stolen passwords to hack-checking site

  • UK law enforcement has donated 225 million unique passwords to a cyber-security project helping to protect users from hacking.
  • The National Crime Agency (NCA) recovered the database from cyber-criminals who had collected real users’ email addresses and passwords.
  • This list has been added to free online service ‘Have I Been Pwned (HIBP)’ which allows anyone to search passwords to check if theirs has been stolen.
  • The NCA is now encouraging people to search for their own passwords on the website.
  • Full story, here.

 

Meta cracks down on phishing scams that use its trademarks

  • Meta is acting against individuals that impersonated Facebook, Messenger, WhatsApp, and Instagram for phishing scams.
  • Since 2019, over 39,000 websites were created to replicate Meta’s services, subsequently deceiving users and collecting their login information.
  • Users affected were redirected to a fake login page that resembled Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, or WhatsApp.
  • Username and password information was collected when users attempted to login.
  • Full story, here.

Scotland teachers’ union calls for delayed school return

  • Scottish teachers are calling for a delay in the re-opening of schools after the Christmas break.
  • This is due to the surge in Omicron cases and the possibility of new restrictions.
  • The Scottish Secondary Teachers Association (SSTA) report that schools are facing staffing issues in schools, from a result of the current self-isolation requirements.
  • Nicola Sturgeon is due to make a COVID-19 announcement today, with more restrictions or a lockdown looming.
  • This follows a new three-month high of recorded new virus infections.
  • Full story, here.

 

SNP ministers urged to redraw children’s rights plans

  • SNP Ministers have been criticised for a lack of urgency in redrawing plans to incorporate the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.
  • This is following the loss of a Supreme Court Case ruling that the Scottish Government Bill on children’s rights was outside Holyrood’s powers.
  • The Bill was referred to the Members of Scottish Parliament for reconsideration.
  • The Deputy First Minister reports that MSPs will “propose to effect incorporation to the fullest extent possible”.
  • Full story, here.