Daily Safeguarding Update

WhatsApp launches new disappearing messages option

WhatsApp is introducing a new disappearing messages option this month
The feature will allow WhatsApp users to send disappearing messages on chat conversations between friends, which will automatically delete after seven days
Anyone can enable the option in individual chats, and group admins will be able to enable disappearing messages in group chats
“We’re starting with 7 days because we think it offers peace of mind that conversations aren’t permanent while remaining practical so you don’t forget what you were chatting about,” said a WhatsApp spokesperson
“The shopping list or store address you received a few days ago will be there while you need it, and then disappear after you don’t.”
Whilst disappearing messages will also delete photos and videos after seven days, and messages will disappear for both parties devices, it’s still possible to take screenshots or just simply copy messages before they’re automatically deleted

Santa will be visiting children virtually this year, as grottos close and Christmas events are cancelled because of coronavirus
Businesses have switched from planning physical meetings to arranging video calls “to the North Pole” with Mr Claus
Socially distanced events have also been planned but those in England will have to wait until lockdown is lifted
And in the meantime, Santa will be available online
One children’s events company is hosting a virtual Santa experience through Facebook, rather than at its normal physical venue
Santa will interact with people on the video chat and children can also book to complete reindeer training, a virtual sleigh-ride or an elf-themed treasure hunt

Facebook and Twitter have deployed emergency measures to counter false claims of victory in the US Presidential elections on their social networks
The two tech platforms had announced their plans in the run-up to the election to counter misinformation about the vote, as well as premature claims of victory. Both companies mostly stuck to their plan
Facebook notably dropped the plan that “candidates” may falsely claim a win
It also ditched a previous policy that would have allowed candidates to claim state-level victories before they were called, despite barring the premature announcement of a national win
On Wednesday it started to flag posts from Donald Trump and affiliates claiming the president had won Pennsylvania and other battleground states, even as ballots continued to be counted and official results had yet to be announced

Chances were missed to help a teenage girl in the months before she was raped and murdered by a lodger at her home, a report found
Police and social services have both been criticised over the case of Lucy McHugh, 13, who was stabbed 27 times by Stephen Nicholson in Southampton
Concerns Lucy was being abused were not investigated, the report by Southampton Safeguarding Children Partnership said
The review said that before that, Lucy’s teachers had flagged concerns she had an older boyfriend who could be sexually exploiting her, but social workers considered the concerns had “no foundation” because they were given “assurances” by Lucy’s mother
Nicholson was jailed for life last year for Lucy’s murder in July 2018