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Category: General

Retail News Asia is committed to providing both local and global retailers with the latest General Retail news throughout the Asian market. This on a daily base.

  • Microsoft’s Copilot AI chatbot arrives on Telegram

    Microsoft’s Copilot AI chatbot arrives on Telegram

    Microsoft’s popular AI chatbot, Copilot, is making an impact in the tech world once again by expanding its reach to the messaging app Telegram. This strategic move allows users to integrate AI interactions into their daily conversations seamlessly. Telegram, known for its privacy-centric approach, now hosts the official Copilot bot, complete with a verification checkmark and the username @CopilotOfficialBot

    Accessing Copilot on Telegram is straightforward, requiring users to search for the bot and share their Telegram phone number with Microsoft. This step, while necessary for functionality, might raise some eyebrows among Telegram users who value the app’s strong emphasis on privacy.

    While Copilot for Telegram mirrors many features of its counterparts, it does come with certain constraints. Unlike some other AI chatbots, it currently focuses on text-based interactions and does not support image generation. However, its capabilities are far from limited. Microsoft highlights Copilot’s ability to perform internet searches, provide movie recommendations, generate workout routines, assist with coding tasks, translate conversations, and offer quick facts.

    Users should note that there is a daily limit of 30 conversational turns, which means the user and Copilot can only exchange 30 messages back and forth within a 24-hour period. This limitation aims to manage resource allocation while ensuring fair access for all users.

    This expansion into Telegram aligns with Microsoft’s overall strategy to integrate Copilot into various products and services. The company has already introduced Copilot for business applications, PCs with built-in Copilot functionality, Copilot for Microsoft 365, and a premium version offering access to cutting-edge AI models for a monthly subscription according to Microsoft is not alone in its efforts to bring AI chatbots to messaging platforms. Other companies, such as Meta and Google, have also integrated their AI models into their respective messaging apps. This trend points to AI’s growing importance in shaping how people communicate and access information in the digital age. It will be interesting to see how this move impacts the adoption and evolution of AI chatbots in the future.

  • Google Messages tests new look for app bar

    Google Messages tests new look for app bar

    Google Messages is currently testing a “flat” design tweak to the app bar at the moment. This test comes after the single-line text field is now widely rolling out.

    The app bar consists of the four-color “G” and Messages logo, the camera shortcut, search, and profile navigation. If it’s in dark mode, it usually has a lighter background than the conversation list. Now, the app bar seems no longer themed differently and has the same background as the message list.

    This makes the status, app bar, and list entirely “flat”. Only the “Start chat” button is different.

    The change doesn’t affect functionality, and it’s only for dark mode. So far, the light mode appears similar. For now, it seems the change is in beta (version 20240521_00_RC00).

    Users on Reddit have also noticed another change in the New conversation list. Google Messages is now showing a different palette for the background in which initials appear when your contacts don’t have a profile photo.

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  • Meta to bring more color to WhatsApp with new chat theme customization on iOS

    Meta to bring more color to WhatsApp with new chat theme customization on iOS

    Meta-owned WhatsApp boasts over 3 billion monthly active users, making it one of the most popular messaging apps globally. Despite its popularity, users have longed for more customization options, a gap often filled by competitors like Telegram. However, it seems change is on the horizon, as reports suggest WhatsApp is working on a new customization feature. In the latest WhatsApp beta for iOS, the go-to source for WhatsApp updates, WABetaInfo found that Meta is tinkering with a new default chat theme feature.

    The attached screenshot shows a section for selecting the app’s default chat theme. Similar to the branding color feature found in earlier WhatsApp beta updates for iOS, users will be able to choose a new color and wallpaper for the default chat theme from a selection of five different options:

    • Green
    • Blue
    • Black
    • Pink
    • Purple

    Once you choose a color, it will automatically become the default chat theme, adjusting both the wallpaper and bubble color accordingly. In addition to tweaking chat bubbles and wallpaper, WhatsApp is also working on a new feature to control the app’s accent color. If launched, iOS users can switch the in-app button color from green to one of the previously mentioned shades.

    Furthermore, choosing a default chat theme will only change your own interface and won’t affect how other chats appear. It is important to note that these features are still in development, so it may take Meta several months before they are available to the public – if the company decides to proceed with them at all. It is unclear at this time if Android users will also receive the same features.

    In other news, WhatsApp is rolling out support for longer voice messages in status updates and could soon let users generate AI-powered profile photos.

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  • Gold prices inch up

    Gold prices inch up

    Saigon Jewelry Company gold bar price rose 0.22% to VND89.7 million ($3,522.76) per tael Monday morning.

    Gold ring price increased by 0.07% to VND76.45 million per tael. A tael equals 37.5 grams or 1.2 ounces.

    Globally, gold prices on Monday drifted higher from a two-week low hit in the previous session as traders gauged fading hopes of U.S. interest rate cuts ahead of a key inflation report due later this week.

    Spot gold was up 0.5% at $2,346.31 per ounce, having touched its lowest since May 9 at $2,325.19 on Friday.

    U.S. gold futures rose 0.6% to $2,347.60.

    Bullion hit a record high of $2,449.89 earlier last week, but has shed more than $100 since then.

    “I suspect gold can manage a small bounce from current levels before retesting the $2,280-$2,300 zone, which could see losses extended if U.S. data continues to outperform,” said City Index senior analyst Matt Simpson.

    The core personal consumption expenditures price index (PCE), the U.S. Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation measure, is due on Friday.

    Bullion is known as an inflation hedge, but higher rates increase the opportunity cost of holding non-yielding gold.

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  • Google starts rolling out password sharing for family members in Password Manager

    Google starts rolling out password sharing for family members in Password Manager

    The introduction of password-sharing to Google Password Manager has been on our radar for some time. Leaks hinted at it, and Google officially confirmed it back in February 2024. Now, three months down the line, the feature is finally beginning to roll out.

    In its May 2024 Google Play Services update (v24.20), Google unveiled the inclusion of password-sharing within Google Password Manager. Just a heads up, though: you can only share your passwords with folks in your family group, not just anyone with a Google account. According to Google’s support document:

    With this new feature, you can now securely share your passwords with your family group in Google Password Manager. When you share a password, your family members will receive a copy of it in their Google Password Manager, ready to be used.

    Google had previously given a couple of examples of how this password-sharing feature could come in handy. The tech giant mentioned managing daycare through a single account or a child giving their parents access to school assignments. However, the feature can also be useful for sharing access to streaming services, for instance.

    With the latest Google Play Services update, Google also introduces new functionality to App Activity, enabling parents to keep tabs on children’s app usage across various time limit settings.

    By default, Google System services automatically update your device, but if you want to check if the May 2024 Play system update is already on your phone, follow these steps:

    1. Head to Settings
    2. Choose Security & Privacy
    3. Select System & Updates
    4. Tap Google Play System Update.

    After that, open Google Password Manager and check if you receive a prompt about family sharing. Just a heads up, it appears that Google is rolling out this feature in phases, so don’t be surprised if it doesn’t show up immediately after installing the latest Play system update.

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  • Rubber export value rises 14%

    Rubber export value rises 14%

    Vietnam exported 499,000 tons of rubber for $743 million in the first 4 months of this year, up 6.4% in volume and 14% in value.

    China remained the largest consumer of Vietnamese rubber, accounting for 80% of the country’s total export volume, followed by India.

    The association said that with the recovery of the global automobile and tyre industries, especially in China, Vietnam’s rubber exports will likely enjoy favorable conditions and are expected to surge in the second quarter.

    The association’s general secretary Vo Hoang An said there remained room for Vietnam to increase its exports of rubber materials, as the country can produce 1.3 million tons of rubber latex annually but the local rubber processing sector only needs over 300,000 tons.

    Under a strategy to develop plant cultivation through 2030, rubber yield will be raised to 1.8-2 tons per hectare.

    According to figures from the General Department of Customs, Vietnam exported 2.14 million tons of rubber last year, earning $2.89 billion. The figures represented a year-on-year increase of 0.04% in volume but a decline of 12.7% in value.

    Rubber exports are forecast to reach US$3.3-3.5 billion this year, said the Vietnam Rubber Association.

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  • Update to Shazam allows users to multitask while the app does its thing

    Update to Shazam allows users to multitask while the app does its thing

    Music discovery app Shazam has been updated to version 17.11 today for the Apple iPhone and Apple iPad Shazam apps. Thanks to the update, Shazam will now continue to multitask and run even if you’re using another app. In other words, Shazam will continue to work in the background finding information about a song even while you’re running another app. You can even use Shazam to identify a song playing on another app.

    While Shazam is listening in the background, you’ll see the Shazam icon appear in the Dynamic Island and the results will be displayed via Live Activities on the iPhone. Among other improvements, Shazam now will listen longer before it decides that it cannot name a specific tune, and, with the update, Shazam can now identify classical music. The new features are available for iPhones running iOS 15 or later, and iPads running iPadOS 15 or later. The Apple Vision Pro spatial computer uses the iPad version of the app.

    The Shazam app is available for free from the App Store. You might not have realized that the app is owned by Apple which announced a $400 million deal to buy it in December 2017 although the deal did not close for another nine months. At the time it announced the transaction, Apple said that it had “exciting plans in store” for Shazam. For the most part, iPhone users are still waiting.

    To make sure that your Shazam app is toggled on for Live Activities, go to Settings > Shazam (you must have the app installed first!) and toggle on Live Activities. When you get a notification about a song via Shazam’s Live Activities, tap on the notification and you’ll get the full Shazam page for the song which shows you the name of the album the tune is on, allows you to listen to the full song, view videos related to the song, and hear audio of songs that are similar to the one you had Shazam discover.

    Here’s how this works. Let’s say you hear a tune you want to know more about, but you’re also in the middle of reading an important story for work on a news app. You open the Shazam app, tap on the Shazam icon, and return to the app for work. The Dynamic Island will alert you that Shazam is on the job and will notify you via Live Activities when it has come up with the name of the song.

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  • Google Photos opens up Magic Editor and other AI image-editing tools to everyone

    Google Photos opens up Magic Editor and other AI image-editing tools to everyone

    Google Photos is expanding the availability of its powerful photo editing tools, including the popular Magic Editor, to a wider audience. This move, which was initially announced last month, is now gradually becoming a reality for many users of Pixel smartphones.

    Google Photos users can now access an array of AI-powered tools, including Magic Editor, Magic Eraser, Unblur, and various photo and video enhancements, without requiring a Google One subscription. This development is part of Google’s broader effort to democratize advanced photo editing capabilities and make them accessible to a larger user base.

    Magic Editor, which was originally introduced with the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro, allows users to easily modify photos by moving, resizing, or erasing elements, as well as applying different styles and effects. With a simple tap, circle, or brush selection, users can make precise adjustments to their images, and the zoom function enhances this capability further. The tool also offers contextual presets like Sky, Golden hour, and Stylized to provide a range of creative options.

    While Google is extending access to these tools to all Android and iOS users, there are some limitations in place. Users will be able to save up to 10 edited photos per month using Magic Editor. To exceed this limit, a Google One Premium (2+TB) plan or a Pixel smartphone is required. Additionally, Android users will need to meet specific hardware requirements, including Android OS 8.0 or higher, 4GB of RAM, and a 64-bit chipset.

    This expansion of access is great news for those with older Google phones or non-Google phones who would like to try out these AI editing features without having to sign up for Google One. By removing the subscription requirement for these tools, Google is empowering users to enhance their photos and videos with ease, irrespective of their technical expertise or subscription status. This move is expected to be well-received by users who seek to elevate their content without investing in additional subscriptions or complex software.

  • WhatsApp will soon allow you to preview photos and videos within pinned messages

    WhatsApp will soon allow you to preview photos and videos within pinned messages

    WhatsApp, the popular messaging app, is continuously testing new features for its large user base, and it usually does that by pushing them first to its beta app available through the Google Play Store. Recently, according to WABetaInfo, the company has been testing a new preview feature for pinned messages that can be found in the latest beta version 2.24.11.12. This new update aims to make it easier for users to manage and access important messages within their chats.

    This feature was first spotted in a previous beta version, 2.24.7.27, and it has now progressed to public testing. By incorporating a thumbnail preview for pinned messages, WhatsApp is taking another step towards enhancing user interaction and organization within chats. This means users will be able to quickly identify the content of a pinned message without having to open it fully, streamlining their messaging experience.

    The thumbnail preview will be particularly useful for media messages, including photos and videos. Users can now instantly recognize the media content directly within the pinned message preview area, saving time and effort. Whether it’s a funny meme, an important document, or a memorable video, the new preview feature is designed to make navigating through pinned messages a breeze.

    This enhancement builds upon previous updates, such as the ability to pin multiple messages and the 24-hour, 7-day, and 30-day pinning durations. While the preview feature is currently available to select beta testers, it is expected to roll out to more users in the coming days. If you’re eager to try it out, you can join the WhatsApp beta program on the Google Play Store and install the latest update. However, do note that availability for this program is almost always full to capacity, however, your mileage may vary.

    WhatsApp continues to innovate and refine its features to cater to the needs of its vast user base. The new preview feature for pinned messages is a testament to the company’s commitment to making messaging more seamless and efficient.

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  • Miniso’s revenue and profit soar as footprint expands

    Miniso’s revenue and profit soar as footprint expands

    Value retailer Miniso has posted double-digit increases in both revenue and profit for the quarter ended March 31, driven by the higher number of stores across all markets.

    The company’s revenue rose 26 percent year over year to US$515.7 million, attributed to the increase in average store count and an around 9 percent same-store sales growth. Revenue generated from mainland China was up 16.2 percent to US$346.5 million, while revenue from overseas markets jumped 52.6 percent to US$169.2 million.

    Operating profit was US$102.9 million, up 29.1 percent, while adjusted net profit increased 27.7 percent to US$85.4 million.

    The company opened 217 net new stores during the quarter, raising the store count to 6630, comprising 4034 in Mainland China and 2596 in overseas markets.

    “This past March quarter has seen our fastest pace of store openings for the first quarters ever, establishing a robust foundation towards our goal of a net addition of 900 to 1100 stores in 2024,” said Guofu Ye, founder, chairman and CEO of Miniso.

    “We also embarked on our path towards our five-year strategic goal with a stronger March quarter compared to the high base of the same period in 2023.”

    The company expects sales growth to continue in the June quarter, driven by better store-level performance and store network expansion.

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  • Garuda Indonesia and Singapore Airlines strengthen commercial partnership

    Garuda Indonesia and Singapore Airlines strengthen commercial partnership

    Garuda Indonesia (GA) and Singapore Airlines (SIA) today committed to deepen their commercial partnership, with the aim of offering reciprocal benefits for their frequent flyer programme members, and to explore revenue sharing arrangements for flights between Indonesia and Singapore, subject to regulatory approvals.

    The frequent flyer programme agreement was inked by Garuda Indonesia Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mr Irfan Setiaputra and SIA CEO Mr Goh Choon Phong in Jakarta today, while the joint venture revenue share agreement was signed by Garuda Indonesia Director of Service and Commercial Mr Ade R. Susardi and SIA Chief Commercial Officer Mr Lee Lik Hsin.

    When launched, the frequent flyer partnership will allow GarudaMiles and KrisFlyer members to earn and redeem miles on codeshare flights operated by both airlines. The revenue sharing agreement, when implemented, will support joint capacity growth, marking a significant step in the plans for a proposed commercial joint venture arrangement that covers Garuda Indonesia and Singapore Airlines flights between Singapore and Indonesia.

    Both carriers are continuing with joint marketing activities to promote tourism. This potentially includes joint activities to promote tourist traffic to Indonesia, including familiarisation trips for travel trade and media.

    Singapore Airlines and Garuda Indonesia have a strong codeshare partnership that has expanded in recent months. Today, Garuda Indonesia codeshares on Singapore Airlines flights between Singapore and the Indonesian cities of Bali, Jakarta, Medan, and Surabaya, as well as long-haul routes between Singapore and Johannesburg, London (Heathrow), and Mumbai. SIA codeshares on Garuda Indonesia flights between Singapore and Bali, Jakarta, and Surabaya.

    Mr Irfan Setiaputra, President and CEO of Garuda Indonesia, said that this partnership is part of Garuda Indonesia’s efforts to improve the Company’s performance through a strategic commercial partnership, especially in providing added value to customers. “Having the same mission in optimising the potential of the aviation business ecosystem in South East Asia after the pandemic, this initiative is certainly an important manifestation of both airlines’ commitment to continue strengthening our well-established cooperation,” Mr Irfan explained.

    He added: “This partnership is a special moment for us, which also marks the 58 years of Garuda Indonesia’s journey in connecting Indonesia and Singapore. In the future, we hope that this partnership will continue to enhance social, cultural, and tourism relations between Indonesia and Singapore whilst offering seamless access for customers to enjoy various destinations served by both airlines.”

    “We hope that the expansion of this partnership will bring added value for Singapore and Indonesia, which are served by both airlines. Furthermore, this collaboration is also expected to not only provide added value for both airlines’ customers, especially through the ease of earning and redeeming miles for tickets and other exclusive benefits, but the hope is that it will strengthen Garuda Indonesia’s support for national tourism by providing more access to points in Indonesia for foreign tourists who will visit Indonesia via Singapore in the future,” Mr Irfan said.

    Mr Goh Choon Phong, Chief Executive Officer, Singapore Airlines, said: “Our win-win partnership with Garuda Indonesia will improve the connectivity between Indonesia and Singapore for our customers. This will help to meet the increasing demand for air travel between the two countries and beyond, as well as facilitate the growth of tourism and economic activities. Furthermore, by deepening the synergies between our frequent flyer programmes, we can enhance the benefits for our loyal customers, offering them more opportunities to earn and redeem miles when travelling with both airlines.”

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  • Singapore and The Philippines further liberalise international air services to improve air connectivity between and beyond both countries

    Singapore and The Philippines further liberalise international air services to improve air connectivity between and beyond both countries

    Singapore and the Philippines signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to upgrade and further liberalise international air services between both countries. The MOU was signed by Mr Yee Ping Yi, Singapore’s Deputy Secretary of the Ministry of Transport and Mr Enrique Antonio J. Esquivel III, the Philippines’ Assistant Secretary for Aviation and Airports on 9 May 2024.

    The MOU upgrades the bilateral Air Services Agreement (ASA), which was signed in 2010 and last amended in 2015. It allows Singapore and Philippine airlines to offer up to 150 weekly codeshare services to carry passengers between Singapore and Manila, with airlines from third countries as codeshare partners. This is a significant increase from the current limit of 35 weekly codeshare services. The new limit of 150 weekly codeshare services will double by end-March 2026, and will be fully lifted by end-March 2027.

    In addition, there will be no limit on codeshare services between Singapore and other points in the Philippines, as well as between Singapore and any points in the Philippines involving airlines from ASEAN or the European Union.

    The upgraded ASA also allows Philippine airlines that are fully owned or controlled by nationals of other countries to access the traffic rights exchanged in the ASA, as long as their principal place of business is in the Philippines. Previously, only airlines that were substantially owned and effectively controlled by Philippine nationals could do so.

    Mr Yee Ping Yi, Deputy Secretary of the Ministry of Transport said: “It is important to provide a favourable regulatory environment so that our carriers can capitalise on new business opportunities. This MOU will facilitate improved air connectivity between and beyond both countries and is a win-win outcome for both countries.”

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  • The TikTok ban could hurt small businesses that prosper thanks to mobile users

    The TikTok ban could hurt small businesses that prosper thanks to mobile users

    The Bill that would Kill TikTok is signed by the POTUS (President of the United States), so ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company, has only several months before it decides whether to sell or face a ban in the US.

    So far, the smoke signals coming from ByteDance’s yard rule out a possible divestiture. They don’t want anybody else to get a hold of their magical algorithm that gets hundreds of millions of users hooked.

    Reuters reports that a lawsuit filed by a group of TikTok creators has ignited a contentious legal battle against the bill. The law, aimed at addressing national security concerns, has left millions of users and small business owners in distress, fearing the loss of a platform that has become integral to their livelihoods.

    The creators, hailing from diverse backgrounds and professions, argue that TikTok provides them with a unique avenue for self-expression and community building. Represented by Davis Wright Tremaine LLP, they contend that the law infringes upon their First Amendment rights and poses a threat to free speech by attempting to shutter a vital medium of communication.

    In response, the White House has defended the law, asserting that it aligns with constitutional limitations and addresses critical national security concerns. The Justice Department has vowed to defend the legislation in court, emphasizing its importance in safeguarding sensitive data and protecting American interests.

    This legal showdown is not the first time TikTok has faced regulatory challenges. Under the Trump administration, similar attempts to ban the app were met with resistance and legal action. Now, with a new administration in power, the battle rages on, with TikTok and its creators fighting to preserve their presence in the American digital landscape.

    For small business owners like Paul Tran and his wife Lynda, TikTok has been a game-changer. Their skincare brand gained widespread recognition after going viral on the platform, propelling their business to new heights.

    Tran’s sentiments are echoed by many small business owners who have found success on TikTok. The platform’s algorithm-driven approach has leveled the playing field, allowing creators to reach a broader audience and drive sales. With the introduction of TikTok Shop, which enables direct sales within the app, businesses have seen unprecedented growth and opportunity.

    The impact of TikTok extends beyond just business success; it has become a cultural phenomenon, shaping trends and influencing consumer behavior. For creators like Summer Lucille and Felicia Jackson, TikTok has provided a platform to showcase their products and connect with customers in ways that traditional social media platforms could not replicate.

    As the legal battle unfolds, the fate of TikTok hangs in the balance. While concerns about national security are paramount, the implications of a TikTok ban extend far beyond just data protection. For millions of users and small business owners, TikTok represents not just a social media platform, but a lifeline to opportunity and community.

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  • WhatsApp could add a new sticker-related feature very soon

    WhatsApp could add a new sticker-related feature very soon

    WhatsApp is testing new features all the time, but the best news is many users have access to new functionalities if they’re willing to enroll in the beta program. One such new feature will make it easier to find stickers and sticker packs in WhatsApp.

    Spotted recently by WABetaInfo, the feature adds a text field to the sticker keyboard, allowing users to search for stickers from the dedicated store by simply writing what they’re looking for.

    This works both for individual stickers and packs, but the new feature has only been spotted in the Android version of WhatsApp beta for the time being. Specifically, the latest WhatsApp beta for Android 2.24.11.5 includes this feature, but since it’s still in development, it might not show up for beta testers yet.

    The ability to search for stickers is a continuation of the work that WhatsApp has been putting into making stickers one of the app’s highlights. A few updates ago, WhatsApp released a feature that introduces new sticker creation shortcuts, allowing users to generate personalized and AI-powered stickers.

    The newly discovered sticker-related feature is likely to be rolled out to everyone in the coming weeks since it doesn’t seem to be too complicated to implement. Hopefully, it will be available on both iOS and Android platforms.

  • Facebook and Instagram experiencing outages along the East and West Coasts of the U.S.

    Facebook and Instagram experiencing outages along the East and West Coasts of the U.S.

    Instagram and its stablemate Facebook are both experiencing outages on Tuesday evening. The number of Instagram users reporting a problem to DownDetector soared to 11,965 at 9:47 pm ET compared to 62 who had an issue at 7:01 pm ET. Facebook, at 9:48 pm, had 650 complaints submitted with DownDetector compared to the 49 complaints lodged with the site at 7:02 pm ET.

    71% of the complaints from Facebook users mentioned issues with the website, 20% had an issue with the app and 10% couldn’t log in to the social media site. Several complaints said that Facebook was not loading. As for Instagram, 55% of the complaints revolved around the app, 33% complained about a server connection, and 12% could nor log in. The comments posted on DownDetector noted how the app was not up and running this evening. As one user wrote, “Ughhh wtf?”

    Instagram’s Threads social media platform also saw a huge surge in complaints filed with DownDetector although the latter says that the platform is only showing a “possible problem.” From no complaints at all at 7:19 pm ET,  125 complaints were tallied at 9:49 pm ET. 72% of Threads users had issues with the app, 25% complained about the website, and 3% had a problem with a server connection. As one Threads user said on DownDetector, “Threads is down big time for me. Anyone else?”

    Other Meta-connected platforms showing a possible problem on DownDetector are Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp.

    Outages of these Meta services seem to be heavily concentrated in New York and California. So far we have not seen any comment from the company. On Meta’s Status and outages of Meta business products page, Ads Manager is showing major disruptions. The Messenger API for Instagram also shows major disruptions. Back on March 5th, millions of users on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, and Messenger reported problems accessing the site before the issue was finally resolved.

    As we approached midnight on the East Coast, Facebook and Instagram saw a huge decline in new complaints on DownDetector although Google’s YouTube has now been flagged as a problem website. We will be monitoring the situation and will update this story if necessary.