News

Would-be Twitter rival T2 adds DMs — a feature others, including Threads, don’t yet have on July 31, 2023 at 5:46 pm

Published

2 years ago

July 31, 2023

As the battle among would-be Twitter rivals continues, one of the smaller apps to via for Twitter (now X‘s) fleeing user base, T2, has added an in-demand feature that even Meta’s Threads doesn’t yet have: DMs. The company recently announced it added support for direct messages, which has been among users’ top requests, it said.

The addition differentiates T2 from buzzier Twitter competitors like Threads, Bluesky, and to some extent, Mastodon, where Direct Messages work a little differently — they are effectively just posts that have the “direct” visibility selected but are not end-to-end encrypted.

Similarly, T2’s direct messages also aren’t end-to-end encrypted, but they do at least allow users to connect more privately on the app. Of course, sensitive conversations should generally not be shared on new social media apps but on dedicated privacy apps, like Signal or even WhatsApp, which has prioritized encryption.

With the rollout of DMs on T2 on July 26th, users can now find a new link in the app’s sidebar. The company explains users can control who’s allowed to DM them via the Settings tab in T2. From here, you can choose to allow DMs from anyone on the app, only from accounts you follow, or you can turn off receiving DMs altogether.

The company said it opted not to encrypt direct messages so it can combat spam and harassment in these conversations. It even built-in nudges in DMs to automatically detect possible insults or other threatening behavior, then nudge the sender to change their message. Nudges like this can be somewhat effective. Twitter, pre-Elon Musk, had once used nudges in an attempt to get users to tone down their replies. It said that 34% of people revised their initial reply after seeing the prompt, or chose not to send the reply at all. Plus, after being prompted once, people then composed 11% fewer offensive replies in the future, on average.

T2 was founded by Twitter and Google veterans, including co-founder Sarah Oh, Twitter’s former human rights advisor, and Gabor Cselle, who had sold his prior companies to Twitter and Google. The company’s goal has been to build an alternative to Twitter that had an increased focus on trust and safety — or, as Gabor’s profile reads, “a kinder, safer public square.”

That’s an area where another Twitter rival, Bluesky, has since stumbled. The latter has been under attack for moderation missteps that saw it failing to crack down on bigotry and even allowing usernames with racial slurs to slip through in recent days.

Bluesky, however, has seen its app installed 1 million times to date, outpacing the number of invites available to its still private network. T2, meanwhile, continues to operate as a web app but is optimized for mobile screens. Its user base should reach around 15,000 by the end of the week, the company says. T2 has not yet announced any concrete plans around decentralization — meaning using a protocol like ActivityPub, which powers Mastodon, and soon Threads, or Bluesky’s AT Protocol, in order to connect with other social networks.

Currently, the team views decentralization as a major hurdle to moderation and building a lasting, stable and civil community, we understand, as users can move to other servers when they don’t want to abide by stricter moderation rules.

Entertainment

Bianca Censori’s Naked Grammy Dress Stuns Hollywood

Published

4 hours ago

February 3, 2025

Bolanle Media Staff

In a stunning turn of events at the 2025 Grammy Awards, Kanye West’s long-awaited return to the prestigious ceremony was eclipsed by his wife Bianca Censori’s jaw-dropping red carpet appearance. The couple’s arrival marked West’s first Grammy attendance since 2015, but it was Censori who stole the spotlight with her provocative fashion choice.

The Controversial Entrance

As the pair stepped onto the red carpet, Censori dramatically shed her black fur coat, revealing a completely see-through mesh dress that left little to the imagination. The architectural designer’s bold move immediately sent shockwaves through the crowd and ignited a firestorm on social media.

West’s Subdued Presence

In stark contrast to his wife’s revealing attire, West opted for a composed all-black ensemble. The rapper, nominated for Best Rap Song for “Carnival” with Ty Dolla Sign, maintained a stern expression throughout the evening, standing silently beside Censori as she posed for photographers.

Public Reaction and Concerns

The incident sparked intense debate and criticism online:

Many questioned the legality and appropriateness of Censori’s outfit at such a prestigious event.
Concerns were raised about Censori’s well-being and comfort level with the situation.
Some viewers called for event organizers to take action, suggesting the couple should be removed from the ceremony.

A History of Controversy

This latest incident comes in the wake of West’s tumultuous past few years. In 2022, the rapper faced significant backlash for making antisemitic comments, which resulted in the loss of several business partnerships and public condemnation. His appearance at the 2025 Grammys alongside Censori seems to signal an attempt to return to the spotlight, albeit in a controversial manner.

Questions Surrounding West’s Influence

The couple’s red carpet display has raised several questions about the dynamics of their relationship and West’s influence over Censori:

Is this provocative appearance a calculated move to generate publicity?
How much agency does Censori have in these fashion decisions?
Does this incident reflect a continuation of West’s pattern of controversial behavior?

As the music industry and public alike grapple with the aftermath of this shocking Grammy moment, one thing is clear: Kanye West and Bianca Censori continue to push boundaries and challenge societal norms, leaving many to wonder what their next move will be.

Bolanle Media covers a wide range of topics, including film, technology, and culture. Our team creates easy-to-understand articles and news pieces that keep readers informed about the latest trends and events. If you’re looking for press coverage or want to share your story with a wider audience, we’d love to hear from you! Contact us today to discuss how we can help bring your news to life

News

From Avocado Toast to iPhones: The Tariff Ripple Effect

Published

6 hours ago

February 3, 2025

Bolanle Media Staff

Brace yourselves, America: Your wallet is about to take a hit. President Trump’s new tariffs on imports from Canada, Mexico, and China are set to kick in on Tuesday, and they’re poised to shake up your shopping list in ways you might not expect.

From Avocado Toast to iPhones: The Tariff Ripple Effect

Remember when avocado toast was just a millennial indulgence? Well, it’s about to become a luxury item. With a 25% tariff on Mexican imports, your favorite brunch staple could see a significant price hike. But it’s not just avocados feeling the squeeze. Strawberries, tomatoes, and even your favorite tequila might soon require a bigger budget.

And it’s not just your produce aisle that’s under siege. That shiny new iPhone you’ve been eyeing? It might be time to start saving up. With a 10% tariff on Chinese goods, consumer electronics are likely to see price increases in the coming months.

Your Commute Just Got More Expensive

If you thought your morning coffee was the only thing burning a hole in your pocket, think again. Gas prices could be the next big shock to your system. With Canada supplying about 60% of U.S. crude oil imports, the new tariffs could send Midwest gas prices soaring by up to 50 cents per gallon.

The Domino Effect: From Factories to Your Front Door

It’s not just individual items that are feeling the heat. The ripple effect of these tariffs could touch every aspect of your life. That dream home you’ve been saving for? It might just have moved a little further out of reach. With 30% of U.S. lumber coming from Canada, construction costs are expected to rise, potentially worsening the already critical housing affordability crisis.

The Big Picture: More Than Just Price Tags

While the immediate focus is on price hikes, the impact of these tariffs goes far beyond your shopping cart. Economists are warning of potential job losses across various sectors and a possible economic slowdown. Some experts are even throwing around the dreaded “S” word – stagflation – a combination of slow economic growth and rising inflation.

What’s Next?

As Tuesday’s deadline looms, businesses and consumers alike are scrambling to prepare. Some companies are stockpiling inventory, while others are exploring alternative supply chains. But for most Americans, the reality is simple: get ready to dig a little deeper into your pockets.

The Budget Lab at Yale University estimates that these tariffs could cost the average American household between $1,000 to $1,200 in annual purchasing power. That’s a significant chunk of change that could mean the difference between a family vacation and a staycation for many.

As we brace for the impact of these tariffs, one thing is clear: the American consumer is in for a wild ride. So, the next time you’re at the grocery store or filling up your gas tank, take a moment to appreciate those pre-tariff prices. They might soon be a thing of the past.

News

Abbott Bans Foreign AI Apps

Published

2 days ago

February 1, 2025

Bolanle Media Staff

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has issued an executive order banning the use of Chinese artificial intelligence company DeepSeek and social media apps RedNote (also known as Xiaohongshu) and Lemon8 on government-issued devices. This move makes Texas the first state to impose such restrictions on these popular applications.

Background

The ban is an extension of Abbott’s 2022 prohibition on TikTok for government devices[3]. The decision comes amid growing concerns over national security and the potential for foreign surveillance and data gathering through AI and social media platforms.

Banned Applications

DeepSeek: A Chinese AI chatbot that has recently gained popularity in the U.S. and has demonstrated the ability to compete with industry leader OpenAI.
RedNote (Xiaohongshu): A social media app with approximately 300 million active users, primarily in China and surrounding countries. It gained traction among American users during TikTok’s brief ban.
Lemon8: A social media application owned by ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company.