The Weekly Download – May 10, 2019

The Weekly Download, May 10, 2019, Spodek & Co., Coffee cup on a table in front of a window.There’s no time to waste today – it’s a jam-packed edition of The Weekly Download!

On the hot sheet: Facebook’s far-right ban becomes PR failure, and how the app’s data will provide insight on elections and democracy. Plus, we’ve got info on Instagram’s new fact-checking initiatives, a canned water idea that’s generated over $1 million in funding, and how Google threw shade at Apple during a Pixel 3a event.

Then we’re rounding things out with Baby Sussex, Givenchy’s new not-so-secret spokesmodel, and HBO’s major Game of Thrones gaffe that includes your favourite hot beverage…of does it!?

Facebook’s Ban of Far-Right Users Becomes PR Mess

Facebook announced it would be banning far-right figures and conspiracy theorists from its platform, but the execution hasn’t quite gone as planned.

Last week, the social network announced public figures including Alex Jones, Milo Yiannopoulos and Louis Farrakhan would be banned from Facebook-owned apps. But the company briefed journalists and made the announcement before the bans came into effect, providing these users with an opportunity to respond and encourage followers to move to other platforms.


The incident is being highly criticized online, and many are questioning why Facebook would attempt to turn the ban into a public relations opportunity, rather than quietly take action. According to Facebook, the takedowns took longer than the company originally anticipated, leading to further issues.

Facebook Data to be Studied for Impact on Elections

More than 60 researchers from 30 institutions will gain access to Facebook user data to study its impact on elections and democracy. The social network will allow academics to see what websites its users linked to between January 2017 and February 2019.

Notably, data will be missing from the US presidential election in 2016 and the Brexit referendum from the same year.

The researchers were chosen by the Social Science Research Council, a US nonprofit. Facebook maintains that the data set being analyzed cannot be used to identify individuals. Researchers will only be able to access data via secure portal and are limited on the number of queries that can be run.

Instagram to Demote Posts Spreading Misinformation

Just like its parent app, Facebook, Instagram will be stepping up its fact-checking process. But instead of an outright ban, Instagram posts that spread misinformation on the app will be demoted.

Any post that could be deemed “hazardously false” will be sent for fact-checking, at which time it will be decided if the app should limit the post’s reach. Any posts flagged as false will stop showing up in the Explore section and in the results of hashtag searches.

While there are many similarities between initiatives to limit the spread of false content on these apps, there are also some big differences. If a user tries to share a post that has been deemed “hazardously false” on Facebook, they will be warned against doing so; no similar warnings will be issued on Instagram.

Google Throws Shade at Apple During New Pixel Smartphone Announcement

Google revealed two new Pixel smartphones this week that boast the company’s best-in-class cameras. During the unveil, Google took a direct shot at Apple’s iPhone with side-by-side image comparisons of low-light photography.
While the competing device was dubbed “Phone X”, it doesn’t take a genius to figure out which competitor was actually being called out. If you’re a current iPhone user but thinking of making the jump to a Pixel 3A or 3A XL, Google will also take up to $610 off the price of a new device with the trade in of an Apple product. Well played.
Your move, Apple.

Water in a Can? “Liquid Death” Draws $1.6 M in Funding

Nope, you didn’t read that headline wrong.

This week, former Netflix creative director Mike Cessario announced he raised $1.6 million in funding for Liquid Death, a canned water startup. Tech notables like Biz Stone (Twitter), Jen Rubio (Away) and Michael Dubin (Dollar Shave Club) were among the investors.

Cessario’s background playing in punk and heavy metal bands influenced the product’s branding, which is aimed at a hard core yet “straight-edge” crowd that avoids alcohol and drugs.

File this one under “people will buy ANYTHING if it’s marketed correctly.”

Friday Fun

The Newest Royal Baby Has Arrived!
A huge congratulations to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex this week as they welcomed their little bundle of joy, Archie Harrison, to the world.


Congratulations poured in from around the world when the news broke. Meghan’s former TV husband, actor Patrick J. Adams, had the perfect response when he heard the news:


And we can’t forget Adams’ tweet from 2017 in response to Harry and Meghan’s engagement:


Givenchy Teases Its New Not-So-Secret Face
Givenchy tweeted a teaser of its new “face of” on Thursday, and it’s so obvious that the internet couldn’t help but respond with jokes, teasing, snark and humour.


Some days, the internet just makes everything better.

Winterfell Has Starbucks?

Hawk-eyed fans noticed a major continuity error in last week’s episode of Game of Thrones, and the Internet had some feelings. It looks like the Mother of Dragons also enjoys a caramel macchiato from time to time (can we blame her?)


And obviously, Starbucks couldn’t pass up the opportunity to comment:


The real kicker: although many were quick to assume the cup came from Starbucks, and it led to an estimated $2,3 billion in free advertising for the company, it wasn’t even its coffee cup!

Regardless of where Daenerys purchased it, the world’s most-famous takeaway cup has since been digitally removed according to HBO.

Line drawn peony from Spodek & Co Digital marketing site

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