BOGOTA: Facebook said Friday a dating service it teased early this year is being rolled out in Colombia.
The social media giant chose the Latin American country as its test lab because Colombians are particularly avid fans of using social networks and websites to find partners.
The new feature, rolled out in Colombia this week, allows users to create a separate “dating” profile not visible to their network of friends, with potential matches recommended based on preferences and common interests.
The service is programmed not to link up people who are already connected as family or friends, and users of Facebook Dating will also be able to block people if they wish.
A basic chat service will be available, and the site will bar strangers from sending photos, videos or links.
Some 21 million people log in to Facebook every day in Colombia, a country of 50 million people, according to the company.
“We view this as an incredible opportunity to continue helping people build relationships in meaningful ways on Facebook,” said Facebook Dating product manager Nathan Sharp.
Facebook’s chief Mark Zuckerberg in May announced plans for the new dating feature at the world’s leading online social network — while vowing to make privacy protection its top priority in the wake of the Cambridge Analytica scandal.
Zuckerberg was emphatic that the focus would be on helping people find partners, not flings.
“This is going to be for building real, long-term relationships, not just hookups,” Zuckerberg said in presenting the new feature.
He said the dating offer was built with privacy and safety in mind.
Facebook faced intense global scrutiny over the mass harvesting of personal data by Cambridge Analytica, a British political consultancy that worked for Donald Trump’s 2016 election campaign.
The company has admitted up to 87 million users may have had their data hijacked in the scandal.
Facebook dating service rolling out in Colombia
Facebook dating service rolling out in Colombia
- Colombians are particularly avid fans of using social networks and websites to find partners
- The service is programmed not to link up people who are already connected as family or friends
Mobily celebrates 20th anniversary with new campaign
- Multiplatform campaign developed by FP7 McCann Riyadh
DUBAI: Saudi telecom giant Mobily has released a new campaign, “Ever Closer,” to mark its 20th anniversary.
The campaign is “rooted in the insight that the closer people become, the more ‘languages’ they share — from unspoken understanding to shared experiences,” explained Tarek Miknas, CEO of FP7 McCann MENAT, the agency behind the campaign.
“Our shared ambition was to mark Mobily’s 20-year journey with a story that’s built to last — one that is emotionally resonant, grounded, and capable of powering the Kingdom’s digital future,” he told Arab News.
The campaign includes a main film, supported by a wide media rollout across billboards, digital, social and retail platforms.
It represents one of Mobily’s largest media investments to date, spanning out-of-home advertising in major Saudi cities, stadiums, airports and metro stations, as well as placements on TV, video-on-demand platforms such as Shahid, and digital media channels.
Earlier this month, Mobily announced its first rebrand in 20 years. The rebrand aims to signify a shift in brand focus from functionality to individuality and to resonate with young Saudis, according to a company statement.
“Mobily’s brand relaunch is more than a campaign — it’s a signal of Saudi Arabia’s creative and commercial confidence on the world stage,” said Miknas.
He added: “As a homegrown agency network with deep roots in the Kingdom, it’s a privilege to help shape a platform that captures the spirit of a nation in motion.”
