#Newsfeed: WhatsApp takes on Snapchat with Status; Michael Jackson’s Thriller certified 33x diamond; It’s a weird time to be in charge of Sweden’s Twitter account

Plus how one police officer used Facebook Messenger to offer homework help

• Does Facebook Have an Identity Crisis? [via eMarketer]
• Officers respond to Facebook message, provide homework help [via NBC4i]
• It’s a weird time to be in charge of Sweden’s Twitter account [via The Verge]
• The Bird’s Eye View of Video: New Stats from Twitter (Infographic) [via Hubspot]
• Proven Instagram Stories Strategies from the Experts at Bustle [via Buffer Blog]
• Snapchat bets on hardware as Facebook threat looms [via Economic Times]
• You can now buy Snapchat Spectacles without leaving your home [via The Next Web]
• WhatsApp launches Status, an encrypted Snapchat Stories clone [via TechCrunch]
• SCA deal with WIN won’t happen [via Radio Today]
• CDs Are Starting To Rot [via Gizmodo]
• Michael Jackson’s Thriller certified 33x diamond by the RIAA [via Music Business Worldwide]
• Blin.gy puts you inside your favourite music video [via TechCrunch]
• Inside Forbes’ lean approach to creating stories for social media [via Digiday]
• Ad watchdog bans five versions of Anytime Fitness’ ‘F*ck Unfit’ campaign [via Mumbrella]
• Smartphone separation can be a real cause of anxiety for young people [via Digital Trends]
• TRENDING: #EssendonAirport, #GeorgeBrandis, #Newsroom

Facebook Messenger is transforming the way Pages communicate with their fans – and it doesn’t have to be complicated, as one U.S. police department has proven. Marion Police Department answered the call to assist one young girl with her math homework via the message service, as the team of officers aims “to be a full-service police department”.

Read more about this story here.

Sweden’s official Twitter account has been operated by ordinary citizens for over 5 years, but this week is certainly one of the strangest times to be in charge of the content. Max Karlsson was planning to use his week-long stint on the platform to tweet about music and technology, but the 22-year-old was left with the responsibility to respond to President Trump’s #LastNightInSweden allegations.“A lot of Americans were asking ‘what the hell’s going on, can you give us clarity, can you help us out,’” Karlsson told The Verge.

Read the full interview here.

In the latest episode of “The Science of Social Media“, Bustle’s Hannah Caldwell explains how the news outlet aimed at millennial women utilises Instagram Stories.“It’s fun for the Instagram Stories to reflect a little bit more of what our site might look like,” she said. “In other words, the experience you might get on our website is reflected in our Instagram Stories.”

Read more about this story and listen to the full episode here.

Michael Jackson’s Thriller has become the first album in the history of the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) Gold & Platinum Program to be certified Diamond 33 times, as it reaches 33m US sales and streams. Worldwide, its total now tops over 105 million copies, with Jackson’s overall worldwide record sales exceeding 1 billion.

Read more about this story here.

WhatsApp has today launched WhatsApp Status, a new tab for sharing decorated photos, videos and GIFs that disappear after 24 hours. While it’s another Facebook-owned Snapchat Stories copycat, the twist is that the feature, which was tested back in November, offers end-to-end encrypted like WhatsApp messaging for privacy-conscious users.

Read more about this story here.

JADEN JAM: Google added trivia facts to search results, because hey, why not?