Instagram launches in-app food delivery to support business during lockdown
and live on Freeview channel 276
The Facebook-owned photo and video-sharing app said a new Action button could be added to a business or restaurant's profile, or a Food Order sticker could be added to their Instagram Stories.
People who tap on either prompt will be able to make a purchase through the business's website.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdInstagram said the initiative was designed to help businesses struggling with the challenges of the Covid-19 crisis by allowing people to support local food outlets.
The scheme was launched in the US and Canada last week and has been expanded to the UK as part of a worldwide rollout.
At the time, the social media platform said: ‘For many businesses right now, every sale helps. We'll continue to work on features that make it easier to support the small businesses you care about.’
Instagram's update comes after another Facebook-owned platform, WhatsApp, released a new set of stickers designed to help people communicate about aspects of the pandemic.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdThe stickers, developed in partnership with the World Health Organisation, were created to help users more accurately communicate the thoughts and feelings of being in lockdown.
Tech giants such as Facebook have come under scrutiny during the pandemic, predominately for their response to the spread of disinformation linked to the virus.
Appearing before MPs on the House of Commons Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee on Wednesday, Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said he had spoken to tech firms about doing more to stop the spread of disinformation.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdMr Dowden praised the companies for ‘how they have stepped up to the plate’, but said he had spoken to them about how they could ‘beef up’ their systems, as well as addressing the speed of action and working out of hours.
A message from the Editor
Thank you for reading this story on portsmouth.co.uk. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.
With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our advertisers - and consequently the revenue we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription.
Subscribe to portsmouth.co.uk and enjoy unlimited access to local news and information online and on our app. With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Visit our Subscription page now to sign up.
Our journalism costs money and we rely on advertising, print and digital revenues to help to support them. By supporting us, we are able to support you in providing trusted, fact-checked content for this website.
Comment Guidelines
National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.