WELCOME TO THE Weird Wide Web – where we take a look at some of the internet’s best offerings in social media, tech, science and weird news.

Facebook snapchat?

Facebook is reportedly developing its own version of Snapchat – a photo sharing app that allows users to share images that ‘self-destruct’ in an allotted timeframe (usually a matter of seconds), according to All Things D.

The original app has come under some criticism by some who believe young people could use it primarily for sharing indecent images which, despite the inbuilt self-destruct mode, can still be copied by the recipient.

Image: patrisyu via Shutterstock

Online Freedom

Staying on the subject of Facebook, Germany’s data protection commissioner’s office has ruled the site’s real-name policy is violating online freedom. German law states that users must be allowed to use “pseudonymous accounts” and to freedom of expression, reports TechCrunch.

Image: Dave Thompson/PA Wire/Press Association Images

Terms of service

Instagram is bringing in a new terms of service and privacy policy from 16 January, and it states:

Some or all of the Service may be supported by advertising revenue. To help us deliver interesting paid or sponsored content or promotions, you agree that a business or other entity may pay us to display your username, likeness, photos (along with any associated metadata), and/or actions you take, in connection with paid or sponsored content or promotions, without any compensation to you. If you are under the age of eighteen (18), or under any other applicable age of majority, you represent that at least one of your parents or legal guardians has also agreed to this provision (and the use of your name, likeness, username, and/or photos (along with any associated metadata)) on your behalf.

Effectively, that means Instagram can sell the use of your username, photos, and records of what you have liked or commented to another company without any compensation to you.

Hello world

Pope Benedict XVI  has joined Twitter, sending the first ever tweet from the @Pontifex account to bless his followers. The pontificate has eight accounts in total, in order to cater for English, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Polish, Italian, French and Arabic speakers.

Gamers beware

When in doubt, plug out.

Uploaded by CorridorDigital

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Main image: NinaMalyna via Shutterstock