News

Face masks and coverings will be mandatory in all Uber vehicles from Monday

Passengers who do not comply with the rule will risk having their ride cancelled.

The Manc The Manc - 12th June 2020
Mario Tama

Uber has made a statement announcing this afternoon that it is introducing a mandatory face covering rule for passengers and drivers as of next week.

Passengers who do not comply with the rule will risk having their ride cancelled.

In an email sent to all registered Uber users, the taxi service stated: “We’re introducing mandatory face coverings as of Monday 15th June to help protect the health and safety of you and your driver.”

“From Monday, if you aren’t wearing a face mask or covering, your driver has the right to cancel your ride.”

“Similarly, you can also cancel your ride if your driver arrives and is not wearing a face covering”.

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“When wearing a face covering or mask, make sure it covers your face from the bridge of your nose down to your chin.”

“Finally, anyone who is repeatedly flagged for not wearing a face covering will risk losing access to the app.”

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Regional General Manager of Uber Northern & Eastern, Jamie Heywood, added: “For months we’ve been urging people to stay home, for their safety and the safety of drivers who make essential trips.”

“Now, as cities begin to reopen and people start moving again, we’re taking measures to help everyone stay safe and healthy every time they use Uber.”

You can find out more information regarding face coverings via the official gov.uk website here.

News

What is going to be included in the UK’s under-16s social media ban?

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant People on mobile phones

In case you missed the landmark announcement yesterday, it has been confirmed that social media is to be banned for under-16s in the UK.

That’s right – in what is said to be a bid to ‘give kids their childhood back’ and set ‘a new normal’ for future generations by kickstarting a cultural shift, the Government has announced that social media platforms will be banned from offering their services to under-16s – meaning less time for scrolling and more time for play. 

The Government says it plans to use the same model for a social media ban as Australia, which was introduced back in 2024.

But what exactly does that mean? And what social media platforms are set to be included within the upcoming ban and which ones aren’t?

Well, according to the Government and Technology Secretary Liz Kendall, the UK’s ban would capture user-to-user platforms, whose purpose is to enable social interaction, allow users to post their own material, alongside algorithms.

The ban will, therefore, include popular social media platforms like Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and X.

But crucially, at this time, it is not intended for messaging services like WhatsApp to be included.

The Government says it is also planning to go even further than any other country, as on top of a blanket ban on social media, world-leading blocks on harmful functions – such as livestreaming and stranger communication with children – will also be blocked for under-16s, and will apply to a wider range of online services, including on gaming sites. 

The Government has announced a social media ban for under 16s / Credit: Julian Christ (via Unsplash)

Restrictions on these functionalities will also be on by default for 16- and 17-year-olds to prevent what ministers are calling a ‘cliff-edge’ at 16.

And to go even further, the Government says it will be ‘looking in more detail’ at the potential to introduce overnight curfews and breaks in infinite scrolling for those under 18 – with more information to be provided on this next month.

“This is a decisive first step which marks a clear choice to put children’s wellbeing first and give them a healthy life online,” the Government said in a statement. “We stand ready to take further measures in the future.”

Speaking on the upcoming ban and further restrictions, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: “Parents want to keep their kids safe and happy, but the online world has made that harder than ever. 

“I’ve heard first hand from families crying out for change and we will do right by them.  

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“That’s why we’re going further than any country in the world by banning social media for under-16s and putting wider protections in place to give kids their childhood back. 

“This is a line in the sand. Tech giants had their chance and failed, but we’re stepping in to protect children, back parents and set a new normal for future generations.”

Featured Image – Robin Worrall (via Unsplash)

News

Manchester United agree record streaming deal for new Amazon documentary TV series

Danny Jones Danny Jones Man United Amazon All Or Nothing documentary TV show series

Manchester United have officially agreed a record sporting TV deal for a brand-new documentary TV series on the Amazon Prime Video streaming service.

That’s right, Man United are getting the All Or Nothing treatment.

With the Red Devils finishing the 2025/26 season much stronger than they started it, they’re now set to invite a film crew into the dressing room and the newly refurbished Carrington training complex for the upcoming campaign.

Although there have been many United documentaries over the years, everything from big budget and smaller indie projects to fan-made, this new show looks set to give a more exclusive present day peak behind the curtain of the club’s modern-day set-up than ever before.

While it remains unclear whether or not this past term’s exploits – be it the drama of the Ruben Amorim era, or the upturn under Michael Carrick – are set to be included, as the official announcement teases, the Amazon series will provide behind-the-scenes MUFC throughout the 26/27 term.

There was an opportunity to accept this kind of coverage shortly after INEOS invested in the business, but Amorim put a rather public kibosh on the offer to preserve the backroom’s privacy and prevent any unnecessary intrusion.

Understandably, a lot of people agree with the decision, especially given the team was not just in another state of flux but at a crucial turning point under their then-new boss.

Taking a more old-school manager approach, it may have been seen as a sensible step, but it wouldn’t have mattered either way, as the Portuguese head coach (who now looks set to join AC Milan) was eventually sacked after just over a year in charge.

Nevertheless, many supporters are still reticent about the prospect of lifting the lid on an organisation that has famously seen plenty of turbulence. The fan base will just be hoping for a season to remember for the right reasons while the cameras are running for a reportedly record

The two most recent Premier League champions, Arsenal and Man City, have both seen seasons of Amazon’s now well-known docuseries before going on to win landmark titles, so perhaps it could be a good omen; who knows?

Conversely, Sunderland – who were infamously selected as one of the first subjects of this all-access kind of series – arguably ended up putting more unnecessary spotlight on their struggles.

As for those under the All Or Nothing umbrella, Spurs, Juventus and even the German international have also served as examples of how the big payout may not always be worth the bad press, with all three having gone through plenty of trials and tribulations in and around the respective versions airing.

Let’s just say that, reportedly ‘record’ sums or not, this could still go one way or the other…

While it’s still unclear as to the actual figure Manchester United will be taking home as part of the package with Amazon, this is yet another example of the steady Americanisation of association football, starting with the NFL and ice hockey before now drawing even wider audiences to the beautiful game.

2026 World Cup fans in North America are being mocked already – and this could be just the beginning
What do you make of the growing trend?

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Featured Images — The Manc Group

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