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Tag: TikTok

  • Multiple States Investigating TikTok’s Impact on Children

    Multiple States Investigating TikTok’s Impact on Children

    TikTok is the latest social media platform in the crosshairs, as multiple states are investigating its impact on children.

    TikTok is one of the fastest growing social media platforms, and has taken off during the pandemic. Despite its popularity, the platform has not been without controversy, especially in regard to minors.

    According to ABC News, TikTok is drawing all new scrutiny, with attorneys general for California, Florida, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Nebraska, New Jersey, Tennessee, and Vermont joining forces to investigate the platform.

    “Our children are growing up in the age of social media — and many feel like they need to measure up to the filtered versions of reality that they see on their screens,” California Attorney General Rob Bonta said in a news release. “We know this takes a devastating toll on children’s mental health and well-being.”

    TikTok has repeatedly been under fire over privacy concerns and how the platforms handles information about minors. The company settled a privacy suit in the US for some $92 million, while the EU has warned it about its data practices. TikTok has repeatedly been accused of violating the privacy of children, or failing to protect it. The company was also accused of telling moderators to “suppress uploads from users with flaws both congenital and inevitable,” including “‘abnormal body shape,’ ‘ugly facial looks,’ dwarfism, and ‘obvious beer belly,’ ‘too many wrinkles,’ ‘eye disorders,’ and many other ‘low quality’ traits.”

    With that kind of history, combined with its popularity, it’s no wonder so many AGs want to better understand the impact the platform is having on minors.

  • Facebook Launches Reels Globally

    Facebook Launches Reels Globally

    Facebook is expanding Reels globally, as the company continues to struggle against TikTok.

    TikTok has taken the social media world by storm, leaving older, more established platforms to adapt and try to keep up. Facebook’s attempt to do so is Reels, its own take on short form videos. The feature launched in the US in September 2021, but Facebook has now brought it to its international users.

    Today, we’re expanding the availability of Facebook Reels for iOS and Android to more than 150 countries across the globe. We’re also introducing better ways to help creators to earn money, new creation tools and more places to watch and create Facebook Reels.

    Facebook is also including new ways for creators to monetize their Reels content.

    Our Reels Play bonus program, part of our $1 billion creator investment, pays eligible creators up to $35,000 a month based on the views of their qualifying reels.

    Given Facebook’s recent quarter, the company needs Reels to be a success.

  • TikTok Now the Internet’s Most Popular Site, Edging Out Google

    TikTok Now the Internet’s Most Popular Site, Edging Out Google

    TikTok has taken the top spot as the world’s most popular website, beating out Google and Facebook.

    TikTok has been on a tear over the last few years, and was a big winner among social media platforms during t he pandemic. Not even attempts by the Trump administration to ban the app could blunt its growth. In fact, the platform recently crossed the 1 billion user mark.

    According to CBS News, TikTok is now the most popular site on the internet, and the most widely used social media platform.

    In contrast, Google, Facebook, Microsoft, and Apple rounded out the top five.

  • Apple’s App Store Set to Hit $85 Billion in Sales in 2021

    Apple’s App Store Set to Hit $85 Billion in Sales in 2021

    New data indicates the Apple App Store is on track to blow past last year’s earnings, topping $85 billion in 2021.

    The App Store is the primary way for iOS/iPadOS devices to download software and has become a substantial money-maker for Apple. According to data from SensorTower, global App Store spending will reach $85.1 billion by the end of 2021. This represents a 17.7% year-over-year increase from the $72.3 billion the App Store accounted for in 2020.

    Similarly, the Google Play Store will reach $47.9 billion in 2021, an increase of 23.5% over 2020’s $38.8 billion.

    TikTok was the highest earning non-game app across both platforms, but lagged behind Google One when looking exclusively at the Play Store. TikTok was also the most downloaded app on the App Store, but came in third place behind Facebook and Instagram on the Play Store. Facebook and Instagram came in second and third on the App Store.

  • TikTok Hits 1 Billion Users

    TikTok Hits 1 Billion Users

    TikTok has crossed a major milestone, saying it now has over 1 billion users.

    TikTok has taken the social media world by storm, quickly becoming one of the most popular, fastest growing platforms. The app even survived the Trump administration’s attempts to ban it in the US, or force it to sell to an American company.

    The company now says it has crossed the 1 billion user threshold.

    At TikTok, our mission is to inspire creativity and bring joy. Today, we’re celebrating that mission and our global TikTok community. More than 1 billion people around the world now come to TikTok every month to be entertained as they learn, laugh, or discover something new. We’re honored to be a home for our immensely diverse community of families, small businesses, and creators who transform into our favorite stars.

  • China Limiting Minors’ Usage of the Chinese Version of TikTok

    China Limiting Minors’ Usage of the Chinese Version of TikTok

    In yet another attempt to limit the impact of technology on young people, China is limiting Douyin usage for those under 14 to 40 minutes a day.

    Douyin is the Chinese version of TikTok and is wildly popular in the country. Despite the app’s success, China is working to minimize the effect of technology on its younger generation. The country recentlylimited how much time minors could spend playing video games, and is looking to do the same with social media.

    Douyin is rolling out a “youth mode” that will restrict access for all users under 14, according to The Wall Street Journal, via Insider.

    “If you are a user aged under 14, you’ll discover that you’re already in ‘youth mode’ when you open the app,” said the company in a statement.

    It remains to be seen what impact the new regulation will have on ByteDance, the company responsible for both Douyin and TikTok.

  • China’s Regulators May Ban Data-Heavy Companies From US IPOs

    China’s Regulators May Ban Data-Heavy Companies From US IPOs

    China’s regulators may look to ban data-heavy companies from pursing IPOs in the US.

    Like the US, China is looking to reign in the power and influence of its Big Tech firms. Companies with access to large quantities of data are particularly important to the country, and have already been pawns in the trade war between Beijing and Washington. TikTok is one example, with the US trying to force a sale under threat of ban, and China taking steps to restrict the export of the kind of algorithms TikTok relies on.

    China’s latest move is in the form of proposed rules that would keep data-heavy companies from going public in the US, according to The Wall Street Journal. Such a move is sure to be unpopular with many companies looking to cash in on an IPO, but China clearly wants to keep what it considers to be sensitive technologies in-country.

    It remains to be seen if there will be any retaliation or fallout from Washington.

  • TikTok Unveils New Protections for Teens

    TikTok Unveils New Protections for Teens

    TikTok has unveiled new protections for teens, including limiting notifications at night.

    TikTok is one of the most popular social media platforms, but has been mired in controversy. The company has been accused time and again of not respecting user privacy, and has taken heat for abusing the privacy of its youngest users.

    The company is taking action to address those concerns, rolling out a number of additional protections, including to Direct Messaging, public videos and nighttime notifications.

    TikTok will turn the Direct Messaging setting for teens 16-17 who join the platform, or existing accounts that have never used DMs, to ‘No One.’

    When uploading new videos, teens under 16 will be prompted to select who can view their video when they upload their first one. A similar prompt will display when teens choose to allow their videos to be downloaded.

    Another major step TikTok is taking is limiting nighttime notifications in an effort to help teens develop healthier digital habits.

    We want to help our younger teens in particular develop positive digital habits early on, and we regularly consult with leading paediatric experts and youth well-being advocates to develop our Youth Portal, bullying prevention guide, and other features that support youth-well being. Now, we’ll be drawing upon this research to make changes that reduce the time period during which our younger teens can receive push notifications. Accounts aged 13-15 will not receive push notifications from 9pm, and accounts aged 16-17 will have push notifications disabled starting at 10pm.

    TikTok still has a long way to go before it establishes a strong track record of respecting and protecting user privacy, but these measures are certainly headed in the right direction.

  • FTC May Target Google and Facebook’s Data and Algorithms

    FTC May Target Google and Facebook’s Data and Algorithms

    The Federal Trade Commission may target Google and Facebook’s data, and the algorithms they rely on, as part of a larger antitrust crackdown.

    Big Tech has been under increased scrutiny around the world, with regulators in the US and EU poised to take aggressive action to tackle antitrust issues. Google and Facebook, in particular, are facing some of the most intense scrutiny, and are already fending off lawsuits.

    The FTC may have one of the most novel solutions, and the one that should terrify Google and Facebook the most. FTC Chief Technologist Erie Meyer said companies that abuse privacy and collect user data illegally could be forced to pay fines, disclose data and turn over “algorithms that were juiced by ill-gotten data,” reports the Washington Examiner.

    The latter penalty should be especially concerning to both companies, as well as any other data-driven platforms. The algorithms companies use are often some of their most well-guarded secrets. When the US was trying to pressure ByteDance to sell TikTok, one of the issues that torpedoed a sale was China classifying algorithms — such as the one TikTok uses to drive engagement — as sensitive information that could not be exported. Indeed, much of TikTok’s success is believed to be the result of the algorithm it uses.

    If losing algorithms is on the table as a possible penalty, it may well be the single biggest motivation for Big Tech to straighten up and get its act together.

  • Facebook Spending $1 Billion on Content Creators Through 2022

    Facebook Spending $1 Billion on Content Creators Through 2022

    Facebook plans to pay content creators some $1 billion through 2022 in an effort to ward off rivals.

    Facebook has been facing increased pressure from rivals, such as TikTok and Clubhouse, and is facing its slowest growth rate in company history. As a result, the company is increasingly looking at different ways to increase engagement and continue attracting content creators and users alike.

    The latest endeavor, announced by CEO Mark Zuckerberg, involves paying out $1 billion through 2022.

    “We want to build the best platforms for millions of creators to make a living, so we’re creating new programs to invest over $1 billion to reward creators for great content they create on Facebook and Instagram through 2022,” wrote Zuckerberg. “Investing in creators isn’t new for us, but I’m excited to expand this work over time. More details soon.”

    It will be interesting to see if Facebook’s efforts yields results.

  • TikTok Enters Job Market with TikTok Resumes

    TikTok Enters Job Market with TikTok Resumes

    TikTok is looking to expand beyond just social media, introducing TikTok Resumes as a way to apply for jobs.

    TikTok is one of the most popular, and most controversial, social media platforms. While it has a user base and growth rate to make other platforms green with envy, the company continues to faceprivacy abuse allegations and has been on the receiving end of a campaign by the previous administration to ban the platform.

    None of those challenges are stopping the company from expanding into the job market, with the unveiling of TikTok Resumes.

    “We’re excited to launch ‘TikTok Resumes’ as a pilot program designed to continue expanding and enhancing TikTok as a new channel for recruitment and job discovery,” reads the company’s blog. “We’re teaming up with select companies and inviting job seekers to apply for entry-level to experienced positions with some of the world’s most sought-after employers, including Chipotle, Target, WWE, Alo Yoga, Shopify, Contra, Movers+Shakers, and many more, with a TikTok video resume. Interested candidates are encouraged to creatively and authentically showcase their skillsets and experiences, and use #TikTokResumes in their caption when publishing their video resume to TikTok.”

    While many users may be reluctant to trust the platform with something as important as their job prospects, it appears the fledgling service already has an impressive array of companies onboard.

  • Facebook Poised for Slowest US Growth Ever in 2021

    Facebook Poised for Slowest US Growth Ever in 2021

    Facebook is poised to experience its slowest US growth ever in 2021, dropping to a mere 1%.

    Facebook is the 800-pound gorilla among social media platforms, but it no longer enjoys the growth rate it once had, or that its up-and-coming competitors enjoy. Even so, 2021 will see the company’s growth rate drop to its lowest ever, according to Business Insider.

    Much of the company’s challenges come from younger users abandoning the platform, or skipping it altogether, in favor of TikTok, Instagram and other, newer, hipper platforms. According to BI, Facebook will gain 19.4 million users 25 and older from 2019 to 2025. In spite of that, it will lose 4.1 million users ages 12 to 24 during the same period.

    The low growth rate is just the latest issue the company is facing, adding to regulatory challenges, moderation controversies and the toxic culture that has come to define social media.

  • TikTok and WeChat In the Clear as Biden Reverses Trump’s Ban Attempts

    TikTok and WeChat In the Clear as Biden Reverses Trump’s Ban Attempts

    TikTok and WeChat’s battle to avoid being sold is finally over, as President Biden has signed an executive order undoing the previous administration’s attempt to ban them.

    TikTok found itself in the crosshairs of the Trump administration, with officials trying to get the social media platform banned in the US. The only proposed alternative was for TikTok’s parent, ByteDance, to sell off the US operations. Oracle, along with Walmart, emerged as winning company, but neither US nor Chinese officials could agree on terms, leaving the company in limbo.

    Shortly after taking office, President Biden ordered a review of the previous administration’s attempts to ban TikTok and WeChat, but has now signed an executive order reversing the attempt to ban them.

    President Biden revoked and replaced three E.O.s that aimed to prohibit transactions with TikTok, WeChat, and eight other communications and financial technology software applications; two of these E.O.s are subject to litigation.

    In lieu of banning the platforms, the executive order instructs the Commerce Department to evaluate “foreign adversary connected software applications” and take action where appropriate to protect user data.

  • Xiaomi Removed From US Blacklist

    Xiaomi Removed From US Blacklist

    The Department of Defense (DOD) is removing Chinese firm Xiaomi from a blacklist preventing it from operating in the US.

    Xiaomi was one of several Chinese companies banned from doing business in the US over concerns regarding national security. Government and intelligence officials believed it and other companies provided a way for Beijing to spy on governments and organizations around the world.

    Xiaomi fought back, suing to get its ban overturned. The suit has paid off, with the DOD agreeing to remove the company from the blacklist, according to The Wall Street Journal.

    As the WSJ points out, Xiaomi joins TikTok and WeChat as one of a few companies that have won lawsuits against the US government, preventing blacklisting or forced sales.

    The Biden administration has been reviewing Trump-era decisions regarding Chinese firms. It remains to be seen if Xiaomi’s outcome is the beginning of a major shift, or isolated to the firm.

  • YouTube Shorts $100 Million Fund Aims to Take on TikTok

    YouTube Shorts $100 Million Fund Aims to Take on TikTok

    YouTube has established a $100 million fund in an effort to attract creators to its YouTube Shorts TikTok competitor.

    TikTok has taken the social media world by storm, attracting content creators and users alike. During the pandemic, the platform was the clear winner among social media companies, and did especially well attracting the most valuable demographics. As a result, virtually every major competitor has been working to come out with features to better compete with TikTok.

    YouTube Shorts is YouTube’s answer, and the company is willing to spend big bucks to attract content, unveiling the YouTube Shorts Fund. The $100 million fund will be distributed over 2021 and 2022.

    We’re introducing the YouTube Shorts Fund, a $100M fund distributed over the course of 2021-2022. Anyone is eligible to participate in the fund simply by creating unique Shorts that delight the YouTube community.

    Each month, we’ll reach out to thousands of creators whose Shorts received the most engagement and views to reward them for their contributions. We’ll also ask these creators to share their feedback with us so we can continue to improve the product experience.

    Only time will tell if YouTube and other platforms can crack TikTok’s winning formula, but the YouTube Shorts Fund is certainly a step in the right direction.

  • Mobile App Usage Up 30%, Hits 4.2 Hours Per Day

    Mobile App Usage Up 30%, Hits 4.2 Hours Per Day

    A new report shows how much mobile app usage has grown during the pandemic, reaching 4.2 hours per day, a 30% increase over 2019.

    As people have been staying at home and engaging in remote work, digital services and entertainment have experienced meteoric growth. A new study by App Annie shows just how much that usage has exploded.

    According to the report, in Q1 2021, “the global average time spent was 4.2 hours a day, up 30% compared to two years prior.” Some countries passed the five hour mark, namely Brazil, Indonesia and South Korea. Meanwhile, India saw the biggest growth, with consumers spending “80% more time in apps in Q1 2021 than they did in Q1 2019.”

    There were interesting variations in the popularity of apps, specific to certain markets. While Facebook, TikTok and YouTube were some of the usual favorites, Signal and Telegram were very popular in Western Markets. In other markets, investment apps were among the favorites, including crypto trading apps such as Coinbase and Upbit.

    The full report is well-worth a read, and shows the ongoing transformative effect the pandemic is having on the mobile industry.

  • Microsoft In Talks to Purchase Discord

    Microsoft In Talks to Purchase Discord

    Shortly after reports that Discord was investigating a sale, a new report says that Microsoft has emerged as a front-runner in the discussions.

    Microsoft is a natural candidate for a purchase of Discord, given the company’s focus on gaming. In addition to its Xbox platform, Microsoft recently bought ZeniMax Media, and its gaming studio Bethesda Softworks, in an effort to bring more game development in-house.

    As Bloomberg highlights, Microsoft has been shopping for companies that could help it establish, grow and interact with a community of users. The company recently tried to purchase TikTok and was in talks to acquire Pinterest. Services such as this are seen as especially valuable as a result of the pandemic, as virtual communities can help address people’s need for social interaction in a safe way.

    “Microsoft possibly acquiring Discord makes a lot of sense as it continues to reshape its gaming business more toward software and services,” said Bloomberg Intelligence Analyst Matthew Kanterman. “There’s a big opportunity to bundle Discord’s premium offering, Nitro, into the Game Pass service to drive more subscriptions from the last reported 18 million.”

    The report indicates the sale could be north of $10 billion, but nothing is final.

  • TikTok Draws Scrutiny and Warning From EU

    TikTok Draws Scrutiny and Warning From EU

    TikTok is once again under scrutiny for its data practices, with the EU warning that some data may be making its way to China.

    TikTok claims that EU user data is sent to the US, not China. But according to the EU, some of that data may be accessible to engineers based in China, reports Bloomberg.

    “TikTok tells us that EU data is transferred to the U.S. and not to China, however we have understood that there is possibility that maintenance and AI engineers in China may be accessing data,” said Helen Dixon, the Irish Data Protection Commissioner.

    The claim is the latest in a long string of privacy issues the social media company has faced. The most recent saw the company settle a lawsuit for some $92 million. TikTok’s privacy practices also led the Trump administration to try to ban the app, although it’s unclear if the Biden administration will continue pursuing those efforts.

  • TikTok Settles Privacy Suit For $92 Million

    TikTok Settles Privacy Suit For $92 Million

    TikTok has agreed to pay $92 million to settle a lawsuit in the US over its privacy practices.

    TikTok quickly rose to be one of the most popular social media platforms in the world, and was the first Chinese app to gain its level of worldwide success. With that success, however, came greater a degree of scrutiny. The app has repeatedly been accused of violating child privacy, uploading videos to China without user consent and being a threat to national security.

    The company has settled a lawsuit filed by TikTok users in the U.S. District Court in Illinois. Illinois has already established itself as a privacy haven, with Facebook recently settling a lawsuit filed against it in the state.

    “While we disagree with the assertions, rather than go through lengthy litigation, we’d like to focus our efforts on building a safe and joyful experience for the TikTok community,” TikTok said Thursday, according to NBC News.

    The settlement requires court approval.

  • TikTok Runs Afoul of European Consumer Law

    TikTok Runs Afoul of European Consumer Law

    TikTok has found itself in trouble with the European Consumer Organisation BEUC, as a result of multiple infractions against EU consumer laws.

    TikTok has faced repeated criticism for breaches of privacy, especially in regard to the privacy of minor children. The company has also faced ongoing criticism, scrutiny and lawsuits over its privacy practices in general.

    The latest troubles come from the EU, as TikTok is accused of violating several EU consumer laws, according to the BEUC, including a failure to properly protect children.

    The BEUC’s investigation found that a number of TikTok’s ‘Terms of Service’ were unfair, ambiguous and favoring TikTok to users’ detriment. The same is true of the company’s copyright terms, which give TikTok “an irrevocable right to use, distribute and reproduce the videos published by users, without remuneration.”

    The BEUC took issue with how TikTok administers the coins people can purchase to reward their favorite content creators, retaining too much control over exchange rates.

    The company’s handling of user data is also misleading, with TikTok not properly informing users — especially children — of how and why their data is being collected and how it’s being used.

    Most egregiously, the company is failing to protect children and minors from potentially harmful content and and hidden advertising.

    The BEUC wants “authorities to launch a comprehensive investigation into TikTok’s policies and practices and to ensure that TikTok respects EU consumer rights. The company should properly inform consumers about its business model and data processing activities and stop imposing unfair terms and practices on its users. TikTok should also stop keeping its users in the dark about the financial consequences of buying virtual gifts for their favourite idols and improve the fairness of this service. In particular children and teenagers, who form an important part of Tik Tok’s audience must be adequately protected regarding their exposure to marketing, hidden advertising and inappropriate content.”

    Given the EU’s strong privacy and consumer legislation, TikTok’s run of fast and loose privacy practices is likely coming to an end.

  • Biden Administration Reviewing WeChat Ban

    Biden Administration Reviewing WeChat Ban

    The Biden administration is reviewing an attempted ban of WeChat, amid a broader review of the previous administration’s actions against Chinese platforms.

    WeChat was one of a number of Chinese services the Trump administration tried to ban. Ultimately, a judge blocked the ban, in large part because of how important the app is to the Chinese community abroad.

    “WeChat is effectively the only means of communication for many in the community, not only because China bans other apps, but also because Chinese speakers with limited English proficiency have no options other than WeChat,” wrote U.S. Magistrate Judge Laurel Beeler in her order, according to NPR. She also likened WeChat to “a virtual public square for the Chinese-speaking and Chinese-American community.”

    The Biden administration has been reviewing the actions taken against the various Chinese companies that the Trump administration accused of being a threat to national security. The current administration wants to make sure the purported threats warranted the actions taken.

    According to ABC News, that includes reviewing the attempted ban against WeChat, just a day after the administration put a hold on the attempted TikTok ban. The announcement is good news for the Chinese-American community who rely on WeChat as a communication lifeline to friends and family in China.