Politico notes that Commission President Ursula von der Leyen talked about the possible dangers of TikTok during a debate this evening in Maastricht with the front-runners for the EU's 2024 election. Considering the example set by the US, where TikTok faces a national ban unless sold by its parent firm, ByteDance, she did not rule out an EU ban.
Von von Leyen emphasized the apparent risks by pointing out that the European Commission was the first global organization to forbid TikTok on business phones. "We know exactly the danger of TikTok," she continued.
The EU is presently looking into the app for potential legal violations, including a program that gives users gift cards in exchange for watching videos, which might be against EU laws prohibiting features that make apps more addictive for young users.
Welcome to Season 2, Episode 1 of Wednesday With Woody, the podcast, where we'll be discussing two controversial topics making headlines around the world. Firstly, we'll delve into the Uganda bill, which aims to criminalise homosexuality, with the possibility of the death penalty for those found guilty. This bill has sparked international outrage, and we'll be exploring some of the topics that were caught during a discussion on the bill and the human rights violations it raises.
Our second topic focuses on the potential ban of TikTok in America. Lawmakers in the USA have expressed concerns over national security and data privacy, and are pushing forward with plans to ban the popular app.
I'm a German that primarily watches English videos, which allowed me to notice a trend. German videos were recommended to me before and after an actual ad, leading me to believe these videos are sponsored and boosted by TikTok, because I never see German videos outside of this.
While most of them were somewhat harmless, I've seen a concerning trend of TikTok boosting German conservative videos, which I have never even touched in my browsing history- most of the accounts I follow are either queer or leftist, and I do my part in avoiding the alt-right pipeline.
This is not a coincidence, and it only makes it easier to see for me considering the language difference. If you use tiktok, beware of the videos that come before and after an ad. You'll notice they're not your usual videos.
Ive also noticed TikTok adding people to the list of people I follow, presumably to add fake numbers to already huge channels, as most of them are, with some more obscure names thrown in for unknown reasons.
If you don't experience any of this, remember that the people behind this aren't stupid. They could only be doing this to a certain part of the population.
Adding all this to the already scandalous amounts of issues, such as not recommending creators they believe aren't attractive, and I begin to believe this Chinese manipulator of a platform must be removed.
So with all the talk of Meta lobbying for the ban of tiktok I decided to make an account on here. I haven't used tumblr since like... 2014... and it was under my old username so I am starting fresh.
Why tumblr? - Why not?
For one, as much as I love my instagram and am proud of my 11.8K followers, I am aware of Meta being the primary instigator for getting rid of tiktok: a place where people can come together, disperse information quickly that might not be easily accessible in the media. It was a place that brought people together in masses, and a place where we could organize efforts to instill change. It was also a place for people to create niche communities and support systems so they were not reliant on a 9-5 job (great for small businesses with it viral potential, and great for disabled creators who burn out easily in traditional jobs)
I will probably still use my instagram because that is where most of my friends are, but I wanted to at least start up an alternative place to connect and create community. I do have a youtube with 10K subscribers however I am also aware of Google's role as well in the push to ban tiktok. However at the moment, they have the highest pay potential and I am trying to make this my full time job as a burned out neurodivergent person - Instagram however REMOVED their creator fund program.
Though tiktok never paid well, it was a place to build community and to connect to like minded people, then instagram and youtube was another place to connect to those who are not on tiktok. It's all very messy as different platforms had their different roles in my content creation and community building. I am going to try to navigate this issue if and when tiktok is banned so that I can continue to connect, create community, and inspire others to pursue their authentic selves and lives.
This guide will show you how to bypass the a TikTok Ban step-by-step. Before we get started, let’s just acknowledge that TikTok definitely does not meet our criteria for an application that respects users privacy. So why help users bypass the TikTok Ban? The answer is that banning apps, websites, speech, communication, or just parts of the Internet in general poses a much greater threat to free…
TikTok Vows Legal Battle Against “Unconstitutional” Law Threatening Ban In US
In a bold move, TikTok has announced its intention to challenge in court a recent law signed by President Biden, which could potentially lead to the app being sold or banned in the United States. The legislation, aimed at TikTok’s Chinese owner ByteDance, mandates a divestment within nine months or risk being blocked in the US. TikTok’s CEO, Shou Zi Chew, asserts the law’s unconstitutionality and vows to defend the platform’s rights vigorously.
“The facts, and the Constitution, are on our side,” declared Chew in a video posted on TikTok. He rallied users to share their stories of the app’s positive impact, portraying the legislation as a direct assault on their freedom of expression. TikTok maintains its stance, vehemently denying allegations of data sharing with the Chinese government, which prompted the introduction of the law.
TikTok’s Stand Against US Legislation
The legislation, embedded within a broader package of bills including military aid for strategic partners, garnered significant bipartisan support in Congress. Lawmakers argue it is a necessary step to mitigate national security risks posed by foreign control over popular social media platforms. Senator Marco Rubio praised the move, emphasizing the need to curtail Chinese influence over American digital spaces.
Despite the legislative momentum, experts caution that the legal battle ahead for TikTok could be protracted and multifaceted. Legal challenges, likely extending to the Supreme Court, could delay any potential ban for years. Notably, previous attempts to ban TikTok within individual states have faced judicial setbacks. The platform’s immense popularity among American youth further complicates enforcement efforts, raising concerns about freedom of speech and expression rights.
Implications and Challenges Ahead
Andrew Przybylski, an expert in human behavior and technology, highlights the potential conflict with international agreements safeguarding children’s rights to information and play. Meanwhile, regulatory scrutiny and the complexities of a potential sale present additional hurdles. Jennifer Huddleston from the Cato Institute underscores the formidable challenges any acquisition would face, questioning the feasibility of finding a suitable buyer given the app’s valuation.
As TikTok users and stakeholders brace for the uncertain outcome, Brooke Erin Duffy, a communication expert, notes the anxiety among content creators and influencers. The looming threat of a ban introduces unprecedented uncertainty into the digital ecosystem, affecting livelihoods and business ventures reliant on the platform’s reach.
The core issue driving the legislative action remains concerns over data security and potential foreign influence. While TikTok maintains its commitment to safeguarding user data, skepticism persists, fueled by geopolitical tensions between the US and China. In parallel, regulatory actions in the European Union underscore global concerns over digital platforms’ impact on society, signaling a broader reckoning with online content and engagement practices.
As the legal battle unfolds, the fate of TikTok hangs in the balance, embodying larger debates surrounding technology, national security, and individual freedoms in the digital age.
A bill that President Joe Biden approved mandates that ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok, give out its assets within nine months to a year in order to prevent the applicability of an effective ban in the US.
Government threatens TikTok ban, but don't panic – transform your content into an AI persona on Vengo AI to monetize your skills and knowledge for a share of the revenue!
https://bit.ly/43izx6b - 📱 The U.S. House of Representatives has approved a bill proposing a TikTok ban due to concerns over data security and control by foreign adversaries, specifically targeting companies like TikTok's parent, ByteDance. This legislation, moving to the Senate, could significantly impact digital platform operations within the country. #TikTokBan #DataSecurity #Legislation 🔍 The bill, if passed by the Senate, would enforce ByteDance to divest TikTok to a U.S.-based entity within 180 days or face restrictions from U.S. app stores and web hosting services, along with potential fines for non-compliance. This step marks a significant governmental move to regulate social media platforms on grounds of national security. #ByteDance #USPolicy #SocialMediaRegulation 🌍 Beyond the U.S., TikTok's data privacy and storage practices have raised alarms in the UK and EU, leading to bans and fines for not protecting children's data. These international concerns highlight the global challenge of managing digital privacy and security in the age of social media. #GlobalPrivacy #EU #UK 💼 TikTok has responded to the scrutiny by investing $1.5 billion in restructuring for a U.S. subsidiary, amidst discussions on the platform's influence and the potential risks associated with its operation under foreign jurisdiction. Experts warn of the app's capacity to shape public opinion and misuse data. #TikTokResponse #DigitalInfluence #Restructuring 🛑 Security professionals highlight TikTok as a heightened threat due to its extensive data collection and potential for misuse, urging for better controls and oversight. The ongoing debate emphasizes the need for stringent regulations to safeguard user privacy and data security, particularly against foreign-controlled apps. #Cybersecurity #DataCollection #Regulation 💡 The economic impact of TikTok on small businesses is significant, with reports indicating billions in revenue and contributions to the U.S. GDP and job market. This economic footprint underscores the complex balance between national security interests and the economic benefits derived from global digital platforms. #EconomicImpact #SmallBusiness #GDP 🔏 While the potential TikTok ban raises questions about digital sovereignty and the effectiveness of such measures, it also reflects broader concerns about foreign influence and the challenge of enforcing digital boundaries. The situation underscores the need for comprehensive policies to manage the digital ecosystem while preserving economic interests.
I'll be honest I didn't even know Tumblr existed until people mentioned it while talking about the potential Tiktok ban of 2024. I doubt Tiktok will sell to anyone in the states and I hope they don't.
Funky little part of the internet this is, huh?
I absolutely despise Meta and Reels (what's with the immediate death???) and that steaming pile of X that Twitter has become. Tiktok is? Was my home for shit posting random stuff.
I also really don't understand the hashtag thing. Never really used that on the clock app.