Tag Archives: Ticktock

Tick-tock: The resurgence of traditional timepieces | Watches

Posted on by
Reply

FFirst, Mark Zuckerberg removed his gray hoodie. Then he let his curls grow. Now, he is shifting his styling focus to his left wrist, sporting a $900,000 (£740,000) watch by Swiss brand Greubel Forsey, made of white gold and limited to only three pieces per year. This addition to his watch collection includes a $1.2 million rose gold Patek Philippe watch and the thinnest watch ever made.

The trend of mechanical watches is on the rise, driven by Generation Z, who are embracing traditional aesthetics for a sense of nostalgia and familiarity. Depop has reported a 34% increase in watch searches, attributing the shift to analog watches exuding a classic style and functionality.

Despite predictions that smartwatches would eliminate traditional Swiss watches, there has been a decline in sales as consumers opt for old-fashioned timepieces. TikTok showcases a variety of watch styles and brands, from high-end Rolex to more affordable options like Casio and Swatch.

Luxury watches have also found their place on the red carpet, with celebrities accessorizing their outfits with iconic timepieces. Watches of Switzerland Group notes a growing interest among Gen Z customers in Swiss-made watches, emphasizing brand recognition and sustainability.

Wearing a watch can convey status and personal style, reflected in popular television shows and public figures showcasing their timepiece choices. Even high-profile individuals are opting for more modest watch brands, signaling a shift towards less conspicuous displays of wealth.

Skip past newsletter promotions

This shift towards authenticity and understated luxury resonates with Gen Z, who look for genuine expressions of style rather than ostentatious displays of wealth. The appeal lies in something real and meaningful, rather than a symbol of affluence.

Source: www.theguardian.com

EU threat causes TikTok to halt view reward system | Ticktock

Posted on by
Reply

TikTok’s service, offering perks like gift certificates for video watching, was ceased by the company after the European Union threatened to block it due to concerns of child addiction.

Digital Commissioner Thierry Breton stated that TikTok Lite’s features in France and Spain comply with obligations under the Digital Services Act (DSA). “I couldn’t prove it, he said under the law,” he mentioned.

The EU believes the service could be as addictive as cigarettes and has given TikTok 48 hours to respond with new defenses.

As a precautionary measure, TikTok sent a letter to Breton informing the suspension of its services.

Breton emphasized, “Our children are not social media guinea pigs. The DSA ensures safety in the EU’s online spaces.”

This is the first instance of the EU taking legal action since the DSA came into effect in August last year.

Following the US Senate’s legislation, TikTok faces further challenges either in banning it or compelling the sale of its US operations.

Breton expressed disappointment in the company’s decision to proceed with the service despite prior concerns raised by the European Commission regarding child protection issues linked to TikTok.

“We welcome TikTok’s move to suspend the ‘rewards program’ in TikTok Lite on April 22nd, taking into account the ongoing case and willingness to implement interim measures,” he remarked.

The litigation against TikTok concerning addictive risks continues, including an assessment of the compliance of TikTok Lite launch with the DSA.

Effective Wednesday, TikTok, owned by ByteDance, will suspend its Tasks & Rewards program in France and Spain for new users for 60 days.

It will also cease services for existing subscribers by May 1 at the latest, and halt the rollout in other EU nations.

Skip past newsletter promotions

This suspension marks the first time the EU has exercised its authority under the DSA to enforce compliance with EU laws on social media companies, including X and Facebook, risking global ban or up to 6% sanctions income.

A European Commission spokesperson confirmed two ongoing formal proceedings against TikTok, including this case concerning TikTok Lite.

The initial lawsuit filed in February addressed child protection on TikTok, covering age verification, advertising transparency, and addressing addictive designs and harmful content risks.

A TikTok spokesperson mentioned, “TikTok always strives to engage constructively with the EU Commission and regulatory authorities.

“Hence, we are voluntarily suspending the rewards feature on TikTok Lite and addressing the raised concerns.”

Source: www.theguardian.com

US Congress passes bill targeting TikTok, prompting ban speculation | Tick-tock

Posted on by
Reply

The House of Representatives passed a bill requiring TikTok owner ByteDance to sell the platform or risk a complete ban in the US. The Senate quickly followed suit, and the bill was signed by Joe Biden the next day.

This move poses a significant threat to TikTok in the US, especially since a previous ban in Montana was ruled unconstitutional and never enforced.

Here’s what you need to know about the bill, the possibility of a TikTok ban, and its implications for the platform’s 170 million US users.

Is the US really trying to ban TikTok and why?

The bill passed by the House is part of an ongoing political battle over TikTok, a platform that has seen massive growth since its launch in 2017. Lawmakers are concerned about data privacy and censorship issues related to TikTok’s Chinese parent company.

Despite TikTok’s assurances about data storage and access, lawmakers remain skeptical, leading to the recent legislation.

Various attempts to regulate TikTok in the US have been made, culminating in the recent bill passing in the House.

Does this bill really ban TikTok?

Under the bill, ByteDance must divest from TikTok within 165 days to avoid a ban. App stores could face penalties for hosting TikTok if the divestiture does not occur.

Supporters argue the bill offers ByteDance an opportunity to avoid a ban by selling TikTok to non-Chinese companies.

TikTok disputes this, claiming uncertainty about the sale’s approval and completion within the specified timeframe.

How did we get here?

Past bans and restrictions on TikTok, including efforts by former President Trump, have laid the groundwork for the current situation. Montana and other states have previously attempted bans, but legal challenges have prevented enforcement.

Recent demands from the Treasury Department raised concerns, leading to the development of the current bill.

How will the TikTok ban be enforced?

Enforcing a ban on TikTok faces technical and legal challenges due to the decentralized nature of the internet. Methods like blocking IP addresses could be circumvented using VPNs.

To fully restrict TikTok, the US would need to adopt stringent internet restrictions used by countries like China.

Who supports a possible TikTok ban?

Most Republicans and the Biden administration back the bill, with President Trump’s stance evolving over time. Efforts to ban TikTok have garnered bipartisan support.

Despite some opposition, the bill’s supporters believe it is crucial for national security and data privacy concerns.

Who opposes the TikTok bill?

TikTok vehemently opposes the bill and urges the Senate to reject it. Some lawmakers and civil rights groups argue the bill threatens free speech rights and could set a dangerous precedent.

Opponents of the bill emphasize the need for comprehensive social media regulation rather than targeting specific platforms like TikTok.

What will happen to TikTok in the future?

The bill still faces hurdles in the Senate, and its enforcement could be complex. TikTok’s lobbying efforts and legal challenges could impact the bill’s implementation.

Even if passed, legal challenges may arise, similar to previous bans that were blocked on constitutional grounds.

Source: www.theguardian.com

TikTok vows to resist US bans and forced sales following bill approval | Ticktock

Posted on by
Reply

TikTok has announced its intention to challenge any ban or requirement for the app’s sale in the United States through legal means, following the passing of a bill by the House of Representatives that targets the popular video platform.

Uncertainty looms over the company’s future in the United States after lawmakers in Washington approved a bill that would mandate the sale of a stake in TikTok’s U.S. operations by its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, or face a ban.

The bill, part of a foreign aid package for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan, was passed by the House with a vote of 360-58 on Saturday and will now be presented to the Senate for further consideration. President Joe Biden has expressed his support for the bill.

Michael Beckerman, TikTok’s head of public policy for the Americas, informed employees via a memo after the vote that the bill is deemed unconstitutional, and TikTok intends to challenge it in court.

Beckerman stated in the memo, initially reported by a technology news website, that the bill infringes on the First Amendment, which safeguards free speech rights, and vowed to pursue legal action once the bill is signed into law.

Arguments on the basis of the First Amendment have previously worked in TikTok’s favor in the U.S. In a ruling last year, a district judge in Montana blocked a state ban on TikTok, citing violations of users’ free speech rights. The judge found that the ban exceeded the state’s authority and violated constitutional rights.

TikTok has faced scrutiny from U.S. lawmakers and other Western officials, including those in the UK, over concerns that user data could be accessed by the Chinese government. While TikTok denies such requests from Beijing, critics fear ByteDance may be compelled to share data with Chinese security services under the country’s laws.

Skip past newsletter promotions

TikTok is yet to provide a comment on the matter.

Source: www.theguardian.com

EU raises concerns about TikTok Lite app’s incentivization of video-watching users

Posted on by
Reply

The EU has given TikTok 24 hours to conduct a risk assessment of a new service it has launched over concerns it could encourage children to become addicted to videos on the platform.

Launched this month in France and Spain, TikTok Lite, an app that lets you earn rewards just by watching, is effectively TikTok’s coin currency that rewards points earned through Amazon coupons, gift cards via PayPal, or “tasks.” We offer prizes such as:

“Tasks” include watching videos, liking content, following creators, inviting friends to TikTok, and more.

The European Commission said TikTok, owned by China’s ByteDance, should have carried out a risk assessment before introducing the app, and said it was now seeking “further details”.

The intervention comes months after sweeping new laws came into force under the Digital Services Act (DSA), which requires technology companies and social media platforms to follow new rules regarding the services they offer to users and the removal of illegal content. It was done later.

In February, the commission launched a formal investigation into TikTok, alleging violations of the DSA in areas related to the protection of minors, advertising transparency, and risk management around addictive design and harmful content. We evaluated whether there is any gender.

Investigations into child protection on TikTok include age verification, an issue highlighted by a Guardian investigation into the platform last year.

While the commission said its request for further information regarding TikTok’s internal controls does not prejudge the possibility of further action, the commission said in response to the request that “any information that is inaccurate, incomplete, or misleading” We have the power to impose fines.”

The organization said its request related to concerns “about the potential impact of the new Tasks and Rewards Lite program on the protection of minors and the mental health of users, particularly in relation to the potential stimulation of addictive behavior.” He said that

Last year, US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy formally warned the nation that social media poses a “risk of serious harm” to the mental health of children and adolescents.

In September, TikTok was fined 350 million euros by the EU’s chief regulator for violating privacy laws regarding the processing of children’s personal data.

In addition to the 24-hour deadline for the risk assessment, TikTok must also provide other information by April 26, the commission said.

The company said it would honor the request. “We have already been in direct contact with the commission regarding this product and will respond to requests for information,” a TikTok spokesperson said.

The company said the benefit is limited to people aged 18 and over, subject to age verification, and the maximum payment is set at €1 (approximately £0.85) per day.

Source: www.theguardian.com

House Passes Bill Requiring ByteDance, Owner of TikTok, to Sell or Risk US Ban | Ticktock

Posted on by
Reply

The House of Representatives passed a bill on Wednesday mandating that ByteDance, the owner of TikTok, must sell the social media platform or face a complete ban in the United States.

The vote resulted in overwhelming support, with 352 members of Congress voting in favor and only 65 voting against. The bill, which was swiftly approved in committee last week, gives ByteDance 165 days to divest from TikTok. Failure to do so would result in app stores like the Apple App Store and Google Play being legally prohibited from hosting TikTok or providing web hosting services for ByteDance-managed applications.

Following the vote, TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew expressed disappointment and stated that the company is doing everything possible to protect the platform’s integrity and enforce their legal rights.

Chew emphasized TikTok’s efforts to secure data and shield the platform from external influences, raising concerns about the implications of the bill on other social media companies, creators, and small businesses.

The decision in the House of Representatives marks a significant development in the ongoing debate surrounding TikTok’s alleged data collection practices and potential political censorship. Despite assurances from TikTok that they do not share U.S. user data with the Chinese government, challenges persist, including past bans and legal battles.

The future of the bill in the Senate remains uncertain, as some Democrats have raised free speech concerns and proposed broader social media regulations to address foreign influence concerns without singling out TikTok specifically.

The White House supports the bill, aiming to provide a pathway for ByteDance to sell TikTok and mitigate national security risks associated with Chinese ownership. The authors of the bill stress that the goal is not to ban TikTok outright but to facilitate its sale to circumvent the block in the U.S.

While the outcome of the bill continues to unfold, TikTok and its supporters remain steadfast in advocating for the platform’s survival, raising uncertainties about China’s approval of a potential sale and the timeline for such a transaction.

As the debate continues, concerns persist about the impact of the bill on other Chinese-owned platforms in the U.S., such as Tencent’s WeChat. The discussions reflect broader efforts to address national security and privacy considerations in the social media landscape.

Reuters contributed to this report

Source: www.theguardian.com