Tag Archives: tiktok

No WhatsApp in China, No TikTok in the US, and the Return of the Llama: A Tech Update

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aOne day, a new issue arose in Apple’s App Store. This time, the company complied with the Chinese government’s orders to remove WhatsApp and Threads, two of the last meta apps available in China.

From our story:

Apple has removed two apps, both owned by Meta, which also owns Facebook, following the instructions of the Cyberspace Administration of China, which oversees internet and online content censorship in China.

“The Cyberspace Administration of China has mandated the removal of these apps from Chinese app stores due to national security concerns,” Apple stated in an email to Reuters. “We are required to comply with the laws of the countries where we operate, even if we do not agree with them.”

It’s implied that Apple disagrees with this order, considering the last part of that statement. It’s unlikely that the company is pleased to bow down to significant censorship, even if it means removing a competitor’s app.

Notably, Apple did not repeat its strategy in the European Union this time. The company did not release a 12-page report detailing the forced changes and the potential negative impact on the Apple customer experience or regulatory goals. Apple did not take a confrontational approach, nor did it express disagreement with regulators’ interpretations of the law and pledge to challenge them in court.

While it might be unrealistic to expect Apple to challenge the Chinese government in court, the contrast is evident. Apple’s response to dictatorial orders regarding the App Store is brief compared to its response to democratic trade unions’ demands.

This comparison does not favor the European Union. Advocates for digital market regulations would hesitate to equate Apple’s treatment by the Chinese Communist Party with any other government. Yet, it’s a necessary observation. Apple faces little resistance when complying with the Chinese government, which is not the scenario one would desire.

TikTok’s Time is Up

'Foreign enemy'… TikTok could be shut down in the US. Photo: Dado Lubitsch/Reuters

China is not the only government imposing bans. According to the Guardian:

The House passed the latest measure to sell or ban with a vote of 360-58. [TikTok] This legislation could result in the first social media platform shutdown by the U.S. government.

The Senate is expected to vote on the bill next week, with President Joe Biden indicating his intention to sign it.

While I am not a member of Congress, the bill itself appears flawed. To avoid appearing as a targeting act (a bill aimed at individuals and typically disliked in the US legal tradition), the bill avoids singling out TikTok and instead targets “managed” platforms. The determination of what constitutes an “adversary” as a national security threat is left to the president’s discretion. This broad definition grants significant power to ban entities, especially considering the vague criteria for being “controlled” by a state. The term “foreign enemy” is further defined by other laws, now including Iran, China, Russia, and North Korea.

However, these legal nuances are not the focus here. What interests me is the impact of a TikTok ban in the US. The dominance of U.S.-based platforms on the English-speaking internet is evident. Despite geographic variations in platform popularity, American influence is pervasive.

It seems improbable that TikTok will vanish entirely due to a ban. The platform’s dedicated users may find ways to continue using it, whether through workarounds, web apps, or persistence. Nevertheless, the ban may prompt less committed users to migrate to alternative platforms like Instagram, Snapchat, and YouTube Shorts, which have capitalized on TikTok’s restrictions in other markets, notably India.

In the short term, the TikTok experience is bound to deteriorate for all users, regardless of their location. The removal of desired content and delays in reposting may erode the platform’s appeal. However, the long-term consequences fascinate me. Will other English-speaking nations follow the U.S.’s lead in abandoning TikTok? Or does TikTok’s culture reflect a unique global perspective that diverges from mainstream internet trends? Are there discernible differences emerging?

My prediction leans toward a resolution through negotiations, lobbying, or activism rather than a ban enforced indefinitely. Nevertheless, if all efforts fail, witnessing the outcome of this experiment will be intriguing.

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Fugitive Llama 3

Three real llamas running free in Russia. Photo: Anadolu Agency/Getty Images

AI’s second phase has begun. The scaled-down version of Facebook’s large language model, Llama 3, has been unveiled, likely for the final time this year. From our report:

The social media titan has enhanced Llama 3 with new coding capabilities, including image delivery in addition to text, although the current model only produces text, according to Chris Cox, Meta’s chief product officer, in an interview.

Further advanced features, such as long-term planning capacity, are expected in future versions. An upcoming iteration will also support “multimodality,” generating both text and images..

Llama is Facebook’s proprietary counterpart to GPT, Gemini, and Claude. Unlike these competitors, Llama is available under a relatively open license, enabling users to download the core model. If building your own AI system, particularly for local use over server reliance, is desired, Llama serves as a solid foundation.

The accidental public release of the initial Llama version was followed by an official second version. Facebook clearly benefits from this move. Developing fundamental technology driving the AI revolution could offer substantial advantages. While Llama allows for expansion, it retains certain restrictions, preventing complete replication and removal from Facebook. Importantly, without access to the original training data and method specifics, repeating the initial training run is unfeasible without significant computing resources.

However, the drawbacks are evident. Facebook profits from platform usage, not AI model training directly. This lack of direct financial incentive has hindered efforts to stay at the forefront, resulting in Llama trailing behind its competitors historically.

Nevertheless, the current landscape is different. Despite over a year of development, the free-licensed model from Facebook is now competitive with GPT4, possibly even surpassing it, with larger versions anticipated soon. Of course, progress in the industry is rapid, as evidenced by OpenAI’s anticipated GPT-5 release, expected to reshape the field once again.

Broader Tech Landscape

Next Level…Why the Game Boy still means so much to so many people 35 years later. Photo: Nintendo

  • 35 years have passed since the Game Boy‘s release. Keza MacDonald explores the enduring impact of this iconic console that introduced gaming to millions and continues to influence the industry today.

  • Elon Musk is embroiled in a dispute with the Australian government over restrictions on sharing footage of a church stabbing in Sydney. This has led to a series of mundane memes targeting Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

  • In the Guardian US Wellness section, Madeline Ageler discusses the transformative power of disconnecting from social media.

  • The legalization of sports betting in the U.S. has led to an addiction crisis, with technology playing a significant role in exacerbating the issue.

  • The Internet Watch Foundation uncovered a manual on the dark web detailing the use of AI to “undress” children’s images, highlighting the challenges in combatting such illicit activities.

  • Meanwhile, in the New Statesman (£), Swedish author Catherine Kieros-Marsal argues convincingly that the real issue with AI lies in its control by men.

Source: www.theguardian.com

EU considers banning TikTok Lite due to view reward feature

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The EU has determined that TikTok’s new service in Europe could potentially be as addictive as cigarettes unless the company provides compelling evidence of protecting children. They believed a ban may be necessary.

If the ban is enforced, it would be the first time the EU utilizes its new powers to impose sanctions on social media companies since the inception of the Digital Services Act (DSA) last August.

TikTok has until Wednesday to present arguments for the commission to evaluate before reaching a final decision on enforcement actions.

Digital Commissioner Thierry Breton stated that TikTok Lite has failed to demonstrate compliance with legal obligations to reward users for watching videos, deeming the service harmful.

The commission warned that benefits could be suspended if TikTok does not address regulators’ concerns about the impact on users’ mental health.

Despite ongoing investigations into child protection concerns, TikTok launched the app in France and Spain, where millions of European children use the platform, prompting the commission to prioritize their protection efforts.

The new watch-and-earn app allows users to earn rewards such as Amazon coupons or PayPal credits by completing tasks like watching videos, liking content, following creators, and inviting friends.

Brereton compared TikTok Lite to cigarettes, stating that while the main app provides fun and connection, it also poses significant risks to children’s mental health.

TikTok had a deadline to provide a risk assessment for its Lite service over concerns of video addiction in children.

Following insufficient responses from TikTok regarding addiction safeguards, the commission expressed readiness to invoke DSA interim measures, potentially suspending TikTok Lite’s rewards program.

TikTok responded, expressing disappointment with the decision and highlighting restrictions on the Lite Rewards Hub for users under 18.

With U.S. lawmakers passing a bill that could lead to a TikTok ban unless its Chinese owner sells a stake in its U.S. operations, the app’s future in the U.S. is uncertain.

The ongoing DSA investigation into TikTok covers child protection issues like age verification, transparent advertising, and the management of addictive design and harmful content.

Source: www.theguardian.com

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

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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.

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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

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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

Steven Mnuchin creates consortium to purchase TikTok | US News

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According to CNBC, Steven Mnuchin is organizing a group of investors to purchase TikTok.

This development follows a recent bill passed by the US House of Representatives, giving ByteDance, the Chinese owner of TikTok, about six months to sell the app’s US assets or be subject to a ban. In the absence of a sale, app stores like Apple App Store and Google Play would not be allowed to host TikTok or provide hosting services to ByteDance-managed applications.


TikTok has labeled the bill as a “ban” and is urging Senators to consider their constituents’ opinions before making a decision.

In an interview with CNBC’s Squawk Box, Mnuchin expressed support for the bill and the sale of TikTok, emphasizing the app’s strong business potential.

While concerns about TikTok’s data collection practices have lingered for years, the recent bipartisan push for a forced sale poses a significant challenge to the app. The Senate is now faced with an uncertain vote on the matter after the House passed the bill with overwhelming support.

TikTok’s CEO has vowed to use legal means to oppose the ban, highlighting the potential negative impact on US jobs and the economy if the sale goes through.

Despite potential interest from other tech giants like Microsoft, Amazon, and Google to acquire TikTok, regulatory scrutiny and other challenges may complicate any acquisition attempts.

Mnuchin’s involvement in orchestrating the purchase of TikTok comes after his tenure as Treasury Secretary and recent investment activities through his private equity firm, Liberty Street Capital.

The Chinese government has criticized the House vote as an act of “robbery” in its attempt to force the sale of TikTok.

The future of the ban remains uncertain as Senate support for the bill is not yet clear. TikTok also faces uncertainties regarding the Chinese government’s approval of a US-based acquisition.

This recent bill is part of an ongoing political battle over TikTok, which has faced multiple bans and attempted bans in the past. Trump’s previous attempts to ban TikTok were blocked, but Biden has expressed willingness to sign the bill if it reaches his desk.

Source: www.theguardian.com

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

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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

US Congress moves to prohibit TikTok unless it severs connections with China

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TikTok could be banned in the US

Thiago Prudencio/SOPA Images/LightRocket (via Getty Images)

US politicians have voted to ban the popular video-sharing app TikTok unless its owner, the technology company ByteDance, sells it.

US House of Representatives I voted The app restriction bill on March 13th was approved by a vote of 352-65. The bill would require ByteDance, which is headquartered in China but incorporated in the Cayman Islands, to sell TikTok within six months due to concerns about its ties to China. The bill must pass one more vote in the U.S. Senate before it goes to President Joe Biden's desk. previously told reporters He will sign it into law.

Last week, as a smaller committee considered the Protecting Americans from Foreign Regulated Applications Act, TikTok users contacted their public representatives through the app to protest a potential ban. I received a notification reminding me to do so. Despite the flood of messages, lawmakers passed the bill out of committee on March 7 and approved it for a full vote this week.

TikTok enthusiasts aren't the only ones opposed to the bill. “The law that protects Americans from foreign regulatory filings is censorship, plain and simple,” he says. kate luan Member of the Center for Democracy and Technology, a nonprofit organization that advocates for digital rights in the United States. “This is fundamentally flawed and would functionally act as a ban on TikTok in the United States.”

Despite these concerns, there is a bipartisan consensus in the United States that China's ruling Communist Party could force TikTok to hand over user data for behavioral tracking purposes. Although the app is just one of many online services that collect data about users, the U.S. and many other countries have classified TikTok as a “national security threat,” making it a government-owned company owned by public officials. The use of the app on terminals is prohibited. However, no evidence has been presented by any country to support these claims.

TikTok, which operates from offices in the US, UK and elsewhere, has always denied receiving data-sharing requests from the Chinese government and insists it will never hand over user information. However, Chinese law requires all companies operating in China, including ByteDance, to comply with government mandates.

TikTok itself called before The proposed bill violates the “First Amendment rights of 170 million Americans,” the number of app users in the United States. That number also includes many politicians, including Biden, who are debating the fate of TikTok.

tom devon The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel, said the controversy surrounding the app was [TikTok’s] It has been shut down over concerns about data collection and surveillance, but it has used its huge audience to profit from its campaigns. ” He is prioritizing political maneuvering over real concerns and risks, such as alienating young voters, who are more likely to use TikTok, and increasing distrust of traditional media. I believe.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

US Congress votes to prohibit TikTok unless it severs connections with China

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TikTok could be banned in the US

Thiago Prudencio/SOPA Images/LightRocket (via Getty Images)

US politicians have voted to ban the popular video-sharing app TikTok unless its owner, the technology company ByteDance, sells it.

US House of Representatives I voted The app restriction bill on March 13th was approved by a vote of 352-65. The bill would require ByteDance, which is headquartered in China but incorporated in the Cayman Islands, to sell TikTok within six months due to concerns about its ties to China. The bill must pass one more vote in the U.S. Senate before it goes to President Joe Biden's desk. previously told reporters He will sign it into law.

Last week, as a smaller committee considered the Protecting Americans from Foreign Regulated Applications Act, TikTok users contacted their public representatives through the app to protest a potential ban. I received a notification reminding me to do so. Despite the flood of messages, lawmakers passed the bill out of committee on March 7 and approved it for a full vote this week.

TikTok enthusiasts aren't the only ones opposed to the bill. “The law that protects Americans from foreign regulatory filings is censorship, plain and simple,” he says. kate luan Member of the Center for Democracy and Technology, a nonprofit organization that advocates for digital rights in the United States. “This is fundamentally flawed and would functionally act as a ban on TikTok in the United States.”

Despite these concerns, there is a bipartisan consensus in the United States that China's ruling Communist Party could force TikTok to hand over user data for behavioral tracking purposes. Although the app is just one of many online services that collect data about users, the U.S. and many other countries have classified TikTok as a “national security threat,” making it a government-owned company owned by public officials. The use of the app on terminals is prohibited. However, no evidence has been presented by any country to support these claims.

TikTok, which operates from offices in the US, UK and elsewhere, has always denied receiving data-sharing requests from the Chinese government and insists it will never hand over user information. However, Chinese law requires all companies operating in China, including ByteDance, to comply with government mandates.

TikTok itself called before The proposed bill violates the “First Amendment rights of 170 million Americans,” the number of app users in the United States. That number also includes many politicians, including Biden, who are debating the fate of TikTok.

tom devon The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel, said the controversy surrounding the app was [TikTok’s] It has been shut down over concerns about data collection and surveillance, but it has used its huge audience to profit from its campaigns. ” He is prioritizing political maneuvering over real concerns and risks, such as alienating young voters, who are more likely to use TikTok, and increasing distrust of traditional media. I believe.

topic:

Source: www.newscientist.com

Donald Trump protest ban on TikTok by wearing flip flops

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During his presidency, Donald Trump initially opposed the U.S. ban on TikTok’s Chinese owners but has since shown support for the app.


In a CNBC interview, President Trump acknowledged the popularity of TikTok among young users and stated that it served as a source of entertainment for many. He also criticized Facebook, referring to it as the “enemy of the people.” While still considering TikTok a national security risk, he highlighted similar concerns with other platforms, specifically Meta-owned platforms.

Following the January 6, 2021, riot, Trump faced suspensions and bans from various social media platforms, including Facebook. Despite this, his support for TikTok has resurfaced, contrasting with Joe Biden’s intention to ban the app through Congress.

Should the bill pass, ByteDance would be compelled to sell TikTok to avoid potential bans within the U.S. The company has expressed concerns over the proposed legislation and has urged users to advocate against the ban.

The American Civil Liberties Union has criticized attempts to ban TikTok, citing potential infringements on free speech rights and warning against prioritizing political gains over individual liberties.

Former Trump aide Kellyanne Conway has taken steps to lobby for TikTok, emphasizing the adverse impact of a ban on American users and voters.

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Conway highlighted the inconsistency of prioritizing TikTok over other pressing issues involving China and expressed concerns over potential alienation of American users.

Critics have emphasized the impact of banning TikTok on freedom of expression and innovation, particularly noting the app’s alignment with free market principles.

Despite concerns over TikTok’s security risks, Trump’s recent support for the app aligns with his stance against bans and restrictions on social media platforms.

Meta stock experienced a decline following recent discussions surrounding TikTok and potential regulatory actions.


Source: www.theguardian.com

Instagram surpasses TikTok to claim title of world’s most downloaded app

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Instagram has surpassed TikTok as the most downloaded app globally, thanks to its Reels feature that helped it recover from its previous losses to its Chinese-backed competitor.

Since its launch in 2010, this photo and video-sharing platform has gained immense popularity, often associated with celebrities like the Kardashians, and giving rise to the influencer trend. However, in recent years, it has evolved into a short video platform facing tough competition from TikTok.

Instagram faced backlash in 2020 for introducing a short-form video feature that seemed to mimic TikTok. In 2023, the app was downloaded 767 million times globally, marking a 20% increase from the previous year, while TikTok’s downloads grew by 4% to 733 million.

According to market intelligence firm Sensor Tower, Instagram’s resurgence is largely attributed to the popularity of its Reels feature, along with other features like photo sharing and disappearing Stories, which mimic Snapchat.

Farhad Divecha, owner of UK-based digital marketing agency Acuracast, noted that Instagram’s quick response to the TikTok threat and its broad appeal across demographics have contributed to its success.

Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta (Instagram’s parent company), acknowledged TikTok as a serious competitor and the growing competition for user attention in the digital space.

TikTok faces political challenges in the US due to concerns about Chinese ownership and data security. Lawmakers have proposed a bill that would require TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, to sell the app within six months or face a ban.

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US lawmakers and Western officials have raised concerns about TikTok’s data privacy and its potential ties to the Chinese government, allegations that TikTok has consistently denied.

Source: www.theguardian.com

TikTok sensation Cat Janis passes away at the age of 31

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Cat Janis, the singer who gained fame on TikTok for dedicating her final song to her son, has passed away from cancer, as announced by her family on Wednesday.


Her family announced The news was shared on her Instagram account: “This morning, from her childhood home, surrounded by her loving family, Katherine peacefully entered the light and love of her Heavenly Creator.

“We are forever grateful for the outpouring of love that Duchess Kate and our family have received over the past few months. Kat has seen her music go places she never expected. I am resting with the peace of mind that I will continue to provide for my son through music. None of this would have been possible without your support.”

Janice had sarcoma cancer, a rare type that affects bones and soft tissues. She passed away at the age of 31.

Janice documented her cancer journey on TikTok, revealing that she discovered a lump on her neck in November 2021, which later turned out to be cancer. Despite announcing she was cancer-free in July 2022, it returned in her lungs, leading her to hospice care last month.

Proceeds from Janice’s viral song were dedicated to her son after she learned about her impending death.

Her song “Dance You Outta My Head,” released on January 19th and dedicated to her youth, topped the TikTok Billboard Top 50 chart and made it into the Top 10 on Billboard’s Hot Dance/Electronic Songs chart. The song garnered over 12 million streams worldwide on Spotify.

“I transferred all the rights to my songs to my son so that I could leave him something. I don’t have much,” the singer wrote in a video Posted on TikTok on January 15th, urging fans to save this song for the future.

In her final TikTok video, Janice expressed her strength and mentioned feeling trapped due to her health, looking forward to dancing with God in heaven.


Source: www.theguardian.com

The Impact of a TikTok Clip on the Popularity of a 177-Year-Old Sourdough Starter

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Mary Buckingham shares, “There’s a long-standing pioneer tradition, tracing back to the early days of settling the American West, where people freely shared bread starter with those who asked.”

Things were going smoothly until the arrival of TikTok.

Mr. Buckingham, a retired meteorologist from Greeley, Colorado, along with a small group of bread enthusiasts, have been sending out sourdough starter samples to individuals who send stamped envelopes for baking their own bread. As a demonstration of that generous tradition, we are offering you free shipping.

But this isn’t just any ordinary starter. The natural yeast and bacteria cultures in this mixture have been carefully nurtured and kept alive since 1847 when a pioneer family travelled from Missouri to Oregon in a covered wagon and settled there. The tradition has been handed down through generations.

For years, the 1847 Oregon Trail Sourdough Starter was known only to a select few.until Viral TikTok videos changed everything after an article posted last month.

Mary Buckingham currently records one of the many letters she receives at her Greeley, Colorado home. Photo: Andy Cross/Media News Group/Denver Post/Getty Images/DP

“It’s absolutely crazy,” Buckingham remarked. While they used to receive 30 to 60 requests per week for samples, this year they have already received 7,000. They are struggling to keep up. I enlisted my sister’s help for this task, but it’s just the two of us handling it.

She used to dedicate two to three hours a week to respond to requests, but no more. “I’m now spending all day, every day, every weekend, eight to 10 hours a day,” she said. “It’s really overwhelming. I haven’t taken a day off since this began.”

Sourdough, a naturally fermented mix of flour and water, has been used for centuries to make leavened bread before commercial yeast was introduced. While highly valued by many bread makers, careful upkeep is required to sustain the culture, which can potentially live indefinitely.

The origin of the 1847 starter can be traced back to Carl Griffith. Born in 1919, an Oregon attorney and U.S. Air Force veteran from World War II, he had been baking bread from the same sourdough batch since he was 10 years old. He later documentedthat his family inherited it from his great-grandfather’s family, Dr. John Savage, who settled in the western part of the state in 1847.

“We’re unsure where or when it originally originated from in the wild, as commercial bread starters weren’t available back then, but we’ve encountered many wild yeasts since then. Personally, I love it,” he noted.

Griffith gladly shared dried samples of his dough with anyone who asked, connecting with an online community of sourdough enthusiasts in the early days of the internet. When he passed away in 2000, his widow and the others decided to continue the tradition.

Mary Buckingham collects the most recent batch of letters at the Greeley post office. Photo: Andy Cross/Media News Group/Denver Post/Getty Images/DP

Although most members never met Griffith, they referred to themselves as “Carl’s Friends.”

“It was a good start, and the founders thought, ‘It’d be a shame to let this disappear.’ So, we established a small society,” Buckingham explained.

While she typically handles request sorting, another member in WA nurtures and dries the starter. Given the number of people who forget to include stamps, it’s more work than expected. With the surge in demand, “It has to diminish quickly,” meaning she’ll also jump in.

After expanding enough to cover eight Swiss rolls cans thinly, “the dough is tacky and stretchy, making it hard to fit into the cans,” then left in a warm and dry area. After two to four days, the mix is blended, tested, portioned into small bags, and packed into the incoming envelopes by the thousands.

“A robust, enduring, palatable, consistent starter is highly prized and always has been,” shared Mr. Buckingham, a bread baker since the 1960s when his mother showed him at age 11. Carl’s starter is “a solid, robust starter” that ferments beautifully without yeast.

Has it genuinely lived for 177 years? While it’s impossible to confirm, Buckingham remarks, “That’s how bread was made in the old days.”

Why does she continue despite the time commitment? “I think it’s a kind of passion. It’s heartening to see so many young people taking an interest in it. I hope they carry it forward.”

Sourdough is “like a little pet that you have to feed and keep alive. And if you don’t, it will perish. After a while, you might feel, ‘Oh, that’s too much work. It’s easier to buy bread locally.'”

Source: www.theguardian.com

EU initiates probe into TikTok concerning online content and child safety

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The EU is launching an investigation into whether TikTok has violated online content regulations, particularly those relating to the safety of children.

The European Commission has officially initiated proceedings against a Chinese-owned short video platform for potential violations of the Digital Services Act (DSA).

The investigation is focusing on areas such as safeguarding minors, keeping records of advertising content, and determining if algorithms are leading users to harmful content.


Thierry Breton, EU Commissioner for the Internal Market, stated that child safety is the “primary enforcement priority” under the DSA. The investigation particularly focuses on age verification and default privacy settings for children’s accounts.

In April last year, TikTok was fined €345 million in Ireland for violating EU data law in its handling of children’s accounts. Additionally, the UK Information Commissioner fined the company £12.7 million for unlawfully processing data from children under 13.

Companies that violate the DSA can face fines of up to 6% of their global turnover. TikTok is owned by Chinese technology company ByteDance.

TikTok has stated that it is committed to working with experts and the industry to ensure the safety of young people on its platform and is eager to brief the European Commission on its efforts.

The commission is also examining alleged deficiencies in TikTok’s provision of publicly available data to researchers and its compliance with requirements to establish a database of ads shown on the platform.

A deadline for the investigation has not been set and will depend on factors such as the complexity of the case and the degree of cooperation from the companies being investigated.

This investigation of TikTok is the DSA’s second, following a December 2021 formal investigation into Elon Musk’s social media platform X, which was previously known as Twitter. The case against X focuses on failure to block illegal content and inadequate measures against disinformation.

Apple is reportedly facing a substantial fine from the EU for its conduct in the music streaming app market. The European Commission is investigating whether US tech companies blocked music distributors from informing users about cheaper subscription options outside of their own app stores.

According to the Financial Times, the city of Brussels plans to fine Apple 500 million euros, marking a significant decision following years of complaints from companies offering services through iPhone apps.

Apple was previously fined 1.1 billion euros by France in 2020 for anti-competitive agreements with two wholesalers, a fine that was later reduced by an appeals court.

Big technology companies like Apple and Google have come under increased scrutiny due to competitive concerns. Google is appealing against fines of more than 8 billion euros imposed by the EU in three separate competition investigations.

Apple has successfully defended against a lawsuit by Fortnite developer Epic Games alleging that its app store was an illegal monopoly. In December, Epic won a similar lawsuit against Google.

Last month, Apple announced that it would allow EU customers to download apps without using its own app store, in response to the EU’s digital market law.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Biden Campaign’s Decision to Join TikTok Sparks National Security Concerns

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The chairman of the U.S. Senate Intelligence Committee, a ranking Democrat, said he is concerned about President Joe Biden’s campaign’s decision to join TikTok.

On Sunday, Biden’s re-election campaign used the Super Bowl to launch a new TikTok account to reach younger voters ahead of November’s presidential election.

The launch of the campaign on TikTok is notable given that the app, owned by Chinese tech company ByteDance, is under review in the United States due to potential national security concerns. Some U.S. lawmakers have called for the app to be banned over concerns that the Chinese government could access user data and influence what people see on the app.


On Monday, Democratic Sen. Mark Warner said he was concerned about the national security implications.

“I think we still need to find a way to follow India, which banned TikTok,” Warner said. “I’m a little worried about the mixed messages.”

Many Republicans have also criticized the campaign’s decision to join TikTok.

White House Press Secretary John Kirby said nothing has changed regarding “national security concerns” regarding the use of TikTok on government devices. That policy continues today. “

Last year, the Biden administration ordered government agencies to remove TikTok from federally owned phones and devices.

TikTok insists it does not share U.S. user data with the Chinese government and has taken substantial steps to protect user privacy. The company did not respond to Reuters’ request for comment.

The Biden campaign said in a statement that it will “continue to meet voters where they are,” including on other social media apps such as Meta’s Instagram and Truth Social, founded by former President Donald Trump.

The campaign has “advanced security measures” in place for its devices and its presence on TikTok is separate from the app’s ongoing security review, campaign officials added.

In March 2023, the U.S. Treasury Department-led Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) demanded that TikTok’s Chinese owners sell their shares or face the app being banned, but the administration No action was taken.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Monday that a review by CFIUS is underway, filed by Warner and others to give the government new tools to combat threats posed by foreign-owned apps. He noted previous White House support for the bill.

Last month, TikTok told Congress that 170 million Americans now use the short video platform, up from 150 million the year before.

Reuters contributed to this report

Source: www.theguardian.com

Israeli-Palestinian conflict may spill over to TikTok | World news

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In a TikTok video, a small girl in Gaza covered in ash asks for her mother. This is one of her millions of videos about the Israeli-Hamas conflict that have captivated users on her social platform.Heartbreaking stories and harrowing images pouring out of the conflict zone have boiled emotions thousands of miles away on the streets of London and turned social media into a battlefield.Millions of TikToks are uploaded every day, offering a variety of perspectives. israel-hamas war, as new generations join in the latest iteration of the long-running conflict. For many people, it is now their main source of news.The platform is known for short, snappy video clips that can gain huge reach by being shared and re-shared.”When anger is stirred up, things tend to spread faster,” said Dr. Christine Chen, senior lecturer in war studies at King’s College London.In the US, Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley even claimed that TikTok makes people “17% more anti-Semitic and pro-Hamas” every 30 minutes, but there is no clear evidence to support that claim. do not have.Prominent British TikTok creators on both sides of the conflict say the platform provides an opportunity to foster conversations across the divide and highlight stories missed by mainstream media.
TikTok itself said it was responding “quickly and forcefully” to the Israel-Hamas war, accelerating efforts to remove fake accounts and involvement.Looking at the numbers alone, TikTok’s content appears to have a pro-Palestinian slant, but the platform argues that this reflects broader trends on social media and among younger viewers in general. There is.


src=”Hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets of London in support of Palestine”

“Anytime you have a strong emotional reaction, you’re much more likely to engage,” says Dr. Chen. “Social media platforms like it, so naturally we tend to spread it and stir it up even more.”The result, she says, is increased polarization and difficulty in having calm conversations.Short video clips about specific events during the conflict struggle to summarize all the relevant context, she added. “It’s very easy to bring up that particular incident and it goes viral and then the conversation dies down.”Dr Martin Farr, senior lecturer in modern British history at Newcastle University, said people had seen things on their phones in recent months that they would never forget and may shape their views on the conflict.”The scale of the violence, the scale of the loss of life, and people’s sense that one or the other was responsible, rather than a more complex and necessarily nuanced perception of the situation, was very extraordinary.” he says.”There’s an urge in all of these things to be more provocative.”Dr. Farr also pointed to what he called “atrophy.” Hamas The attacks on Israel began as the death toll in the Gaza Strip soared.Asked whether social media has exacerbated divisions over Israel and Palestine, he said: “I don’t think it’s necessarily made it worse. I think it’s hurt understanding.”


src=”Benny Greenstein asks people about Israel and Palestine. Photo: bennyjeeee”

Some of Benny’s TikToks clearly support one side or the other, while others are unsure or argue that a humane approach is needed.The comments are filled with posts supporting Israel and Palestine and users calling for “genocide.”Benny said he is inspired by his grandfather, a Holocaust survivor, and is determined to use his position to promote peace and love.Isobel Dye, 22, is currently studying for a master’s degree at LSE and has been posting on TikTok for several years, amassing more than 164,000 followers.Her interest in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and in particular the plight of Palestinians, began in 2021 when she attended a pro-Palestinian rally.


src=”Isabelle Dye says she reached 1 million users on TikTok in one week”

“I try to talk about things that the mainstream media doesn’t cover,” she says. ‘The British are deeply complicit’ [in the conflict], we can’t help but have an opinion on this. ”Her TikToks typically feature news clips or stories of her speaking to the camera overlaid at the top. She says she reached about 1 million people in the last week.Isobel’s audience at the time was predominantly female (80%), 66% of whom were between the ages of 18 and 24. This is a great example of how TikTok is reaching a younger demographic. Only 28% of people aged 16 to 24 read newspapers in print or online. According to Ofcom.When asked if TikTok is a good place for people involved in conflict, she said yes, with the right voices. “I try to center Palestinian voices,” she added.


src=”Pro-Israel demonstration in London”

read more:British destroyer joins task force to protect Red SeaFamily pleads for new hostage dealDebra Burns, 59, the daughter of Holocaust survivors, attends schools in England and speaks about anti-Semitism. Seeking her new audience, she also started posting about her family’s stories on her TikTok.”I’m not necessarily a prime TikTok viewer,” she says. “My mission is to spread the story of the Holocaust in hopes that it will enlighten people and that something like it will never happen again.”In the terrifying aftermath of Hamas’ attacks on Israel, she began using TikTok to amplify calls for the safe return of hostages.“I feel like a small voice, like David and Goliath, in the midst of massive anti-Israel and anti-Semitism on social media,” she says.”I don’t post about conflicts because there are a lot of people who are more knowledgeable than me and who work on conflicts better. I just try to do what I can to help them. ”


src=”TikTok tried to explain how its algorithm works”

Amid the debate over how it decides what content to show users, TikTok published a lengthy blog post saying its recommendation algorithm doesn’t take sides.”The content people see on TikTok is generated by our community, and recommendations are based on content people have previously engaged with.”TikTok does not ‘promote’ one side of an issue over another,” the company said.Videos are ranked using a predictive score based on what TikToks users have previously watched.Specifically regarding the Israel-Hamas war, TikTok said it has responded “swiftly and forcefully” and has removed more than 925,000 videos for violating policies such as violence and hate speech.It added: “TikTok does not allow inaccurate, misleading, or false content that, whether intended or not, may cause serious harm to individuals or society.”The platform said it removed more than 50,000 videos between October 7 and October 31 for containing “harmful misinformation.”While it may not be a popular app for politicians (in fact, it’s banned from UK government devices), it’s clear that TikTok is a big part of the debate about Israel and Palestine.The October 7 attack on Israel and the subsequent invasion of Gaza galvanized a new generation to join the struggle for peace in the Middle East. And places like TikTok are where that conversation takes place.Watch ‘Crossing the Divide’, a Sky News documentary about how the Israel-Hamas war has divided the people of Britain, on Saturday 23 December at 9pm.

Source: news.sky.com

TikTok introduces upgraded app experience for tablets and foldable devices

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TikTok has rolled out updates that enhance the app experience for viewers on tablets and foldable devices, the company announced Monday. The app has been optimized for larger screens, so viewers can now experience a crisper video feed, streamlined navigation bar, and orientation support.

With the new update, users will see a polished video feed that “presents content more clearly.” Additionally, navigation bars at the top and bottom of the screen provide easy access to app features and tabs.

The app now works in landscape or portrait orientation. Today’s announcement comes a year after TikTok began testing horizontal full-screen mode on mobile worldwide. TikTok is already pushing further into YouTube territory by rolling out landscape mode on larger devices and supporting longer videos. The company’s support of long-form content makes it sensible to enhance the viewing experience for users watching things like cooking demos and beauty tutorials on tablets. The company hopes this new mode will persuade people who normally watch YouTube on their tablets to spend their time on TikTok instead.

“While most people already know and love TikTok on their mobile devices, we know that many people prefer accessing TikTok on larger screens and foldable devices,” the company said in a blog post. “Whether you’re looking for the latest cooking trends or searching for the latest soccer highlights, we’re excited to share that TikTok is now even more optimized for tablets and foldable gadgets.”

TikTok’s optimization for foldables and tablets comes at a time when one of its main competitors, Instagram, still lacks an iPad app. By rolling out updates to its app experience on larger devices, TikTok can surpass its mobile-first approach at a time when competitors are still lagging behind.

Source: techcrunch.com

From “Classy Boy” to TikTok Sensation: Henry Lawrie’s Rise to Stardom | Arts and Entertainment Headlines

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Henry Rowley truly enjoys the recognition that goes viral more than anything else.

“I really love it,” he says. “Partly because I’m a show-off!”

The 25-year-old was an exceptional performer. This year’s Edinburgh Fringe was a prospect that not too long ago probably made him laugh more than his own jokes.

No longer just a marketing executive after gaining fame with tick tock whose ever-growing collection of comic skits and impressions, each personifying a part of pop culture and society that we can all relate to or make fun of, has over 1.3 million followers. I am.

“It was pretty cool,” he said of his first big hit video.

“The fact that so many people watched your video every time you hit a numerical milestone is so surreal.

“But I think they also kept in mind that a lot of people probably wouldn’t find it funny or even find it annoying. That’s the nature of comedy, especially online.”

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Since sharing her first video last year, Laurie has developed her own cast of characters, doing countless celebrity impressions and film parodies.

There’s Minty and Hugo, the “after music guy” and the “walking sick”, and the delicatessen, a classy girl with a husky voice.

Nothing more popular than his clips are his sometimes self-deprecating riffs on the British upper class, spoken in a tone that embarrasses even himself. jack whitehall and boris johnson.

and, this most wonderful time of the yearhe certainly won’t forgive his feelings when Love Actually is as inevitable as mince pies and turkey. Hugh Grant and keira knightley Impressions will be wasted.

“I grew up there leicester “He was one of the classiest of my friends, and he was always thinking about something a little disgusting,” he says.

“Then all of a sudden I was in it.” bristol The university was surrounded by these classy kids and the moment they heard I was from Leicester they looked at me like I was this little town urchin. Not really! So a lot of it is based on the friends I made there and sometimes myself. ”

Lowry doesn’t care about negative feedback at all. Comedians who do that probably won’t stay on the circuit for long. However, posting all of your material online definitely makes you an easier target.

Those who aren’t enthusiastic “usually just hate me from afar,” he says. “that’s OK!”

image:
Love Actually’s Hugh Grant is a regular source of inspiration. Photo: Peter Mountain/Universal/DNA/tentative title/Kobal/Shutterstock

simple formula

His videos have racked up 69.1 million likes on TikTok and he has fans all over the world, and it’s safe to say he’s mostly a passionate audience.

Few things can safely be embedded in a family-friendly news story, but each clip strives to resonate in some way.

As someone who had the misfortune of watching the Twilight Saga all the way through this year, his recreation of the Twilight Saga is painfully accurate.

The discreet selfie-style framing and sharp runtime also make it a perfect fit for the platform.

When Lowry’s fans see him out and about, it’s always fun to hear how much they enjoy his work.

“It’s a great interaction when you meet someone and you know they think you’re interesting and enjoy what you’re doing,” he says.

read more:
TikTok’s Tube Girl quickly rises to fame
Explaining TikTok’s most popular trends in 2023
Regions where TikTok is restricted around the world

But he insists there’s no real formula for success.

Well, there’s nothing more cliche than doing what he loves. And he now makes a living from it.

“If you don’t enjoy making the video or don’t like the final product, what’s the point of doing it?” he says.

“People always say to me, ‘Why do you always laugh at your own jokes?’ And I say, ‘Because I think it’s funny. If it wasn’t, I’d laugh at my own jokes. You won’t say them.”

Well, that and he’s a useless so-and-so.

Source: news.sky.com