Freedom of expression

Advertisers scramble as TikTok faces possible US ban

As a potential US ban on TikTok looms, advertisers dependent on the platform are scrambling to prepare contingency plans. With a January 19 deadline for ByteDance, the Chinese parent company of TikTok, to sell its US assets or face a ban, many marketers are facing the reality that the app may soon be inaccessible. This has led to a sense of urgency, with some industry professionals describing the situation as a “hair on fire” moment.

TikTok, which has become a key player in US digital advertising, particularly among younger audiences, may lose over $11 billion in annual ad revenue if the ban goes through. Most of this ad spend would likely shift to platforms like Meta’s Instagram and Alphabet’s YouTube Shorts, where many advertisers are already established. Despite the uncertainty, TikTok continued to pitch new advertising features and planned its presence at major global events like the World Economic Forum in Davos.

In the face of potential shutdown, many influencers and brands are downloading their data in a last-ditch effort to preserve content and advertising materials. TikTok has offered favourable refund terms to advertisers, though some still question the platform’s future in the US. This heightened uncertainty marks a stark contrast to the optimism advertisers held just weeks ago, when many expected a resolution before the ban could take effect.

TikTok’s growing influence in US advertising, particularly in e-commerce, has been notable, with ad spending on the platform increasing rapidly. Despite challenges, the app’s powerful ability to drive sales through influencers and short-form video content has made it a favourite among advertisers looking to tap into the youth market. As the deadline approaches, all eyes are on whether the incoming administration will intervene to prevent TikTok’s shutdown.

US TikTok ‘refugees’ find a new platform on RedNote

Users of the Chinese social media platform RedNote have welcomed an influx of American TikTok users, posting messages and selfies to greet the newcomers. The surge of over 700,000 users follows a looming US ban on TikTok, which has 170 million American users. Chinese foreign ministry officials have expressed support for greater cultural exchanges, while state media described RedNote as a “new home” for TikTok users.

The app, known as Xiaohongshu in China, has traditionally been used for lifestyle content but has now become an unexpected platform for US-China interactions. Many American users have asked about Chinese food, culture, and daily life, while Chinese users have eagerly responded. Some, however, have voiced concerns, with nationalist bloggers warning against Western influence.

Despite the warm reception from many, tensions have emerged over content and platform moderation. Some US users have tested RedNote’s censorship policies by posting about politically sensitive topics. Analysts believe the trend may be short-lived, as past instances of Western social media adoption in China, such as Clubhouse, ended with government restrictions. RedNote is reportedly working to improve its moderation of English-language content.

Trump may delay TikTok ban enforcement with executive order

President-elect Donald Trump is reportedly considering an executive order that would postpone the enforcement of the TikTok sale-or-ban law for up to 90 days. According to sources cited by the Washington Post, the order would temporarily halt the requirement for TikTok’s Chinese owner, ByteDance, to divest its US operations or face a ban.

The delay could provide more time for negotiations and potential deals to resolve security concerns raised by United States lawmakers. The law, passed under the Biden administration, aimed to address fears over TikTok’s links to China, but Trump has taken a more open stance towards the platform during his campaign.

A suspension of enforcement would offer relief to TikTok’s 170 million American users and businesses that rely on the app for advertising and engagement. The move, however, is likely to spark debate in Washington, where concerns over data security and Chinese influence remain key political issues.

TikTok users react to looming US Shutdown

Disappointment and confusion swept across TikTok users in the United States as news broke that ByteDance, the app’s Chinese owner, plans to shut down the platform for its 170 million US users by Sunday. The move comes in response to a federal ban requiring ByteDance to sell TikTok’s US assets by January 19 due to national security concerns. While some users hold out hope for a last-minute reprieve, many are preparing for the worst.

Content creators, many of whom have built careers and followings on TikTok, expressed frustration and sadness. Some vowed to boycott rival platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and X, while others scrambled to save their content. True crime creator Amber Goode, from Colorado, criticised the government for “playing with us,” while other users shared instructions on migrating to alternative platforms, including China-based apps like RedNote.

TikTok has maintained that it does not and would never share US user data with China, arguing that the ban violates First Amendment rights. Unless the Supreme Court intervenes, users attempting to open the app on Sunday will be redirected to a shutdown information page. President-elect Donald Trump is reportedly exploring executive actions to delay the ban, but the outcome remains uncertain.

The shutdown has sparked mixed emotions globally, with some international users relieved that American social media issues may no longer dominate their feeds. However, for US creators like Ishpal Sidhu, who stands to lose her livelihood, the uncertainty has cast a shadow over what was once a thriving platform.

TikTok prepares for possible US shutdown

TikTok is preparing to shut down its US operations on Sunday unless a federal ban is averted at the last minute, according to sources. The ban, stemming from a law signed last April, requires TikTok’s Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to sell its US assets by January 19 or face nationwide restrictions. The Supreme Court is currently deliberating on whether to uphold or pause the ban, but no ruling has been made yet.

President-elect Donald Trump, set to take office the day after the ban would take effect, is reportedly considering a temporary suspension of the shutdown. However, legal uncertainty clouds the possibility of such action. Meanwhile, the Biden administration, in its final days, has signalled it will not block the ban without a credible divestment plan from ByteDance. TikTok has argued that the law violates First Amendment rights and warned that a prolonged ban could lead to significant user loss and global disruptions to its services.

If the ban proceeds, TikTok plans to display a pop-up message informing users of the shutdown and allow them to download their data. The app would become largely inoperable as US companies would no longer be permitted to provide critical services for its maintenance. TikTok has emphasised its ability to restore operations quickly if the ban is reversed but warned that the shutdown would impact not just American users but its global platform due to its reliance on US-based infrastructure.

The political and legal standoff has sparked widespread public and corporate reactions. Social media users have expressed disappointment at the impending ban, while TikTok’s US operations, employing over 7,000 workers, hang in the balance. Despite ongoing efforts to delay the enforcement, the platform faces an uncertain future as Sunday’s deadline looms.

Brazil challenges Meta’s hate speech policy changes

Brazil’s government has expressed serious concerns over Meta’s recent changes to its hate speech policy, warning that the adjustments may not comply with national legislation. The social media giant, which owns Facebook, Instagram, and Threads, has eased restrictions on discussions around sensitive topics such as immigration and gender identity while also ending its fact-checking programme in the United States. President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva previously called the policy shift “extremely serious,” prompting officials to demand clarification from Meta.

Meta has responded by stating that fact-checking changes currently apply only in the United States and that adjustments to its community standards remain limited to hate speech policy. The company argues that the revisions aim to promote greater freedom of expression, but Brazil’s solicitor general’s office believes the changes are insufficient to protect fundamental rights. Government ministries have raised concerns that Meta’s updated terms of use may violate Brazilian law, particularly in relation to online discourse and misinformation.

A public hearing will be held later this week to discuss the potential impact of Meta’s policy changes. The government is engaging experts to assess whether the new rules align with Brazil’s legal framework and ensure that social media platforms uphold protections against hate speech. Authorities are monitoring how the changes affect digital content regulation as they consider further action to address concerns over online safety and misinformation.

US Supreme Court to hear challenge to Texas pornography age verification law

The US Supreme Court will hear a challenge on Wednesday regarding a Texas law that mandates adult websites verify the age of users before granting access to potentially harmful material. The law, which is part of a broader trend across Republican-led states, requires users to submit personal information proving they are at least 18 years old to access pornographic content. The case raises significant First Amendment concerns, as adult entertainment industry groups argue that the law unlawfully restricts free speech and exposes users to risks such as identity theft and data breaches.

The challengers, including the American Civil Liberties Union and the Free Speech Coalition, contend that alternative methods like content-filtering software could better protect minors without infringing on adults’ rights to access non-obscene material. Texas, however, defends the law, citing concerns over the ease with which minors can access explicit content online.

This case is significant because it will test the balance between state efforts to protect minors from explicit content and the constitutional rights of adults to access protected expression. If the Supreme Court upholds the law, it could set a precedent for similar age-verification measures across the US.

TikTok vows to support US employees amid legal uncertainty

TikTok has reassured its 7,000 US employees that their jobs, pay, and benefits will remain secure even if the Supreme Court upholds a law requiring the sale or ban of the platform in the United States. In an internal memo seen by Reuters, the company emphasised its commitment to employee wellbeing and maintaining operations, despite the looming January 19 deadline for the law to take effect.

The law, passed in April, targets the US operations of TikTok, owned by China-based ByteDance, amid concerns over data security and national security. Although President-elect Donald Trump has called for an extension to seek a ‘political resolution,’ the Supreme Court appears inclined to uphold the legislation. If the court does not intervene, TikTok downloads from app stores will be banned, and the app’s functionality could degrade over time as companies are prohibited from supporting its services.

TikTok’s leadership stated that the law impacts only the US user experience, not the employment of its staff, and reaffirmed its dedication to protecting employees and the platform’s 170 million American users. ‘Our leadership team remains laser-focused on planning for various scenarios and navigating the path forward,’ the memo said.

For now, TikTok’s offices will remain open, and the company continues to explore strategies to adapt to the evolving situation while ensuring continuity for its employees and users.

Google fixes its AI’s snippy podcast hosts

Google’s NotebookLM, an AI-driven podcast platform, recently faced a surprising issue: its virtual hosts sounded irritated when users interrupted them. The problem emerged after the launch of an interactive feature allowing users to “call in” and ask questions during AI-generated discussions. Users reported that the hosts would sometimes make snippy comments like ‘I was getting to that,’ creating an oddly confrontational experience.

To address the issue, Google’s team implemented a ‘friendliness tuning’ process. They revised the prompts used to guide the AI hosts, studying how human speakers handle interruptions more politely. The adjustment was announced with a light-hearted post on the platform’s social media.

The change seems to be working. In tests, the AI hosts now react to interruptions with polite curiosity rather than frustration. NotebookLM’s refined approach highlights the importance of human-like interaction in AI products, ensuring users feel more engaged and welcomed in conversations.

TikTok prepares to halt operations in the US, The Information reports

TikTok plans to disable its app for all US users on Sunday if the Supreme Court does not block a federal ban, according to a report by The Information. This action would go beyond the law’s requirement, which mandates a ban only on new downloads from Apple and Google app stores while allowing existing users to continue using the app temporarily.

Under TikTok’s plan, users attempting to access the app will be redirected to a website explaining the ban. The company also intends to allow users to download their data for future use. TikTok and its parent company ByteDance have yet to comment on these developments.

The ban stems from a law signed by President Joe Biden in April 2024, requiring ByteDance to sell its US assets by January 19, 2025, or face a nationwide ban. TikTok has challenged the law, arguing that it violates First Amendment protections. In a recent court filing, the company warned that a month-long ban could result in one-third of its 170 million US users leaving the platform permanently.

This potential shutdown reflects the escalating tensions surrounding TikTok’s operations in the United States, as debates over data security and free speech continue.