Freedom of expression

EU strengthens rules for Big Tech on online hate speech regulations

Major tech platforms, including Facebook, YouTube, and X, have pledged to strengthen efforts to combat online hate speech under an updated European Union code of conduct. The revised framework, part of the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA), mandates stricter measures to reduce illegal and harmful content online.

Companies will collaborate with public and non-profit experts to monitor their responses to hate speech notifications, aiming to review at least two-thirds within 24 hours. Advanced detection tools and transparency regarding recommendation systems will also play key roles in reducing the reach of harmful content before removal.

The EU plans to track compliance closely, requiring platforms to provide country-specific data on hate speech classifications, including race, gender identity, and religion. These measures align with broader efforts to ensure accountability in tech governance.

EU officials emphasised that adherence to the revised code will influence regulatory enforcement under the DSA, marking a significant step in the battle against online hate.

Trump rescinds Biden’s AI risk policies

Donald Trump has rescinded a 2023 executive order issued by Joe Biden aimed at mitigating risks associated with AI to consumers, workers, and national security. Biden’s order mandated that developers of high-risk AI systems share safety test results with the US government before public release, under the Defense Production Act. It also required federal agencies to establish safety standards addressing potential threats such as cybersecurity, chemical, and biological risks. This move came amid congressional inaction on AI legislation.

The Republican Party had pledged to overturn Biden’s order, claiming it stifled AI innovation. The party’s 2024 platform emphasises support for AI development that aligns with free speech and human progress. Generative AI technologies, capable of creating content like text and images, have sparked both excitement and concern over their potential to disrupt industries and eliminate jobs.

While Trump revoked Biden’s AI safety framework, he left intact another executive order issued last week that supports the energy needs of advanced AI data centres. Biden’s newer order calls for federal assistance, including leasing Defense and Energy Department sites, to support the rapid growth of AI infrastructure. Meanwhile, US companies like Nvidia have criticised recent Commerce Department restrictions on AI chip exports, reflecting ongoing tensions between regulation and innovation in the tech sector.

Donald Trump rebrings TikTok online

TikTok began restoring its services in the US on Sunday after President-elect Donald Trump announced plans to revive the app upon taking office on Monday. Speaking at a rally ahead of his inauguration, Trump assured his supporters that TikTok, a platform used by 170 million Americans, would be brought back online through a joint venture that protects national security. Hours earlier, TikTok users had received a message crediting Trump for the app’s restoration efforts.

TikTok ceased operations late Saturday after a law banning the platform on national security grounds came into effect. The shutdown sparked a frenzy among users and businesses dependent on the app, with web searches for VPNs surging and concerns mounting over disruptions to TikTok Shop transactions. The app’s temporary return relieves millions, but important questions remain about its long-term future in the US.

Trump’s pledge to extend the ban’s enforcement period to facilitate a deal marks a shift from his stance in 2020 when he sought to ban TikTok over concerns that its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, was sharing user data with Beijing. Trump now calls for a joint venture, proposing a 50% US ownership stake while guaranteeing that service providers would not face penalties for restoring TikTok.

Despite Trump’s assurances, the law mandating TikTok’s divestiture remains contentious. Republican lawmakers, including Senators Tom Cotton and Pete Ricketts, have criticised any attempt to circumvent the law, insisting that ByteDance sever all ties with China to meet the divestiture requirements. Meanwhile, TikTok’s ongoing connection to China continues to fuel tensions in US-China relations, with Beijing accusing Washington of unfairly targeting Chinese companies.

TikTok’s temporary return has reignited debates over its valuation, reportedly as high as $50 billion, and potential suitors, including former Los Angeles Dodgers owner Frank McCourt and billionaire Elon Musk. While Beijing has reportedly discussed a possible sale, ByteDance denies such plans. Separately, US startup Perplexity AI has proposed merging with TikTok’s US operations to create a new entity.

The platform’s restoration signals its cultural and economic significance, but it also highlights the geopolitical complexities of its existence. Whether TikTok ultimately secures a deal or faces renewed legal battles, its journey reflects the growing and complicated intersection of technology, digital policies, cyber diplomacy, politics, and global commerce.

TikTok’s abrupt shutdown shakes the USA

TikTok’s future in the US took a dramatic turn late Saturday as the app went offline ahead of a Sunday deadline mandated by US law. The US government’s move, affecting 170 million US users, marks an unprecedented shutdown of one of the world’s most influential social media platforms.

The persistence of the US officials to ban TikTok stems from concerns over the platform’s ties to its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, and potential risks to national security. As users grapple with the platform’s disappearance, President-elect Donald Trump has hinted at a possible 90-day extension to allow time for a resolution.

The shutdown comes after the Supreme Court upheld a law requiring TikTok to sever ties with ByteDance or cease US operations. ByteDance’s other apps, such as CapCut and Lemon8, were also removed from US app stores.

TikTok issued a message to users acknowledging the shutdown and expressing hope for a political resolution under the Trump administration, which takes office Monday 20 January 2025. Trump has indicated that he will announce an extension early next week.

The app’s disappearance has sparked many reactions among users, businesses, and competitors. Social media platforms like RedNote, Meta, and Snap have seen an influx of users and investor interest, while many TikTok creators expressed sadness and uncertainty online. Virtual private network (VPN) searches surged as users sought workarounds to access the platform, highlighting the app’s deep integration into American culture and commerce.

Despite the shutdown, speculation continues about TikTok’s future. ByteDance has reportedly been discussing with potential buyers, including billionaire Elon Musk and other US-based entities. Meanwhile, TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew is set to attend Trump’s inauguration, signalling possible negotiations to keep the platform operational. Proposals from new suitors, such as US search engine startup Perplexity AI, further illustrate the high stakes and value of TikTok’s US operations, which are estimated to be worth up to $50 billion.

The uncertainty has created a ripple effect, with businesses that rely on TikTok for marketing and e-commerce scrambling to adapt. Many worry about the broader implications of this shutdown, which has deepened tensions between Washington and Beijing.

The prospect of a political compromise looms as Trump prepares to take office, but whether TikTok can return to US screens remains uncertain. The platform’s sudden disappearance underscores the complex intersection of technology, geopolitics, and commerce, leaving millions of users and businesses in limbo.

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.