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.
TikTok faces an uncertain future as the US government’s 19 January 2025 deadline approaches, demanding ByteDance divest its US operations or face a nationwide ban. The ultimatum, backed by the Supreme Court’s apparent readiness to uphold the decision, appears to be the culmination of years of scrutiny over the platform’s data practices and ties to China. Amid this mounting pressure, reports suggest Elon Musk, the owner of X (formerly Twitter), could acquire TikTok’s US operations, a proposal that has sparked debates about its feasibility and geopolitical implications.
Now, let’s see how it began..
How did the TikTok odyssey begin?
The story of TikTok began in 2014 with Musical.ly, a social media app enabling users to create and share lip-sync videos. Founded in Shanghai, it quickly gained traction among US and European teenagers. By 2017, Musical.ly had over 100 million users and caught the attention of ByteDance, a Chinese tech giant that acquired it for $1 billion. In 2018, ByteDance merged Musical.ly with its domestic app Douyin, launching TikTok for international audiences. Leveraging powerful machine-learning algorithms, TikTok’s ‘For You Page’ became its defining feature, captivating users with an endless stream of personalised content.
The US clock strikes 'ban or divest TikTok' 5
By 2018, TikTok had become one of the most downloaded apps globally, surpassing giants like Facebook and Instagram. Its cultural influence exploded, reshaping how content was created and consumed. From viral dance challenges to comedic skits, TikTok carved out a unique space in the digital world, particularly among younger users. However, its meteoric rise also brought scrutiny. Concerns emerged over user data privacy and potential manipulation by its parent company ByteDance, which critics claimed had ties to the Chinese government.
The ‘ban or divest’ saga
The incipit of the current conflict can be traced back to 2020 when then-President Donald Trump attempted to ban TikTok and Chinese-owned WeChat, citing fears that Beijing could misuse US data or manipulate public discourse through the platforms. The courts blocked Trump’s effort, and in 2021, President Joe Biden revoked the Trump-era orders, but initiated its review of TikTok’s data practices, keeping the platform under scrutiny. Despite challenges, TikTok continued to grow, surpassing 1 billion active users by 2021. It implemented community guidelines and transparency measures to address content moderation and concerns about misinformation. It also planned to store US user data on Oracle-operated servers to mitigate fears of Chinese government access. However, bipartisan concerns over TikTok’s influence persisted, especially regarding its ties to the Chinese government and the potential data misuse. Lawmakers and US intelligence agencies have long raised alarms about the vast amount of data TikTok collects on its US users and the potential for Beijing to exploit this information for espionage or propaganda. Therefore, last year, Congress passed a bill with overwhelming support requiring ByteDance to divest its US assets, marking the strictest legal threat the platform has ever faced.
The 19 January 2025 deadline and the rumours about Elon Musk’s potential acquisition of TikTok
By 2024, TikTok was at the centre of a geopolitical storm. The US government’s demand for divestment or a ban by 19 January 2025 intensified the platform’s challenges. Amid these disputes, Elon Musk, owner of X (formerly Twitter), has emerged as a potential buyer for TikTok’s US operations. Musk’s ties to US and Chinese markets via Tesla’s Shanghai production hub position him as a unique figure in this debate. If Musk were to acquire TikTok, it could bolster X’s advertising reach and data capabilities, aligning with his broader ambitions in AI and technology. However, such a sale would involve overcoming numerous hurdles, including ByteDance’s valuation of TikTok at $40–50 billion and securing regulatory approvals from both Washington and Beijing. On the other hand, ByteDance, backed by Beijing, is resisting the sale, arguing that the conditioning violates free speech and poses significant logistical hurdles.
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TikTok has attempted to safeguard its US user base of 170 million by planning to allow users to download their data in case the ban takes effect. It has also reassured its 7,000 US employees that their jobs and benefits are secure, even if operations are halted. While new downloads would be prohibited under the ban, existing users could retain access temporarily, although the platform’s functionality would degrade over time.
The looming deadline has sparked a surge in alternative platforms, such as RedNote (known in China as Xiaohongshu), which has seen a significant influx of US users in anticipation of TikTok’s potential exit.
TikTok’s cultural legacy and future
The fate of TikTok in the US hangs in the balance as President-elect Donald Trump considers an executive order to delay the enforcement of the ‘ban or divest’ law by up to 90 days. The potential extension, supported by figures from both political sides, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Trump’s incoming national security adviser Mike Waltz, aims to provide ByteDance, TikTok’s Chinese owner, additional time to divest its US operations and avoid a nationwide ban. With over 170 million American users and substantial ad revenue at risk, lawmakers are increasingly wary of the disruption a ban could cause, signalling bipartisan support to keep the app operational while addressing national security concerns. TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew’s attendance at Trump’s inauguration further hints at a shift in relations between the platform and the new administration. Meanwhile, the uncertainty has already driven US users to explore alternatives like RedNote as the clock ticks down to the Sunday deadline.
Either way, TikTok’s impact on culture and technology is undeniable. It has redefined digital content creation and inspired competitors like Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts. Yet, its journey highlights the challenges of navigating geopolitical tensions and concerns over data privacy in a hyper-connected world. As the 19 January deadline looms, TikTok stands at a crossroads. Whether it becomes part of Musk’s tech empire, succumbs to a US ban, or finds another path, its legacy as a trailblazer in short-form video content remains secure. The platform’s next chapter, however, hangs in the balance, as these TikTok developments underscore the broader implications of its struggles, including the reshaping of the social media landscape and the role of government intervention in regulating digital platforms.
As war forced thousands of Lebanese families to flee their homes, mechanical engineer Hania Zataari developed an AI chatbot to streamline aid distribution. The tool, linked to WhatsApp, collects requests for essentials like food, blankets, and medicine, helping volunteers reach those in need more efficiently. With support from donors abroad, the project has delivered hundreds of aid packages to displaced families in Sidon and beyond.
Many displaced people have struggled to access government assistance, leaving volunteers to fill the gap. Economic turmoil has further strained resources, with aid organisations warning of severe funding shortages. Despite these challenges, the chatbot has helped distribute crucial supplies, with volunteers working tirelessly to match demand with available resources.
Researchers see potential in the technology but question its scalability in other regions. The chatbot’s success, they argue, lies in its local adaptation and cultural familiarity. While it cannot solve Lebanon’s crisis, for the families relying on it, the tool has made survival a little easier.
Frank McCourt’s Project Liberty, along with a group of partners, has formally proposed a bid to acquire TikTok’s US assets from ByteDance. The consortium announced its intentions just ahead of ByteDance’s January 19 deadline to sell the platform or face a ban under legislation signed by President Joe Biden in April.
The group has gathered sufficient financial backing, including interest from private equity funds, family offices, and high-net-worth individuals, with debt financing from a leading US bank. The proposed value of the deal has not been disclosed.
McCourt stated the goal is to keep TikTok accessible to millions of US users without relying on its current algorithm while preventing a ban. Efforts are underway to engage with ByteDance, President-elect Trump, and the incoming administration to finalise the deal.
At a recent press briefing, Mexico’s Foreign Secretary, Juan Ramón de la Fuente, announced an emergency mobile application slated for January to ensure the protection of Mexican citizens in the USA. Created with assistance from the Digital Transformation Agency, this app will enable Mexicans to notify their nearest consulate during immigration enforcement actions swiftly.
Additionally, immediate notifications can be directed to chosen family members and the Foreign Ministry of Mexico, strengthening personal and broader support networks. The following technological initiative forms part of a comprehensive strategy to enhance community engagement and deliver reliable assistance during emergencies.
The Foreign Secretary has personally engaged in several open meetings to convey to Mexican citizens that they remain neither isolated nor unsupported, reaffirming the availability of extensive rights and assistance. The consular app will help reach out to the big Mexican population in the US – 38.4 million Mexicans live there, with 11.5 million as first-generation immigrants, including 4.8 million undocumented.
The Mexican consular app is an example of the practical use of digital technology to conduct one of the core functions of diplomacy – to protect citizens abroad.
Texas lawmakers are considering a significant step in regulating artificial intelligence with the proposed Responsible AI Governance Act. The legislation targets high-risk AI systems, defining them as tools influencing decisions on education, employment, healthcare, and other critical services. Developers and deployers of such systems would face stringent requirements under the Act.
The draft mandates developers to produce detailed risk reports and maintain data records, ensuring transparency. Deployers must oversee human involvement in AI-driven decisions and report discrimination risks promptly. Regular assessments are required to address potential algorithmic biases and ensure compliance with intended uses.
The Act also sets clear prohibitions, including bans on systems manipulating behaviour, social scoring, and unauthorised biometric data collection. Developers and deployers must disclose to consumers when interacting with AI, providing clear explanations of system purposes and decision-making processes.
With enforcement led by the Texas Attorney General, businesses are urged to evaluate their practices and prepare for potential changes. The legislation could serve as a model for AI governance nationwide, shaping the future of ethical AI development and deployment.
A federal judge has upheld California’s law, SB 976, which restricts companies from serving addictive content feeds to minors. The decision allows the legislation to take effect, beginning a significant shift in how social media platforms operate in the state.
Companies must now ensure that addictive feeds, defined as algorithms recommending content based on user behaviour rather than explicit preferences, are not shown to minors without parental consent. By 2027, businesses will also need to implement age assurance techniques, such as age estimation models, to identify underage users and tailor their feeds accordingly.
The tech industry group NetChoice, representing firms like Meta, Google, and X, attempted to block the law, citing First Amendment concerns. While the judge dismissed their challenge to the addictive feeds provision, certain aspects of the law, such as limits on nighttime notifications for minors, were blocked.
This ruling marks a notable step in California’s efforts to regulate the digital landscape and protect younger users from potentially harmful online content.
A Moscow court has fined TikTok three million roubles (around $28,930) for failing to meet Russian legal requirements. The court’s press service confirmed the verdict but did not elaborate on the specific violation.
The social media platform, owned by ByteDance, has been facing increasing scrutiny worldwide. Allegations of non-compliance with legal frameworks and security concerns have made headlines in multiple countries.
TikTok encountered further setbacks recently, including a year-long ban in Albania last December. Canadian authorities also ordered the company to halt operations, citing national security threats.
The fine in Russia reflects the mounting regulatory challenges for TikTok as it navigates stricter oversight in various regions.
Instacart has joined Uber in a legal challenge against a new Seattle ordinance regulating how app-based workers can be deactivated. The law, set to take effect in January, requires companies to provide gig workers with a 14-day notice of deactivation, base decisions on reasonable policies, and allow human review of all deactivations.
Seattle officials describe the legislation as a landmark move to ensure worker rights in the gig economy. Advocacy groups support the law, arguing that it addresses unfair deactivations and offers greater job security for app-based workers.
Instacart and Uber, however, claim the ordinance infringes on constitutional rights, federal laws, and operational safety. This lawsuit is part of broader disputes between tech companies and cities over labour regulations in the gig economy. Seattle has pledged to defend its policies, emphasising its commitment to protecting workers in modern app-driven industries.
International lawyers for the Democratic Republic of Congo have welcomed Apple’s recent decision to instruct suppliers to stop sourcing minerals from conflict zones in Congo and Rwanda. However, they remain cautious, pressing ahead with legal complaints in France and Belgium that accuse Apple of using conflict minerals in its supply chain.
Apple strongly disputes these claims, stating that it has taken action to avoid sourcing tin, tantalum, tungsten, and gold from the region due to escalating violence. The company highlighted that most of the minerals used in its devices are recycled and asserted its commitment to rigorous supplier audits and funding initiatives for improved mineral traceability.
Congo’s lawyers argue that Apple benefited from minerals extracted under violent conditions and smuggled through international supply chains. They insist on ground-level verification of Apple’s claims, stating that past crimes tied to conflict minerals cannot be erased. Millions of civilians in eastern Congo have been displaced or killed in decades-long conflicts fuelled by competition over valuable minerals.
While Apple has outlined its high standards for ethical sourcing, legal proceedings in Europe continue as Congo’s representatives demand accountability for alleged complicity in crimes linked to the region’s mining sector.
