Paul Tran and his wife Lynda experienced a transformative moment when their skincare brand gained viral attention on TikTok. The couple, based in Atlanta, saw their business, @loveandpebble, skyrocket in popularity after showcasing their Beauty Pops ice face masks on the platform in 2021. The viral exposure led to sold-out inventory and features on major shows like ‘The Today Show’ and ‘Shark Tank.’
However, their success is now threatened by a bill passed by the US Senate, signed into law by President Joe Biden in April, which could ban TikTok in the US if its owner, ByteDance, fails to divest the app within a year. The legal move is driven by concerns over data security and potential spying by China. TikTok creators, including small business owners like Tran, are fighting back, with some suing the US government to block the law and preserve their livelihoods.
Why does it matter?
For many small businesses, TikTok has been a lifeline, offering unparalleled opportunities for exposure and growth that American-owned platforms like Meta, Alphabet, and Snap have struggled to replicate. The app’s algorithm, combined with features like TikTok Shop, which allows creators to sell directly within the app, has been instrumental in propelling businesses to success.
The stories of entrepreneurs like Summer Lucille and Felicia Jackson underscore TikTok’s unique ability to level the playing field for small creators. Lucille found rapid success with her plus-size clothing company after years of frustration on other platforms, while Jackson credits TikTok with revitalizing her business, CPRWrap, after previous attempts on platforms like Facebook and Pinterest fell short. As rivals like Meta’s Instagram attempt to address disparities in content reach, the enduring appeal of TikTok lies in its ability to foster communities and provide equal opportunities for creators of all sizes.
Every year, the Met Gala courts controversy, but in 2024, a TikTok audio track ignited outrage before the event even began. Influencer Haley Kalil faced backlash for using a snippet from the film ‘Marie Antoinette,’ featuring the infamous line, ‘Let them eat cake,’ as she showcased her lavish attire. Critics likened the spectacle to ‘The Hunger Games,’ criticising the disconnect between opulence and global suffering, particularly in light of ongoing conflicts like the Gaza crisis.
Social media platforms have become battlegrounds for shaping public discourse, especially concerning the Israel-Palestine conflict. With audiences primarily exposed to the issue through digital channels, platforms like Instagram and TikTok have become outlets for frustration and activism. Simultaneously, a grassroots movement known as ‘Blockout 2024’ emerged, urging users to block celebrities to diminish their influence and redirect attention to pressing global issues.
The Blockout movement has gained momentum, with thousands participating in calls to action on social media. Alongside blocking celebrities, efforts to provide direct aid to Gaza have intensified. Influencers are facing pressure to promote fundraising initiatives like Operation Olive Branch, highlighting the role of social media in mobilising support for humanitarian causes amidst geopolitical conflicts.
While the impact of social media activism remains uncertain, the Blockout movement seems to be a shift towards digital solidarity and accountability. As the conflict unfolds through short-form videos and Instagram posts, the conversation sparked by events like the Met Gala indicates a growing intersection between celebrity culture, social media activism, and global crises.
A group of TikTok creators has taken legal action against the US federal government over a law signed by President Joe Biden. The law would either require the divestiture of the popular short video app or potentially ban it altogether. TikTok creators argue that the app has become integral to American life, with 170 million users nationwide.
Among those suing are individuals from diverse backgrounds and professions, including a Marine Corps veteran, a woman selling cookies, a college coach, a hip-hop artist, and an advocate for sexual assault survivors. Despite their differences, they all believe TikTok provides a unique platform for self-expression and community-building.
The lawsuit, filed by Davis Wright Tremaine LLP on behalf of the creators, alleges that the law infringes on free speech rights and threatens to eliminate an important communication medium. The White House has refrained from commenting on the matter, while the US Department of Justice asserts that the law addresses national security concerns while remaining within constitutional boundaries.
Why does it matter?
The ongoing legal battle echoes past disputes involving TikTok, including a similar lawsuit filed by the company and its parent company, ByteDance. Courts have previously intervened to block attempts to ban the app, citing concerns about free speech and constitutional rights.
TikTok is experimenting with an enhanced search feature, utilising generative AI to provide more comprehensive search results. Dubbed ‘search highlights’, this feature showcases AI-generated snippets at the top of certain search result pages, offering users a glimpse into the full response by clicking through. Initial tests reveal AI-generated responses for queries ranging from recipes to product recommendations, such as ‘best laptops 2024’.
Powered by ChatGPT, TikTok’s AI search results aim to surface relevant content based on user queries. However, the feature has limitations, with not all searches yielding AI-generated answers. Some search queries display results generated by ChatGPT alongside a broader ‘search highlights’ feature.
The birth of the new search tool, backed by AI, reflects TikTok’s ongoing efforts to enhance its in-app search functionality, aligning with users’ habits, particularly among younger demographics. Recognising TikTok’s role as a search destination for recommendations and information, the platform previously experimented with integrating Google Search results and direct links to external websites like Wikipedia and IMDb. By incorporating AI-driven results prominently, TikTok aims to cater to users’ preferences and further solidify its position as a go-to platform for discovering diverse content.
TikTok has announced that it will implement a new technology called ‘Content Credentials’ to label images and videos created by AI on its platform. Developed by Adobe, this digital watermark technology aims to address concerns regarding the authenticity and potential misuse of AI-generated content, particularly in relation to the upcoming US elections.
The Content Credentials technology will attach digital watermarks to indicate how images and videos were created and edited, allowing users to distinguish content produced by humans from AI-generated content. TikTok’s adoption of this technology follows in the footsteps of other companies like OpenAI and is part of a broader effort by tech giants to combat the potential use of AI-generated content for misinformation purposes. YouTube and Meta Platforms, which owns Instagram and Facebook, have also expressed their intention to adopt Content Credentials, even though they already use AI-generated content labelling tools.
For the watermark system to be effective, both the creators of the generative AI tools and the platforms must agree to use the industry standard. For example, if an image is generated using OpenAI’s Dall-E tool, a watermark will automatically be attached to the resulting image. If this marked image is then uploaded to TikTok, it will be labelled as AI-generated content.
Why does it matter?
While TikTok already labels AI-generated content created within its app, this new initiative expands the labelling to content generated outside the TikTok ecosystem. By doing so, TikTok aims to enhance control over disseminating AI-generated material and maintain transparency for its user community.
Ukraine has issued a warning about Russia’s escalating use of TikTok to challenge President Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s legitimacy and erode national morale amid Russia’s military actions. Russian influencers and bots are reportedly behind viral TikTok videos targeting 20 May, the date when Zelenskiy’s first term would have ended if not for election disruptions due to martial law. Andriy Kovalenko, a senior official focused on countering Russian misinformation, highlighted Russia’s systematic approach to TikTok, exploiting the platform to sway public opinion.
As Russia continues its military campaign against Ukraine, it has expanded its information warfare to platforms like TikTok alongside traditional battlegrounds. The use of TikTok to disseminate misinformation represents a strategic shift in Russia’s multifaceted approach to influencing public perception and leveraging its advantage in cyberspace. TikTok, owned by ByteDance, has responded by enhancing safety measures and removing harmful misinformation in Ukraine amid broader scrutiny over data security and misinformation concerns from the US and the EU.
In response to these challenges, Ukraine advocates for greater cooperation from social media companies like TikTok by urging them to establish full-scale offices in Kyiv to combat disinformation effectively. Kovalenko, who actively uses TikTok to counter false narratives, emphasised the need to adapt Ukraine’s approach to this influential platform. The call for action by Kovalenko comes as TikTok reports uncovering covert influence operations related to Ukraine conflict and removing millions of problematic videos during the last quarter.
Why does it matter?
Ukraine’s efforts to confront Russia’s information campaign on TikTok reflect broader concerns over the app’s influence and security. While governments like the US and the EU take measures to safeguard against potential threats posed by platforms like TikTok, the ongoing geopolitical dynamics and the use of social media as a battleground highlight the complex challenges digital technologies pose in the modern information landscape.
TikTok has filed a lawsuit against the US government, challenging a new law that requires the app to sever ties with its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, or face a ban in the US. The company argues that the law is unconstitutional and deems it impossible to sell the app from ByteDance, stating that it would instead result in a shutdown by 19 January 2025.
Namely, the law, signed by President Joe Biden last month, grants ByteDance nine months to divest TikTok or cease its operations in the US, citing national security concerns. However, TikTok’s complaint argues that the government has not presented sufficient evidence of the Chinese government misusing the app. Concerns expressed by individual members of Congress and a congressional committee report are speculative about the potential misuse of TikTok in the future without citing specific instances of misconduct. However, TikTok asserts that it has operated prominently in the US since its launch in 2017.
The app contends that a ban in the US would be unfeasible due to the complex task of transferring millions of lines of software code from ByteDance to a new owner. Additionally, restrictions imposed by the Chinese government would prevent the sale of TikTok along with its algorithm. TikTok argues that such a ban would effectively isolate American users and undermine its business, mentioning also its previous efforts to address US government concerns.
During the Trump administration, discussions were held regarding partnerships with American companies such as Walmart, Microsoft, and Oracle to separate TikTok’s US operations. However, these potential deals have yet to materialise. TikTok also attempted to appease the government by storing US user data in Oracle’s servers, although a recent report suggests that this action was primarily cosmetic.
TikTok seeks a court judgement to declare the Biden administration’s legislation unconstitutional in response to the new law. The company also requests an order to prevent the attorney general from enforcing the law.
The European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen suggested that banning TikTok in the EU could be an option during a debate in Maastricht featuring parties’ lead candidates for the bloc’s 2024 election. Von der Leyen, speaking as the lead candidate of the centre-right European People’s Party, underlined the need to address the dangers associated with TikTok, highlighting the Commission’s proactive stance by banning TikTok on corporate phones.
The remark comes amidst a series of challenges for TikTok in Europe as recently TikTok decided to suspend a feature that rewards users for interacting with the TikTok Lite app following an investigation by the European Commission under the bloc’s Digital Services Act (DSA). Additionally, TikTok faces a separate probe under the DSA for alleged failure to protect minors, with the Commission having the authority to order temporary service suspensions as a last resort.
While von der Leyen expressed a clear stance on TikTok, other candidates at the debate, like Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann of the liberal ALDE party, remained more cautious, indicating a need to observe developments regarding TikTok. Notably, von der Leyen reportedly avoids sanctioning TikTok while campaigning for a second term. Despite requests for comment, TikTok did not respond before the publication date.
ByteDance, the owner of TikTok, faces a crucial decision amidst looming legislation threatening to ban the app from US app stores. Sources close to ByteDance revealed that the company may opt to shut down TikTok rather than sell it, should legal avenues be exhausted. Central to this decision is the significance of TikTok’s algorithms, which are considered vital to ByteDance’s operations. Despite TikTok’s contribution being a small fraction of ByteDance’s total revenue and user base, the parent company hesitates to part with its core algorithm.
TikTok’s fate hinges on US legislation, with President Biden signing a bill that could force its sale by 19 January. However, Biden may extend this deadline by three months if ByteDance shows progress. Yet, ByteDance remains tight-lipped about its plans. It merely reiterates its lack of intention to sell TikTok as its CEO expresses confidence in overcoming legal challenges, underlining the app’s importance to its 170 million American users.
The intertwined nature of TikTok with ByteDance’s core algorithms poses a significant hurdle to any potential sale. TikTok’s algorithms align closely with ByteDance’s domestic apps, making it challenging to divest without relinquishing crucial intellectual property. Moreover, ByteDance is adamant about safeguarding its ‘secret source’ – the TikTok algorithm – from falling into the hands of competitors. This stance reflects a broader concern over data security and technological sovereignty.
Why does it matter?
Tensions surrounding TikTok highlight broader geopolitical and technological concerns, with China indicating resistance to any forced divestment of the app. The situation underscores the intricate web of international relations, trade regulations, and corporate strategies shaping the fate of digital platforms like TikTok. As ByteDance navigates this complex landscape, the future of TikTok hangs in the balance, with profound implications for both the company and its millions of users worldwide.
Kenya’s government has advised against banning TikTok amidst concerns over content shared on the platform, suggesting stricter oversight instead. The recommendation comes in response to a parliamentary panel considering a citizen’s petition to ban the Chinese-owned app. The interior ministry alleges TikTok has been used for spreading propaganda, fraud, and distributing sexual content.
The information and communication ministry proposed a co-regulation model, urging TikTok to screen content for compliance with laws in Kenya and submit quarterly reports on removed material. TikTok, owned by Chinese company ByteDance, has yet to comment on the recommendation since it has faced global criticism but defended its user privacy record.
Regulatory scrutiny of TikTok is not unique to Kenya. Italy recently fined three TikTok units for inadequate content checks, especially concerning children’s safety. Meanwhile, in the US, the Senate approved legislation threatening a TikTok ban unless ByteDance divests within the next nine to twelve months. Concerns centre around fears that China could exploit the app for data access or surveillance of American users.
