Major social media companies, including Meta, Snapchat, and TikTok, have urged Australia to reconsider its decision to exempt YouTube from a new law banning under-16s from social media platforms.
The legislation, passed in November, imposes strict age restrictions and threatens heavy fines for non-compliance. YouTube, however, is set to be excluded due to its educational value and parental supervision features.
Industry leaders argue that YouTube shares key features with other platforms, such as algorithmic content recommendations and social interaction tools, making its exemption inconsistent with the law’s intent.
Meta called for equal enforcement, while TikTok warned that excluding YouTube would create an ‘illogical, anticompetitive, and short-sighted’ regulation. Snapchat echoed these concerns, insisting that all platforms should be treated fairly.
Experts have pointed out that YouTube, like other platforms, can expose children to addictive and harmful content. The company has responded by strengthening content moderation and expanding its automated detection systems.
The debate highlights broader concerns over online safety and fair competition as Australia moves to enforce some of the world’s strictest social media regulations.
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Britain’s privacy regulator, the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), has launched an investigation into the child privacy practices of TikTok, Reddit, and Imgur. The ICO is scrutinising how these platforms manage personal data and age verification for users, particularly teenagers, to ensure they comply with UK data protection laws.
The investigation focuses on TikTok’s use of data from 13-17-year-olds to recommend content via its algorithm. The ICO is also examining how Reddit and Imgur assess and protect the privacy of child users. If evidence of legal breaches is found, the ICO will take action, as it did in 2023 when TikTok was fined £12.7 million for mishandling data from children under 13.
Both Reddit and Imgur have expressed a commitment to adhering to UK regulations. Reddit, for example, stated that it plans to roll out updates to meet new age-assurance requirements. Meanwhile, TikTok and Imgur have not yet responded to requests for comment.
The investigation comes amid stricter UK legislation aimed at safeguarding children online, including measures requiring social media platforms to limit harmful content and enforce age checks to prevent underage access to inappropriate material.
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TikTok, the popular video-sharing app owned by ByteDance, has unveiled plans to invest $8.8 billion in building data centres in Thailand over the next five years. The announcement was made by Helena Lersch, TikTok’s Vice President of Public Policy, during an event held in Bangkok on Friday. This investment marks a significant move as the company continues to expand its operations in the region.
The specific details of the investment remain unclear, particularly whether it includes a $3.8 billion agreement that was announced by Thailand’s investment board last month. The government’s investment board had previously detailed a deal aimed at boosting digital infrastructure in the country, but TikTok did not provide further clarification on the connection between the two.
This move highlights TikTok’s growing commitment to the Thai market and its broader strategy of increasing local data storage capabilities. As part of its ongoing efforts to expand its global presence, the company is investing in infrastructure to better serve its user base and meet regulatory requirements in key markets.
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Instagram is considering launching a separate app for its Reels feature, which focuses on short-form videos, according to remarks made by Instagram chief Adam Mosseri this week. The potential move is seen as an effort to capitalise on the uncertain future of TikTok in the US, aiming to offer a similar video-scrolling experience. Meta, the parent company of Instagram, has yet to comment on the report.
This comes just months after Meta introduced a new video-editing app, Edits, in January, which appears to target users of CapCut, a popular video editor owned by TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance. Meta’s previous attempt to launch a standalone video-sharing app, Lasso, in 2018 failed to gain traction and was eventually discontinued.
By exploring a dedicated app for Reels, Instagram hopes to strengthen its position in the competitive short-form video market, where TikTok currently dominates.
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For many creators, TikTok has become more than just a platform for viral trends—it’s their livelihood. Beauty content creator Leila Nikea left her job as a make-up artist three years ago to focus solely on TikTok, tripling her income and even buying her first home.
Yet, uncertainty surrounding TikTok’s future has left her anxious, especially after the recent threat of a US ban over national security concerns. Although the ban was briefly implemented and then postponed, ongoing scrutiny has made creators like Leila fear for their financial stability.
Musicians Howard and George, known as The Whiskey Brothers, share similar concerns. After nearly two decades performing as a wedding band, TikTok finally gave them a platform to reach new audiences with their original music.
Their growing following led to their first official gig under their new name. However, the prospect of future bans has cast a shadow over their plans, making them question the long-term sustainability of their careers on TikTok.
Veteran tech influencer Safwan Ahmedmia, better known as SuperSaf, has already faced the consequences of a TikTok ban when India blocked the app in 2020, costing him thousands of followers. Now, he spreads his content across multiple platforms, advising fellow creators to do the same.
As debates over TikTok’s data privacy and security continue worldwide, creators are increasingly aware of the fragility of their digital careers. While many remain committed to their passions, the platform’s instability serves as a stark reminder of the risks tied to relying on a single app for income.
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TikTok is reportedly laying off staff from its trust and safety unit, which is responsible for content moderation, as part of a restructuring effort. The layoffs began on Thursday, affecting teams in Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Adam Presser, TikTok’s operations head, sent a memo to staff informing them of the decision, though the company has not yet commented on the move.
The layoffs come at a time when TikTok’s future is uncertain. The app, used by nearly half of all Americans, faced a brief outage last month, followed by a law that came into effect in January, requiring its Chinese owner ByteDance to either sell TikTok or face a national security-related ban. TikTok CEO Shou Chew had previously testified before Congress about the company’s trust and safety measures, pledging to invest more than $2 billion in these efforts.
In line with a shift towards AI-driven content moderation, TikTok had already made significant layoffs in October, including staff in Malaysia. The company currently employs 40,000 trust and safety professionals globally, but the full scope of the recent cuts remains unclear.
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President Donald Trump confirmed on Wednesday that he was in active discussions with China over the future of TikTok, as the US seeks to broker a sale of the popular app. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump revealed that talks were ongoing, underscoring the US government’s desire to address national security concerns tied to the app’s ownership by the Chinese company ByteDance. The move comes amid growing scrutiny over TikTok’s data security practices and potential links to the Chinese government.
The Trump administration has expressed concerns that TikTok could be used to collect sensitive data on US users, raising fears about national security risks. As a result, the US has been pushing for ByteDance to sell TikTok’s US operations to an American company. This would be part of an effort to reduce any potential influence from the Chinese government over the app’s data and operations. However, the process has faced complexities, with discussions involving multiple stakeholders, including potential buyers.
While the negotiations continue, the future of TikTok remains uncertain. If a sale is not agreed upon, the US has indicated that it could pursue further actions, including a potential ban of the app. As these talks unfold, the outcome could have significant implications for TikTok’s millions of American users and its business operations in the US, with both sides working to find a solution that addresses the security concerns while allowing the app to continue its success.
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A growing number of young Europeans are turning to social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube as their primary news source, surpassing traditional outlets such as TV and print media. According to the latest European Parliament Youth Survey, 42% of people aged 16 to 30 rely on social media for news about politics and social issues. This shift highlights changing preferences toward fast-paced, accessible content but also raises concerns about the growing risk of disinformation among younger generations.
Younger users, especially those aged 16 to 18, are more likely to trust platforms like TikTok and Instagram, while those aged 25 to 30 tend to rely more on Facebook, online press, and radio for their news. However, the rise of social media as a news source has also led to increased exposure to fake news. A report from the Reuters Institute revealed that 27% of TikTok users struggle to identify misleading content, while Instagram has faced criticism for relaxing its fact-checking systems.
Despite being aware of the risks, young Europeans continue to engage with social media for news. A significant 76% of respondents reported encountering fake news in the past week, yet platforms like Instagram remain the most popular news sources. This trend is impacting trust in political institutions, with many young people expressing scepticism toward the EU and skipping elections due to a lack of information.
The reliance on social media for news has shifted political discourse, as fake news and AI-generated content have been used to manipulate public opinion. The constant exposure to sensationalised false information is also having psychological effects, increasing anxiety and confusion among young people and pushing some to avoid news altogether.
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TikTok has returned to US app stores after President Donald Trump temporarily delayed a ban on the Chinese-owned social media platform. The app, which briefly went offline last month due to a new law requiring its parent company, ByteDance, to sell its US operations or face a ban, is now available for download again.
Despite TikTok resuming service, Google and Apple had initially removed it from their stores while awaiting assurances that they would not be penalised for hosting the app. Trump signed an executive order extending the deadline for TikTok’s sale by 75 days, allowing the platform to operate in the US without immediate repercussions.
The delay has sparked interest from potential buyers, including former Los Angeles Dodgers owner Frank McCourt, as analysts estimate TikTok’s US business could be worth up to $50 billion. The app, which had over 52 million downloads in 2024, remains one of the most popular in the country.
The law requiring ByteDance to sell TikTok’s US assets was signed last April by then-President Joe Biden, driven by national security concerns over potential Chinese government influence. That move marks an unprecedented step in US policy, granting the government broad authority to ban or force the sale of foreign-owned apps. Trump has stated that he is discussing TikTok’s future with multiple parties and expects to make a final decision by February.
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Elon Musk has confirmed he has no intention of purchasing TikTok, despite speculation and suggestions from former US President Donald Trump.
Speaking at a summit hosted by The WELT Group, Musk stated he had not made a bid for the app and had no plans for its future. He also noted that he does not use TikTok personally and is unfamiliar with its format.
The billionaire emphasised that acquiring companies is rare for him, with his high-profile purchase of Twitter, now X, being an exception. He reiterated his preference for building businesses from the ground up rather than taking over existing ones.
ByteDance, TikTok’s Chinese parent company, has been under pressure to sell its US assets due to concerns about data security and potential government influence.
Apple and Google have yet to reinstate TikTok in their app stores since new US legislation took effect. In response, TikTok has enabled Android users to download the app directly from its website.
Trump has suggested that multiple parties are in discussions over the platform’s future, with a final decision expected soon.
ByteDance has consistently denied any plans to sell TikTok, despite mounting political scrutiny. Trump, who once sought to ban the app, has recently expressed support for it, citing its role in his popularity among young voters.
No official response has been provided by ByteDance or TikTok regarding the ongoing situation.
