Miles Laflin, a Bedfordshire-based pool cleaner known as ‘The Pool Guy’, has amassed over 22 million followers across social media platforms for his visually satisfying videos of pool cleaning. Despite his fame, the 34-year-old continues his day job, crediting it with keeping him grounded. Laflin has been in the pool cleaning business for over a decade and began sharing his work on TikTok, where a single video has attracted over 170 million views.
His viral content has significantly boosted his business, with 90% of his work coming from followers who discover him online. Laflin’s success led to him winning the high-quality content creator of the year title at the inaugural UK and Ireland TikTok Awards. He encourages others to share content about their jobs, emphasising that social media offers opportunities for brand deals, global travel, and personal transformation.
Laflin continues to balance his viral fame with his pool cleaning business, a testament to his passion for the trade. He believes there is an audience for every profession, urging aspiring content creators to showcase their unique skills online.
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.
President-elect Donald Trump has called on the US Supreme Court to postpone implementing a law that would ban TikTok or force its sale, arguing for time to seek a political resolution after taking office. The court will hear arguments on the case on 10 January, ahead of a 19 January deadline for TikTok’s Chinese owner, ByteDance, to sell the app or face a US ban.
The move marks a stark shift for Trump, who previously sought to block TikTok in 2020 over national security concerns tied to its Chinese ownership. Trump’s legal team emphasised that his request does not take a stance on the law’s merits but seeks to allow his incoming administration to explore alternatives. Trump has expressed a newfound appreciation for TikTok, citing its role in boosting his campaign visibility.
TikTok, with over 170 million US users, continues to challenge the legislation, asserting that its data and operations affecting US users are fully managed within the country. However, national security concerns persist, with the Justice Department and a coalition of attorneys general urging the Supreme Court to uphold the divest-or-ban mandate. The case highlights the growing debate between free speech advocates and national security interests in regulating digital platforms.
In this digital age, where children spend time on social media platforms continuously, the story of TikTok’s impact on youth has taken a dark turn in Albania. On Saturday, 21 December, the Albanian government announced a drastic measure: a one-year nationwide ban on TikTok, caused by the tragic death of a 14-year-old boy. The incident, involving a fatal stabbing linked to online arguments between two boys, has once again placed TikTok under interrogator’s legal and regulatory spotlight, not for its viral dance challenges but for its potential to endanger children’s rights and human safety.
The event unfolded in November, when the dispute, initially being fuelled on the platform by the two boys and other minors via videos inciting violence and aggression, spilt over into reality, ultimately ending with the loss of a young life.
Prime Minister Edi Rama, addressing the nation, highlighted the incident as the worst example of how social media can transform from a cyberspace of entertainment to a tragedy. He described TikTok as a platform that holds children ‘hostage’ to its addictive algorithms, potentially fuelling aggression and violence among youth.
The narrative above reflects a broader societal concern about the intersection of technology and human behaviour, particularly in vulnerable developmental stages of childhood. The bad is that this is not an isolated incident or reaction. Across Europe, nations like France and Germany have already placed restrictions on social media use among children, concerned about such lethal consequences, children’s safety, privacy, exposure to inappropriate content, and mental health.
Albania’s decision to enact a complete ban on TikTok for a year is another sign of a growing global trend where governments struggle with the implications of digital platforms on youth. Australia, for instance, has gone further by legislating a complete ban on social media for users under 16, signalling a strong stance on protecting minors from the possible negative effects of these platforms.
The Albanian ban, while extreme, certainly underscores another landmark in digital governance. It is not just about the immediate reaction to a tragic event but part of a broader strategy to enhance school safety, as PM Rama mentioned after consultations with parents and teachers. The approach suggests a shift from reactive to proactive measures in digital policymaking. However, TikTok’s response adds another layer to this narrative. The company sought clarification from the Albanian government, asserting no direct evidence linking the tragic incident to their platform, hinting at the complexities of attributing blame in the digital space where content can easily cross platforms.
The Albanian scenario is a microcosm of a worldwide debate on digital rights, responsibility, and cyberspace governance. The ban shows the delicate balance between freedom of expression, technological innovation, and safeguarding human rights, particularly children’s. It raises questions about how far governments should go in regulating internet spaces, especially as platforms struggle with content moderation and the unintended consequences of their algorithms.
In a broader context, the ban reflects a global awakening to the potential harms of social media, particularly platforms like TikTok, which have been criticised for everything from promoting harmful content to exacerbating mental health issues among young users.
While the immediate impact of the Albanian ban is to curb one avenue of potential harm, the long-term implications might include a push for more robust digital literacy, better parental controls, and perhaps even a rethinking of how social media companies operate to prevent such tragedies in the future.
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Albania has announced a one-year nationwide ban on TikTok, citing concerns about the platform’s influence on children. The decision follows the fatal stabbing of a 14-year-old boy in November, reportedly linked to social media disputes. Prime Minister Edi Rama revealed the ban as part of a broader strategy to enhance school safety after consultations with parents and teachers.
The Prime Minister has criticised TikTok and similar platforms for encouraging youth violence. Videos supporting the killing were shared online, raising alarms about the role of social media in such incidents. Rama stated that society, not children, bears responsibility for the issue, describing TikTok as a platform that holds children ‘hostage’.
TikTok responded by seeking clarity from the Albanian government, claiming no evidence linked the involved teens to the platform. A spokesperson suggested another platform might have hosted the content tied to the incident.
President-elect Donald Trump hinted at allowing TikTok to continue operating in the US, at least temporarily, citing the platform’s significant role in his presidential campaign. Speaking to conservative supporters in Phoenix, Arizona, Trump shared that his campaign content had garnered billions of views on TikTok, describing it as a “beautiful” success that made him reconsider the app’s future.
TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, has faced pressure from US lawmakers to divest the app over national security concerns, with allegations that Chinese control of TikTok poses risks to American data. The US Supreme Court is set to decide on the matter, as ByteDance challenges a law that could force divestment. Without a favourable ruling or compliance with the law, TikTok could face a US ban by January 19, just before Trump takes office.
Trump’s openness to TikTok contrasts with bipartisan support for stricter measures against the app. While the Justice Department argues that Chinese ties to TikTok remain a security threat, TikTok counters that its user data and operations are managed within the US, with storage handled by Oracle and moderation decisions made domestically. Despite ongoing legal battles, Trump’s remarks and a recent meeting with TikTok’s CEO suggest he sees potential in maintaining the platform’s presence in the US market.
Democratic Senator Ed Markey and Republican Senator Rand Paul are urging President Joe Biden to extend the January 19 deadline for ByteDance, the China-based owner of TikTok, to sell the app’s US assets or face a nationwide ban. The Supreme Court is set to hear arguments on January 10 regarding ByteDance’s legal challenge, which claims the law mandating the sale violates First Amendment free speech rights. In their letter to Biden, the senators highlighted the potential consequences for free expression and the uncertain future of the law.
The controversial legislation, signed by Biden in April, was passed due to national security concerns. The Justice Department asserts that TikTok’s vast data on 170 million American users poses significant risks, including potential manipulation of content. TikTok, however, denies posing any threat to US security.
The debate has split lawmakers. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell supports enforcing the deadline, while President-elect Donald Trump has softened his stance, expressing support for TikTok and suggesting he would review the situation. The deadline falls just a day before Trump is set to take office on January 20, adding to the uncertainty surrounding the app’s fate.
The US Supreme Court has agreed to review a case involving TikTok and its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, in a challenge against a law requiring the app’s sale or a ban in the US by January 19. The court will hear arguments on 10 January but has not yet decided on TikTok’s request to block the law, which it claims violates free speech rights under the First Amendment. TikTok, used by 170 million Americans, argues the law would harm its operations and user base, while US officials cite national security concerns over data access and content manipulation.
The Justice Department has labelled TikTok a significant security risk due to its Chinese ownership, while TikTok denies posing any threat and accuses lawmakers of speculation. The law, passed in April and signed by President Biden, would ban the app unless ByteDance divests its ownership. The company warns that even a temporary shutdown could damage its US market share, advertising revenue, and ability to recruit creators and staff.
The case also reflects heightened tensions between the US and China over technology and trade policies. TikTok’s fate could set a precedent for the treatment of other foreign-owned apps, raising questions about free speech and digital commerce. The Supreme Court’s decision may have far-reaching implications for the platform’s future and US-China relations.
TikTok and its parent company, ByteDance, have asked the Supreme Court to halt a US law that would force ByteDance to sell TikTok by 19 January or face a nationwide ban. The companies argue that the law violates the First Amendment, as it targets one of the most widely used social media platforms in the United States, which currently has 170 million American users. A group of TikTok users also submitted a similar request to prevent the shutdown.
The law, passed by Congress in April, reflects concerns over national security. The Justice Department claims TikTok poses a threat due to its access to vast user data and potential for content manipulation by a Chinese-owned company. A lower court in December upheld the law, rejecting TikTok’s argument that it infringes on free speech rights. TikTok maintains that users should be free to decide for themselves whether to use the app and that shutting it down for even a month could cause massive losses in users and advertisers.
With the ban set to take effect the day before President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration, TikTok has urged the Supreme Court to decide by 6 January. Trump, who once supported banning TikTok, has since reversed his position and expressed willingness to reconsider. The case highlights rising trade tensions between the US and China and could set a precedent for other foreign-owned apps operating in America.
TikTok must now urgently appeal to the Supreme Court to either block or reverse a law mandating ByteDance’s sale of the popular short-video platform by 19 January, following an appeals court’s recent decision to deny additional time. TikTok and ByteDance submitted an emergency request to the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, seeking an extension to present their arguments before the US Supreme Court.
With 170 million American users and billions in ad revenue, the platform, a digital giant particularly beloved by younger generations, now stands on the edge of a ban in its largest foreign market. At the centre of this unprecedented conflict lies a confluence of national security concerns, free speech debates, and economic implications far beyond TikTok.
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 Americans’ 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. Yet bipartisan concerns about TikTok’s ties to the Chinese government remain. Lawmakers and US intelligence agencies have long raised alarms about the vast amount of data TikTok collects on its American users and the potential for Beijing to exploit this information for espionage or propaganda. This 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 recent appeals court decision to uphold the law has been seen as necessary by Biden’s administration to protect US national security. The ruling cited the ‘well-substantiated threat’ posed by the Chinese government’s relationship with ByteDance, arguing that China’s influence over TikTok is fundamentally at odds with American free speech principles. Attorney General Merrick Garland praised the decision, calling it a crucial step in ‘blocking the Chinese government from weaponising TikTok.’ However, critics of the ruling, including free speech advocates and TikTok itself, have pushed back. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) warned that banning the app would violate the First Amendment rights of millions of Americans who rely on TikTok to communicate and express themselves.
TikTok has vowed to appeal to the Supreme Court to halt the ruling before the 19 January deadline. Consequently, the Supreme Court’s decision will determine whether the platform will survive under ByteDance’s ownership or face a US ban. However, suspicions and obstacles loom even if ByteDance attempts to sell TikTok’s US operations. Any divestiture would need to prove the app is wholly independent of Chinese control—a requirement China’s laws make nearly impossible. ByteDance’s prized algorithm, the key to TikTok’s success, is classified as a technology export by Beijing and cannot be transferred without Chinese government approval.
On the other hand, the economic consequences of a TikTok ban could be profound. Advertisers, who have collectively poured billions into the platform, are closely monitoring the situation. While brands are not yet pulling their marketing budgets, many are developing contingency plans to shift ad spending to rivals like Meta-owned Instagram, Alphabet’s YouTube, and Snap. These platforms, all of which have rolled out short-form video features to compete with TikTok, stand to reap enormous benefits if TikTok disappears from the US landscape. Meta’s stock price soared to an all-time high following the court ruling, reflecting investor optimism that its platforms will absorb TikTok’s market share.
Content creators and small businesses that rely on the app for income now face an uncertain future. Many influencers urge followers to connect with them on alternative platforms like Instagram, YouTube, and X (formerly Twitter) in case TikTok is banned. For small businesses, the situation is equally hard. TikTok’s integrated commerce feature, TikTok Shop, has exploded in popularity since its US launch in September 2023. This year, the platform generated $100 million in Black Friday sales, offering brands a unique and lucrative e-commerce channel. For merchants who have invested in TikTok Shop, a ban would mean losing a critical revenue stream with no comparable alternative.
Yet TikTok’s rise in the US has transformed digital advertising and e-commerce and reshaped global supply chains. Like competitors Shein and Temu, TikTok Shop has connected American consumers with low-cost vendors, many of whom ship products directly from China. This dynamic reflects the extensive economic tensions underpinning the TikTok controversy. The USA, wary of China’s growing tech influence, has imposed strict export controls on Chinese technology and cracked down on perceived threats to its national security. Beijing, in turn, has retaliated with bans on critical minerals and stricter oversight of technologies leaving its borders. TikTok has become the latest and most visible symbol of this escalating US-China tech war.
The path forward is fraught with uncertainty. President Biden, whose administration has led the charge against TikTok, can extend the 19 January deadline by 90 days if he determines that a divestiture is in progress. This alternative would push the final decision to President-elect Donald Trump, who has offered mixed messages about his stance on TikTok. While Trump previously sought to ban the app, he now claims he would not enforce the new law. Nevertheless, the legislation has broad bipartisan support, making it unlikely that a new administration could simply ignore it. Tech companies, meanwhile, face legal risks if they continue to provide services to TikTok after the deadline. App stores like Apple and Google and internet hosting providers could face billions in fines if they fail to comply.
The Chinese government’s role adds another layer of complexity. Beijing has fiercely opposed US efforts to force ByteDance into a sale, framing the TikTok dispute as a ‘commercial robbery’ designed to stifle China’s technological ambitions. By classifying TikTok’s algorithm as a protected export, China has clarified that any divestiture will be a lengthy and politically charged process if it happens at all. Either way, it leaves ByteDance caught between two powerful governments with irreconcilable demands.
For now, TikTok remains fully operational in the US, and its users continue to scroll, create, and shop as usual. However, the next few weeks will determine whether TikTok can escape its existential question or join the growing list of casualties in the US-China tech war. The outcome will shape the future of one of the world’s most influential social media platforms and set a precedent for how governments regulate foreign-owned technology in an era defined by digital dominance and geopolitical rivalry. Whether through divestiture, court intervention, or an outright ban, TikTok’s fate in the US marks a turning point in the ongoing struggle to balance national security, economic interests, and the free flow of information in an inter(net)connected world.
