TikTok users spread bizarre conspiracy theories about asteroids, vampires, and mythical monsters like King Kong, aiming to profit from viral videos. (AFP) Space 

TikTok inundated with conspiracy theories about asteroids, wendigos, monsters, and vampires linked to Artificial Intelligence

According to researchers, TikTok users are spreading bizarre conspiracy theories about the end of the world, ranging from asteroids to mythical creatures like vampires and wendigos. The trend, highlighted by the nonprofit Media Matters, involves users creating viral videos with unfounded claims about the US government capturing or preserving these monsters, including the absurd suggestion of King Kong being involved. This misinformation trend adds to the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the fate of TikTok in the United States. It’s the latest example of misinformation swirling on the platform — a stubborn…

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TikTok and Instagram already compete in the short-video space, but photos could become the battleground once again. News 

TikTok aims to compete with Instagram by launching its own photo sharing service

TikTok and Instagram can renew their competition in a new avatar. As we all know, Instagram has moved from photos to videos because it wanted to compete with TikTok in the short video space, and Reels have proven to be a success. But now TikTok plans to go the other way and is reportedly working on its own photo-sharing app. It’s interesting to hear TikTok eyeing the photo segment, and its intent might make a lot of sense now that other so-called photo apps have shifted focus to other features.…

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The U.S. House is set to vote on a bill that would require ByteDance to divest TikTok quickly due to security concerns. (AP) News 

Trump describes TikTok as a potential danger, but acknowledges that some children may struggle without it.

On Monday, U.S. presidential candidate Donald Trump expressed concerns about TikTok posing a national security risk. However, he also acknowledged that banning the app could negatively impact some children and potentially benefit Meta Platforms’ Facebook, a company he has previously criticized. Trump reiterated his concerns as lawmakers weigh a bill this week that would give TikTok owner ByteDance about six months to divest the popular short-form video app. The US House of Representatives will vote Wednesday on legislation that would give China’s ByteDance a quick deadline to divest from the…

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YouTube Shorts rivals TikTok and Reels and the platform is now making use of the remix feature for its music videos as well. News 

Shorts now allow remixing of YouTube music videos.

YouTube said Thursday that users can now “remix” their music videos in Shorts, giving it ammunition to compete with TikTok. Last year, YouTube introduced new remixing tools like Collab and fun effects in Shorts. “Today, we’re helping you take the ability to remix music videos on Shorts to a whole new level, opening up even more ways to connect with and be creative with your favorite artists and their music on YouTube,” the company said. opinion. Here’s how to remix videos in Shorts. Directly from a YouTube video, tap “Remix”…

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Social media companies like Instagram have been grilled by the US senate over their lack of support to prevent child sexual content. News 

Meta’s CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, Apologizes to American Families

Meta founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg has apologized to families during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on children’s online safety in the United States. When Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) pressed Zuckerberg to apologize to families who attended the hearing, calling attention to children who were targeted by online predators, Zuckerberg apologized. “I’m sorry for everything you’ve been through,” he told the families who attended the hearing late Wednesday. “No one should have to go through what your families have gone through, and that’s why we’re investing so much and continuing…

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YouTube and Facebook maintain dominance, but TikTok's rapid growth shines in the latest Pew survey on US social media use among adults. (Pexels) News 

Pew reports TikTok as the fastest-growing social platform, despite YouTube’s continued dominance.

According to a recent survey by the Pew Research Center, conducted from May 19 to September 5, 2023, the digital platform landscape is undergoing significant changes. Although YouTube and Facebook continue to be the most popular platforms, TikTok has rapidly gained traction and is now the fastest-growing social platform, with over a third of adults surveyed using it. YouTube maintains a significant lead as the most used platform, with 83 percent of respondents reporting using it, according to the survey. Facebook follows closely behind, with 68 percent of users reporting…

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U.S. senators on Wednesday grilled the biggest social media and messaging companies, ordering them to fix the issues and safeguard kids on their platforms. News 

US Senators Grill Former Chiefs of Meta, TikTok, and X Over Child Sexual Exploitation

WASHINGTON: US senators grilled major social media and communications companies on Wednesday, saying they had not done enough to protect children from sexual predators on their platforms, and said Congress must pass legislation quickly. The hearing marks the latest effort by lawmakers to address concerns from parents and mental health experts that social media companies are using their profits to ensure their platforms don’t harm children. “Mr. Zuckerberg, you and the companies in front of us, I know you don’t mean it, but you have blood on your hands,” said…

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TikTok is known for its short videos but soon it could give you long video features as well, which brings it closer to YouTube. News 

TikTok’s Latest Move Aims to Compete with YouTube

TikTok is apparently testing to help users upload 30-minute videos in an effort to catch up with Google-owned YouTube. Social media consultant Matt Navarra first noticed the new option in the iOS beta version of the app. “It’s happening. TikTok is testing 30-minute video uploads!”, he posted on Meta’s Threads. “TikTok is coming for your long YouTube videos. Will Instagram Reels join the fray and add longer video uploads? I noticed this in the TikTok beta. A few others did too,” he wrote. TikTok has yet to comment on the…

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The law was part of an Ohio’s law — which requires social media companies to obtain a parent’s permission for children under 16 to sign up for social media and gaming apps. (AFP) News 

Lawsuit Filed by TikTok, Meta, X Group Against US State Over Restrictive Measures on Children’s Social Media Access

A lawsuit has been filed by a trade group consisting of TikTok, Snapchat, Meta, and other prominent tech companies against Ohio regarding a forthcoming law that mandates parental consent for children to use social media apps. The group argues that this law, which is part of Ohio’s broader legislation requiring social media companies to obtain parental permission for children under 16 to join social media and gaming apps, violates free speech rights as it is excessively broad and unclear. Additionally, the law necessitates social media companies to furnish parents with…

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Utah was sued by tech giants over first-in-the-nation laws. (Pexels) News 

Utah faces lawsuit from TikTok, Meta, and X over stringent restrictions on app usage by minors

On Monday, a trade group representing TikTok and other prominent tech companies filed a lawsuit against Utah for its pioneering legislation, which mandates parental consent for children and teenagers to access social media applications. Two laws signed by Republican Gov. Spencer Cox in March prohibit minors from using social media at 10:30 p.m. and 6:30 a.m., unless a parent has given permission — and require age verification to open and maintain a social media account in the state. The restrictions are designed to protect children from targeted ads and addictive…

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Flip hopes to combine the best elements of Amazon and TikTok. (Bloomberg) News 

Unlock the Next E-Commerce Boom with Amazon and TikTok!

I still have reservations about the concept of “social commerce.” While it has gained popularity in Asia, it essentially expands the role of influencers to the general public. The process involves purchasing a product, creating a persuasive video to encourage friends to buy it, and earning money from it. Personally, I find it distasteful. However, analysts predict that this industry will become a $100 billion market by 2025. In the US, taking advantage of this opportunity is said to be a battle between two existing giants, with each player having…

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Tech giants Meta and TikTok are contesting the scope of an EU law that from March will set new rules on competition in the digital marketplace. (AFP) News 

Ready, Set, TikTok! EU Digital Market Law Challenge Here!

Meta and TikTok are currently in a dispute over the extent of an EU law that will establish fresh regulations on competition within the digital market starting in March. The European Commission has designated 22 major online companies as “core platform services” subject to additional checks and obligations under the Digital Markets Act (DMA) to combat anti-competitive practices. The list includes familiar brands from social networks such as Facebook, Instagram and TikTok to so-called “brokerage” applications such as Google Maps, Amazon Marketplace and Apple’s AppStore, operating systems iOS, Android and…

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EU urges TikRok to fight disinformation. (REUTERS) News 

TikTok Tackles Disinformation: EU Urges Maximum Effort!

On Monday, the chief technology regulator of the EU urged TikTok’s CEO to make every possible effort to combat disinformation, while acknowledging the alterations already implemented by the video-sharing platform. The Chinese app, popular with younger online users, is one of 19 platforms with stricter rules to combat illegal and harmful online content under a landmark EU law. “We have seen changes to the TikTok platform in recent months: new features have been released to protect users and invest in content moderation, trust and security,” EU Internal Market Commissioner Thierry…

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TikTok must "spare no effort" to counter the spread of disinformation on the short video sharing app as EU looks to control disinformation in the region. News 

TikTok CEO Told to Tackle Disinformation: Put Your All Into It!

BRUSSELS: TikTok has “spared no effort” to prevent the spread of disinformation on the short video-sharing app, EU industry chief Thierry Breton told the company’s chief executive on Monday, as the European Union steps up efforts to curb the forces of Big Tech. Last month, Breton gave TikTok, owned by China’s ByteDance, an Oct. 25 deadline to provide information on its crisis management efforts and ordered the company to provide information by Nov. 8 on how it protects elections and minors’ online integrity on its platform. . The European Commissioner…

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The TikTok user said he ordered four iPhone 15 Pro Max for his work-related needs, but Apple delivered three huge boxes of iPhones. (AP) News 

Man alleges Apple shipped him 60 iPhone 15 Pro Max units worth an exorbitant Rs. 1.1 crore

A man’s recent purchase on an ecommerce platform turned into a disappointment when he received a cheaper TV without any accessories instead of the Sony TV worth Rs. 1 lakh. However, in a contrasting story, a TikTok user in the US had an unexpected stroke of luck when he received three boxes containing 60 iPhone 15 Pro Max, each equipped with an impressive 1TB of storage. The total value of this shipment was estimated to be $96000 or Rs. 1.1 crore based on the Indian selling price. AppleTrack posted about…

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Moving to induction cooking is better for the climate, for health, and for safety, the Chef says. (AFP) News 

Induction Cooking: A Suggestion From a Popular TikTok Chef

Chef Jon Kung utilizes his popular cooking videos to establish connections between the food we consume and its impact on the climate emergency. According to him, transitioning to induction cooking is not only beneficial for the environment but also for our well-being and safety. Currently, his main focus is on finding ways to inspire change and maintain hope, as he believes there is still a chance to reverse the current situation. On October 31, the renowned Detroit chef will release his debut cookbook titled Kung Food: Chinese American Recipes from…

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The difference between typical TikTok piracy and Paramount's Mean Girls upload is that the copyright holder did it this time. (AFP) News 

Warning to Writers: Mean Girls TikTok Prank Raises Concerns

The internet has a penchant for taking beloved quotes from popular culture and transforming them into online celebrations, as seen with events like “Star Wars Day” on May 4th and “Mean Girls Day” on October 3rd. On October 3rd, social media was abuzz with quotes, memes, and contributions from the cast of the film “Mean Girls.” Additionally, Paramount Pictures made the entire movie available on TikTok. This is not completely unheard of in the history of the platform. Like YouTube before it, TikTok has long been populated by fans (or…

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In June the Federal Trade Commission released the first update to its Endorsement Ad Guidelines in a decade, with an eye to influencer marketing. (Pexels) News 

Legal Action Against Health Influencers on the Rise: An Overview of Cases Involving Liver King and F-Factor

Joe Loney became captivated when he stumbled upon Liver King, a well-built fitness influencer renowned for his consumption of raw organs. Loney firmly believed that by adhering to a primal diet and engaging in rigorous workouts, he could achieve a similarly chiseled physique like that of Brian Johnson, the influencer’s true identity. Commencing in 2021, Loney adopted a routine of consuming a nearly raw steak on a daily basis, with only occasional breaks every two to three months. Then in December the king confessed to his subjects. He admitted in…

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TikTok is becoming a hub for entertainment piracy, with users chopping up films and TV shows into segments for free consumption. (AP) News 

Hollywood Finds a Way to Utilize TikTok

TikTok has emerged as a fresh battleground for entertainment piracy, as certain users are fragmenting movies and TV shows into numerous segments and sharing them, seemingly catering to individuals who are unwilling to purchase a movie ticket or subscribe to a streaming platform. But Hollywood shouldn’t worry. It may be free, but watching movies and shows this way isn’t easy. Fearing lawyers and TikTok’s copyright police, pirates are making segments hard to find. You can spend hours tracking down all the clips from the latest blockbuster movie and putting them…

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TikTok is in the process of making its app open to researchers to analyze data on the platform. (REUTERS) News 

Researchers Unable to Access Data Due to TikTok’s Stringent Regulations

Leading academic institutions are expressing interest in studying user behavior on TikTok as its popularity continues to grow. While the company publicly claims to be open to such research and is collaborating with academics, researchers have found the video app’s data regulations to be excessively demanding. TikTok is making the application programming interface, or API, open for researchers to analyze the platform’s data. But the terms of service are so strict that researchers at leading institutions say they are hesitant to accept them. The difficulty in investigating TikTok is also…

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