As US users mourn their ‘Chinese spy’ being taken away, my algorithm is busy serving me queer chickens and pastry contentAs the US TikTok ban looms, users of the app there have been posting farewell messages for their “Chinese spy”, satirising the security concerns behind the ban as they offer up heartfelt appreciations of the ultra-targeted content on their For You pages.There is a lot, they claim, to be grateful for: their “Chinese spies” have soothed and amused them, steered them towards splitting with unsuitable partners and toxic workplaces, helped them recover from divorce, changed their political perspectives and sometimes their entire lives. “My ‘Chinese spy’ was brave enough to tell me I’m an autistic lesbian and I should leave my husband. And I don’t know if anyone will care about me that much ever again,” reads a typical post, over dramatic footage of the grieving author. A commenter below claims the algorithm knew they were gay four years before they knew themselves; ano...

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Users are flocking to another social media video app following the Supreme Court upholding the TikTok ban, but with it appearing the same, experts warn Rednote could face the same fate

Events

The Chinese-based video app has officially shut down its services for 170 million American TikTokers after the Supreme Court allowed the ban in a shock ruling on Friday.

Technology

Chief Secretary to the Treasury Darren Jones downplayed concerns over security issues that have led to a US ban of the social media app

Politics

Labels and artists forced to rethink marketing strategies as viral hit-making app faces possible US shutdown on SundayOn a recent Monday morning, Olivia Shalhoup opened her laptop and steeled herself for a day of meetings. Around 40% of her work as the founder of Amethyst, a marketing and PR agency, focuses on helping musicians navigate TikTok. On this particular day, the fate of the app in the US hung in the balance, with a supreme court ruling looming, and her clients were tense. “The big thing we were talking about in every single call is: ‘What are we going to do?’” Shalhoup said. “To say that TikTok is crucial to artist campaigns right now is an understatement. No one is immune from this.”Since its debut in 2017, TikTok has become a star-making machine, as short-form video content has eclipsed traditional forms of music promotion such as TV and radio. The app has the power to make rising artists into A-listers, propel their ascent to the top of the charts, and turn Magic FM sta...

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Web searches for “VPN” spiked in the minutes after US users lost access to TikTok

Technology

Chief Secretary to the Treasury Darren Jones said the Government was not currently intending to follow in the footsteps of the US and ban the app.

Politics

Americans fleeing the looming TikTok ban have been warmly welcomed to app Xiaohongshu – or RedNote – despite China’s tight restrictions on what can be posted“It is the coolest thing,” says Huang Ziyan, a longtime user of Chinese social media app Xiaohongshu, describing the experience as a “21st-century Tower of Babel”.Huang is referring to the influx of US “TikTok refugees” fleeing the impending ban and the resulting cross-cultural exchange that has seen Americans warmly welcomed – and sometimes given a few helpful tips. Continue reading...

Events

Many content creators took the opportunity - before losing their livelihoods when the TikTok ban comes into effect - to reveal their most popular videos had always been fake.

Technology

The 20-year-old has more than 750,000 followers on the platform as well as millions of likes and views.

Politics

The Chinese-based video app has officially shut down its services for 170 million American TikTokers after the Supreme Court allowed the ban in a shock ruling on Friday.

Politics

President-elect says he will consider putting app back on market to ease America’s relations with China

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TikTok posts message saying the incoming president, who will be sworn in on Monday, could help the app get up and running again

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Tennis star was mourning the loss of the popular app back home

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The move comes a day after the U.S. Supreme Court upheld a law barring it for U.S. users

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TikTok posts message saying the incoming president, who will be sworn in on Monday, could help the app get up and running again

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The clock is ticking towards a U.S. ban on TikTok, but users seeking clarity on what that will mean got little information on Saturday from the company that runs the popular video platform.

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In a phone interview with NBC News, Trump said he hadn't yet made a final decision but was considering the move ahead of assuming office on Monday.

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The TikTok ban is scheduled to go into effect on January 19

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The TikTok will be banned in the US from Sunday unless it is sold by its China-based parent company within 90 days

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TikTok said the Biden administration must give the likes of Google and Apple reassurances that they won’t be punished, or they will pull the app in the U.S.

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TikTok said Friday it will go dark in the US on Sunday unless Joe Biden provides assurances to companies like Apple and Google that it will not face enforcement actions when a ban takes effect.

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Biden administration said it will not enforce ban on Sunday, leaving fate of the social media platform up to Trump

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