TikTok: News
TikTok is an extremely popular video-sharing social networking service headquartered in China. Owned by a Beijing-based internet technology company named ByteDance, the app was founded in 2016 with a mission “to inspire creativity and bring joy.” In 2018, it merged with Shanghai-based social media service, musical.ly, and became available globally. Apart from Beijing, TikTok has offices in Los Angeles, New York, London, Paris, Berlin, Dubai, Mumbai, Singapore, Jakarta, Seoul, and Tokyo. TikTok allows one to make music and lip-sync videos lasting some 3 to 15 seconds, and short looping videos of 3 to 60 seconds. The platform is regularly in the news for new features, some of which are new and some of which are imitations of features already implemented by other mainstream social media platforms. In early August of 2021, TikTok confirmed that it is testing a new Stories feature with a small subset of users. The feature is reminiscent of Instagram’s Stories feature which has been around for far longer.
You can now play a game in your TikTok DMs
TikTok has added a new feature in its direct messages (DMs) - a secret emoji game.
Why Meta, TikTok, and Google are facing probe in Australia
The Australian online safety office has launched an investigation into major tech companies including Meta, TikTok, and Google.
ByteDance's AI video tool SeeDance 2.0 debuts amid copyright concerns
ByteDance, the Chinese tech giant and creator of TikTok, has quietly launched its advanced video generator, SeeDance 2.0, on a global scale.
For video editors, these AI tools are a must-have
In the fast-paced world of video production, AI tools are revolutionizing post-production, automating repetitive tasks like clipping, captioning, noise removal, and asset creation. This lets editors focus on creative decisions.
Meta using AI to boost shopping on Facebook and Instagram
Meta is leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the shopping experience on its social media platforms, including Facebook and Instagram.
You can now insert shopping links in Instagram, Facebook posts
Meta is set to introduce shopping links directly into posts on Instagram and Facebook.
OpenAI shuts down its AI video generator Sora
OpenAI has announced the discontinuation of Sora, its TikTok-like social app that debuted six months ago.
TikTok bans accounts using AI to impersonate Black influencers
TikTok has banned nearly 20 accounts for using artificial intelligence (AI) to impersonate Black female influencers.
Judge dismisses lawsuit against Sam Altman by his sister
A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed by Annie Altman, the sister of OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. She had accused her brother of sexually abusing her over 20 years ago.
Instagram, TikTok worse for mental health than WhatsApp, Facebook: Study
A recent study published in the World Happiness Report has revealed that social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok can be more detrimental to mental health than Facebook and WhatsApp.
Facebook launches new monetization program to lure TikTok, YouTube stars
Facebook has launched a new initiative called "Creator Fast Track," aimed at helping content creators grow their presence on the platform.
Whistleblowers claim TikTok, Meta sacrificed safety for engagement
Whistleblowers and insiders from social media giants TikTok and Meta have revealed that the companies put user safety at risk in a bid to win an "algorithm arms race."
Trump to pocket $10B fee for TikTok deal in US
The Donald Trump administration is set to collect a whopping $10 billion fee for brokering the recent deal that gave control of TikTok's US business to a group of investors.
China's ByteDance just secured access to top NVIDIA AI chips
ByteDance, the Chinese parent company of TikTok, is reportedly planning to set up an artificial intelligence (AI) data center in Malaysia.
Disney+ turns movie scenes into TikTok-style videos
Disney+ has launched a new feature called "Verts," a short-form vertical video feed, in its US app.
TikToker warns against Ozempic trend: 'You're all gonna die'
Social media influencer Brianna Chickenfry, whose real name is Brianna LaPaglia, has issued a stern warning to people using the diabetes drug Ozempic for weight loss.
TikTok refuses to encrypt DMs, cites risks to minors
TikTok has announced that it will not be adding end-to-end encryption to its direct messages (DMs).
Instagram might be misusing your posts to promote products
Instagram's new feature is using influencers' posts to promote lookalike products, and you might be a victim too.
'The Snappys': Snapchat's 1st-ever awards show scheduled for March 21
Snapchat has announced its first-ever awards show, "The Snappys," scheduled for March 21. The event aims to honor "the creators shaping culture on Snapchat."
Why is KATSEYE Manon's temporary hiatus turning messy?
The K-pop-inspired international girl group KATSEYE is currently in a state of turmoil following the announcement of member Manon Bannerman's hiatus to focus on her health.
Meta was slow to identify underage users on Instagram: Zuckerberg
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has admitted that his company was slow to identify underage users on Instagram.
European Parliament disables AI features on work devices
The European Parliament has disabled built-in artificial intelligence (AI) features on work devices, citing cybersecurity and data protection concerns.
Tom Cruise-Brad Pitt's AI fight video triggers alarm in Hollywood
Hollywood studios have demanded that the Chinese tech company ByteDance immediately stop infringing on copyright with its new AI video tool, Seedance 2.0.
TikTok launches 'Local Feed' in US to serve location-based content
TikTok has launched a new feature called "Local Feed" in the US.
Bad Bunny's SuperBowl show hits 128M views, doesn't top Lamar
The Super Bowl LX halftime show, headlined by global superstar Bad Bunny, set new records for social media engagement, but it did not surpass the all-time viewership record for halftime shows, previously set by Kendrick Lamar.
EU may force TikTok to redesign in-app features
The European Union (EU) has accused TikTok of violating its digital rules with features that promote "addictive design."
Meta is testing a standalone app for its AI slop
Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has confirmed that it is testing a standalone app for its Vibes feature.
NASA astronauts can now carry smartphones on upcoming space missions
In a groundbreaking move, NASA has announced that its astronauts will be allowed to bring their smartphones into space for the first time.
Tinder tests AI-powered 'Chemistry' feature to combat swipe fatigue
Tinder, the popular dating app owned by Match Group, introduced and is currently testing a new artificial intelligence (AI) feature called Chemistry.
OpenAI's Sora app loses steam after initial success
OpenAI's innovative video generation app, Sora, is witnessing a decline in popularity.
Why some TikTok users cannot write 'Epstein' in messages
TikTok is investigating why some users are unable to send the word "Epstein" in their direct messages.
TikTok blames data center power outage for US app glitches
TikTok has blamed a power outage at a US data center for the recent glitches in its app.
149M passwords leaked! Check if your online accounts are safe
A massive exposure of over 149 million unique usernames and passwords, including those of Instagram, Gmail, and OnlyFans accounts, was discovered.
Substack launches TV app as it pushes video content
Substack, the popular newsletter platform, has launched a dedicated TV app for Apple TV and Google TV.
Trump-backed investors will now run TikTok's US operations
The US and China have finalized a deal that transfers control of TikTok's American operations to a group of investors backed by President Donald Trump.
Andhra weighs Australia-style social media ban for kids under 16
The Andhra Pradesh government is considering a ban on social media for children under 16, similar to Australia's recent legislation.
Netflix is revamping its mobile app: What are the changes?
Netflix is planning to revamp its mobile app in a bid to compete with social media platforms for daily user engagement.
California orders Musk's xAI to stop generating obscene images
The California Attorney General's office has launched an investigation into Elon Musk's xAI.
TikTok launches PineDrama, a dedicated app for microdramas
TikTok has launched a new standalone app called PineDrama in the US and Brazil.
TikTok to launch age-detection tech in Europe amid regulatory pressure
TikTok has announced its plan to roll out a new age-detection technology across Europe in the coming weeks, according to Reuters.
US senators demand answers from tech giants over explicit deepfakes
A group of US senators has written to tech giants Meta, Alphabet, X, Snap, Reddit, and TikTok.
Will AI end the 'traffic era' for news sites?
A recent report from the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism has revealed that media companies are bracing for a major decline in web traffic over the next three years.
Meta blocks 500,000+ accounts under Australia's under-16 social media ban
Meta has deactivated over half a million accounts across Facebook, Instagram, and Threads.