TheNewsGuru

Tag: TikTok

  • TikTok responds to EU ultimatum

    TikTok responds to EU ultimatum

    A European Commission spokesman on Tuesday confirmed it received a reply from TikTok to provide within 24 hours an assessment of mental health risks related to its new app, TikTok Lite.

    According to officials, Monday’s legally-binding order concerning the new app’s rewards scheme, which allows users to collect points by watching videos and exchange them for things of value, such as Amazon vouchers

    The commission wants to know how the Chinese-owned video-sharing platform assessed the addictiveness and mental health risks of the scheme, particularly for children, prior to launch.

    The EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA) requires large platforms to assess and mitigate such risks.

    “We can confirm that we received a reply from TikTok,” a commission spokesman said . He said the EU executive will now “assess the response and decide on potential next steps.”

    The commission initially requested the information on April 17, with a non-binding deadline the following day.

    The Commission’s officials said TikTok responded to that request by telling them it had carried out a risk assessment, but that it could not share the document. The commission then followed-up with a binding order on Monday.

    A TikTok spokeswoman told dpa that this was because the company had asked the commission for more time.

    In a statement, the company said TikTok Lite’s rewards scheme is not available to minors, and has a daily limit on the number of videos that can be watched for a reward.

    TikTok Lite had its European launch in France and Spain this month.

  • VIDEO: Suspected bandit shows off ransom money to followers on TikTok

    VIDEO: Suspected bandit shows off ransom money to followers on TikTok

    A suspected bandit has been reportedly seen in a viral video displaying some money received from his victims as ransoms and uploaded on TikTok.

    The video was shared by Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency expert and security analyst in Lake Chad, in a series of posts on his X handle on Monday.

    According to Makama, the user of the account has over 3000 followers, noting that some of them are bandits who openly show off their rifles and are dressed in military or police uniforms.

    He further lamented that the TikTok platform has given space for insurgents to promote their campaign of terror without any form of restrictions.

    He wrote: “Audacity: Bandit on Tiktok flaunting and showing off ransom money he collected from his victims.

    “The user of the account has 3000 followers, some of them are bandits who openly show off their rifles and are dressed in military or police uniforms.

    “Tiktok platform has given room for insurgents to promote their campaign of terror without being restricted.”

    Watch video below:

     

  • TikTok boss slams U.S. over bill to ban app

    TikTok boss slams U.S. over bill to ban app

    The chief executive of Chinese social media platform TikTok, Shou Chew, has vowed to fight back against a U.S. law that aimed to force a change in ownership.

    The company  will do everything possible and use legal means to defend the platform, Shou said in a video published on Thursday.

    The House of Representatives in Washington had  earlier on Wednesday  passed a bill that could ban the popular video-sharing app, owned by China-based ByteDance. The law now goes to the Senate, where its fate is unclear.

    Lawmakers who support the bill, however, note that it does not outright ban TikTok.

    Instead, it aims to force a change in ownership. The law would only lead to TikTok being banned from U.S. app stores if the service remains in the possession of China’s ByteDance group.

    In Washington, there have been fears for years about ByteDance’s access to user data.

    Some cyber security experts say the data could be used by Beijing to spread propaganda in the United States, spy on users, and exercise other forms of influence.

    Shou said that the law would give a small number of social media companies greater influence.

    The TikTok boss also claimed that the bill would jeopardise 300,000 jobs in the US.

    TikTok has also repeatedly stressed that small businesses use the service for advertising.

    TikTok says it has 170 million U.S. users.

    During his time in office as president, Donald Trump attempted to ban TikTok from app stores and compel ByteDance to spin off TikTok. But the effort was stymied by the courts.

  • US House of Representatives votes massively to ban TikTok

    US House of Representatives votes massively to ban TikTok

    The House of Representatives in the United States has voted massively a bill that will force TikTok to divest from its Chinese owner or get banned.

    352 lawmakers voted in favour of the proposed law and 65 against it in a rare moment of bipartisan unity in politically divided Washington.

    According to CNN, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise lauded the passage of the House’s TikTok bill and downplayed concerns that going after a popular application could hurt Republicans in November.

    Scalise made it known that the bill would give  young people some layers of protection.

    “This bill protects those families and young people and lets them still use the application they enjoy. So it’s a win for families across America, and it’s a long time coming,” he continued.

    Scalise said he believes the overwhelming support for the legislation in the House will help ease its passage in the Senate. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer hasn’t committed to taking up the House’s version of the bill.

    “I’ve talked to several senators; they are looking—many of them are looking towards how strong this vote is. So the fact that it’s such an overwhelming vote, both Republicans and Democrats, bodes well for this version of the bill to be quickly taken up in the Senate,” Scalise said.

    An earlier statement by the Chinese government warned the US that the proposed ban on the Chinese-owned video-sharing app TikTok would “inevitably come back to bite” the country.

  • EU Commission opens probe of TikTok’s suspected breaches of child protection rules

    EU Commission opens probe of TikTok’s suspected breaches of child protection rules

    The European Commission on Monday opened an investigation into TikTok over suspected breaches of European Union rules on child protection and advertising transparency.

    The commission is investigating whether TikTok’s algorithms may be addictive or create “rabbit hole effects.

    “The EU executive is also looking into the privacy settings TikTok provides for minors, as well as whether it is meeting obligations to provide a searchable repository of the ads shown on its platform.

    The probe concerns potential breaches of the Digital Services Act (DSA), a relatively recent law governing online platforms.

    The DSA requires platforms to manage various risks, including mental well-being and the rights of children.

    It also forbids using minors’ data to show them targeted ads.

    If TikTok is ultimately found to have breached the DSA’s risk mitigation rules, it could face fines as high as six per cent of its global annual revenue.

  • Lagos TikToker jailed for impersonation

    Lagos TikToker jailed for impersonation

    An Ikeja Special Offences Court on Wednesday sentenced an 18-year-old Secondary School Certificate (SSCE) holder, Henry Bilabi, to two years’ imprisonment for impersonation and defrauding unsuspecting citizens of $500 on TikTok.

    Justice Ismail Ijelu sentenced Bilabi to two years’ imprisonment. The judgment followed his plea bargain agreement to the charge of impersonation preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    “The court is satisfied that the defendant understands the plea bargain agreement and accordingly, the defendant is hereby found guilty. You just finished secondary school and the only thing you know how to do is to commit crime,” he said.

    Ijelu, however, gave the convict an option of one million naira fine which must be paid within 30 days. He also ordered that the convict carry out six hours community service for three months under the supervision of the officials of the Lagos Custodial Centre.

    The judge added that the convict must write an undertaking never to go back to the crime and his iPhone7 be forfeited to the Federal Government.

    Earlier, the EFCC counsel, Mr Ahmed Yerima, in his review of facts, had told the court that the commission received an intelligence report sometimes in October 2023 that some young persons were defrauding innocent citizens around Ajah.

    Yerima said that the convict was arrested and when his phone was analysed under forensic tools, some fraudulent documents were printed out from his TikTok account.

    “He confessed to have created a fake TikTok account where he represented himself as Grace David with username grace_david2 where he benefited $50. He raised managers cheque of N50,000 in favour of the EFCC during the investigation,” he said.

    The convict’s extra judicial statement, iPhone7, cheque of N50,000 were admitted into evidence following no objections from the defence counsel, Ms Mary Uzodimma.

    The convict, in his plea for mercy, had prayed the court to temper justice with mercy.

    According to the prosecution, the offence contravenes Section 380 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015.

  • See full list as Nigerians dominate TikTok Creator Awards

    See full list as Nigerians dominate TikTok Creator Awards

    TikTok Creator Awards second edition was held at Vodaword in Midrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.

    The event aimed to honour and celebrate the creativity and rich diversity of content creators across Sub-Saharan Africa.

    The award ceremony, which was held on February 9, saw Nigerians winning four awards from the eight categories with Ola of Lagos securing the ‘Trailblazer of the Year in Sub-Saharan Africa’ award.

    In a statement by Bianca Sibiya, head of content operations for TikTok in Sub-Saharan Africa, congratulated the Nigerians who won their categories.

    According to her, Nigeria “demonstrated its talent and creativity on the global stage”.

    “As we conclude the Top Creator Awards, I am truly impressed by the achievements of Nigerian content creators,” she said.

    “With an outstanding performance, securing four out of eight categories, Nigeria has demonstrated its talent and creativity on the global stage of TikTok. We look forward to witnessing their continued success and influence on our platform.”

    Below are the winners and nominees in full:

    Sports creator of the year in Sub-Saharan Africa

    Nezcatt (South Africa) — WINNER
    Stoneavenuee (Nigeria)
    Gaming creator of the year in Sub-Saharan Africa

    Khalamanja_ (Nigeria) — WINNER
    _someothergirl (Kenya)
    Tacticalceza (Nigeria)
    Entertainment creator of the year in Sub-Saharan Africa

    Sachi_himes96 (South Africa) — WINNER
    Lifestory328 (Kenya)
    Lifestyle and Education creator of the year in Sub-Saharan Africa

    Foodstakenya (Kenya)
    _iremide (Nigeria) — WINNER
    SiyaBunny (South Africa)
    Trailblazer of the year in Sub-Saharan Africa

    OfficialKinuthia (Kenya)
    Olaoflagos_ (Nigeria) — WINNER
    Africa Rising creator of the year in Sub-Saharan Africa

    Afrolecia (Haircare South Africa) — WINNER
    Nairobidisclosure (Food Kenya)
    Publisher of the Year in Sub-Saharan Africa

     

    PulseNigeria247 (Nigeria) — WINNER
    Startimeskenya (Kenya)
    Foodiesofsa (South Africa)
    WWTaste (South Africa)
    PulseSports (Nigeria)
    jointribe_gg (Nigeria)
    Netflixnigeria (Nigeria)
    Song of the Year in Sub-Saharan Africa

    Tyler ICU, DJ Maphorisa, Nandipha808, Ceeka RSA, Tyron & Tumelo Za – ‘Mnike’ — WINNER
    Inkabi Zezwe, Sjava & Big Zulu – ‘Umbayimbayi’
    Uncle Waffles, Tony Duardo, Pcee, EeQue, Chley & Justin 99 – ‘Yahyuppiyah’
    Guchi & Loud Behaviour – ‘Notice Me’
    Pcee, S’gija Disciples, Justin 99, Mema Percent, MrJazziQ & Zan’Ten – ‘Kilimanjaro’
    Khaid & Boy Spyce – ‘Carry Me Go (Sped Up)’
    Khaid – ‘Anabella (Sped Up)’
    Asake – ‘Lonely At the Top’
    Spyro – ‘Who is Your Guy’
    Adekunle Gold & Zinoleesky – ‘Party No Dey Stop’
    Jux & Diamond Platnumz – ‘Enjoy’
    Jay Melody – ‘Sawa’
    Platform TZ – ‘Wivu’
    Alikiba – ‘Mahaba’
    Bruce Africa – ‘You’

  • 2024 Election election : Biden joins TikTok

    2024 Election election : Biden joins TikTok

    Ahead of 2024 election, US President Joe Biden belatedly joined TikTok on Sunday, marking his debut on the social media platform with a 26-second video.

    The move comes after fierce US government criticism of the video-sharing platform in recent years, most notably from Republicans but also from the Biden administration.

    TikTok is owned by Chinese firm ByteDance and has been accused by US politicians of being a propaganda tool used by Beijing, something the company furiously denies.

    In Sunday’s video posted on the @bidenhq campaign account, the 81-year-old Democratic president touches light-heartedly on topics ranging from politics to the NFL championship game.

    Citing security concerns, a slew of individual states and the federal government have banned the app on official government devices.

    In Montana, a state government move to completely ban the app was recently blocked by a judge.

    While the platform remains scrutinized by Washington, further federal action to ban or curtail use of the app appears to no longer be in motion.

    “It seems now like the idea of a ban was being pushed more so to make political points and less as a serious effort to legislate,” David Greene, a civil liberties attorney, recently told British newspaper The Guardian.

    As the election approaches, the platform provides a conduit to young voters.

    Sunday’s video ends with the president being asked who he prefers: himself or Republican frontrunner Donald Trump.

    “Are you kidding?” he laughs. “Biden.”

    AFP

     

  • TikTok slammed €345m privacy fine

    TikTok slammed €345m privacy fine

    TikTok has been fined 345 million euros (368 million U.S. dollars) by Irish data protection authorities following an investigation into the handling of user data from minors.

    The agency said on Friday that the investigation, which ran from the end of July 2020 to the end of December 2020, focused on some of the video app’s settings as well as the age check during registration.

    Posts such as videos by users between the ages of 13 and 17 could be published for all to see, according to a default setting.

    The commenting function in the profiles was also accessible to all other users by default.

    TikTok said the investigation’s findings primarily refered to settings that were valid three years ago.

    “Most of those results are no longer relevant due to measures we put in place before the investigation began.

    “These included setting all accounts for users under the age of 16 to private by default,” he said.

    In addition to the fine, TikTok was ordered to bring its data processing in line with the European General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) within three months.

    In May, Ireland’s Data Protection Commission slapped Meta with a record fine of 1.2 billion euros.

    TikTok is in the process of moving European users’ data to new data centres in Ireland and Norway.

    By the end of 2024, European user data would be transferred and stored at these centres by default.

    TikTok is trying to gain trust in Europe with the plan under the name “Project Clover.”

    The video app has a difficult political standing in the West because it belongs to the Chinese corporation Bytedance.

    The European Commission and several European governments have banned the use of the app on the mobile phones of their employees.

    With “Project Clover,” TikTok says it wants to guarantee that access to personal data of European users is strictly regulated and transparent.

  • Popular TikTok celebrity sentenced to 2 years in prison

    Popular TikTok celebrity sentenced to 2 years in prison

    TikTok music celebrity, Crown Uzama, popularly known as Shalli Popi and Miller Maxwell, has been convicted and sentenced to two years in prison.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Uzama was prosecuted by the Kaduna Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    He was convicted along with five others by Justice A.A Isiaka on separate one count charge bordering on criminal impersonation, offences contrary to Sections 142 (1) , 57 and 308 of the Kaduna Penal Code Law, 2017 and punishable under Section 309 of the same Law.

    Uzama was convicted alongside Joel Kator (aka Alfred Hudson), AbdulAzeez Suleiman Temidayo (aka Miss Katie Official), Favour Chidiogo Emmanuel (aka Kate Banks), John Joseph (aka Avail Hollywood) and Bethel Makuochukwu ( aka Violetqmartinez).

    Makuochukwu had two weeks earlier been convicted for money laundering.

    They all pleaded guilty to the charges preferred against them. Consequently, the prosecuting counsel, M.E Eimonye, M. Arumeni, M.U Gadaka and K.S Ogunlade urged the court to convict them accordingly.

    Justice Isiaka convicted and sentenced the defendants to two years imprisonment each with an option of fines.

    In addition, they are to forfeit all electronic gadgets, furniture and other items recovered from them to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

    The defendants were arrested at various locations in Kaduna upon intelligence received by the Command.

    Investigation established they had impersonated foreign nationals and used the false identities to defraud unsuspecting victims.