X's Growth Amid Speculation: EU Report Reveals Strengths and Challenges

For a while now, the debate about whether or not X (previously Twitter) is losing viewership or gaining them has been taking place.

Third parties have been calling the app out for failing to unravel the truth on this front but Elon Musk and his team of executives are not bothered about what others have to say.

According to them, the app is performing better than they had anticipated and thanks to a long list of changes and updates, Musk feels confident that usage is better than ever.

We also recently saw an upcoming rival of X, Threads, take center stage in terms of the best alternative for the platform with higher monthly user stats and greater popularity.

Now, X is rolling out a new report that boasts the platforms’ record-breaking user stats with those in the EU. This new indicator has opened up a new realm of insights in terms of where X really stands.

As per the Digital Services Act of the EU, most big online apps are forced to continue reporting how their user counts in the region may be shifting to make sure transparency is at an all-time high.

As can be seen in the report rolled out in January of 2024, close to 62 million EU users (or 61.8M precisely) logged into the platform while 49.6 million logged out. This gave rise to a majority of 111.4 million users as a whole using the X platform in the EU.

The reports spoke about dips witnessed in the past year while this year saw slightly more people using the app with fervor.

	Average between February 1st - July 31 2023	Average between August 1st 2023 - January 31 2024
Logged In X Users In EU	60.9M	61.8M
Logged Out Guests In EU	51.3M	49.6M
Total	112.2M	111.4M

White it does indicate a bigger trend in terms of losing users, it’s not witnessing any major decline and people don’t wish to turn away from this platform in record figures. There is also very little growth arising.

As explained by X, people engaging seem to be spending a lot of time on the platform and the figure for daily active users has hit 250 million. The X app has a serious audience even if reports about expansion aren’t believed to be true.

• Also read: Survey Shows 39% of the Americans have Stopped Using Social Media Just to Avoid AI Fakery

We agree that it might not be like the 600 million user count that Musk had predicted for 2025 but the platform does not seem to be going anywhere, anytime soon, that’s for sure. Moreover, the strength of this platform seems to be coming from the likes of how it performs habitually. This includes sports communities and much more where connections ensure activity stands strong on the platform.

Changes like these on the X platform are said to be broader and provide greater room for political comments. While it might not mean a lot for some, debates on this domain are evitable as we’ve seen with time passing on.

So if you happen to be a part of those reaching such audiences, then you need to consider X as your next best option in terms of rolling out ads and marketing. This is no matter what your next opinion could be regarding Elon Musk’s project.

In the same way, X has spoken about how it wishes to enhance its advertising system and give people greater chances to flourish. And if you have the right audiences, there’s no stopping you from being a hit and getting the right sort of engagement across the board.

We can see how many can see this type of dichotomy as one that’s difficult. But the way in which Musk is flourishing today means big things. The app’s viewership is huge and no matter if it experiences a decline or not, one thing is for sure. The reach is there with great potential.

Read next: Best AI Photo Editing Apps for Mobile: Elevating Your Images with Cutting-Edge Technology
by Dr. Hura Anwar via Digital Information World

Best AI Photo Editing Apps for Mobile: Elevating Your Images with Cutting-Edge Technology

Overview of AI Photo Editing Apps

In today's digital age, AI photo editing apps have become indispensable for enhancing images before sharing on social media.

These apps wield complex algorithms and machine learning to simplify the photo editing process, catering to both novice and professional photographers.

We examine the capabilities and ease of use of the leading AI smartphone photo editors.

Features: AI-powered apps boast automatic adjustments for lighting, color, and filters, alongside object removal and style transfer capabilities. Some incorporate facial recognition for perfecting portraits, while others offer creative overlays and effects.

Usability: Intuitive interfaces are a common trait among the best AI photo editors, making photo editing accessible without requiring advanced skills. Quick taps and sliders suffice to produce visually appealing results.

Compatibility: The leading AI photo editing tools are available for Android and iOS platforms, ensuring a broad user base can access these powerful capabilities.

AI Enhancements: The AI components are especially adept at improving photos for social media, providing tools to optimize images for engagement and adherence to platform-specific aesthetics.

Best AI Photo Editor Apps:

• Lensa: Renowned for its portrait enhancements and user-friendly operation.
• Adobe Photoshop: Offers comprehensive editing tools with AI features like content-aware fill.
• Canva: Known for its AI-driven design features and extensive template library.
• Pixlr: An easy-to-navigate online editor with a robust set of AI tools.
• PicsArt: Popular for its AI effects and a vast collection of editing tools.
• PhotoDirector: All-in-one AI editor that delivers intelligent editing tools with high-quality output.
• Photoleap by Lightricks: Features an array of artistic effects with AI-powered editing precision.

Navigation and User Experience

When we evaluate AI photo editing apps, the navigation and user experience (UX) are crucial aspects that determine their appeal to both amateur and professional photographers.

Below, we outline the UX features of some leading AI photo editing apps.

• Photoleap: This app boasts a clean interface that guides users from text prompts to stunning image creations. Accessibility features and tutorials are prominent, making it easy to use for beginners.
• Lensa: Recognized for its intuitive design, Lensa caters to seamless usability with distraction-removal and retouching tools, often requiring just a single tap.
• Adobe Photoshop: Offers a robust toolset for a more professional experience, combining AI capabilities with familiar Photoshop elements for experienced users.
• PicsArt: This app provides a playful and easy-to-use interface, attractive for those looking to apply aesthetic AI editing ideas with minimal effort.
• VSCO: Delivers a straightforward UX with sophisticated filters, aligning with its reputation among professional photographers while remaining accessible for amateurs.

Here’s a quick reference table:

App Name	UX for Beginners	UX for Pros	Single-Tap Tools	Extensive Tutorials
Photoleap	Yes	Moderate	Yes	Yes
Lensa	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Photoshop	Moderate	Yes	No	Yes
PicsArt	Yes	Moderate	Yes	Yes
VSCO	Yes	Yes	No	No

Editing Tools and Features

Get to Know Photoleap | App Introduction

In this section, we explore the diverse range of editing tools and features that the best AI photo editing apps offer.

These tools allow us to fine-tune the aesthetics of our photos, enhance their quality, and apply creative effects with ease.

Basic Adjustments

Basic adjustments are foundational to any editing process. We find tools like brightness, contrast, saturation, and exposure adjustments crucial.

Apps like Photoleap offer interactive tutorials that help us understand the impact of each adjustment on our photos.

Advanced Editing Capabilities

Advanced editing capabilities include selective edit tools, which allow for precise control over sharpness, denoise, and sharpening of specific areas.

Features like object removal and background removal are often powered by advanced machine learning to blend edits seamlessly.

Effect Filters and Presets

A variety of effect filters and presets, which we can apply with a single tap, are available to save time and provide consistent looks.

Apps like VSCO and Luminar Neo come with an extensive library of professionally crafted presets that cater to both portrait and landscape photography.

AI-Specific Tools

AI-specific tools harness artificial intelligence to perform tasks like sky replacement, neural filters, and generative fill.

These tools can dramatically change the atmosphere of a photo, making apps such as Photoleap highly effective for creative edits.

Social Media Optimization

Social media optimization is essential for sharing our work online. Features like upscaling for quality improvement, Instagram-ready filters, and text overlays help our photos stand out in the feed.

Cloud storage and backup functionalities ensure that our edits are safely synced across devices.

Professional-Level Functions

Professional photographers require tools that offer fine control over the editing process.

High-quality denoise, sharpening, and advanced color grading tools are a must. Stable diffusion techniques and in-depth exposure adjustments are also part of professional-level functions.

Convenience Features

Convenience features like cloud backup and sync across devices are invaluable.

We appreciate when apps provide cloud storage, which not only acts as a backup but also allows us to start editing on one device and finish on another effortlessly.

Aesthetic Enhancements

To enhance the aesthetic appeal, we look for tools that can adjust clarity, sharpening, and even extend the dynamic range through HDR merging.

These enhancements can turn a good photo into a compelling story by emphasizing the subject and mood.

Creative Artistic Effects

Creative artistic effects inspire us to transform photos into digital artwork.

With AI-powered apps, we can emulate the styles of famous painters like Van Gogh or Picasso.

Apps like Prisma use AI to replicate the complexity of these painting styles on our smartphone photos.

Restoration and Enhancement

Restoration and enhancement features like those found in Remini allow us to breathe new life into old or low-quality images.

Tools for blemish removal, eye enhancement, and advanced algorithms for AI image generators such as Midjourney help us to achieve clarity and quality in our edits.

Popular AI Photo Editing Apps

In this rapidly evolving digital age, we see a multitude of AI photo editing apps that cater to different needs and budgets.

From free apps that offer essential editing tools to premium subscription-based apps that provide advanced features, users have a plethora of options to enhance their photos for social media.

Free and Freemium Options

• Snapseed: A robust app with a comprehensive set of editing tools free of charge, including the ability to tweak RAW files.
• Pixlr: Easily accessible online, it's user-friendly and offers AI-powered features with creative effects.
• Adobe Photoshop Express: Even though it's a stripped-down version of the desktop software, it still packs powerful editing tools with an option to upgrade for additional features.

Freemium apps often have a free plan that includes basic functionalities. You may encounter ads, but these apps offer the possibility to upgrade to a premium version that typically removes ads and unlocks more tools.

Premium and Subscription Services

• Adobe Photoshop: The mobile app Adobe Photoshop provides extensive features for those serious about photo editing and is available through a subscription model.
• Luminar Neo: Known for its innovative AI tools that dramatically simplify photo editing.
• VSCO: Appeals to a broad audience with its high-quality filters and offers a yearly subscription.

When opting for a premium service, users can expect no disruptive ads and a more sophisticated set of editing tools. Pricing varies widely among different apps, so it's important to ensure the subscription offers value that matches your editing needs.

Niche and Specialist Apps

• Lensa: This app targets mobile users looking to edit portraits with AI, providing professional-quality retouching tools.
• Afterlight: Perfect for enthusiasts looking for advanced editing with a unique selection of filters and textures.
• Photoleap: An all-in-one app that offers creative control over photo editing with features to create collages, apply effects, and even remove objects from photos.

Niche apps might cater to particular photography styles or offer specialized tools for specific needs. These apps allow users to dive into a tailored editing experience that complements their individualistic style.

Integration and Compatibility

When we review the landscape of AI-powered photo editing apps for mobile devices, integration and compatibility are key facets that define user experience.

Users of both iOS and Android platforms anticipate seamless functionality and cross-device synchronization.

For instance, Google Photos offers native integration within the Android ecosystem, with cloud-based photo storage and editing capabilities.

It stands out for its ease and instantaneity in handling large photo libraries, letting users edit on one device and view those changes on another.

Apple users, on the other hand, often look for apps like Picsart that fully utilize iOS capabilities.

The app's harmony with iOS can be witnessed in its streamlined photo importing and sharing options that cater to the convenience Apple users are accustomed to.

Beyond the iOS and Android divide, cross-platform compatibility is equally important. Many apps offer cloud services, allowing users to work on photos across mobile and web applications seamlessly.

Canva, for example, operates under a subscription model. Its AI photo editor can be accessed via iOS, Android, and Web, illustrating its versatility across devices.

Lastly, we recognize PhotoLeap available at photoleapapp.com as one of the top contending AI-based photo editors. Its compatibility with multiple file formats and cloud services makes it a strong contender for users who seek robust integration.

Community and Support

Community engagement is crucial in the realm of AI photo editors for mobile. It fosters user interaction and serves as a platform for exchanging ideas and seeking guidance.

PicsArt, known for its high user ratings, stands out with a vibrant community.

Users can share their creations and participate in challenges that promote a cooperative learning environment.

Adobe Lightroom, a product of the famed Adobe brand, takes community support to a professional level.

Subscription-based access to premium features guarantees users receive comprehensive interactive tutorials, which are essential for beginners and experts alike looking to refine their editing skills.

Our experience with Lensa shows that it offers exceptional support mechanisms, including AI-powered tools to remove distractions with a single tap, catering to a seamless user experience.

Its user-friendly interface promotes ease of use and enhances social media photo presentations significantly.

Furthermore, the newcomer, Photoleap, is building its community and is quickly becoming one of the best AI-based photo editors available. With powerful, on-the-fly editing tools, it simplifies complex photo editing tasks.

Brand and Developer Ecosystems

When we examine the landscape of mobile AI photo editing, several prominent brands and developer ecosystems stand out. Each offers distinct features and benefits that cater to the evolving needs of photo editing enthusiasts and professionals alike.

• Adobe: The Adobe ecosystem, renowned for Adobe Photoshop, provides a comprehensive suite of tools enhancing the creative workflow.
  Its apps synchronize across devices, ensuring seamless work progress and cloud storage integration.
• Google: Google's developer ecosystem, inclusive of Google Photos, offers user-friendly AI enhancements like automatic album creation and powerful search capabilities to organize and transform photos effortlessly.
• Apple: Apple users have exclusive access to Apple Photos, an integrated app with simplistic design and AI algorithms that sort and enhance photos in line with the iOS ecosystem.
• VSCO: Known for its signature filters, VSCO enables users to craft a unique aesthetic.
  Its community-driven platform also allows for inspiration and sharing amongst creatives.
• Photoleap by Lightricks: At photoleapapp.com, users discover AI-driven capabilities tailored to those preferring advanced editing features while valuing an intuitive interface.

We observe that these ecosystems not only focus on individual app functionality but also emphasize seamless integration into broader software suites and platforms. This integration enhances user experience by simplifying photo organization and sharing, which is particularly beneficial for content tailored for social media.

Comparative Analyses

In exploring the current landscape of AI-powered mobile photo editing apps, we've pinpointed several leaders in this innovative field.

PhotoDirector stands out for its quick editing capabilities and intelligent tools, simplifying the editing process to a few taps.

We also recognize PicsArt for its extensive features that cater to creative AI photo editing ideas, particularly for those seeking an aesthetic touch for their social media photos.

Lensa offers a user-friendly experience focused on portrait enhancements for a mobile AI photo editor.

This can be invaluable for influencers and social media enthusiasts looking to polish their profile pictures.

Vivid AI carves its niche by providing various image styles, ensuring flexibility in editing and customization.

Another noteworthy contender, not previously mentioned but deserving of recognition, is Photoleap by Lightricks (photoleapapp.com).

Photoleap presents a robust editing suite that harnesses AI's power for both simple tweaks and complex artistic transformations.

App	Unique Strengths	Best For
PhotoDirector	Quick, intelligent edits	Swift, quality enhancements
PicsArt	Aesthetic AI features, comprehensive tools	Creative social media photos
Lensa	Mobile-friendly, portrait enhancement	Profiling and selfies
Vivid AI	Diverse image styles	Varied editing preferences
Photoleap	Advanced artistic capabilities, simple to complex edits	Artistic edge in editing

The Future of AI Photo Editing

The advent of AI in photo editing has transformed how we enhance our digital images. AI-powered applications leverage sophisticated machine learning algorithms to simplify complex editing tasks.

With these advancements, we're now witnessing apps that automate blemish removal, sky replacement, and even stylistic adjustments with impressive accuracy.

We're excited about platforms such as photoleapapp.com, which is emerging as a leading choice for its innovative features.

As AI technology evolves, we anticipate a rise in tools that provide highly personalized edits. Here's a glance at what's shaping the future:

• Enhanced Neural Filters: These filters are set to redefine subtlety in photo editing, going beyond preset adjustments to offer tailor-made enhancements that are unique to each photograph.
• Machine Learning: AI is getting better at understanding context and content through its ability to learn from vast datasets. This enables applications to make decisions that previously required a human eye.
• Usability: AI photo editors are becoming more intuitive, allowing users with minimal editing experience to produce professional-grade photos suitable for social media, with just a few taps.
• Time Efficiency: Rapid on-device processing will become standard, minimizing the delay between capture and share, thanks to the continuous improvement in artificial intelligence capabilities.

Case Studies and Real-World Examples

In our research, we've observed several instances where AI-powered mobile photo editing apps have significantly impacted users' photography workflows, especially for social media platforms like Instagram. Here, we share some real-world examples that emphasize these effects:

• Professional Photographers: We found instances where professionals utilized apps like Lensa to retouch photos on the go quickly. The app's AI swiftly eliminates image distractions, making it a valuable tool for on-location edits.
• Amateur Enthusiasts: An emerging trend among amateur photographers is using Picsart. With a 4.7 rating, users appreciate its aesthetic editing tools, which are said to enhance the creativity of their social media posts.
• Social Media Influencers: The integration of AI editors, like PhotoLeap, into the social media workflow of influencers, has allowed them to maintain a consistent aesthetic across their posts. PhotoLeap's ability to amalgamate complex editing tools in a user-friendly format stands out.
• Instagram Content Creators: We’ve seen Canva being heavily used for its AI-powered design capabilities. Creators often use Canva's vast template library to produce eye-catching Instagram stories and posts that engage their audience.

Here are some key features appreciated by both amateurs and professionals:

Feature	Benefit
AI Retouching	Time-saving, professional results
Template Designs	Quick, cohesive social media content
AI Enhancements	Improved photo quality with minimal effort

By integrating these AI tools, users from various skill levels have reported an overall enhancement in their photo editing quality, leading to more visually appealing content for their social media platforms.

Expert Recommendations and Roundups

In our quest to find the best AI photo editors for mobile, several standout apps cater to different needs, from touch-ups to full-on professional-grade editing:

• Adobe Lightroom Mobile remains a top pick for professional photographers due to its extensive toolset and cloud syncing capabilities. It excels in detailed adjustments and offers preset filters for quick edits.
• Lensa is another recommended app, particularly for its ease of use on mobile devices. It easily removes distractions and retouches images, making it ideal for fast edits on the go.
• PhotoDirector has been praised for integrating AI tools seamlessly. It offers object removal, sky replacement, and facial recognition, suitable for both amateur and expert users.
• PicsArt provides creative AI photo editing ideas with a simple interface. It's highly rated for its aesthetic editing tools, and a generous free version is available.
• Remini stands out for its AI-powered enhancement, especially for restoring old or low-quality photos. Its simplicity is perfect for quick touch-ups.
• New on our radar, PhotoleapApp excels with intuitive AI features that effortlessly assist in creating complex photo edits.

Here is a quick comparison:

App Name	Best For	Notable Features	Platform
Adobe Lightroom	Professional editing	Advanced adjustments, presets	iOS, Android
Lensa	Mobile ease of use	One-tap retouch & removal	iOS, Android
PhotoDirector	Comprehensive toolset	AI tools, object removal	iOS, Android
PicsArt	Aesthetic edits	Creative tools, user-friendly	iOS, Android
Remini	Photo restoration	Enhance old/low-quality images	iOS, Android
PhotoleapApp	Sophisticated AI edits	Intuitive design	iOS, Android

Frequently Asked Questions

In this section, we explore some of the most common inquiries about AI photo editing apps for mobile devices that cater to various needs for photo enhancement, sharing on social media, and more.

What are the key features of the top-rated AI photo editing apps for mobile?

The best AI photo editing apps feature tools like one-tap enhancement for color correction, intelligent object removal, portrait retouching, and various filters. Apps like Lensa and PhotoDirector are noted for these capabilities, and Photoleap by Lightricks Ltd. also offers a robust suite of editing tools fueled by AI technology.

How do AI-powered photo editing apps improve picture quality for social media sharing?

AI photo editors enhance photos by analyzing and automatically adjusting aspects like exposure, contrast, saturation, and removing unwanted elements. This results in vibrant and eye-catching images ideal for social media platforms where visuals play a crucial role in engagement.

Which free AI photo editing apps are the best for Android users?

Free AI photo editors for Android that stand out include Picsart, which offers creative editing options and AI-based suggestions. Google Photos, while primarily a gallery app, also offers basic AI editing features.

Are there any free AI photo editor apps available that don’t require online access?

Most advanced AI photo editing features require online access due to the computational power needed. However, some apps may offer basic offline editing options, but an internet connection is often necessary for real-time AI enhancements.

What are the most user-friendly AI photo editing apps for iPhone?

For iPhone users seeking ease of use, Vivid AI offers a user-friendly interface with various styles. Additionally, Canvas mobile app provides AI-enhanced design templates and editing tools that simplify creating social media content.

What are the most advanced AI capabilities in mobile photo editing apps currently available?

The most advanced features in AI photo editing include sky replacement, facial recognition with natural retouching, and even style transfer to mimic various artistic styles.

Luminar Neo and Adobe Photoshop are known for pushing the boundaries with such innovative features.

by Asim BN via Digital Information World

A New Study Explains Why Humans Think AI Machines Acting as Humans is Creepy and Scary

A study by Karl F. MacDorman, associate dean of academic affairs and associate professor at the Luddy School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering in Indiana, and published in a journal called Computers in Human Behavior: Artificial Humans talks about how many artificial intelligence models are slowly showing capabilities that resemble humans. MacDorman says that many people thinking about non-living things showing human behaviors seems scary. With the increase of many AI models like ChatGPT, it was about time to investigate the topic of robots acting like humans.

Many large language models are developed in a way that they respond in a way that is similar to having conversations with humans. Anyone can mistake talking with AI chatbots as talking with humans because of the close similarity in their talking styles. In 2012, some professors started to investigate a term called “uncanny valley”. It refers to having similarity between humans and robots that it is difficult to differentiate between them. When MacDorman referenced the study for his own research, he thought that whether mind perception could be the reason for this similarity.

He said that the researchers drew out conclusions based on what they were trying to seek. As uncanny valley talks about how much humans and AI beings are alike, many humans feel uneasy and scared. Most of the time what we are feeling is based on what we perceive. So the experiment could be about the feelings of the researchers and not about the real thing.

The first point of MacDorman’s study was to separate mind perception from the experiment. He said that manipulation of mind perception is to know whether the AI beings can feel or perceive anything or not. The best way to know this is be re-analyzing previous experiments. He said that when AI machines were able to be described as feeling things or sensing something, it wasn’t as scary when they were physically present in the form of virtual reality or robots as compared to when they were absent.

Karl F. MacDorman said in his study that uncanny valley is more linked with stimulus-driven perceptual process and than mind perception. The study explains in detail the perception of humans about robots. Uncanny valley isn’t about having conscious experience with robotic machines, rather it is about thinking that a machine has a human-like mind. It makes all of the experience creepier.

Image: DIW-Aigen

Read next: Gen-Z Defies Stereotypes, Championing Change Despite Criticism of Laziness
by Arooj Ahmed via Digital Information World

Survey Shows 39% of the Americans have Stopped Using Social Media Just to Avoid AI Fakery

Presidential elections are fast approaching in America but many of the US citizens are confused about whether what they are seeing on the internet is real or if it is AI generated. Adobe did a survey of 6,000 people from four different countries and asked them about their views on AI spreading fake information on the internet and how AI deep fakes are becoming a bigger problem with each passing day. The results of the survey showed that many people are very concerned about AI deep fakes that now they have stopped using social media apps to avoid this issue.

Many social media platforms and government related agencies are trying to stop the spread of AI deep fakes, especially when it is concerned with content related to politics and elections. Adobe launched its own scorecard called Content Authenticity Initiative to create a label that can tell that the content users are seeing on social media is authentic and not AI generated.

From the survey, Adobe found out that seven in ten US citizens said that it is hard to identify AI from human content on social media. Nearly half of of the US citizens said that they have seen misinformation posted on social media by someone they knew. Respondents of the survey also said that they think videos and images are easily more AI generatable than text and audio. Four in five respondents also suggested that candidates who are taking part in political campaigns should not use any form of AI in their campaigns. The Americans who have stopped using social media just to not get fooled by AI are 39% of the total people surveyed.

EVP, general counsel, and chief trust officer at Adobe, Dana Rao, says that the results of this survey show that it is time that social media sites need to put more effort into verifying what’s real and what’s AI generated. The users should also be aware of dangers of deep fakes and what they should do to identify and avoid them on the internet.

Image: DIW-Aigen

Read next: Bad Bots Made 49.6% of the Internet Traffic in 2023 with Human Internet Traffic Decreasing Drastically
by Arooj Ahmed via Digital Information World

The Impact Of The US TikTok Ban: New Study Proves Less Than Half Of The Nation Supports The Decision

The cat is out of the bag and it’s no surprise that the US Congress just voted in favor of a complete TikTok ban (or force selling of the platform) across the country.

President Biden signed the bill into law and has given the social media giant nine months to separate itself from Chinese parent firm ByteDance or face a complete shutdown in the American market.

While the company promises to fight back against the accusations hurled in its direction by US lawmakers, new studies are glaring into the mindset of Americans and how they feel about the country-wide ban.

Many critics are referring to the decision as a major one in terms of digital privacy as well as international relations. But interestingly, less than half of the country shows support for the government on this front.

They feel it’s controversial for obvious reasons with close to 42% being in agreement while the rest showing disapproval.

The study in question featured 2,000 American adults who took part in Talker Research’s latest initiative to find out what American mindsets were feeling about the bold decision. 31% of individuals felt they did not care while 23% showed great opposition.

What was interesting is how 42% of Gen Z and close to 35% of millennials generated a response in the app’s favor and spoke about using it regularly. But 36% voiced support for this ban.

The study was rolled out actually before the American President signed the bill into law on official grounds and warned that the only way out was to sell off algorithms elsewhere instead of turning back to Chinese roots.

25% feel they would be affected by the decision while 45% said it would have no effect on their daily lives. Meanwhile, 39% added how barring this app across America can be so uneventful for them while more than 50% reported about their kids using the platform.

21% always worry about the popular platform impacting their young kids’ minds and that was something they wish they didn’t have to deal with. The biggest concern on this front had to do with rolling out the most inappropriate content that was disturbing for underage viewers and could impact their minds.

Meanwhile, close to 45% of Americans felt their data privacy would be at stake while others had an issue with matters like cyberbullying. To generate concerns about what kids were posting did not seem to be a major concern here as only one in five parents spoke out about that.

With that being said, plenty of research is available that proves how TikTok is worrisome for Americans who feel strongly about it being the major source of misinformation online.

Other than top security issues, other researchers have delineated more about the app and its misinformation woes. Moreover, one study went as far as to reveal how nearly 50% of the content linked to health had fake data. Influencers were giving out incorrect health advice instead of doctors and that again was worrisome.

Playing with health was not something any user would wish to do at any cost and TikTok not doing enough to stop this act had users concerned despite them being avid fans of the leading digital app.

While plenty of factual data of great quality is seen online today including the likes of TikTok, it’s not easy to decipher what’s right from wrong because it’s portrayed so convincingly. Meanwhile, another study also shed light on how people were concerned about their kids meeting strangers through TikTok. While another 29% had the fear it would reduce attention spans and impact mental health.

Image: DIW-Aigen

Read next: Gen-Z Defies Stereotypes, Championing Change Despite Criticism of Laziness
by Dr. Hura Anwar via Digital Information World

Gen-Z Defies Stereotypes, Championing Change Despite Criticism of Laziness

Gen-Z have never been regarded as a strong and activist generation by the people of the older generation. People born between 1997 to 2012 have often been called lazy, too soft, entitled and too soft but are never praised for what they stand for. The young people of this age are learned, educated and vocal about many issues around the world and they do their best to spread awareness about certain topics.

Gen-Z are not people who are waiting for a change to happen in this world, they are demanding it – and fiercely to say the least. Gen-Z are the reason for launching many movements these past six months that have left status quo elites uncomfortable and bothered in their comfortable lives. The decades of unbalanced use of power and authority is going to end soon because this young generation is becoming powerful enough to demand human rights and is quite enthusiastic to make the world a peaceful place.

America is seeing a ‘youthquake’ with university students raising their voices in the forms of anti-war protests and the university administrations have nothing to do other than suppress these voices with police intervention. After the incident involving Hamas on October 7th, many university students have started their campaigns for violence on innocent civilians. These campaigns have resulted in suspensions and walkouts of many students but they are still resilient and are protesting ahead of democratic primary elections.

These protests and campaigns aren’t just limited to elite universities like Columbia and Berkeley, as many other university students are actively taking part in them. One third of Gen-Z from these universities say that they are entirely or mostly with Palestinians while only 10% of the adults think so. 36% of the adults believe that President Biden is totally favoring the Israelis and this is not good for him as most of his voters are younger Americans.

The ongoing Palestine-Israel conflict shows us how Gen-Z are with equity, justice, inclusion and human rights. An Edelman survey shows that 70% of the Gen-Z are active on social media and participate in political causes. This makes them more digital fluent and they can easily distinguish facts from lies which helps them educate their fellows and advocate for change. Data also shows that Gen-Z is the generation which spends the least amount of time and spends at least 10.5 hours a week on TikTok and 6.9 hours a week on YouTube. The legislation to ban TikTok in America was also fueled after the outbreak of war and this angered the younger generation.

If you talk to an adult about the younger generation, they would probably complain that Gen-Z are always stuck to their screen and aren’t aware of real world issues. But when you talk to a person under 30, you will probably find out that they are people who are most in-touch with what’s happening around the world and are mostly aware of what’s right and what’s wrong. They are the ones raising voices for climate change, gender diversity and now Palestine, Westbank and Gaza. They are a hope for a bright future.

Image: DIW-Aigen

Read next: Meta Salary Breakdown In The Spotlight, How Much Are Median Employees Really Paid?
by Arooj Ahmed via Digital Information World

Meta Salary Breakdown In The Spotlight, How Much Are Median Employees Really Paid?

On paper, you’ll see tech giant Meta’s CEO pop up as one of the firm’s lowest-paid workers. And many were shocked to see the figure get listed at just $1 last year.

But behind that awfully modest value lies a massive amount of compensation entailing a whopping $24 million figure (or $24,399,968 precisely) that arises under the ‘other compensation’ category as per the tech giant’s most recently published proxy filing.

And while the CEO's salary usually tends to be highlighted for obvious reasons, it's the median employee compensation at the company that is now in the spotlight, as Meta provides them with a staggering figure of $379K (or $379,050 to be exact). And just a mere reflection of how much it values giving the workforce rewards and staying committed on that front.

In stark comparison to what’s seen for Zuckerberg and his earnings, what does the average employee’s salary at Meta comprise? It’s said to be in the $35k and can go as far as the $120k figure as delineated by Indeed recently. This really does underscore a massive discrepancy when we look at the industry.

However, the majority of the compensation package arising from Mark Zuckerberg is not the usual salary or bonus that is allocated to cover security costs. Meta proved how the CEO’s personal services like security allowance rose by 40% from $10 million a few years back to a staggering $14 million just last year.

It’s a disclosure that arises against the firm’s decision to cut down on the figure of employees working today as it embraced a firing spree that had close to 11k people terminated. And that figure is equal to 13% of the overall workforce.

Despite such massive scrutiny regarding the decision that many did not appreciate when you look at how much the CEO gets for private security, the tech giant continued to prevail with its decision and even opted to reduce security expenses arising from the CEO’s front.

Back in 2022, Mark Zuckerberg’s expenses raised eyebrows when his travel and security costs were calculated. It was a luxury beyond words and plenty of personal travel trips happened to be included.

In comparison, we saw the company’s year of efficiency last year put forward $9 million for just security with $1 million just for private fleets for flying.

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But Meta was forced to provide a defense statement to justify the act that comprised of threats aimed at Zuckerberg directly who was after all the brand’s leading face. And who better to turn to than him when setting the right example right?

The challenges that Meta has been facing in terms of criticism from across the board are very interesting since the profile is very public for Zuckerberg. And the fact that his name is taken again and again for sticking to the $1 salary club with plenty of others is proof of how people are not happy.

Meta has had a robust year financially and it is certainly going strong with quarterly earnings report noting down nothing but success. The successful turnaround is delineated to be more related to enhanced operation costs and a reduction of the employee count than anything else. Did we mention how the CEO’s network also ended up rising to a staggering $176 billion this month?

The massive rise is proof of how his leading position as one of the richest individuals from around the globe continues to solidify, going past tech billionaire Elon Musk to get the number three on rankings released by Bloomberg.

These recent compensation figures that were disclosed shed light on not only the CEO’s unconventional salary but also on the careful dynamics regarding exclusive compensation and security costs seen across the tech world.

Remember, Meta is slowly but surely navigating many challenges and chances it gets but with that being said, what Zuckerberg gets is a major matter of concern and scrutiny for many as discussions related to wealth inequality continue to take center stage today.

We would love to know what you think on this front and whether someone whose salary is listed as $1 is correct when hidden personal expenditures are mind-blowingly huge.

Image: AIgen

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by Dr. Hura Anwar via Digital Information World