Trump’s Executive Order Delays TikTok’s Ban, Fueling Debate on Free Expression

TikTok, a widely popular short-video platform, is navigating a turbulent landscape in the United States following a temporary shutdown and ongoing legal battles. ByteDance, TikTok's Chinese parent company, voluntarily suspended U.S. operations before a January 19 deadline imposed by a congressional law mandating divestiture. While the app has started restoring service, its availability remains restricted across app stores.

Trump's Intervention and Executive Order Promise

President-elect Donald Trump pledged to delay the ban through an executive order, citing a strong commitment to free expression and economic growth. Trump expressed intentions for the U.S. to secure a 50% ownership stake in a joint venture, emphasizing TikTok's potential value in trillions. However, the Supreme Court had earlier upheld the law, asserting national security concerns tied to TikTok's data collection practices and links to China.

Restoration Efforts Amidst Legal Complexities

TikTok announced its service restoration "in agreement" with providers such as Oracle and Akamai, relying on assurances of immunity from liability under the ban. Despite this, the app remains inaccessible on major platforms like Apple’s App Store and Google Play, with messages referencing compliance with U.S. legal requirements. The platform's future hinges on negotiations, executive actions, or potential legislative changes.

Image: @Joey_Mele1 / X

User Migration and Market Shifts

The uncertainty surrounding TikTok has driven users to alternative apps, including RedNote and Lemon8, which saw significant surges in downloads. Simultaneously, VPN services experienced a spike as users sought ways to bypass restrictions. However, TikTok's unique algorithm and community-driven interaction remain unmatched, leaving users and creators reassessing their options. Many are contemplating reduced screen time or shifts to other established platforms like Instagram and YouTube.

Creators Face Economic and Strategic Challenges

Content creators, reliant on TikTok for engagement and monetization, confront dilemmas about diversifying their platforms. Some express skepticism about new entrants like RedNote, citing fewer monetization opportunities. Others view the ban as an opportunity to prioritize personal and professional growth over social media.

• Also read: Short-Form Video Consumption Alters Brain Structure, Affecting Emotions and Attention

Legal and Technical Complications Persist

The divest-or-ban law’s enforcement, even under a delayed timeline, presents challenges. ByteDance’s inability to sell TikTok’s algorithm, reportedly opposed by the Chinese government, complicates compliance. Experts warn that rebuilding the platform without its current algorithm could result in an entirely different user experience.

A Precarious Future for TikTok

While TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew expressed optimism about finding a long-term solution with the incoming administration, the platform’s survival in the U.S. remains uncertain. The ongoing situation underscores broader debates on tech regulation, data security, and digital sovereignty, shaping the future of social media in the global landscape.

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by Asim BN via Digital Information World

Short-Form Video Consumption Alters Brain Structure, Affecting Emotions and Attention

Short form videos, like TikTok and Instagram reels, can be harmful for consumers as found in the new study which stated that watching short-form videos can increase our brain activity in regions linked to reward processing and emotional regulation. It is also linked to negative physical, psychological and social effects and they also contribute to reduced attention span in users. Most studies have talked about behavioral impacts of watching short-form videos but the biological and neurological effects of them are not studied in detail. Researchers from Tianjin Normal University studied the role of short form videos in reshaping our brains and genes that are influencing changes in our behavior.

For the study, the researchers gathered 111 college students between the ages of 17 and 30 who regularly used TikTok. Researchers used short form video platforms as a scale instead of smartphones, and dispositional envy was also measured in the participants to see how much resentment and distress they feel while comparing themselves to others. Researchers also used high resolution brain imaging data using MRI scans to see how short-form videos affect the participants neurologically. These scans were important to know about structural changes in the brain and functional activity in the brain.

The results showed that there were functional and structural differences in the brains of participants with more short-form video addiction, and there was an increase in gray matter volume in cerebellum and orbitofrontal cortex. These regions of the brain are important for decision making, processing and emotional regulations in an individual. The increased gray volume in these regions suggest heightened sensitivity to rewards which affects compulsive viewing behavior. The researchers also found that there was a heightened neural activity in posterior cingulate cortex, dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, cerebellum and temporal pole in terms of functionality in individuals with short-form video addiction. These activities show that not only does the brain's reward system become affected, attention and emotions of the individuals do too.

The study also highlighted that individuals with more dispositional envy were more likely to be addicted to short-form video platforms. The researchers also found 500 genes which were linked to changes in the brain due to short-form video addiction. Most of the genes were expressed during adolescents which suggests that it is a vulnerable time for individuals to become addicted to short-form videos because it can affect their behavioral patterns.

Image: DIW-Aigen

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by Arooj Ahmed via Digital Information World

Global AI Adoption Soars, but Developed Nations and Gender Gaps Pose Challenges

According to a new Google-Ipsos report, AI adoption all over the world has been increasing but there are a lot of challenges too. In emerging markets, AI is seeing a rise in its adoption but gender disparities, regional divides and slower adoption in developed countries cannot be overlooked as well. Analysts say that Google hasn't talked about these challenges in its report. Even though AI is growing, its adoption is as much in developed countries because of trust in the technology. Google report shows that 48% of the people all over the world have used generative AI last year and countries like Mexico, Nigeria and South Africa were leading in AI adoption. On the other hand, developed countries like Canada and the US are seeing less AI adoption, with only 29% of people using generative AI last year. The remaining 71% of the people in the developed regions of the world haven't used AI knowingly.

The report also found that more people are excited about AI adoption (57%) than people who are concerned about it (43%). In the prior year, the excitement and concerns about AI were evenly split. When people were asked why they are excited about AI adoption, they reasoned that AI can be a lot helpful in science (72%) and medicine (71%). Globally, 59% of the people are optimistic about AI adoption but this trend is lower in the US (52%).

There is also a gender gap in AI usage among men and women. Most of the AI users globally are men (55%), as compared to women (45%). This gender disparity is even higher in workplaces which have adopted AI, with only 41% of women being professional AI users. The report also talked about the role and adoption of AI in emerging markets. People in regions like South Africa and Nigeria are more optimistic that AI will positively affect the economies of their countries, but developed countries do not seem too optimistic about it. Emerging markets are being more enthusiastic about AI, as compared to only 53% of the Americans who think that AI will help with innovations.

People are also more appreciative of non-generative AI tools than generative AI, like AI for flood forecast, healthcare, fraud detection and other practical usage. On the other hand, generative AI is getting mixed reviews from the public. 74% of the workers all over the world are using AI professionally for a number of tasks like brainstorming, writing and problem-solving tasks. 68% of the workers between the ages of 50-74 are also using AI at work, with 67% of blue-collar workers also using AI. Overall, trust in AI is growing with 61% of the people confident that governments can regulate AI usage, which is a 4% increase in 2023. 72% of the people are also supporting collaborations between government and companies to manage AI risks.

Read next: Instagram's Three-Minute Reels Update Challenges TikTok and YouTube’s Dominance in Video Content
by Arooj Ahmed via Digital Information World

Instagram's Three-Minute Reels Update Challenges TikTok and YouTube’s Dominance in Video Content

Instagram has introduced a new update for its Reels feature, allowing users to upload videos up to three minutes long. This change, aimed at providing creators with more flexibility, marks a departure from the platform's earlier focus on shorter content. Previously capped at 90 seconds, Instagram Reels now offers an extended timeframe for creators to craft more comprehensive stories or engaging clips within a single post.

This move seems to align with Instagram's broader strategy to position itself as a competitive alternative to TikTok. The latter has gained popularity for its versatile video lengths, enabling creators to share both brief and more detailed content. By increasing the time limit, Instagram appears to be enhancing its appeal among users seeking creative freedom while staying competitive with TikTok and YouTube, which recently updated its Shorts format to support three-minute videos.

Despite this update, creators face mixed guidance. Instagram has previously advised against posting videos longer than 90 seconds, citing potential negative impacts on content performance. Recent recommendations emphasized that shorter videos tend to resonate better with audiences and align with the platform's original vision for Reels as a short-form video hub. This conflicting messaging could leave creators uncertain about whether to embrace the new format fully.

While the platform has been testing longer Reels for some time, even exploring durations as long as 10 minutes with select users, the rollout of this three-minute feature may still serve as a trial to gauge user engagement and performance metrics. Whether this added flexibility will empower creators or dilute engagement remains to be seen, as success ultimately depends on the type of content shared and audience preferences.

For now, the extended time limit offers creators the option to experiment with longer Reels. However, Instagram's previous insights suggest that shorter, concise videos might still be the safer choice for maximizing reach and maintaining performance. The decision to embrace longer videos may hinge on creators' confidence in their content's ability to captivate viewers across an extended duration.

Image: DIW-Aigen

Read next: TikTok Faces Temporary Shutdown in U.S. Amid Government Regulations, Negotiations for Return Likely
by Web Desk via Digital Information World

TikTok Faces Temporary Shutdown in U.S. Amid Government Regulations, Negotiations for Return Likely

TikTok users and creators in the United States received disappointing news on Saturday afternoon when the platform confirmed its service would be temporarily suspended in the region.

Image: Alexandra S. Levine / @austinredstoner via X

The announcement follows recent developments surrounding the U.S. Government’s sell-off mandate, a law that requires TikTok to either transfer its operations to a domestic company or cease availability entirely. With the regulation set to take effect at midnight, TikTok has no choice but to comply, resulting in the app’s removal for U.S. users.

The Supreme Court recently affirmed the validity of the “Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act,” leaving TikTok with limited options. The abrupt timeline eliminates the possibility of securing a buyer before the deadline, forcing the company to halt its services in the United States. This mandate also impacts ByteDance’s other platforms, including CapCut and Lemon8, which are expected to face similar restrictions. Despite this, TikTok remains optimistic about a resolution, stating that the interruption is not permanent.

Incoming President Donald Trump has indicated a strong willingness to address the situation. He expressed intentions to provide TikTok with a 90-day extension to negotiate a solution once his administration begins on Monday. Trump, who has become a prominent figure on TikTok, appears motivated to ensure the platform’s continued availability in the United States. However, the sell-off law will go into effect before he takes office, making the current shutdown unavoidable.

• Also read: TikTok is One of the Most Used Social Media Platforms in the US and Now it is Getting Banned

Speculation has surfaced suggesting the Biden Administration considered delaying enforcement of the law, leaving the matter to Trump’s administration. However, the legislation places responsibility on app stores to remove the application, and without assurances from the Biden team, these platforms risk penalties for non-compliance. Consequently, TikTok’s removal must proceed as planned.

The scenario represents a notable shift in Trump’s relationship with TikTok. In 2020, he sought to ban the app entirely, citing grievances related to China’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. At that time, his administration issued an executive order targeting TikTok, but the effort ultimately failed due to insufficient justification. Later, investigations revealed concerns over the app’s potential use for spreading pro-China messages or collecting sensitive user data. Although exact findings remain undisclosed, these concerns contributed to the development of the sell-off law now being enforced.

TikTok’s leadership remains determined to address the issue quickly. CEO Shou Zi Chew is expected to attend Trump’s inauguration on Monday, emphasizing the company’s commitment to resolving the matter. TikTok has described the shutdown as a temporary measure, reinforced by Trump’s apparent eagerness to secure the app’s return. Options include negotiating a transfer of ownership to a U.S. entity or renegotiating terms with China that satisfy legal requirements.

While the platform’s immediate future in the United States appears uncertain, it is expected to resume operations shortly after Trump assumes office. Users and marketers should anticipate a brief pause in service beginning Sunday but can remain confident in the platform’s swift return.

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• Climate Change and Misinformation Dominate Future Global Risk Landscape, Says WEF Report
by Asim BN via Digital Information World

Climate Change and Misinformation Dominate Future Global Risk Landscape, Says WEF Report

Every passing day our world is being exposed to new risks which pose serious effects to people as well as economies of the world. Business, academia and politics experts say that climate change is going to be the biggest challenge in the world in the next 10 years. This was according to the World Economic Forum’s annual Global Risks Report, which evaluated 33 global risks in the upcoming two years and ten years. Currently, many perceive inflation as one of the world's biggest issues, but the broader picture suggest otherwise. Experts say that the biggest issue we will have to face in the next 2 years is disinformation and misinformation (that is, spread of false or misleading information to manipulate public opinion), followed by extreme weather events. In the next 10 years, extreme weather conditions are going to be the biggest risk faced by the world, that is according to the WEF report.

Misinformation is still going to be a big issue in the next 10 years, but it will be dragged down a bit by biodiversity loss and ecosystem collapse, critical change to earth systems and natural resource shortages. Climate change is going to have long term as well as short term effects all over the world and it is raising alarms about how we are going to face this risk in the future. In the upcoming ten years, most of the major risks in the world will be environmental, while some will be technological and societal.

If we talk about short term risks the world will face in the upcoming 2 years, extreme weather conditions and state-based arm conflict are some of the biggest challenges after misinformation and disinformation. In two years, the world is going to face all types of risks from environmental and geopolitical, to societal and technological. Societal risks are going to be a main problem in the next two years, with societal polarization, cyber espionage and warfare, inequality and involuntary migration and displacement being prominent.

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by Arooj Ahmed via Digital Information World

Critics Call TikTok Ban a ‘Phobia,’ Urge Focus on Broader Big Tech Risks

We are just hours away from seeing the popular social media app TikTok banned in the US on the grounds of a threat to national security.

The Supreme Court shared its decision yesterday rejecting the company’s appeal to continue functioning in America. However, not everyone is on the same page when it comes to the ban.

Amnesty Tech’s Deputy Director says the dangers and harms that American lawmakers feel about TikTok is more of a phobia than anything else. She outright blasted the decision and also spoke about the risks and harms of big tech continuing to exist, even after the ban.

It seemed like she was more in favor of TikTok than Meta and Google whom she says continually pose a major threat to the country as well. She called the banning of TikTok a decision that went against human rights of freedom of expression.

Moreover, she added that the risks of data collection and algorithms exist on all social media apps and not only TikTok. While she agreed that the content put out on the ByteDance-owned platform was dangerous for the youth, she also highlighted how Meta had so much hate taking place.

This is why she urged the upcoming Trump administration to think twice before acting and focus more on the issue of big tech instead of single platforms. More focus should be on the business model designs of these apps that use sensitive data to produce an addictive interface.

On Friday, we saw the Supreme Court upholding the law that banned TikTok if it didn’t divest into the hands of an American buyer. The deadline is this Sunday but the company refuses to give in and made it very clear that this would not be possible.

In 2023, we saw Amnesty International share two reports that shared the great abuse that young minds go through after using TikTok. This includes emphasis on how it promotes self-harm and details about suicidal intentions.

As a whole, 19 countries have barred TikTok from functioning in some form. Eight of those made it illegal for both the government sector as well as the general public. The most noteworthy mention is India who spoke about the app banning it because it was not safe for the youth. Soon after that, it started to ban 59 more apps from China to stop the spread of Chinese influence in the country. The same was the case for Iran, Jordan, and Afghanistan.

It’s interesting how the blanket of so many bans on TikTok is more prevalent in Asia than anywhere else. Officials spoke about how it was not clear if China can really extract data belonging to app users and use it for their own benefit or not but that’s a fear that the West has from the start.

Some also fear China’s emerging power and presence cannot be denied. Therefore, to stop its influence from spreading, the easy way out seems to be a ban.

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by Dr. Hura Anwar via Digital Information World