China Provides Strong Indication That It’s Open To A Deal With US To Prevent Ban After Trump Inauguration

China has provided a strong hint that it’s open to securing a deal with the US to prevent a ban.

The news comes after the app was restored within 24 hours after a temporary blackout period. It’s shocking because the company previously stated that it had no interest in a forced sale. However, after the inauguration of President Donald Trump, things have taken a different course.

Trump did indicate how America should share joint ownership rights with TikTok which would be in its best interest. He delineated how a 50-50 partnership would be best.

As per a spokesperson from the Chinese Foreign Ministry, actions related to separate businesses must be decided based on market principles. Therefore, in this case, TikTok does belong to China so the spokesperson said that Chinese laws should apply.

However, they did not deny how positive of a role the platform has played in terms of boosting employment in America and consumption. They also hoped America would give rise to a fair and just case without any form of non-discriminatory behavior when making the decision.

We saw another law come into play that banned the app in America on Sunday where TikTok did go offline during the later hours of Sunday. As a result, users could no longer install the app from American stores. The same was the case for overseas users having American accounts who faced trouble logging in.

However, it was thankfully short-lived, and within a few hours, service was restored to normal after Trump reportedly signed an executive order on Monday. He shared how the timeframe would be extended before the laws came into play. This would benefit both nations and give rise to a fruitful deal for both parties, he concluded.

This new order will also ensure there’s no liability for any organization that assisted in keeping TikTok from shutdown before the order arose.

As per another report from the WSJ, the founder of TikTok and ByteDance is known to have the right contact that could lead to partial ownership of America in TikTok through Elon Musk. Zhang Yiming and Elon Musk were also seen keeping in touch before the law came into play.

Today, Zhang has more control over TikTok’s parent firm via voting rights. However, he doesn’t hold any executive role at ByteDance at the moment.

Image: DIW-Aigen

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• AI That Finds Your Photos: The Technology That’s Changing Investigations and Invading Privacy
by Dr. Hura Anwar via Digital Information World

AI That Finds Your Photos: The Technology That’s Changing Investigations and Invading Privacy

GeoSpy is an AI-powered tool that identifies the location of photos by analyzing features within the image, such as vegetation, building styles, and spatial arrangements. Developed by Graylark Technologies, a Boston-based company, GeoSpy has already gained attention from law enforcement agencies and government institutions. While its capabilities are impressive, its implications raise serious ethical and privacy concerns.

Initially available to the public, GeoSpy quickly became a sensation online. Users shared videos showcasing its geolocation accuracy, while others made questionable requests, such as tracking individuals. In response to growing scrutiny and misuse, Graylark restricted access to the tool, limiting it to verified institutions after journalists began asking questions.

GeoSpy simplifies geolocation tasks that traditionally required years of expertise in open-source intelligence (OSINT). The tool allows users to analyze images and identify their origin with minimal effort. According to 404 Media, Law enforcement agencies have used it to investigate crimes, private firms have applied it to fraud detection, and individuals have tested its capabilities for personal challenges. However, the ease of use and accessibility have also raised concerns about misuse, especially by untrained users or those with malicious intent.

Trained on millions of images from across the globe, GeoSpy can identify geographical markers like soil types, vegetation, and architecture. While its product documentation emphasizes strong U.S. coverage and global capabilities, its accuracy is inconsistent. In tests conducted by reporters, GeoSpy successfully located photos taken in San Francisco and New York City, relying on visible landmarks and urban features. However, it incorrectly identified a wildfire image from Southern California, pointing to a location further south. While the tool provides context in such instances, inaccuracies in high-stakes scenarios could have serious consequences.

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Interest in GeoSpy has grown rapidly, attracting both legitimate users and those with questionable intentions. On its Discord community, some users have sought help identifying private residences or tracking individuals, actions that border on stalking. Graylark’s founder, Daniel Heinen, has openly condemned such misuse, but the fact that these requests exist highlights the risks of offering such technology to the public.

Image: The Social Proxy / YouTube

The tool’s development was inspired by research on geolocating photos without relying on metadata, which many social platforms remove. GeoSpy’s approach focuses on analyzing the content of images instead. Originally intended as a demonstration, the tool gained significant traction, leading Heinen to leave his AI research position to work on it full-time. The company has since received funding from investors, including RecordedFuture and AI Grant, and recently integrated GeoSpy with the investigative platform Maltego.

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Despite its potential applications, GeoSpy poses serious ethical dilemmas. Critics warn that its widespread use by law enforcement and private entities could lead to privacy violations, misuse, or wrongful arrests. The accuracy of GeoSpy is not guaranteed, and errors in geolocation could have real-world consequences for innocent individuals. Privacy advocates argue that traditional methods of protecting location data, such as removing metadata, are no longer sufficient against tools like this.

Graylark has now restricted GeoSpy’s use to law enforcement, government agencies, and enterprise clients, effectively removing public access. According to Heinen, the versions available to institutions are far more advanced than the earlier public model. However, this raises additional questions about the transparency and accountability of such powerful tools when deployed at scale.

GeoSpy may be useful for specific investigative purposes, but its risks are hard to ignore. The ease with which it can analyze and interpret images poses a significant challenge to privacy and security. Without strict oversight and clear ethical boundaries, tools like this have the potential to cause more harm than good.

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by Asim BN via Digital Information World

Tech Titans Dominate Trump Inauguration Amid Rising Concerns Over Power and Influence

At Donald Trump’s inauguration as the 47th President of the United States, the spotlight wasn’t just on the political event but also on the unprecedented presence of America’s wealthiest tech leaders. Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, Jeff Bezos, Sundar Pichai, and Tim Cook, among others, attended the ceremony held in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda. Their prominent placements underscored the growing entanglement between Silicon Valley’s elite and the incoming administration.

A Strategic Presence at the White House

The attendance of these tech magnates is emblematic of a significant shift in their approach to the Trump administration. Companies like Meta, Tesla, Amazon, and Google, some of the world’s most valuable enterprises, have spent considerable effort aligning themselves with Trump since the election. This marks a departure from the strained relations during his first term.

Despite limited seating due to inclement weather, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg attended alongside his wife, Priscilla Chan, while Amazon founder Jeff Bezos was joined by his fiancée, Lauren Sanchez. Their seating on the inaugural stage — more visible than many cabinet members — highlighted their elevated influence. Notably, TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew also attended, even as his platform faces ongoing scrutiny over its Chinese ownership.

Political Leverage and Business Gains

Elon Musk has emerged as one of Trump’s most vocal corporate supporters, backing the campaign with a staggering $277 million contribution. Beyond financial support, Musk has transformed his X platform into a conduit for pro-Trump narratives. His appointment as co-chair of the Department of Government Efficiency solidifies his role in shaping government spending priorities.

Meanwhile, Amazon’s Jeff Bezos and Google’s Sundar Pichai have maintained steady engagement with the administration, with their companies vying for valuable government contracts. These developments occur against the backdrop of significant antitrust cases that could reshape the tech landscape.

Concerns Over Consolidation of Wealth and Power

The presence of billionaires at the inauguration reflects broader concerns about the consolidation of wealth and influence in U.S. politics. In his farewell address, outgoing President Joe Biden warned of a burgeoning oligarchy, where concentrated wealth poses a threat to democracy. The Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision, which removed limits on campaign spending, has exacerbated this issue, with corporate and special interest contributions soaring in recent election cycles.

Trump’s administration appears poised to deepen ties with big business. Reports suggest a growing number of billionaires are being tapped for key government roles. For instance, Howard Lutnick, worth $2 billion, is expected to head the Department of Commerce, while Linda McMahon, another billionaire, has been nominated for Secretary of Education.

A Transactional Administration

Trump’s approach to governance emphasizes deal-making, a philosophy evident in his prior administration. Donations for this year’s inauguration have already reached an estimated $250 million, nearly double the amount raised in 2017. Critics argue that this dynamic prioritizes corporate interests, leaving the public’s needs at risk.

As the Trump administration begins its new term, its relationship with Silicon Valley highlights the symbiotic relationship between wealth and political power. While tech giants navigate potential regulatory challenges, they appear willing to embrace transactional politics to safeguard their interests. Observers warn that vigilance is essential to ensure these developments benefit the broader public and not just a privileged few.

Image: TWH / X

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• U.S. IT Job Market Shrinks—AI Taking Over Entry-Level Roles, Leaving Thousands Unemployed!
by Asim BN via Digital Information World

U.S. IT Job Market Shrinks—AI Taking Over Entry-Level Roles, Leaving Thousands Unemployed!

According to a new report by Janco Associates, many Information Technology (IT) experts in the United States are unemployed because the job market has shrunk by 22,300 positions last year. This is the second year of decline of IT jobs, with about 70,900 IT jobs being eliminated in the past two years. There has only been a 1.87% increase in median salaries of IT pros, amidst the inflation rate being 2.9%. The report was based on official data by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, which found that there was a loss of 5,700 positions in the IT job market in December 2024 alone. Security professionals are the most in-demand IT position right now.

In 2023, there was a loss of 48,600 IT workers in the IT job market which shows that decline was somewhat slower in 2024. In the US, the national average for unemployment rate is 4.1% while the unemployment rate among IT professionals is 3.9% with more than 4.16 million Americans working in IT fields.

Another report by Layoffs.fyi found out that 2,000 IT companies laid off 270,000 employees in 2023 while 152,000 employees were laid off by 546 tech companies (Tesla, Facebook, Microsoft, Google, Tesla, Amazon, Intel and others) in 2024.

The estimates by Janco shows that the IT job market is going to shrink in the next upcoming months, while most small to mid-sized companies are hiring new individuals and providing more jobs. The large enterprises are more focused on AI adoption and are planning to replace low skill workers with AI for increased productivity. AI is increasingly replacing entry-level positions in the IT sector. The AI experts, technology programmers, security professionals and Internet Processing IT professionals are the only ones who were being actively sought. 63 of the companies laid off 6,300 employees in the beginning of 2023 and 1,356 of them were laid off in 2024.

There was a slight increase in mean compensation for IT professionals in 2024, with $104,517 earned on average. Trading Economics report that wages have increased 5.8% in the US in November 2024. There was a 28% increase in wages of IT professionals, from 2015 ($81,583) to 2025 ($104,517). The salary was mostly due to a 34.4% CPI increase in the US between December 2014 and December 2024.

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Instagram Teases New Video-Editing App After Capcut Pulled From American App Stores

It looks like Meta is not going to let any fruitful opportunity to make more revenue go to waste, especially after the recent TikTok and CapCut ban in the US.

The company’s popular Instagram app is launching its own video editing platform and we think the timing couldn’t be more perfect. After all, many users were not happy to see CapCut be pulled out of American App Stores. So the next best alternative seems to be this.

The social media giant shared teasers for the new feature dubbed Edits which will not only be limited to editing content but also giving users an entire array of creative tools. This is especially great for those passionate about making content through their phone.

The news was confirmed by Instagram’s boss Adam Mosserri through a video post on Sunday. He shared how it was not for those making use of desktop platforms or for those searching for templates. However, it is for those who use phones to create videos in short form styles.

The matter is all the more familiar and the announcement from Mosseri arrives moments after Google and Apple tried to pull apps owned by ByteDance from American App and Play Stores. This would comply with laws that force Bytedance to be separate from its apps so they could be sold to American-owned companies.

So far, no sale has been announced so both these apps went dark on Sunday as they could be risking fines that could go up to $5,000 for each user. While we did see TikTok return after a little promise made by Donald Trump to ensure another deal would be finalized that protects users’ safety, no use was shared about CapCut’s return.

For now, Instagram is staying silent on the TikTok-related drama. It only shared how a lot of things are going on right now in the world. Still, it shared how the need for creative and robust tools for editing content was in demand. This isn’t only for content to be published on Instagram but all other apps out there today.

Mosseri did not shy away from teasing a few features coming soon to Edits. This entails another dedicated tab that’s reserved for trending audio and one for inspiring ideas. There’s even one reserved for better camera quality, tracking down ideas, and sharing drafts with others. If that’s not enough, we’re also hearing more about Meta now going to the extent of sharing stats for all Reels content.

Read next: Are You Overpaying? FTC Exposes Shocking Truth About Surveillance Pricing
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Are You Overpaying? FTC Exposes Shocking Truth About Surveillance Pricing

The FTC is raising the curtain on a new phenomenon called surveillance pricing that makes use of personal data to show people different prices for the same products.

The data in question could be browser history, location, and simple clicks of a PC mouse too. Companies collect that information and are now using it to their advantage. Retailers end up hiring companies to switch the prices up by adding changes to the algorithm.

Instead of keeping prices all the same, they make sure the same product comes at different prices depending on the input such as consumer data and preferences. For instance, the FTC claims that profiling consumers gives them that data. If any discount is to be offered, it would again be different for all, depending on that data.

Such intermediary companies work with over 250 different clients involved in product sales and customer service. This could be a clothing designer or your local grocery store, the FTC adds. Hence, widespread adoption of such practices could upend how a client purchases the goods and how the firm is competing in the industry.

The news comes after the FTC shared in the previous year several different middlemen firms that put together computer algorithms and personal data to make tweaks to pricing. Amongst those include Bloomreach, PROS, Mastercard, Task Software, and JPMorgan Chase.

Now, the FTC is working to investigate the surveillance pricing bids as every consumer holds the right in America to know how and where their data is being used. This is why the FTC shared a public request for any comments regarding user experiences linked to surveillance pricing.

The head of the FTC says that such unfair advantages will no longer be tolerated. However, such practices are not new to the industry. We’ve seen VPNs come into play where users can alter location to low-income nations to get cheaper pricing for goods like airline tickets. Another paper published in Yale speaks about surveillance pricing actually doing the opposite and keeping prices on the lower end of the extreme but again can give rise to unfair pricing when bigger firms monopolize large data.

Image: DIW-Aigen

Read next: Trump’s Executive Order Delays TikTok’s Ban, Fueling Debate on Free Expression
by Dr. Hura Anwar via Digital Information World

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