From TikTok to TrumpTok? The app’s banning and unbanning encapsulates everything wrong with US politics | Arwa Mahdawi
Having done his best to shut down the social media platform, the new president is now being hailed as its saviour. And once again the Democrats have egg on their faces
Politics in the US has had its fair share of stupid moments, but the recent banning and (sort of) unbanning of TikTok may rank as one of the stupidest. At the same time, the episode neatly encapsulates the current moment: it’s a perfect example of Donald Trump’s showmanship, the Democrats’ incompetence and the limits of bipartisanship. If I were a TikTok teen I’d come up with some sort of experimental dance to illustrate these themes but I’m old and completely devoid of rhythm, so words are going to have to suffice.
Let’s start with Trump, who, with his usual talent for self-promotion, has positioned himself as the guy who brought TikTok back from the dead, despite being responsible for signing its death warrant in the first place. To refresh everyone’s memory, in 2020 Trump issued vaguely worded executive orders that described TikTok and WeChat as threats to national security. There doesn’t seem to be much evidence, by the way, that TikTok is any more of a threat to national security than any of the other data-sucking apps we all have on our phones. The main argument from its critics seems to be that it has Chinese owners – and they’re clearly not going to be responsible stewards of people’s data in the way that Americans such as Mark Zuckerberg are.
Continue reading...-
RedNote Recruited US Influencers to Promote App Amid TikTok Ban Uncertainty
A marketing campaign brief obtained by WIRED reveals how the Chinese app is trying to capitalize on its sudden international popularity.Wired - 1d -
TikTok Is Unavailable in the US—and Gone From the App Stores
After President Biden declined to reassure Apple, Google, and Oracle that they wouldn’t be fined for giving Americans access to TikTok, the app’s hopes now hang on president-elect Trump.Wired - 2d -
Trump says he will likely grant TikTok a 90-day reprieve from US ban when he takes office
President-elect said he’d probably give the company an extension from US ban the supreme court recently upheld. Donald Trump has said he will “most likely” give the Chinese-owned TikTok app a ...The Guardian - 3d -
‘Political wind change’ on TikTok ban as Supreme Court upholds ban
The Supreme Court upholds a law that could ban TikTok in the United States as President Biden and President-elect Trump consider their options. NBC News Senior Legal Correspondent Laura Jarrett and ...NBC News - 4d -
Can You Still Use TikTok if It’s Banned? What Users Should Know About the App.
The social media app is likely to disappear from the app stores of Google and Apple right away. But it’s unclear if users will completely lose access.The New York Times - 6d -
TikTokers turn to other apps before anticipated ban
As TikTokers brace for an expected U.S. ban to take effect Sunday, many users are flocking to different social media apps to try to grow their followings. CNET technology reporter Abrar Al-Heeti ...CBS News - 6d -
Chinese TikTok alternative RedNote tops app charts ahead of potential ban
TikTok users are pushing back against the looming TikTok ban Sunday by downloading a Chinese app called RedNote, or Xiaohongshu.NBC News - Jan. 14 -
TikTok ban: Here’s what to expect if the app is banned in the U.S. on Sunday
The U.S. Supreme Court is viewed as open to upholding a national-security law that will shut down the video-sharing app nationwide on Sunday if it continues to be controlled by its Chinese parent ...MarketWatch - Jan. 14 -
TikTok ban: supreme court appears inclined to uphold law that could see app barred in US – live
Justices appear skeptical of TikTok owner’s arguments after Chinese-based parent company ByteDance asked court to review case. How would a TikTok ban in US work? TikTok maintains it is not ...The Guardian - Jan. 10
More from The Guardian
-
Trump dismisses bishop’s call for mercy; ban on immigration raids in churches and schools scrapped – live
President responds to bishop urging him to show mercy to immigrants and LGBTQ people by saying ‘I didn’t think it was a good service’; Ice officials can again raid ‘sensitive areas’ and carry out ...The Guardian - 25m -
Zelenskyy says Russia-Ukraine peace deal would require 200,000 allied troops
Ukrainian president tells Davos that Europe must establish itself as an ‘indispensable’ player on the global stage. Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that “at least 200,000” allied troops would be ...The Guardian - 5h -
Qatari, US and Egyptian negotiators set up Cairo hub to shore up Gaza ceasefire
Communication lines open 24 hours intended to avoid breakdown over reported violations and other issues. Qatari, US and Egyptian negotiators are running a communications hub in Cairo to protect the ...The Guardian - 4h -
‘The gesture speaks for itself’: Germans respond to Musk’s apparent Nazi salute
Some say it was an unambiguous Nazi salute but others are unsure and say focus should be on Musk’s stated support for far-right. Did Elon Musk give a Nazi or Roman salute, and what’s the ...The Guardian - 5h -
Dozens dead as people jump from windows to escape fire at Turkish ski resort hotel
Witnesses say people used bed sheets or jumped to try to get out of the 12-storey Grand Kartal hotel after fire broke out early in the morning. Seventy-six people have died and 51 others were ...The Guardian - 4h
More in World
-
Trump dismisses bishop’s call for mercy; ban on immigration raids in churches and schools scrapped – live
President responds to bishop urging him to show mercy to immigrants and LGBTQ people by saying ‘I didn’t think it was a good service’; Ice officials can again raid ‘sensitive areas’ and carry out ...The Guardian - 25m -
Colombians flee to Venezuela as clashes between rebel groups escalate in coca-rich border region
Yahoo News - 44m -
Trump Pushes for Early Renegotiation of U.S. Trade Deal With Mexico, Canada
President Trump is using the threat of stiff tariffs on goods from Canada and Mexico to pressure the two nations to start renegotiating a continental trade deal.The Wall Street Journal - 57m -
California prepares for possible new fires as winds create conditions for ‘explosive growth’
Gusts could peak at 70mph (113km/h) along the coast and 100mph (160km/h) in the mountains and foothills. Winds picked up on Tuesday in southern California and at least a couple of new wildfires ...The Guardian - 1h -
Elephants are ‘majestic’ but cannot pursue legal case to leave Colorado zoo, says court
Because five mammals are not human, they do not have legal right to challenge detention, rules top state court. Five elephants at a Colorado zoo may be “majestic” but, since they are not human, ...The Guardian - 1h
