Kenya Insights

Category: Sci & Tech

  • Understanding Artificial Intelligence And How It Is Transforming Lives

    Understanding Artificial Intelligence And How It Is Transforming Lives

    Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a rapidly evolving field that has captured the imagination of people for decades and continues to transform various industries, from healthcare to finance, and even media.

    This technology can revolutionize how we live, work, and interact with the world around us. What exactly is AI, and how does it shape the world we live in?

    According to NVIDIA, AI is the ability of machines to mimic human cognitive functions like learning and problem-solving.

    This is achieved by training algorithms on vast amounts of data, enabling them to identify patterns, make predictions, and perform tasks with increasing accuracy.

    The term “Artificial Intelligence” was first used in the Dartmouth Conference in 1956: In 1950, Alan Turing wrote a paper on Computing Machinery and Intelligence, which laid foundation of research on AI. Since then, there have been great milestones achieved, continuing and improving each passing day.

    Understanding AI

    There are four main types of AI:

    • Perception AI: This involves the ability of machines to interpret and understand sensory information from the environment. It includes visual and auditory perception, enabling machines to recognize objects, scenes, and sounds. It relies on cameras and microphones and can be used for tasks like facial recognition, image classification, and natural language processing. Virtual Assistant tools like Siri, Google Assistant and Alexa (Conversational AI) provide personalized solutions to billions of users round the world, as they are integrated in almost every smart device.
    • Generative AI: This focuses on creating new content, such as text, images, and music, by learning from existing data. Generative AI can produce realistic images, write articles, and even compose music. It’s used for tasks like generating realistic product images for e-commerce websites or creating personalized marketing content. In media, AI can create automated summaries of news articles, allowing readers to quickly grasp the gist of important stories.
    • Agentic AI: This refers to AI systems that can perform tasks autonomously, making decisions and taking actions without human intervention. Agentic AI is used in robotics, autonomous vehicles, and smart home devices.
    • Physical AI: This involves the integration of AI into physical systems, such as robots and drones, enabling them to interact with the physical world. It can be used for tasks like optimizing traffic flow in cities or managing energy consumption in buildings.

    AI in Media and Broadcast

    AI is making significant strides in the media and broadcast industry. It is revolutionizing content creation, distribution, and audience engagement.

    AI-powered tools can generate draft scripts, suggest narrative twists, and even automate video editing. This not only speeds up the production process but also enhances the quality of content.

    AI-driven recommendation systems are another game-changer. Platforms like Netflix and YouTube use AI algorithms to analyze user preferences and suggest personalized content.

    This improves viewer engagement and satisfaction, making the viewing experience more enjoyable. AI can analyze user data to deliver targeted advertising, making advertising more relevant and effective.

    Beyond broadcast media, AI is transforming numerous industries. In healthcare, AI is used for medical diagnosis, drug discovery, and personalized medicine. In finance, AI is used for fraud detection, risk management, and algorithmic trading.

    Investing in AI

    As AI continues to evolve, investing in this technology is crucial for future growth. Companies and institutions should focus on developing AI skills and infrastructure. Investing in AI research and development, as well as collaborating with tech companies, can help stay ahead in the competitive landscape.

    Conclusion

    Artificial Intelligence is a powerful tool that is reshaping industries. By understanding and investing in AI, companies can unlock new opportunities and drive innovation.

  • Musk, MrBeast, Larry Ellison – Who Might Buy TikTok?

    Musk, MrBeast, Larry Ellison – Who Might Buy TikTok?

    Jimmy Donaldson – aka MrBeast – was jubilant as he told his tens of millions of TikTok followers about his bid to buy the platform.

    “I might become you guys’ new CEO! I’m super excited!” Donaldson said from a private jet. He then proceeded to promise $10,000 to five random new followers.

    The internet creator’s post has been viewed more than 73 million times since Monday. Donaldson said he could not share details about his bid, but promised: “Just know, it’s gonna be crazy.”

    Donaldson is one of multiple suitors who have expressed interest in purchasing TikTok, the wildly popular social media platform that’s become the subject of a fast-moving political drama in the United States.

    Last year, then-President Joe Biden signed a law that gave TikTok’s China-based parent company ByteDance until 19 January to sell the platform or face a ban in the United States.

    The legislation addressed concerns about TikTok’s links to the Chinese government and worries about the app being a national security risk.

    President Donald Trump has floated the possibility of a joint venture.

    “I would like the United States to have a 50% ownership position,” he said in a Truth Social post on Sunday. “By doing this, we save TikTok, keep it in good hands and allow it to [stay up].”

    Trump has since signed an executive order that allows the app to stay operational for another 75 days.

    Earlier this month, Bloomberg reported that China was considering a TikTok sale to Elon Musk, the world’s richest man and a close ally of President Trump, who already owns the social media platform X.

    Musk himself wrote on X this week that while he has long been against a TikTok ban, “the current situation where TikTok is allowed to operate in America, but X is not allowed to operate in China is unbalanced. Something needs to change”.

    At a news conference Tuesday, Trump was asked by a reporter if he would be open to Musk buying the platform.

    “I would be if he wanted to buy it, yes,” the president replied.

    “I’d like Larry to buy it, too,” Trump added, referring to Oracle chairman Larry Ellison, a long-time Trump supporter who was on stage with him for a separate announcement.

    Oracle is one of TikTok’s main server providers, managing many of the data centres where billions of the platform’s videos are stored.

    Last year, Oracle warned that a TikTok ban could hurt its business. The cloud computing giant was also a leading contender to buy the social media platform in 2020, back when Trump was trying to ban it.

    Billionaire investor Frank McCourt has also expressed interest in TikTok, and has been doing media interviews about the prospect for several months.

    McCourt has said he wants TikTok to run on technology overseen by the Project Liberty Institute, which he founded. He has been critical of data collection practices of social media companies.

    Project Liberty is bidding for TikTok without its proprietary algorithm. McCourt told CNBC this week that Project Liberty is “not interested in the algorithm or the Chinese technology” even as he acknowledged that the platform is “worth less” without it.

    Ultimately, President Trump is likely to have a major role in selecting a US buyer of TikTok.

    “It’s going to be a winner that’s likely to be politically sympathetic to President Donald Trump,” said Anupam Chander, a law professor at Georgetown University.

    Prof Chander said the 50-50 joint ownership model does not comport with the law’s requirements, which might prompt Trump to pressure Congress into revising the law.

    For now, the platform’s future remains in limbo.

    Prof Chander said the Biden administration made an “unforced error” by allowing the law to give the president outsized control over who owns TikTok.

    “It was a terrible idea to put the future of a massive information platform into this political maelstrom,” Prof Chander said.

  • LinkedIn Accused Of Using sing Private Messages To Train rain AI

    LinkedIn Accused Of Using sing Private Messages To Train rain AI

    A US lawsuit filed on behalf of LinkedIn Premium users accuses the social media platform of sharing their private messages with other companies to train artificial intelligence (AI) models.

    It alleges that in August last year, the world’s largest professional social networking website “quietly” introduced a privacy setting, automatically opting users into a programme that allowed third parties to use their personal data to train AI.

    It also accuses the Microsoft-owned company of concealing its actions a month later by changing its privacy policy to say user information could be disclosed for AI training purposes.

    A LinkedIn spokesperson told BBC News that “these are false claims with no merit”.

    The filing also said LinkedIn changed its ‘frequently asked questions’ section to say that users could choose not to share data for AI purposes but that doing so would not affect training that had already taken place.

    “LinkedIn’s actions… indicate a pattern of attempting to cover its tracks,” the lawsuit said.

    “This behaviour suggests that LinkedIn was fully aware that it had violated its contractual promises and privacy standards and aimed to minimise public scrutiny”.

    The lawsuit was filed in a California federal court on behalf of a LinkedIn Premium user and “all others” in a similar situation.

    It seeks $1,000 (£812) per user for alleged violations of the US federal Stored Communications Act as well as an unspecified amount for breach of contract and California’s unfair competition law.

    According to an email LinkedIn sent to its users last year, it has not enabled user data sharing for AI purposes in the UK, the European Economic Area and Switzerland.

    LinkedIn has more than one billion users around the world, with almost a quarter of them in the US.

    In 2023, the company attracted $1.7bn in revenue from premium subscriptions.

    It has also said that the number of premium subscribers has been growing rapidly as it continues to add more AI features.

    (BBC)

  • ‪One Tech Tip: How To Delete Facebook, Instagram and Threads If You Don’t Like Meta’s Changes‬

    ‪One Tech Tip: How To Delete Facebook, Instagram and Threads If You Don’t Like Meta’s Changes‬

    Should I stay or should I go — from Meta’s social media platforms?

    That’s what some Facebook, Instagram and Threads users are wondering after Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s announcement this month that the company is relaxing rules on harmful content such as hate speech and abandoning its fact checking program and replacing it with crowdsourced notes.

    The changes have renewed interest among some users about deleting their Meta social media accounts. If you want to stop using platforms owned by Meta, here are some pointers:

    Save your data

    Before deleting your Facebook account, you should download a copy of all your personal information, which includes details about your activity on the platform, things you’ve shared and data that the company has collected about you.

    You’ll have to go to your settings or the accounts center — the master control panel for all your Meta accounts — where you can choose to download everything or just items such as your profile, posts, messages, comments and reactions, and list of friends, even the ads you’ve clicked on and IP addresses you’ve used to connect to Facebook.

    You can download information from a certain date range, such as the past month or six months, or for all the time you’ve had an account. If you’re downloading photos, you can select their quality level: low, medium, high.

    For security purposes, you’ll only have four days to download your file. The process is similar for Instagram and Threads users.

    Instagram users will need a password to download and access files and it could take up to 30 days to receive a download link by email, the platform sayson its help page.

    Maybe you don’t want to download all your personal information but instead want to get any photos and videos you’ve posted. Facebook provides a separate option to transfer these files to another online service, with options including Google Photos, Dropbox or Photobucket.

    Staying in touch

    A tip for Facebook users: before you pull the plug, check if you have friends or connections you don’t want to lose complete contact with.

    Send them a message asking for their phone, email or other non-Meta contact details. You could also make a final post telling people that you’re leaving, though there’s a chance not everyone will see it.

    Take a break

    If you’re not ready to go all the way, Facebook allows users to temporarily shut down their accounts in case they just want to take a break from social media.

    You can do this through the account center, where you can click on the Personal details section, and then the Account ownership and control setting.

    Temporarily deactivating an account means other users won’t see it anymore, but your posts, photos and videos won’t be deleted and you can still use Facebook Messenger. You can reactivate the account at any time.

    Don’t change your mind too often: Instagram and Threads users can only temporarily deactivate their accounts once a week.

    Deletion

    Ready to take the plunge and delete your account permanently?

    After tying up any loose ends, head back to the accounts center, click the Personal details section, and then Account ownership and control, where you can choose to delete it.

    Once you’ve triggered the deletion process, you’ve got 30 days to change your mind, which you can do by logging back into your account and clicking the Cancel Deletion button.

    “After 30 days, your account and all your information will be permanently deleted, and you won’t be able to retrieve your information,” Facebook warns on its help center.

    Take note: Deleting a Threads account won’t have any effect on your corresponding Instagram account. But deleting an Instagram account will also result in the deletion of the linked Threads account because Instagram accounts are used to manage Threads accounts.

    What about WhatsApp?

    Meta also owns WhatsApp, although Zuckerberg’s content policy changes aren’t likely to affect the chat app.

    Similar to Meta’s social platforms, WhatsApp users can export a copy of their chat history or ask for information on their settings or channels.

    If you decide you want to get rid of WhatsApp and perhaps switch to competing chat services like iMessage or Signal, it’s easy to do through the app’s settings.

    Deleting WhatsApp will erase your account info, your chat history backup and your presence from any chat groups as well as any channels you set up where you’re the only admin.

    (AP)

  • US Tech Giants Announce AI Plan Worth Up To $500bn

    US Tech Giants Announce AI Plan Worth Up To $500bn

    OpenAI is teaming up with Oracle and Softbank to build data centres equipped to power artificial intelligence (AI), with plans to invest $100bn “immediately”.

    Flanked by the bosses of the three companies at the White House, US President Donald Trump said the plan is a “resounding declaration of confidence in America’s potential”.

    OpenAI has previously called for major investments in infrastructure to support AI and pushed for government support of those plans.

    The ChatGPT-creator and Softbank said the joint venture, dubbed Stargate, intends to invest $500bn over the next four years.

    “I think this will be the most important project of this era,” said OpenAI’s chief executive, Sam Altman.

    “We wouldn’t be able to do this without you, Mr President,” he added, crediting Trump despite work on the project already being under way.

    The plan, which involves the construction of AI infrastructure such as data centres, is expected to create more than 100,000 jobs, according to Trump.

    Oracle’s chief technology office, Larry Ellison, said the first data centres are under construction in Texas and more will be built in other locations.

    The Information, a technology news website, first reported on the project in March last year.

    OpenAI said the announcement of the new company, which also includes UAE-backed investor MGX, was the culmination of more than a year’s worth of conversations.

    Other partners in the project include tech giants Microsoft, Arm and NVIDIA, according to statements by Softbank and OpenAI.

    OpenAI kicked off the AI race in 2022 with the launch of its ChatGPT bot, which offered lifelike responses to questions and showcased the rapid advances in the technology.

    It has prompted a gush of investment, including in the specialised data centres needed to power the computing.

    But the projected surge in demand for the centres, which will require huge amounts of power to run and money to be built, has raised concerns about the impact on energy supplies and questions about the role of foreign investors.

    In one of his final acts in the White House, former President Joe Biden put forward rules that would restrict exports of AI-related chips to dozens of countries around the world, saying the move would help the US control the industry.

    He also issued orders related to the development of data centres on government land, which spotlighted a role for clean energy in powering the centres.

    The latest investment plans are not unusual in the context of the industry.

    Microsoft, one of the OpenAI’s major backers, said earlier this month it was on track to invest $80bn to build out AI-powered data centres this year.

    It is also involved in a $100bn venture that includes BackRock and is focused on making AI data centre investments.

    Amazon has been pouring money into the space at a similar scale, announcing two projects worth about $10bn each just in the last two months.

    In a report last year, McKinsey said that global demand for data centre capacity would more than triple by 2030, growing between 19% and 27% annually by 2030.

    For developers to meet that demand, the consultancy estimated that at least twice the capacity would have to be built by 2030 as has been constructed since 2000.

    But analysts have warned that the process is likely to be bogged down by issues such as power and land constraints and permitting.

    (BBC)

  • Melania Trump Launches Her Own Cryptocurrency

    Melania Trump Launches Her Own Cryptocurrency

    Incoming first lady Melania Trump has launched a cryptocurrency on the eve of her husband’s inauguration as US president.

    The announcement comes a day after President-elect Donald Trump launched the $Trump cryptocurrency. Both coins have risen but have seen volatile trade.

    “The Official Melania Meme is live! You can buy $MELANIA now,” she posted on the social platform X on Sunday.

    The website for the “Official Melania Meme” says it is a crypto asset created and tracked on the Solana blockchain.

    According to the CoinMarketCap website, $Trump has a total market valuation of about $12bn (£9.8bn), while $Melania’s stands at around $1.7bn.

    Trump had previously called crypto a “scam” but during the 2024 election campaign became the first presidential candidate to accept digital assets as donations.

    On the campaign trail, Trump also said he would create a strategic bitcoin stockpile and appoint financial regulators that take a more positive stance towards digital assets.

    That spurred expectations that he would strip back regulations on the crypto industry.

    In the wake of Trump’s victory, bitcoin jumped to a record high is currently trading at $140,000, according to crypto trading platform Coinbase.

    On Friday, the incoming artificial intelligence (AI) and crypto tsar David Sacks held a “Crypto Ball” in Washington, DC.

    Other cryptocurrencies, including dogecoin – which has been promoted by high-profile Trump supporter Elon Musk – have also risen sharply this year.

    Under President Joe Biden, regulators cited concerns about fraud and money laundering as they cracked down on crypto companies by suing exchanges.

    (BBC)

  • TikTok Back Online In The U.S. After Trump’s Intervention

    TikTok Back Online In The U.S. After Trump’s Intervention

    TikTok has announced the immediate restoration of its services in the United States following assurances from President-elect Donald Trump. The popular video-sharing platform, which had faced the looming threat of a ban, expressed gratitude for Trump’s intervention in a statement released today.

    “With the guidance of President Trump, we have secured an agreement with our service providers that allows us to bring TikTok back online for our American users,” the statement read. TikTok highlighted that this move ensures continued service to over 170 million users in the U.S. and supports more than 7 million small businesses that rely on the platform for growth and visibility.

    The assurance from Trump to service providers was pivotal, as it guaranteed that they would not face legal repercussions for continuing to host and distribute TikTok, a significant concern due to previous legislative actions aimed at banning the app.

    This development comes after months of legal battles and political debates over national security concerns linked to TikTok’s Chinese parent company, ByteDance. The platform was on the brink of being removed from U.S. app stores and web hosting services due to a law signed by President Joe Biden, which mandated ByteDance to divest TikTok or face a ban.

    Trump’s intervention, promising a 90-day extension to negotiate a solution or a “qualified divestiture,” has been seen as a lifeline for TikTok. His administration’s approach appears to lean towards finding a political resolution rather than enforcing the immediate ban, reflecting a significant shift from his previous stance during his first term where he sought to ban the app outright.

    Trump said he would “extend the period of time before the law’s prohibitions take effect, so that we can make a deal to protect our national security.”

    “I would like the United States to have a 50% ownership position in a joint venture,” he wrote on Truth Social.

    Trump said the executive order would specify there would be no liability for any company that helped keep TikTok from going dark before his order.

    TikTok’s statement also framed the restoration as a victory for free speech, stating, “It’s a strong stand for the First Amendment and against arbitrary censorship.” The company pledged to collaborate with Trump’s administration on a long-term strategy to maintain its presence in the U.S., suggesting potential future negotiations could involve changes in ownership structure or operational practices to address security concerns.

    It was not immediately clear whether TikTok was working as it did before the company instituted a blackout late Saturday. Some users reported that the app was working, and TikTok’s website appeared to be functioning for at least some users. However, the app remained unavailable for download on Apple’s app store.

    Google and Apple removed the app from their digital stores to comply with a federal law that required them to do so if TikTok parent company ByteDance didn’t sell its U.S. operation by Sunday. The law, which passed with wide bipartisan support in April, allowed for steep fines for non-compliance.

    Trump saving TikTok represents a reversal in stance from his first term in office. In 2020, he aimed to ban the app over concerns the company was sharing Americans’ personal info with the Chinese government. More recently, Trump has said he has “a warm spot in my heart for TikTok,” crediting the app with helping him win over young voters in the 2024 election.

    Not everyone in Trump’s Republican Party agreed with efforts to get around the law and “Save TikTok”.

    Republican senators Tom Cotton and Pete Ricketts said in a joint statement: “Now that the law has taken effect, there is no legal basis for any kind of ‘extension’ of its effective date. For TikTok to come back online in the future, ByteDance must agree to a sale that satisfies the law’s qualified-divestiture requirements by severing all ties between TikTok and Communist China.”

    The U.S. has never banned a major social media platform. The law passed overwhelmingly by Congress gives the incoming Trump administration sweeping authority to ban or seek the sale of other Chinese-owned apps.

    Other apps owned by ByteDance, including video editing app CapCut and lifestyle social app Lemon8, were also offline and unavailable in U.S. app stores as of late Saturday.

  • Trump Says He Will Issue An Executive Order Monday To Get TikTok Back Up

    Trump Says He Will Issue An Executive Order Monday To Get TikTok Back Up

    President-elect Donald Trump says he plans to issue an executive order that would give TikTok’s China-based parent company more time to find an approved buyer before the popular video-sharing platform is subject to a permanent ban in the U.S.

    Trump announced the decision in a post on his Truth Social account on Sunday as millions of TikTok users in the U.S. awoke to discover they could no longer access the TikTok app or platform. Google and Apple removed the app from their digital stores to comply with a federal law that required them to do so if TikTok parent company ByteDance didn’t sell its U.S. operation to an approved buyer by Sunday.

    “I’m asking companies not to let TikTok stay dark!,” Trump wrote. “I will issue an executive order on Monday to extend the period of time before the law’s prohibitions take effect, so that we can make a deal to protect our national security. The order will also confirm that there will be no liability for any company that helped keep TikTok from going dark before my order.

    “Americans deserve to see our exciting Inauguration on Monday, as well as other events and conversations,” he said.

    The law gives the sitting president authority to grant a 90-day extension if a viable sale is underway. Although investors made a few offers, ByteDance previously said it would not sell. In his post on Sunday, Trump proposed making the U.S. a partner in a deal.

    “I would like the United States to have a 50% ownership position in a joint venture,” he said. “By doing this, we save TikTok, keep it in good hands and allow it to say up. Without U.S. approval, there is no Tik Tok. With our approval, it is worth hundreds of billions of dollars – maybe trillions.”

  • TikTok Shuts Down In The U.S.

    TikTok Shuts Down In The U.S.

    TikTok’s app was removed from prominent app stores on Saturday evening just before as a federal law that bans the popular social media platform went into effect.

    By 10:50pm Eastern Standard Time, the app was not found on Apple and Google’s app stores, which are prohibited from offering the platform under a law that required TikTok’s China-based parent company, ByteDance, to sell the platform or face a U.S. ban.

    When users opened the TikTok app on Saturday evening, they encountered a pop-up message from the company that prevented them from scrolling on videos.

    “A law banning TikTok has been enacted in the U.S.,” the message said. “Unfortunately that means you can’t use TikTok for now.”

    “We are fortunate that President Trump has indicated that he will work with us on a solution to reinstate TikTok once he takes office,” the message said. “Please stay tuned!”

    The US Supreme Court upheld a law on Friday to ban TikTok unless its Chinese-based parent company, ByteDance, divests from the app. The court ruled that the divest-or-ban ultimatum does not violate the company’s First Amendment rights in the US Constitution.

    The White House said that the Chinese social media app should remain available in the US, but under American ownership to address national security concerns.

    President-elect Donald Trump, who has shown sympathy for TikTok, will return to the White House on Monday to begin his second term, one day after the deadline for TikTok to divest.

    Trump urged the top court to delay the decision for negotiations. TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew is expected to attend Trump’s inauguration.

    The bipartisan law, passed by Congress and signed by Biden in April, gave ByteDance 270 days to divest or face a ban.

  • Trump Says He Will “Most Likely” Give TikTok A 90-Day Extension To Avoid A Ban

    Trump Says He Will “Most Likely” Give TikTok A 90-Day Extension To Avoid A Ban

    TikTok could go dark in the United States on Sunday, pulling itself offline after the Supreme Court upheld a ban on the Chinese-owned social media platform — but it could be back as early as Monday.

    President-elect Donald Trump said he will “most likely” delay a ban on TikTok for 90 days after he takes office on Monday but noted he has not made a final decision in a phone interview with NBC News on Saturday.

    “I think that would be, certainly, an option that we look at. The 90-day extension is something that will be most likely done, because it’s appropriate. You know, it’s appropriate. We have to look at it carefully. It’s a very big situation,” Trump said in the interview.

    “If I decide to do that, I’ll probably announce it on Monday,” he added.

    The suggestion of an extension is the latest twist in a saga that’s dragged on for months, leaving the fate of the app — with its 170 million US users — in limbo.

    The law passed last year with bipartisan support. It required ByteDance, the Chinese owner of TikTok, to either sell the app to a new, non-Chinese entity or face a ban in the United States.

    Ahead of the Supreme Court’s ruling, Trump asked the court to hit pause on the law, asking for some time for his administration to work on finding alternative solutions to banning the app.

    In the wake of the ruling Friday, Trump wrote on Truth Social, “The Supreme Court decision was expected, and everyone must respect it. My decision on TikTok will be made in the not too distant future, but I must have time to review the situation. Stay tuned!”

    In the past, he has signaled his support for letting the app remain available to users in the U.S., citing the high number of views his TikTok accounts receive.

    TikTok CEO Shou Chew is expected to attend Trump’s inauguration ceremony Monday, along with other tech executives.

    TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew in Washington, D.C., in 2023.Nathan Posner / Anadolu Agency via Getty Images file

    On Friday, TikTok’s future remained uncertain, as Chew thanked Trump for his efforts to keep the app running in the U.S.

    Even before the Supreme Court’s ruling, Biden administration officials signaled that they would not enforce the law on Sunday, the last day of Biden’s term.

    Trump’s support for TikTok is a sharp reversal from his stance during his first term, when Trump signed executive orders to ban not only TikTok but also the Chinese messaging app WeChat. Trump’s attempt at the time was blocked by the courts. His reversal came after he met briefly with one of the app’s billionaire American investors last year.

    Lawmakers who have supported a sale or ban say some action is necessary because of ByteDance’s ties to the Chinese government, which they say shouldn’t have control of a major media property that could be used for propaganda purposes. They also cite the app’s collection of personal data from American citizens.

    TikTok’s fans have protested the possible sale or ban, including by downloading other Chinese apps such as RedNote despite potential security concerns about those apps, too.

  • How To Maintain Good Battery Health On Your Phone

    How To Maintain Good Battery Health On Your Phone

    If your battery health is low, your phone might feel sluggish, apps may take longer to load, and overall responsiveness is minimal.

    Battery health is a direct indicator of your phone’s lifespan. It affects everything from performance to overall usability.

    Monitoring your battery health helps you understand how well your phone is functioning and when it might be time for a replacement.

    Before you buy any second-hand or refurbished phone, checking the battery’s health is very crucial.

    For Apple and some Android manufacturers, they start slowing down processing speeds on phones with weak batteries to prevent sudden shutdowns.

    This means if your battery health is low, your phone might feel sluggish, apps may take longer to load, and overall responsiveness is minimal.

    How to check your phone’s battery health

    For iPhone users

    Apple makes it easy to check your battery health:

    · Open the Settings app.

    · Scroll down and tap battery.

    · Select battery health and charging.

    You will see your Maximum Capacity, which indicates how much charge your battery can still hold compared to when it was new.

    If the battery health is above 90 per cent, it is in excellent condition. If it is between 80 to 90 per cent, it is still good, but it might start degrading faster.

    Anything below 80 per cent means you will notice reduced performance, and your phone may struggle to hold a charge for a full day.

    If a message is about “Service Recommended”, it means the battery is significantly worn out.

    For Android users

    Android phones do not always have a built-in battery health checker, but you can try these methods:

    · Check-in Settings – Some brands like Samsung have a battery health feature under Settings then click Battery and Device Care and then Battery.

    · Use Third-Party Apps – Apps like AccuBattery or Ampere provide more detailed battery information, including charge cycles and estimated health.

    How to maintain good battery health

    1. Avoid full discharges

    Never let your phone drain completely as this often shortens its lifespan.

    Instead, try to keep it between 20-80% charge.

    2. Use the right charger

    Always use the manufacturer’s recommended charger or a high-quality alternative. Cheap or counterfeit chargers can overheat and damage your battery.

    3. Limit heat exposure

    Extreme temperatures, especially heat, degrade batteries quickly. Keep your phone out of direct sunlight and avoid using it while charging.

    4. Enable battery optimisation features

    Both iPhones and Androids have power-saving modes that can extend battery lifespan by reducing background activity. Enable Optimized Charging on iPhone or Adaptive Battery on Android to slow down battery wear.

    5. Reduce Fast Charging

    While fast charging is convenient, frequent use can generate heat, which wears out your battery faster. If you do not need a quick top-up, use a standard charger.

    By taking care of your battery, you ensure that your phone stays reliable and efficient for years to come.

  • ‪The Supreme Court Upholds The Law Banning TikTok In The US Beginning Sunday‬

    ‪The Supreme Court Upholds The Law Banning TikTok In The US Beginning Sunday‬

    The Supreme Court on Friday unanimously upheld the federal law banning TikTok beginning Sunday unless it’s sold by its China-based parent company, holding that the risk to national security posed by its ties to China overcomes concerns about limiting speech by the app or its 170 million users in the United States.

    A sale does not appear imminent and, although experts have said the app will not disappear from existing users’ phones once the law takes effect on Jan. 19, new users won’t be able to download it and updates won’t be available. That will eventually render the app unworkable, the Justice Department has said in court filings.

    The decision came against the backdrop of unusual political agitation by President-elect Donald Trump, who vowed that he could negotiate a solution and the administration of President Joe Biden, which has signaled it won’t enforce the law beginning Sunday, his final full day in office.

    Trump, mindful of TikTok’s popularity, and his own 14.7 million followers on the app, finds himself on the opposite side of the argument from prominent Senate Republicans who fault TikTok’s Chinese owner for not finding a buyer before now.

    It’s unclear what options are open to Trump once he is sworn in as president on Monday. The law allowed for a 90-day pause in the restrictions on the app if there had been progress toward a sale before it took effect. Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar, who defended the law at the Supreme Court for the Democratic Biden administration, told the justices last week that it’s uncertain whether the prospect of a sale once the law is in effect could trigger a 90-day respite for TikTok.

    At arguments, the justices were told by a lawyer for TikTok and ByteDance Ltd., the Chinese technology company that is its parent, how difficult it would be to consummate a deal, especially since Chinese law restricts the sale of the proprietary algorithm that has made the social media platform wildly successful.

    The app allows users to watch hundreds of videos in about half an hour because some are only a few seconds long, according to a lawsuit filed last year by Kentucky complaining that TikTok is designed to be addictive and harms kids’ mental health. Similar suits were filed by more than a dozen states. TikTok has called the claims inaccurate.

    The dispute over TikTok’s ties to China has come to embody the geopolitical competition between Washington and Beijing.

    The U.S. has said it’s concerned about TikTok collecting vast swaths of user data, including sensitive information on viewing habits, that could fall into the hands of the Chinese government through coercion. Officials have also warned the algorithm that fuels what users see on the app is vulnerable to manipulation by Chinese authorities, who can use it to shape content on the platform in a way that’s difficult to detect.

    TikTok points out the U.S. has not presented evidence that China has attempted to manipulate content on its U.S. platform or gather American user data through TikTok.

    Bipartisan majorities in Congress passed legislation, and President Joe Biden signed it into law in April. The law was the culmination of a years long saga in Washington over TikTok, which the government sees as a national security threat.

    TikTok, which sued the government last year over the law, has long denied it could be used as a tool of Beijing. A three-judge panel made up of two Republican appointees and a Democratic appointee unanimously upheld the law in December, prompting TikTok’s quick appeal to the Supreme Court.

    Without a sale to an approved buyer, the law bars app stores operated by Apple, Google and others from offering TikTok beginning on Sunday. Internet hosting services also will be prohibited from hosting TikTok.

    ByteDance has said it won’t sell. But some investors have been eyeing it, including Trump’s former Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and billionaire businessman Frank McCourt. McCourt’s Project Liberty initiative has said it and its unnamed partners have presented a proposal to ByteDance to acquire TikTok’s U.S. assets. The consortium, which includes “Shark Tank” host Kevin O’Leary, did not disclose the financial terms of the offer.

    Prelogar told the justices last week that having the law take effect “might be just the jolt” ByteDance needs to reconsider its position.

    (AP)

  • The Astonishing Migration Of ‘American TikTok Refugees’ To A Chinese App They Knew Nothing About

    The Astonishing Migration Of ‘American TikTok Refugees’ To A Chinese App They Knew Nothing About

    As the US ban on TikTok approaches, its American users are migrating by the hundreds of thousands to a Chinese application they’d probably never heard of just a few days before. Xiaohongshu means “little red book” in Chinese. The name is not a reference to Mao Zedong’s collection of quotations but to a personal diary. It is sometimes translated into English as RedNote.

    Users – mostly women – share videos and photos of their vacations, make-up, clothing choices, pets and restaurants. The lifestyle app is intended for a Chinese audience only and only exists in Chinese. However, since Monday, January 13, it has been the most downloaded iPhone app in the United States, ahead of another previously little-known Chinese social media application, Lemon8, developed by Tiktok’s parent company.

    The administration of US President Joe Biden considers that by harvesting the data of its 170 million US users, TikTok, an international version of a Chinese social media platform, constitutes a threat to national security. A law passed in April 2024 gives its owner, the Bytedance group, until this Sunday to give it up. It will otherwise no longer be possible to download it in the US, and risks becoming obsolete.

    Good-natured interactions

    Bloomberg and The Wall Street Journal reported on January 14 that Chinese officials had discussed the possibility of selling TikTok’s US arm to Elon Musk, which would be a welcome gift to President-elect Donald Trump and his new adviser. But the parent company denied this, describing the information as “pure fiction.”

    Now, a single theme dominates Xiaohongshu: “TikTok refugees,” i.e. all those new profiles of Americans who have managed to register with the help of Google Translate, and who are arriving in the run-up to January 19. In just 48 hours, Xiaohongshu gained 700,000 users. While, for the past two decades, China has progressively blocked all foreign social media, creating a censored internet bubble inside a “great digital wall,” the Chinese are waking up. They are astonished to see these citizens of the world’s leading power, with whom relations are so strained, arriving on their app. “Did I come to the wrong place? It’s all in English,” said Tan Ming, originally from Sichuan province.

    Interactions are generally good-natured, especially as both Chinese citizens and American newcomers share a critical view of the Biden administration. When it comes to exposing their data, many admit to going in blind. “I trusted the terms and conditions more than any American application. Even if I didn’t understand anything,” said an app newbie, in one of their posts. Parker, a young blonde in a cowboy hat and denim overalls, danced to a folk tune. She wrote alongside: “Hey TikTok alumni, I’m trying to transfer my stuff.” To which a user named H., in Tianjin in northeast China, responded, with a dash of humor, “Welcome to the spies’ place, give me your data.”

    Having discovered the 100% Chinese internet, many people say they are totally lost. In a video, a Westerner but apparently already experienced Xiaohongshu user, Yana Kim, offered her advice in this highly censored environment. “China is very conservative. They control social media very strictly. There’s a big difference with social media in the West. You have to be careful what you say, what you wear, what you post,” she said. “In China, there are sensitive words. Avoid saying what’s not allowed,” added an internet user from Guangdong province, who describes himself as a “cultural guide.”

    Moderation in English

    Megaroo8, an American, who created his account on Tuesday, said: “Is there a lot of censorship here? We’re told that Chinese media are censored, but people seem to be fine here.” To which a Chinese man took the liberty of replying that all he has to do is search for forbidden subjects in the country to experience having his account blocked. He told Megaroo8 that “most internet users have naturally developed a sense of renunciation to sensitive subjects.” Still, a newcomer tried to find out if it was acceptable to ask if the laws are different between China and Hong Kong. A Chinese man replied, “We’d rather not talk about that here.”

    In any case, most of them didn’t come to criticize the Chinese government or ask about freedom of expression issues. In contrast, topics critical of American society are flourishing. One Chinese internet user, Ermazi, wanted to know “if there really are homeless people all over the United States,” as the Chinese press often suggests. Another asked if it was true that there are “killings everywhere in the United States, as the Chinese news says.” One internet user took the liberty of telling an American doctoral student in political science that “it’s American politics that’s the problem.”

    The influx of users took the platform’s management by surprise. At a time when Chinese websites are having to block forbidden topics with the utmost zeal in order to continue to be tolerated by Beijing, Reuters reports that the platform is in a hurry to develop its English-language content moderation.

    Meanwhile, a Californian “Tiktok refugee” by the name of Jose Carlo Hernandez Orozco, who thought he was contributing to the dialogue of civilizations by writing “You can ask me anything,” found himself bombarded with English homework assignments sent by young Chinese students.

    (Le Monde)

  • Kenyan Sues Elon Musk’s X Over Hate Speech, Incitement And Porn

    Kenyan Sues Elon Musk’s X Over Hate Speech, Incitement And Porn

    A Kenyan citizen has sued X Corp, the owner of the social media platform “X” (formerly Twitter), accusing the company of enabling the spread of harmful and inappropriate content in Kenya.

    In the petition filed under certificate of urgency, the petitioner claims that the platform is awash with content promoting pornography, hate speech, incitement to violence, and violations of privacy.

    “The X corp has with the sole end of profiteering allowed, entertained, encouraged, acquiesced in and/or promoted in its social media platform “X” (formerly Twitter) the publication and access in Kenya of content that constitutes hate speech, incitement to violence, advocacy of hatred that constitutes ethnic incitement, vilification,” read the court documents

    Felix Kibet who has also sued Attorney General Dorcas Oduor, Communication Authority of Kenya (CAK), the Kenya film classification board KFCB (KFCB), National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) and Office of Data Protection Commission allege that they have failed to discharge their constitutional and statutory mandate, abetting the illegal and unconstitutional acts of the platform.

    “The acts of the 1st Respondent are in contravention of Article 156 (4 ) (a) and (6) of the Constitution, Section 46 (A) of the Kenya Information and Communications Act, 1998, Section 15 (1) (a) of the Film and Stage Plays Act, Section 25 (1) of the National Integration and Cohesion Act and Section 6 & 25 of the Data Protection Act, 2019 respectively,” says Kibet.

    Kibet criticized the platform for allowing users to create and operate pseudo accounts using aliases, fake names, and even the identities of others, including their photos.

    High Court judge justice Bahati Mwamuye heard that the platform’s permissive features, that include the ability for users to post writings, photos, and videos without adequate regulation has become a breeding ground for vulgarity, obscenity, and unregulated discourse.

    “The 1st Respondent’s social media platform “X” (formerly Twitter) permit users to make posts in the form of writings, photos and videos. Further through its versatile feature called “Spaces” it permits users to have ungoverned live-streamed audio conversations on any topic around the sun, at any time using any character of language including vulgarity and obscenity,” read the court documents.

    He now wants the court to restrain the X corp from permitting the publication and access in Kenya of content that is showing, or advertising pornography, nudity and lewdness.

    Kibet also wants the X corp restrained from permitting the publication and access in Kenya of content that constitutes hate speech, incitement to violence, advocacy of hatred that constitutes ethnic incitement, vilification of others or incitement to cause harm.

    “Pending the hearing and determination of this application inter-partes, a conservatory order do and is hereby issued restraining the 1st Respondent, from permitting the publication and access in Kenya of content that is showing, directing to and/or advertising pornography, nudity and lewdness in its social media platform “X” (formerly Twitter),” read the court documents.

    “Unless the Honourable court urgently intervenes by granting the orders sought herein, the 1st Respondent will persist in its violation of Kenyans’ human rights and contravention of the Constitution, the consequences of which are dire,” the papers add.

    The court directed the Petitioner to serve the Application, Petition, and associated Directions on the Respondents by close of business on January 22, and to file an Affidavit(s) of Service by January 24, 2025.

    The Respondents have been ordered to file and serve their responses to both the Application and Petition by close of business February 7.

    The Petitioner will also be allowed to file and serve a rejoinder, if necessary, by February 14.

    The court has scheduled a mention on February 19, to confirm compliance with the timelines and to issue further directions.

  • China’s RedNote: What You Need To Know About The App TikTok Users Are Flocking To

    China’s RedNote: What You Need To Know About The App TikTok Users Are Flocking To

    Chinese social media app RedNote has been thrust into the limelight after more than half a million TikTok users recently joined the platform in protest against a likely imminent ban on the short video app in the United States.

    Known by its Chinese name “Xiaohongshu” in China, the platform is a popular lifestyle app where users document their lives and post recommendations.

    Here are some details about the app:

    WHAT IS THIS APP?

    RedNote is often regarded as a localised adaptation of Instagram in China. Its Chinese name Xiaohongshu translates to “Little Red Book” in English, a phrase which traditionally refers to a collection of sayings by Chinese Communist leader Mao Zedong.

    It is widely regarded as the go-to search engine these days in China for recommendations and the most popular topics on the app span beauty, fashion, travel and food. Its users in China are mostly young and female.

    Its interface is different from TikTok or Instagram in that it displays multiple posts – either video, photos or longer-form texts – simultaneously.

    Users are able to engage in discussions, share their posts, call each other and purchase products. The platform has recently been making a big push into livestreaming sales.

    As of 2023, it had more than 300 million monthly active users, according to Chinese media reports.

    WHO OWNS REDNOTE?

    The app was co-founded by Miranda Qu, its current president, and Charlwin Mao, its CEO, in 2013 in Shanghai. They initially called the app “Hong Kong Shopping Guide” and targeted Chinese tourists looking for recommendations outside the mainland.

    RedNote is viewed as a potential IPO candidate. Shareholders include Chinese tech giants Alibaba and Tencent, Singapore state investor Temasek as well as venture capital firms GSR Ventures, DST Global, and GGV Capital.
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    Mao has personal wealth of some 18 billion yuan ($2.5 billion) while Qu has a fortune of 12 billion yuan, according to China’s Hurun rich list.

    DOES IT HAVE GLOBAL AMBITIONS?

    The app is mainly used by Chinese people and while users have the option to change the app’s language, most of the content to date has been in Mandarin.

    The influx of TikTok users has appeared to catch RedNote by surprise. Two sources familiar with the company said they were scrambling to find ways to moderate English-language content and build English-Chinese translation tools.

    RedNote maintains only one version of its app, rather than splitting it into overseas and domestic apps. In contrast, Tencent runs overseas and domestic versions of its WeChat app while ByteDance also has a version of TikTok for mainland China called Douyin, in part to comply with Chinese government moderation rules.

    The company is keen to mine the sudden rush of attention, as executives see it as a potential path to achieving global popularity similar to TikTok’s, the sources said. RedNote did not respond to a request for comment.

    ($1 = 7.3317 Chinese yuan)

  • TikTok Plans To Shutdown Its U.S. App On Sunday, What’s Next?

    TikTok Plans To Shutdown Its U.S. App On Sunday, What’s Next?

    The US Supreme Court is expected to rule this week on TikTok’s challenge to the law.

    Following a hearing last Friday, expectations are high that the law will stand.

    Here is a review of what could happen next for TikTok in the United States.

    App store ban

    Under a ban, the US government would first direct Apple and Google to remove TikTok from their app stores, preventing new downloads as early as Sunday, a day before President-elect Donald Trump takes office.

    However, the app would remain on the phones of the existing 170 million US users unless TikTok directly blocks their access.

    Although TikTok lawyer Noel Francisco stated the site would “go dark” on Sunday if the justices fail to block the ban, many observers doubt ByteDance would unilaterally hit the off switch for American users.

    TikTok indicated as much in a memo to staff, cited in the Verge on Tuesday.

    “Our offices will remain open” regardless of what happens on January 19th and employees will keep their jobs.

    “The bill is not written in a way that impacts the entities through which you are employed, only the US user experience,” the memo said.

    Workarounds

    But even if TikTok keeps its app accessible, US users would stop receiving security and software updates, leading to gradual deterioration in quality and increased vulnerabilities.

    As a workaround, users might turn to VPNs (virtual private networks) to mask their location by routing through countries where TikTok remains available.

    Another possibility is that TikTok could update from non-US servers through partnerships with foreign, non-Chinese companies — though this would constitute direct defiance of US authorities and likely intensify scrutiny of ByteDance’s US operations.

    Defiance?

    Once Trump takes office, the law’s implementation will fall to his attorney general, who could choose not to enforce it, or stall, defying Congress’s overwhelming support for the legislation.

    The Trump administration might also approach the Republican majority in Congress to modify the law, potentially giving ByteDance more time to find a buyer or devise alternative solutions.

    Alternatives

    Once banned, the assumption is that TikTok users will move to other apps, like Instagram Reels and YouTube shorts, TikTok copycats that have grown and will directly benefit from their rival’s demise.

    Elon Musk’s X could also benefit and the tycoon has made it known that he wants his platform, formerly Twitter, to more closely resemble TikTok, with video content and shopping features.

    Trump has expressed concern that a ban would primarily advantage Meta-owned Instagram, which may explain Mark Zuckerberg’s recent public support for Trump.

    Some American content creators have already migrated to Xiaohongshu (Red Note), another Chinese social media app that recently topped the Apple App Store downloads.

    Investor rescue?

    Several potential buyers have emerged, including a group led by Frank McCourt, former owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers, even if ByteDance has ruled out a sale for now.

    His partner in the bid, Canadian businessman Kevin O’Leary, recently golfed with Trump and reported the president-elect’s desire to use the TikTok saga as leverage in US-China relations.

    A report that the Chinese authorities would be open to a buyout by Musk was denied by TikTok.

    Former Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick also remains interested in buying TikTok, according to the Information.

    For now, TikTok’s fate rests with the Supreme Court, with the company lawyers asking the nine justices for a delay to any ban to provide “breathing space” for a solution.

    “Nobody knows what they can do and who’s going to do it until they hear from the Supreme Court,” Trump told Newsmax on Monday.

    (AFP)

  • TikTok Users Flock To Chinese App RedNote As US Ban Looms

    TikTok Users Flock To Chinese App RedNote As US Ban Looms

    TikTok users in the US are migrating to a Chinese app called RedNote with the threat of a ban just days away.

    The move by users who call themselves “TikTok refugees” has made RedNote the most downloaded app on Apple’s US App Store on Monday.

    RedNote is a TikTok competitor popular with young people in China, Taiwan and other Mandarin-speaking populations.

    It has about 300 million monthly users and looks like a combination of TikTok and Instagram. It allows users, mostly young urban women, to exchange lifestyle tips from dating to fashion.

    Supreme Court justices are due to rule on a law that set a 19 January deadline for TikTok to either sell its US operations or face a ban in the country.

    TikTok has repeatedly said that it will not sell its US business and its lawyers have warned that a ban will violate free speech protections for the platform’s 170 million users in the US.

    Meanwhile, RedNote has welcomed its new users with open arms. There are 63,000 posts on the topic “TikTok refugee”, where new users are taught how to navigate the app and how to use basic Chinese phrases.

    “To our Chinese hosts, thanks for having us – sorry in advance for the chaos,” a new US user wrote.

    But like TikTok, there have also been reports of censorship on RedNote when it comes to criticism of the Chinese government.

    In Taiwan, public officials are restricted from using RedNote due to alleged security risks of Chinese software.

    As more US users joined RedNote, some Chinese users have also jokingly referred to themselves as “Chinese spies”, a reference to US officials’ concerns that TikTok could be used by China as a tool for spying and political manipulation.

    RedNote’s Chinese name, Xiaohongshu, translates to Little Red Book, but the app says it is not a reference to Chinese communist leader Mao Zedong’s book of quotations with the same name.

    But security concerns have not deterred users from flocking to RedNote.

    Sarah Fotheringham, a 37-year-old school canteen worker in Utah, says the move to RedNote is a way to “snub” the government.

    “I’m just a simple person living a simple life,” Ms Fotheringham told the BBC in a RedNote message.

    “I don’t have anything that China doesn’t, and if they want my data that bad they can have it.”

    Marcus Robinson, a fashion designer in Virginia, said he created his RedNote account over the weekend to share his clothing brand and “be ahead of the curve”.

    Mr Robinson told the BBC he was was only “slightly hesitant” about accepting the terms and conditions of using the app, which were written in Mandarin.

    “I wasn’t able to actually read them so that was a little concerning to me,” he said, “but I took my chance.”

    While a ban will not make TikTok disappear immediately, it will require app stores to stop offering it – which could kill it over time.

    But even if TikTok dodges a ban, it may prove helpless against users moving to alternative platforms.

    Some social media users tell the BBC that they find themselves scrolling on RedNote more than TikTok.

    “Even if TikTok does stay I will continue to use my platform I’ve created on RedNote,” Tennessee tech worker Sydney Crawley told the BBC.

    Ms Crawley said she got over 6,000 followers within 24 hours of creating her RedNote account.

    “I will continue to try to build a following there and see what new connections, friendships, or opportunities it brings me.”

    Ms Fotheringham, the canteen worker, said RedNote “opened my world up to China and its people”.

    “I am now able to see things I never would have seen,” she said. “Regular Chinese people, finding out about their culture, life, school, everything, it has been so much fun.”

    The community so far has been “super welcoming”, said Mr Robinson, the designer.

    “I love RedNote so far … I just need to learn how to speak Mandarin!”

    (BBC)

  • China Considers Selling TikTok U.S. Operations To Musk, Bloomberg Reports

    China Considers Selling TikTok U.S. Operations To Musk, Bloomberg Reports

    The Chinese government is considering a plan that would have Elon Musk acquire TikTok’s U.S. operations to keep the app from being effectively banned, Bloomberg News reportedon Monday.

    The contingency plan is one of several options China is exploring as the U.S. Supreme Court determines whether to uphold a law that calls for China-based ByteDance to divest TikTok’s U.S. business by Jan. 19, the report said, citing anonymous sources.

    After that deadline, third-party Internet service providers would be penalized for supporting TikTok’s operations in the country.

    Under the plan, Musk would oversee both X, which he currently owns, and TikTok’s U.S. business, Bloomberg said. However, Chinese government officials haven’t yet decided on whether it would proceed, the report said, noting that the plan is still preliminary.

    It’s unclear whether ByteDance knows about the Chinese government’s plans and TikTok and Musk’s involvement in the discussions, the report said. Senior Chinese officials are debating contingency plans involving TikTok’s future in the U.S. as part of larger discussions about working with President-elect Donald Trump, the report added.

    Last week, the Supreme Court held oral arguments about the law potentially banning TikTok, which President Joe Biden signed in April. TikTok’s legal team argued that the law violates the free-speech rights of the millions of users in the U.S. while the U.S. government said that ByteDance’s ownership of TikTok poses a national security risk.

    With the Supreme Court appearing to side with the government, TikTok could turn to Trump, when his second term begins on Jan. 20. Trump, who favored a TikTok ban during his first administration, has since flip-flopped on the matter. Late last month, he urged the Supreme Court to intervene and forcibly delay implementation of Biden’s ban to give him time to find a “political resolution.”

    Trump’s rhetoric on TikTok began to turn after he met in February with billionaire Jeff Yass, a Republican megadonor and a major investor in ByteDance who also owns a stake in the owner of Truth Social, Trump’s social media company.

  • Supreme Court Likely To Uphold TikTok Ban

    Supreme Court Likely To Uphold TikTok Ban

    (AP) — The Supreme Court seemed likely Friday to uphold the law that could ban TikTok, with most of the justices appearing to take seriously the national security risks posed by the wildly popular app whose parent company is based in China.

    U.S. government says Chinese authorities could force the company to hand over sensitive data on its massive American user base or influence the spread of information on the platform through its proprietary algorithm.

    TikTok says those concerns are overblown and the law should be struck down because it violates the First Amendment.

    The law would ban TikTok in the U.S., unless it’s sold away from its Chinese parent company.

    The measure is set to take effect Jan. 19, the day before a new term begins for President-elect Donald Trump, who has 14.7 million followers on the platform. The Republican says he wants to “save TikTok.”

    Here are some key things to know about the case:

    Is TikTok banned?

    Not now, but the short-form video-sharing app could go dark in less than two weeks if the Supreme Court upholds the law, the app’s lawyer said.

    Congress passed the measure with bipartisan support, and President Joe Biden, a Democrat, signed it into law in April.

    TikTok’s lawyers challenged the law in court, joined by users and content creators who say a ban would upend their livelihoods. TikTok says the national security concerns are based on inaccurate and hypothetical information.

    But a unanimous appeals court panel made up of judges appointed by both Republican and Democratic presidents has upheld the law.

    When will the Supreme Court decide?

    The court normally takes months to decide cases, but the justices could take action on this case within days, lightning-fast movement by court standards.

    TikTok lawyers want the justices to step in before the law takes effect on Jan. 19, saying even a monthlong shutdown would cause the app to lose about one-third of its daily American users and significant advertising revenue.

    But during oral arguments, conservative and liberal justices seemed more receptive to the government’s arguments that the danger was real and the law’s biggest effect is on the parent company ByteDance, a foreign corporation without First Amendment guarantees.

    The justices, most notably Neil Gorsuch, still had tough questions from the government about how the law might affect free speech of the people who post on the app, and whether the government should be in the business of preventing the spread of misinformation.

    What has Trump said about it?

    Trump took the unusual step of filing court documents asking the Supreme Court to put the law on hold so that he could negotiate a deal for the sale of TikTok after he takes office. His position marked the latest example of him inserting himself into national issues before he takes office. It also was a change from his last presidential term, when he wanted to ban it.

    Parent company ByteDance has previously said it has no plans to sell, though some investors are interested. Trump met with TikTok’s CEO last month.

    When asked about whether a sale would be possible given a longer timeframe, TikTok’s lawyer said it would still be “exceedingly difficult.”

    What could the case mean?

    Free-speech advocates are worried about the implications of upholding the law.

    Gautam Hans, law professor and First Amendment expert at Cornell University, said that concerns about data collection are valid but the way the law targets a single platform “creates a very slippery slope.”

    Creators are worried too.

    Felicia Jackson is the owner of CPRWrap in Chattanooga, Tennessee, which helps people perform CPR in emergencies. She said she nearly tripled her sales after going viral on TikTok. No other platform has let her reach people who are “not only diverse but extremely engaged,” she said.

    “It’s hard enough running a cash-strapped small business without having to worry about losing the single social media platform that kept us from closing our doors,” she said. “I still have hope there’s a way to address their concerns without taking away something that’s been so impactful and a game changer for me and businesses like mine.”

  • Discrimination: Kenyans Working For Meta Paid Far Less Than Others

    Discrimination: Kenyans Working For Meta Paid Far Less Than Others

    Fresh claims of alleged unfair pay for Africans working for Meta have emerged in a landmark battle pitting the social media giant and a Kenyan labour outsourcing company against former employees.

    In court documents filed before the Employment and Labour Relations Court, 185 former moderators allege that they were paid less than their colleagues working in Europe and the US.

    They also alleged that they did not get proper medical cover, including dedicated psychiatrists owing to the graphic contents they were to moderate.

    They alleged that those who work in other countries are paid between Sh2,322 ($18) to Sh2,580 ($20) per hour while those in Kenya get about Sh283 ($2.20) per hour.

    They have sued Meta Platforms INC, Meta Platforms Ireland Ltd, Samasource Kenya EPZ, Majorel Kenya and Majorel Kenya Solutions EPZ. They listed Attorney General, Labour Cabinet Secretary and the Director of Occupational Safety and Health Services as interested parties.

    “The work of a moderator is in itself not easy and is inherently toxic and dangerous. This is because moderators are exposed to the worst of humanity which they must consume in order to keep the Facebook platform healthy for everyone else,” say the suit papers.

    Examples of the posts include pictures and videos of people being raped and children being molested, people being killed alive, people committing suicide or committing other forms of self-harm.

    Meta in its responses stated that it cannot be sued in Kenya. It denied being an employer.

    Nevertheless, they argued that the arrangement between the social media giant and the labour outsourcing companies meant that it was actively engaged as an employer.

    The court heard that a moderator gets around Sh50,000 inpatient and outpatient cover.

    “Moderators came into the job whole and as promising young Africans. They leave as broken shells of themselves with no hope as to whether they will ever be well again. They have built the 1st and 2nd respondents’ product into the giant that it currently is and now leave their employment with nothing to show of it apart from psychological scars of inhuman and degrading treatment from all four respondents,” the moderators’ lawyers claim.

    Meta, Samasource and Majorel denied the claims. They asserted that the workplace had professionals who ensured moderators’ mental health is taken care