As the TikTok saga nears an end, some questions remain. Does the platform have a future in the United States? What are the company’s content moderation practices? And how does it compare to Facebook? All these questions have been begging to be answered, and now, some answers may be in sight.
TikTok’s rapid ascension
TikTok’s rapid ascent may be nearing its end. The company is reportedly in advanced talks with the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States over the company’s plan to store U.S. user data on Oracle servers. This move may help the company resolve U.S. regulatory concerns over the company’s alleged data-collection practices. This move could potentially pave the way for TikTok to go public in the U.S., which has been a source of concern since the mid-2020s.
The rapid ascension of TikTok has largely been the result of word of mouth and strong marketing muscle from ByteDance. While it is still a relatively new service, it is already the most popular social network for 18-24-year-olds in many countries. TikTok has been compared to Vine, but feels more personal and interactive. Its algorithm is designed to cater to individual tastes and preferences, which helps create an illusion of personality and authenticity.
In recent weeks, the company has faced a number of regulatory issues, including fines from the U.S. Federal Trade Commission and a ban in India. The Federal Trade Commission found that TikTok failed to obtain parental consent and collected personal information of children under 13 years old. Meanwhile, in April, Indian lawmakers briefly banned TikTok, citing its potential to promote “cultural degradation” among its youth. As such, TikTok is continuing to upgrade its system to identify problematic videos and remove them from the platform.
The rapid ascension of TikTok shows that users have increasingly turned to video content over images. Instagram and YouTube have both launched video features and are now more than a photo-sharing app. Instagram’s founder and CEO Adam Mosseri is not just a photo-sharing platform; he combines two video features, a move that could be a game-changer for the company.
The fast growth of TikTok has been accompanied by concerns of violence and cyberbullying. The website has been criticized for allowing inappropriate content and promoting violent activity. The platform has also received warnings from law enforcement agencies concerned about lone wolf attacks. In one case, the TikTok trend prompted school closures nationwide, resulting in a widespread response from law enforcement authorities.
Its content moderation practices
In the aftermath of the Tikhtok Saga, several people are questioning Facebook’s content moderation practices. They have expressed concern over the company’s apparent bias toward certain political parties, and they have urged the company to change its policy. Yet, the controversy has yet to be resolved.
For now, TikTok remains a highly controversial platform. The company has already faced lawsuits and public scrutiny from kids and parents. In the last few months, a mother filed a lawsuit against the company after her 10-year-old daughter died in the “Blackout Challenge.” Other parents have filed similar lawsuits. There are also new California laws that allow parents to sue over social media addiction. As a result, TikTok has been attempting to tighten its moderation practices to ensure the safety of its users.
The first level of review involves three randomly selected moderators who decide whether a piece of content violates a community standard. These moderators do not know each other’s decision, but they do agree on a penalty. Once the panel agrees, the penalty is imposed.
Its national security clash with the U.S. government
TikTok is in advanced talks with the U.S. government over its plans to store user data in the U.S. The tech company owns the app, which is headquartered in Beijing. The government has concerns that TikTok’s Chinese ownership may expose sensitive U.S. data. The company’s CEO is hopeful that a deal will be struck to resolve this issue.
The Justice Department is leading the negotiations with TikTok, but the Treasury Department has been an important factor in approving national security deals. The Treasury Department’s concerns could force a change in the terms of the deal, dragging out the process for months.
TikTok has separated its US operations from the Chinese parent company, but it can’t do much to appease the anti-China hawks in the Trump administration. It could also sell its US operations to Microsoft, which has expressed interest in the app. The Chinese Communist Party routinely imposes strict censorship on Chinese online content.
TikTok has denied that it gives Chinese authorities access to American user data. It also says it keeps American user data in Singapore and the United States. As a result, it is possible that the Chinese government could spy on Americans through the application.
Its growth
The TikTok saga has reached a new chapter, as the platform has begun to deal with a backlash against false and misleading content. TikTok’s content advisory council has voted to ban political ads and false news, and the site has also banned synthetic media. The company recently removed a video of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi that had been edited to make her look drunk. The site’s content advisory council has also addressed issues such as post-election violence and voter suppression.
For example, the site has been forced to take down a video by Republican Hype House because it was promoting the fact that Democrats should vote after Election Day. The creator of the video was not able to appeal the takedown, and TikTok has since removed the video from its platform.
While the future of TikTok in the United States remains uncertain, the fact-checking organization Lead Stories is partnering with Facebook to monitor and report on political misinformation on the platform. Meanwhile, TikTok’s monetization model has also been called into question. Specifically, Hank Green has criticized the TikTok Creator Fund, which gives $200 million to top creators who get 100k monthly views. Hank Green believes that the current funding model unfairly rewards the top creators while limiting the reach of others.
While TikTok is a huge success, it’s still a risky bet to expect it to go down without a fight. The company’s algorithm and formula have created a massive organic reach, but the app doesn’t own the content or authenticity. Unless the app can prove its worth, TikTok’s growth trajectory will likely remain stagnant. ByteDance has projected profits of $19 billion by 2020. It may be willing to adjust its strategy to the new concerns.
The TikTok saga may be nearing its end, as it has advanced talks with the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States regarding its plans to store user data in the U.S. The move would also set the stage for the startup to IPO. It’s an interesting development in the tech sector, and will likely have long-term ramifications.