What you need to know

• The UK plans to ban social media access for under-16s, with the rules expected to take effect in 2027.
• Platforms like TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, YouTube, Facebook, and X would be affected by the ban.
• The proposal would also restrict livestreaming and communication with strangers on gaming platforms.
• Messaging apps like WhatsApp and Signal are exempted for now.

The UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced what could become one of the most aggressive social media crackdowns we've seen yet, unveiling plans to ban social media access for users under the age of 16 in the UK.

Starmer says the goal is to "set a new normal for future generations" and give children their childhoods back. According to him, parents have been calling for stronger protections for years, and the government now wants to introduce broader safeguards to address those concerns.

As part of the proposal, users under 16 would be blocked from accessing platforms including Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and X (Twitter). An exhaustive list of affected platforms has not yet been released, so it's still unclear whether services like Bluesky or Reddit would also be included. More details are expected soon.

According to the announcement, the measures would also require platforms to prevent children from livestreaming and from communicating with strangers on gaming platforms. Any feature involving communication between under-16s and unknown adults would be restricted.

These protections would reportedly be enabled by default for both 16 and 17-year-olds as well, in an effort to avoid what the government describes as a "cliff-edge" at age 16.

The government is also exploring additional measures, including overnight curfews for social media use and mandatory breaks in infinite scrolling feeds for users under 18. Further details on those proposals are expected in July.

For now, the government says messaging services such as Signal and WhatsApp would not be covered by the ban. The proposal would also require AI chatbot services that offer romantic companion features or simulate intimate relationships to enforce a minimum age of 18. Similar roleplay and intimate features would have to be restricted for under-18s.

Starmer says the government plans to pass the legislation before Christmas this year, which would allow the measures to come into force in early 2027.

It's also worth noting that this announcement comes just days after Apple unveiled a number of new child safety and parental control features across iOS, macOS, and iPadOS — something that we want Google to bring to Android.

So far, none of the major tech companies affected by the proposal have publicly commented on the UK's plans. That said, we expect more responses and developments from both platform operators and regulators in the coming weeks.

What you need to know

• Android 17 adds creator-focused tools like Screen Reactions for recording videos and reactions together.
• Google says Instagram uploads on Android will now retain much better photo and video quality.
• Google is turning Android into a better platform for creators with APV video and Premiere support.

iPhones have always been the go-to platform for creators, but Google is finally taking things seriously and bringing some major creator-focused improvements to Android with the Android 17 update.

At The Android Show: I/O Edition today, alongside announcing Googlebook, Google also revealed a number of updates aimed at creators on Android. The company is adding deeper social media integrations, new AI-powered editing tools, and better support for professional-grade mobile video workflows.

One of the biggest additions is a new feature called Screen Reactions. It lets users record themselves and their screen at the same time, making it much easier to create reaction-style videos without needing separate apps or green screen setups.

Google says the feature will first roll out to Pixel devices later this summer, although there is no confirmation yet on when it will arrive on other Android phones.

Google is also heavily improving the Instagram experience on Android. The company says it has worked with Meta to bring features like Ultra HDR capture and playback, built-in video stabilization, and Night Sight integration to flagship Android phones.

On top of that, Google says it has optimized the entire capture-to-upload pipeline, which should finally improve the quality of Instagram Stories uploaded from Android devices, something users have complained about for years.

In addition to that, Google is also adding new tools to the Edits app. There are several new AI-powered features, including Smart Enhance, which can upscale photos and videos directly on-device. There's also a new sound separation tool that can identify and isolate different audio tracks, letting you remove or boost specific sounds like music, noise, or voices.

Google additionally says Android is becoming a "true mobile workstation" for YouTubers, vloggers, and filmmakers. Instagram is now being fully optimized for Android tablets, while Adobe Premiere is also set to arrive on Android later this summer with templates and effects designed for creating YouTube Shorts.

The company is also continuing its push for APV (Advanced Professional Video), a professional-grade yet storage-efficient video format co-developed with Samsung. APV is already available on devices like the Galaxy S26 Ultra and Vivo X300 Ultra, with more Snapdragon 8 Elite-powered phones expected to support it later this year.

Android Central's Take

I've been calling out social media apps for years to properly optimize their Android apps, especially Instagram, and it finally feels like Google is giving them the push they needed. The new creator-focused tools also genuinely look useful instead of just being another AI gimmick slapped onto Android.

What you need to know

• It's been announced that ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok, has reached an agreement with the U.S. Government to keep its services online for users.
• This agreement facilitates the creation of the TikTok USDS Joint Venture LLC, which will oversee U.S. operations, algorithm, user data, and more moving forward.
• However, there's still much to uncover, as U.S. Senator Edward J. Markey sounds the alarm over the deal's "lack of transparency."

It's been a long road for TikTok and its potential U.S. ban; however, the app and the U.S. government have reportedly reached an agreement about its future.

Reported by CNN earlier this morning (Jan 23) that TikTok's parent company, ByteDance, and the U.S. Government have agreed on a "Joint Venture." TikTok went into detaila bout this agreement itself, announcing the TikTok USDS Joint Venture LLC. According to the company, this Joint Venture is primarily owned by the United States, meaning operations for TikTok U.S. (data, algorithm security, etc.) are in America's hands.

TikTok says this Joint Venture's "mandate" is to "secure U.S. user data, apps, and the algorithm through comprehensive data privacy and cybersecurity measures."

"National Security" is a major part of this, and it has been centered in the spotlight throughout this saga. TikTok states that Oracle's cloud environment will secure U.S. user data moving forward. The Joint Venture will also take another look at the app's algorithm, with the post stating retraining, testing, and updates are in the cards. Software assurance is another key point; however, the Joint Venture claims it will "safeguard the U.S. content ecosystem and have decision-making authority for trust and safety policies and content moderation."

The post adds that interoperability will bring TikTok U.S. toward a "global experience." It states that this Joint Venture will ensure that "U.S. creators can be discovered and businesses can operate on a global scale." With that, it sounds like business as usual for TikTok users. CNN cites comments made by President Trump following the deal's closure, where he expressed gratitude to Chinese President Xi Jinping for "working with us and, ultimately, approving the deal."

While a deal has been reached, facilitating the TikTok USDS Joint Venture LLC, U.S. Senator Edward J. Markey is sounding the alarm. Per an official statement, Markey says the U.S., TikTok deal "raises many more questions than answers."

The senator adds, "Despite my repeated requests for information, the White House has provided virtually no details about this agreement, including whether TikTok’s algorithm is truly free of Chinese influence. This lack of transparency reeks." Markey is also urging Congress to launch an investigation into the specifics of the U.S., TikTok deal to understand its intricacies and to bring about better transparency.

TikTok's U.S. existence was topsy-turvy, but now it's here

TikTok users will remember when the app went dark early last year. ByteDance informed users that TikTok went down on January 19, 2025 after a U.S. law went into effect to ban its services in the United States. TikTok started displaying messages to users about its services closing due to this law, but (at the time) President-elect Donald Trump stated that discussion might come into play.

Shortly after, work was already being done to return TikTok's services. The company said, "In agreement with our service providers, TikTok is in the process of restoring service." TikTok came back online, and went on to avoid a complete U.S. ban a few more times.

We may still be early on in this deal. For now, it seems that life on TikTok will continue as usual for U.S. users.

What you need to know

• TikTok signed a deal to sell part of its U.S. business to a joint venture primarily controlled by American investors.
• The closing date for the sale is Jan. 22, 2026, and the terms give U.S. investors full control over the TikTok algorithm and app decision-making.
• It remains to be seen whether this deal meets the terms of a congressional bill banning the app, or if China will publicly sign off on the transaction.

More than a year after Congress passed a bill requiring the sale of TikTok's U.S. business, the company signed a deal that would create a joint venture controlled by American investors, as reported by Axios. The closing date for TikTok's sale is Jan. 22, 2026, and if there are no roadbumps along the way, the popular social media platform could be in new hands in roughly a month's time. If you're a TikTok user in the U.S. wondering what this means for the social app, you're in the right place.

The deal was announced internally by TikTok CEO Shou Chew in a memo obtained by multiple news outlets. The TikTok leader reportedly said there is "more work to be done" ahead of the closing date, although the preliminary deal has been signed. The new joint venture would pass partial ownership of TikTok's U.S. business to Oracle Corporation, Silver Lake, and MGX.

The new TikTok venture would see Oracle, Silver Lake, and MGX hold 15% of the new company, with ByteDance keeping 19.9% ownership. Another 30.1% will reportedly be owned by affiliates of current ByteDance investors. The terms of the deal are said to create a seven-member board of directors for the new TikTok joint venture, with majority-American members.

Chew explained the terms of the deal in the reported memo (via ABC News):

The new deal is the culmination of a lengthy process that included a congressional bill outlining the terms of the required sale of TikTok's U.S. business. If a deal was not reached, the law mandated a nationwide ban. However, the bill also gave U.S. President Donald Trump the power to guide and approve the terms of a sale. TikTok was briefly banned in the U.S., but Trump also signed multiple executive orders extending the sale-or-ban deadline.

Now that a deal has been signed, here's what we know about how it will affect users.

What's changing for TikTok users

One of the U.S. government's concerns with TikTok is how the platform's algorithm could be used to influence the public. TikTok is currently owned by the Chinese company ByteDance. As part of the sale, the joint venture will reportedly control the TikTok algorithm, quelling those concerns.

The new company will retrain "the content recommendation algorithm on U.S. user data to ensure the content feed is free from outside manipulation," according to Chew's memo. Additionally, the joint venture will have "ultimate decision-making authority for reviewing and approving all content moderation and related policies within the United States."

In other words, if you're in the U.S., your TikTok feed may start to look different early next year — if the deal closes as expected.

The deal also mandates the storing of U.S. user data in a "trusted and secure cloud environment in the United States run by Oracle," according to the memo.

What comes next for the planned TikTok sale

The closing date for TikTok's sale is set to arrive next month, but in order for that to happen, a few questions will need to be answered.

Most importantly, experts say that China could block the deal from closing. In the past, U.S. President Trump said that Chinese President Xi Jinping signed off on the deal, but this has not been officially confirmed by the Chinese government. Additionally, it remains to be seen whether the signed deal meets the conditions of the congressional bill banning TikTok.

If everything moves forward as expected, TikTok users in the U.S. could start seeing a different algorithm next month.

What you need to know

• Reports claim ByteDance is developing a U.S.-specific version of its TikTok to potentially solve the issues the U.S. government has expressed.
• This new app would replace the current version over 170 million users have in the U.S., and TikTok is speculated to begin informing users about the move.
• Sources claim this new TikTok app could debut on September 5, just ahead of the next ban deadline of September 17.
• The U.S. government has remained clear about its concerns with TikTok, most notably its ties with China and its uses with user data.

ByteDance is reportedly taking on a massive project: the creation of a separate U.S.-focused TikTok app for its users.

This report comes from The Information and its alleged sources, which state ByteDance is creating a U.S. version of TikTok in preparation for a September launch. A person close to the matter informed the publication that "getting all of TikTok’s users in the U.S. to move over to a new app, bringing their profiles with them, could pose technical issues in practice." There are roughly over 170 million users on TikTok in the U.S., just for perspective.

While this may seem strange, sources suggest this could be a maneuver to help satiate the U.S. government's "data security" concerns. If you remember, this was a major catalyst behind the government's stern look at TikTok's (ByteDance) handling of data in China.

Elsewhere, the Trump Administration reportedly informed the press late last week (July 4) that the government is "getting close" to sealing the deal on a TikTok purchase for its U.S. operations. However, a challenge remains: getting China to O.K. the deal.

ByteDance is supposedly working to get this new "TikTok for U.S." app out on September 5, before its next ban deadline, which is September 17. The report states the new version will be available on U.S. app stores, and there's speculation that TikTok would begin informing its U.S.-based users about the switch ahead of time to prepare. The publication adds that the old (original) version will remain active until March 2026.

Finding a way

We've been on this TikTok ban train for a while, and last year was no different as the House passed a bill that offered two routes: sell to a U.S. company or face a ban. While TikTok's part was included in the country's larger bill focusing on foreign sanctions, the root of the problem is the nation's worry about how the app is using user data. In 2024, legislators expressed concern over the app's ties to China and that the app could "push propaganda to the US crowd."

Moreover, the "heaps" of data TikTok is cataloguing were also a concern.

ByteDance has remained against the idea of completely selling off TikTok in the U.S., stating it would rather ditch the country entirely. Fast-forward to today, and Trump has extended TikTok's stay in the U.S. until September 17, as the country seeks divestiture. This comes after the administration's previous 75-day extension, which began back in April. It seemed evident earlier this year that ByteDance was working with the government to hash out a way forward that both sides could be happy with.

Still, nothing was set in stone, and there were "key matters" that needed to be resolved. Perhaps this alleged TikTok U.S. version could solve those problems. If the reports are true, we might only have a couple of months to wait and see.

What you need to know

• With a day to spare, TikTok avoids another ban in the U.S. after President Trump granted the platform an extension.
• This is the second extension TikTok has received, with the first one set to expire April 5 before this last-minute reprieve.
• A U.S. law originally set a deadline of Jan. 19 for the sale of TikTok U.S. or a nationwide ban, which has now been extended twice.

TikTok will remain available for at least 75 more days as President Donald Trump extended the deadline requiring TikTok's sale of U.S. operations, he announced Friday, April 4 on Truth Social. This is the second time Trump has granted TikTok an extension, the first of which was set to expire on April 5 if the company did not reach a deal to divest its U.S. business.

TikTok, which is owned by Chinese company ByteDance, has been apprehensive toward the idea of a divestiture in the past. TikTok previously went offline for a brief period starting Jan. 19, 2025, but service was quickly restored. The law banning TikTok requires that any extensions made would require at least a path to the divestiture of TikTok U.S.

Statements from Trump and ByteDance spokespersons suggest that there could be a path to divestiture and a final resolution to this saga involving the world's most popular social media site.

"My Administration has been working very hard on a Deal to SAVE TIKTOK, and we have made tremendous progress," Trump wrote in the Truth Social post. "The Deal requires more work to ensure all necessary approvals are signed, which is why I am signing an Executive Order to keep TikTok up and running for an additional 75 days."

In a statement to CNBC, a ByteDance spokesperson said that "an agreement has not been executed" and that "there are key matters to be resolved."

ByteDance appears to be working with the U.S. government to reach a divestiture agreement, which would need to be approved by the Chinese government. Another key part of the deal is the tariff situation between the U.S. and China, which President Trump specifically called out in his post announcing the extension.

"We hope to continue working in Good Faith with China, who I understand are not very happy about our Reciprocal Tariffs (Necessary for Fair and Balanced Trade between China and the U.S.A.!)," Trump added. "This proves that Tariffs are the most powerful Economic tool, and very important to our National Security!"

Months after the original TikTok ban was set to take effect as required by law, the social media platform has received another extension. That means users in the U.S. won't have to worry about the app shutting down or being unavailable for download in the region.

"We do not want TikTok to 'go dark,'" Trump wrote.

TikTok is one of those addictive sites that you can spend endless hours scrolling through. Yes, it was temporarily shut down in the U.S. following a short ban. But TikTok announced in mid-January 2025 that it was in the process of restoring service and the TikTok app is now back up and running.

As you scroll, you can share a link to a video with someone on the fly using the Share button. But sometimes, there are ones you want to be able to keep locally on your device. This might be to share with others when you’ll be somewhere without a connection, like deep in the woods while camping (and wanting to practice the latest dance trend), while on a boat without a Wi-Fi or cellular connection, or even when traveling if you prefer to turn off data roaming. Maybe it’s just a favorite video you want to keep for posterity. It’s easy to download a TikTok video to watch offline, as long as the creator has not disabled the download option.

How to download TikTok videos on Android

1. Open the TikTok app on your Android device.

2. Find the video you want to download and select the Share arrow icon on the right.

3. Select Save video and wait for it to download, which should only take a few seconds.

4. Go to your Photos albums.

5. Select Collections (or just select the Today tab if you’re looking right after downloading).

6. Scroll down to Videos and select.

7. You’ll see the video you just saved and can play it without a connection. You can also Edit or Share it as well.

What else to know about downloading TikTok videos

As noted, keep in mind that some creators disable the download option. If this is the case, you will not see the Save video option when you try to download it. If this option isn’t available, avoid trying to circumvent the rules and downloading the video through other means since the creator has not given permission for you to do so.

Even when you download a video, it will still have a TikTok watermark so the ownership of the video is known. Downloading it to watch at your leisure or share with friends while at the cabin without Wi-Fi is totally fine. Just remember never to pass off a downloaded video as your own or edit and re-post it in any manner without express permission from the content owner.

TikTok looks fabulous on all the best Android phones and while the app can be addictive, it’s important to be mindful of how much time you spend on the app as well as what you watch. Downloading videos from the site will take up valuable space on your device as well, so don’t forget to delete them once you no longer want or need them.

What you need to know

• TikTok has reportedly returned to the Google Play Store and Apple's App Store, pre reports.
• ByteDance's TikTok was hit with a U.S. ban on January 19 after the company failed to appease the concerns about "national security risks."
• However, President Trump has granted leniency, granting 75 days to ByteDance so both parties can figure out a satisfying way forward.
• Last year, ByteDance stated it would rather ditch its U.S. presence than divest any part of TikTok.

ByteDance's TikTok has reportedly returned to app stores in the U.S. following the U.S. government's reported "reassurances."

According to Mark Gurman at Bloomberg, TikTok was first spotted reappearing on the Apple App Store. Users on X chimed in, reporting that the app had returned as early as Wednesday, February 12. Experiences vary as some had more difficulties than others, but it seems more widely available for Apple's iPhones today (Feb 14.)

Additionally, the publication reports that the app has reappeared on the Google Play Store. Android Central has also spotted TikTok's availability via the Play Store, so users who may have deleted the app or never had it before can download it.

The publication states that TikTok's return to Google and Apple resulted from a letter from the U.S. Attorney General, Pam Bondi. The letter supposedly offered consolation that the proposed U.S. ban wouldn't "immediately" take effect.

The U.S. government originally banned TikTok on January 19 after its parent company, ByteDance, declined to sell the app. This followed a bill signed into law in April 2024, which targeted the app over its Chinese ownership and the possibility of a "national security threat." U.S. users were left with a message when opening TikTok, highlighting its ban, but there was some hope.

TikTok stated "President Trump has indicated that he will work with us on a solution to reinstate" the app after his inauguration.

The company started working with service providers to restore TikTok's services for users in the U.S., despite the app's removal from stores. However, there's still a lot of work to do. Bloomberg states TikTok has 75 days (from Jan 20) to work with the U.S. government to find common ground with privacy/security concerns over its citizen's data. This means we'll have to wait and see if TikTok is back for good in April 2025.

The publication adds that ByteDance remains against divesting any part of TikTok to the U.S. The Chinese-based company stood firm on that sentiment last year, stating it would rather ditch its U.S. presence than sell. ByteDance said the "special algorithms" used for TikTok would make selling the app difficult. Moreover, these algorithms are a crucial part of the app's business, and trying to make things work in a sell might cause more harm.

What you need to know

• Social media platform X (formerly Twitter) has also jumped on the opportunity to capitalize on TikTok's precarious situation in the U.S.
• X came up with its own video "feed" by adding a new tab to the explore page that exclusively showcases videos.
• This feature is currently only available on the mobile app and showcases minute-long videos.

X (formerly Twitter) is trying to capitalize on the rocky TikTok scene. The platform came up with its own video "feed" by adding a new tab to the explore page that just showcases videos for users to scroll through. In a tweet, the social media platform joked about "not making a video tab" while posting a video showcasing the same.

The new "immersive new home for videos" was rolled out to U.S.-based users yesterday (Jan. 19) and showcased a vertical video tab mimicking TikTok/Instagram reels based on the user's interest/accounts they follow.

Considering the platform was banned for roughly half a day over the weekend, other social media sites wanted to leverage this and came up with their versions to slide into user's DMs.

For instance, Instagram introduced a new "edits" app resembling CapCut, a video editing software from ByteDance. "Edits is a free video editor that makes it easy for creators to turn their ideas into videos, right on their phone. It has all the tools you need to support your creation process, all in one place."

X showcases videos that go along with its tweets. However, this feed seems to give users a combination of videos that are both in a 9:16 aspect ratio and as well as landscape ones, much like Instagram (via Android Police).

From the looks of it, this feature is currently only available on the mobile app and showcases minute-long videos. There's not much information as to whether this tab will become available to people outside the U.S., and if so, when can we expect a broader rollout to happen?

Meanwhile, U.S. TikTok users rejoiced as the app made a comeback over the weekend after the ban went into effect and the app went dark. The official TikTok Policy account on X (formerly Twitter) shared a statement on Sunday, Jan. 19, announcing that it restored service as a result of President Trump's support.

The company wrote in the post, "We thank President Trump for providing the necessary clarity and assurance to our service providers that they will face no penalties providing TikTok to over 170 million Americans and allowing over 7 million small businesses to thrive."

What you need to know

• Instagram is launching a new app, Edits, that will immediately become a CapCut competitor when it launches next month.
• You can pre-order the app on the Apple App Store now, with Google Play Store availability to follow.
• This is the latest move by Meta in a string of changes aimed to capitalize on the uncertainty surrounding TikTok and ByteDance apps, including CapCut.

Meta and Instagram are hoping to capitalize on the uncertainty surrounding ByteDance apps by teasing a new one of their own: Edits. Many creators and indie video editors were shocked when CapCut, a popular vertical editing software, was affected by the TikTok ban enacted Sunday, Jan. 19. The new Edits app is a direct competitor to CapCut announced by Instagram head Adam Mosseri on the very same day the ban of ByteDance apps took effect.

In an Instagram Reels video announcing the new app, Mosseri directly acknowledged the timing of the move. "There’s a lot going on right now, but no matter what happens, it’s our job to provide the best possible tools for creators," he wrote.

"Edits, an Instagram app" is already available for pre-order on the Apple App Store, but is not listed on the Google Play Store yet. Mosseri says Edits won't become available for download until next month. The Instagram exec said that Edits will be "coming to Android soon," but it's unclear whether it'll launch on the Play Store at the same time the iOS app becomes available for download next month.

Described by Mosseri as "a full suite of creative tools," the App Store listing for Edits sheds some light on what we can expect from Meta's newest app.

"Make videos you’re proud to share with Edits, the new video creation app from Instagram," the App Store listing reads. "Edits is a free video editor that makes it easy for creators to turn their ideas into videos, right on their phone. It has all the tools you need to support your creation process, all in one place."

Meta is clearly trying to gain user base and momentum in light of the questionable future for ByteDance apps. TikTok became available in the U.S. Sunday following a brief shutdown after earning incoming President Donald Trump's blessing. However, other apps — including CapCut — appear to still be unavailable.

Additionally, there are multiple legal requirements that must be met for TikTok and ByteDance apps to earn a more permanent extension, and full compliance in the U.S. Until those hurdles, as outlined in the U.S. law banning the apps, are crossed, TikTok and other ByteDance apps are far from out of the woods.

By teasing an Edits app, doubling the maximum length of Instagram Reels, and adding other features, Instagram is looking to take advantage of an unfortunate situation for one of its biggest competitors. It's not the first time Meta used this strategy to launch a competing social media app. Meta launched Threads, a Twitter rival, when Elon Musk's changes to X left users scurrying from the platform.

Update (Jan. 19, 1:00 p.m. ET): The official TikTok Policy account on X (formerly Twitter) shared a statement Sunday, Jan. 19 announcing that it is in the process of restoring service.

"In agreement with our service providers, TikTok is in the process of restoring service," the company wrote in the post. "We thank President Trump for providing the necessary clarity and assurance to our service providers that they will face no penalties providing TikTok to over 170 million Americans and allowing over 7 million small businesses to thrive."

"It’s a strong stand for the First Amendment and against arbitrary censorship," TikTok continued. "We will work with President Trump on a long-term solution that keeps TikTok in the United States."

The are other long-term challenges TikTok will face, including a legal requirement stated in the law banning TikTok that any extension made would require at least a path to the divestiture of TikTok U.S. In the short term, at least, it appears the app will make a prompt return.

You can read the original article in its unedited form below.

What you need to know

• A U.S. law takes effect Jan. 19, 2025, that bans TikTok, owned by the Chinese company ByteDance.
• TikTok is already showing messages to users on the Android app that the platform is no longer available.
• The message states that President-elect Trump may work with TikTok to return service in the U.S. after he takes office on Monday, Jan. 20.

TikTok is officially shutting down in the U.S. The app is banned as of Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, when a law enacting the ban will take effect. Multiple pop-up messages began appearing for users of the TikTok app for Android in the U.S. throughout the night of Saturday, Jan. 18, just ahead of the impending ban. While the latest message forces TikTok to become completely unavailable, it does give hope that service could be restored quickly.

"Sorry, TikTok isn't available right now," the latest message reads, as shown in a screenshot that appeared for Android Central below. "A law banning TikTok has been enacted in the U.S. Unfortunately, that means you can't use TikTok for now."

Over the last few days, there have been reports concerning how the TikTok ban would be impacted by the looming transition of presidential power in the U.S. Outgoing U.S. President Joe Biden declined to enforce the ban, as reported by multiple outlets, including USA Today. That leaves the fate of the TikTok ban in the hands of President-elect Donald Trump, who will be sworn in on Monday, Jan. 20.

Recent reports have indicated that Trump will consider giving TikTok an extension in the hopes that it will sell the U.S. part of its business. Lawmakers in the country have maintained that their preference is to divest TikTok from ByteDance, not shut it down. They argue that TikTok's current ownership poses a national security threat because Chinese laws could theoretically force ByteDance to hand over U.S. user data to the government if requested.

The most recent notification hints at which way Trump may be leaning. "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 notification reads. "Please stay tuned!"

For now, the notification provides buttons for Learn more and Close app. TikTok is officially offline for U.S. users and will stay that way until, if, and when the company and the federal government can figure out a way to move forward. As reported by The Information, TikTok's U.S. cloud servers are hosted by Oracle, which will keep the platform's servers powered down until it is definitively clear that it is lawfully permitted to operate in the country.

TikTok is going to be banned in the U.S. this Sunday, January 19. Maybe.

Last spring, the Biden administration passed legislation that would ban TikTok on national security grounds unless the parent company, ByteDance, sells off the U.S. version of the app to another company.

If the ban passes as scheduled, Apple and Google would be forced to remove the app from their respective app stores, though existing users can still use the app if it was already installed. Eventually, though, the older versions of the app will stop working altogether.

ByteDance hasn't shown much interest in selling off TikTok's U.S. assets, so TikTok has explored other options, such as appealing the legislation in the Supreme Court, saying it violates the U.S. Constitution's First Amendment protection against government infringement of free speech.

It seems that the Supreme Court justices are willing to allow the ban to go forward, but no decision has been made at the time of this writing. TikTok has reportedly stated that it will shut down the app in the U.S. if the ban goes through. Android Central has reached out to TikTok regarding its plans and will update this article when we have more information

TikTok does have another hope, though, and that lies with the U.S. Senate and President-elect Donald Trump.

Trump has decided he doesn't want TikTok banned, though he has called for it in the past. He is urging the Supreme Court to halt or delay the ban until he has time to pursue negotiations.

According to a brief filed by Trump last Friday, "President Trump alone possesses the consummate deal-making expertise, the electoral mandate and the political will to negotiate a resolution to save the platform while addressing the national security concerns expressed by the government — concerns which President Trump himself has acknowledged."

President Trump will be sworn into office on January 20, just one day after the ban. He could then pause the ban for 90 days if TikTok has shown a willingness to comply. Senators Rand Paul (R-KY) and ED Markey (D-MA) have also filed a brief with the court to delay the ban.

Finally, Senator Markey, a member of the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, also has introduced legislation to Congress to extend the ban by 120 days. Market acknowledges TikTok's dangers and possible security issues but says too many people depend on the app economically.

“Let me be clear: TikTok has its problems. Like every social media platform, TikTok poses a serious risk to the privacy and mental health of our young people. I will continue to hold TikTok accountable for such behavior. But a TikTok ban would impose serious consequences on millions of Americans who depend on the app for social connections and their economic livelihood. We cannot allow that to happen.”

None of this may matter, and come Sunday, TikTok will be banned in the U.S. Some people will approve, some not, and others are apathetic over the situation.

One thing to consider is that lawmakers — even the few who aren't tech luddites — who have seen the intelligence reports support some sort of action are the ones who called for the ban. Regular people who love or loathe TikTok have not seen it. That doesn't mean we can't have an opinion.

My own? If there are true national security issues with TikTok and not just xenophobic drumming against China, ban it until they can be addressed. Go a step further and block it. Maybe even take the necessary action so it can't be accessed through a VPN (yes, that's 100% possible). Then extend the same scrutiny to all tech companies, not just the ones from China

I've asked around the office and the internet-at-large, and opinions are mixed. I've heard things like, "I don't care, but my partner does," "I'm not in the U.S., so I'm unaffected," and people in India are just saying, "What's TikTok?" (The Indian government banned TikTok in 2020 over national security concerns.)

People opposed to the ban bring up some very valid points — should the government infringe on TikTok's First Amendment protections, and why aren't Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram facing the same ban?

The obvious answer is China. The U.S. and China are not on very friendly terms so any advantage China may gain through data collected by TikTok is concerning. Facebook and other U.S. companies can be forced to do things the government's way via legislation. Chinese companies can't.

The First Amendment question may soon be answered by the Supreme Court; even a non-decision acknowledges that TikTok's protections can be limited.

We'll know more on Sunday.

A while ago, I saw a video on TikTok from an influencer that absolutely sent my brain into a spiral.

SamDoll, who is the influencer, went on a rant about how she bought the Oura Ring Gen 3 and absolutely hated it. Her rant was infuriating and actually really upset me because not only was she speaking without much knowledge about the actual ring, but she also has the capability of influencing her nearly one million followers.

While she did make some accurate points in her video, I genuinely did not agree with what she was saying for the most part. It made me realize how important it is that I reiterate to you, our valued readers, how important it is to not get sucked into what regular, everyday influencers say about tech products.

More importantly, as you spend your hard-earned money on products this Black Friday and Cyber Monday weekend, then you should be looking to read reviews from trusted sites like Android Central. If you are keen on listening to what influencers say, then you should follow tech influencers who take particular interest in providing the best information that is relevant to help you understand products.

On that note, the Oura Ring Gen 3 is the wearable that pretty much kicked off the smart ring craze, and its best style is currently up to $100 off depending on the color you want, making it a good alternative if you want a great smart ring without breaking the bank.

Why being accurate when you make rants is important

One of the main points that SamDoll makes in her video is how the ring keeps telling her a lot of information that she doesn’t understand, and she also claims that the ring isn’t doing the job right.

In one example, she complains about how she felt like she had a horrible night’s sleep, but when she woke up, the ring indicated her Readiness Score (but she inaccurately calls it recovery) was at 80 percent.

What SamDoll didn’t include in this portion of the video is what the Oura Ring Readiness score is and what it is based on:

“Your Readiness Score reflects how balanced your recovery and activity are. It looks at your sleep quality, body signals, and activity levels to show how prepared you are to take on the day,” according to the Oura website. It is not just based on how well you sleep. Even if you had poor sleep, your body throughout the day could have recovered well.

When you do not express to your nearly one million followers what the ring actually is collecting and how it contributes to the overall score, you’re providing inaccurate information because they’re not getting the whole picture.

It deters a user from wanting to buy something because they trust what you are saying. That is why it is important to ensure you, our valuable reader, are going to trusted sources who take a lot of time to test products to give you the information you need.

Jitesh Ubrani, research manager for IDC's worldwide device trackers, reiterated the importance of experience.

“Advice from experts is simply more valuable and enlightening and consumers should focus on that. However, the reality is that anyone with a loud enough voice can make or break a product, so it’s in companies’ best interest to also collaborate with influencers outside of tech,” he said.

The Oura Ring is not for fitness, it is for your health

SamDoll, later in her video, expresses her distaste for how the ring doesn’t automatically detect her workout, and when she plugged her workout into the ring app, it didn’t provide her with accurate information on how many calories she burned.

In the initial stages of the Oura Ring, which, in my experience, is the gold standard of smart rings, it took a while for the ring to actually detect and accurately provide workout information.

That since has changed and is incredibly accurate. Android Central’s managing editor, Derrek Lee, has noted how the ring is great at detecting common activities like walking and running. He had expressed to me about a time when he went out with friends dancing, and the ring, later on, indicated that he had some activity and labeled it as dancing, something it has accurately deduced on more than one occasion.

While he often manually tracks workouts with the ring, it will sometimes automatically detect more ambiguous activities like high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and yoga.

But that being said, I don’t actually think the Oura Ring is for fitness; rather, it’s meant to be an overall health tracker and monitor. I think the purpose of the ring is to help you understand your body, and as such, I actually think it would be better paired with another wearable like an Android smartwatch if your desire is to monitor fitness.

Ubrani agrees, adding that a smart ring is a “replacement for the health-related aspects of smartwatches.”

The biggest problem with the Oura Ring

While SamDoll made a lot of claims in her video that I did not agree with—and there were more than what I detail in this article—I did agree with her on one major point.

She expressed how the Oura Ring is already an expensive device (starting at US$299), which it is. But to top it off, if you really want the best experience with the ring, you need to pay an additional $5.99 before tax per month for the subscription service. Granted, the subscription service does come with a lot of features like the following:

• Detailed sleep analysis
• 24/7 heart rate tracking (Daytime, Nighttime, Activity)
• Integration with third-party health and wellness apps like Strava
• Advanced temperature monitoring
• Blood Oxygen Sensing (SpO2)
• Cardiovascular Age
• Cardio Capacity (VO2 Max)
• Cycle Insights
• Daytime Stress
• Dynamic activity goals with Automatic Activity Detection
• Oura Labs
• Pregnancy Insights
• Resilience
• Weekly, monthly, quarterly, yearly, and anniversary reports

But that’s a lot of money, especially when no other company that produces a smart ring requires an additional paid subscription to enjoy the ring (even Amazfit got rid of its subscription for the Helio Ring). Basically, all the most useful Oura Ring features are hidden behind a paywall.

I strongly urge Oura to rethink this idea, as it can also be a deterrent for users who may consider buying a smart ring. That said, Oura explains that it does this because it uses the money to invest in its features and its technology. This is why we see the ring constantly getting new features, even years after the Gen 3 launched.

Oura is the gold standard for smart rings

Oura has been around for many years, and we do know that the company strives to do more to help people with their health, which it has proven with the newer and excellent Oura Ring 4.

Like me, Ubrani also agrees that the ring is the gold standard for smart rings only because the company has done a “great job in offering a very polished and well-rounded experience for users, which in turn has set a high bar for competition.”

Oura has been able to do this only because they had a massive lead up in the market, also providing them much more time to refine the experience of the ring.

But more importantly, I think, in general, if you’re going to buy something during Black Friday or Cyber Monday, try to do more homework than just relying on one creator.

This is Android Central's News Weekly, your go-to source for a concise roundup of the week's most significant tech stories. This is where we delve into the top headlines that provide the latest developments and innovations contributing to the digital landscape. 

This week was all about Google I/O, as the company showed off several AI-packed products. While everyone was I/O-ed, here are some other stories that are worth catching up on—Motorola Razr's second leak in a week, Chat GPT-4o's debut, a Canadian intelligence director's warning against TikTok, Sony Xperia 1 VI is here, and Android and iOS unwanted tracking notifications roll out.

Motorola Razr specs leak, again

Read more here.

The Motorola Razr's specs have been leaked a couple of times now, but this new leak gives us a glimpse of what it might look like alongside information on a cheaper Razr model. 

According to 91Mobiles, the flagship Razr 50 Ultra (likely marketed as the Razr Plus 2024 in the United States) will sport a larger 4-inch cover screen with a 165Hz refresh rate. Regarding design, renders show a similar design to the Razr 40 Ultra/Razr Plus, but the display is a bit larger, extending to cover nearly the entire front panel with a much smaller bezel. The leaked renders show that the dual cameras and flash unit remain unchanged, although the sensors pop out more. The hinge also looks smaller, but it's unclear if this is due to the image renders.

Other Razr 50 Ultra specs may include the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3, a 6.9-inch OLED with a 165Hz refresh rate, dual 50MP cameras, and 12GB of RAM. The publication points to 512GB of storage, although other reports say it could have 256GB. One image also shows a 45W charging adapter, as Motorola will reportedly increase the charging speed to top the 4,000mAh battery more quickly.

Rumors suggest that Razr 50 Ultra/Razr Plus 2024 could come in three colourways— green, blue, and Peach Fuzz, in a vegan leather finish on at least one of them.

Welcome to the world of GPT-4o

Read more here.

This week, OpenAI introduced its new flagship model, GPT-4o, which can reason across audio, vision, and text in real time. According to the company, the "o" in GPT-4o is "omni," referencing the model's multimodal interaction capabilities. Tests and demos of the GPT-4o model have impressed users and AI researchers. 

The new model can answer questions about your surroundings with vision, talk to you with audio, and respond to text. Not just that, OpenAI says that the model can deliver responses to questions asked with a voice in a flash, 232 milliseconds to be exact. The average response time is 320 milliseconds, according to OpenAI.

While all this may seem magical, it could be bad news for the creators of dedicated AI hardware devices. All the features deemed exclusive to new hardware, like the Rabbit R1 and the Humane AI Pin, will eventually be available straight on your phone through ChatGPT. This means that instead of paying $200 for the Rabbit R1 or $700 for the Humane AI Pin (plus $24/month), you can get the same functionality for free on your phone with OpenAI.

Text and image input were rolled out in API and ChatGPT on Monday (May 13), and voice and video will follow in the coming weeks.

TikTok comes under fire in Canada

Read more here.

While TikTok's days are numbered in the U.S. due to its link with a China-owned company, ByteDance, a Canadian intelligence agency, has also given the app a stern warning.

According to an interview with CBC, CSIS director David Vigneault stated that "as an individual, I would say that I would absolutely not recommend someone have TikTok." Vigneault added that China has "a very clear" strategy to use TikTok to obtain data "from anyone around the world."

During Vigneault's appearance on The House, he stated that TikTok is "risky" for adults and teenagers in Canada. The reason is reportedly China's usage of "big data analytics" and computer farms for data processing and crunching. He adds that China could use user data captured in Canada and other places worldwide to create artificial intelligence.

In 2023, the Canadian government banned TikTok from all federal government devices, citing security reasons. The decision was backed by a review conducted by the Chief Information Officer, which found that TikTok's data collection methods could lead to cyber-attacks.

It remains to be seen if Canada will take a similar approach to the U.S. regarding this controversial app.

Google and Apple work together on unwanted tracking

Read more here.

Apple and Google have partnered to deliver an industry-wide specification for detecting unwanted item trackers, and it's called "Detecting Unwanted Location Trackers." Which means, iOS and Android users will all receive unknown tracker alerts when conditions are met, regardless of which Bluetooth tracker or platform is used. 

If either iOS or Android detects that a Bluetooth tracker is moving with a user, they will provide an "[Item] Found Moving With You" notification. The alerts are said to work with AirTags, Find My-compatible devices, and Bluetooth trackers compatible with Google's Find My Device network. Other brands, Chipolo, Eufy, Jio, Motorola, and Pebblebee, have all committed to supporting the Detecting Unwanted Location Trackers standard for future products.

When the notification appears, users can take a few steps. First, they can ignore the notification if they know about the tracker—like if they're traveling with a friend and iOS or Android detects their keys. Or, they can see the device's identifier, play a sound to help find it and take steps to disable it with instructions. These steps will vary based on the type of tracker. 

Sony Xperia 1 VI debuts, but not in the U.S.

Read more here.

Sony launched its new flagship phone, Xperia 1 VI, earlier this week. The company is bringing in a "smarter" display with a 6.5-inch BRAVIA-powered screen that is reportedly 1.5 times brighter than its predecessor. Sony has also worked on "Sunlight Vision," which is designed to give users more screen visibility when outside.

Powering the device's capabilities is the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 with Sony's in-house Exmor T sensor for the cameras. The company states that the flagship phone features a 52MP (48MP effective) primary lens, a 12MP telephoto lens, and a 12MP ultrawide lens.

The telephoto lens has up to x7.1 zoom with an 85mm to 170mm focal length alongside macro technology. The Xperia 1 VI also offers AF tracking with "human pose estimation." The feature reportedly "recognizes" a human frame (skeleton) to provide the Xperia 1 VI with "precise" tracking even through objects that could cover a person's body.

The device comes with Android 14 out of the box and a 5,000mAh battery. It will hit the market in June for £1,299 (roughly $1,646) and comes in black, Khaki Green, and Platinum Silver colorways. Unfortunately, it doesn't appear to be launching in the United States.

Along with the Xperia 1 VI, Sony also launched its mid-range Xperia10 VI, with a bigger battery and stereo speakers.

Those are some of the biggest stories from this week. Meanwhile, here are some other stories that are worth catching up on

• Apple isn't Samsung's biggest threat in the tablet market right now
• Gemini gains 3 new ways to help users stay productive across Workspace
• Google Photos is letting you chat with your pictures thanks to Gemini
• You'll soon be able to control Chromebooks with just your face
• Galaxy Z Flip 6 rumored to feature a less noticeable screen crease
• Google Maps gets redesigned bottom bar with a 'You' tab for your trips
• The Honor Magic 6 Pro and Magic V2 are joining the Android 15 beta program
• Wear OS 5 will bring major upgrades to battery life, fitness, and watch faces
• Google hid the future of AR in plain sight at I/O 2024
• Roon has transformed how I listen to music

What you need to know

• Canada's intelligence director, David Vigneault, delivered a stern warning in a CBC interview against the usage of TikTok.
• Vigneault stated that using the app posed a "risk" to adult and teenage data as China reportedly uses "big data analytics" and computer farms to process information.
• The U.S. government has passed a bill that forces TikTok owner ByteDance to sell or face a ban, and that prompted a lawsuit over "unconstitutional" practices.

As the U.S. pushes for TikTok to either sell or face a ban, Canada's intelligence agency sends a stern warning to all users.

According to an interview with CBC, CSIS director David Vigneault stated, "as an individual, I would say that I would absolutely not recommend someone have TikTok." Vigneault added that China has "a very clear" strategy to use TikTok to obtain data "from anyone around the world."

During Vigneault's appearance on the CBC's show, The House, he stated that TikTok is "risky" for adults and teenagers in Canada. The reason is reportedly China's usage of "big data analytics" and computer farms for the processing and crunching of data. This could be continuously held as teens become young adults and become involved in other things.

He adds that China could be using user data captured in Canada and other places worldwide to create artificial intelligence.

The CSIS director isn't the only one to have made comments about TikTok as CBC highlights Sami Khoury's interview last year. Khoury, head of the Communications Security Establishment's Canadian Centre for Cyber Security questioned "why does an application need to access all of my contact list? Why does it need to access my calendar, my email, my phone records?"

The issue was aggregation, as there were concerns over China's ability to compare two users' contact lists and see where the lines overlap.'

In 2023, the Canadian government banned TikTok from all federal government devices, citing security reasons. The decision was backed by a review conducted by the Chief Information Officer, which found that TikTok's data collection methods could lead to cyber-attacks.

It's unclear which way Canada will lean regarding TikTok, though concerns continue to mount.

In the U.S., a bill swiftly passed through the House and the Senate to President Joe Biden about a potential TikTok ban in the country. The U.S. government is giving its parent company ByteDance a choice: divest the app or app stores nationwide will remove TikTok.

The platform's CEO Shou Chew took to TikTok to state "we aren't going anywhere."

While security is the headliner, Chew stood firm in saying that TikTok has "built safeguards that no other peer company has made." TikTok's CEO added that the app has reached over 170 million users nationwide, and 7 million business owners rely on the service for their livelihood.

Earlier in May, TikTok went on the offensive with a lawsuit against the United States government, stating the recently proposed ban is "unconstitutional." Through its petition, TikTok claimed the government unfairly targeted it through the bill. Moreover, the company claims there is no proof that the Chinese government has misused TikTok to gather user data and over national security-related risks.

TikTok has less than a year to sell or face a ban in the U.S. Its future is uncertain at the moment as ByteDance would rather ditch the U.S. altogether instead of selling. The company attempted to do so during the Trump Administration, but talks fell through with various companies like Walmart, Microsoft, and Oracle.

What you need to know

• TikTok and its parent company, ByteDance, have filed a lawsuit challenging a new US law signed by President Biden.
• The law may either force TikTok to separate from ByteDance or ban the app in the US, citing national security concerns.
• TikTok argues that the law targets it unfairly and violates the First Amendment's rules on free speech.
• The company also claims that the requirement for TikTok to be sold is not feasible—commercially, technologically, or legally.

TikTok has been on thin ice since President Joe Biden signed the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act in April, but the company is suing to stay afloat.

CNN reports that the short-form video platform and its parent company, ByteDance, have filed a petition to the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit to challenge the new law that forces the app to split from ByteDance or otherwise bans it in the country. TikTok claims the law unfairly targets it and is unconstitutional.

Last month, as part of an aid package for Ukraine and Israel, President Biden signed a new law that gives ByteDance nine months to either divest TikTok or shut it down in the US due to national security concerns. However, the complaint claims that the government hasn't provided proof that the Chinese government has misused TikTok.

“The statements of congressional committees and individual Members of Congress during the hasty, closed-door legislative process preceding the Act’s enactment confirm that there is at most speculation, not ‘evidence,’ as the First Amendment requires,” the filing states.

The company adds that the law breaks the rules of free speech in the First Amendment and that it's impossible to follow anyway. TikTok explains that the requirement for the platform to be sold off is impossible in commercial, technological, and legal terms.

TikTok has less than a year from when President Biden signed the act to find a US buyer or risk being shut down.

But even if ByteDance were open to selling TikTok, the Chinese government would likely prevent the sale, as it needs to approve the transfer of TikTok's algorithms. TikTok also mentions that a sale would be tricky, explaining that "millions of lines of software code" would need to be transferred to a new owner.

When the U.S. government first tried to ban TikTok during the Trump administration, ByteDance looked into selling its US operations to an American company. However, talks of selling to Oracle, Microsoft, or even Walmart fell through, and apparently, ByteDance isn't interested in a repeat and would rather shut down TikTok in the US.

This lawsuit is the latest chapter in a years-long drama. The US government keeps saying TikTok's China ties are a security risk, worried that American user data might be leaked. TikTok denies it all, saying it spent tons of cash to keep the treasure trove of data safe.

The U.S. government has decided that it doesn't want you to use TikTok without some big changes. Unless ByteDance, TikTok's parent company, sells the whole kit and kaboodle to a company that isn't based in China by January 2025, it plans to ban the service outright. That means you likely won't be able to access the app if you're in the United States, and there may not be a way to get around that.

Depending on who you believe, ByteDance may or may not be willing to concede and sell off the property to evade a ban. Even if it decides to sell, the right company will have to come forward because regulators (rightfully) don't want a company like Google, Meta, or even Elon Musk to run the show. The whole thing is a trainwreck in the making.

It's also a polarizing situation. The government has its reasons for wanting to ban TikTok, but users love the service and a lot of people use it to earn a living. TikTok itself isn't profitable, but it contributes to the U.S. economy.

The easy solution that plenty of folks are talking about is that you can use a VPN and get your TikTok fix even if a ban materializes. It's a simple fix — pick a VPN service you like, install its app on your phone, set your "fake" location to somewhere like Canada or another country where TikTok isn't banned, and continue as if nothing ever happened.

It might not be so simple though, depending on how serious the government is about blocking TikTok. Let's talk a bit about how a VPN works and what one really does.

What is a VPN?

A VPN is a secure network connection between two points. Nothing more, nothing less.

The connection is secure and authenticated, meaning that (for all intents and purposes) traffic goes back and forth without any outside interference, and the identity of both parties is guaranteed once established. Of course, this assumes it has been set up and configured properly.

A VPN does not make you anonymous. A VPN is only as secure as the person(s) running it. A VPN may keep records and be compelled to turn everything over to anyone with a lawful order. If you want to use a VPN, you need to use the right VPN based in the right country to maximize your privacy.

There are a few reasons why VPNs are used. The main reason is to be able to send secure traffic over an unsecured network, like the Internet at large. The tunneled traffic between VPN nodes is "unhackable" and private to anyone other than authorized endpoints. Android Central's parent company uses a VPN like many other businesses for this reason.

The second most popular use of a VPN is to bypass content region-locking. You can use a VPN to watch video streams that are blocked in your area by changing which VPN server you're using since it is what actually connects; it just forwards everything to you independently through a separate secure connection. 

This is why you're hearing about how you could use a VPN to get around a TikTok ban in the United States. You could sideload the app and set your VPN server outside the States, and it just works.

Maybe. It's possible to block access to a VPN, and if the U.S. is serious about blocking access to TikTok, it will do just that.

The use of a VPN can be limited or blocked altogether. See China, Iran, Russia, Syria, Pakistan, etc. Some countries, like India, place restrictions on VPN service providers, which force all traffic flowing through the country to be logged, and some, like the U.S., force VPN service providers based inside the country to log everything. A VPN is not a magical tool like many people think it is.

The U.S. is probably not going to block VPN access (it easily could), but it may not have to go that far. In 2012, it was reported that the Chinese government found ways to "learn, discover, and block" some VPN-encrypted communications trying to break through its nationwide firewall.

China heavily monitors internet usage and has banned things like Google's services, social media, and even Wikipedia. China wants to regulate its domestic internet and slow traffic in and out of the country (Hong Kong and Macau have independent monitoring and access controls, though) and relies on checking internet data for specific keywords and destinations. It's draconian but effective. People use a VPN to try to bypass these restrictions.

This is why China is very proactive. Besides looking for ways to impede VPN traffic, the country also does things like block VPN access during legislative sessions and times of strife. China is serious about blocking traffic in and out or for specific destinations when it wants to.

The U.S. is capable of doing the same. Should a TikTok ban go into effect and government officials feel more needs to be done, it will be done. 

Will the country resort to further measures to block TikTok? I don't know. I hope not, but I would hesitate to say no. I do know that a VPN is not the one answer that "fixes" everything unless the government is OK with it fixing everything.

I'm not going to wade into the pros and cons of this proposed ban. TikTok isn't for me because short-form videos aren't my thing. I don't begrudge anyone who loves them, though. I'm simply trying to let you know that there may not be an easy fix.

If you have strong feelings you should contact your government representatives and tell them. It's their job to listen.

What you need to know

• ByteDance, TikTok's parent company, would reportedly prefer shutting down TikTok in the US over selling it to an American firm if it can't beat a proposed ban in court.
• ByteDance is exploring legal options in the US but might pull the plug on TikTok in the US if legal efforts fail.
• Selling TikTok would be tough for ByteDance because its special algorithms, which are crucial to TikTok's success, are a significant part of its business.

ByteDance, TikTok's parent company, would rather shut TikTok down in the US than sell it off to an American firm if it can't win against a proposed ban in court, Reuters reported.

According to the news outlet, which cites four unnamed sources, ByteDance is looking into its legal moves in the US. But if those efforts don't work out, the parent company would reportedly pull the plug on TikTok in the US market.

Selling TikTok wouldn't be easy for ByteDance. The secret sauce that makes TikTok so addictive—its special algorithms—is a big part of its whole business, as per the report. Those algorithms are like the crown jewels of ByteDance's tech stash.

The sources added that even though TikTok is popular, it doesn't bring in a ton of money for ByteDance. So, shutting it down wouldn't hurt its business that much. Plus, the company would keep a grip on TikTok's algorithms.

If TikTok bites the dust in the US, about 170 million users would have to scramble for other alternatives.

The report is in contrast to a report from The Information a few days ago that claimed ByteDance was considering the idea of selling most of TikTok's US business. According to the report, ByteDance wanted to sell to a company outside the tech world and hold onto its video-recommending algorithm. But ByteDance has since denied the report.

Last week, ByteDance dug in its heels, announcing that it's not about to hand over TikTok to a US company or give up any part of the platform. This even after President Joe Biden signed a law that could boot TikTok out of the US.

The new law gives ByteDance until January 19, 2025 (with a possible extension) to either sell TikTok in the US or shut it down. US officials are worried that China might be snooping on Americans through TikTok, collecting all sorts of data.

TikTok's CEO, Shou Zi Chew, has said he's sure the company will come out on top in court.

"We are confident and we will keep fighting for your rights in the courts," he said. "The facts and the Constitution are on our side and we expect to prevail."

This is Android Central's News Weekly, your go-to source for a concise roundup of the week's most significant tech stories. This is where we delve into the top headlines that provide the latest developments and innovations contributing to the digital landscape. 

This week, the U.S. government signed a bill into law that could lead to a nationwide ban of TikTok, X plans to take on YouTube with its own smart TV app, Google revealed the I/O 2024 schedule with some news on the next major version of Wear OS, a major update to the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses brings useful AI features, and HMD revealed its first non-Nokia-branded smartphones.

The jump to Wear OS 5

Read more here.

Google I/O 2024 is set for mid-May, and with it, we will hear a lot about what the company has planned for the upcoming year in terms of hardware and software. With the schedule now out, we have a glimpse of what will be discussed at the event, including the next version of Wear OS.

Wear OS 3 marked a resurgence for Google's Wear OS, and since then, the company has continued to make efforts to improve it. With Wear OS 5 now confirmed to be present at I/O 2024, it seems Google is ready to push to the next major version. This differs from the past few years when the platform went from Wear OS 3 to 3.5 and then to Wear OS 4. Now, like Apple's WatchOS platform, Wear OS will apparently start making early version jumps, which is a good sign for the platform.

What will we see? So far, there's not much to go on, but Google has hinted at some things, like an update to the Watch Face Format, which helps developers create more battery-friendly watch faces. But we'll have to wait and see what else we get when I/O starts.

TikTok could be banned in less than a year

Read more here.

It's finally happened. After years of battling the global phenomenon of TikTok, the U.S. government has issued a bill that is set to ban the app nationwide. After passing through the Senate and House, President Biden signed the bill into law, which gives TikTok owner ByteDance 270 days to sell the app, thus cutting it from its ties to the Chinese government. If that doesn't happen, then Google and Apple will no longer be able to offer the app within their respective app stores.

TikTok CEO Shou Chew has long defended the company, saying it has spent billions of dollars to protect American data. He took to the platform after the bill was signed, calling it "unconstitutional" and indicating that TikTok plans to fight back.

There is still plenty of time before the deadline, so this could go either way, but it doesn't look good for TikTok in the U.S., especially since ByteDance has reportedly indicated that it does not plan to sell the app.

Meta's smart glasses get even smarter

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The Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses are already pretty excellent, but Meta just dropped a huge update that brings more smarts to its glasses. The update now lets users engage in POV-style video calling via WhatsApp and Messenger, but that's not even the best part.

With the built-in camera and support for multimodal AI via Meta AI, owners of the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses can now ask their glasses questions about what they're seeing. This includes translating menus, creating recipes, learning more about specific animals or buildings, and much more. It's like Google Lens on your face, and without having to pull your phone out of your pocket.

The update is only available in the U.S. and Canada, but it makes an already great pair of smart glasses so much better, notably as we wait for Meta's next AR glasses to debut sometime in the near-ish future.

X is going after YouTube with a TV app

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For more X randomness, the platform, formerly known as Twitter, is preparing to launch a smart TV app. Why? Why not? X CEO Linda Yaccarino posted a short video on X showing off a bit of the app, which will be centered on video content, not unlike YouTube. She said the app will be your "go-to companion for a high-quality, immersive entertainment experience on a larger screen" and that it will feature trending videos, enhanced search, and AI-powered topics to help personalize the experience.

The app will also work across devices, so you should be able to start a video on your phone and continue it on your TV, or you can just cast videos from your phone to the TV if you prefer.

The app is still in the works, but it will apparently be widely available soon. Does it have what it takes to replace YouTube on your TV? Who knows.

HMD Global does its own thing

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Nokia is getting pushed aside as the first HMD Global-branded phones were just launched. The company's new Pulse lineup consists of three phones that are offered in vibrant colors. The top model is the HMD Pulse Pro, although it offers roughly mid-range/budget specs, likely to keep the price down. It has an HD+ display with a 50MP dual-camera setup, a 5,000mAh battery with 20W charging support, and 6GB of RAM. The phone is powered by a Unisoc chipset and runs Android 14 with a promise of two OS upgrades (we're looking at you, Motorola).

The Pulse Plus and Pulse both also sport HD+ displays, 5,000mAh batteries, and 10W charging, but the Plus gets a 50MP camera, while the Pulse settles for a 13MP shooter. They use the same Unisoc chipset but with 4GB of RAM in addition to 128GB and 64GB of expandable storage for the Plus and Pulse, respectively.

All phones only support 4G connectivity, which is a little disappointing in 2024, especially for the first HMD-branded phones. The devices also aren't available in North America at the moment, but a separate HMD Vibe is set to arrive at some point at a very affordable price.

Those are some of the biggest stories from this week. Meanwhile, here are some other stories that are worth catching up on:

• Major Google Pixel 8a leaks highlight features and software update promise
• We may know when the summer Galaxy Unpacked launch will happen
• Android 15 has a new dark mode switch with the same old problems
• The Vivo X100 series is making its global debut with impressive camera gear
• FCC votes to restore net neutrality and is set to begin regulating ISPs
• Rumored Pixel Tablet relaunch could finally bring long-awaited accessories
• Google really needs to launch a new Nest Hub Max, and it might just happen
• The Ayaneo Pocket S is incredibly powerful and incredibly expensive
• YouTube TV drops a new NFL Sunday Ticket deal to celebrate the Draft
• Galaxy Watch 7 rumor puts blood sugar monitoring back on the table

What you need to know

• After swiftly passing through the House and Senate, U.S. President Joe Biden has signed a foreign aid package that includes a bill targeting TikTok.
• The bill gives TikTok owner ByteDance a year to divest the app, or else mobile app stores will be forced to remove it.
• TikTok CEO has responded on the platform, saying that the app "isn't going anywhere."

President Biden has signed a bill into law that could lead to a nationwide TikTok ban, CNN reports. This comes just days after the House approved the bill and a day after the Senate voted in favor of it.

Nestled within a foreign aid package, the bill would make it so that app stores such as Google's Play Store and Apple's App Store can not legally offer TikTok within the United States. However, the ban does not happen overnight, as the bill gives TikTok owner ByteDance less than a year (270 days) to divest the app and find a potential buyer.

In response to the bill being signed into law, TikTok CEO Shou Chew took to the app to express his thoughts on the matter, saying, "We aren't going anywhere."

Chew points out that of the more than 170 million users on the platform, more than 7 million business owners rely on TikTok for their livelihoods and urges users to post videos about how the app impacts their lives. He also notes that TikTok will continue to invest in keeping its community "vibrant, exciting, and safe."

"Through our U.S. security efforts, we have built safeguards that no other peer company has made. We have invested billions of dollars to secure your data and keep our platform free from outside manipulation."

TikTok has been under fire over the past several years for its close ties to the Chinese government via parent company ByteDance, with lawmakers expressing concerns about U.S. data. The U.S. has already banned the app on government-issued devices. Meanwhile, efforts to alleviate these concerns have largely failed, leaving the future of TikTok unclear for the app and its users. The question also remains whether or not ByteDance will be allowed to divest TikTok.

Android Central has reached out to TikTok for a comment on the bill being signed into law but did not receive a response in time for publication. However, a TikTok spokesperson told CNN that the company found the ban "unconstitutional" and that TikTok would continue to challenge the decision.

What you need to know

• The House passed a bill that could lead to TikTok being sold to a US company or banned in the country if ByteDance doesn't comply.
• The TikTok ban is part of a larger bill addressing sanctions on countries like Russia and providing aid to Ukraine, Israel, and Gaza.
• Bundling the TikTok bill with a foreign aid package in the House makes it a higher priority and potentially harder for the Senate to delay.

The US House of Representatives passed a bill that might lead to TikTok getting the boot in the country unless its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, sells the app to a US company.

On Saturday, the House voted 360-58 to push forward a bill that brings the possibility of banning TikTok in the US closer to reality, CBS reports. This bill had previously cleared the House in March but hit a roadblock in the Senate.

This time, the House bundled up a revamped version of the bill with a foreign aid package, which suggests it's now a bigger deal and could be tougher for the Senate to delay.

The TikTok ban is just one piece of a bigger bill dealing with sanctions on countries like Russia. It's tagged along with a bunch of other measures aimed at providing military support to Ukraine and Israel, plus humanitarian aid to Gaza.

TikTok previously said in a post on X (formerly Twitter) that the bill  infringes on free speech rights and would harm businesses and the US economy.

Since these funds are urgently needed, bundling TikTok with them means the Senate has to give it a quicker look than if it were on its own. In the earlier version, ByteDance had only six months to find a new owner. But after some back-and-forth talks, a compromise was reached, and now the revised bill heads to the Senate.

If it becomes law, ByteDance has a whole year to find a buyer. And you can bet the company will probably fight it in court, claiming it infringes on the First Amendment rights of TikTok's millions of users.

The push for this ban comes from both sides of the aisle in Congress, worrying about TikTok's ties to China. Some legislators are scared China might use the app to push propaganda to the US crowd. Plus, there's a lot of fretting about the heaps of data TikTok is scooping up on millions of American users.

However, critics of the bill have pointed out that banning TikTok might not do much to safeguard Americans' data after all.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer mentioned that the Senate is hashing out the details for the next vote on the foreign aid package that includes the TikTok bill. President Joe Biden has already stated he's on board with the bill if Congress gives it the green light.

This is Android Central's News Weekly, your go-to source for a concise roundup of the week's most significant tech stories. This is where we delve into the top headlines that provide the latest developments and innovations contributing to the digital landscape. 

This week, Google announced a major reorganization for its hardware and software teams, Nothing launched its latest wireless earbuds, Motorola has a trio of attractive new phones, we've got another Pixel 9 leak, and TikTok is taking on Instagram with a new app that's available for select countries.

Things are coming together at Google

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In a surprise announcement on April 18, Google announced that it is going through a major internal reorganization. As part of this shift, the company is bringing its hardware and software teams together under a new Platforms and Devices team that oversees Android, Chrome and ChromeOS, Google Photos, Pixel devices, and more.

The new team will be lead by Rick Osterloh, and Sameer Samat will oversee the Android ecosystem. Meanwhile, Hiroshi Lockheimer, who has head Android up until now, will be involved with other projects across Alphabet (via The Verge).

According to a blog post by Google CEO Sundar Pichai, the crux of the reorganization is to strengthen the synergy between the company's hardware and software efforts so it can move faster to bring better products to market. Pichai points to the Circle to Search feature, which first arrived on the Galaxy S24 at launch before then coming to the Pixel series.

But beyond that, this also means the teams can better integrate Google's AI efforts into its products. Pichai notes that research teams "focused on computational photography and on-device intelligence will also be moving over to join the new org to bring deep AI expertise across platforms and devices."

This is a huge move for Google and possibly the biggest announcement the company has made in recent years. Hopefully, we won't have to wait long to see the fruits of Google's labor as a result of the restructuring.

Motorola's new flagship is made from wood

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It feels like the Moto X days of old because Motorola just launched a trio of new phones that don't come with traditional glass backs. The Motorola Edge 50 Ultra, which sits at the top of the new phones, is available in wood or vegan leather finishes and the Pantone color of the year, Peach Fuzz. The phone sports a triple camera setup with a 50MP primary sensor, 50MP ultrawide, and 64MP 3x telephoto lens. At the front is a 6.7-inch "Super HD" OLED display, and the phone comes equipped with the new Hello UX and new Moto AI features, powered by the latest Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chipset.

The Motorola Edge 50 Pro is a step-down, powered by the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3, but you still get a triple camera setup that consists of a 50MP main sensor, 13MP ultrawide, and 10MP 3x telephoto camera. It also has up to 12GB of RAM, access to "key" Moto AI features, and comes in a special edition pearl finish, handcrafted in Italy.

Lastly, the Motorola Edge 50 Fusion comes with a 50MP dual-camera system, supports Hi-Res audio, and is available in vegan leather finishes.

These phones are being launched globally, although not all of them are launched at the same time. There's also no word of U.S. availability, but Motorola says it's committed to bringing more Edge phones to the region.

Pixel 9 Pro, is that you?

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We're still several months away from the launch of the Pixel 9 series, but that's not stopping the leaks from pouring in. The latest may have just given us our first look at a live image of the Pixel 9 Pro, as evidenced by the unique new camera visor and the triple camera system.

The device appears to have a flat display and flat back, which is a bit of a departure from the current design, which is a bit more curved. The back also appears to be matte, but we're likely looking at a prototype of some sort, so the finished product may differ.

From what we can see on the display, the phone may have up to 16GB of RAM, although it also shows 128GB of storage. We also get a close-up of the cameras and a comparison shot with the phone next to the iPhone 14 Pro Max, revealing how much smaller the Pixel 9 Pro might be when it launches later this year.

According to rumors, we may receive three Pixel 9 devices, including the standard Pixel 9, the Pixel 9 Pro (which is likely what we're seeing here), and a larger Pixel 9 Pro XL. Additionally, it's rumored that the Pixel Fold successor may switch up names and instead be called the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, it's unclear if Google will stick to that moniker.

A new Ear-a of affordable earbuds from Nothing

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Nothing is back with not just one but two pairs of wireless earbuds, the Nothing Ear and Nothing Ear (a). The higher-end earbuds support LHDC 5.0, bringing low latency and high-definition audio. Both earbuds come with a transparent design and Hi-Res audio support. There are also 11mm drivers, and the batteries last more than 5 hours with ANC on or more than 8 hours with it off.

The main difference between the two is that there are fewer customization options on the more affordable Nothing Ear (a). There's also no wireless charging with the case, which Android Central's Tshaka Armstrong noted in his Nothing Ear (a) review as a major downside. He also notes that ANC isn't as strong as it could be, but for a pair of $99 earbuds, they're still well worth the money.

TikTok takes on Instagram

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In the fight over popularity, Instagram has "borrowed" a feature or two from TikTok over the years. However, now it's TikTok's turn to borrow from Instagram, as the new TikTok Notes app has begun rolling out in select countries. Unlike regular TikTok, this app is focused on still images rather than videos. Users can add one photo or a carousel, text, and even a caption to highlight what your images are about.

To make signing up easy, users can link their TikTok accounts to log in.

The only downside of this app launch is that it's not available to everyone at the start. Right now, TikTok Notes is available "for download and limited testing in Australia and Canada," so if you're in those countries, you're free to give it a try.

Given the popularity of TikTok, this could bring a true Instagram competitor to the table, even as Meta shifts its focus to video content.

Those are some of the biggest stories from this week. Meanwhile, here are some other stories that are worth catching up on:

• A recent update just brought AV1 support to your Android phone
• Some Galaxy phone screens are showing a nasty green line after an update
• Long-overdue Wear OS 4 update is coming to one of our favorite smartwatches, sort of
• Meta AI is taking over WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, and Messenger
• Sony's next Xperia flagship may be just around the corner
• Nothing Phone 2 update brings ChatGPT integration, new camera features
• The Meta Quest may soon make long boring airplane rides a thing of the past
• The Samsung Galaxy A35 just landed in the US with a sweet deal on the Galaxy Buds FE
• Adobe Express app packs Firefly gen-AI and is now widely available on Android
• YouTube eliminates a workaround to block ads on videos

What you need to know

• TikTok Notes, the Instagram alternative from popular vertical video-sharing app TikTok, is starting to show up in the Google Play Store. 
• The social media app designed for sharing still images is free and can be used with your existing TikTok account. 
• TikTok officially announced the launch of Notes with a post on X, and the app is rolling out on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store in select regions. 

After announcing the impending release of a new photo-driven social media app earlier this month, TikTok is starting to make TikTok Notes available on the Google Play Store for some users in select regions. The app is similar in functionality to Instagram with some of TikTok's theming and exclusive features.

For now, TikTok says that Notes is available "for download and limited testing in Australia and Canada."

In Google Play Store and Apple App Store listings for TikTok Notes, we can get a glimpse at the app's core functionality. TikTok users can sign into Notes with the same account they have for the video-sharing platform. Additionally, in a push notification sent to TikTok users last month, the company said that photo posts on TikTok would automatically be uploaded to Notes when the new social media app launched. 

TikTok Notes ditches the rigid Instagram homepage format for one that matches the regular TikTok app. There are For You and Following pages, with each page containing two vertical columns featuring staggered posts. Comments, likes, and favorites appear the same on Notes as TikTok, too. There's no sign of TikTok Shop yet, which is interesting, considering that TikTok has pushed its digital marketplace hard in recent months.

The concept is obviously similar to Instagram, but there are some things that set TikTok Notes apart. For starters, the Notes app includes headlines in the description to offset text. Again, this is similar to the regular TikTok app. The TikTok theming of black and lime green UI colors makes an appearance in Notes as well. 

"We're in the early stages of experimenting with a dedicated space for photo and text content with TikTok Notes," TikTok said in a post on X. "Whether documenting adventures, expressing creativity, or simply sharing snapshots of one's day, the TikTok Notes experience is designed for those who would like to share and engage through photo content."

For now, this means that TikTok Notes isn't available in the U.S. yet. If you try to click on the Google Play Store or App Store links above, they will open in a browser but won't open in the actual mobile app stores. Anyone outside of Australia and Canada will most likely be greeted with a message saying, "This app is not available in your country or region." 

We don't know when TikTok Notes will release globally, but there is reason to hope that it may be coming soon. TikTok Notes was only officially announced 10 days ago, and we already have a region-limited test. 

This is Android Central's News Weekly, your go-to source for a concise roundup of the week's most significant tech stories. This is where we delve into the top headlines that provide the latest developments and innovations contributing to the digital landscape. 

This week, Motorola launched two affordable phones, TikTok gets a last shot at staying in the U.S., Chrome ups its security on phishing emails, the Galaxy S24 Plus is a surprise hit, and Google Messages gets custom-colored chats.

Hello Moto

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Earlier this week, Motorola launched its budget-friendly phones, the Moto G 5G 2024 and the Moto G Power 5G 2024. Both these phones offer upgraded specs and run Android 14 out of the box with improved displays, cameras, and processors compared to its previous models. 

The Moto G 5G is smaller in size and has a 6.6-inch HD LCD display and a 5,000mAh battery that supports an 18W charger. It uses a Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 chip with a 2GHz octa-core CPU paired with 4GB RAM that can also be doubled to 8GB using RAM Boost. The device has a 50MP main camera, a secondary 2MP macro unit with no ultrawide angle, and an 8MP front camera. This year's device is cheaper at $199, a significant drop from last year's $249 model.

The Moto G Power 5G, the slightly more expensive model, has a 6.7-inch FHD+ LCD display and a 5,000mAh battery that supports 30W wired charging and 15W wireless charging. The phone is powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 7020 processor, which features a 2.2 GHz octa-core CPU. It has 128GB of internal storage and supports a microSD expansion of up to 1TB. There are two rear cameras—a 50MP main camera with optical image stabilization and an 8MP ultrawide lens with a 118-degree angle and macro support. On the front is a 16MP selfie camera. This year's device costs $299. 

These phones will be available starting March 21. 

Time is ticking... Tik...Tok

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On Wednesday (Mar.13), the U.S. Congress passed a bill that would have major implications for TikTok, an app used by at least 170 million Americans.

The U.S. House of Representatives voted in favor of the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act. Although the bill mentions TikTok, it is applicable to any app controlled by foreign advisories in the U.S.

TikTok has been given 180 days to ensure that its China-based parent company ByteDance will have to sell TikTok within the U.S., or it will be banned in the country. This means it will become illegal for any app stores or web servers that host TikTok.

"We have given TikTok a clear choice," said Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash. 

This move was taken after the U.S. government raised concerns about risks to national security and the data of users on the platform. A spokesperson from TikTok is calling this bill a "ban" and hopes that the Senate will consider facts before taking any action.

The bill is currently being considered by the Senate, and its fate remains uncertain until then. 

Samsung's S24 Plus a hit

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The popularity of the newest Galaxy S24 Plus model has become the talk of the town, and we aren't surprised.

Samsung's sales of the Galaxy S24 series are up when compared to the Galaxy S23 series, and the latest numbers show us why. According to the latest data from Counterpoint Research, sales of the Galaxy S24 series rose by 8% in the first three weeks when compared to last year's early sales numbers, and the S24 Plus is driving up these numbers

"And in Samsung's biggest market – the US – we're seeing YoY growth in the mid-teens – solid numbers, especially considering the tough February. And considering we're still really at the beginning stages of the coming GenAI smartphone boom, there is plenty of runway for more growth," said Jeff Fieldhack, Counterpoint Research's research director for North America.

Over the years, Samsung's Plus model has been seen as nothing more than a larger version of the base model, complete with a larger battery and faster charging. The device did not offer much difference. However, this year's version has QHD+ resolution, offers better picture quality, bumps in RAM to 12GB, and, let's not forget the magic of Galaxy AI.

You can't get Phished on Google Chrome 

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Google announced on March 15 that it is going to increase the Standard protection mode in Chrome's Safe Browsing feature so that everyone gets real-time protection against phishing and malware attacks.

Google upgraded Chrome's protection system, Safe Browsing, last year, adding real-time protection to the mix.

This feature, which was previously only available in Safe Browsing's Enhanced Protection mode, keeps a lookout for the URLs you're browsing and instantly warns you if you wander into a sketchy part of the internet.

The update is now up and running for anyone using Chrome on desktop or iOS. And Google also plans to bring it to Android users later this month.

Google rolls out custom chat colors for RCS

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Google Messages is letting beta testers set custom colors for RCS chats.

Back in November, Google introduced color options for chat bubbles, letting users personalize their chat colors. Now, it seems like the update is gradually rolling out to beta testers.

To explore the fresh color choices, just tap the three-dot menu button in any Google Messages thread and pick "Change colors" from the overflow menu. Another way to do it is to head to the overflow menu, tap on Details or Group details, and look for the "Change colors" option just below the images and videos section. A full-screen preview UI will pop up, offering nine choices that include the default color, blue, purple, green, orange, and pink, among other options.

Once you choose a new color for a thread, a message pops up at the bottom of the screen saying, "You changed the theme."

Those are some of the biggest stories from this week. Meanwhile, here are some other stories that are worth catching up on:

• Even the new Quest Link software can't save PCVR for me
• Meta is channeling Apple Vision Pro in the upcoming Meta Quest UI update
• Nintendo strikes a massive blow to the emulator scene for Android
• Apple's latest AI acquisition might give Google Gemini some serious competition
• Google wants you to play video games with its AI
• WhatsApp beta tests chat filters...again
• Why US lawmakers want TikTok banned
• Google I/O 2024 date revealed with a chance to register for the event
• Android 15 could allow devices to be tracked even when switched off

TikTok, the wildly popular video-sharing app, has become a cultural phenomenon. But its future in the US is uncertain; lawmakers from both sides of the aisle are pushing for a ban, citing national security concerns and issues with content moderation and potential for abuse. 

This isn't the first time TikTok has been under the microscope, but it is the first time a potential impact on consumers is likely to happen — this isn't one person signing a piece of paper, it's the entire U.S. Congress poised to oust the service. 

You might not be able to install TikTok on your government-issued smartphone, but unless something happens to satisfy members of Congress, TikTok might be going away. Let's delve into the reasons behind this potential ban.

The "Data Security" argument

The central fear revolves around user data. ByteDance, a Chinese company, owns TikTok; unfortunately, that's the real problem. U.S. lawmakers worry that the Chinese government could pressure ByteDance to hand over user data, potentially including location information, browsing habits, and even private messages. This data, they fear, could be used for espionage or to influence American public opinion, particularly during elections.

The U.S. has a tense relationship with China, and concerns about intellectual property theft and Chinese government influence are well-documented. A 2017 Chinese law compels companies to "support, cooperate with and provide assistance" with national intelligence work. This fuels anxiety that user data on TikTok could be weaponized by the Chinese government.

These concerns ignore the elephant in the room: your government does the same thing. They all do. Chinese companies agree to this sort of law upfront, but in the West, companies agree to be compelled to hand the same data over later once an officer of the court tells them to do it.

If lawmakers are really that concerned, the ability of the U.S. government to weaponize user data should be addressed, too. Stronger data privacy laws and concerns should not be a regional or national issue.

Preventing misinformation and saving the kids

Another concern is the potential for manipulating content on the platform. TikTok's powerful algorithm tailors content feeds to user preferences, creating echo chambers where users are exposed only to information that reinforces their existing beliefs. Lawmakers fear the Chinese government could exploit this by promoting propaganda or misinformation through seemingly innocuous videos. This could distort public perception and undermine democratic processes.

Beyond national security, some lawmakers worry about the app's impact on children's mental health. The endless scroll of short, often addictive videos can create feelings of inadequacy and anxiety. Additionally, the platform has been criticized for its prevalence of cyberbullying and exposure to inappropriate content.

These are valid points here that apply (or should apply) to Meta (FaceBook), Google, X (Twitter), and Amazon with the same gusto. The difference? Once again, China.

Two sides to every coin

TikTok vehemently denies all these allegations. It claims to store U.S. user data outside of China and that the Chinese government has no control over its algorithm. It also argues that a ban would stifle free speech and harm millions of American creators and businesses that rely on the platform for their livelihoods.

The company may be right. Storing user data elsewhere prevents it from being presented to China on demand, and taking away TikTok puts millions out of work. However, TikTok isn't doing itself any favors when it partners with a 100% state-owned Chinese semiconductor company while under congressional investigation in the U.S.

The debate over TikTok is complicated. There are genuine concerns about data security and potential manipulation, but a complete ban that prevents you from using TikTok on your phone might be an overly blunt instrument. Not all problems are nails and not all solutions are hammers.

Some possible solutions being discussed include:

• Forced divestiture: The US could pressure ByteDance to sell TikTok's U.S. operations to an American company, thereby severing the link to the Chinese government.
• Enhanced data security measures: Stricter regulations and independent audits could ensure user data remains safe within US borders.
• Content moderation: Working with TikTok to implement stricter content moderation policies could address concerns about harmful content and misinformation.

An uncertain future for TikTok

Whether a ban will materialize is yet to be seen. The House of Representatives recently passed a bill that could lead to a ban, but it still needs Senate approval and Presidential signature. Negotiations and potential compromises are likely before a final decision is reached.

The future of TikTok in the U.S. remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: the app has become a focal point in a larger discussion about national security, data privacy, and the influence of social media platforms in the digital age. These are discussions that need to be had, and whether you're in favor of a potential TikTok ban or opposed to it, you should agree that we need to talk about it.

What you need to know

• The U.S. Congress votes in favor of a bill that could potentially ban TikTok for all Americans amid concerns about national security risks.
• TikTok has been given 180 days to divest ownership from its Chinese parent company, ByteDance.
• TikTok says the bill violates the First Amendment rights of users and will potentially harm several small businesses. 

On Wednesday (Mar.13), the U.S. Congress passed a bill that would have major implications for TikTok, an app used by at least 170 million Americans.

The U.S. House of Representatives voted in favor of the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act. Although the bill mentions TikTok, it is applicable to any app controlled by foreign advisories in the U.S.

TikTok has been given 180 days to ensure that its China-based parent company ByteDance will have to sell TikTok within the U.S., or it will be banned in the country. This means it will become illegal for any app stores or web servers that host TikTok. 

"We have given TikTok a clear choice," said Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash. 

"Separate from your parent company ByteDance, which is beholden to the CCP (the Chinese Communist Party), and remain operational in the United States, or side with the CCP and face the consequences. The choice is TikTok's."

Congress alleged that TikTok is being controlled by a company in China, despite several reassurances from the social media app that it is privately owned. This week, TikTok sent an in-app alert to U.S. users urging them to call their local representatives to oppose the bill. 

"Your voice can help the TikTok communities you love," the message said.

This move was taken after the U.S. government raised concerns about risks to national security and the data of users on the platform.

According to a recent tweet, a spokesperson from TikTok is calling this bill a "ban" and hopes that the Senate will consider facts before taking any action.

"This bill is an outright ban of TikTok, no matter how much the authors try to disguise it," TikTok spokesperson Alex Haurek said in a statement. "This legislation will trample the First Amendment rights of 170 million Americans and deprive 5 million small businesses of a platform they rely on to grow and create jobs."

The bill is currently being considered by the Senate, and its fate remains uncertain until then. President Biden has indicated that if the ownership issue isn't resolved, he will sign the bill if it comes to his desk.

However, TikTok might not disappear from people's devices anytime soon. According to CNN, the bill will face challenges and legal implications if it is signed into law.

What you need to know

• TikTok is rumored to be gearing up for competition with Instagram by developing a new app called "TikTok Photos."
• The speculated TikTok Photos app could allow existing TikTok users to import or sync their publicly shared photos from TikTok to the new app.
• TikTok Photos is reportedly in development for both Android and iOS, with an expected launch "soon."

TikTok might be preparing to challenge Instagram with a new app in the works called "TikTok Photos."

TheSpAndroid's AssembleDebug stumbled upon code in the latest TikTok app update, suggesting the imminent release of a photo-sharing feature akin to Instagram (via Android Authority). Numerous mentions of "TikTok Photos" were uncovered in version 33.8.4 (com.zhiliaoapp.musically) of the TikTok app.

Phrases like "Open TikTok Photos," "Share this post to TikTok Photos," and "Reach other like-minded people who enjoy photo posts" were found in a few code strings, hinting at the features and functionality of the upcoming photo-sharing service.

The rumored app is expected to allow current TikTok users to kick off their TikTok Photos journey by importing or syncing the photos they've already shared publicly on TikTok.

The leaker also posted images that could be the logo for the TikTok Photos app. The logo seems to be a red "P" and maintains the same color scheme as the original TikTok app.

The post mentions that TikTok Photos is in development for both Android and iOS, and is expected to launch "soon."

If a dedicated TikTok Photos app is indeed in development, it could be poised for competition with Instagram. The irony lies in the fact that Instagram introduced its short-form vertical video feature, Reels, in response to TikTok's popularity worldwide.

TikTok has established its widely popular social media platform by focusing on short-form videos, a trend that has since spread to YouTube and other popular apps.

Although TikTok currently lets users share multiple photos through slideshow videos, it seems the company is gearing up to provide a more dedicated photo-sharing experience with the potential app.

The introduction of a standalone TikTok Photos app isn't entirely unexpected, especially considering TikTok has already incorporated a "photo mode" for still images within the main platform.

It's possible that a TikTok-branded photo app could open up more opportunities in Western markets. It might be a strategic move, especially considering the potential threat of TikTok facing another ban in the U.S.

This is Android Central's News Weekly, your go-to source for a concise roundup of the week's most significant tech stories. This is where we delve into the top headlines that provide the latest developments contributing to the digital landscape.

This week, Nothing Phone 2a launches, an employee from Google gets charged for stealing AI tech, Pixel drops its March update, Windows 11 gives up Android app support, and YouTube gets a version of the TikTok video editing tool.

Nothing Phone 2a arrives

Read more here.

Earlier this week, Nothing finally dropped its new Phone 2a, seeking to be a budget Android phone. The phone comes with a MediaTek Dimensity 7200 Pro processor, a 120Hz AMOLED display, and a dual-camera system. 

Nothing Phoen 2a is made of 100% recycled aluminum, tin, and copper. The company told Android Central that it utilized scrap material from its Nothing Ear 2 production to make this phone.

Phone 2a runs on Nothing OS 2.5, which is based on Android 14 and comes with three years of OS updates plus four years of security updates. Phone 2a's camera system has a rear 50MP Samsung GN9 main sensor with an f/1.88 aperture. There's also an ultrawide, 50MP Samsung JN1 sensor with a 114-degree field of view. The Phone 2a includes a 32MP Sony IMX615 sensor in the front. 

While Nothing wants to make its phone globally available, people in the U.S. can only get their hands on this phone through the Nothing Developer Program for a $349 fee.

Ex-Google employee gets charged for AI theft

Read more here.

An ex-Google employee was charged on Wednesday (Mar. 6) with stealing Google's Artificial Intelligence technology and secretly working with two Chinese companies.

The report stated that 38-year-old Linwei Ding is a Chinese national who was arrested in Newark, California. Ding was hired by Google in 2019 and had responsibilities that included developing the software deployed in Google's supercomputing data centers. With access to this information, Ding allegedly began transferring sensitive Google trade secrets and other confidential information to his personal Google Cloud two years ago.

The U.S. Department of Justice stated, "Ding continued periodic uploads until May 2, 2023, by which time Ding uploaded more than 500 unique files containing confidential information."

Following the theft, Ding was offered a chief technology officer position at a startup AI company in China and participated in investor meetings for that company. The report also claims that Ding founded and served as chief executive of a China-based startup company set to train AI models powered by supercomputing chips.

He was charged with four counts of federal trade secret theft, and if convicted, Ding could face a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and up to a $250,000 fine for each count.

Pixel's March feature drop

Read more here.

Google is back with another feature drop for Pixel Watch and Pixel phones this week. Users can now post 10-bit HDR videos directly on Instagram Reels and Ultra HDR pictures on the social media app. These features will be available through a feature drop for Pixel phones, including the Pixel 7 series, Pixel 8, Pixel 8 Pro, and Pixel Fold.

Pixel 6 series and above, including the Pixel Fold in the U.S., is getting an upgrade to Call Screen functionality. The new update introduces a "hello" chip, which users can tap while screening a call. It triggers Google Assistant, which "will then prompt the caller to speak, helping you understand why they’re trying to reach you."

Circle to Search is coming to the Pixel 7 series. Users can long-press the Pixel home button or navigation bar and circle the screen to learn about an image, text, or video on the screen—all without leaving the app. 

Additionally, several other Pixel devices are getting the fast pair feature, casting feature, and the ability to convert handwritten annotations written by finger or through a stylus to a document format.

Microsoft lets go of Android 

Read more here.

On Tuesday (Mar. 5), Microsoft announced that it will be getting rid of Android app support for Windows 11 through its Windows Subsystem for Android (WSA) in a year. So, users have until 2025 before the app support completely disappears. 

Microsoft first brought native support for Android apps to Windows 11 back in 2021. The service enabled Windows PC users to discover popular Android apps via the Microsoft Store and download them via the Amazon Appstore. The company states that all apps and games that depend on its subsystem for Android apps will no longer work after the given date. 

The company didn't immediately reveal a reason behind this cancellation. However, they said, "We are grateful for the support of our developer community and remain committed to listening to feedback as we evolve experiences."

Ultimately, it was revealed that the decision was fueled by, of course, revenue, as well as a lack of support from Google.

YouTube expands video editing feature

Read more here.

After launching the YouTube Create app last September, YouTube is now bringing its video-editing tool to additional markets. The streaming platform announced that YouTube Create has now expanded to 13 additional countries. The app, which was initially exclusive to eight countries, will now be available in Spain, Hong Kong, Brazil, Australia, and more.

YouTube Create is intended to give video creators a user-friendly toolbox for making videos on the go. The app looks a lot like CapCut, owned by TikTok-owner ByteDance. CapCut offers nifty built-in creative tools and cool AR and AI filters, and YouTube is trying something similar for its Shorts.

Creators can split and trim videos, experiment with effects, and select royalty-free music to blend in with the original audio of the video clips. The app also has another tool called Audio Cleanup, which works by toning down background and ambient noise, boosting the audio quality of smartphone-recorded clips. 

With this new Creator app, YouTube wants to simplify an otherwise complicated video editing process.

Those are some of the biggest stories from this week. Meanwhile, here are some other stories that are worth catching up on:

• Google abandoned VR years ago, but now it wants to run things again
• Samsung set to bring vertical scrolling back to the app drawer in One UI 6.1.1
• The Galaxy S22 Ultra aged far more gracefully than the Pixel 6
• Apple plans to provide an easy way for its users to switch to Android
• The Pixel 9 could finally fix these long-time Pixel problems
• Meta working on generative AI model to power Reels and more, says head of Facebook
• WhatsApp beta update rolls out new sticker editor feature for Android
• Here's how WhatsApp and Messenger will become interoperable in the EU
• Apple Music won't work on rooted Android devices, following Google's footsteps
• Android 14 QPR3 Beta 2 is out now, but you really shouldn't sideload it

What you need to know

• TikTok upgrades its app for large-screen devices, including tablets and foldables.
• With the update, users can expect an enhanced feed and an optimized UI for better navigation.
• It also includes enhanced support for portrait and landscape orientations.

TikTok is now getting an upgrade to make it visually appealing for large-screen users.

The update is rolling out to users worldwide, and it promises to bring a clear video feed, a streamlined UI for better navigation bars, and enhanced support for portrait or landscape modes. The company says will also complement TikTok's experimental features like Topic Feeds, allowing users to explore videos involving sections like gaming, food, fashion, and sports.

TikTok further explains the aforementioned features that users would experience with the upgrade in the accompanying blog post. Starting with the clear video feed, which claims to offer a more refined video feed featuring content with enhanced clarity. Additionally, users will be able to use TikTok hassle-free with the streamlined navigation bars at the top and bottom, which lets them explore their favorite features and taps within the app.

Many social media apps don't look as well when viewed in a landscape position on foldable or tablet devices, especially apps that focus on vertical video. As the most recent release changelog states, TikTok will support either orientation to address the exact problem, meaning you can expect a better app experience no matter how you prefer to hold your device.

With the ongoing trend of large-screen Android handsets, including tablets and foldable phones, social media app makers are in a constant process of improving their apps to make them fit perfectly on these devices.

Instagram, the competitor of TikTok, gave itself a big-screen upgrade earlier this year, with better support for the Galaxy Z Fold 5 as soon as it launched. Later, updates to the app were adjusted to fit big screens better, and Instagram changed a few UI aspects to better utilize smartphones with big screens. 

We can anticipate more changes like this on social media and other pertinent apps to go along with the growing trend of large-screen phones, which is going to be around for a while now that TikTok has joined the list.

• Tablet deals: Best Buy | Walmart | Samsung | Amazon | Dell |

What you need to know

• TikTok has been spotted, including Google Search links in some queries.
• The company confirmed that it is testing third-party integrations within the app, with tests being carried out in several different markets.
• This year, TikTok started including Wikipedia links in some search results through a partnership, while Google has also included TikTok videos in its Search results.

As search trends continue shifting towards social media apps, TikTok has begun testing a new Google Search integration in the app as it partners with other third-party apps to enhance the in-app experience.

The Google Search integration was spotted by app researcher Radu Oncescu, who shared a screenshot on X of a Google Search link included in TikTok's in-app search results. The link appears to match the text in the search box, which likely sends the user directly to the Google Search results via an in-app browser.

In a separate screenshot, the app warns users that TikTok "does not endorse or take responsibility for search results from Google."

A TikTok spokesperson told Insider that the company was testing third-party integrations and that it's being tested globally across different markets. Yet, while I have not been able to replicate this, I have noticed Wikipedia links appearing in certain results, a feature that apparently rolled out sometime this year and via a partnership the company recently confirmed with The Verge. The app has also tapped into IMDb so users can tag movies or TV shows referenced in their videos.

It's an interesting move that may likely boost TikTok's search experience. Moreover, assuming there is some sort of partnership between the two companies, it may also benefit Google, which has had to contend with the fact that TikTok is being widely used as the default search method among certain users, particularly Gen Z. This trend could, in the long run, negatively impact Google Search's ad revenue, which rose slightly in the second quarter amid a decrease in ad spending.

"We keep learning, over and over again, that new internet users don't have the expectations and the mindset that we have become accustomed to," Google senior vice president Prabhakar Raghavan noted during a conference last year. He added that younger users are making queries in an entirely different way.

And while Google still has a sizeable chunk of the search market, Android Central's Shruti Shekar highlighted how Google has a lot to lose if it doesn't shift its focus. Since then, Google Search results have begun displaying TikTok videos and YouTube Shorts more prominently.

Meanwhile, Google is currently on trial for allegedly retaining its search dominance through anti-competitive means. It's unclear how this new move from TikTok plays into the accusations against the company, but Insider noted that a Google spokesperson declined to comment on whether or not there was a financial agreement between it and TikTok to include Google Search integration.

What you need to know

• TikTok has issued a lawsuit against the state of Montana.
• The lawsuit comes just days after Montana signed a statewide ban against the app.
• The law goes into effect January 1, 2024, and would prohibit app stores from offering TikTok within the state.
• TikTok says the move is unlawful and goes against the First Amendment.

TikTok is going on the offensive after a law was recently passed in Montana that would ban the app in the state. On Monday, TikTok fired back by filing a lawsuit against the state of Montana, according to TechCrunch, calling the move to ban the app within the state "unlawful."

The bill, signed into law on May 17 by Montana Governor Greg Gianforte, prohibits the app from operating within Montana and would mandate that app stores make the app unavailable to download in the state. Violators would be fined $10,000 per day per violation.

According to Gianforte, the ban was signed into law to "protect Montanans' personal and private data from the Chinese Communist Party."

"The Chinese Communist Party using TikTok to spy on Americans, violate their privacy, and collect their personal, private, and sensitive information is well-documented."

In its lawsuit, TikTok says the ban violates the First Amendment and is based on "unfounded speculation." TikTok also argues that Montana doesn't have the right to ban the app, as national security and foreign affairs are matters that must be taken up with the federal government.

"We are challenging Montana’s unconstitutional TikTok ban to protect our business and the hundreds of thousands of TikTok users in Montana," TikTok said in a statement on Monday. "We believe our legal challenge will prevail based on an exceedingly strong set of precedents and facts."

The ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union) has voiced these same concerns, which states that the law "tramples on our free speech rights under the guise of national security and lays the groundwork for excessive government control over the internet."

Despite the efforts by the U.S. government to paint TikTok as a national security threat, the company has maintained that it does not share any of its data with the Chinese government, nor has it been asked to. The company also outlines the ways it safeguards the data it collects, particularly the "limited" data it collects from U.S. users.

This isn't the first suit filed against the state of Montana over the ban. Shortly after it was signed into law, a group of Montana-based TikTok creators filed a suit against the state, arguing that TikTok is an important marketing platform and source of income. They also argue that U.S. courts have blocked previous attempts to ban the app.

On this week's episode of the Android Central Podcast, Shruti Shekar, Jerry Hildenbrand, Andrew Myrick, and Nick Sutrich discuss Montana's TikTok ban, the Google Pixel Fold & why it isn't a Pixel Flip, whether the Pixel Tablet is a Nest Hub replacement, review the Samsung Galaxy A54 5G, preview upcoming PSVR 2 games, and more!

LINKS

• 3 ways the Pixel Fold falls short of current foldable phones
• Google launched the Pixel Fold instead of a Pixel Flip — here's why
• Google says Pixel Tablet is NOT a Nest Hub replacement (but it kinda is)
• Montana governor approves ban on TikTok across the state
• Samsung Galaxy A54 review: Perfectly boring
• Upcoming PSVR 2 games

SPONSORS

• Indeed: Hire better with Indeed. Visit indeed.com/acp to start hiring now.

What you need to know

• TikTok has been officially banned for all residents in Montana.
• The state's governor has signed a bill that makes the platform's operation within the state unlawful.
• Montana will formally implement the law beginning in January 2024, unless it's overruled by a court.

Montana has made history after Governor Greg Gianforte approved an unprecedented state-wide ban on TikTok, which is set to make the app unavailable to all residents in the state starting next year.

Gianforte announced his decision on Twitter a month after the state's lawmakers passed the bill by a vote of 54-43. The goal is to protect the personal and private data of all state residents from the Chinese Communist Party, the governor tweeted.

This is the first state-wide ban imposed on the ByteDance-owned platform in the United States over concerns that it's spying on users and sending personal data to China. "The Chinese Communist Party using TikTok to spy on Americans, violate their privacy, and collect their personal, private, and sensitive information is well-documented," Gianforte said in a statement.

However, no solid evidence has yet been presented to back up claims that the Chinese government has accessed the data of TikTok users.

Any entity, including app stores that make the app available to download, will be fined up to $10,000 per day per violation. However, this won't include individuals using the app, although it will likely make it more difficult to download in the state, as TikTok will be fined if it continues operating within the state.

Montana is set to implement the new law beginning on January 1, 2024, unless overturned by a court. TikTok is expected to contest the ban in federal court. In a tweet, a company representative said that the new law "infringes on the First Amendment rights of the people" in the state.

"We want to reassure Montanans that they can continue using TikTok to express themselves, earn a living, and find community as we continue working to defend the rights of our users inside and outside of Montana," TikTok's representative added.

The ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union) also voiced the same concern, saying in a tweet that the ban violates "the free speech rights of hundreds of thousands of people in Montana who use the app."

Before the bill was signed into law, Montana had already prohibited the use of TikTok on all government devices in accordance with countrywide legislation approved by the US Senate last December. Now, in addition to TikTok, the state has now banned the "use of apps tied to foreign adversaries on state devices and networks."

According to Montana's official state website, the governor directed the state’s chief information officer and executive agency directors to impose the ban on ByteDance-owned CapCut, Lemon8, Telegram, Temu, and Tencent-owned WeChat.

What you need to know

• Montana has passed a new bill that seeks to ban TikTok in the state.
• If the legislation becomes a law, it will make Montana the first state to block the public use of the app statewide.
• The bill will also penalize app marketplaces like the Play Store and App Store that will continue to make it available to users.

Mounting efforts in the United States to ban the use of TikTok are currently limited to government devices, but new legislation in Montana will most likely bar the use of the app for the public statewide.

According to The Wall Street Journal, Montana lawmakers approved a new bill to prohibit TikTok from operating in the state by a vote of 54-43. The proposal is now awaiting Governor Greg Gianforte's rubber stamp before it becomes law. If signed, Montana will become the first state to enforce a statewide ban on the ByteDance-owned platform.

The potential total ban on TikTok is the service's latest challenge in a country hell-bent on getting rid of the platform by all means necessary. Montana has already prohibited the use of the app on all government electronic devices in line with countrywide legislation approved by the United States Senate last December.

As per the Montana bill, TikTok will be banned statewide beginning on January 1, 2024, assuming Gianforte signs it. When the law is fully implemented, anyone who breaks the law will face a $10,000 fine per violation. However, it is unclear how the state will put it into action.

TikTok's regulatory hurdles in the country have been a longstanding battle for the company since the Trump administration. Government officials have accused the app of being spyware and giving China access to all American users' data, branding it a national security threat. Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen re-echoed the same sentiment.

Last month, TikTok updated its community guidelines and shared its community principles with the public for the first time to address the U.S. government's security concerns. The company refreshed its hate speech and hateful behavior policies, as well as expanded its information on how it protects "civic and election integrity."

But with Montana taking the lead in implementing a total ban on the app, it may only be a matter of time before downloading and installing TikTok on all consumer devices in the U.S. becomes illegal.

Google would be wise to make YouTube Shorts a more central aspect of the YouTube app as governments around the world contemplate blocking and/or banning TikTok, some experts stipulate. 

The U.S. government is currently threatening to ban TikTok, and in late March the app’s CEO Shou Zi Chew told U.S. lawmakers that while Chinese ByteDance employees may still have access to U.S. user data, the Chinese government has not requested they hand over that information. Chew told lawmakers that even if the Chinese government asked for that information, TikTok would refuse such a request. 

Lawmakers on both sides of the political spectrum however are still concerned about the security of American users' data, despite Chew stating that TikTok is currently in the process of deleting data accessible by Chinese employees in order to keep it secured in the U.S. 

In 2021, TikTok reached three billion downloads worldwide, despite being banned in India the previous year, according to data from Statista. The app saw $824 million in global user spending on the app in Q4 2021 and in 2023 the app had a  42.7% U.S. reach. 

But if TikTok gets banned, where do creators and users go? Google has incorporated Shorts into YouTube, which has been likened to TikTok, and Meta has done the same with Reels into Instagram, but should either company decide to create standalone apps? 

Matt Orf, a research analyst at Counterpoint Research, says in an interview that while Shorts could be one of the several platforms to benefit from TikTok’s decline, “Meta seems better positioned with Facebook and Instagram Reels in the U.S. market.”

“Much success of these short-form videos comes down to proprietary algorithms that dictate video suggestions, so this also is a space where a disruptor could emerge that simply has a better algorithm,” he says. 

Avi Greengart, president and lead analyst at Techsponential, agrees: “Honestly, I think Instagram Reels should get its own app first… Meta’s Instagram Reels is as much a direct competitor to TikTok as YouTube Shorts, and, with the complaints that Reels is changing the Instagram experience for the worse, this might be an ideal time to break out Reels into its own app.” 

Greengart notes that because Instagram started as a photo app and many of its users have been vocal about not liking the new video focus, separating Reels would likely make everyone happy. 

Android Central reached out to Google for comment but did not get a response in time for publication.

Google could use TikTok’s decline to focus on bettering Shorts

Orf thinks that in the case of Google, rather than creating a standalone app, the company should figure out a way to draw more users to the platform.

“Rather than developing a standalone app that users would need to download and adopt, I think it would be simpler for Google to take advantage of the existing YouTube app that is pre-installed on essentially all devices and make YouTube Shorts a more central part of the YouTube app experience rather than a peripheral to normal length/aspect ratio videos. Think of how Instagram incorporated reels into its existing app,” he says. 

Shorts first launched in India after TikTok was banned in August 2020 and it later rolled out globally in June 2021. In 2022, YouTube Shorts got 2.5 billion daily views, according to storylab.ai. It notes that Shorts is growing 135 percent year-over-year and has over 1.5 billion monthly users. 

But Orf believes that Google would have to have a really compelling case to create a standalone app because it would require users to download yet another app. 

“Since YouTube is preinstalled and users are already engaging with that application en masse, it seems much easier for Google to make Shorts a more significant part of the YouTube app and take advantage of the existing userbase rather than to create a new app, which Google would need to convince users to migrate to,” he says. “This isn’t impossible, but it would require substantial marketing efforts and resources.” 

Google needs to hone in on its goals for Shorts, ASAP

Anshel Sag, a senior analyst at Moor Insights & Strategy, doesn’t necessarily think a standalone YouTube Shorts app will create demand nor will users flock to it. 

“I don’t think the demand for the app will necessarily increase considerably more than there is demand for it today,” he says. “Success depends entirely on Google’s goals for Shorts. If it meets Google’s success parameters, it will continue to exist and maintain its success. Otherwise, Google will just kill it like it does everything else. Ultimately, if there’s one less, more successful competitor, then it could become more successful purely through catching fleeing users.”

Sag explains that Google not creating a standalone app for Shorts benefits Google a lot, adding that Shorts is where you can view content designed for vertical viewing in shorter snippets, while YouTube satisfies long-form and short-form content. This is something TikTok has been trying to tackle by letting users make videos beyond the standard 3-minute limit to 10 minutes. 

While this format might benefit Google, Greengart believes that it’s this point that might make sense for Shorts to have its own standalone app. 

“Google has a better track record at direct monetization for creators than any other social network, and YouTubers have begun creating Shorts as Google has pushed the format. However, on the consumer side, the YouTube app is still more linear than TikTok, and would benefit from a standalone app,” he says. 

Orf notes that Google’s list of goals should also be figuring out if it has enough resources to create a standalone app and if those resources are enough. 

“In the right conditions, efforts to create an independent short-form video platform for YouTube Shorts could be successful. But the advantages of having a standalone app has to justify the amount of resources it would require to transition users from YouTube and keep them engaged. The competition will also be fierce, as Meta and disruptors will be seeking to do the same. In summary, it is possible that it could be successful, but it would be difficult and expensive,” he says. 

The end goal however for Google will be engagement, Orf adds, and that if there isn’t enough engagement, it really wouldn’t make sense to create a standalone app. 

“I think people would care if Google launched a separate app, I think the question is how best to drive engagement with Shorts, and Google’s strength is its massive existing userbase for YouTube. Google can leverage this by making Shorts a more central focus of the existing YouTube app, driving existing users towards the Shorts experience,” he says. 

On this week's episode of the Android Central Podcast, Shruti Shekar, Nick Sutrich, Derrek Lee, and Andrew Myrick, discuss the launch of Google's Bard AI chatbot, a potential TikTok ban, whether Microsoft should put Bing with ChatGPT on Wear OS, debate flat or curved displays on smartphones, and more!

LINKS

• Google's Bard AI Chatbot now open to the public
• Microsoft should put Bing with ChatGPT on Wear OS, beat Google to the punch
• It's impossible to review security cameras in the age of breaches and ransomware
• Poll: Do you prefer flat or curved displays on smartphones?
• A TikTok ban isn't about privacy it's about politics

SPONSORS

• Indeed: Hire better with Indeed. Visit indeed.com/acp to start hiring now.

What you need to know

• We polled our readers, asking if they support the call to ban TikTok in the U.S.
• Out of nearly 1,400 votes, 63% say they think TikTok should be banned.
• Many who voted no point out that U.S. companies have been caught doing worse than what TikTok is accused of.

The U.S. government is currently threatening to ban TikTok. In last week's testimony, TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew told U.S. lawmakers that Chinese ByteDance employees may still have access to U.S. user data but that the Chinese government has not requested they hand over any of the data and that TikTok would refuse any such request.

Still, lawmakers on both sides appear concerned over the data of American users, despite Chew stating that TikTok is currently in the process of deleting the data accessible by Chinese employees in order to keep it secured in the U.S.

Following the testimony, we asked our readers if they think TikTok should be banned in the United States. A majority of 63% say that TikTok should be banned, with 31% saying it shouldn't and the remaining 5% saying they're unsure.

While most voters seem to side with the U.S. government on this stance, many have questioned the motives behind the move. Android Central's Jerry Hildenbrand argues that banning TikTok isn't really about protecting American privacy; it's about politics. It's the fact that TikTok's parent company ByteDance is a Chinese company and that the Chinese government could potentially get its hands on U.S. data.

He also argues that while the U.S. is concerned about China taking our data, it's no better about protecting user data from American companies and government entities. And despite a high percentage of readers agreeing with the call to ban TikTok, many agree that the U.S. needs to look at itself and consider adopting better data privacy laws to protect Americans.

Here are some comments from readers:

Judge Castle: "No. If anything, the US should follow China's lead and ask for a silo'd product in which all data lives in the US and that China HQ has no access to the data etc. Similar to how US companies have to handle China. I don't use the platform, I am more curious how this is handled."

Oskie Mignon: "If the US has "proof" of what they are claiming against TikTok then why haven't they pulled the plug? I think this is a Meta-backed initiative to eliminate healthy competition. I also know a handful of people who's business relies on TikTok, so no."

Mark Powell: "I would like to see the evidence they have without lobbyist interference of the data. I have yet to hear and see anything."

Tony Miller: "Banning Tiktok is just treating a symptom. First we need better data privacy laws enacted."

Kristian Noe: "I think we should start educating kids on privacy in school. Let them make their own decisions then. Maybe that way people realize TikTok isn’t the only social media invading our privacy and distributing our data."

Robb Radford: "Far more concerned about the information the NSA collects on it's own citizens then China"

Tina White: "Facebook has been caught doing WAY worse things with customer data and nobody seems to care about that at all."

Unless you've been stuck under a rock lately, you're probably aware that TikTok is in some hot water right now. The app is currently facing a nationwide ban in the U.S., and CEO Shou Zi Chew was recently grilled by lawmakers about TikTok's practices and how it handles consumer app data.

The U.S. fears the Chinese government could collect data from U.S. users via TikTok owner ByteDance. Because of this, the app has already been banned on government devices in both the United States and Canada, with the U.K. also considering a ban. However, this recent move would spread the ban nationwide, which may not be popular among the app's audience of more than 113 million U.S. users.

That said, with all the drama surrounding TikTok and this aggressive push by lawmakers, do you agree that the app should be banned?

TikTok knows it's in a very precarious predicament with the United States. This is likely why the app recently refreshed its community guidelines with additional moderation of AI-generated content and hate speech. It also published its community principles for the first time in order to give users a better understanding of how the app aims to keep its users safe.

However, lawmakers pressed on with their efforts to ban the app.

During Friday's testimony, Chew told lawmakers that Chinese-based employees at ByteDance have access to U.S. data (via CNBC), at least for now. TikTok is apparently in the process of deleting data from servers in Singapore and Virginia that can still be accessed by ByteDance, an effort dubbed "Project Texas" that would see its data being stored in the U.S. by Oracle. He also states that the Chinese government has never asked for TikTok's data and that the company would refuse such a request.

Still, that did not seem to be enough for U.S. lawmakers, who appeared just as concerned as before the hearing.

Yet, with all the drama around TikTok and claims that the call to ban the app is about protecting American data, Android Central's Jerry Hildenbrand writes that it's more about politics than privacy and that the U.S. has already failed us when it comes to protecting user data.

"The big problem here is that there are a lot of other apps that are just as bad (maybe even worse) when it comes to consumer privacy violations," he writes. "We know about the few times companies took it too far and got caught, as Facebook (now Meta) and Twitter were both caught doing things their own privacy policies said would never happen. So why ban TikTok and not Twitter?"

He says the answer comes down to Americans being afraid of China, even though the United States government also has workarounds it can use to take whatever data it wants. He believes the best thing the U.S. government can do is instill tougher data privacy protections that U.S. companies must abide by.

"In any case, banning TikTok is just a Band-Aid that will piss off a lot of people. It's not even a very good Band-Aid and this is coming from someone who thinks the app is every bit as bad as the 'government' says it is."

What you need to know

• For the first time, TikTok has made its community principles public.
• These principles serve as the foundation for all TikTok decisions regarding content moderation on the platform.
• TikTok's community guidelines have also been updated, and they will go into effect on April 21.

TikTok is increasingly gaining a reputation as the wild west of social networking, and for valid reasons, chief among them the proliferation of occasionally dangerous content on the platform. The short-form video music service is now taking steps to further rein things in with a new update to its community guidelines.

In a blog post, TikTok's Global Head of Product Policy, Julie de Bailliencourt, wrote that the platform is beefing up its rules around AI-generated content. This new update comes as generative AI continues to gain traction among tech giants like Google and Microsoft. The search giant, in particular, recently unveiled new AI tools for Gmail, Docs, Slides, Sheets, Meet, and Chat. The feature can do things like create images, audio, and videos for you in Slides in a matter of seconds.

TikTok has also updated its policies around hate speech and hateful behavior, adding "tribe" to the list of attributes protected by its guidelines. Furthermore, the ByteDance-owned company has expanded its information on how it safeguards "civic and election integrity."

More than 100 organizations worldwide have pitched in to help inform TikTok's refresh guidelines. The ultimate goal is to bolster the platform's rules and "respond to new threats and potential harms," according to Bailliencourt.

The new guidelines will come into force beginning on April 21, and TikTok plans to train its pool of moderators over the coming months.

TikTok has also revamped the organization of its guidelines page, sorting out rules into topic areas based on their themes, complete with an explanation of what's prohibited from the service. This structure makes the policies easier to read and understand.

The company also reiterates the pillars of its moderation approach, including removing violative content, restricting age-sensitive content, hiding videos from its "For You" recommendation feed if they're not suitable for a wider set of audience, and giving users tools to control their experience.

TikTok's community principles

For the first time, TikTok has also released its community principles, which guide all of its decisions toward keeping TikTok safe for all users.

"These principles guide our decisions about how we moderate content, so that we can strive to be fair in our actions, protect human dignity and strike a balance between freedom of expression and preventing harm," Bailliencourt writes.

There are eight guiding principles that are "centered on balancing expression with harm prevention, embracing human dignity, and ensuring our actions are fair," according to TikTok's Community Guidelines page.

The move comes after several frenzied months of government bans on TikTok, with the UK government being the most recent entity to forbid the use of the app on all government electronic devices. Interestingly, the community principles come to light as TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew prepares to testify before the U.S. Congress this month to answer questions from lawmakers over national security concerns hounding the platform.

Several states and federal agencies have implemented a ban on TikTok on government devices in recent months, although a decision on a national ban has yet to be reached by legislators. However, recent reports that TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, tracked U.S. journalists’ locations using data from the app have strengthened lawmakers' case for a nationwide ban.

What you need to know

• Britain has banned the TikTok app from government electronic devices.
• The UK government made the decision after conducting a security review, which found that the app could compromise information stored on government devices.
• Government employees and ministers may still use TikTok on their personal devices.

As more countries around the world pile on to ban TikTok, another government has taken a similar step to forbid the use of the app on its devices. The UK announced on Thursday that it's banning the ByteDance-owned platform from being installed on all government mobile devices.

TikTok is increasingly being labeled a national security threat by governments in the west, so it's little surprise that Britain has joined the chorus. In a press release, the Cabinet Office stated that it had come to a decision after conducting "a security review," which assessed the risks posed by social media apps to government data stored on mobile devices.

The Cabinet Office calls its latest move a "precautionary ban" on the Chinese video music app, given that the information stored on government devices is sensitive. This action is also part of a broader effort to strengthen the government's handling of third-party apps.

"The security of sensitive government information must come first, so today we are banning this app on government devices," says Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Oliver Dowden. "The use of other data-extracting apps will be kept under review."

The UK is the latest government to swing the ban hammer on TikTok, following in the footsteps of other world powers. Last December, the U.S. Senate passed legislation making it illegal to download the app on any government device. TikTok is also facing the risk of a national ban in the country unless ByteDance sells off the platform, the company told Reuters late last month.

In Canada, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told federal employees in February that "they can no longer use TikTok on their work phones," CBC reported.

The European Parliament's staff members have also been prohibited from installing the app on their work devices, and the assembly has even urged lawmakers and staff to remove TikTok from their personal devices, according to Reuters.

Meanwhile, a TikTok spokesperson told CNBC that "these bans have been based on fundamental misconceptions and driven by wider geopolitics, in which TikTok and our millions of users in the UK play no part."

Nonetheless, UK government employees and ministers are still allowed to install the app on their personal mobile devices if they want to. The rules also allow for exemptions when the app is required for law enforcement purposes and security teams have approved such use.

The latest bans underline mounting pressure on TikTok as its CEO, Shou Zi Chew, prepares to testify before the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee on March 23.

Spotify has gone through quite a few changes over the years, but none seem as dramatic as the latest update to the app's home page. Spotify revealed the new look at its Stream On event this past week, and it seems to be quite divisive among streaming fans. The new TikTok-like UI shows large previews for music, podcasts, and audiobooks that users can swipe through.

The new UI has already begun rolling out on Android and iOS devices, but we want to know what you think of Spotify's new Home experience.

According to Spotify, the new design builds on the previous change that was rolled out last year, giving users easy access to various content feeds, including music, podcasts, and now audiobooks. The new experience is supposed to help users discover new content more easily. Automatic previews will play snippets of songs that users might like in hopes that it will capture their attention enough for them to want to listen to the full track and/or save it to their library.

The idea is that it's easier to discover new content if it's fed to users this way over simply reading static titles and actively clicking to preview a title. Of course, users will still have access to their favorites at the top of each home feed, but Spotify hopes this new approach will facilitate more active discovery.

Of course, Spotify is far from the only company to implement a TikTok-like UI in its app. Instagram tried a full-screen approach last year that was met with a lot of criticism. However, that hasn't stopped other apps and services from testing or adopting the TikTok-style feed, which is not surprising given the popularity of the app.

With new songs and trends are often discovered and popularized from TikTok, perhaps Spotify wants to emulate a similar experience on its app. However, only time will tell if this new approach will actually benefit the app or drive users to other music streaming services.

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What you need to know

• TikTok preps new parental controls for monitoring teens' screen time.
• Parents will soon have a customizable daily screen time limit for their teenagers.
• A new dashboard will be included, which shows the total time spent using TikTok and how many times it was opened.
• Sleep reminders will also arrive soon for all users.

As TikTok continues to consume the lives of many young adults, the platform is introducing new ways parents can help monitor their children and limit their app use.

According to a TikTok press release, in the weeks ahead, all accounts registered to a user under 18 years old will default to a one-hour screen time limit. The platform explains that a teen's caregiver can customize their daily screen time limit depending on the day of the week or scenario (such as a vacation). TikTok explains that while this one-hour limit will be set automatically for users under 13 years old, a parent or guardian will need to enter a passcode to add an additional 30 minutes.

Additionally, parents will soon find a new screen time dashboard with this coming update. The dashboard will offer information such as how much screen time their child has spent, how often they've opened TikTok, and a breakdown of time spent during the day and night. The company is citing a research study it conducted as it hopes to offer parents as many tools as possible to guide their teenagers.

The final feature allows parents to set a window of time to silence TikTok notifications on their teen's phone. This builds on the already existing feature where accounts with registered users 13 to 15 have their notifications muted at 9 pm. Those aged 16 and 17 have theirs automatically muted after 10 pm.

These three new options will be added for parents in Family Pairing, which is a hub of parental controls caretakers can utilize to better manage what goes on with TikTok on their teen's phone.

Aside from monitoring your teenager, TikTok will be adding sleep reminders on the platform. Users will soon be able to set when it's time to close TikTok and get a good night's rest. When the set time is reached during the night, a pop-up will appear, alerting the user that it's time to close the app.

The coming new features, specifically the new 60-minute customizable limit, are backed by TikTok's newfound approach to encouraging healthier practices. The platform will prompt teens to set the 60-minute limit themselves, especially if more than 100 hours are spent on the app. However, if declined by a teen, a parent can always set a limit themselves through Family Pairing.

TikTok's new controls follow similar moves made by its competitor Instagram last year, introducing ways to limit and monitor teens using the platform, particularly around Reels.

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What you need to know

• TikTok will likely be banned from U.S. government-issued smartphones.
• The U.S. Senate has approved a bill that makes it illegal to download the app on any government device.
• The bill is still pending approval from the House of Representatives before it reaches the U.S. president's desk.

TikTok's obstacles in the United States continue to mount, with the Senate unanimously passing legislation prohibiting anyone from installing the app on government devices.

The "No TikTok on Government Devices Act," which was introduced by Senator Josh Hawley (R-Missouri), seeks to ban TikTok from any government-issued smartphones due to national security concerns. However, it must still be approved by the House of Representatives before it can be sent to the president of the United States.

U.S. officials are concerned that ByteDance, which owns and operates the app, may share user information with the Chinese government. The bill also unanimously passed in the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.

“TikTok is a Trojan Horse for the Chinese Communist Party,” said Senator Hawley. "It’s a major security risk to the United States, and until it is forced to sever ties with China completely, it has no place on government devices."

The FBI raised similar concerns in November, as per CBS News. "We do have national security concerns," FBI Director Christopher Wray said. "They include the possibility that the Chinese government could use it to control data collection on millions of users."

Under the proposed law, the Office of Management and Budget will develop guidelines for how government agencies will ensure that TikTok is not downloaded on their devices. Law enforcement and national security operations, however, will be exempt. 

This isn't the first time the U.S. government has moved to prohibit the use of TikTok in government devices. The Department of Commerce also banned TikTok along with WeChat from app stores in the U.S. in 2020 because of national security concerns. However, President Joe Biden issued an executive order last year reversing the ban.

Android Central has reached out to TikTok for comment and will update this article when we hear back. Meanwhile, a TikTok spokesperson told Bloomberg that the legislation has "nothing to advance US national security interests."

What you need to know

• Amazon is bringing a new shoppable feed to its mobile app.
• The new shopping experience is called Inspire, and it displays short-form videos and photos that Amazon believes you will find interesting.
• You will then be able to explore and purchase products featured in your feed.

TikTok's video format is increasingly facing competition from tech giants, and Amazon is the latest to join the fray. The online retail giant has announced Inspire, a new short-form video experience that allows consumers to explore and buy products through a shoppable feed (via The Wall Street Journal).

Unlike TikTok's style, though, Amazon's Inspire adds photos to the mix, giving users more ways to discover products they may like from various content creators, brands, and even other customers. WSJ reports that Amazon has begun recruiting influencers to create videos for the shopping feed.

Owners of content featuring a specific product will presumably earn commissions, similar to other services with affiliate marketing programs. The shopping feed takes into account your preferences in order to create a unique feed that is distinct from any other feed displayed to consumers on the platform.

To get started, simply tap the light bulb icon in the app's bottom navigation bar. You will then be presented with various interests, ranging from interior design and camping to skin care and coffee making. You can choose any of these categories, and start scrolling through a customized shoppable feed. 

Products featured in photos and videos are shown on screen. If a product piques your interest, you can take action by tapping any of the buttons, such as reading the reviews, viewing the product description, or adding an item to your cart.

Inspire obviously takes a page out of TikTok's playbook in a bid to cut into the ByteDance-owned service's market and lure some of TikTok's users into Amazon's new shopping experience. The video-music sharing platform currently has an in-app shopping experience that includes livestream shopping, TikTok Shop (a sort of affiliate marketing), and sponsored videos. TikTok Shop is also being tested in the United States.

Amazon is challenging TikTok's dominance in this segment by bringing product discovery and shopping experiences under one roof for consumers. Earlier this year, the retail behemoth launched an AR shopping tool to allow consumers to try on a pair of shoes, eyewear, and T-shirts virtually before buying them.

However, Inspire is only available on Android and iOS, skipping the desktop web version. It will be available to a limited number of customers in the U.S. beginning in early December. Amazon promises that the feature will be available to all customers in the country within the next few months.

What you need to know

• TikTok is preparing to launch its e-commerce platform in the United States.
• Dubbed TikTok Shop, it is currently being tested in the country after launching in the U.K. and several Asian regions.
• Businesses will be able to sell their products directly through the app.

Short-form video hosting service TikTok is gearing up to take on Amazon and other retail entities as it prepares to launch its e-commerce feature in the United States.

According to Semafor (via The Verge), TikTok has silently ventured into the e-commerce space in the U.S. this past week with its TikTok Shop feature. It sits within the app and allows users to buy products in-app from participating businesses.

While the social media platform has reportedly started testing in the U.S, it was previously limited to several Asian regions and the U.K.

"We've seen the positive impact of TikTok Shop, and we're excited to continue experimenting with this new commerce opportunity to support businesses of all sizes," a TikTok spokesperson told Semafor.

Citing people familiar with the matter, Semafor's report indicates that ByteDance, TikTok's parent company, has already been in talks with businesses in the U.S. to participate in the new TikTok Shop initiative. International businesses apparently aren't included just yet, although they will eventually gain access to TikTok Shop.

Tiktok is among the popular social media apps you can find on Android devices and iOS platforms. Android Central's Shruti Shekar has explained how she and many other users rely on the app to discover new trends, places, and even products, making it an ideal move to fold e-commerce features into the mix. The timing for TikTok Shop also comes right before the holiday season, allowing it to take on Amazon and other e-commerce companies as they try to reel consumers into their Black Friday deals.

An e-commerce facility on a social media app isn't new. We've seen some of the best social media apps incorporate this functionality; Facebook Market is one such example. Likewise, WhatsApp and Instagram also have their marketplaces.

What you need to know

• ByteDance-owned TikTok reportedly suffered a breach exposing its source code and user data.
• The claim comes from a hacking group; however, TikTok denies it.
• TikTok's spokesperson further denies the claim suggesting exposed data is publicly available.

Over this weekend, TikTok found itself in a new data breach, according to BeeHive Cyber security group. The security team further mentioned it was carried out by a hacking group called AgainstTheWest (@AggressiveCurl). The respective Twitter Handle is now suspended (at the time of this writing).

The BeeHive team urged TikTok users to change their current passwords and enable two-factor authentication. TikTok has quickly responded, noting the breach was incorrect (via Bloomberg).

"Our security team investigated this statement and determined that the code in question is completely unrelated to TikTok's backend source code," a spokesperson said to Bloomberg.

According to another report from Bleeping Computer, the AgainstTheWest group alleged that they have breached social media platforms such as TikTok and WeChat. The group uploaded screenshots of an alleged database belonging to the firms, which they claim was accessed on an Alibaba cloud service.

They have further insisted the said server reportedly holds 2.05 billion records and over 790 GB of user data, source code, statistics, authentication tokens, and more.

TikTok has also stated to Bleeping Computer that the hack mentioned above is incorrect. The ByteDance-owned company further insisted the shared source code from the hacking group isn't part of its platform.

"This is an incorrect claim — our security team investigated this statement and determined that the code in question is completely unrelated to TikTok's backend source code, which has never been merged with WeChat data," TikTok stated to Bleeping Computer.

TikTok spokesperson Maureen Shanahan talked to The Verge, stating, "We have confirmed that the data samples in question are all publicly accessible and are not due to any compromise of TikTok systems, networks, or databases."

"We do not believe users need to take any proactive actions, and we remain committed to the safety and security of our global community."

Troy Hunt, the founder of Have I Been Pwned, has been following the initial report from BeeHive. Digging in further, he suggests the alleged shared data is already publicly accessible, well, at least most of it. 

In another tweet, he also mentions some data matches production info that is publicly accessible, and some of it is reportedly junk. It implies it could be a mixed bag of data so far. 

On the whole, the acclaimed hacking group has suspended its Twitter showcasing the alleged hack. The group has also been banned from a forum citing "lying about data breaches."

What you need to know

• Instagram says it will soon begin testing larger images on the platform.
• Users will be able to post images in a 9:16 aspect ratio when the test rolls out.
• Instagram has received backlash for its recent TikTok-like changes to video.

You may not have been a fan of Instagram's recent changes, but the company hopes to introduce a new change that some users may appreciate.

When asked during an AMA on Friday if Instagram was working on any cool features for photos, Instagram head Adam Mosseri stated that the company plans to start testing support for taller images (via The Verge).

"One that we hope to test in a week or two is support for 9:16 photos," Moserri responds in his story. "Because you could have tall videos, but you cannot have tall photos on Instagram, and so we thought maybe we should make sure that we treat both equally."

Right now, Instagram supports images as tall as 4:5, which isn't always ideal for frequent posters (such as myself), mainly when smartphones normally shoot images at 3:4 (or 4:3 when horizontal). It can leave parts of the top and bottom cut out of the image, meaning users have to make a choice to leave out a section of the image. Support for taller photos could help alleviate this issue for some, particularly for people who shoot pictures as tall as 9:16.

The move to support taller images follows recent backlash the company received for inching the platform towards a TikTok-like app with an increased focus on videos, despite wanting to "treat both [photos and videos] equally." The company began testing a new full-screen layout that pretty much no one liked, and thus the company decided to roll back some of its recent changes in order to brainstorm a "new idea or iteration."

Despite the step back, support for taller images sees the platform inching closer toward more full-screen content, and it'll be interesting to see how users react to the test when it rolls out.

What you need to know

• TikTok may be planning to develop its own music streaming service.
• A USPTO filing suggests that a "TikTok Music" service is in the cards.
• The service's streaming experience may also be mixed with social elements.

TikTok is taking its fight to Spotify and other music streaming platforms as it looks to expand beyond the short-video segment, according to a trademark application filed by its parent company, ByteDance.

The Chinese internet giant has filed a trademark application for a music streaming app to be known as TikTok Music, as spotted by Business Insider. The application was filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in May, though it has yet to be assigned to a lawyer for review. The same application was filed in Australia last November.

According to the filing, the service will be applicable to mobile phones and tablets, allowing users "to purchase, play, share, download music, songs, albums, lyrics, quotes, create, recommend, share his/her playlists, lyrics, quotes, take, edit and upload photographs as the cover of playlists, comment on music, songs, and albums."

From the looks of it, TikTok Music will be more than just a simple app for streaming music. It is likely to incorporate social elements — something you don't often find in many of the best music streaming services. If TikTok makes this a reality, it will give Spotify, YouTube Music, and Apple Music a run for their money. This is especially true given that those platforms do not yet allow users to comment on songs and albums.

But TikTok Music won't be ByteDance's first music streaming platform, assuming it comes to fruition. The Chinese company already offers a similar app called Resso in select markets, including Brazil, India, and Indonesia. According to TechCrunch, Resso shares many of the features that ByteDance wants to include in TikTok Music, such as the ability to share lyrics and post comments.

The service gained traction despite its limited market availability by piggybacking on TikTok, from which Resso draws the vast majority of its user base. TikTok Music appears to be heading in the same direction.

Android Central has reached out to ByteDance for a statement and will update this article when we hear back.

Last week, Google complained that almost 40% of Gen Z prefers using social apps like TikTok and Instagram for online queries instead of Google Search and Maps. Instead of complaining, perhaps Google should take the necessary steps to make valuable changes to its services to draw in its losing customer base. 

If you’ve been reading my articles, I rarely plug in my personal opinion, and I try to be as unbiased as possible. But during last week’s podcast episode I was really excited to give my opinion, because I actually fall in the pool of people who use TikTok and Instagram as search tools more than I do with Google. 

I’m going to make one thing clear, Google Search and Maps are incredibly invaluable tools, and it’s not like I’ve completely stopped using them. When I used to get my nails done, I would search in Maps for “nail salons near me.” 

I would then typically go to a place that had good ratings and reviews (which conveniently can be found on Maps.) So Google got this right, but what it didn’t get right is what TikTok and Instagram have done. 

It started during the pandemic: Instead of searching for a recipe on Google, I went to TikTok, because somehow watching someone make Ramen on TikTok was far more appealing than reading a blog post on Google. There was appeal and charm in watching a short two-minute video, and it was even more convenient that I could get this all in an app. 

Prabhakar Raghavan, Google’s senior vice president, said during a conference that TikTok and Instagram have become the go-to platforms for many younger users when searching for places to dine. 

"We keep learning, over and over again, that new internet users don’t have the expectations and the mindset that we have become accustomed to," Raghavan said. He added that younger users are making queries in an entirely different way.

An entirely different way is the new way, and Google needs to accept it

I think the reason this story confused a lot of people is that most people probably didn’t think that it could be possible to overthrow and outshine the largest search engine on the planet. And likely why Google is complaining is because it feels it no longer should be targeted by politicians for anti-competitive behavior.  

When I expressed during the podcast that I’m not at all surprised, my colleagues were intrigued. On the one hand, because I wasn’t surprised about this shift in search habits, but more so about how and why I personally use TikTok and Instagram as the new search.

I explained that what I loved about TikTok specifically was getting the first-hand experience from someone else. If I felt like going to a Mexican restaurant in Toronto, I would search “best tacos Toronto” on TikTok and I’d watch through about 10-20 videos of different people talking about their experiences, showing off the restaurant ambiance, and what the food looked like. 

These reviews serve a big purpose: They help me get a mini-understanding of what I could potentially experience, and instead of reading a review on Google, I get much more info in a shorter period of time. 

This process that I’ve explained is just the new way of doing things; it showcases the shift in the way people want to consume content, and the purpose for which they are consuming it. 

Carmi Levy, a technology analyst, agreed with me that it shouldn’t come as a surprise that Gen Z has a radically different relationship — and expectations of — technology than members of older demographic groups. 

“Against that backdrop, it makes absolute sense that Gen Z users tend to stick to social platforms like TikTok and Instagram when searching online. While web-based paradigms have tended to dominate the online experience for older users, they are less relevant for a generation raised on visually-oriented social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram,” he said. 

Google has the most to lose if it doesn’t shift its focus

I would be remiss to not speak about how Google pioneered the way we search for content and consume it. When YouTube was introduced, the world’s information was suddenly delivered to us in videos in a way that was easy, digestible, and convenient. 

Over the years, YouTube changed in meaningful ways to adapt to what consumers want by providing longer-form videos, but also catering to ways that allowed creators to earn money. 

But in recent years, we changed the way we consumed content. We prefer watching videos that are short and to the point — the type of content TikTok succeeds in, and one Google is trying to catch up with.

That being said, I don’t think Google is going to suffer any time soon — the company raked in more than $75 billion in revenue in its most recent earnings result, and much of that was from Google’s Search business and AdSense. 

Per its Q4 2021 earnings report, the company said Search was the biggest contributor, bringing in more than $43 billion of that $75 billion. That’s not too shabby. 

It also noted that YouTube ads brought in $8.6 billion in revenue. This came shortly after Google announced a staggering five trillion views of its ever-growing YouTube Shorts. 

And don’t forget, Google has been pumping money into the medium through initiatives like the Shorts Creator Fund, which helps creators make money off their content through compelling Shorts.

But let’s not assume that this trajectory is going to last forever for Google. 

Social media consultant Matt Navarra tweeted: “TikTok will overtake Facebook when it comes to the amount of money advertisers spend on influencer marketing in the U.S. by the end of this year — and it will beat out YouTube by 2024.” That’s according to stats from The Information. 

We know that in 2021, social media ad sales in the U.S. grew 36% to reach $58 billion, “as brands increased marketing budgets to recover from the pandemic and reach customers online,” per Reuters. 

But social media companies have since warned investors that spending will drop as inflation lingers, noting a change in the environment.

On the flip side, TikTok is poised to grow over 200% to become a $12 billion business, per a Barclays analyst note. Yvonne Williams, vice president of media at ad agency Code3, which has worked with brands like Gap and Dior, told Reuters that TikTok “remains important for many clients’ advertising strategies.” 

All this information is coming just before Google’s parent company Alphabet reports its Q2 2022 earnings on Tuesday. 

So what should Google be doing? 

During Google I/O this year, the company brought some big updates to Maps that allow users to see not only where a restaurant or scenic landmark is on the map, but to view the place in full 3D right on some of the best Android phones. 

The company is also adding Google Maps Live View, which can make looking for seats at a stadium or finding a restaurant in a store a bit easier. 

Honestly, when I heard this announcement, I actually thought “who cares?” These features sound boring and dull and frankly, pretty outdated. 

In my opinion, Google should either create a standalone YouTube Shorts app, or incorporate videos from Shorts into Maps. This way when I want to search for something in Maps, I would automatically see videos of people creating mini-reviews. 

Anshel Sag, a senior analyst at Moor Insights & Strategy, said Google primarily needs to focus on improving search on YouTube and YouTube Shorts, because ultimately, “people’s queries on TikTok and Instagram are based on content that makes them curious to find out more about that company or product.” 

“That said, business behavior is a factor as well, for example, when a restaurant posts photos of its food on its Instagram, but also posts an image of its menu there first before it even has a website is a factor as well. Many upstart restaurants tend to make Instagram accounts before they do Facebook, Twitter, or TikTok,” he said. 

Sag said that if Google were to compete with the likes of TikTok or Instagram, it would have to be a multi-faceted effort “that attacks all the different ways that people search for things, and how content is served to them.” 

“Google needs to improve things like Shorts and YouTube videos, but also make Podcasts more easily searchable, and possibly even make it easier to find products mentioned during podcasts,” he says. 

Is it too late for Google?

I don’t think it is, and neither does Levy who said that Google will notice and complain, but is usually quick to adapt. 

"We’ve seen this game play out before, where younger folks use technology differently than their parents ever did. Smart companies have always rolled with the punches, and Google has been adapting its offerings since its first search tools went live." 

"Indeed, as Google has been a driver of much of the shift from the early static Web 1.0 to the application-driven Web 2.0, and from mobile web to apps, it’s ideally positioned to shift its offerings yet again and position them within the tools that the users of tomorrow end up using,” he said. 

This is a generational shift, but it doesn’t mean Google can’t catch up. In fact, I actually think if Google somehow fixed its YouTube Shorts interface and included it in Maps, I can guarantee it will get more users to shift away from TikTok. 

What you need to know

• TikTok has announced new captioning and translation tools for users.
• The app will allow users to turn on captions even if the creator did not.
• Captions, video descriptions, and text stickers can also be translated to your preferred language.

TikTok has introduced new features that aim to break down language barriers for users through translation and closed caption options that can be enabled by the users themselves.

The video music platform has announced that you'll soon be able to switch on closed captions on a foreign-language video. These auto-generated captions are available in nine languages, including English, Portuguese, German, Indonesian, Italian, Korean, Mandarin, Spanish, and Turkish. The service plans to support additional languages in the future.

TikTok's latest update fixes a major shortcoming that existed when it introduced closed captions to the platform last year. Previously, closed caption was not available on any video unless the creator enabled it before publishing the clip.

With the new capability, videos in any language will be made accessible to anyone whether or not the creator has switched on closed captions. This is similar to how Twitter handles automatic captions on Android phones and iPhones.

"Every day, audiences from around the world learn, entertain and express themselves on TikTok without limitations," TikTok said in a blog post. "We continue to invest in creating an inclusive and accessible environment so that our growing global community can feel free and comfortable expressing themselves and finding connection with others."

In addition, you can translate these captions to any of the supported languages. This is true for video descriptions and text stickers as well.

"Through these efforts, global content will become more accessible regardless of the language(s) you speak and where you are in the world," the company added.

TikTok is currently rolling out these new caption and translation features. However, it won't show up on every video you come across on the app. The service says these options will only be available on select videos for the time being.