Tik-Tok Social Media App Goes Offline, Then Restored

 

 

On the night of Saturday January 18, The social media app TikTok went offline. Those trying to access it instead got the following message:

Sorry,TikTok isn't available right now

A law banning TikTok has been enacted in the U.S. Unfortunately, that means you can't use TikTok for now.

We are fortunate that President Trump has indicated that he will work with us on a solution to reinstate Tiktok once he takes office. Please stay tuned!

This was the result of a law passed in April last year in which the app would be banned from use within the United States unless it's Chinese-based parent company ByteDance sold it. Earlier this month, the Supreme Court upheld the ban. 

But the next day, Sunday January 19, TikTok was back. President-Elect Trump had stated he would issue an executive order giving the app a reprieve.

Thanks for your patience and support. As a result of President Trump's efforts, TikTok is back in the U.S.!

You can continue to create, share, and discover all the things you love on TikTok.

Since 2018 when it was merged with another app, Musical.ly, Tik Tok has been a sensation, with millions using it to share short videos from funny to serious. It's been especially popular with teenagers and young adults. But while social media platforms have always been subject to criticism, notably for gleaning data from it's users, with TikTok it was moreso due to the parent company being from China, whose government has been criticized for violating human rights and has been increasingly confrontational with the United States. It caught attention in 2019 when other social media was showing images of Hong Kong protests, but they were absent on TikTok. Despite that US election-related posts were on, the company's response to the criticism was that the platform was for entertainment and not politics. But leaked documents showed moderators were told to remove content the Chinese government considered sensitive. Concerns about collected data ending up in the hands of Bejing would lead to the Pentagon bagging the app from all US Military smartphones. Trump in his first administration had issued an executive order to ban US companies from dealing with the app or it's owner and then a second ordering it's sale within 90 days. But those legal efforts collapsed when Biden's Presidency started. But TikTok's problems continued, with stories that the app encouraged extreme dieting in teenagers. Continuing national security concerns would lead the FBI and FCC to ban the app from it's mobile devices. In March 2024, Congress would debate the law that would ban Tik Tok from operating in the US, and President Biden would sign it after it's passage in April. 

 

While many have praised the ban, calling TikTok too much of a security risk, others, notably it's users have protested, some saying they keep in touch with the news or make some money through it.  Ironically enough, Trump who was once a critic, began making use of the app in his 2024 election campaign that year. In anticipation of the ban, some users began signing up with another Chinese app, Xiaohongshu, also known as RedNote (or Little Red Book).

Sources: BBC News, Associated Press, The Guardian

 

Bixyl Shuftan

 

EOTB: Linden Lab Holding SL Halloween Video Contest

 

 

 For those in Second Life who like Halloween and filming videos, Linden Lab has a contest just for you. Earlier this week, they announced they were holding a Halloween video contest, inviting residents to do spooky shows.

Are you feeling spooky and scary? The Halloween season is upon us and this year, we have a special treat (no tricks) in store for all you ghouls and goblins out there.

Do you have a knack for creating captivating videos? Do you love the spookiness that Halloween brings? We invite you to show off your creativity in our Halloween Video Contest!

To take part, one needs to do a Halloween-themed video in Second Life, then post it to either Youtube, Tik-Tok, or Instagram. The Lab asks that you "Tag the Second Life account and use the hashtag #SLHalloweenContest2023 so we can find your entry." 

 

There's a 25,000 Linden dollar prize for the video with the most views on each platform. If the same video makes it to the top of all three, not only will the maker get the 75,000 Lindens for each, but a 25,000 Linden dollar bonus, for a total of 100,000 Lindens. 

 

The contest goes on until Monday October 30. The winner will be announced on Halloween, Tuesday October 31. Multiple entries are allowed, but the contest is open only to residents of Second Life, and can only be filmed in Second Life. The videos must be new, done on or after October 9, and any obscene or otherwise offensive material, or using material protected by someone else's copyright, will disqualify the video.

Remember, the more captivating and Halloween-y your video is, the more views it'll likely get. So get your thinking (witch) hats on and start plotting! This is a wonderful opportunity for our community to come together, showcase their talents, and share in the Halloween spirit.

To read the blog post in full, Click Here. 

 

Bixyl Shuftan