Tag: ByteDance

  • More Americans Support TikTok as Sale Deadline Nears

    More Americans Support TikTok as Sale Deadline Nears

    Key Takeaways

    1. Public sentiment towards a potential TikTok ban in the US has shifted, with only 34% supporting the ban, down from 50% in 2023.
    2. Opposition to the ban has risen to 32%, compared to 22% two years ago.
    3. Support for the ban among Republican and Republican-leaning individuals has dropped from 60% to 30%.
    4. Only 12% of TikTok users support the ban, while 45% of non-users do.
    5. The perception of TikTok as a national security threat has decreased from 59% to 49%.

    The future of TikTok in the United States has been unclear for some time, with a deadline for a potential sale looming in the coming weeks. Despite the ongoing uncertainty, public sentiment appears to have shifted regarding the app’s potential ban, according to a new study. As of March 2025, more Americans are now against the ban compared to two years prior. The research also indicated that a larger number of Republican and Republican-leaning individuals now support dropping the TikTok ban.

    Study Insights

    This study, carried out by Pew Research Center, surveyed over 5,000 adults in the US from February 24 to March 5. It revealed that only 34% of those surveyed backed the TikTok ban, a significant drop from 50% in 2023, when a similar survey was held. The findings also highlighted that opposition to the ban has risen, with 32% now against it, up from 22% two years ago. In 2023, 60% of Republican and Republican-leaning respondents were in favor of the ban, but that figure has now fallen to 30%. Nevertheless, Republicans still exhibit a higher tendency to support the ban compared to Democrats, the research indicated.

    User Perspectives

    Among TikTok users, only 12% supported the ban, whereas 45% of non-users were in favor of it. Additionally, the percentage of Americans considering TikTok a national security threat has declined from 59% to 49%.

    As the deadline for TikTok’s sale approaches in less than two weeks, ByteDance has been requested to divest the app to an American firm by April 5 to keep operating in the US. However, the Chinese company appears uninterested in pursuing that sale. Historically, companies like Microsoft, Perplexity AI, and Oracle have expressed interest in acquiring TikTok.

    In conclusion, the findings from Pew Research Center highlight a significant shift in public opinion regarding TikTok’s future in the US, as well as the ongoing uncertainty surrounding its ownership.

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  • TikTok Stops US Operations Due to Federal Ban Impacting 170M Users

    TikTok Stops US Operations Due to Federal Ban Impacting 170M Users

    TikTok has been officially taken offline in the United States, following years of discussions and legal challenges. The federal ban came after Congress approved a law that requires TikTok’s Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to sell its U.S. operations. As a result, the app is no longer available to its 170 million users in America.

    Users Encounter Access Issues

    When users try to access TikTok, they see a message stating: “Sorry, TikTok isn’t available right now. A law banning TikTok has been enacted in the U.S., which means the app is currently inaccessible.” This action has drawn criticism from advocates for free speech, who claim that prohibiting a platform as significant as TikTok goes against the principles of democracy. Pen America called the Supreme Court’s choice to uphold the law a concerning case of government overreach. At the same time, worries about potential data access by the Chinese government continue to be a key reason lawmakers support the ban.

    Possible Solutions Ahead

    The future of TikTok now rests with President-elect Donald Trump, who is set to take office on January 20. Trump has shown openness to negotiations and hinted at a possible 90-day extension that could lead to other solutions. One such solution might be the return of Project Texas, a $2 billion initiative aimed at protecting U.S. user data under the management of American firms like Oracle.

    On the other hand, new proposals are emerging. The start-up Perplexity AI has put forth a plan for a $50 billion merger with TikTok’s U.S. operations, while former Los Angeles Dodgers owner Frank McCourt and others have shown interest as well. However, legal experts warn that federal laws restrict presidential authority, leaving TikTok’s destiny unclear.

    Impact on Social Media Landscape

    As competitors such as Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts attempt to take advantage of TikTok’s absence, the shutdown of the app in the U.S. could lead to a major change in the social media scene. The focus now shifts to the Trump administration to see if TikTok can make a comeback or if it will face a permanent ban.

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  • China Eyes Elon Musk as Potential Buyer for TikTok’s US Future

    China Eyes Elon Musk as Potential Buyer for TikTok’s US Future

    Chinese officials are considering allowing Elon Musk to take control of TikTok’s US operations if the popular short-video app fails to evade an impending ban. While Beijing wishes for ByteDance Ltd. to retain TikTok, they are exploring alternative plans amid ongoing discussions with the incoming Trump administration.

    Urgency of Negotiations

    These discussions have become more pressing after Supreme Court justices suggested they may support new laws requiring ByteDance to either divest or close TikTok’s US branch by January 19. One proposal being considered is merging TikTok US with Musk’s X platform, leveraging TikTok’s vast user base of over 170 million Americans to enhance X’s advertising potential.

    Financial Challenges

    The financial aspect is a significant hurdle, with Bloomberg Intelligence analysts estimating TikTok’s US operations to be worth between $40 billion and $50 billion. How to arrange the deal, secure funding, and obtain approval from regulators remains uncertain, particularly in light of Musk’s previous commitments from his $44 billion Twitter acquisition.

    For the moment, ByteDance is concentrating on its legal challenges, arguing through TikTok’s attorneys that forcing a sale infringes on First Amendment rights. Conversely, President-elect Trump has suggested he may delay the January 19 ban to allow both parties more time to negotiate, highlighting his intention to “save” the platform.

    China’s Influence

    The Chinese government possesses a so-called golden share in a ByteDance subsidiary, granting it substantial influence over key business decisions, including those related to export regulations concerning TikTok’s algorithm. This arrangement guarantees that Beijing remains impactful in any potential sale, particularly regarding TikTok’s distinctive recommendation technology.

    Musk has publicly opposed a TikTok ban, tweeting in April that shutting down the app would contradict fundamental principles like freedom of speech and expression, asserting that it does not represent what America stands for. So far, representatives from Musk, ByteDance, TikTok, and relevant Chinese government entities have remained silent on the matter.

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  • TikTok Files Emergency Injunction Against US Ban

    TikTok Files Emergency Injunction Against US Ban

    TikTok, the popular platform for short videos, has submitted an emergency request to postpone its expected ban in the US set for January 19, 2025. The parent company, ByteDance, a Chinese tech giant, claims that the Supreme Court requires additional time to evaluate the case.

    Impact on Users and Businesses

    In a statement, ByteDance highlighted that TikTok boasts “170 million American users.” The proposed ban would adversely affect small businesses, which “would lose more than $1 billion in revenue,” while creators could face nearly $300 million in lost income within just one month.

    Economic Contributions

    ByteDance emphasized that “the advertising, marketing, and organic reach on TikTok contributed $24.2 billion” to the GDP of the US. Moreover, TikTok’s operations have added another “$8.5 billion” to the economy.

    Political Landscape

    The company argued that a delay would give “the incoming Administration time to determine its position—which could moot both the impending harms and the need for Supreme Court review.” They also mentioned that President-Elect Donald Trump publicly expressed he is “gonna save TikTok.” The new administration’s security advisor has also stated they need “to allow the American people access to that app.”

    Additionally, ByteDance noted that one of Trump’s nominees, RFK Jr., has started an online petition to contest the ban. Meanwhile, the US Department of Justice (DOJ) has requested the court to dismiss the injunction.

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  • US TikTok Ban Appeal Denied: What It Means for Users

    US TikTok Ban Appeal Denied: What It Means for Users

    TikTok’s parent firm ByteDance has faced a setback in its latest legal battle in US courts concerning a possible ban on the app. A federal appeals court has declined to intervene in a bill that could put ByteDance in a difficult situation; if the law proceeds as intended, the company will be forced to either divest TikTok or see the app banned in the US. ByteDance still has the chance to escalate the matter to the US Supreme Court with another appeal.

    Background of the Legislation

    The legislation was initiated in April 2024 when President Joe Biden approved the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act. This law has named the People’s Republic of China as one of America’s “foreign adversaries” and prohibits the use of applications operated by the country within the US. The law is set to take effect on January 19, 2025, which gives ByteDance and any other impacted companies until that date to ensure their apps comply, or risk facing a ban. Compliance would require selling the apps to firms based outside of China.

    Legal Arguments and Court Decisions

    The appeal was filed on the basis of alleged violations of the United States Constitution, particularly under the First Amendment regarding free speech. TikTok is operated by ByteDance through a series of fully owned subsidiaries based in California. The argument hinges on the idea that since the business operates in the US, it should enjoy Constitutional protections, which would extend to the TikTok platform. However, the court argues that TikTok has strong connections to China via ByteDance and that if the People’s Republic of China issued orders, TikTok could easily alter its services in the US for purposes like propaganda or censorship. Interestingly, President-Elect Donald Trump has publicly opposed the ban, and he might try to reverse it once he assumes office.

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  • TikTok Offices in Canada Shut Down Over Security Concerns

    TikTok Offices in Canada Shut Down Over Security Concerns

    Last year, the Canadian government began examining the expansion strategy of ByteDance Ltd., the firm responsible for TikTok, which intended to establish a local branch named "TikTok Technology Canada Inc." Unfortunately, this initiative was halted as the government opted to eliminate TikTok’s business operations in the nation, which also results in the loss of hundreds of local jobs. On a positive note, Canadians can continue to access the website and utilize the mobile applications, at least for now.

    Government Statement

    In a statement from Canadian Innovation Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne, he mentioned, "The decision was based on the information and evidence collected over the course of the review and on the advice of Canada’s security and intelligence community and other government partners." Clearly, this does not prevent TikTok from challenging this ruling in court, hoping for a more favorable outcome.

    App Accessibility

    While everyday users can access TikTok without restrictions, the app has been prohibited on devices issued by the government. Officials have described it as having "an unacceptable level of risk to privacy and security," which was the reasoning behind this ban.

    Ongoing Legal Battles in the US

    In the United States, the Chinese social media company is currently contesting a law from the Biden administration that mandates ByteDance to divest TikTok by January 19th or face a potential ban. U.S. officials assert that the Chinese ownership of the company poses a risk to national security.

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  • Huawei Chips to Power New AI Model for TikTok’s Parent Company

    Huawei Chips to Power New AI Model for TikTok’s Parent Company

    ByteDance is reportedly developing a new AI model with significant support from Huawei, which may provide the necessary hardware. The parent company of TikTok intends to utilize Huawei’s resources for training and advancing this AI initiative. Here’s what we have gathered so far.

    ByteDance Seeks Huawei’s Assistance for AI

    As per a report from Reuters, ByteDance faces challenges due to US export restrictions that hinder its ability to acquire NVIDIA chips. Initially, ByteDance’s AI project utilized NVIDIA’s H20 AI chips tailored for the Chinese market to sidestep US government restrictions. For context, the US carefully regulates which AI chips can be sold to Chinese companies to slow down the technological advancement in China.

    To navigate these obstacles, TikTok’s parent company is now looking to Huawei for assistance in training and developing its AI model. This new AI model will utilize chips from Huawei instead of NVIDIA’s offerings. This year, ByteDance has reportedly ordered 100,000 Ascend 910B chips from Huawei, but to date, it has only received about 30,000 of those units. Notably, Huawei’s Ascend 910B chips are said to outperform NVIDIA’s A100 chips in terms of GPU performance and energy efficiency.

    Challenges in Chip Supply and Future Outlook

    Despite these advantages, the development of the AI model has been hindered by chip shortages. As ByteDance tries to work around the US government’s restrictions to obtain NVIDIA chips, this development suggests a strategic move to lessen its dependence on US technology. However, it’s important to remember that this information is based on unverified reports, so it should be viewed cautiously for now. Earlier this year, ByteDance also introduced Coze, a platform akin to OpenAI, allowing users without coding expertise to create and deploy AI chatbots.

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  • TikTok Nears US Ban: Latest Developments

    TikTok Nears US Ban: Latest Developments

    The US House of Representatives has sparked renewed discussion surrounding TikTok by proposing a potential ban or sale of the app. This time, the bill has been linked to a crucial foreign aid package, elevating its importance and possibly expediting the process.

    Revised Bill Key Points

    The updated bill mandates ByteDance, TikTok's parent company, to divest the app within a year. In contrast to a previous bill that made it through the House in March but stalled in the Senate, this new version provides ByteDance with a longer timeframe to sell the app—should the bill be enacted. The House overwhelmingly approved the bill with a decisive 360-58 vote.

    Senate Review and Potential Vote

    The bill is now set to move to the Senate, where a vote may occur as soon as next Tuesday. Senate leaders are in the process of finalizing a timeline for the foreign aid package vote, which will ultimately decide the fate of the TikTok provision attached to it. President Biden has expressed his support for the bill if it successfully passes through Congress.

    National Security Concerns and Opposition

    The legislation perceives TikTok as a national security risk due to its Chinese ownership. Nevertheless, the prospect of a ban encounters significant pushback. With an estimated 170 million users in the US, as reported by TikTok, ByteDance is expected to challenge any potential measures. The company contends that a ban would infringe upon user free speech rights, impact numerous businesses leveraging the platform, and detrimentally affect the US economy to the tune of $24 billion annually. Critics of the bill argue that banning TikTok provides limited safeguarding of American user data.

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  • Coze: ByteDance’s Groundbreaking AI Chatbot Unveiled

    Coze: ByteDance’s Groundbreaking AI Chatbot Unveiled

    ByteDance Takes a Leap Forward in AI with Coze Platform

    ByteDance, the parent company of popular apps like TikTok and Jinri Toutiao, is making significant strides in the artificial intelligence (AI) space with the launch of its new platform, Coze. This innovative platform aims to revolutionize the creation and deployment of AI chatbots, particularly for businesses and individuals without coding skills.

    Coze: A Game-Changer for AI Chatbots

    Coze, similar to OpenAI’s GPT models, offers a unique twist that sets it apart. The platform provides users with an accessible AI development tool, allowing them to create customized chatbots for various tasks without the need for extensive coding knowledge. This simplification not only makes AI development more approachable but also streamlines the integration process.

    A Strategic Move in the Chinese Market

    ByteDance has strategically introduced Coze in China, where OpenAI’s services have yet to penetrate. By doing so, ByteDance aims to position itself as a leading AI development platform in this market. Users can now swiftly craft their own AI bots tailored to their specific needs, leveraging Coze’s user-friendly interface.

    Integration with ByteDance’s Ecosystem

    One of the key advantages of Coze is its integration with ByteDance’s vast ecosystem. The customized chatbots created on the platform can be seamlessly shared across various ByteDance products, including the enterprise tool Feishu. Moreover, these chatbots can even be deployed on WeChat, Tencent Holdings’ renowned app with a massive user base exceeding 1.3 billion.

    ByteDance’s AI Focus

    ByteDance’s foray into the AI space with Coze aligns with its broader strategy to pivot towards AI technology. The company recently made the decision to shut down its gaming platform and a healthcare encyclopedia, signaling a heightened focus on AI. This strategic shift is driven by the increasing popularity of generative AI tools, such as ChatGPT.

    Embracing Innovation and New Technologies

    At the core of ByteDance’s AI enthusiasm is CEO Liang Rubo’s call to action for his team to embrace and innovate with new technologies. The company has already achieved success with its AI-driven content recommendation system, which personalizes user experiences in apps like TikTok and Jinri Toutiao. With the introduction of Coze, ByteDance aims to further expand its AI capabilities and empower users to create AI solutions effortlessly.

    In conclusion, ByteDance’s launch of the Coze platform represents a significant step forward in the AI space. By providing an accessible AI development tool, ByteDance aims to democratize the creation and deployment of chatbots for businesses and individuals. With integration into its ecosystem and a strategic focus on AI, ByteDance is poised to make a lasting impact in the AI industry.

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  • ByteDance’s Expansion Plans Include Canada, Australia & the US

    ByteDance’s Expansion Plans Include Canada, Australia & the US

    ByteDance, the company behind the viral sensation TikTok, is embarking on an ambitious expansion plan that includes targeting the tech hubs of Silicon Valley, Canada, and Australia. This move is a clear demonstration of ByteDance's determination to maintain its position as a leader in the highly competitive tech industry.

    Expanding its physical presence is a key aspect of ByteDance's strategy. The company plans to sublease a significant office space in San Jose, California, signaling its commitment to establishing a stronger foothold in the tech world. However, ByteDance's expansion is not solely focused on physical space; the company is also actively seeking fresh talent, particularly computer engineers, to enhance its teams in Canada and Australia. These new recruits will play a crucial role in driving innovation across ByteDance's diverse range of apps, which include TikTok, CapCut, and the lifestyle app Lemon8.

    What sets ByteDance apart is its approach to talent acquisition. In addition to hiring locally, the company is relocating 120 of its existing employees from China to Canada and Australia. This strategic move allows ByteDance to spread its global influence and tap into the expertise of its diverse workforce.

    Although ByteDance has scaled back its focus on video gaming, it is making significant strides in the e-commerce sector. Leveraging the massive popularity of TikTok, the company has set ambitious goals for its U.S. shopping operations, aiming to achieve a tenfold increase in gross merchandise volume to an astounding $17.5 billion. This bold target aligns with ByteDance's overarching vision to not only compete but lead in the tech arena.

    ByteDance's impressive financial performance further solidifies its position as a formidable player in the industry. In 2023, the company's revenue soared by approximately 30%, surpassing the growth rates of tech giants such as Meta Platforms and Tencent Holdings. With a revenue exceeding $110 billion, ByteDance is not only keeping pace with the competition but also setting the standard for success.

    In conclusion, ByteDance's expansion plans demonstrate its determination to stay ahead in the tech industry. By expanding its physical presence, attracting fresh talent, and capitalizing on the popularity of TikTok, ByteDance is positioning itself as a global leader in innovation and e-commerce. With its impressive financial performance, the company is setting the pace for others to follow.

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