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TikTok pledged to protect U.S. data. $1.5 Billion later, it’s still struggling.

Livemint

Livemint · 1y ago

TikTok pledged to protect U.S. data. $1.5 Billion later, it’s still struggling.

TikTok has reportedly spent $1.5 billion to build a separate unit, called Project Texas, in an effort to convince U.S. lawmakers that the app is safe. The unit was created to oversee American data and ensure content recommendations were not influenced by China. However, insiders reveal that Project Texas employees sometimes share data outside the unit without going through official channels, raising concerns about the security of user data. TikTok executives continue to update the app's algorithm from China, making it difficult for Project Texas employees to keep track of changes. The company's handling of data has become a cause for concern among employees, who question TikTok's commitment to protecting American users.

Related News

Biden administration pursuing TikTok over data practices: report

Economic Times

Economic Times · 1y ago

Biden administration pursuing TikTok over data practices: report

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is reportedly investigating TikTok for potential privacy and data security issues. The investigation may lead to legal action or a settlement in the coming weeks. This follows a bill passed in March by the U.S. House of Representatives, which requires ByteDance to sell the U.S. assets of TikTok within six months or face a ban. The FTC and the U.S. Justice Department have previously examined allegations that TikTok violated a 2019 agreement to protect children's privacy. TikTok has not yet commented on the investigation.

TikTok says it regrets Indonesia's decision to to ban ecommerce sales on social media platforms

Economic Times

Economic Times · 1y ago

TikTok says it regrets Indonesia's decision to to ban ecommerce sales on social media platforms

Indonesia has banned e-commerce transactions on social media platforms, including TikTok, to protect small businesses from predatory pricing and competition from imported products. TikTok Indonesia expressed regret over the ban and pledged to respect the regulations while finding a constructive way forward. The government aims to prevent the dominance of algorithms and the misuse of personal data for business interests. The regulation is not specific to TikTok Shop but applies to all social commerce platforms. This move comes as sellers reported significant profit losses due to the inability to compete with lower-priced imported products sold online.

Is TikTok back online in the U.S.? Several users report access to website version | Mint

Livemint

Livemint · 6m ago

Is TikTok back online in the U.S.? Several users report access to website version | Mint

A recent TikTok ban in the U.S. led to its app's shutdown due to national security concerns over data misuse by Chinese parent ByteDance, although users still accessed its website. The ban, part of escalating U.S.-China tensions, highlighted fears of Chinese data access, which TikTok denies. President-elect Donald Trump plans to extend the ban's deadline to explore a solution ensuring U.S. control, marking a policy shift from his previous attempts to ban the app outright.

House passes bill banning data brokers from selling personal data to foreign adversaries

The Verge

The Verge · 1y ago

House passes bill banning data brokers from selling personal data to foreign adversaries

The U.S. House of Representatives has passed a bill, known as the Protecting Americans' Data from Foreign Adversaries Act, that aims to prevent data brokers from selling Americans' personal information to foreign adversaries including China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran. The bill prohibits the sale of sensitive data such as health or location information to these countries, with the Federal Trade Commission able to impose penalties on violators. The legislation complements a separate bill that seeks to separate TikTok from its Chinese parent company, and aims to protect U.S. internet users and national security.

TikTok seeks to reassure US employees ahead of January 19 ban deadline

Economic Times

Economic Times · 6m ago

TikTok seeks to reassure US employees ahead of January 19 ban deadline

TikTok plans to continue paying U.S. employees even if it faces a ban deadline on January 19 due to a law that may force its sale or ban in the U.S., according to an internal memo. The company assures that employees’ jobs, pay, and benefits are secure regardless of the situation. The U.S. Supreme Court seems inclined to uphold the law, but TikTok continues to plan for different scenarios to protect its 7,000 U.S. employees and users.

'Regulate them': hard-up Indonesia traders urge TikTok sales ban

Economic Times

Economic Times · 1y ago

'Regulate them': hard-up Indonesia traders urge TikTok sales ban

Indonesian market sellers are urging the government to regulate or even ban TikTok's e-commerce platform, TikTok Shop, as it is impacting their offline businesses. Many sellers in Tanah Abang, Southeast Asia's largest textile market, are struggling to compete with the low prices offered on TikTok Shop, leading to a significant drop in their revenues. The Indonesian government is considering new regulations to create a level playing field and protect local businesses. TikTok has defended its platform, stating that it supports millions of local businesses in Indonesia.

More than 50 US lawmakers, 21 states back US DOJ in TikTok lawsuit

Economic Times

Economic Times · 1y ago

More than 50 US lawmakers, 21 states back US DOJ in TikTok lawsuit

A group of 21 states and over 50 U.S. lawmakers are supporting the Justice Department in its defense of a law that requires TikTok's Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to sell its U.S. assets or face a ban. The lawmakers argue that TikTok poses a threat to national security and consumer privacy due to its ties to China. Meanwhile, TikTok and ByteDance, along with TikTok creators, have filed lawsuits to block the law. The fate of TikTok will be determined by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia in September. The law was passed with bipartisan support to protect national security concerns.

China denies accessing data after TikTok hit with huge EU fine

Economic Times

Economic Times · 3m ago

China denies accessing data after TikTok hit with huge EU fine

China denied requiring companies to hand over data after TikTok was fined €530 million by the European Union for unlawful data transfers and insufficient protection from Chinese access. This is the EU’s second-largest fine. China insists it neither collects data illegally nor mandates companies to do so. TikTok, part of ByteDance, plans to appeal. The U.S. also pressures TikTok over data concerns, requiring ByteDance to divest U.S. control or face a ban.

Facebook, TikTok harden EU commitment to tackle disinformation but not X

Economic Times

Economic Times · 5m ago

Facebook, TikTok harden EU commitment to tackle disinformation but not X

Digital platforms like Facebook and TikTok have pledged to combat disinformation under an EU code of conduct, aligning with the Digital Services Act's (DSA) requirements. However, Elon Musk’s platform X, previously Twitter, is not among the 42 platforms committed, after exiting the code in 2023. The DSA enforces content moderation across digital firms to protect users from manipulation. Although Meta is part of the code, tensions remain between big tech, EU regulations, and the new US administration.

US FTC could bring suit or reach settlement with TikTok over privacy probe

Economic Times

Economic Times · 1y ago

US FTC could bring suit or reach settlement with TikTok over privacy probe

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is nearing a decision on its investigation into TikTok, the Chinese-owned short video app, over privacy and data security concerns. According to sources, the FTC could either file a lawsuit or reach a settlement with TikTok in the coming weeks. The investigation is separate from ongoing concerns about the potential access of TikTok users' data by the Chinese government. In March, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill giving TikTok's parent company, ByteDance, six months to sell the app's U.S. assets or face a ban due to national security concerns.

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