Former Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick Eyes TikTok Acquisition Amid Regulatory Pressure
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Former Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick Eyes TikTok Acquisition Amid Regulatory Pressure

Amid regulatory pressures and the looming threat of a potential ban or forced sale of TikTok in the United States, Bobby Kotick, the former CEO of Activision Blizzard, reportedly expressed interest in acquiring the popular social media platform. According to sources cited by The Wall Street Journal, Kotick broached the idea of partnering on a…

Google Loses in Local Search to Instagram, TikTok Among Gen Z

Google Loses in Local Search to Instagram, TikTok Among Gen Z

In a significant shift in consumer behaviour, Instagram and TikTok have emerged as the preferred platforms for local search among Gen Z, surpassing Google’s dominance in this demographic segment, according to a recent study by SOCi. While Google continues to maintain its stronghold in local search, particularly among older generations, SOCi’s findings underscore a growing…

House Committee Advances Bill Paving the Way for Potential TikTok Ban

House Committee Advances Bill Paving the Way for Potential TikTok Ban

The House Energy and Commerce Committee has unanimously approved a bill that could result in a nationwide ban on TikTok, intensifying concerns among lawmakers about the popular social media platform’s ties to China and its potential security risks. The proposed legislation mandates TikTok’s separation from its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, within 165 days. Failure to…

Former TikTok Executive Files Lawsuit Alleging Gender and Age Discrimination

Former TikTok Executive Files Lawsuit Alleging Gender and Age Discrimination

Former TikTok senior executive Katie Puris has filed a lawsuit against the company, alleging discrimination based on her age and gender during her tenure. Puris, who worked in marketing at TikTok from 2019 until her departure in 2022, claims she faced uneven treatment as a woman, was retaliated against for raising concerns about discriminatory practices,…

TikTok Faces Backlash as It Shifts Focus to Longer Videos, Alarming Some Creators

TikTok Faces Backlash as It Shifts Focus to Longer Videos, Alarming Some Creators

TikTok, the platform that gained immense popularity for its short-form video content during the Covid-19 pandemic, is causing a stir among creators as it transitions toward longer video formats. The move marks a departure from its original short-form approach that set it apart in the social media landscape. Starting this Saturday, TikTok will phase out…

TikTok owner ByteDance is Retreating From Gaming and Laying Off Hundreds
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TikTok owner ByteDance is Retreating From Gaming and Laying Off Hundreds

ByteDance, the Chinese tech giant renowned for its ownership of TikTok, is making a strategic shift away from the gaming industry, resulting in a significant reduction of its workforce. The company will wind down Nuverse, the unit housing its video game studios, next month, aiming to concentrate on its core businesses, according to an inside…

TikTok Fined $368 Million in Europe for Failing to Protect Children

TikTok Fined $368 Million in Europe for Failing to Protect Children

TikTok, the popular social media platform, has been slapped with a hefty €345 million ($368 million) fine by a major European tech regulator over allegations of insufficient measures to safeguard children’s privacy. The Irish Data Protection Commission (DPC), responsible for monitoring TikTok’s operations in the European Union, issued the fine, citing violations of the EU’s…

TikTok Brings in Text Posts to Rival Elon Musk’s X
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TikTok Brings in Text Posts to Rival Elon Musk’s X

TikTok, the popular video streaming platform, is venturing into uncharted territory by allowing users to post text-only content for the first time. In a direct challenge to Elon Musk’s embattled X (formerly known as Twitter), TikTok announced the new post format, aiming to expand options for creators to express their ideas and creativity. The company…

Popular TikTok Musician, Crown Uzama, 5 Others Jailed for Internet Fraud

Popular TikTok Musician, Crown Uzama, 5 Others Jailed for Internet Fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Kaduna Zonal Command, has secured the conviction of TikTok music celebrity, Crown Uzama, and five others before Justice A. A. Isiaka on a separate one-count charge bordering on criminal impersonation. According to the commission, the offence was contrary to Sections 142 (1), 57 and 308 of the Kaduna…

TikTok Is Testing an AI Chatbot Named Tako
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TikTok Is Testing an AI Chatbot Named Tako

TikTok has joined the trend of incorporating generative artificial intelligence (AI) by testing a chatbot named Tako. According to Bloomberg, Tako is designed to answer questions and engage in conversations with TikTok users. A spokesperson for the app confirmed that they are exploring new ways to enhance search and discovery on TikTok in select markets….