TikTok lives for another day. A US federal judge has ruled to delay the September 28 TikTok ban. With the delay, the court would study if banning TikTok was legal in the first place. Moreover, users could still get the app from various app stores. 

The US Government vs. TikTok

TikTok has responded to the ban by filing two injunctions since September 18, according to Gizmodo. On Friday, the US government made its case to DC District Court Judge Carl J. Nichols. However, Judge Nichols stopped the ban outright. 

Pre-teens rejoice! Federal judge strikes down TikTok ban. https://t.co/iDRIYL8MoW pic.twitter.com/8Tb8Q4F9tF

— Gizmodo (@Gizmodo) September 28, 2020

The US government had said that banning TikTok did not violate the First Amendment. Moreover, the ban did not seek to regulate personal communication.

The Case Against TikTok

US lawmakers have warned against TikTok’s threat to national security. In its filing, the United States also said that TikTok is a “mouthpiece for the Chinese Communist Party.” A Chinese company, ByteDance, is TikTok’s parent company. Through TikTok, lawmakers say, China could spy on US citizens. 

The Future of TikTok

US President Donald Trump had supported a deal among TikTok, Oracle, and Walmart. This deal would have sold TikTok’s US operations to Oracle and Walmart. However, the deal still needs review. Also, China might step in and pull TikTok out of this deal. 

As of today, though, TikTok’s 100 million US users could breathe a sigh of relief. For now, they could still access the app’s wealth of viral videos. 

The post New Court Ruling Strikes Down US TikTok Ban first appeared on Tekrati and is written by Irene Hawkins

The post TikTok Cracks Down on Dangerous Weight-Loss Ads first appeared on Tekrati and is written by Irene Hawkins

Instagram is giving its TikTok clone, Reels, a new upgrade. With the update, users can now make 30-second Reels videos, instead of the standard 15 seconds. TikTok already lets users create videos up to a minute long. 

Instagram Reels

The Verge reports that Instagram is also extending its Reels timer from three to ten seconds. Moreover, Instagram should now allow Reels users to cut or delete any clip to smooth out the editing process.  

Instagram is rolling out updates to Reels, including longer video lengths https://t.co/feE40nMYcM pic.twitter.com/YKBT9YDdoT

— The Verge (@verge) September 24, 2020

Is Reels a TikTok-Killer?

While Instagram has not released data about the number of people using Reels, it seems to focus on the feature. Robby Stein said that Instagram is betting “big on entertainment,” when Reels launched. Stein added that Reels boost Instagram by opening up an Instagram entertainment zone.

Stein is Instagram’s product director. 

What Is Instagram Reels?

Instagram Reels lets users create short videos for sharing among followers. You can set these videos to music, which could go viral. For Instagram, the short video format could bring in more users. Moreover, Reels could make Instagram a video entertainment platform as well.

Once you’ve made a Reel, you can also share it with your friends directly on Instagram. They can also use Instagram’s AR tools and filters on the videos. With TikTok and Reels, creators have a lot of tools to make viral content. However, unlike TikTok, Instagram won’t pay creators for their videos, for now.

The post Instagram Reels Now Allows 30-Second Videos first appeared on Tekrati and is written by Irene Hawkins

TikTok may not sell to a US buyer yet, but it will hand over its cloud operations to a US company. While it competed to buy out TikTok, Oracle had instead won a deal to take over the app’s US cloud operations. 

Oracle and TikTok’s US Cloud Operations

The Wall Street Journal reports that Oracle won the bidding to take control of TikTok’s US cloud operations. In the bidding war, Oracle beat Microsoft to become the app’s “trusted tech partner.” While Oracle may have won, this victory does not mean a complete sale of TikTok. As a tech partner, Oracle would just run its cloud tech to help TikTok’s US operations. 

Oracle reportedly wins deal for TikTok’s US operations as "trusted tech partner" https://t.co/427lkZh1TV pic.twitter.com/RYOJAfOKj6

— The Verge (@verge) September 14, 2020

Oracle’s Success and Microsoft’s Failure

Microsoft has also failed to buy TikTok. ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company, rejected the company’s offers to buy the app’s US operations. Microsoft had wanted to buy TikTok’s operations in the US, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand. 

The US Government vs. TikTok

Last August, US President Donald Trump had issued an executive order barring all US companies from dealing with ByteDance. Also, this order demanded TikTok to sell to a US company within 45 days. Afterward, Trump issued another order that extended TikTok’s sell-by date to 90 days.

The Verge notes Oracle’s history of working with the US government. With this move, TikTok might address US lawmaker’s growing distrust of China. Earlier this year, they had warned that TikTok spied on users for the Chinese government.  

The post Oracle Buys TikTok’s US Cloud Operations first appeared on Tekrati and is written by Sam Arnold

The mighty TikTok is facing another competitor. This time, it’s YouTube, which is releasing the new YouTube Shorts feature for creators. With the new feature, YouTube hopes to steal some of TikTok’s market share. 

YouTube Shorts

The Verge reports that YouTube is launching Shorts in India. With Shorts, you could make 15-second videos set to the music of your choice. It’s just like TikTok, but YouTube Shorts offers you 100,000 tracks. The company also said that it plans to make more music available to creators by making deals in the music industry.

YouTube starts rolling out its TikTok competitor, YouTube Shorts https://t.co/WPHyLazzWH pic.twitter.com/Nu1bWX0BZg

— The Verge (@verge) September 15, 2020

According to a blog post, YouTube said that you could see your Shorts on a dedicated row on the YouTube homepage. You could also check out how Shorts should look like in the same post. 

The Selling Point of YouTube Shorts

YouTube plans to attract creators to Shorts through its massive user base. Currently, the company has over 2 billion monthly users, which could mean billions of viewers for Shorts videos. YouTube has also rolled out the beta version of Shorts on Android, with an iOS version coming in the future.

Through Shorts, YouTube said it wants the next generation of content creators to grow an online community. 

What YouTube Plans with Shorts

CEO Susan Wojcicki said that YouTube Shorts is part of the company’s efforts to innovate video content. The company wants to continue innovating videos, including the short-form type.

Since billions of people already watch videos on YouTube, the company hopes that Shorts will help keep those billions tuned to the site. The company also hopes that Shorts can convince more creators to upload content.

The post Youtube Battles TikTok with Youtube Shorts first appeared on Tekrati and is written by Irene Hawkins

After US President Donald Trump banned Chinese-owned apps TikTok and WeChat, a group of WeChat users sued the government. The user group railed against the President’s executive order banning people from making transactions with WeChat. While the group does not represent WeChat, they want to block the order from taking effect.  

WeChat vs. The US Government

According to the Wall Street Journal, the ban takes effect later next month. In response, the WeChat user group said the ban violates due process and free speech. Moreover, the user group said that the ban discriminates against Chinese-Americans. Chinese-speakers in the US use WeChat to talk to each other and share news, and they spend hours every day on the app.

Trump’s Order Against WeChat and TikTok

Trump’s order charged WeChat and TikTok for working as tools of the Chinese government to threaten US national security. However, The Verge reports that both WeChat and TikTok stressed they were innocent. 

WeChat users group sues Trump administration over ban it says is unconstitutionalhttps://t.co/q1jiV9cqnQ

— The Verge (@verge) August 23, 2020

WeChat and TikTok’s Response

TikTok also confirmed Saturday that it was also suing the US government over the executive order. After Trump had ordered TikTok to sell to a US company, Microsoft, Twitter, and Oracle are now racing to buy the app.

On the other hand, companies like Apple and Disney have opposed the WeChat ban. According to them, banning WeChat would pose problems for their operations. Around 1.5 million users in the US use WeChat. 

Around 1 billion Chinese people use WeChat in China. They use the app to shop, make payments, and make deals. The WeChat user group wanted the government to reveal the full coverage of the WeChat ban. 

The post Wechat Users Sue US Government Over Ban first appeared on Tekrati and is written by Irene Hawkins

Tensions between ByteDance and President Donald Trump are heating up. Through his latest executive order, Pres. Trump has told ByteDance to sell the app within 90 days. He also ordered TikTok’s parent company to sell to a US buyer.  

In the order, Trump said ByteDance threatens national security. US lawmakers have warned that TikTok was sending user data to the Chinese government.

Trump vs. ByteDance

Gizmodo reports that the order told ByteDance to destroy all user data stored by TikTok and Musical.ly. In 2017, ByteDance bought Musical.ly.  

Once it removed the data, ByteDance should inform the Committee on Foreign Investment.  

ByteDance Banned in the US

Trump had already blacklisted TikTok and other Chinese-owned apps last Thursday. Among these apps is the popular messaging app WeChat. Under the ban, US citizens cannot make deals with these companies after 45 days.

Trump gives Bytedance 90 days to find a buyer for TikTok's U.S. operations, cites "credible evidence" of a national security threat in new executive order. https://t.co/7skquACU9O pic.twitter.com/yiBpZJm5Bo

— Gizmodo (@Gizmodo) August 15, 2020

On the same day, the US Senate also passed a bill that ordered government workers to delete TikTok from their phones. Also, the US military has banned TikTok from soldiers’ phones. The US Army has also called TikTok a threat to cybersecurity.

TikTok Responds

In response to the ban, TikTok plans to file a lawsuit against the US government. TikTok said the charges against them were false. Moreover, the US government didn’t give TikTok the chance to answer the accusations.

With the new order, ByteDance has more time to sell TikTok to Microsoft or Twitter. If the deal happens, it could be worth billions of dollars.

The post Trump Orders ByteDance To Sell In 90 Days first appeared on Tekrati and is written by Sam Arnold

After getting banned in the US, TikTok will sue the Trump administration as soon as Tuesday. Earlier, US lawmakers have warned that TikTok sends user data to the Chinese government. On Friday, President Trump banned TikTok through executive order.

The President had also ordered US companies to buy out TikTok. Microsoft and Twitter have started merger talks with the company. 

TikTok vs. the US Government

NPR reported TikTok’s plans to sue the US government. Moreover, Gizmodo says that TikTok plans to challenge Trump’s claim against ByteDance, its parent company. Trump had said ByteDance was sending user data to Beijing. Next, TikTok noted that President Trump pushed them out without giving them a chance to answer the charges.

TikTok will file the suit in California, the center of its US operations. The US District Court for the state’s Southern District will hear the case.

TikTok's reportedly planning to sue the Trump administration over its recent ban. https://t.co/C1ohbONbUH pic.twitter.com/wXlpnkqQ5k

— Gizmodo (@Gizmodo) August 9, 2020

The US Government’s Threats Against TikTok

President Trump had blacklisted TikTok, along with other Chinese-owned apps like WeChat, on Thursday. Another Chinese company, Tencent, owns WeChat, which is a popular messaging app. With the blacklists, no American can make deals with these banned Chinese companies.

This ban could cripple TikTok and other apps. Kicking out Chinese companies could prevent companies from buying ads on TikTok. Without paid ads, TikTok and its popular creators will lose money. 

TikTok’s Response

TikTok had agreed to talk with Microsoft for a deal. To appease its critics, TikTok has also said that it stores user data on servers in the US and Singapore.

The post TikTok to Sue Trump Administration Over US Ban first appeared on Tekrati and is written by Sam Arnold

Now it’s not just Microsoft that’s planning to buy TikTok. Social media giant Twitter has put its hat in the ring, starting merger talks with the video-sharing app. Both companies have expressed a desire to buy TikTok after US President Donald Trump said he wants to ban the app or else sell it to US firms. Earlier, US lawmakers have warned that TikTok is a risk to national security.

Notably, Twitter had already canned Vine, its short-form video app, in 2017.

Twitter Talks Merger with TikTok

Gizmodo reports that Twitter began talking with TikTok about a possible merger. Unlike Microsoft, Twitter plans to acquire TikTok’s US division, instead of its overseas branches in Australia, Canada, and New Zealand.

If Twitter’s plans push through, the company would need to figure out the total value of TikTok. According to Fortune, TikTok’s US business could be worth around $20 billion to $50 billion.

Haunted by regret over killing Vine, Twitter purportedly eyes acquiring TikTok. https://t.co/7emFuwPahb pic.twitter.com/avuMDbesXm

— Gizmodo (@Gizmodo) August 10, 2020

Microsoft vs. Twitter: Tale of the Tape

In terms of market capitalization, Microsoft leads Twitter by miles. Twitter’s worth reaches only $29 billion compared to Microsoft’s $1.6 trillion. The software giant also leads Twitter by billions in investments, both cash and short-term. Microsoft received $136 billion, while Twitter only had $7.8 billion in June. In the latest quarter, Twitter also posted a loss of $1.23 billion. 

The US Plans to Sell Off TikTok

President Trump has given TikTok a deadline of September 15 to get out of the US or sell to a US company. Earlier, US lawmakers have claimed that TikTok, and its parent company ByteDance, stores user data to send to the Chinese government. ByteDance is a Chinese-owned company.

ByteDance and TikTok have denied these claims.

The post Twitter Joins Microsoft In Race To Buy TikTok first appeared on Tekrati and is written by Irene Hawkins

Despite facing a possible US ban, TikTok continues to put out new features. The video-sharing app has announced that it is launching a Fire TV app called “More on TikTok.” By offering a TV app, TikTok is branching out of its mobile market and entering home streaming. 

TikTok on TV

Engadget reports that TikTok users can watch both popular videos and creator interviews on the Fire TV app. Moreover, the videos you see on your phone might be different from the videos you see on “More on TikTok,” since no existing user account link to the TV app.

The TV app also helps TikTok attract more users who don’t want to download the mobile version because US lawmakers told them it threatens national security. ByteDance, a Chinese corporation, owns TikTok. Lawmakers have accused TikTok of storing user data and sending them to the Chinese government.

TikTok launches an app for Fire TV https://t.co/m0KnjL7qQr pic.twitter.com/wZ7aiY6Hv4

— Engadget (@engadget) August 6, 2020

TikTok in Danger

Aside from lawmakers, President Donald Trump has also expressed plans to ban TikTok in the US. He has also signaled US companies to try buying out TikTok from ByteDance. So far, Microsoft has made attempts to close a deal.

Sensing TikTok’s trouble as an opportunity, Facebook and Snapchat are hurrying to claim TikTok’s millions of American users. For Facebook, Instagram has released Reels, a feature that lets users make and share TikTok-like videos. On the other hand, Snapchat is now allowing users to add music to their Snaps. 

What’s Next for TikTok

TikTok Head of Global Marketing Nick Tran has said TikTok will continue to offer users “more dynamic experiences” through the app. To do this, the company feels that going to TV should be its next step. 

The post TikTok Goes on TV With New Fire TV App first appeared on Tekrati and is written by Sam Arnold