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Concerns that the Chinese government could access sensitive user data through the short-form video app TikTok, which is owned by the Chinese company ByteDance, have prompted the U.S. government to pass legislation banning the social media platform unless it is sold to a government-approved buyer.

President Biden on Wednesday signed into law legislation that gives ByteDance up to a year to divest from TikTok after the U.S. Senate approved it on Tuesday night.

Heres why the pressure has been ratcheted up on TikTok.

Lawmakers and regulators in the West have increasingly expressed concern that TikTok and its parent company, ByteDance, may put sensitive user data, like location information, into the hands of the Chinese government. They have pointed to laws that allow the Chinese government to secretly demand data from Chinese companies and citizens for intelligence-gathering operations.

They are also worried that China could use TikToks content recommendations to fuel misinformation, a concern that has escalated in the United States during the Israel-Hamas war and the presidential election. Critics say that TikTok has fueled the spread of antisemitism.

TikTok has long denied such allegations and has tried to distance itself from ByteDance, which is considered to be one of the worlds most highly valued start-ups.

Yes, India did in 2020, costing ByteDance one of its biggest markets. The government there cracked down on hundreds of Chinese-owned apps, claiming in part that they were secretly transmitting users data to foreign servers.

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Why the U.S. Is Forcing TikTok to Be Sold or Banned - The New York Times

One afternoon last month, Chad Nedohin, a part-time pastor and die-hard supporter of Donald J. Trump, put on a pirate costume, set up his microphone and recited a prayer.

Mr. Nedohin was opening his latest livestream on the right-wing video site Rumble, where he has about 1,400 followers who share a devotion to Trump Media & Technology Group, the former presidents social media company.

Faith comes from hearing that is, hearing the good news about Christ, said Mr. Nedohin, 40, his face framed by fake dreadlocks under a pirate-style hat.

Mr. Nedohin and his viewers were waiting for the results of a merger vote that would determine whether Mr. Trumps company could start selling stock on Wall Street. Soon the news about Trump Media arrived via an audio feed: It was going public.

Mr. Nedohin raised his arms in celebration. A few minutes later, he cut to a video of a rocket blasting into the sky, with Mr. Trump photoshopped onto it. We are holding Trump stocks, he declared. We are now financial investors in him.

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How Pastor Chad Nedohin Helped Turn Trump Media Into a Meme Stock - The New York Times

Washington Almost a year after the American Psychological Association issued a landmark health advisory on social media use in adolescence, technology companies and policymakers still have made few meaningful changes, forcing society to continue to search for ways to maximize the benefits of these platforms while protecting youth from their harms.

Social media platforms know that the answer is to structurally correct harmful design features and functions. Most children and adolescents lack the experience, judgment and self-control to manage their behaviors on these platforms, which is why we see over 50% reporting at least one symptom of clinical dependency on social media today, said Mitch Prinstein, PhD, APAs chief science officer. Age restrictions alone are not the answer, since kids find ways around them. And putting the responsibility solely on parents is not fair either. The developers must address the dangers inherent in these platforms and make their products safe for youth.

APA has issued a new report as a follow-up to its 2023 health advisory focusing on social media design features and functions built into these platforms that are inherently unsafe for youth. The new report points to the psychological threats these features and functions introduce and the developmental vulnerabilities they exploit.

Policies will not protect youth unless technology companies are required to reduce the risks embedded within the platforms themselves, the report says. As policymakers at every level assess their approach to this complex issue, it is important to note the limitations of frequently proposed policies, which are often misreported and fall far short of comprehensive safety solutions that will achieve meaningful change.

APA calls for comprehensive design improvements to social media platforms to inform safety standards for at least four reasons:

Addressing the role of parents, it says: More robust and easy-to-use parental controls would help some younger age groups, but as a sole strategy, this approach ignores the complexities of adolescent development, the importance of childhood autonomy and privacy, and disparities in time or resources available for monitoring across communities.

Delegating responsibility to parents, to app stores or to youth themselves does not address the vulnerabilities and harms built into the platforms, said Mary Ann McCabe, PhD, co-chair of the expert panel that put together the 2023 health advisory. That responsibility sits with the creators and purveyors of these technologiesthe platform developers themselves.

Originally posted here:
APA report calls on social media companies to take responsibility to protect youth - APA Psychology News

AirChat, a social media app that was launched Friday (April 12), became the 23rd most popular in the U.S. on Apples App Store Monday (April 15).

The app has seen thousands of downloads as well as online requests for access to it, because AirChat is currently offered on an invite-only basis, ReutersreportedMonday.

AirChat is centered on voice, with messages being delivered through voice notes and simultaneous transcriptions of those notes, according to the report.

The apps design is similar to that of other social media apps in that users can post, scroll through feeds and message other users privately, the report said.

However, it features voice notes that play automatically and can be paused, per the report.

AirChat was founded by venture capitalistNaval Ravikantand former Tinder product chiefBrian Norgard, according to the report.

It aims to differentiate itself from other social media apps by using voice, the report said.

Ravikant posted on the platform, Humans are all meant to get along with other humans, it just requires the natural voice, per the report.

PYMNTS Intelligence has found thatvoiceis the next interface set to revolutionize consumers lives.

Connected devices are rapidly entering a modern hands-free, voice-driven era, as next-generation advances are made in voice recognition technology and increasingly being brought to market across a wide variety of conversational commerce use cases, according to How Consumers Want to Live in the Voice Economy.

The report also found that 58% of consumers would use voice because it is easier and more convenient and 54% because it is faster than typing or using a touchscreen.

In another recent deployment of voice technology,Volkswagensaid in January that it integratedOpenAIs artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot, ChatGPT, into the automakers IDAvoice assistant.

With this integration, Volkswagen customers can access an expanding AI database and have researched content read out to them while driving.

Voice assistantshave also made significant strides in areas such as smart home integration, educational settings and business applications. With advancements in AI paving the way, voice assistants will be able to complete increasingly complex tasks.

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AirChat Uses Voice Technology to Stand Out in Social Media Market - PYMNTS.com

By Venugopal Ganganna

Gen Z, the generation born between the mid-1990s and the early 2010s, is a digital native force unlike any other. Theyve never known a world without the internet, and social media platforms are their primary stomping grounds. This presents a unique challenge for marketers traditional methods simply dont resonate with this discerning and tech-savvy generation. As the CEO of an AI-powered marketing agency, I see Gen Z as a game-changer, and heres why:

Gone are the days of flipping through magazines or watching prime-time commercials. Gen Z gets its information, entertainment, and even shopping done through social media. Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube are not just for connecting with friends theyre curated feeds showcasing the latest trends, brands, and influencers. This shift in behavior demands a complete overhaul of marketing strategies.

Gen Z craves authenticity. They can spot a disingenuous marketing campaign a mile away. They connect with brands that have a clear purpose, strong values, and a commitment to social responsibility. Gone are the days of heavily produced commercials with unrealistic portrayals. Gen Z responds to user-generated content, influencer partnerships, and brands that take a stand on issues they care about.

Forget celebrity endorsements. Gen Z trusts the opinions of their peers more than A-list stars. Micro-influencers with smaller, highly engaged followings are the new marketing heroes. They create relatable content that resonates with their audience and feels less like advertising and more like a genuine recommendation from a friend.

UGC is the lifeblood of social media. Gen Z trusts content created by real people more than anything a brand can produce. Savvy marketers are leveraging this by encouraging user-generated content through interactive campaigns, contests, and challenges. This UGC not only promotes the brand but also fosters a sense of community and belonging.

The rise of platforms like Snapchat and Instagram Stories highlights Gen Zs preference for short-form, disappearing content. This presents a unique opportunity for marketers to create engaging, bite-sized content that captures attention in the fleeting moments of a social media scroll.

AI marketing tools can be a game-changer for reaching Gen Z. Heres how:

The Future of Marketing: A Conversation, Not a Broadcast

Marketing to Gen Z is about building a conversation, not just broadcasting a message. Heres what this means:

Gen Z is a generation that demands more from brands. They are the informed consumers of the future, and marketers who embrace social media, prioritize authenticity, and leverage AI tools will be the ones who win their hearts (and wallets). By understanding their preferences and creating engaging experiences within the social media ecosystem, brands can redefine marketing for a new era. Its not just about selling products anymore; its about building genuine connections and becoming a trusted part of the Gen Z social experience.

(The author is Venugopal Ganganna, CEO, Langoor Digital, and the views expressed in this article are his own)

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Gen Z is turning traditional marketing on its head, making social media their primary marketplace, entertainment hub ... - CXOToday.com