<p>In a bizarre incident, a man faked his own death in Belgium and then dramatically reached his own funeral in a helicopter. The dramatic stunt was pulled by the man to teach his family the importance of staying in touch.</p>

<p>TikTok creator David Baerten, aged 45, informed his wife and children about his plan of faking his death and they helped him in pulling the stunt by going along with him on the social media platform.&nbsp;</p>

<p>To trick Baerten's followers, one of his daughters wrote on social media, "Rest in peace, Daddy. I will never stop thinking about you. Why is life so unfair? Why you? You were going to be a grandfather, and you still had your whole life ahead of you. I love you! We love you! We will never forget you."</p>

<h2><strong>A 'cruel joke'?</strong></h2>

<p>Many people on the online platform slammed it as a 'cruel joke'.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/fruit-flies-age-rapidly-when-they-see-their-dead-comrades-study-604390">Fruit flies age rapidly when they see their dead comrades: Study</a></p>

<p>Last weekend, the family staged a fake funeral near Liege and mourners gathered as Baerten, who goes by Ragnar le Fou online, made his grand entry at the ceremony in a helicopter and accompanied by a film crew.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The TikToker has 162,000 followers and&nbsp;had to face some serious backlash from some quarters.</p>

<p>Explaining his bizarre stunt to The Times, Baerten said that he did so because he wanted to see how his wider family would react after he stated that they had fallen out of contact with the TikTok creator.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"What I see in my family often hurts me. I never get invited to anything. Nobody sees me. We all grew apart. I felt unappreciated. That's why I wanted to give them a life lesson and show them that you shouldn't wait until someone is dead to meet up with them," he said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Baerten has till now not shared the complete&nbsp;video of him arriving in a chopper.</p>

<p><strong>Emotional reunion</strong></p>

<p>A TikTok user, who was present at the funeral, shared a video of him landing in a field where his friends and family were gathered. Many people rushed over to Baerten and greeted and hugged him as he got down from the helicopter. Baerten then explained the whole stunt to those in attendance.&nbsp;</p>

<p>His close friend Thomas Faut posted a video of the two men hugging as they met and captioned the emotional clip 'you got us'.</p>

<p><strong>WATCH |&nbsp;Gravitas: Woman knocks on her coffin after being declared dead</strong></p>

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<p>"I swear I was crying and then I had the shock buddy, we love you very much," he said, while speaking about the emotional reunion, despite the deception of his friend.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Baerten said that while "only half of my family came to the funeral," other relatives have reached out to him since then.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"That proves who really cares about me. Those who didn't come did contact me to meet up. So in a way I did win," he said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Some of his followers agreed that he did give a valuable 'life lesson' to his family and asked him to "ignore the haters".&nbsp;</p>

<p>You can&nbsp;<strong>now write for&nbsp;wionews.com</strong>&nbsp;and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us&nbsp;<strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.</strong></p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE</strong></p>

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In a bizarre incident, a man faked his own death in Belgium and then dramatically reached his own funeral in a helicopter. The dramatic stunt was pulled by the man to teach his family the importance of staying in touch.

In a bizarre incident, a man faked his own death in Belgium and then dramatically reached his own funeral in a helicopter. The dramatic stunt was pulled by the man to teach his family the importance of staying in touch. TikTok creator David Baerten, aged 45, informed his wife and children about his plan of faking his death and they helped him in pulling the stunt by going along with him on the social media platform. To trick Baerten's followers, one of his daughters wrote on social media, "Rest in peace, Daddy. I will never stop thinking about you. Why is life so unfair? Why you? You were going to be a grandfather, and you still had your whole life ahead of you. I love you! We love you! We will never forget you." A 'cruel joke'? Many people on the online platform slammed it as a 'cruel joke'. ALSO READ | Fruit flies age rapidly when they see their dead comrades: Study Last weekend, the family staged a fake funeral near Liege and mourners gathered as Baerten, who goes by Ragnar le Fou online, made his grand entry at the ceremony in a helicopter and accompanied by a film crew. The TikToker has 162,000 followers and had to face some serious backlash from some quarters. Explaining his bizarre stunt to The Times, Baerten said that he did so because he wanted to see how his wider family would react after he stated that they had fallen out of contact with the TikTok creator. "What I see in my family often hurts me. I never get invited to anything. Nobody sees me. We all grew apart. I felt unappreciated. That's why I wanted to give them a life lesson and show them that you shouldn't wait until someone is dead to meet up with them," he said. Baerten has till now not shared the complete video of him arriving in a chopper. Emotional reunion A TikTok user, who was present at the funeral, shared a video of him landing in a field where his friends and family were gathered. Many people rushed over to Baerten and greeted and hugged him as he got down from the helicopter. Baerten then explained the whole stunt to those in attendance. His close friend Thomas Faut posted a video of the two men hugging as they met and captioned the emotional clip 'you got us'. WATCH | Gravitas: Woman knocks on her coffin after being declared dead "I swear I was crying and then I had the shock buddy, we love you very much," he said, while speaking about the emotional reunion, despite the deception of his friend. Baerten said that while "only half of my family came to the funeral," other relatives have reached out to him since then. "That proves who really cares about me. Those who didn't come did contact me to meet up. So in a way I did win," he said. Some of his followers agreed that he did give a valuable 'life lesson' to his family and asked him to "ignore the haters". You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Man fakes his own death, turns up dramatically at his funeral in a helicopter

A man in Belgium who is said to have faked his own death is the reason we leave you shell-shocked. David Burton a 45-year-old TikToker has often been left out of family gatherings and functions and in a bizarre reaction to this David played an elaborate prank or what he considered a prank on his family and friends with the help of his daughter. The TikToker pranked his loved ones into believing that he had passed away and as expected relatives flocked to his funeral to mourn his death. Keep watching to know what happens next.

How far can you go for attention and love?

<p>TikTok's parent company ByteDance said it would invest billions of dollars in Southeast Asia over the next few years to expand its market. The development comes amid a global scrutiny of the company over data security.</p>

<h2><strong>Why Southeast Asia is important for ByteDance?</strong></h2>

<p>Southeast Asia is a region with a collective population of 630 million. About half of them are&nbsp;under the age of 30, the target age of Bytedance-owned TikTok.</p>

<p>Southeast Asia is also one of TikTok's biggest markets in terms of user numbers, generating more than 325 million visitors to the app every month.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, the Shenzen-headquartered platform continues to struggle to translate its large user base into a major e-commerce revenue source. It faces fierce competition from Sea's Shopee, Alibaba's Lazada and GoTo's Tokopedia.</p>

<p><strong>Also watch&nbsp;|&nbsp;55% people rely on TikTok and Snapchat for news, report finds</strong></p>

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<p>"We are going to invest billions of dollars in Indonesia and Southeast Asia over the next few years," TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew said at a forum it organised in Jakarta to highlight the social and economic impact of the app in the region.</p>

<p>The platform, however, did not provide how will it spend the money. It said that it would invest in training, advertising and supporting small vendors looking to join its e-commerce platform TikTok Shop.</p>

<h2><strong>TikTok's quest to get e-commerce right in Southeast Asia</strong></h2>

<p>Chew said content on its platform was becoming more diversified as it adds more users and expands beyond advertising into e-commerce, allowing consumers to purchase goods through links on the app during live streaming.</p>

<p>TikTok has 8,000 employees in Southeast Asia, and two&nbsp;million small vendors selling their wares on its platform in Indonesia, the region's biggest economy, he added.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/tiktok-mulls-over-separation-from-parent-company-bytedance-572290">TikTok mulls separation from parent company ByteDance if US officials don’t approve proposal</a></strong></p>

<p>According to data from consultancy Momentum Works, e-commerce transactions across Southeast Asia&nbsp;reached nearly $100 billion last year, with Indonesia accounting for $52 billion.</p>

<p>TikTok facilitated $4.4 billion of transactions across Southeast Asia last year, up from $600 million in 2021, but it still trailed far behind Shopee's $48 billion of regional merchandise sales in 2022, Momentum Works.</p>

<h2><strong>Data security concerns and app bans</strong></h2>

<p>The investment plan comes as the company continues to&nbsp;face major scrutiny from governments and regulators worldwide because of concerns that the Chinese Communist Party could use the app to harvest user data to advance its interests.</p>

<p>Countries including Britain and New Zealand have banned the app on government phones. India, in 2020, banned the application citing data security concerns.</p>

<p>TikTok has&nbsp;denied that it has ever shared data with the Chinese government and has said the company would not do so if asked, Reuters has reported in the past.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The app has not faced major bans on government devices in Southeast Asia. But it remains under scrutiny over its content.</p>

<p>Indonesia presented one of its first major global policy challenges in 2018 after authorities briefly banned TikTok for posts they said contained "pornography, inappropriate content and blasphemy".</p>

<p>In Vietnam, regulators said it would probe TikTok's operations in the country because "toxic" content on the platform poses a threat to its "youth, culture and tradition".</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE</strong></p>

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<p>You can <strong>now write for wionews.com</strong> and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.</strong></p>


TikTok's parent company ByteDance said it would invest billions of dollars in Southeast Asia over the next few years to expand its market. The development comes amid a global scrutiny of the company over data security.

TikTok's parent company ByteDance said it would invest billions of dollars in Southeast Asia over the next few years to expand its market. The development comes amid a global scrutiny of the company over data security. Why Southeast Asia is important for ByteDance? Southeast Asia is a region with a collective population of 630 million. About half of them are under the age of 30, the target age of Bytedance-owned TikTok. Southeast Asia is also one of TikTok's biggest markets in terms of user numbers, generating more than 325 million visitors to the app every month. Meanwhile, the Shenzen-headquartered platform continues to struggle to translate its large user base into a major e-commerce revenue source. It faces fierce competition from Sea's Shopee, Alibaba's Lazada and GoTo's Tokopedia. Also watch | 55% people rely on TikTok and Snapchat for news, report finds × "We are going to invest billions of dollars in Indonesia and Southeast Asia over the next few years," TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew said at a forum it organised in Jakarta to highlight the social and economic impact of the app in the region. The platform, however, did not provide how will it spend the money. It said that it would invest in training, advertising and supporting small vendors looking to join its e-commerce platform TikTok Shop. TikTok's quest to get e-commerce right in Southeast Asia Chew said content on its platform was becoming more diversified as it adds more users and expands beyond advertising into e-commerce, allowing consumers to purchase goods through links on the app during live streaming. TikTok has 8,000 employees in Southeast Asia, and two million small vendors selling their wares on its platform in Indonesia, the region's biggest economy, he added. Also read | TikTok mulls separation from parent company ByteDance if US officials don’t approve proposal According to data from consultancy Momentum Works, e-commerce transactions across Southeast Asia reached nearly $100 billion last year, with Indonesia accounting for $52 billion. TikTok facilitated $4.4 billion of transactions across Southeast Asia last year, up from $600 million in 2021, but it still trailed far behind Shopee's $48 billion of regional merchandise sales in 2022, Momentum Works. Data security concerns and app bans The investment plan comes as the company continues to face major scrutiny from governments and regulators worldwide because of concerns that the Chinese Communist Party could use the app to harvest user data to advance its interests. Countries including Britain and New Zealand have banned the app on government phones. India, in 2020, banned the application citing data security concerns. TikTok has denied that it has ever shared data with the Chinese government and has said the company would not do so if asked, Reuters has reported in the past. The app has not faced major bans on government devices in Southeast Asia. But it remains under scrutiny over its content. Indonesia presented one of its first major global policy challenges in 2018 after authorities briefly banned TikTok for posts they said contained "pornography, inappropriate content and blasphemy". In Vietnam, regulators said it would probe TikTok's operations in the country because "toxic" content on the platform poses a threat to its "youth, culture and tradition". (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Tiktok shifts focus to Southeast Asia amid global scrutiny over data security concerns

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<p>In September 2019, Serbia Today published an article about a creepy video of a woman dancing in the streets of Serbia with movements similar to Serbian folklore. The woman allegedly carries a knife that she uses to threaten anyone who passes by. On December 29, a TikToker posted a video of the 'Serbian Dancing Lady.' In the video, she slowly stops dancing, notices the camera operator filming her and charges towards him with a knife. On February 11, the Jumpers Jump podcast discussed another viral video of the Serbian Dancing Lady, which garnered over 50 million views in one week.</p>

<p>Soon, people on TikTok started warning about the dangers of seeing the Serbian Dancing Lady on the streets. Many people also impersonated the viral video as a prank. However, some people believe that the Serbian Dancing Lady might not be a hoax or myth, and it might be related to the urban legend of a Serbian woman named Mira who carries the so-called Devil's child. Several people also shared their experience of witnessing the Serbian Dancing Lady and being chased by her.</p>

<h2><strong>Mystery of Serbian Dancing Lady</strong></h2>

<p>The mystery of the Serbian Dancing Lady dates back to 1998. However, the video came to light in 2019. Although the event details are ambiguous, several accounts narrated their encounter with the Serbian Dancing Lady. However, it's tough to verify the sources of the community blogs as users can post independently.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="www.wionews.com/trending/is-time-trave-real-apple-ceo-tim-cook-baffled-after-iphone-spotted-at-350-year-old-painting-603375">Is time travel real? Apple CEO Tim Cook baffled after iPhone spotted in 350-year-old painting</a></strong></p>

<p>While some reports say that police have arrested the woman in the video for vile behaviour, most claim that the creepy lady remains elusive despite police searches. After the video went viral on the internet, the myths surrounding her have frightened people, and they have attempted to verify her existence. The lack of trustworthy sources pointed out that the Serbian Dancing Lady is a myth. However, there is a heated debate on social media about the presence of the mythical figure.</p>

<p>Although the urban legend says that the Serbian Dancing Lady kills or attacks anyone who stops her dance, there are no reports of any deaths surrounding it. Serbian authorities have also been closely monitoring the situation. While the mythical figure scares many people to date, content creators have highly capitalised on the viral video.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE</strong></p>

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In September 2019, Serbia Today published an article about a creepy video of a woman dancing in the streets of Serbia with movements similar to Serbian folklore.

In September 2019, Serbia Today published an article about a creepy video of a woman dancing in the streets of Serbia with movements similar to Serbian folklore. The woman allegedly carries a knife that she uses to threaten anyone who passes by. On December 29, a TikToker posted a video of the 'Serbian Dancing Lady.' In the video, she slowly stops dancing, notices the camera operator filming her and charges towards him with a knife. On February 11, the Jumpers Jump podcast discussed another viral video of the Serbian Dancing Lady, which garnered over 50 million views in one week. Soon, people on TikTok started warning about the dangers of seeing the Serbian Dancing Lady on the streets. Many people also impersonated the viral video as a prank. However, some people believe that the Serbian Dancing Lady might not be a hoax or myth, and it might be related to the urban legend of a Serbian woman named Mira who carries the so-called Devil's child. Several people also shared their experience of witnessing the Serbian Dancing Lady and being chased by her. Mystery of Serbian Dancing Lady The mystery of the Serbian Dancing Lady dates back to 1998. However, the video came to light in 2019. Although the event details are ambiguous, several accounts narrated their encounter with the Serbian Dancing Lady. However, it's tough to verify the sources of the community blogs as users can post independently. ALSO READ | Is time travel real? Apple CEO Tim Cook baffled after iPhone spotted in 350-year-old painting While some reports say that police have arrested the woman in the video for vile behaviour, most claim that the creepy lady remains elusive despite police searches. After the video went viral on the internet, the myths surrounding her have frightened people, and they have attempted to verify her existence. The lack of trustworthy sources pointed out that the Serbian Dancing Lady is a myth. However, there is a heated debate on social media about the presence of the mythical figure. Although the urban legend says that the Serbian Dancing Lady kills or attacks anyone who stops her dance, there are no reports of any deaths surrounding it. Serbian authorities have also been closely monitoring the situation. While the mythical figure scares many people to date, content creators have highly capitalised on the viral video. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Serbian Dancing Lady: Real or Fake? Know the truth behind mysterious, creepy viral TikTok video

TikTok influencers and celebrities are increasingly taking over from journalists as the main source of news for young people, according to a report.

55% people rely on TikTok and Snapchat for news, report finds

<p>TikTok&nbsp;influencers&nbsp;and celebrities are increasingly taking over from journalists as the main source of news for young people, according to a report published Wednesday by the Britain-based Reuters Institute.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The report found that 55 percent of TikTok and Snapchat users and 52 percent of Instagram users get their news from "personalities" -- compared to 33-42 percent who get it from mainstream media and journalists on those platforms, which are most popular among the young.</p>

<p>The figures were based on interviews with some 94,000 people across 46 countries, conducted for the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism, part of Britain's University of Oxford.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"While mainstream journalists often lead conversations around news in Twitter and Facebook, they struggle to get attention in newer networks like Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok," the report said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Lead author Nic Newman highlighted people like Britain's Matt Welland, who discusses current affairs and daily life on TikTok for his 2.8 million subscribers.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Or it could be a celebrity like a footballer talking about a topical news event," he told AFP, such as footballer Marcus Rashford's 2020 campaign to get free school meals for children from poor families.&nbsp;</p>

<p>For young people, "news" is not just the traditional focus on politics and international relations, but "anything new that is happening in any walk of life: sports, entertainment, celebrity gossip, current affairs, culture, arts, technology..." he added.</p>

<h2>'Fundamental change'</h2>

<p>Facebook remains the leading source of news among social networks worldwide, but its influence is dropping, with 28 percent saying they use it to get news, compared with 42 percent in 2016.&nbsp;</p>

<p>This likely reflects Facebook's shift away from news-sharing towards a focus on friends and family, as well as young people's preference for more video-based apps like TikTok and YouTube.&nbsp;</p>

<p>TikTok now reaches 44 percent of 18-24-year-olds, and 20 percent get their news from the app, up five percent on last year.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The biggest challenge for traditional news outlets is the falling number who go direct to their websites -- just 22 percent, down 10 points since 2018 -- rather than relying on social media links.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In his foreword, Reuters Institute director Rasmus Kleis Nielsen said this shift presented "a much more fundamental change" for the news industry than even the shift from paper to digital a generation ago.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Legacy media... now face a continual transformation of digital as generations come of age who eschew direct discovery for all but the most appealing brands, (and) have little interest in many conventional news offers oriented towards older generations' habits, interests, and values," he said.</p>

<p>These new audiences are aware of the risks of relying on algorithms, with only 30 percent thinking this is a good way to get a balanced diet of news -- but that is still considered better than relying on journalists, who scored just 27 percent.&nbsp;</p>

<p>None of this is good news for media firms reliant on subscribers and ad revenue.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The report found that 39 percent of subscribers had cancelled or renegotiated subscriptions, though the overall share of people paying for news across 20 countries surveyed remained stable compared with last year at 17 percent.&nbsp;</p>


TikTok influencers and celebrities are increasingly taking over from journalists as the main source of news for young people, according to a report published Wednesday by the Britain-based Reuters Institute.

TikTok influencers and celebrities are increasingly taking over from journalists as the main source of news for young people, according to a report published Wednesday by the Britain-based Reuters Institute. The report found that 55 percent of TikTok and Snapchat users and 52 percent of Instagram users get their news from "personalities" -- compared to 33-42 percent who get it from mainstream media and journalists on those platforms, which are most popular among the young. The figures were based on interviews with some 94,000 people across 46 countries, conducted for the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism, part of Britain's University of Oxford. "While mainstream journalists often lead conversations around news in Twitter and Facebook, they struggle to get attention in newer networks like Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok," the report said. Lead author Nic Newman highlighted people like Britain's Matt Welland, who discusses current affairs and daily life on TikTok for his 2.8 million subscribers. "Or it could be a celebrity like a footballer talking about a topical news event," he told AFP, such as footballer Marcus Rashford's 2020 campaign to get free school meals for children from poor families. For young people, "news" is not just the traditional focus on politics and international relations, but "anything new that is happening in any walk of life: sports, entertainment, celebrity gossip, current affairs, culture, arts, technology..." he added. 'Fundamental change' Facebook remains the leading source of news among social networks worldwide, but its influence is dropping, with 28 percent saying they use it to get news, compared with 42 percent in 2016. This likely reflects Facebook's shift away from news-sharing towards a focus on friends and family, as well as young people's preference for more video-based apps like TikTok and YouTube. TikTok now reaches 44 percent of 18-24-year-olds, and 20 percent get their news from the app, up five percent on last year. The biggest challenge for traditional news outlets is the falling number who go direct to their websites -- just 22 percent, down 10 points since 2018 -- rather than relying on social media links. In his foreword, Reuters Institute director Rasmus Kleis Nielsen said this shift presented "a much more fundamental change" for the news industry than even the shift from paper to digital a generation ago. "Legacy media... now face a continual transformation of digital as generations come of age who eschew direct discovery for all but the most appealing brands, (and) have little interest in many conventional news offers oriented towards older generations' habits, interests, and values," he said. These new audiences are aware of the risks of relying on algorithms, with only 30 percent thinking this is a good way to get a balanced diet of news -- but that is still considered better than relying on journalists, who scored just 27 percent. None of this is good news for media firms reliant on subscribers and ad revenue. The report found that 39 percent of subscribers had cancelled or renegotiated subscriptions, though the overall share of people paying for news across 20 countries surveyed remained stable compared with last year at 17 percent.

Report suggests that influencers are overtaking journalists as news source

A former ByteDance executive has claimed that the company shared data of TikTok users with CCP. The party then used this data to spy on protesters & activists in Hong Kong. Molly Gambhir reports.

Gravitas: How China used TikTok to spy on Hong Kong protesters

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<p>A former executive at TikTok's parent company ByteDance has claimed that China's Communist Party (CCP) accessed user data collected by the short-video app to spy upon and monitor Hong Kong activists in 2018.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Yintao Yu, the executive who led ByteDance's US engineering team made the stunning revelations in a wrongful termination lawsuit filed in May. The court filings, accessed by Wall Street Journal revealed that the CCP collected IP addresses, SIM card IDs and communication data of users in Hong Kong in 2018.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“Protesters’, supporters’, and civil rights activists’ device identifiers were tracked in addition to their network information, SIM card identifications, and IP addresses,” said Yu during the hearing.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“This information was used to determine both the users’ identity and locations. The TikTok app stores all the users’ direct messages, their search histories, the content viewed by the users, and duration. From the logs, I saw that the Committee accessed the protestors’, civil rights activists’, and supporters’ unique user data, locations, and communications," he added.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/tiktok-says-disappointed-over-the-ban-in-us-545332"><strong>WATCH |&nbsp;TikTok says 'disappointed over the ban' in US</strong></a></p>

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<h2><strong>God credential: A passkey to access user data&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>The former employee said the existence of the 'god credential' is a well-known fact amongst the top hierarchy of ByteDance which contradicts the claims made to the legislators in US and other countries.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/biden-administration-pressures-tiktoks-chinese-owners-to-sell-stakes-threatens-complete-ban-572563" target="_blank"><strong>Also read | Biden administration pressures TikTok's Chinese owners to sell stakes, threatens complete ban</strong></a></p>

<p>Yu worked from ByteDance's Menlo Park office in California and also spent time in the company’s offices in Los Angeles and Beijing. He added that the alleged backdoor allowed certain high-level persons in Beijing the ability to access user data, no matter where it was located.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Meanwhile, ByteDance termed Yu's claims as baseless and that he was looking to attract media attention.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“We vigorously oppose what we believe are baseless claims and allegations in this complaint," said a spokesperson. “His actions are clearly intended to garner media attention."</p>

<p>“We plan to vigorously oppose what we believe are baseless claims and allegations in this complaint. Mr. Yu worked for ByteDance Inc. for less than a year and his employment ended in July 2018."</p>

<p>The spokesperson added that Yu worked on an app called Flipagram which was discontinued years ago for business reasons.&nbsp;</p>

<p>TikTok has come under heavy scrutiny across the globe for its shoddy data handling practices. Countries such as India and US have imposed a complete or partial ban on the app's operations, primarily because of its CCP connection.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE:&nbsp;</strong></p>

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A former executive at TikTok's parent company ByteDance has claimed that China's Communist Party (CCP) accessed user data collected by the short-video app to spy upon and monitor Hong Kong activists in 2018.

A former executive at TikTok's parent company ByteDance has claimed that China's Communist Party (CCP) accessed user data collected by the short-video app to spy upon and monitor Hong Kong activists in 2018. Yintao Yu, the executive who led ByteDance's US engineering team made the stunning revelations in a wrongful termination lawsuit filed in May. The court filings, accessed by Wall Street Journal revealed that the CCP collected IP addresses, SIM card IDs and communication data of users in Hong Kong in 2018. “Protesters’, supporters’, and civil rights activists’ device identifiers were tracked in addition to their network information, SIM card identifications, and IP addresses,” said Yu during the hearing. “This information was used to determine both the users’ identity and locations. The TikTok app stores all the users’ direct messages, their search histories, the content viewed by the users, and duration. From the logs, I saw that the Committee accessed the protestors’, civil rights activists’, and supporters’ unique user data, locations, and communications," he added. WATCH | TikTok says 'disappointed over the ban' in US × God credential: A passkey to access user data The former employee said the existence of the 'god credential' is a well-known fact amongst the top hierarchy of ByteDance which contradicts the claims made to the legislators in US and other countries. Also read | Biden administration pressures TikTok's Chinese owners to sell stakes, threatens complete ban Yu worked from ByteDance's Menlo Park office in California and also spent time in the company’s offices in Los Angeles and Beijing. He added that the alleged backdoor allowed certain high-level persons in Beijing the ability to access user data, no matter where it was located. Meanwhile, ByteDance termed Yu's claims as baseless and that he was looking to attract media attention. “We vigorously oppose what we believe are baseless claims and allegations in this complaint," said a spokesperson. “His actions are clearly intended to garner media attention." “We plan to vigorously oppose what we believe are baseless claims and allegations in this complaint. Mr. Yu worked for ByteDance Inc. for less than a year and his employment ended in July 2018." The spokesperson added that Yu worked on an app called Flipagram which was discontinued years ago for business reasons. TikTok has come under heavy scrutiny across the globe for its shoddy data handling practices. Countries such as India and US have imposed a complete or partial ban on the app's operations, primarily because of its CCP connection. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Using TikTok, China spied on Hong Kong activists, claims former employee

TikTok's Chinese owner ByteDance is again under the radar as another ex-employee accuses the firm of spying. The former executive that the members of the Communist Party of China were able to access the data of Hong Kong protestors and used every possible means to curb the pro-democracy protestors.

ByteDance helped China to track Hong Kong activists?

The family of a 13-year-old girl in Melbourne who died after attempting a social media trend are calling for more action to prevent similar deaths.

13-year-old girl in Australia dies after trying viral social media trend called 'chroming'

Not many 3-year-olds can read and identify letters and shapes, but Lethukuthula is one who can. She first came into the limelight in 2022 when her mother, created a TikTok account and used it to share videos of her, reading words and sentences, or sounding out letters. She is now a prodigy.

Meet Africa's youngest 'kidfluencer'

TikTok has filed a lawsuit against the state of Montana challenging the state's decision to ban the app. The move comes after the Montana's Governor signed a legislature last week that barred the app and prohibits Apple and Google app stores from offering it. The ban will take effect next year within the state.

TikTok sues Montana state over app ban, accuses state of violating the commerce clause

<p>TikTok on Monday (May 22) filed a suit in the US federal court after the state of Montana decided to implement an overall ban on the video-sharing app.&nbsp;</p>

<p>TikTok argued in the suit that the unprecedented ban, which is set to start in 2024, violates the constitutionally protected right to free speech.&nbsp;</p>

<p>TikTok said in the court filing: "We are challenging Montana’s unconstitutional TikTok ban to protect our business and the hundreds of thousands of TikTok users in Montana."&nbsp;</p>

<p>As quoted by news agency AFP, a TikTok spokesperson said: "We believe our legal challenge will prevail based on an exceedingly strong set of precedents and facts."&nbsp;</p>

<p>Greg Gianforte, who is the governor of Montana, signed the unprecedented prohibition into law on May 17. Gianforte said on Twitter that he endorsed the ban in order to "protect Montanans' personal and private data from the Chinese Communist Party."&nbsp;</p>

<p>"The state has enacted these extraordinary and unprecedented measures based on nothing more than unfounded speculation," TikTok contended in its lawsuit.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>WATCH |&nbsp;TikTok users file lawsuit to block Montana ban&nbsp;</strong></p>

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<h2><strong>Users also file suit&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>Five TikTok users filed their own lawsuit last week, requesting that a federal court overturn Montana's prohibition on the app, claiming that it violates&nbsp;their free speech rights.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Both lawsuits filed against Montana contend that the state is attempting to exercise national security powers that only the federal government possesses while also infringing free speech rights.</p>

<p>TikTok has asked the federal court to declare Montana's prohibition on its app illegal and to prevent the state from enforcing it. The ban &nbsp;would take effect on January 1 and the company claims that the ban violates the First Amendment rights of the company and users.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The lawsuit filed by TikTok users contends: "Montana can no more ban its residents from viewing or posting to TikTok than it could ban the Wall Street Journal because of who owns it or the ideas it publishes."&nbsp;</p>

<p>For the unversed, TikTok&nbsp;is owned by the Chinese firm ByteDance, and it has been accused by a wide range of US politicians of being controlled by the Chinese government and used for spying by Beijing, something the company denies.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The video-sharing app is used by more than 150 million Americans and the company said that it has hundreds of thousands of active users in Montana, which has a total of about 1.1 million residents.&nbsp;</p>

<p>News agencies have reported that Montana could impose fines of $10,000 for each violation by TikTok and additional fines of $10,000 per day if it violates the ban. The law does not impose penalties on individual TikTok users. It is not clear how Montana would enforce a TikTok ban.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;</em></p>

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TikTok on Monday (May 22) filed a suit in the US federal court after the state of Montana decided to implement an overall ban on the video-sharing app. TikTok argued in the suit that the unprecedented ban, which is set to start in 2024, violates the constitutionally protected right to free speech.

TikTok on Monday (May 22) filed a suit in the US federal court after the state of Montana decided to implement an overall ban on the video-sharing app. TikTok argued in the suit that the unprecedented ban, which is set to start in 2024, violates the constitutionally protected right to free speech. TikTok said in the court filing: "We are challenging Montana’s unconstitutional TikTok ban to protect our business and the hundreds of thousands of TikTok users in Montana." As quoted by news agency AFP, a TikTok spokesperson said: "We believe our legal challenge will prevail based on an exceedingly strong set of precedents and facts." Greg Gianforte, who is the governor of Montana, signed the unprecedented prohibition into law on May 17. Gianforte said on Twitter that he endorsed the ban in order to "protect Montanans' personal and private data from the Chinese Communist Party." "The state has enacted these extraordinary and unprecedented measures based on nothing more than unfounded speculation," TikTok contended in its lawsuit. WATCH | TikTok users file lawsuit to block Montana ban × Users also file suit Five TikTok users filed their own lawsuit last week, requesting that a federal court overturn Montana's prohibition on the app, claiming that it violates their free speech rights. Both lawsuits filed against Montana contend that the state is attempting to exercise national security powers that only the federal government possesses while also infringing free speech rights. TikTok has asked the federal court to declare Montana's prohibition on its app illegal and to prevent the state from enforcing it. The ban would take effect on January 1 and the company claims that the ban violates the First Amendment rights of the company and users. The lawsuit filed by TikTok users contends: "Montana can no more ban its residents from viewing or posting to TikTok than it could ban the Wall Street Journal because of who owns it or the ideas it publishes." For the unversed, TikTok is owned by the Chinese firm ByteDance, and it has been accused by a wide range of US politicians of being controlled by the Chinese government and used for spying by Beijing, something the company denies. The video-sharing app is used by more than 150 million Americans and the company said that it has hundreds of thousands of active users in Montana, which has a total of about 1.1 million residents. News agencies have reported that Montana could impose fines of $10,000 for each violation by TikTok and additional fines of $10,000 per day if it violates the ban. The law does not impose penalties on individual TikTok users. It is not clear how Montana would enforce a TikTok ban. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

TikTok sues Montana after state passes 'unconstitutional' law banning app

<p>Auto giants Hyundai Motor and Kia Corp have agreed to a settlement worth USD 200 million stemming in part from a TikTok 'car theft' challenge. The companies were facing a consumer class-action lawsuit. The 'car theft challenge' had led to rampant stealing of cars by exploiting loopholes in their security systems.</p>

<p>According to data with National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the so-called "Kia challenge" had led to theft of hundreds of cars in the US and had also caused 14 reported crashes and eight fatalities.</p>

<h2><strong>What was the TikTok &nbsp;challenge?</strong></h2>

<p>The thieves going by the name 'the Kia Boyz' were posting instructional videos on YouTube and TikTok showing the viewers how to bypass the cars' security systems by using something as simple as a USB cable.&nbsp;</p>

<p>It has been reported that the thefts are easy to pull off because many Kia and Hundai cars, manufactured between 2015-19 do not have electronic immobilisers that prevent the thieves from bypassing the security system.</p>

<h2><strong>How many cars have been stolen?</strong></h2>

<p>There is no exact number known of cars that have been stolen as a direct consequence of the 'theft challenge'. However, the settlement covers about 9 million US owners and includes up to USD 145 million for out-of pocket losses for consumers who had their cars stolen, said Reuters.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Other related expenses such as car rental, taxi or other transportation costs that were not covered by insurance were reportedly also part of the settlement.</p>

<p>Owners can get reimbursed for towing costs and for stolen vehicles that suffered crashes or were never recovered, as well as payments for tickets or other penalties or fines incurred arising from a stolen vehicle.</p>

<h2><strong>What are the carmakers saying?</strong></h2>

<p>Hyundai and Kia said they will compensate owners "who incurred theft-related vehicle losses or damage in addition to reimbursement for insurance deductibles, increased insurance premiums, and other theft-related losses."</p>

<p>For customers whose vehicles cannot accommodate security software upgrades, the Korean automakers will provide up to $300 for the purchase of steering wheel locks and other theft deterrent or prevention devices.</p>

<p>"The settlement will provide benefits as soon as possible to those who have suffered out-of-pocket losses," said Steve Berman, a lawyer representing owners.</p>

<h2><strong>Is this the first time automakers are getting sued?</strong></h2>

<p>No, many major cities in the US have taken carmakers to the courts over thefts. These cities include St Louis, Missouri; Cleveland, Ohio; Columbus, Ohio; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Baltimore, Seattle; and &nbsp;San Diego, California.</p>

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Auto giants Hyundai Motor and Kia Corp have agreed to a settlement worth USD 200 million stemming in part from a TikTok 'car theft' challenge. The companies were facing a consumer class-action lawsuit.

Auto giants Hyundai Motor and Kia Corp have agreed to a settlement worth USD 200 million stemming in part from a TikTok 'car theft' challenge. The companies were facing a consumer class-action lawsuit. The 'car theft challenge' had led to rampant stealing of cars by exploiting loopholes in their security systems. According to data with National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the so-called "Kia challenge" had led to theft of hundreds of cars in the US and had also caused 14 reported crashes and eight fatalities. What was the TikTok challenge? The thieves going by the name 'the Kia Boyz' were posting instructional videos on YouTube and TikTok showing the viewers how to bypass the cars' security systems by using something as simple as a USB cable. It has been reported that the thefts are easy to pull off because many Kia and Hundai cars, manufactured between 2015-19 do not have electronic immobilisers that prevent the thieves from bypassing the security system. How many cars have been stolen? There is no exact number known of cars that have been stolen as a direct consequence of the 'theft challenge'. However, the settlement covers about 9 million US owners and includes up to USD 145 million for out-of pocket losses for consumers who had their cars stolen, said Reuters. Other related expenses such as car rental, taxi or other transportation costs that were not covered by insurance were reportedly also part of the settlement. Owners can get reimbursed for towing costs and for stolen vehicles that suffered crashes or were never recovered, as well as payments for tickets or other penalties or fines incurred arising from a stolen vehicle. What are the carmakers saying? Hyundai and Kia said they will compensate owners "who incurred theft-related vehicle losses or damage in addition to reimbursement for insurance deductibles, increased insurance premiums, and other theft-related losses." For customers whose vehicles cannot accommodate security software upgrades, the Korean automakers will provide up to $300 for the purchase of steering wheel locks and other theft deterrent or prevention devices. "The settlement will provide benefits as soon as possible to those who have suffered out-of-pocket losses," said Steve Berman, a lawyer representing owners. Is this the first time automakers are getting sued? No, many major cities in the US have taken carmakers to the courts over thefts. These cities include St Louis, Missouri; Cleveland, Ohio; Columbus, Ohio; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Baltimore, Seattle; and San Diego, California. You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

TikTok 'car theft challenge' makes Hyundai and Kia pay up $200 million

Pakistani politics has gone through post prime minister Imran Khan went on attack mode against the current coalition government. Scathing attacks were launched even against Pakistan's all-powerful Army now the politics of polarization culminated in violent protests on the 9th of May, when Imran's arrest prompted a nationwide unrest the past one year also changed the manner in which national politics trickled down to the Grassroots levels in Pakistan. The medium of choice this time was social media not that social media in Pakistan was immune from political discussions before April last year but it was not as indispensable as it is now apart from existing platforms like Twitter and Facebook there was another platform which came to the fore it was TikTok which increasingly became a forum for political polarization in fact it has now silently become a forum for serious debate on some of the most contentious issues of the South Asian Nation.

Pakistan: Did PTI weaponise 'TikTok' for mass protests?

Five TikTok users in Montana who create content posted on the short-video app filed a lawsuit in federal court seeking to block the state's new ban on the Chinese-owned platform.

TikTok users file lawsuit to block Montana ban

<p>Five users of TikTok in the US have filed a lawsuit in a federal court to overturn the statewide ban imposed on the video-sharing app in Montana, saying the restriction violates their right to free speech.<br />
<br />
The lawsuit has been filed hours after the unprecedented prohibition was signed into law by Montana Governor Greg Gianforte on Wednesday.<br />
<br />
Taking to Twitter, Gianforte said that the ban has been endorsed by him to "protect Montanans' personal and private data from the Chinese Communist Party". TikTok is owned by Chinese company ByteDance and has been facing a firestorm of criticism over storing in China the private data on users.<br />
<br />
The lawsuit filed by the content makers states that national security power is being exercised by the state which only the federal government has power to wield and hence, it is violating people's right to free speech in the process.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ | </strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/tiktok-car-theft-challenge-makes-hyundai-and-kia-pay-up-200-million-594047">TikTok 'car theft challenge' makes Hyundai and Kia pay up $200 million</a></p>

<p><br />
"Montana can no more ban its residents from viewing or posting to TikTok than it could ban the Wall Street Journal because of who owns it or the ideas it publishes," argued the lawsuit.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>TikTok - China's&nbsp;tool of espionage?</strong></h2>

<p><br />
ByteDance has been accused by several US politicians of having the Chinese government's tutelage. They have called it a tool of espionage being used by Beijing, something which has been furiously denied by the company.<br />
<br />
The plaintiffs mentioned in the legal suit include a businesswoman who sells swimwear, a mother living with her family on a ranch, a former US Marine Corps sergeant, and a student who shares video snippets featuring her outdoor adventures.<br />
<br />
TikTok content creators enjoy a significant following on the platform and make money from it, as per the suit. The suit has appealed to the court to stop Montana's government from enforcing the ban and to ensure that the legal costs of the plaintiffs are paid.<br />
<br />
Montana has become the first state in the country to ban TikTok as the law will come into effect next year and debates continue to escalate over the popular video app's impact and security.</p>

<p><strong>WATCH | TikTok users file lawsuit to block Montana ban</strong></p>

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<p><br />
The prohibition will act as a legal test to see whether the Chinese-owned platform can be banned nationally, something which is being increasingly demanded by lawmakers in Washington.<br />
<br />
The imposition of the ban makes it a violation each time "a user accesses TikTok, is offered the ability to access TikTok, or is offered the ability to download TikTok."<br />
<br />
For every violation, a fine of $10,000 will be imposed every day it takes place.<br />
<br />
As per the law, Google and Apple will have to drop TikTok from their app stores or else they will also face daily fines.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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Five users of TikTok in the US have filed a lawsuit in a federal court to overturn the statewide ban imposed on the video-sharing app in Montana, saying the restriction violates their right to free speech.

Five users of TikTok in the US have filed a lawsuit in a federal court to overturn the statewide ban imposed on the video-sharing app in Montana, saying the restriction violates their right to free speech. The lawsuit has been filed hours after the unprecedented prohibition was signed into law by Montana Governor Greg Gianforte on Wednesday. Taking to Twitter, Gianforte said that the ban has been endorsed by him to "protect Montanans' personal and private data from the Chinese Communist Party". TikTok is owned by Chinese company ByteDance and has been facing a firestorm of criticism over storing in China the private data on users. The lawsuit filed by the content makers states that national security power is being exercised by the state which only the federal government has power to wield and hence, it is violating people's right to free speech in the process. ALSO READ | TikTok 'car theft challenge' makes Hyundai and Kia pay up $200 million "Montana can no more ban its residents from viewing or posting to TikTok than it could ban the Wall Street Journal because of who owns it or the ideas it publishes," argued the lawsuit. TikTok - China's tool of espionage? ByteDance has been accused by several US politicians of having the Chinese government's tutelage. They have called it a tool of espionage being used by Beijing, something which has been furiously denied by the company. The plaintiffs mentioned in the legal suit include a businesswoman who sells swimwear, a mother living with her family on a ranch, a former US Marine Corps sergeant, and a student who shares video snippets featuring her outdoor adventures. TikTok content creators enjoy a significant following on the platform and make money from it, as per the suit. The suit has appealed to the court to stop Montana's government from enforcing the ban and to ensure that the legal costs of the plaintiffs are paid. Montana has become the first state in the country to ban TikTok as the law will come into effect next year and debates continue to escalate over the popular video app's impact and security. WATCH | TikTok users file lawsuit to block Montana ban The prohibition will act as a legal test to see whether the Chinese-owned platform can be banned nationally, something which is being increasingly demanded by lawmakers in Washington. The imposition of the ban makes it a violation each time "a user accesses TikTok, is offered the ability to access TikTok, or is offered the ability to download TikTok." For every violation, a fine of $10,000 will be imposed every day it takes place. As per the law, Google and Apple will have to drop TikTok from their app stores or else they will also face daily fines. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

US: TikTok content creators file lawsuit against state ban imposed on app in Montana

Montana became the first US state to ban TikTok from personal devices. Governor Greg Gianforte signed the ban into law on Wednesday. It is due to take effect on 1 January.

Montana becomes first US state to ban TikTok

<p paraeid="{0f99fc8e-553e-4f94-ab32-26e253fa8b7b}{141}" paraid="742329172" >A former executive of TikTok parent ByteDance has claimed that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has backdoor access to all the users’ data, including the data stored in US.&nbsp;</p>

<p paraeid="{45b881ed-f132-4fe0-ad6a-824f1cf2fb69}{5}" paraid="63372976" >The claims were made by Yintao “Roger” Yu in a lawsuit filed on Friday in California state court for wrongful termination from his job.&nbsp;</p>

<p paraeid="{9f4b7d65-a1da-415b-8a94-7311f1fdc688}{161}" paraid="423022673" >Yu, who was the head of engineering for ByteDance's US offices from August 2017 to November 2018,&nbsp;claimed that the firm gave “supreme access” of all the data generated on the TikTok app to the CCP.&nbsp;</p>

<p paraeid="{6d5f6973-f75d-4df0-aa89-570138088f25}{79}" paraid="88761034" >In his complaint, Yu said that he was terminated from his job after he complained to the supervisors about “brazenly unlawful conduct” at the company.&nbsp;</p>

<p paraeid="{ab1d5ea6-5cf5-466e-a749-4e11fd636a42}{168}" paraid="73928868" >He further alleged that inside the Beijing-based company, the CCP "had a special office or unit, which was sometimes referred to as the 'Committee'."&nbsp;</p>

<p paraeid="{7fd1c3f1-f5fe-419a-b0ae-ee845a6c17c6}{39}" paraid="289509953" >“The Committee" didn't work for ByteDance but played a significant role," in part by "guiding how the company advanced core Communist values," the lawsuit claims.&nbsp;</p>

<p paraeid="{7fd1c3f1-f5fe-419a-b0ae-ee845a6c17c6}{28}" paraid="771222058" >ByteDance has termed these allegations “baseless” and said that it will contest the claims made by the former employee in the court.&nbsp;</p>

<p paraeid="{f86ab33e-85bf-479f-a439-c2c98de60b2d}{164}" paraid="166088643" >“ByteDance is committed to respecting the intellectual property of other companies, and we acquire data in accordance with industry practices and our global policy,” a spokesperson said in a statement, which noted that Yu worked for the company for less than a year, reports Bloomberg.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>TikTok hit with $15.9 million fine in UK: Global crackdown on Chinese app</strong></h2>

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<p paraeid="{1b2ae20d-4321-4f07-a341-bd32c8d2d4b9}{141}" paraid="609265950" >The former employee further alleged that his former superiors dismissed his concerns when he brought their attention to the tech firm stealing copyrighted content from other platforms including Instagram and Snapchat, and manufacturing users to boost its metrics and help China’s Communist Party spread propaganda to a larger audience.&nbsp;</p>

<p paraeid="{8e72bf1a-3bd0-49e4-8473-d0447dc3be3c}{119}" paraid="418840917" >He further said that he was appalled by the “misdirection” of TikTok Chief Executive Officer Shou Chew’s March testimony before Congress to allay national security concerns about the platform’s ties to China.&nbsp;</p>

<p paraeid="{41ecf836-9202-4166-bd31-1829447fce98}{203}" paraid="1757591244" >“It was known within the company that a special government-controlled committee had a significant role even though it did not work for ByteDance, Yu said.&nbsp;</p>

<p paraeid="{41ecf836-9202-4166-bd31-1829447fce98}{206}" paraid="372854551" >“The Committee maintained supreme access to all the company data, even data stored in the United States,” according to the suit. &nbsp;</p>

<p paraeid="{0f99fc8e-553e-4f94-ab32-26e253fa8b7b}{16}" paraid="1901183065" >“After receiving criticism about access from abroad, individual engineers in China were restricted from accessing U.S. user data, but the Committee continued to have access.”&nbsp;</p>

<p paraeid="{41ecf836-9202-4166-bd31-1829447fce98}{192}" paraid="623642190" >(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;</p>

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A former executive of TikTok parent ByteDance has claimed that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has backdoor access to all the users’ data, including the data stored in US.

A former executive of TikTok parent ByteDance has claimed that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has backdoor access to all the users’ data, including the data stored in US. The claims were made by Yintao “Roger” Yu in a lawsuit filed on Friday in California state court for wrongful termination from his job. Yu, who was the head of engineering for ByteDance's US offices from August 2017 to November 2018, claimed that the firm gave “supreme access” of all the data generated on the TikTok app to the CCP. In his complaint, Yu said that he was terminated from his job after he complained to the supervisors about “brazenly unlawful conduct” at the company. He further alleged that inside the Beijing-based company, the CCP "had a special office or unit, which was sometimes referred to as the 'Committee'." “The Committee" didn't work for ByteDance but played a significant role," in part by "guiding how the company advanced core Communist values," the lawsuit claims. ByteDance has termed these allegations “baseless” and said that it will contest the claims made by the former employee in the court. “ByteDance is committed to respecting the intellectual property of other companies, and we acquire data in accordance with industry practices and our global policy,” a spokesperson said in a statement, which noted that Yu worked for the company for less than a year, reports Bloomberg. TikTok hit with $15.9 million fine in UK: Global crackdown on Chinese app The former employee further alleged that his former superiors dismissed his concerns when he brought their attention to the tech firm stealing copyrighted content from other platforms including Instagram and Snapchat, and manufacturing users to boost its metrics and help China’s Communist Party spread propaganda to a larger audience. He further said that he was appalled by the “misdirection” of TikTok Chief Executive Officer Shou Chew’s March testimony before Congress to allay national security concerns about the platform’s ties to China. “It was known within the company that a special government-controlled committee had a significant role even though it did not work for ByteDance, Yu said. “The Committee maintained supreme access to all the company data, even data stored in the United States,” according to the suit. “After receiving criticism about access from abroad, individual engineers in China were restricted from accessing U.S. user data, but the Committee continued to have access.” (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Chinese Communist Party has access to TikTok's US user data: Ex-ByteDance employee 

UK-based Sikh couple Harman Singh and Khushi Kaur were attacked and their restaurant was vandalised by Khalistan supporters for speaking against the movement. The attack came after Kapoor, who has over 30,000 followers on his TikTok account, posted videos criticising the Khalistan movement.

'Sikhs in London are scared,' says Harman Singh, restaurant owner in UK | The India Story

TikTok is partnering with big-name publishers, including NBCU, Condé Nast, DotDash Meredith, BuzzFeed and others, in an effort to pull in more premium ad dollars.

TikTok announces ad partnerships with publishers, offering 50% of ad revenues

<p>A 16-year-old teen from North Carolina in the United States suffered burns covering 80 per cent of his body while he was attempting a viral TikTok challenge trying to create a makeshift torch using a spray paint can and a lighter.</p>

<p>The dangerous stunt triggered an explosion as it involved the use of flammable aerosols to create miniature flamethrowers. This caused several wounds and further evoked warnings from the authorities.</p>

<p>As per the New York Post report, the incident left the teenager, who has been identified as Mason Dark, with third-degree burns on his back.</p>

<p>Mason's mother Holli Dark said, "We all heard a big boom. And then Mason came running out and started taking off his shirt." She further added that her son is "unrecognizable" after the tragic incident.</p>

<p>In an attempt to soothe his burns, Mason jumped into a river nearby and emerged with charred skin.</p>

<p>This further worsened his condition and increased the risk of infection.</p>

<p>As per the reports, doctors said that the 16-year-old also suffered T-shaped third-degree burn on his back from ripping off his t-shirt, which was engulfed in flames.</p>

<p>He is currently being treated in the UNC Burn Centre where he has undergone several surgeries to receive skin grafts. His mother said that their family is hopeful that Mason will heal over time. He is expected to be in the hospital for at least six months.</p>

<p>A note by his mother reads, ''My son Mason, needs your prayers. 75% of his body is burned. The accident occurred on the afternoon of Sunday, April 23, 2023. He jumped into a river to extinguish the flames. The risk of infection from the river water is high, on top of having 2nd and 3rd-degree burns. We are thankful to be at the UNC Burn Center in Chapel Hill. It is one of the top in the nation. Mason has a long road ahead of him. Please pray for his recovery. He is in an incredible amount of pain and is sedated."</p>

<h2><strong>Dangerous TikTok challenges and the ordeals they have caused</strong></h2>

<p><strong>'Blackout Challenge'</strong></p>

<p>The "blackout challenge" had&nbsp;allegedly claimed the life of a 10-year-old girl, last year, in the United States who died in intensive care after performing the deadly stunt.</p>

<p>The viral challenge encouraged users to choke themselves until passing out due to lack of oxygen. The mother of the girl, Tawainna Anderson, said that her daughter Nylah fell unconscious at home in December last year after choking as she took part in the TikTok challenge.&nbsp;</p>

<p>She had sued TikTok over wrongful death and negligence among other damages.&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;<br />
According to court documents, Anderson claimed TikTok's algorithm allegedly determined that the blackout challenge was "well-tailored and likely to be of interest" for the 10-year-old.</p>

<p><strong>'Benadryl challenge'&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p>Earlier, a 13-year-old boy from Ohio, United States, lost his life after he took an overdose of the medication while attempting a dangerous TikTok trend. He ingested 12 to 14 pills of Benadryl as a part of the social media challenge.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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A 16-year-old teen from North Carolina in the United States suffered burns covering 80 per cent of his body while he was attempting a viral TikTok challenge trying to create a makeshift torch using a spray paint can and a lighter.

A 16-year-old teen from North Carolina in the United States suffered burns covering 80 per cent of his body while he was attempting a viral TikTok challenge trying to create a makeshift torch using a spray paint can and a lighter. The dangerous stunt triggered an explosion as it involved the use of flammable aerosols to create miniature flamethrowers. This caused several wounds and further evoked warnings from the authorities. As per the New York Post report, the incident left the teenager, who has been identified as Mason Dark, with third-degree burns on his back. Mason's mother Holli Dark said, "We all heard a big boom. And then Mason came running out and started taking off his shirt." She further added that her son is "unrecognizable" after the tragic incident. In an attempt to soothe his burns, Mason jumped into a river nearby and emerged with charred skin. This further worsened his condition and increased the risk of infection. As per the reports, doctors said that the 16-year-old also suffered T-shaped third-degree burn on his back from ripping off his t-shirt, which was engulfed in flames. He is currently being treated in the UNC Burn Centre where he has undergone several surgeries to receive skin grafts. His mother said that their family is hopeful that Mason will heal over time. He is expected to be in the hospital for at least six months. A note by his mother reads, ''My son Mason, needs your prayers. 75% of his body is burned. The accident occurred on the afternoon of Sunday, April 23, 2023. He jumped into a river to extinguish the flames. The risk of infection from the river water is high, on top of having 2nd and 3rd-degree burns. We are thankful to be at the UNC Burn Center in Chapel Hill. It is one of the top in the nation. Mason has a long road ahead of him. Please pray for his recovery. He is in an incredible amount of pain and is sedated." Dangerous TikTok challenges and the ordeals they have caused 'Blackout Challenge' The "blackout challenge" had allegedly claimed the life of a 10-year-old girl, last year, in the United States who died in intensive care after performing the deadly stunt. The viral challenge encouraged users to choke themselves until passing out due to lack of oxygen. The mother of the girl, Tawainna Anderson, said that her daughter Nylah fell unconscious at home in December last year after choking as she took part in the TikTok challenge. She had sued TikTok over wrongful death and negligence among other damages. According to court documents, Anderson claimed TikTok's algorithm allegedly determined that the blackout challenge was "well-tailored and likely to be of interest" for the 10-year-old. 'Benadryl challenge' Earlier, a 13-year-old boy from Ohio, United States, lost his life after he took an overdose of the medication while attempting a dangerous TikTok trend. He ingested 12 to 14 pills of Benadryl as a part of the social media challenge. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Viral TikTok trend leaves US teen disfigured with 80% third-degree burns

A woman on TikTok claims she has identified a dating trend worse than being “ghosted”. Singer-songwriter Mariel Darling posted a video last week to share her horror at the trend she has named as being “zombied”.

Is the Zombied dating trend the new ghosting?

Here, we bring you the news that is trending across WION's social media platforms - Gemini Sankaran, pioneer of Indian Circus dies at the age of 99 in Kannur, China's ByteDance pushes Lemon8 in the United States as TikTok faces possible ban, says report, World Bank report reveals Indian workers earn 120% more abroad, German Air Force says it intercepted Russian aircraft over Baltic Sea.

Gemini Sankaran, pioneer of Indian Circus dies at age of 99 in Kerala's Kannur

<p>ByteDance is pushing a new social media app in the United States as the Chinese tech giant's flagship app TikTok faces a possible ban. According to a report by CNBC late Monday (April 24), ByteDance had invited creators onto the Lemon8 platform before it officially rolls out in the US. Lemon8, a lifestyle app, is a blend of Instagram and Pinterest. The app was first launched in Japan in 2020. Citing data.ai, a data analytics firm, the CNBC report on Monday said that Lemon8 jumped 693 positions to become the second-most downloaded lifestyle app in the US in the last 30 days. Since its launch, Lemon8 accumulated 17 million downloads worldwide.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Glenn Gerstell, a senior advisor at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said that some of the algorithms used in Lemon8 are similar to or the same as the recommendation algorithms in TikTok, which would make these apps "tremendously popular" as they feed people what they want to see and move on.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/tiktok-google-are-involved-in-cognitive-war-on-russia-chinese-military-study-584734">TikTok, Google are involved in ‘cognitive war’ on Russia: Chinese military study</a></strong></p>

<p>Lindsay Gorman, a senior fellow at the German Marshall Fund, meanwhile, said, "You could see this as the competitive move of a company that’s trying to expand into different consumer markets and segments with more image-based and longer-form written content as opposed to only short-form videos."</p>

<p>Lemon8's growing popularity comes as TikTok faces a possible ban in the US amid concerns about potential Chinese government influence over the platform. CNBC reported that the lifestyle app's links to ByteDance and TikTok will come under the radar of American regulators.&nbsp;</p>

<p>While pointing out Lemon8's success in Japan, Glenn Gerstell said that if the app gets shut out of the US market, "they have still got (millions of) people around the world who could be users of this app."</p>

<p>Both Gerstell and Lindsay Gorman said that Lemon8 could also serve as an alternative for content creators if TikTok was banned in the US.&nbsp;</p>

<p>However, creating another app to replace TikTok was not a quick solution for ByteDance, according to analysts. Glenn Gerstell said, “It might give them a fallback in case something gets hurt on TikTok but I don’t see it as generating a solution for ByteDance in this regard.”&nbsp;</p>

<p>And Lindsay Gorman said as Lemon8 gained more popularity, it spoke to the need for American regulators to come up with a comprehensive framework to understand "the risks of Chinese internet apps and address them before they spiral out of control."</p>

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ByteDance is pushing a new social media app in the United States as the Chinese tech giant's flagship app TikTok faces a possible ban. According to a report by CNBC late Monday (April 24), ByteDance had invited creators onto the Lemon8 platform before it officially rolls out in the US.

ByteDance is pushing a new social media app in the United States as the Chinese tech giant's flagship app TikTok faces a possible ban. According to a report by CNBC late Monday (April 24), ByteDance had invited creators onto the Lemon8 platform before it officially rolls out in the US. Lemon8, a lifestyle app, is a blend of Instagram and Pinterest. The app was first launched in Japan in 2020. Citing data.ai, a data analytics firm, the CNBC report on Monday said that Lemon8 jumped 693 positions to become the second-most downloaded lifestyle app in the US in the last 30 days. Since its launch, Lemon8 accumulated 17 million downloads worldwide. Glenn Gerstell, a senior advisor at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said that some of the algorithms used in Lemon8 are similar to or the same as the recommendation algorithms in TikTok, which would make these apps "tremendously popular" as they feed people what they want to see and move on. ALSO READ | TikTok, Google are involved in ‘cognitive war’ on Russia: Chinese military study Lindsay Gorman, a senior fellow at the German Marshall Fund, meanwhile, said, "You could see this as the competitive move of a company that’s trying to expand into different consumer markets and segments with more image-based and longer-form written content as opposed to only short-form videos." Lemon8's growing popularity comes as TikTok faces a possible ban in the US amid concerns about potential Chinese government influence over the platform. CNBC reported that the lifestyle app's links to ByteDance and TikTok will come under the radar of American regulators. While pointing out Lemon8's success in Japan, Glenn Gerstell said that if the app gets shut out of the US market, "they have still got (millions of) people around the world who could be users of this app." Both Gerstell and Lindsay Gorman said that Lemon8 could also serve as an alternative for content creators if TikTok was banned in the US. However, creating another app to replace TikTok was not a quick solution for ByteDance, according to analysts. Glenn Gerstell said, “It might give them a fallback in case something gets hurt on TikTok but I don’t see it as generating a solution for ByteDance in this regard.” And Lindsay Gorman said as Lemon8 gained more popularity, it spoke to the need for American regulators to come up with a comprehensive framework to understand "the risks of Chinese internet apps and address them before they spiral out of control." WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

China's ByteDance pushes Lemon8 app in US as TikTok faces possible ban: Report

<p><strong><em>(Trigger warning: Some readers may find details of this report disturbing. Discretion is advised.)</em></strong></p>

<p>Only a few people are aware of a very disturbing trend which became viral on TikTok in 2021. The trend resulted in unofficially designating the 24th of the month of April, which is apparently Sexual Assault Awareness Month, as "National Rape Day." &nbsp;A video purportedly surfaced on the Chinese video hosting service TikTok where a group of men reportedly urge&nbsp;others to commit sexual assault on this day by claiming that doing so is lawful.</p>

<p>However, TikTok in a statement to the USA Today media outlet confirmed that it has not found the purported original video on its platform. Even though the existence of the original video is not known yet, the hashtag #April24 apparently received 38 million views overall.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/bodies-of-47-suspected-kenyan-cult-members-have-been-exhumed-585504">Bodies of 47 suspected Kenyan cult members have been exhumed</a></p>

<p>In reaction to the trend, hundreds of other TikTok videos were created by netizens. Some of these reaction videos offered safety advice to women.&nbsp;In the videos, people advised women to exercise caution and stay at home on April 24. They also went on to advise women to only travel in groups.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Meanwhile, the other videos which cropped up on TikTok as a response to the disturbing trend warned anybody who commits sexual assault on this day.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/explained-how-foreign-countries-are-evacuating-their-citizens-from-conflict-hit-sudan-585507">How foreign countries are evacuating their citizens from conflict-hit Sudan</a></p>

<p>"Keeping our community safe is our priority, and we do not tolerate content that promotes or glorifies non-consensual sexual acts including rape and sexual assault,” a TikTok spokesperson wrote in an email at the time to USA Today.</p>

<p>“While we have not found evidence on our platform of any videos related to this subject, our safety team is remaining vigilant and we will remove content that violates our policies."</p>

<p>More than 100 videos on TikTok with the hashtag #april24 were examined by USA Today, but no instance of the allegedly original, menacing video was discovered.&nbsp;While some creators asserted to have watched the video, they did not link their posts with the said content, which makes it doubtful if the original video indeed exists.</p>

<p><strong>Watch |&nbsp;47 bodies of cult-members found at a mass grave in Kenya | WION Pulse</strong></p>

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<p>As the investigation could not trace the original video, USA Today ranked the allegation, that a group of males on TikTok are preparing to sexually assault women on April 24 in commemoration of the unofficially designated "National Rape Day", as untrue.</p>

<p>Despite a plethora of responses on social media, neither USA Today nor TikTok discovered any proof that the video really made the purported threat.&nbsp;There are several media outlets that reported this trend however none of them substantiated weather the original video truly existed or is just part of fictitious reports.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Many law enforcement personnel joined the trend and began producing reaction videos. After the trend received a lot of attention, the police allegedly warned any potential attackers with arrests.</p>

<p>More than 1,000 Facebook postings and over 50 Instagram posts regarding "National Rape Day" had been made in the week before the fact-check report's publication by USA Today.&nbsp;</p>

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(Trigger warning: Some readers may find details of this report disturbing. Discretion is advised.) Only a few people are aware of a very disturbing trend which became viral on TikTok in 2021.

(Trigger warning: Some readers may find details of this report disturbing. Discretion is advised.) Only a few people are aware of a very disturbing trend which became viral on TikTok in 2021. The trend resulted in unofficially designating the 24th of the month of April, which is apparently Sexual Assault Awareness Month, as "National Rape Day." A video purportedly surfaced on the Chinese video hosting service TikTok where a group of men reportedly urge others to commit sexual assault on this day by claiming that doing so is lawful. However, TikTok in a statement to the USA Today media outlet confirmed that it has not found the purported original video on its platform. Even though the existence of the original video is not known yet, the hashtag #April24 apparently received 38 million views overall. Also Read | Bodies of 47 suspected Kenyan cult members have been exhumed In reaction to the trend, hundreds of other TikTok videos were created by netizens. Some of these reaction videos offered safety advice to women. In the videos, people advised women to exercise caution and stay at home on April 24. They also went on to advise women to only travel in groups. Meanwhile, the other videos which cropped up on TikTok as a response to the disturbing trend warned anybody who commits sexual assault on this day. Also Read | How foreign countries are evacuating their citizens from conflict-hit Sudan "Keeping our community safe is our priority, and we do not tolerate content that promotes or glorifies non-consensual sexual acts including rape and sexual assault,” a TikTok spokesperson wrote in an email at the time to USA Today. “While we have not found evidence on our platform of any videos related to this subject, our safety team is remaining vigilant and we will remove content that violates our policies." More than 100 videos on TikTok with the hashtag #april24 were examined by USA Today, but no instance of the allegedly original, menacing video was discovered. While some creators asserted to have watched the video, they did not link their posts with the said content, which makes it doubtful if the original video indeed exists. Watch | 47 bodies of cult-members found at a mass grave in Kenya | WION Pulse × As the investigation could not trace the original video, USA Today ranked the allegation, that a group of males on TikTok are preparing to sexually assault women on April 24 in commemoration of the unofficially designated "National Rape Day", as untrue. Despite a plethora of responses on social media, neither USA Today nor TikTok discovered any proof that the video really made the purported threat. There are several media outlets that reported this trend however none of them substantiated weather the original video truly existed or is just part of fictitious reports. Many law enforcement personnel joined the trend and began producing reaction videos. After the trend received a lot of attention, the police allegedly warned any potential attackers with arrests. More than 1,000 Facebook postings and over 50 Instagram posts regarding "National Rape Day" had been made in the week before the fact-check report's publication by USA Today. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

TikTok's troubling trends: What is the truth behind April 24?

<p>How far are we willing to go for likes, comments and shares on TikTok? Is it worth putting our lives in danger? Or do we even know that we're doing so by participating in these so-called "TikTok challenges"? A 13-year-old Ohio boy's death has raised so many questions on and around social media. And, it all revolves around one viral trend - Benadryl Challenge - that has resulted in a spike in overdoses among young teens and adolescents in the United States.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>The challenge is dangerous and one must not, at any cost, participate in it or encourage participation in it. Period! Scroll to know why.</p>

<h2>What exactly is TikTok's Benadryl Challenge?</h2>

<p>Unfortunately, drug abuse among teens is a major social problem across the world. Mixing various OTC drugs like Benadryl and Xanax, which is extremely dangerous, is gaining popularity among the masses. Meanwhile, trends like the "Benadryl Challenge" are resulting in a spike in overdoses among young teens and adolescents.</p>

<p>The challenge encourages people to take as many as 12 tablets of Benadryl at a time to supposedly induce hallucinations. It is to be noted that the maximum allowed dose in a 24-hour period for children aged 6 to&nbsp;12 is&nbsp;six tablets and 12 tablets for adults and children over 12. Taking more than the recommended amount can lead to nausea, seizures or even death.</p>

<p>The first reported case of death from the social media stunt was reported in September 2020. A 15-year-old Oklahoma girl lost her life after attempting the challenge. At the time, her aunt shared a social media post to alert kids taking part in the TikTok challenge.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Earlier this month, a 13-year-old Ohio teen Jacov Stevens died after participating in the challenge with his friends. A video reportedly showed him chugging the pills, after which his body started to "seize up".&nbsp;</p>

<h2>What does US Food and Drug Administration have to say about it?</h2>

<p>In a September 2020 statement, the Food and Drug Administration said that it has investigated reports of deaths of adolescents participating in TikTok's "Benadryl challenge", in which&nbsp;people take&nbsp;Benadryl in large quantities to experience hallucinations. The agency&nbsp;contacted the social media platform to urge them to remove&nbsp;such videos and warn users against exceeding the recommended doses of over-the-counter (OTC) medications.</p>

<p>"We are aware of news reports of teenagers ending up in emergency rooms or dying after participating in the 'Benadryl Challenge' encouraged in videos posted on the social media application TikTok," the FDA warning said.</p>

<p>"As soon as we became aware of this dangerous trend, we contacted social media platforms to have the content removed," the FDA statement further read. "We are continuing to monitor and work with safety teams at the various social media platforms to remove dangerous content."</p>

<p>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/lifestyle/news-medical-expert-suggests-7-ways-women-can-take-care-of-their-mental-health--exclusive-582412">Medical expert suggests 7 ways women can take care of their mental health | Exclusive</a></p>

<h2>Why do we usually take Benadryl?</h2>

<p>Benadryl is OTC version of the generic drug diphenhydramine. They're commonly taken to treat symptoms of allergies or the common cold. It can help relieve symptoms like runny nose, irritated eyes, motion sickness and insomnia.&nbsp;There are different formulations of the OTC drug&nbsp;available in the market, including tablets, chewable tablets, and liquids with varying strengths. One must&nbsp;follow the recommended dose written on the medication box or take a prescription from a healthcare provider or pharmacist.</p>

<h2>Risks of overdosing on OTC medication</h2>

<ul>
	<li>Dehydration</li>
	<li>Dry throat and mouth</li>
	<li>Enlarged pupils</li>
	<li>Ringing in the ears</li>
	<li>Constipation</li>
	<li>Dry throat</li>
	<li>Extreme drowsiness</li>
	<li>Blurry vision or tunnel vision</li>
	<li>Confusion or cognitive issues</li>
	<li>Nausea</li>
	<li>Inability to urinate or pain when urinating</li>
	<li>Tremor</li>
	<li>Seizures</li>
	<li>Low blood pressure</li>
	<li>Rapid heart rate or changes in heart rhythm&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

<p>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/lifestyle/news-explained-yoga-an-ancient-indian-practice-for-stress-relief-and-intense-relaxation-stress-awareness-month-581347">Explained! Yoga, an ancient Indian practice, for stress relief and intense relaxation: Stress Awareness Month</a></p>

<h2>What Johnson &amp; Johnson has to say about the challenge?</h2>

<p>Johnson &amp; Johnson, which makes Benadryl, issued a statement denouncing the TikTok Benadryl challenge. It stated that the TikTok videos depicted an "extremely concerning and, dangerous trend and should be stopped immediately".</p>

<p>The drugmaker warned, "Abuse or misuse can lead to serious side effects with potentially long-lasting or even life-threatening consequences." Additionally, Johnson &amp; Johnson stated that all Benadryl products "should only be used as directed by the label."</p>

<p>The&nbsp;pharmaceutical company also recommended keeping all medications out of the reach of children.&nbsp;And, also noted that at that time, Johnson &amp; Johnson was "working with TikTok and other social platforms to remove content that showcases this behaviour".</p>

<p>"We will look to partner across industry and with key stakeholders to address this dangerous behaviour," Johnson &amp; Johnson stated in a statement given to NBC.</p>

<p><strong><em>Disclaimer: Tips and suggestions mentioned in the article are for general information purposes only. Always consult your doctor or a professional healthcare provider if you have any specific questions about any medical matter.</em></strong></p>

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How far are we willing to go for likes, comments and shares on TikTok? Is it worth putting our lives in danger? Or do we even know that we're doing so by participating in these so-called "TikTok challenges"?

How far are we willing to go for likes, comments and shares on TikTok? Is it worth putting our lives in danger? Or do we even know that we're doing so by participating in these so-called "TikTok challenges"? A 13-year-old Ohio boy's death has raised so many questions on and around social media. And, it all revolves around one viral trend - Benadryl Challenge - that has resulted in a spike in overdoses among young teens and adolescents in the United States. The challenge is dangerous and one must not, at any cost, participate in it or encourage participation in it. Period! Scroll to know why. What exactly is TikTok's Benadryl Challenge? Unfortunately, drug abuse among teens is a major social problem across the world. Mixing various OTC drugs like Benadryl and Xanax, which is extremely dangerous, is gaining popularity among the masses. Meanwhile, trends like the "Benadryl Challenge" are resulting in a spike in overdoses among young teens and adolescents. The challenge encourages people to take as many as 12 tablets of Benadryl at a time to supposedly induce hallucinations. It is to be noted that the maximum allowed dose in a 24-hour period for children aged 6 to 12 is six tablets and 12 tablets for adults and children over 12. Taking more than the recommended amount can lead to nausea, seizures or even death. The first reported case of death from the social media stunt was reported in September 2020. A 15-year-old Oklahoma girl lost her life after attempting the challenge. At the time, her aunt shared a social media post to alert kids taking part in the TikTok challenge. Earlier this month, a 13-year-old Ohio teen Jacov Stevens died after participating in the challenge with his friends. A video reportedly showed him chugging the pills, after which his body started to "seize up". What does US Food and Drug Administration have to say about it? In a September 2020 statement, the Food and Drug Administration said that it has investigated reports of deaths of adolescents participating in TikTok's "Benadryl challenge", in which people take Benadryl in large quantities to experience hallucinations. The agency contacted the social media platform to urge them to remove such videos and warn users against exceeding the recommended doses of over-the-counter (OTC) medications. "We are aware of news reports of teenagers ending up in emergency rooms or dying after participating in the 'Benadryl Challenge' encouraged in videos posted on the social media application TikTok," the FDA warning said. "As soon as we became aware of this dangerous trend, we contacted social media platforms to have the content removed," the FDA statement further read. "We are continuing to monitor and work with safety teams at the various social media platforms to remove dangerous content." Also read: Medical expert suggests 7 ways women can take care of their mental health | Exclusive Why do we usually take Benadryl? Benadryl is OTC version of the generic drug diphenhydramine. They're commonly taken to treat symptoms of allergies or the common cold. It can help relieve symptoms like runny nose, irritated eyes, motion sickness and insomnia. There are different formulations of the OTC drug available in the market, including tablets, chewable tablets, and liquids with varying strengths. One must follow the recommended dose written on the medication box or take a prescription from a healthcare provider or pharmacist. Risks of overdosing on OTC medication Dehydration Dry throat and mouth Enlarged pupils Ringing in the ears Constipation Dry throat Extreme drowsiness Blurry vision or tunnel vision Confusion or cognitive issues Nausea Inability to urinate or pain when urinating Tremor Seizures Low blood pressure Rapid heart rate or changes in heart rhythm Also read: Explained! Yoga, an ancient Indian practice, for stress relief and intense relaxation: Stress Awareness Month What Johnson & Johnson has to say about the challenge? Johnson & Johnson, which makes Benadryl, issued a statement denouncing the TikTok Benadryl challenge. It stated that the TikTok videos depicted an "extremely concerning and, dangerous trend and should be stopped immediately". The drugmaker warned, "Abuse or misuse can lead to serious side effects with potentially long-lasting or even life-threatening consequences." Additionally, Johnson & Johnson stated that all Benadryl products "should only be used as directed by the label." The pharmaceutical company also recommended keeping all medications out of the reach of children. And, also noted that at that time, Johnson & Johnson was "working with TikTok and other social platforms to remove content that showcases this behaviour". "We will look to partner across industry and with key stakeholders to address this dangerous behaviour," Johnson & Johnson stated in a statement given to NBC. Disclaimer: Tips and suggestions mentioned in the article are for general information purposes only. Always consult your doctor or a professional healthcare provider if you have any specific questions about any medical matter. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Beware! TikTok's 'Benadryl challenge' is lethal; here's what you must know

<p>The state of Montana in the western US moved closer to a complete ban on TikTok as the proposal passed a key hurdle in legislature. If the proposal is enacted, the law would be an unprecedented step towards national ban on TikTok. It would test the legal waters. Washington is increasingly calling for such a ban on the Chinese-owned social media app over security concerns.</p>

<p>Montana's Republican-dominated lower house overwhelmingly voted for a complete ban, with a final vote set for Friday before it goes to the state's governor to become law.</p>

<p>It passed by 60 votes for and 39 against.</p>

<p>TikTok said US courts would likely have the final word.</p>

<p>"The bill's champions have admitted that they have no feasible plan for operationalising this attempt to censor American voices and that the bill's constitutionality will be decided by the courts," TikTok spokeswoman Brooke Oberwetter said in response to an AFP inquiry.</p>

<p>"We will continue to fight for TikTok users and creators in Montana whose livelihoods and First Amendment rights are threatened by this egregious government overreach."</p>

<p>TikTok is facing ultimatum from White House that it split from its Chinese owners or stop operating in the US.</p>

<p>"We are facing a threat unlike any other from the Chinese Communist Party hiding behind TikTok where they can spy on Americans by collecting personal information by keystrokes and even user locations," said Representative Brandon Ler, defending the Montana bill.</p>

<p>Under the proposed law, Apple and Google would have to remove TikTok from their app stores and companies will face daily fines of $10,000 if found in violation.</p>

<p>The proposed ban would take effect in 2024, but faces almost certain legal challenges, given its unprecedented nature in the United States, possibly going all the way to the Supreme Court in Washington.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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The state of Montana in the western US moved closer to a complete ban on TikTok as the proposal passed a key hurdle in legislature. If the proposal is enacted, the law would be an unprecedented step towards national ban on TikTok.

The state of Montana in the western US moved closer to a complete ban on TikTok as the proposal passed a key hurdle in legislature. If the proposal is enacted, the law would be an unprecedented step towards national ban on TikTok. It would test the legal waters. Washington is increasingly calling for such a ban on the Chinese-owned social media app over security concerns. Montana's Republican-dominated lower house overwhelmingly voted for a complete ban, with a final vote set for Friday before it goes to the state's governor to become law. It passed by 60 votes for and 39 against. TikTok said US courts would likely have the final word. "The bill's champions have admitted that they have no feasible plan for operationalising this attempt to censor American voices and that the bill's constitutionality will be decided by the courts," TikTok spokeswoman Brooke Oberwetter said in response to an AFP inquiry. "We will continue to fight for TikTok users and creators in Montana whose livelihoods and First Amendment rights are threatened by this egregious government overreach." TikTok is facing ultimatum from White House that it split from its Chinese owners or stop operating in the US. "We are facing a threat unlike any other from the Chinese Communist Party hiding behind TikTok where they can spy on Americans by collecting personal information by keystrokes and even user locations," said Representative Brandon Ler, defending the Montana bill. Under the proposed law, Apple and Google would have to remove TikTok from their app stores and companies will face daily fines of $10,000 if found in violation. The proposed ban would take effect in 2024, but faces almost certain legal challenges, given its unprecedented nature in the United States, possibly going all the way to the Supreme Court in Washington. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

US: Montana moves closer to total ban on TikTok with 60-39 vote

<p>Women in Egypt are being arrested on charges such as overlooking&nbsp;"public morals" and "undermining family morals" under a 2018 cyber crime law. The latest victim is the TikTok influencer Salma Elshimy who was arrested after one of her posts on the short-form video sharing platform was deemed offensive.</p>

<p>Elshimy had just landed at Cairo International Airport when she was arrested on April 3. The 33-year-old social media celebrity was arrested&nbsp;on charges of inciting “debauchery” and “violating family values” through her social media posts.</p>

<p>The Egyptian model and influencer with a purported follower base of 3.3 million on TikTok was reportedly returning from a trip to Dubai. It was reported that Elshimy had filed for a permanent residency in Dubai itself. Elshimy's arrest was first reported by a United Arab Emirates-photographer.</p>

<p>According to Qatar-based Middle East Monitor, Egypt’s public prosecutor ordered that she be detained for four days on charges of "spreading immorality" and publishing videos and photographs that "contradict social morals and values".</p>

<p>But this is not the first time that Elshimy has been arrested by the Egyptian authorities. She was arrested for a month in December 2020, and later released on bail. Elshimy was arrested for posing outside Saqqara necropolis, near the ancient capital of Memphis. The social media influencer was widely denounced in Egypt for posting photographs of herself in ancient Egyptian dress in front of the Pyramid of Djoser.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Local media accused her of “exploiting the cultural value of the antiquities in inappropriate Pharaonic clothes”.</p>

<p>"Arresting women and girls on very vague grounds simply for posting videos and photos of themselves on social media sites is discriminatory and directly violates their right to free expression," Rothna Begum, a senior women’s rights researcher at Human Rights Watch, wrote in a 2020 report. "Policing women’s peaceful conduct online smacks of a new effort to control women’s use of public spaces."</p>

<p>Rights trackers&nbsp;say more than a dozen female influencers have been arrested since 2020. They include TikTok celebrities Haneen Hossam, 24, and Mawada al-Adham, 22, who were first arrested in 2020 and later jailed for social media posts deemed to violate "public morals".&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-malaysian-state-law-to-punish-women-for-wearing-mens-clothing-543565">New Malaysian state law to punish women for wearing men's clothing</a></strong></p>

<p>Hossam was notably accused of "human trafficking"&nbsp;for telling her 1.3 million followers at the time that young girls could earn money through social media posts.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In 2020, a young influencer was arrested in Egypt after she&nbsp;posted a live video of herself in which she appeared covered in bruises. She plead with the authorities to arrest and prosecute men she accused of beating and raping her. The woman was herself charged with violating "public morals" and "undermining family values", based on her alleged assailants’ testimony.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;Survey: Girls want to enjoy work but not lead, perceive leadership differently</strong></p>

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<p>"These serial arrests of women send a chilling signal about the state of women’s rights in Egypt," wrote HRW’s Begum. "Instead of tackling pervasive domestic violence, sexual harassment, and violence, Egyptian authorities appear intent on reinforcing societal discrimination by persecuting women and girls for how they appear online or what they say."</p>

<p>If she is found guilty, Elshimy faces up to five years in prison and €8,000 ($8,700) in fines for "violating public morality", and a further six months in jail and up to €3,000 for "infringing on family principles and values in Egyptian society."</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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Women in Egypt are being arrested on charges such as overlooking "public morals" and "undermining family morals" under a 2018 cyber crime law. The latest victim is the TikTok influencer Salma Elshimy who was arrested after one of her posts on the short-form video sharing platform was deemed offensive.

Women in Egypt are being arrested on charges such as overlooking "public morals" and "undermining family morals" under a 2018 cyber crime law. The latest victim is the TikTok influencer Salma Elshimy who was arrested after one of her posts on the short-form video sharing platform was deemed offensive. Elshimy had just landed at Cairo International Airport when she was arrested on April 3. The 33-year-old social media celebrity was arrested on charges of inciting “debauchery” and “violating family values” through her social media posts. The Egyptian model and influencer with a purported follower base of 3.3 million on TikTok was reportedly returning from a trip to Dubai. It was reported that Elshimy had filed for a permanent residency in Dubai itself. Elshimy's arrest was first reported by a United Arab Emirates-photographer. According to Qatar-based Middle East Monitor, Egypt’s public prosecutor ordered that she be detained for four days on charges of "spreading immorality" and publishing videos and photographs that "contradict social morals and values". But this is not the first time that Elshimy has been arrested by the Egyptian authorities. She was arrested for a month in December 2020, and later released on bail. Elshimy was arrested for posing outside Saqqara necropolis, near the ancient capital of Memphis. The social media influencer was widely denounced in Egypt for posting photographs of herself in ancient Egyptian dress in front of the Pyramid of Djoser. Local media accused her of “exploiting the cultural value of the antiquities in inappropriate Pharaonic clothes”. "Arresting women and girls on very vague grounds simply for posting videos and photos of themselves on social media sites is discriminatory and directly violates their right to free expression," Rothna Begum, a senior women’s rights researcher at Human Rights Watch, wrote in a 2020 report. "Policing women’s peaceful conduct online smacks of a new effort to control women’s use of public spaces." Rights trackers say more than a dozen female influencers have been arrested since 2020. They include TikTok celebrities Haneen Hossam, 24, and Mawada al-Adham, 22, who were first arrested in 2020 and later jailed for social media posts deemed to violate "public morals". ALSO READ | New Malaysian state law to punish women for wearing men's clothing Hossam was notably accused of "human trafficking" for telling her 1.3 million followers at the time that young girls could earn money through social media posts. In 2020, a young influencer was arrested in Egypt after she posted a live video of herself in which she appeared covered in bruises. She plead with the authorities to arrest and prosecute men she accused of beating and raping her. The woman was herself charged with violating "public morals" and "undermining family values", based on her alleged assailants’ testimony. ALSO WATCH | Survey: Girls want to enjoy work but not lead, perceive leadership differently × "These serial arrests of women send a chilling signal about the state of women’s rights in Egypt," wrote HRW’s Begum. "Instead of tackling pervasive domestic violence, sexual harassment, and violence, Egyptian authorities appear intent on reinforcing societal discrimination by persecuting women and girls for how they appear online or what they say." If she is found guilty, Elshimy faces up to five years in prison and €8,000 ($8,700) in fines for "violating public morality", and a further six months in jail and up to €3,000 for "infringing on family principles and values in Egyptian society." (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Egypt: TikTok celebrity arrested for 'undermining family morals'

<p>US President Joe Biden is reaching out to influencers with significant following on social media platforms including TikTok to promote his political message and increase his popularity amoung young americans, who will cast their vote in 2024 elections, as per a report.&nbsp;But this is utterly ironical because it is Biden administration only who is leading a war on TikTok seeking a blanket ban on the application.&nbsp;The Biden administration argued that the app could be used to collect data on American citizens and that the Chinese government could potentially access this data.</p>

<p>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/is-there-a-medicine-to-stop-this-naz-founder-anjali-gopalan-shares-internal-battles-homosexuals-fight-580795">'Is there a medicine to stop this...?' Indian activist Anjali Gopalan shares internal battles homosexuals fight</a></p>

<p>Out of concerns that platform has linkages&nbsp;to the Chinese government which&nbsp;may have access to US&nbsp;users'&nbsp;data, the White House supported a&nbsp;legislation that would forcibly prohibit TikTok or require its sale.&nbsp;Concerns about TikTok's ownership and data privacy continues to be raised by Biden administration.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>What is Biden's digital strategy?&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>Now, the plan is to to reach out voters between the ages of 18 and 29 who don't follow the White House or the Democratic Party on various online platforms. As per president Biden's digital strategy team, it is in contact with hundreds of such influencers across the nation.&nbsp;These individuals would promote and endorse Biden's performance during his tenure in the Oval office. &nbsp;</p>

<p>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/watch-massive-fire-engulfs-faith-lutheran-church-in-cambridge-after-easter-service-580818">Massive fire engulfs Faith Lutheran Church in Cambridge after Easter service</a></p>

<p>Rob Flaherty, a White House employee who will oversee four digital staff members, is said to be leading the initiative. He just received the title of assistant to the president, which is equivalent to that of press secretary and communication director.</p>

<p>The report said it is extremely important for Biden to win over young voters. These unpaid social media influencers may have access to a briefing room inside the White House where they could work on-site or remotely, added&nbsp;Axios report.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Watch | President Vladimir Putin may visit India for G20 summit ?</strong></p>

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<p>“We actually asked the White House, ‘When are we going to get press briefing passes,’” 20-year-old TikToker Harry Sisson told the media outlet. “They were actually were very responsive to it.”</p>

<p>The NYU student reports briefly on the day's major news events on TikTok. She He has amassed more than 663,000 followers on the popular short-video platform.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Additionally, another White House plan is to connect with influencers who have a local following when Biden visits a particular state.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“We’re trying to reach young people, but also moms who use different platforms to get information and climate activists and people whose main way of getting information is digital,” White House Deputy Chief of Staff Jen O’Malley told Axios.</p>

<p>The strategy adds up as former US President Donald Trump who has also thrown his hat in the ring for the next presidential elections in 2024&nbsp;has a large social media following on several platforms.&nbsp;</p>

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US President Joe Biden is reaching out to influencers with significant following on social media platforms including TikTok to promote his political message and increase his popularity amoung young americans, who will cast their vote in 2024 elections, as per a report.

US President Joe Biden is reaching out to influencers with significant following on social media platforms including TikTok to promote his political message and increase his popularity amoung young americans, who will cast their vote in 2024 elections, as per a report. But this is utterly ironical because it is Biden administration only who is leading a war on TikTok seeking a blanket ban on the application. The Biden administration argued that the app could be used to collect data on American citizens and that the Chinese government could potentially access this data. Also Read | 'Is there a medicine to stop this...?' Indian activist Anjali Gopalan shares internal battles homosexuals fight Out of concerns that platform has linkages to the Chinese government which may have access to US users' data, the White House supported a legislation that would forcibly prohibit TikTok or require its sale. Concerns about TikTok's ownership and data privacy continues to be raised by Biden administration. What is Biden's digital strategy? Now, the plan is to to reach out voters between the ages of 18 and 29 who don't follow the White House or the Democratic Party on various online platforms. As per president Biden's digital strategy team, it is in contact with hundreds of such influencers across the nation. These individuals would promote and endorse Biden's performance during his tenure in the Oval office. Also Read | Massive fire engulfs Faith Lutheran Church in Cambridge after Easter service Rob Flaherty, a White House employee who will oversee four digital staff members, is said to be leading the initiative. He just received the title of assistant to the president, which is equivalent to that of press secretary and communication director. The report said it is extremely important for Biden to win over young voters. These unpaid social media influencers may have access to a briefing room inside the White House where they could work on-site or remotely, added Axios report. Watch | President Vladimir Putin may visit India for G20 summit ? × “We actually asked the White House, ‘When are we going to get press briefing passes,’” 20-year-old TikToker Harry Sisson told the media outlet. “They were actually were very responsive to it.” The NYU student reports briefly on the day's major news events on TikTok. She He has amassed more than 663,000 followers on the popular short-video platform. Additionally, another White House plan is to connect with influencers who have a local following when Biden visits a particular state. “We’re trying to reach young people, but also moms who use different platforms to get information and climate activists and people whose main way of getting information is digital,” White House Deputy Chief of Staff Jen O’Malley told Axios. The strategy adds up as former US President Donald Trump who has also thrown his hat in the ring for the next presidential elections in 2024 has a large social media following on several platforms. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

What an irony! Biden turns to TikTok to win young voters after US' crackdown on app

<p>A number of TikTok accounts, some even having followers under the age of 16, have put up a catalogue of machetes, zombie-style knives and samurai swords and are offering to sell and deliver them to the UK, as per reports. At least two of these accounts which are putting pictures of these large knives with broad blades claim to be based out of England, as per UK media portal The Times.&nbsp;</p>

<p>A Portsmouth-based account claims to be selling machetes for as little as £30. It has amassed more than 10,000 likes and 2,000 followers. Its TikTok videos have QR codes. When scanned it&nbsp;leads&nbsp;directly to an encrypted Telegram channel with hundreds of testimonials from&nbsp;purported British buyers. More than 200 photographs of knives, fist-load weapons, and guns&nbsp;are also included in the collection, along with pictures of mail receipts.</p>

<p>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/india-korea-natural-partners-held-substantive-talks-with-eam-south-korean-foreign-minister-park-jin-to-wion-580323">India, Korea natural partners, held substantive talks with Jaishankar: South Korean FM Park Jin to WION</a></p>

<h2><strong>Harmful TikTok content&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>The machetes as seen in the reports are of a variety of shapes and sizes. The presence of teens under the age of 16 on these TikTok accounts is itself a cause of concern as machetes handled by them can be dangerous and lead to any untoward consequence.&nbsp;</p>

<p>There is a lot of entertaining content available on Tiktok but this type of content when teens can look at all the testimonies by British 'zombie knives' buyers is inappropriate. Not only selling these knives can be dangerous but can also pose a risk to the individuals buying them.</p>

<p>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-university-of-oklahoma-investigates-reports-of-active-shooter-possible-shots-fired-on-campus-580308">Police issue 'ALL CLEAR' after reports of active shooter at University of Oklahoma, calls off alert</a></p>

<h2><strong>Earlier research into TikTok content&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>This is not the first time when Tiktok has come under fire for the type of content available on the platform. According to a research released in December last year by the Centre for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH), some users of TikTok receive recommendations for self-harm and eating disorder material right after joining the platform.</p>

<p>For the study, researchers created TikTok profiles posing as 13-year-old users who were interested in body image and mental health-related material. It was discovered that TikTok's algorithm started recommending suicide material as soon as the user had been using the app for only 2.6 minutes. According to the findings, eating disorder content was suggested in as little as 8 minutes.</p>

<p><strong>Watch | Pakistan: National Security Committee to launch new military operation against militants</strong></p>

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<p>James P. Steyer, Founder and CEO of Common Sense Media, said, "The new report by the Centre for Countering Digital Hate underscores why it is way past time for TikTok to take steps to address the platform's dangerous algorithmic amplification."&nbsp;</p>

<p>"TikTok's algorithm is bombarding teens with harmful content that promote suicide, eating disorders, and body image issues that is fuelling the teens' mental health crisis."</p>

<h2><strong>TikTok algorithm&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>The world's fastest growing social media app, TikTok, was worldwide released by the Chinese business ByteDance in 2017. The algorithms are influenced by personal data such as likes and watch time of a user.</p>

<h2><strong>US pressing TikTok over data concerns&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>TikTok has been under the radar of United States over&nbsp;concerns that China would request US users' data from the app. The White House had been attempting to negotiate an arrangement with TikTok for&nbsp;implementing&nbsp;new data protection measures amid US' demands pressuring ByteDance to sell the app.&nbsp;<br />
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A number of TikTok accounts, some even having followers under the age of 16, have put up a catalogue of machetes, zombie-style knives and samurai swords and are offering to sell and deliver them to the UK, as per reports.

A number of TikTok accounts, some even having followers under the age of 16, have put up a catalogue of machetes, zombie-style knives and samurai swords and are offering to sell and deliver them to the UK, as per reports. At least two of these accounts which are putting pictures of these large knives with broad blades claim to be based out of England, as per UK media portal The Times. A Portsmouth-based account claims to be selling machetes for as little as £30. It has amassed more than 10,000 likes and 2,000 followers. Its TikTok videos have QR codes. When scanned it leads directly to an encrypted Telegram channel with hundreds of testimonials from purported British buyers. More than 200 photographs of knives, fist-load weapons, and guns are also included in the collection, along with pictures of mail receipts. Also Read | India, Korea natural partners, held substantive talks with Jaishankar: South Korean FM Park Jin to WION Harmful TikTok content The machetes as seen in the reports are of a variety of shapes and sizes. The presence of teens under the age of 16 on these TikTok accounts is itself a cause of concern as machetes handled by them can be dangerous and lead to any untoward consequence. There is a lot of entertaining content available on Tiktok but this type of content when teens can look at all the testimonies by British 'zombie knives' buyers is inappropriate. Not only selling these knives can be dangerous but can also pose a risk to the individuals buying them. Also Read | Police issue 'ALL CLEAR' after reports of active shooter at University of Oklahoma, calls off alert Earlier research into TikTok content This is not the first time when Tiktok has come under fire for the type of content available on the platform. According to a research released in December last year by the Centre for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH), some users of TikTok receive recommendations for self-harm and eating disorder material right after joining the platform. For the study, researchers created TikTok profiles posing as 13-year-old users who were interested in body image and mental health-related material. It was discovered that TikTok's algorithm started recommending suicide material as soon as the user had been using the app for only 2.6 minutes. According to the findings, eating disorder content was suggested in as little as 8 minutes. Watch | Pakistan: National Security Committee to launch new military operation against militants × James P. Steyer, Founder and CEO of Common Sense Media, said, "The new report by the Centre for Countering Digital Hate underscores why it is way past time for TikTok to take steps to address the platform's dangerous algorithmic amplification." "TikTok's algorithm is bombarding teens with harmful content that promote suicide, eating disorders, and body image issues that is fuelling the teens' mental health crisis." TikTok algorithm The world's fastest growing social media app, TikTok, was worldwide released by the Chinese business ByteDance in 2017. The algorithms are influenced by personal data such as likes and watch time of a user. US pressing TikTok over data concerns TikTok has been under the radar of United States over concerns that China would request US users' data from the app. The White House had been attempting to negotiate an arrangement with TikTok for implementing new data protection measures amid US' demands pressuring ByteDance to sell the app. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

TikTok accounts, with followers under the age 16, selling ‘zombie knives’

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