All articles tagged with #politics technology
Political consultant Steve Kramer has been fined $6 million and faces multiple criminal charges for using AI to deepfake Joe Biden's voice in a robocall urging voters to stay home during the 2024 Democratic primary. The incident, the first reported use of a deepfake in US presidential politics, has led the FCC to ban AI-generated voices in robocalls. Kramer claims the stunt was to highlight the need for AI regulation.
Legislation that could force a TikTok ban in the U.S. if its China-based owner doesn’t sell its stake has been revived as part of a House foreign aid package, with an extended deadline for the sale. The bill has bipartisan support but faces opposition from the company, content creators, and some lawmakers who argue it would trample on free speech rights and have significant economic repercussions. If passed, it would be an unprecedented move against a single company and a significant step in tech industry regulation, but critics argue it sets a dangerous precedent and raises constitutional concerns.
The European Commission has issued guidelines to major online platforms, including X, TikTok, and Facebook, to address risks to the integrity of EU elections and combat voter disinformation. The guidelines, part of the Digital Services Act, outline measures to tackle election-related risks, harmful AI content, and misleading political advertising. While not legally binding, non-compliant platforms could face fines of up to 6% of global turnover. The move aims to push Big Tech to do more to uphold democratic values and comes ahead of the European Parliament elections in June, with concerns about the spread of misinformation and the need for content moderators fluent in the EU's 24 official languages.
Republican Congressman Mike Gallagher, known for his strong stance against China, is leaving Congress to take a job at defense tech contractor Palantir. His new role's details are unclear, but it could indicate an increased focus on U.S.-China tensions, particularly regarding Taiwan. Gallagher's move follows his efforts to ban TikTok and his recent letter to SpaceX about military-focused satellite services. This shift aligns with Palantir's tightening relationship with the U.S. Department of Defense and the company's growing involvement in geopolitical issues.
The US Senate is taking its time to decide on a House bill that would force China-based ByteDance to divest from TikTok within six months or face a ban, with senators expressing concerns about national security threats from foreign apps and the need for strong legislation. While some senators want a quick decision, others, including Senate commerce committee chair Maria Cantwell, are seeking a more comprehensive approach that will hold up in court. TikTok's CEO warned that the legislation could lead to a ban on TikTok in the US, affecting creators, small businesses, and American jobs, while some senators have expressed support for acting quickly, others have raised concerns and want a full amendment process.
The House passed a bill that could lead to a nationwide ban of TikTok if its Chinese owner doesn't sell, citing national security concerns, but its prospects in the Senate are uncertain. President Biden has indicated he would sign the bill if it passes. Lawmakers are balancing security worries against free speech considerations, with bipartisan opposition and support for the bill. The legislation has sparked a debate over the potential impact on millions of American users and entrepreneurs.
House Republicans are pushing for a bill that would force Chinese company ByteDance to sell TikTok or face a U.S. ban, despite former President Trump's opposition to a ban due to concerns about boosting Facebook's influence. The bill has bipartisan support and is seen as a move against China's influence. TikTok, with 170 million U.S. users, has become a key issue in the 2024 presidential campaign, with both Biden and Trump expressing national security concerns. The legislation would require ByteDance to divest TikTok and other apps within six months to avoid a ban, sparking strong opinions across party lines.
Former President Trump expressed concerns about TikTok being a national security threat but acknowledged its popularity among young people, warning that banning it would only benefit Facebook. He criticized Facebook's influence and its dealings with China, emphasizing the need for privacy and data protections on social media platforms. Trump denied changing his position on TikTok after meeting with a billionaire TikTok investor and emphasized that the app was not discussed during their brief meeting. A bipartisan bill advancing in the House could require TikTok's parent company to divest its applications within 180 days or face a ban in the United States.
Former President Donald Trump expressed concerns about banning TikTok, stating it would benefit Meta's Facebook and calling Facebook "an enemy of the people." While acknowledging national security and privacy issues with TikTok, Trump also criticized Facebook for similar concerns. Lawmakers are proposing legislation to address TikTok's Chinese ownership, with President Joe Biden expressing support for a potential ban. Trump's comments reflect ongoing debate over the national security risks posed by TikTok and the potential impact on social media competition.
Former President Donald Trump opposes the proposed TikTok ban, claiming it would benefit Facebook, which he called "a true Enemy of the People." Congress is considering a bill that would force TikTok's Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to sell the app within 165 days or face a ban from major app stores. President Biden has expressed support for the legislation, citing concerns about national security and Chinese government access to user data. Trump had previously attempted to ban TikTok through an executive order, which was blocked in court, and Biden later directed a national security review of the app. Meanwhile, billionaire GOP donor Jeff Yass has reportedly been lobbying Republican lawmakers to oppose the ban, as his fund holds a significant stake in ByteDance.
President Biden expressed support for a bipartisan bill that would ban TikTok in the U.S. if its China-based parent company ByteDance does not divest its stake in the platform, following concerns about ties to the Chinese Communist Party. The bill, which passed unanimously in a bipartisan committee, aims to protect American users from digital surveillance and influence operations. TikTok, with over 170 million U.S. users, has denied sharing user data with the CCP and criticized the bill as an outright ban that would infringe on First Amendment rights.
President Biden expressed support for a bill in Congress that could lead to a ban on TikTok in the United States, stating that he would sign it if it passes. The bill aims to force TikTok's Chinese parent company to sell the app or face restrictions that could effectively ban it from U.S. app stores. While the bill has gained momentum in the House, it still needs to pass both chambers before reaching Biden's desk. Former President Trump, who previously advocated for a TikTok ban, has now expressed opposition to the idea. Critics argue that the bill could impinge on the freedom of expression of TikTok users and raise constitutional concerns.
President Biden endorses legislation that could lead to a U.S. ban on TikTok if passed by Congress, citing concerns about data security and China's influence. The bill requires ByteDance to divest its ownership of TikTok within 180 days or face a ban, with support from Republican leaders. The FBI and FCC have warned about potential data sharing with China, while Biden's administration has raised national security concerns. A poll shows Americans are divided on the issue, with younger TikTok users less worried about data sharing.
Joe Biden expressed willingness to sign a bill that would force ByteDance to divest TikTok or face a ban, while Donald Trump warned against it, claiming it would benefit Facebook. The bill, which has gained momentum in Congress, aims to address national security concerns and potential data exposure to the Chinese government. TikTok has framed the legislation as a threat to free speech rights, while its proponents argue it is necessary to protect user data.
A bipartisan bill that would force TikTok's Chinese parent company ByteDance to divest its applications within 180 days or face a ban has passed a House committee with unanimous support, heading to the House of Representatives. The bill, authored by Rep. Mike Gallagher, aims to address concerns about national security and potential Chinese Communist Party influence. TikTok and ByteDance have criticized the bill, claiming it infringes on free speech, while lawmakers have cited the app's harmful influence and potential misinformation as reasons for the legislation.