All articles tagged with #tiktok ban
The year 2025 was marked by notable cultural moments including the failed TikTok ban, the viral Labubu plush doll craze, a historic all-female spaceflight, a blockbuster Super Bowl performance by Kendrick Lamar, and the rise of internet slang '6-7', reflecting a year of significant pop culture and social media phenomena.
Congress passed the PAFACA law banning TikTok in the US unless sold by ByteDance, reflecting concerns over Chinese data access, with bipartisan support despite opposition from former President Trump. The Supreme Court rejected an emergency appeal against the ban, highlighting ongoing tensions over foreign influence and social media regulation.
Newly released letters from Attorney General Pam Bondi reveal that the US government assured Apple, Google, and other platforms they wouldn't face legal consequences for supporting TikTok during ongoing legal and political disputes, allowing these companies to continue supporting the app despite attempts to ban it.
Rep. Ro Khanna advocates for Medicare for All to address healthcare inequities, following the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, which sparked debate on the U.S. healthcare system. Khanna supports efforts to cut federal spending but opposes cuts to Social Security and Medicare. He also commented on the potential TikTok ban, expressing skepticism about its legal viability and noting its popularity among politicians.
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene and Rep. Nancy Mace explain their "no" votes on a bill that could ban TikTok in the US, citing concerns about government overreach and the impact on American businesses. They argue that the focus should be on addressing national security risks without resorting to a blanket ban, and emphasize the need for a more targeted approach to address the issue of Chinese influence on American technology platforms.
Montana's ban on TikTok, set to take effect on January 1, 2024, is being challenged by the popular video-sharing app in a federal court hearing. The state's Republican-led legislature passed the law as part of a broader effort by conservative officials to rein in Big Tech and protect conservative family values. Republican-led states have been at the forefront of passing laws regulating social media platforms, with at least 21 out of 38 such laws being passed by Republican-controlled states. Critics argue that these laws could limit access to information, curtail free speech, and disproportionately affect marginalized communities. The outcome of the Montana case could have implications for other states considering similar measures.
The ban on TikTok in Texas has been challenged in a lawsuit filed by the Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University, arguing that it violates the Constitution by limiting research and teaching at public universities. The lawsuit highlights the impact of TikTok bans on academic work and the mounting legal pushback against such bans. The institute is urging Texas and other states to exempt university faculty from the bans, emphasizing the importance of studying the platform's impact on public discourse and society. The lawsuit also mentions the negative consequences faced by a professor at the University of North Texas, who had to suspend research projects and alter teaching methods due to the ban. Similar concerns have been raised in lawsuits in Montana.
Larian Studios' Panel from Hell, showcasing the highly anticipated game Baldur's Gate 3, was pulled from TikTok due to a controversial bear-form druid sex scene. The studio's Director of Publishing, Michael Douse, claimed that TikTok cancelled the stream because they didn't understand its artistic value. Despite the controversy, the game is set to release on September 6th for PS5.
A historic deal to protect the Colorado River was reached yesterday, with California, Arizona, and Nevada agreeing to conserve an unprecedented amount of their water supply in exchange for $1.2 billion in federal funding. Debt ceiling talks ended with no deal yesterday, leaving the U.S. government days away from running out of money to pay its bills. E. Jean Carroll filed for more damages from Donald Trump yesterday, seeking damages for disparaging comments he made about her during his recent CNN town hall event. TikTok sued Montana to block a new law banning the app, and actor Ray Stevenson, known for his roles in Star Wars and Thor, has died.
President Biden arrived in Japan for the G7 summit, where leaders will discuss pressing global issues. Montana has become the first US state to ban TikTok, but the legislation is expected to face legal challenges. The National Archives will hand over documents to a special counsel showing that Trump and his top advisers had knowledge of the correct declassification process while he was president. Nevada’s Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo vetoed three gun control bills that sought to increase the age to possess certain firearms and restrict who can obtain them. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed into law new restrictions on gender-affirming treatments for minors, drag shows, bathroom usage, and which pronouns can be used in schools.
Missile attacks hit Kyiv, Ukraine for the ninth time this month, with Russia suspected to be behind the strikes. A US court is considering revoking FDA approval of mifepristone, one of two pills used in the most common abortion method in the US. Texas lawmakers have voted to ban gender-affirming care for trans children, while Montana has become the first state to ban TikTok over national security concerns. The world is expected to breach a key climate threshold soon. Uber will soon allow teenagers to ride by themselves.
Montana lawmakers have passed a bill that would ban TikTok in the state, making it the first complete ban on the Chinese-owned app in the US. The bill prohibits sales of the app and bars it from operating in Montana. TikTok has faced growing concerns from policymakers over whether its ownership by a Chinese company could create a national security risk for the United States. A TikTok spokesperson called the bill an “attempt to censor American voices” and said its constitutionality would be decided by the courts.