#how to change account region on tiktok 2024

[mokubetech]

Having trouble updating your TikTok region or changing your account region? In this video, we'll show you how to fix this issue in a few simple steps. Stay tuned for the solution!

[mariacallous]

China's government has used the wildly popular video-sharing platform TikTok to influence recent U.S. elections, the American intelligence community warned in its annual threat assessment on Monday.

Why it matters: The warning comes during an election year and as the House prepares to vote on legislation to force China's ByteDance to divest from TikTok or else the platform will be banned from app stores in the U.S.

Congress is pursuing the legislation over national security concerns about the Chinese government's access to U.S. user data and its ability to conduct influence campaigns through the platform.

Context: The Office of the Director of National Intelligence, the head of the U.S.' 18 intelligence agencies, releases a yearly assessment on the major threats to the nation's interests around the world.

What's inside: This year's report said: "TikTok accounts run by a [Chinese] propaganda arm reportedly targeted candidates from both political parties during the U.S. midterm election cycle in 2022."

It warned that China's government may "attempt to influence the U.S. elections in 2024 at some level because of its desire to sideline critics of China and magnify U.S. societal divisions."

It said Beijing now has more capabilities to conduct covert influence operations and disseminate disinformation, and that such operations may be carried out by "individuals not under its direct supervision."

It's specifically is increasing efforts to mold U.S. public discourse around its sovereignty issues and territorial claims in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Tibet and Xinjiang.

Of note: The report added that China monitors Chinese students studying abroad for dissident views and has influenced research by U.S. academics and think tank experts.

The big picture: Overall, the report said the U.S. will face "an increasingly fragile global order" strained by competitive state actors — including China, Russia, Iran and North Korea — regional conflicts, other disruptive technologies and the economic toll of climate change.

"The world that emerges from this tumultuous period will be shaped by whoever offers the most persuasive arguments for how the world should be governed, how societies should be organized, and which systems are most effective at advancing economic growth and providing benefits for more people, and by the powers—both state and non-state—that are most able and willing to act on solutions to transnational issues and regional crises."

— ODNI's 2024 threat assessment

It said the fierce ongoing competition between authoritarian and democratic forms of government has damaged efforts to encourage cooperative approaches to global issues, like climate change.

It said emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence and biotechnologies, will exacerbate the competition.

The other side: "We regularly take action against deceptive behavior, including covert influence networks throughout the world, and have been transparent in reporting them publicly," a TikTok spokesperson said in a statement Monday.

"TikTok has protected our platform through more than 150 elections globally and is continuing to work with electoral commissions, experts, and fact-checkers to safeguard our community during this historic election year."

Zoom out: China's government denies that it interferes in elections and typically seeks to blame the U.S. for election meddling.

Go deeper: 52 countries saw "severe" declines in freedom last year, report finds

[blogofageminimoon]

my thoughts on the tiktok ban.

as a canadian, i was shocked to hear this morning that the us actually went through with the tiktok ban. i've been an avid user of tiktok since covid and i'm appalled at how americans are losing such an amazing platform filled with creativity and community. losing basic rights to freedom of speech is very sad since we have come so far. i've discovered so much about myself through tiktok and it's led me to so many new music artists, content creators and little moments of happiness. tiktok is honestly my comfort app. i don't follow any friends on there and i feel so at peace commenting, posting and interacting with random strangers.

the tiktok community will drastically change without having our fellow american users. this morning i've already had an influx of content on my fyp from canadian and australian creators. in a way, i'm excited to see how tiktok changes over the next little while as my fyp has been curated to mostly american content. i feel this is likely the case with many other users. i haven't posted any content since dec 2024 but my tiktok is revolved around violin & guitar covers. i'm nervous but excited to see how my following and outreach will evolve. my current viewers are mostly from canada and australia anyways, so a lot may or may not change. i'm not a huge account by any means, i have less than 100 followers. although, i do get a decent amount of views and likes on my posts. we will see what tiktok brings for us in 2025. i'm motivated to start posting again since i was busy over the holidays and also got sick at the beginning of this year. i'm hoping the events which occurred in the us don't happen to us here in canada. cheers to tiktok! thank you for being such a safe space. i hope other regions of the world get the opportunity to shine on this app!

[celinefoh]

Week 8: Digital Citizenship and Health Education: Body Modification on Visual Social Media

Hi, welcome again! In this week's topic, we are going to talk about digital citizenship and health education: body modification on visual social media. Which social media influencers do you follow who often post photos of their body modifications? What thoughts do their posts inspire in you regarding body modification?

In the last three decades, body modification has become increasingly common in the West. The most noticeable trend is the rise in tattoos and body piercings, as evidenced by the abundance of rings and studs on tongues, eyebrows, noses, and other body parts (grumpychipp 2023). In today's electronically connected culture, social media platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest have evolved into powerful instruments for self-expression and community development. Among the plethora of fads that emerge on these platforms, body modification—from tattoos and piercings to more drastic procedures—stands out as a particularly active and visible movement. It appears that social media platforms have a significant role in motivating individuals to pursue improved physical and aesthetic well-being. Although these visual aids can be inspiring and potent, they also raise important questions about digital citizenship and health education. The Hindu practices of nose piercing, neck elongation, and henna tattooing in Thailand and Africa; the dental filing practice in Bali; the lip piercing and earlobe stretching in Africa; and the circumcision of both sexes in many regions of the world are examples of body modification practices that are practiced worldwide (Bradley University: Body Modification & Body Image n.d.). 

A growing number of body-positive movements are indeed spreading throughout social media, encouraging users—especially women—to join and change how they look. For example, searching for the hashtag #fitspiration on Instagram results in images of people with toned, thin bodies. By allowing users to connect with others who share their values and peruse fitness-related photos and videos, this tag hopes to inspire people to lead more balanced and healthy lives. These activities have made people more conscious of their appearance and more conscientious of their physical well-being; to reach their objectives, they are engaging in gymnastics and losing weight. I would want to ask you this: have you ever looked up a hashtag connected to body modification? 

On Instagram, there is an account called Lilyewenfitness. She is an online coach who helps women be the best version of themselves. In her post, we can see that many women have grown and learned so much that many of them manage to achieve their goals and become better. She also shares her workout details, her lunch/breakfast recipe, and more. She also runs a coaching program called "Lift with Lily." She provides individualized exercise and nutrition plans based on each client's objectives. Her strategy focuses on creating a healthy relationship between training and nutrition as well as long-term results. She uses an app to give her clients round-the-clock support, tracking their progress, setting objectives, and sharing wellness and fitness-related information. ​ 

In summary, social media movements that support body positivity and the emergence of body alteration trends have been crucial in encouraging healthier lives. People such as Lilyewenfitness are prime examples of how internet platforms can be used to assist people in their quest to become the healthiest versions of themselves.​

Reference

grumpychipp 2023, Body modification vs. social media: Is there any connection?, Spiderum, viewed 7 June 2024, <https://spiderum.com/bai-dang/Body-modification-vs-social-media-Is-there-any-connection-HUk3sCwKK5l1>.

2. Bradley University: Body Modification & Body Image n.d., Home | Bradley University, viewed 7 June 2024, <https://www.bradley.edu/sites/bodyproject/disability/modification/>.

[pennsylvaniaprelawland-blog]

Montana TikTok Ban- Constitutional or Not Constitutional- That is the Question

By Komal Chranya, University of Pittsburgh Class of 2025

May 26, 2023

On Wednesday, May 17, Montana Governor Greg Gianforte banned TikTok from operating. It is said he signed Senate Bill 419 in order to protect personal and sensitive information from intelligence gathering by the Chinese Communist Party [1].

Gov. Gianforte says “the Chinese Communist Party using TikTok to spy on Americans, violate their privacy, and collect their personal, private, and sensitive information is well-documented” [1]. He believes it is one of his chief responsibilities. The government also issued instructions to the chief information officer of the state and the directors of executive agencies in Montana, instructing them to forbid the utilization of any social media applications associated with foreign adversaries on state equipment and for official state purposes. It is said that the penalty for downloading the app within state borders could be up to $10,000, and another $10,000 each day the violation continues [2].

While the law banning the app is set to take effect on January 1, 2024, there is already resistance and challenges being brought up. A group of content creators based in Montana have already filed a lawsuit against the ban in federal court. They claim the ban goes far beyond state authority and is unconstitutional. The lawsuit also said,

“Montana has no authority to enact laws advancing what it believes should be the UnitedStates’ foreign policy or its national security interests, nor may Montana ban an entire forum for communication based on its perceptions that some speech shared through that forum, though protected by the First Amendment, is dangerous,” [2].

Many TikTok supporters have come forward to express their concerns about losing the popular social media application. Brooke Oberwetter, a TikTok spokesperson, described the application as a platform that empowers people across the state and that it is a place to express themselves, earn a living, and be a part of a community [2]. The ACLU of Montana, as well as other free-speech groups, sent a letter to Montana legislature expressing that this ban would set an unwanted and alarming precedent for excessive government control over how citizens use the internet. The policy director at the ACLU of Montana, Keegan Medrano, said in a statement, “We will never trade our First Amendment rights for cheap political points” [3].

Christian Poole, 20-year-old Montana resident, has gained more than 400,000 followers on TikTok over the past 4 years and is now worried that all his hard work would be going to waste [3].

Another important creator that would be seriously affected is Hank Green. Green lives in Missoula and is known for posting educational videos about science, social issues, etc. He currently has over 7 millions followers on TikTok and has accumulated more than 500 million likes [3].

Furthermore, this ban faces several technical obstacles. Apple and Google have stated that blocking people from TikTok within Montana specifically would require a complete rewrite of how users are tracked. Experts say that app stores are divided by country or global regions and do not take into account which state a user is in. Changing this system would require intricate monitoring of people’s locations and “a by-the-minute system to define what happens when, for instance, a user drives over state lines” [3]. Companies could also block users based on billing address or IP addresses, but those can easily be changed, especially with the use of VPNs.

More recently, on Monday, May 22, TikTok filed a suit against the state of Montana. TikTok alleges that the ban violates the First Amendments, as well as other federal laws. The company also expresses concerns that the claims that Chinese government could access the data of US TikTok users are unfounded. Oberwetter, TikTok spokesperson stated, “We believe our legal challenge will prevail based on an exceedingly strong set of precedents and facts” [4].

China’s Foreign Ministry claimed that the ban in Montana is an “abuse of state power” and the spokesperson, Mao Ning, also stated at a briefing that “the US side has no provided any evidence to prove that TikTok poses a threat to the national security of the US” [4].

There are many sides and perspectives to the concept of a ban on this popular social media application. On one hand, the government believes that are acting in the best interest of the public in order to protect their safety. On the other hand, the citizens and the public find that these rulings are unjust and unconstitutional.

______________________________________________________________

1.      “Governor Gianforte Bans TikTok in Montana.” State of Montana Newsroom, 17 May 2023, news.mt.gov/Governors-Office/Governor_Gianforte_Bans_TikTok_in_Montana.

2.      News, MTN. “Lawsuit Filed Challenging Montana’s Tiktok Ban.” KTVH, 19 May 2023, www.ktvh.com/news/68th-session/lawsuit-filed-challenging-montanas-tiktok-ban.

3.      “Analysis | Montana Can Ban Tiktok, but It Probably Can’t Enforce It.” The Washington Post, 19 May 2023, www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2023/05/19/montana-tik-tok-ban-challenges/.

Duffy, Clare. “TikTok Sues Montana over New Law Banning the App | CNN Business.”CNN, 23 May 2023, www.cnn.com/2023/05/22/tech/tiktok-montana-lawsuit/index.html.

[orbemnews]

Markets Fret Over Halt to Johnson & Johnson’s Vaccine New worries about J.&.J.’s Covid vaccine Federal health officials have called for an immediate halt in using Johnson & Johnson’s Covid-19 vaccine, after recipients in the U.S. suffered blood clots within two weeks of vaccination. It could mark a hurdle for America’s inoculation efforts. Six women between age 18 to 48 developed a rare disorder involving blood clots. One died and another is hospitalized in critical care. Over all, nearly seven million people in the U.S. have received the J.&J. one-shot vaccine, and nine million more doses have been shipped to states. The move follows several countries’ limiting the use of AstraZeneca’s vaccine after similar reports of blood clotting. Both shots are based on the same viral vector technology; vaccines from Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna haven’t been associated with such risks. J&J’s share price fell nearly 3 percent in premarket trading and U.S. market futures turned negative on the news. 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The agency put out new guidance for warrants, which early investors in blank-check funds can exercise to buy more shares. Those instruments might need to be classified as an accounting liability, which Bloomberg notes poses a headache for both pending SPAC filings and funds that have already struck deals. How did Microsoft escape the antitrust crackdown? Big Tech is under intense scrutiny for its monopoly power, with investigations into Apple, Amazon and Facebook, and a case against Google, underway. But when Microsoft announced yesterday that it would acquire Nuance Communications for $16 billion, analysts appeared confident that regulators would allow it. “We see no major regulatory hurdles to Microsoft getting this deal done,” Daniel Ives of Wedbush Securities wrote in a report. “Microsoft is on the M&A warpath over the next 12 to 18 months and Nuance could be the first step in an increased appetite for deals,” Mr. Ives wrote. 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Last month, the agency sued to block a $7.1 billion deal in the drug industry that would be only the second such case involving a vertical merger in the past 40 years. Positioning Bitcoin for legitimacy Coinbase, the largest U.S. cryptocurrency exchange, goes public tomorrow at what is expected to be an eye-popping valuation. The debut is a major milestone in the mainstreaming of digital money, but barriers to acceptance will remain as long as crypto maintains a reputation for facilitating illicit activity. The exchange and its allies are working to dispel that impression. A former C.I.A. leader called concerns about crypto “significantly overstated” in a new report. Michael Morell said he had begun his “call it as I see it” investigation suspicious of crypto, but concluded that officials are not sufficiently informed about the technology. “Most illicit activity still takes place in the traditional banking system and not via cryptocurrency,” he wrote. Notably, the research was commissioned by the Crypto Council for Innovation, a new trade association with four members: Coinbase, Fidelity, Paradigm and Square. It’s one of several overlapping crypto trade groups lobbying lawmakers in Washington, a subject that DealBook will soon cover in more depth — get in touch with any tips. Wells Fargo invests in five more Black-owned banks Wells Fargo announced equity investments in five Minority Depository Institutions today. It’s part of Wells Fargo’s pledge to invest up to $50 million in Black-owned banks; it invested in six other lenders in February. “The capital came in handy for us to deploy immediately,” said Cynthia Day, the C.E.O. of Citizens Trust, one of the banks receiving an investment. The Atlanta-based bank, which was founded in 1921, issued more than $60 million P.P.P. loans to small businesses during the pandemic. Ms. Day said she expected the bank’s partnership with Wells Fargo to help with technology in particular. “These partnerships allows us to be able to expand and stay independent,” Ms. Day said of the rapid consolidation of regional banks as compliance costs rise and fintech firms compete for customers. The idea came with a change of leadership at Wells Fargo. Charlie Scharf joined the bank as C.E.O in 2019 and Bill Daley as head of public affairs shortly thereafter. “Considering the depth of the issues of this place,” Mr. Daley said, the bank’s leaders discussed “how to get engaged in a different way in lots of communities.” It announced the investment plan in March last year, before the protests over the police killing of George Floyd that spurred a number of similar pledges (sometimes at much larger scales). “That was a little uncomfortable period there,” Mr. Daley said. “And we just said, ‘No we’re on pace to do what we’re going to do — and it’s not about getting that press release out, but getting the relationship done.’” PNC gives up revenue to tame overdraft fees PNC announced a move today to reduce its share of the $17 billion in overdraft fees that Americans pay every year. It’s expected to cut customers’ overdraft fees about 60 percent, and its own annual revenue by $125 million to $150 million. It comes as PNC prepares to close its deal with BBVA, making it the country’s fifth-largest retail bank. Overdraft fees are paid largely by people who can least afford them. Eight percent of American families account for three-quarters of the fees, according to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. “Overdraft is an expensive fee they charge only on those people who run out of money that goes straight to short-term profits,” said Aaron Klein, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution. “We weren’t doing the best we could do by our clients,” PNC’s chief executive, William Demchak, told DealBook. Over the long term he expects that the move will help it gain market share. “In the short run, if it cost us 100 million bucks or something — so what?” How it works: PNC’s app will feature a “low cash mode.” It sends alerts when an account is low, and when it goes negative the customer has at least 24 hours to fix it, including by reviewing pending payments and deciding which to prioritize. “I think it will change the industry,” Mr. Demchak said. For the largest banks to adopt a similar approach is a matter of technology — and desire. Overdraft fees help drive revenue: $35.61 per account annually for JPMorgan Chase on the high end and $4.90 per account for Citi on the low end, according to Mr. Klein. PNC fell in the middle, with $14.96 per account. THE SPEED READ Deals Despite owning over $100 million in stock, Archegos never publicly disclosed its holdings as S.E.C. rules generally require. 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(Reuters) The New York Stock Exchange’s first NFTs memorialize the initial trades of six stocks, including Spotify, DoorDash and Coupang. (CNBC) We’d like your feedback! Please email thoughts and suggestions to dealbook@nytimes.com. Source link Orbem News #Fret #halt #Johnson #Johnsons #Markets #Vaccine