TikTok's Ongoing Updates Amidst Ban Rumors
For months, TikTok has remained a focal point of speculation regarding its potential ban in the USA. This uncertainty has left many in a state of panic and confusion, especially creators who rely on the platform for their livelihoods, eagerly awaiting updates.
Despite the challenges, TikTok remains proactive, consistently updating to improve user experience and app functionality.
Latest Updates
Advancements to AI Transparency
In a significant move, TikTok has taken the lead in implementing content credentials for AI-generated content on its platform. Additionally, the platform has partnered with the Coalition for Content Provenance and Authenticity (C2PA) and the Adobe-led Content Authenticity Initiative (CAI) open-source community. These collaborations aim to promote wider adoption and understanding of Content Credentials, especially among users and creators.
This automatic generation will apply to any AI-generated content uploaded with Content Credentials. Similar updates were implemented last summer, but exclusively for content created using TikTok AI Effects.
This signifies a crucial turning point for AI transparency, urging individuals across various industries to endorse the standard and embrace Content Credentials. This call to action is particularly resonant, given that a recent Adobe study revealed that 76% of consumers desire clarity on whether the content they engage with is AI-generated.
Collaboration Feature
Well, surprise, surprise! TikTok is once again taking a page out of Instagram's book with yet another copycat feature. Following the ongoing trend of borrowing ideas in social media development, TikTok is now gearing up to introduce its own version of the "Collaboration" feature. Though not yet released, the feature appears to be in late-stage testing, hinting at an arrival soon.
The latest addition enables users to tag collaborators in their posts, directly linking their profiles to the post details. The SpAndriod evaluated the update and determined
- Creators can now extend collaboration invitations to up to 5 other creators for joint posts but can only use this feature up to 4 times each month.
- Users will have the authority to approve collaborator listings, with the option to decline those they wish not to include. Additionally, users can remove themselves as collaborators even after the fact.
- Although the posts appear on both collaborators' profiles, only the original creator can make edits.
New Licensing Agreement between TikTok and Universal Music Group
On the morning of May 2, 2024, TikTok and Universal Music Group resolved their three-month-long consent dispute with a settlement. The standoff encompassed various issues including royalties and AI policies.
The removal of UMG signed artists' music earlier in the year, had significant repercussions across the industry. TikTok, a major platform for artists, suddenly muted thousands of songs, impacting its role as the premier platform for music discovery and promotion worldwide.
In a letter obtained by Variety, UMG chairman-CEO Lucian Grainge outlined three key objectives they were advocating for:
- Safeguarding artists from the negative impacts of AI
- Enhancing compensation for artists and songwriters
- Ensuring online safety for both TikTok users and artists
With a focus on this, new monetization opportunities are available, and TikTok plans to invest in artist-centric tools. Including, "Add to Music App," improved data analytics, and integrated ticketing, aiming to boost artists' earnings and globalize fanbases.
Ban Updates
On May 7, 2024, TikTok submitted a petition to a federal court, aiming to overturn the unconstitutional TikTok ban. They argue that the legislation mandating a sale to a US owner is both unconstitutional and lacking in merit.
This marks TikTok's third appearance in court, contesting a possible app ban in the U.S. The petition, filed with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, argues that the law infringes upon the First Amendment rights of its 170 million American users. It asserts that the legislation unjustly shuts down the platform due to unfounded concerns regarding data security and content manipulation.
Despite TikTok's ongoing groundbreaking updates, its future remains uncertain amid persistent discussions of a potential ban.
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