TikTok has announced the formation of its inaugural Sub-Saharan Africa Safety Advisory Council, an initiative aimed at ensuring user safety across the region. This council, the first of its kind for a tech platform in Sub-Saharan Africa, was launched in Nairobi, Kenya. A Regional First for Tech Safety With millions of Africans using the platform for creativity and self-expression, the new council brings together independent experts across various fields, from youth safety to combating hate speech, to help shape policies that maintain TikTok’s reputation as a safe online environment. The
ABC Signature has secured the rights to develop a TV adaptation of the viral TikTok series Who TF Did I Marry?, with Emmy-nominated actress Natasha Rothwell set to star and produce, according to Variety. Who TF Did I Marry? The series was originally created by Tareasa “Reesa Teesa” Johnson, whose 50-part TikTok series documenting her relationship with an ex-husband quickly gained over 450 million views. Johnson’s candid storytelling earned her more than three million followers within weeks. In the show, Rothwell will portray Johnson as she chronicles her turbulent marriage
A Pennsylvania mother has won the right to sue TikTok over the tragic death of her 10-year-old daughter, Nylah Anderson. Federal law has long shielded Big Tech companies from lawsuits for hosting content created and uploaded by third parties. However, this landmark ruling by the US appeals court asserts that companies can be held accountable for “knowing distribution and targeted recommendation” of harmful content. The Deadly TikTok Challenge Nylah Anderson died in December 2021 after attempting the “blackout challenge,” a viral trend that encouraged users to choke themselves until they
TikTok has initiated significant global layoffs that have now impacted its African team, according to Tech Cabal. This move, part of broader organizational changes, saw several employees in Africa lose their jobs in June 2024, following earlier cuts in March. These layoffs have notably affected teams working in content operations, marketing, and trust and safety. African Team Severely Affected The layoffs in Africa have been particularly harsh, with more than half of the African team based in South Africa and Nigeria, being let go. Although the exact number of employees
In a recent viral TikTok video, user Monte Washington challenged the narrow stereotype of “Black jobs” by showcasing the diverse and successful careers of Black professionals. This video emerged as a response to controversial comments made by former President Trump during a presidential debate, where he claimed immigrants were taking jobs from Black and Hispanic people. “They’re taking Black jobs now, and it could be 18, it could be 19 and even 20 million people,” Trump said during his debate. This statement, perceived by many as racially charged, spurred a
Morgan Freeman recently addressed a viral TikTok video that misused his voice using artificial intelligence (AI). The video, which garnered significant attention, was created by a user named “Justine’s Camera Roll” and was later reshared on X (formerly known as Twitter) by “JahelisWasHere.” With 16.5 million views, the video falsely appeared to feature Freeman narrating a vacation clip. Freeman, however, took to X to clarify that he had no involvement and labeled the video a “scam.” Viral AI Video Sparks Controversy The controversial TikTok video starts with what seems to
The founder of Canvas Beauty, Stormi Steele, says she has become the first creator to reach $1 million in sales from a live session on TikTok. Canvas Beauty Steele launched Canvas Beauty in 2018 and sold more than one million units in its first year before going viral on Facebook in 2019 with her Canvas Beauty’s hair blossom serum, according to AfroTech. Canvas Beauty then did $20 million in business in 2020, but by 2022, she was virtually broke even and almost losing the business. However, she bounced back in
Eight TikTok creators have filed a lawsuit against the US government over their new law that would force the sale or ban of the video app, owned by Chinese ByteDanceLTD. The Potential TikTok Ban So Far Joe Biden recently signed into law a bill that requires TikTok’s Chinese owner to sell the social media app’s US operations or face a ban, after the Senate passed the legislation. The bill gives TikTok’s Beijing-based parent, ByteDance, 270 days to sell the app’s US operations and if not, it will then face a
Brand new Techish! Hosts Abadesi and Michael are back in the studio to break down: The dark side of the Drake vs Kendrick beef Google employees fired for protesting Israeli contract Stack Overflow partners with OpenAI The real reason behind the TikTok ban? Listen on Spotify or Apple podcast also. Watch On YouTube
Artists including Drake, Rihanna, The Weeknd, and Kendrick Lamar are returning to TikTok, as the platform has reached a new agreement with Universal Music Group (UMG). UMG had recently begun pulling its music from TikTok after their old contract expired, and the two companies couldn’t reach an agreement in new negotiations. What Does The New Partnership Mean? The joint agreement aims to mark a new era of collaboration, built on a shared commitment to help UMG’s artists and songwriters achieve their creative and commercial potential. They are also working together to realize new monetization opportunities utilizing
