TikTok news

Trump nominates outspoken TikTok critic for top FCC position

public

TikTok • 3 min read

Trump nominates outspoken TikTok critic for top FCC position

Despite previously trying to ban TikTok when he was President, Donald Trump vowed to save the app during the recent election campaign by overturning the sell-or-be-banned law passed by US Congress earlier this year. But now Trump has nominated a very outspoken TikTok critic to chair the FCC…

Chris Cooke • 19 Nov 2024

Canadian government wants TikTok out of Canada for national security, but avoids outright ban on app

public

TikTok • 2 min read

Canadian government wants TikTok out of Canada for national security, but avoids outright ban on app

Canada has forced the shutdown of TikTok’s operations in the country on national security grounds, but Canadians will still be free to use the TikTok app. Meanwhile in the US there is speculation newly elected President Donald Trump will reverse the pending TikTok ban there…

Chris Cooke • 07 Nov 2024

IMPALA urges TikTok to re-open Merlin negotiations as we reach the direct deal deadline for indies

public

TikTok • 3 min read

IMPALA urges TikTok to re-open Merlin negotiations as we reach the direct deal deadline for indies

IMPALA has written an open letter to TikTok over its decision to abandon licensing talks with Merlin and force indie labels and distributors to sign direct deals by today. It urges TikTok to return to the negotiating table with the global indie label digital licensing organisation…

Chris Cooke • 25 Oct 2024

Spotify should have put up prices long ago; TikTok not a promo platform; AI will be a great tool for making music; Sony will take “more organic” approach to working with artists beyond releases, says Rob Stringer

public

Sony Music • 4 min read

Spotify should have put up prices long ago; TikTok not a promo platform; AI will be a great tool for making music; Sony will take “more organic” approach to working with artists beyond releases, says Rob Stringer

Sony Music CEO Rob Stringer spoke at a Bloomberg’s Screentime conference last week, about getting more money out of TikTok, streaming subscribers, and opportunities for Sony and its artists. Those opportunities are stronger for Sony, he said, because it’s part of a wider entertainment group…

Chris Cooke • 14 Oct 2024

Exclusive: WIN says TikTok's decision to circumvent Merlin "puts independent labels in an impossible place" and "poses risk to cultural diversity"

public

TikTok • 5 min read

Exclusive: WIN says TikTok's decision to circumvent Merlin "puts independent labels in an impossible place" and "poses risk to cultural diversity"

TikTok's decision to circumvent independent music licensing organisation Merlin will harm diversity and puts independent music in an impossible place says WIN, calling on TikTok to come back to the negotiating table with Merlin…

Sam Taylor • 14 Oct 2024

TikTok sued by multiple US states over design features that damage the health of young users

public

TikTok • 2 min read

TikTok sued by multiple US states over design features that damage the health of young users

Multiple US states have been investigating the impact of TikTok on its users and, based on that investigation, more than a dozen states have now filed lawsuits claiming that addictive-by-design features manipulate young users in a way that damages their mental health…

Chris Cooke • 09 Oct 2024

Indie community reacts to TikTok circumventing Merlin

public

TikTok • 4 min read

Indie community reacts to TikTok circumventing Merlin

Following the news that TikTok has walked away from licensing negotiations with Merlin, various representatives for the indie label community have issued statements. They dismiss TikTok’s claim that it wants direct deals with indies to combat streaming fraud, arguing it’s all about paying less…

Chris Cooke • 03 Oct 2024

TikTok’s stance on direct licensing is “disingenuous” and risks harming the digital supply chain say industry insiders

public

TikTok • 5 min read

TikTok’s stance on direct licensing is “disingenuous” and risks harming the digital supply chain say industry insiders

TikTok wants to do direct licensing deals with Merlin members, cutting Merlin out of the equation. It claims this is to help tackle copyright issues but industry sources have told CMU that in fact it could make things worse, not better - and potentially harm the whole digital supply chain…

Sam Taylor • 02 Oct 2024

Merlin's letter to members about TikTok licensing negotiations

public

Merlin • 2 min read

Merlin's letter to members about TikTok licensing negotiations

Merlin has written a letter to its members, saying that TikTok "walked away" from licensing negotiations and intends to pursue direct deals with some Merlin members…

CMU • 01 Oct 2024

Selling is not an option says TikTok’s lawyer, as court proceedings open with freedom of speech arguments

public

TikTok • 2 min read

Selling is not an option says TikTok’s lawyer, as court proceedings open with freedom of speech arguments

Judges yesterday scrutinised lawyers from TikTok as the social media company tries to block the sell-or-be-banned law passed by US Congress earlier this year. It argues that the law violates free speech and is therefore unconstitutional…

Chris Cooke • 17 Sep 2024

TikTok forced to ditch “addictive” Lite rewards scheme in the EU

public

TikTok • 3 min read

TikTok forced to ditch “addictive” Lite rewards scheme in the EU

TikTok has permanently withdrawn its TikTok Lite rewards programme in Europe following criticism from EU officials. The EU has made the move legally binding. Over in the US, TikTok has criticised the redactions in a government submission justifying the sell-or-be-banned law…

Chris Cooke • 06 Aug 2024

US TikTok ban addresses “grave national-security threats” and is a “triumph for human rights” say new court filings

public

TikTok • 5 min read

US TikTok ban addresses “grave national-security threats” and is a “triumph for human rights” say new court filings

The deadline for submitting amicus briefs to the court considering legal challenges to the TikTok-targeting sell-or-be-banned law was Friday. Among those supporting the law are former national security chiefs, Congress members, state attorneys general, human rights groups and free speech experts…

Chris Cooke • 05 Aug 2024