Connect with us

News

Tik Tok swims against the tide in U.S,others

Published

on

ADVERTISEMENT
Zoom Ad
ADVERTISEMENT
Zoom Ad

By Sonny Aragba-Akpore.

> As Tik Tok appears to be swimming against the tide in the United States (USA),United Kingdom (U.K) and elsewhere, content creators are worried.
> They are worried because their entire business is dependent on Tik Tok and whatever affects Tik Tok affects them.
The troubled waters in the US started when ByteDance of Beijing,China,owners of Tik Tok was asked to divest,dilute its shareholding or risk being banned in order to protect National Security.

> The US thinks that sensitive information on Tik Tok may get to the wrong places,a veiled reference to China ,thus rekindling the Cold War and no love lost relationship between the USA and China.

The video-sharing app is being accused of posing a national security risk through data gathered from millions of users in the US.
> But the company vehemently denies this saying a forced sale would not change its data flows or access.

Advertisement

> Even though the White House has not specificallyusers worldwide. ByteDance has no plans to sell TikTok, leaving the lawsuit as its only recourse to avoid a ban.

Apart from the USA and UK, the ban decision is in line with similar restrictions brought in by key international partners, including Canadian governments, and the European Commission.

As things are today,the ban in the US and UK may spread to other countries as allegiances may come to play after all,according to agency reports.

Specifically,the Chinese app may reactivate the ‘Cold War’ era especially going by the raging Russian/Ukraine war for which global communities now foist alliances against the war.

Advertisement

There are doubts about potential buyers for TikTok, even if ByteDance agreed to sell. Major tech companies like Meta and Google may face antitrust barriers, and others might not afford the app, which has about 170 million U.S. users.

TikTok’s legal challenges began under former President Donald Trump, whose administration attempted to ban the app, a move blocked by a federal judge citing likely overstated reasons and free speech concerns. Biden’s new effort aims to address similar legal challenges, with experts suggesting the Supreme Court might prioritize national security over free speech protections.

> The Justice Department has responded to TikTok’s lawsuit challenging a law that would require the app to be sold or face a ban in the United States. TikTok’s suit, filed in a federal court in Washington, argues that the law infringes on First Amendment rights to free speech.

> The U.S. government counters that the law addresses national security issues rather than speech and that TikTok’s Chinese parent company, ByteDance, cannot claim First Amendment protections. The filing outlines concerns that ByteDance could comply with Chinese government demands for user data or be pressured to censor or promote content. A senior Justice Department official explained, “The goal of this law is to ensure that everyone can use the platform safely, without their data being directed or censored by the Chinese government.”
> The response argues that the focus on TikTok’s foreign ownership places the law outside First Amendment concerns. U.S. intelligence agencies worry that China might “weaponize” mobile apps, with officials citing attempts by China to collect data on Americans through cyber activities, data brokers, and AI models.

Advertisement

TikTok counters the USA position saying that the forced divestiture is “simply not possible” within the timeline required. The law, signed by President Joe Biden earlier this year, sets a deadline of mid-January 2025 for TikTok to find a non-Chinese buyer or face a U.S. ban.

The White House may extend the deadline by 90 days.
> If TikTok’s lawsuit doesn’t succeed,the law could force a shutdown by January 19, 2025, potentially silencing users who rely on the platform for unique communication. The Justice Department views the statute as a significant shift from previous arguments, potentially influencing future legal battles.
> When it started in 2018,It was a tale of how one app under two names became one of the fastest-growing social networks of all time, TikTok (for global audiences), and Douyin (for China).
> Now, in 2024, TikTok’s journey from a burgeoning app to a social media titan is nothing short of remarkable.

Surpassing 1 billion monthly active users worldwide, it remains one of the most popular and engaging social networks.

It took Facebook and Instagram almost a decade to get a user base that size; it seems TikTok knows the social media growth playbook.

Advertisement

As TikTok cements its role as a discovery platform, understanding its SEO becomes increasingly important.
> TikTok has 1.04 billion monthly active users worldwide.

> In the US, 170 million people use TikTok.
> TikTok’s US revenue reached $16 billion in 2023
>and US adult users spend an average of 53.8 minutes per day on TikTok.
> In Q1 2024, TikTok was downloaded 137 million times.

> According to eMarketer,Out of 3.96 billion monthly active social media users worldwide, 26.26% use TikTok at least once a month.

Out of 5.4 billion internet users worldwide, 19.26% are monthly active TikTok users.

Advertisement

Globally, the average time spent on TikTok was 95 minutes per day, more than any other social network.
Instagram (62 minutes),
X (Twitter) (30 minutes),
Snapchat (19 minutes),
In the US, users spend an average of 53.8 minutes per day on TikTok, eMarketer analysis shows as at Q4 of 2023.
In terms of average minutes spent on each social media platform,YouTube has (48.7 minutes),
X (Twitter) (34.1 minutes),Instagram (33.1 minutes,),Facebook (30.9 minutes),Snapchat (30,0 minutes),and Reddit (24.1 minutes).
More than half (55%) of TikTok weekly active users in the US are between 18 and 34 years old. Only 14% of TikTok weekly users are 55 years old and above.
Although the ban in the UK applies to government corporate devices within all government departments,there are specific exemptions for the use of TikTok on government devices that are being put in place where required for work purposes.

Exemptions will only be granted by security teams on a case-by-case basis, with ministerial clearance as appropriate, and with security mitigations put in place.

These exemptions will cover areas such as individuals working in relevant enforcement roles, or for example for the purposes of work on online harms.

Zhang Yiming is founder of this Chinese tech giant ByteDance, best known for its insanely popular app TikTok, which has more than one billion users worldwide. Zhang resigned as CEO of Bytedance in May 2021 and as chairman in November 2021, reportedly under pressure from the Chinese government.

Advertisement

This app is very popular among content developers in developing countries including Nigeria.

Continue Reading
Advertisement
Click to comment

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

Leave a Reply

News

Defections Deepen as NNPP, PDP Lawmakers Switch Sides in Reps

Published

on

ADVERTISEMENT
Zoom Ad
ADVERTISEMENT
Zoom Ad

Party realignments in the House of Representatives gathered further pace as more lawmakers crossed over to rival platforms, underscoring intensifying political manoeuvres ahead of the 2027 elections.

During plenary, presided over by the Speaker, a fresh batch of six members from the New Nigeria Peoples Party and the Peoples Democratic Party formally defected to the All Progressives Congress and the African Democratic Congress.

The shift was particularly notable within the Kano caucus, where four NNPP lawmakers abandoned their party to align with the ADC, signalling a significant shake-up in the state’s political configuration.

The latest movement adds to an already growing trend of defections within the lower chamber, as legislators continue to reposition themselves amid evolving alliances and internal party tensions.

Advertisement

Speaker Abbas read the letter of resignation from the NNPP lawmakers, which noted “persistent leadership crisis in the NNPP resulting in internal divisions,” as reason for aligning with the ADC.

“I find it imperative to align with a platform that guarantees inclusion and I hereby notify the House of my intention to join the African Democratic Congress,” the letter read in part.

Still in Kano, three members of of the NNPP, Rep. Umar Zakari, Rep. Umar Datti and Rep. Abdulhakeem Ado resigned their membership from the NNPP and joined the ADC, citing protracted leadership crises both at the sub-national and national levels.

In Zamfara State, Rep. Ahmadu Kabiru, member representing Gusau/Tsafe Federal Constituency stated his resignation from the PDP “with immediate effect due to irreconciliable differences.”

Advertisement

He therefore announced his decision to join the APC, pleading his readiness to “align with the transformatory policies of the President as contained in the Renewed Hope Agenda.”

Also defecting from the PDP to APC is Rep. Chinedu Martins, member representing Ahiazu/Ezinihitte/Mbaise Federal Constituency of Imo State.

The lawmaker from Imo State confirmed that his switch to the APC had been concluded at ward level as far back as March 2026.

Following the steady stream of defections in recent months, the APC continues to dominate the House with a commanding 282 members. The PDP trails significantly with 30 seats, while the ADC has emerged as a growing force with 24 lawmakers.

Advertisement

Other parties hold smaller blocs, with the Labour Party at 10 seats, APGA with five, and the Accord Party controlling four. The Action Peoples Party and the Social Democratic Party each have two members, leaving the NNPP with just a single seat in the chamber.

Continue Reading

News

BREAKING: Tinubu endorses six new appointments in education sector

Published

on

ADVERTISEMENT
Zoom Ad
ADVERTISEMENT
Zoom Ad

President Bola Tinubu has approved a fresh set of appointments across critical institutions in Nigeria’s education sector, reinforcing leadership in examination bodies, technical education, and national library services.

The appointments were confirmed in an official statement issued by the Presidency on Wednesday.

New and Renewed Appointments

Among those appointed is Modupe Adeola Adelabu, who will serve as Chairman of the Governing Board of the National Examinations Council.

Advertisement

Ibrahim Dantani Wushishi has been retained as Registrar and Chief Executive of NECO, ensuring continuity in the management of the national examination body.

In the technical education space, Babatunde Salako has been appointed Chairman of the Governing Board of the National Board for Technical Education.

Meanwhile, Idris Bugaje has been reappointed as Executive Secretary of NBTE for a second and final five-year term.

Polytechnic and Library Leadership

Advertisement

The President also approved the appointment of Bongfa Binfa as Rector of the Federal Polytechnic, N’yak-Shendam in Plateau State, where he will serve a five-year tenure.

Additionally, Chinwe Veronica Anunobi has had her tenure renewed as Director-General/Chief Executive of the National Library of Nigeria for a final five-year term.

Focus on Continuity and Stability

The mix of fresh appointments and renewals suggests a strategy aimed at maintaining stability while strengthening leadership across key education agencies.

Advertisement

Observers say such decisions are critical to sustaining reforms, improving institutional performance, and ensuring continuity in policy implementation within the sector.

Continue Reading

News

PDP leadership tussle: Supreme Court takes major position

Published

on

ADVERTISEMENT
Zoom Ad
ADVERTISEMENT
Zoom Ad

The Supreme Court has reserved its judgment regarding an appeal filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to reinstate its national convention, which was previously nullified by the Court of Appeal.

The convention in question took place on November 15 and 16, 2025, at the Lekan Salami Stadium in Ibadan, Oyo State.

A five-member panel of Justices, led by Justice Lawal Garba, announced that a date for the final ruling would be communicated to all parties involved.

This decision followed the adoption of written briefs by legal representatives for and against the appeal.

Advertisement

The Tanimu Turaki-led faction of the PDP is urging the apex court to set aside the lower court’s decision, which invalidated the Ibadan convention.

The faction maintains that the dispute is an “internal party affair, which is not justiciable,” and argues that all necessary legal procedures were followed during the event.

However, previous rulings from the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal favored aggrieved members, barring the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognizing the convention’s outcomes and restricting access to the party’s national secretariat.

The legal trouble began in October 2025, when Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court stopped the convention from proceeding.

Advertisement

The judge ruled that the party had failed to conduct valid state congresses as required by the 1999 Constitution, INEC guidelines, and the PDP’s own constitution, stating that the party must comply with “relevant statutory provisions including the Electoral Act and Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties (2022).”

A second major blow came from Justice Peter Lifu, who ordered the party to halt the convention after a suit was filed by former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido.

Lamido alleged he was unfairly excluded from the chairmanship race. Justice Lifu noted:“The evidence before the court established that Lamido was unjustly denied the opportunity to obtain a nomination form to contest the position of national chairman of the party, in violation of the PDP constitution and its internal regulations.”

On November 14, 2025—just one day before the event—Justice Lifu issued a final order restraining the party from moving forward, holding that the PDP had failed to “afford a former governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido the opportunity to prepare and contest as a chairmanship candidate.”

Advertisement

With the Supreme Court now set to have the final say, the PDP remains in a state of legal uncertainty as it awaits the verdict that will determine the legitimacy of its current national leadership.

Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2024 Naija Blitz News