ByteDance, TikTok’s Parent Company, Will Sue if Platform Banned
A recent legislative bill aimed to force ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok, to sell the platform or face a ban was signed by President Joe Biden last Wednesday. The move has sparked controversy and has the potential for a legal showdown. Proponents of TikTok argue that the law infringes on First Amendment rights. ByteDance says the law is unconstitutional, and they will sue. The law’s opponents, including the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), say that the government hasn’t justified banning TikTok.
Patrick Toomey, Deputy Director of the ACLU’s National Security Project, has stated that a TikTok ban would “stifle free expression and restrict public access” to a vital information-sharing platform.
Still, some say national security claims could uphold the law. While the U.S. government cites concerns about Chinese influence and data privacy breaches, evidence supporting these claims hasn’t surfaced. In the meantime, should the law be upheld, legal experts caution that the law could establish far-reaching precedents for digital media regulation in the U.S.
A central argument in the debate is whether a TikTok ban violates free speech rights. The ACLU and legal scholars contend that content-based restrictions on TikTok must withstand strict scrutiny, with potential implications for businesses and influencers reliant on the platform. The debate is ongoing, with potential appeals prolonging a battle that is likely to extend to the Supreme Court.
The Office of the Director of National Intelligence cites TikTok in its Annual Threat Assessment:
https://www.odni.gov/files/ODNI/documents/assessments/ATA-2024-Unclassified-Report.pdf
McAfee Study Highlights Growing Concerns Over AI-Generated Deepfakes Influencing Elections
Global computer security software company McAfee recently released the results of its study, which explored the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) and the rising use of deepfakes on elections. Twenty-three percent of the study’s 7,000 participants stated that they were exposed to political content they later discovered was actually a deepfake. Moreover, 66% of people are more concerned about deepfakes today than they were one year ago. Over half of the respondents admitted that AI complicates the identification of online scams, and an overwhelming 72% of American social media users find it challenging to recognize AI-generated fake news and scams.
“It’s not only adversarial governments creating deepfakes this election season, it is now something anyone can do in an afternoon. The tools to create cloned audio and deepfake video are readily available and take only a few hours to master, and it takes just seconds to convince you that it’s all real. The ease with which AI can manipulate voices and visuals raises critical questions about the authenticity of content, particularly during a critical election year. In many ways, democracy is on the ballot this year thanks to AI,” said Steve Grobman, McAfee’s Chief Technology Officer.
With the 2024 elections drawing near, the concerns spotlight the potential of these technologies to undermine democratic processes. A significant portion of the U.S. population struggles to differentiate between authentic and fabricated content. Several measures are advised to stay safe and promote information integrity, including verifying sources before sharing, scrutinizing images and videos for imperfections, and listening for robotic tendencies in audio, such as awkward pauses, placing unnatural emphasis in inappropriate places, and word clipping. Experts also advise users to step away from posts and reports that are emotionally charged.
“Seeing is no longer believing, so ask yourself some questions: What’s the source of this content? How reputable is it? Does this video or information seem likely?” adds Grobman.
Learn more about deepfake technology and how to spot a deepfake from McAfee:
https://www.mcafee.com/blogs/tips-tricks/how-to-teach-your-kids-about-deepfakes/
Taco Bell, LeBron James, and Jason Sudeikis Enhance Customer Experience and Introduce $5 Taco Discovery Box
Taco Bell is collaborating with LeBron James and Jason Sudeikis to unveil its $5 Taco Discovery Box, a limited-time offering that features a combination of two Taco Bell favorites and introduces the new Cantina Chicken Crispy Taco and a medium fountain drink. The box will also include two classics, the Crunchy Taco and the Doritos® Locos Taco. It will be available on Taco Tuesdays through June 4, 2024, while supplies last. To celebrate the launch, LeBron James and Jason Sudeikis star in a sitcom-inspired ad campaign titled “Taco Twosday,” which debuted on April 25. The humorous spot follows the duo as they embark on new adventures and encourages viewers to try the $5 Taco Discovery Box.
“We should all strive to try something new on Tuesdays, whether it’s a new taco, a different combination of your favorites, or simply stepping out of our comfort zones during the week,” says Jason Sudeikis. “Taco Tuesday at Taco Bell makes trying something new easier than ever!”
Sudeikis recently partnered with the taco chain during its full Cantina Chicken Menu launch in March. Last May, James partnered with the brand to liberate Taco Tuesday. This year, the journey continues with the $5 Taco Discovery Box.
Watch the fun Taco Twosday video ad featuring James and Sudeikis here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=clD_dG0ZFug
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Original Article Links:
TikTok has promised to sue over the potential US ban. What’s the legal outlook?
McAfee Study Reveals Peoples’ Deep Concerns About the Impact of AI-Generated Deepfakes During Critical Election Year
ICONIC TRIO ALERT: JOIN TACO BELL®, LEBRON JAMES AND JASON SUDEIKIS FOR A NEW KIND OF TACO TUESDAY EXPERIENCE