TikTok Overtakes Facebook As World's Most Downloaded App (nikkei.com) 15
According to a new study, China's video-sharing app TikTok is now the most downloaded app in the world. Nikkei Asia reports: ByteDance launched the international version of TikTok in 2017, and has since overtaken Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram and Facebook Messenger -- all of which are Facebook owned -- in downloads, even in the U.S. Some believe that personal information shared with TikTok is not secure. In 2020, former President Donald Trump called on the company to sell off its U.S. operations or be banned. The app's popularity nevertheless grew during the pandemic, when it became the leading download in Europe, South America and the U.S. Joe Biden, Trump's successor, withdrew the presidential executive order, but uncertainties remain elsewhere. While The Financial Times reported on Sunday that ByteDance has revived plans to go public in the coming months, a spokesperson told Nikkei Asia on Monday that the article was "inaccurate," insisting the company has no current plans for a stock market listing.
Information not secure? You don't say... (Score:3)
Some believe that personal information shared with TikTok is not secure
Because it is with Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram or Facebook Messenger?
Re: (Score:2)
"believe" is the coincidence.
Re:Information not secure? You don't say... (Score:4, Insightful)
Oh I see. So you mean the distinction is that some believe information submitted to Tiktok is not secure, while everybody already knows it's not secure with all the other social media turds.
Subtle...
Re: (Score:2)
Because it is with Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram or Facebook Messenger?
They might sell it to advertisers. I think the PRC's government will keep a very tight hold of the data on TikTok.
doom! (Score:1)
would have been a nice frost piss!
Let's wait for [huge] lumps in throats... (Score:2)
Blackmail from the former president (The Donald), hasn't helped here. Corporate media that regurgitated all propaganda from his administration will now renew their efforts.
In the meantime, the march goes on...
Tic tok - the chain email spam of this decade (Score:1)
At first my kids got extra days learned new dance moves. Next came the stupid pranks. Finally we have reached saturation levels where the content is just someone telling stories; those stories are the same we used to get back in the day as chain email spam.
Attention Span (Score:2)
I don't use TikTok, but my understanding is it plays rolling 15 second videos.
Since all social media attempts to stimulate dopamine paths one could assume TikTok is doing the best job of this at the moment.
The wiki says TikTok encourages uses to take a break every 90 minutes, so that is potentially > 300 discrete pieces of information in one sitting.
I wonder if this short reward cycle causes problems with long term concentration required for many technical tasks?
Anyone know of any research into this?
Re: Attention Span (Score:2)
Yes. The best research I can point to is a TED talk about how boredom is good for mental health. I believe they published a bit but most of it was survey and habit changing trends.
I work in China. Huge cellphone culture. I recently was shopping with my girlfriend when I saw a father holding two phones. One for cartoons for his baby and another douyin (Chinese TikTok). I also commonly see one of my students in preschool who watches lots of Douyin. He cannot focus very well in class and you always have to kee
Re: (Score:2)
Idiocracy was spot on, they just got the reason for stupidity wrong.
May As Well Go Full-China (Score:2)
Increasingly short attention span... (Score:2)
Makes sense, 15 secs of mindless crap... seems to fit most people these days.
Oh, no (Score:1)
Whatever happened to
The App that I once knew?
The App who said he'd be true
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