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A few weeks ago, TikTok was the fastest growing social media platform in the world -- now its future looks increasingly uncertain. In addition, Microsoft has shut down its stores (most people were surprised to hear that Microsoft ever had stores) and its streaming platform, 150 public figures have signed a letter calling to cancel 'cancel culture', and we're still trying to figure out how tech ethics should be taught.
The future looks uncertain for TikTok
China is facing the same kind of protectionism that has shielded it from competition
First India banned TikTok, then TikTok had to withdraw from Hong Kong, and now Donald Trump has said that he is 'considering banning TikTok to punish China over the coronavirus'. As tensions rise and countries look to boost their own tech industries, Chinese tech companies could take a hit.
TikTok users are trying to sabotage Trump's rally attendance
Anti-Trump organizers have used TikTok to encourage people to register for tickets to President Trump's rallies in an attempt to keep seats empty. The strategy is thought to be behind the low turnout in Trump's June rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and now it's being used again to target Trump's Saturday rally in New Hampshire.
Pando's biggest story this week...
Engineers are told ethics isn't 'career-advancing' and we're all living with the consequences
Universities tell students that they have the power to change the world. But they don’t teach them to stop and think about whether they should change it. After all, you won't make a billion dollar exit in an ethics program.
An open letter calling to cancel 'cancel culture' has stirred debate
"Our cultural institutions are facing a moment of trial."
150 people including Bill T. Jones, Wynton Marsalis, Jennifer Finney Boylan, Noam Chomsky, J.K. Rowling, Margaret Atwood, and Salman Rushdie have signed an open letter calling to end 'cancel culture'. The letter expresses fears that 'the free exchange of information and ideas, the lifeblood of a liberal society, is daily becoming more constricted'. The letter has caused a stir on Twitter, and people are now calling to...cancel 'cancel cancel culture'.
This week's most interesting trends
K-pop fans are manipulating social media for activism
It's not just TikTok users who are harnessing the power of social media for activism online. Tech-savvy K-pop fans are known for using social media to promote their idols. But over past month, they have made headlines for hijacking racist hashtags, while amplifying the circulation of fundraisers for the Black Lives Matter movement.
Is an ad-based streaming service the solution to our subscription fatigue?
Peacock is a new streaming service that essentially mimics many aspects of traditional cable channels. Over 7,500 NBCTV shows and Universal films available for free with the base version of Peacock -- but there will be commercials. The service was originally planned to be launch alongside the Tokyo Olympic Games which have since been cancelled, but Peacock is still set to be released on July 15.
Tinder is testing out video chat
The COVID-19 outbreak has resulted in an increased demand for video chat -- and dating apps seem to be no exception. Tinder competitor Bumble already launched this feature last year and has seen an uptick in the number of people using it since the pandemic started. Now Tinder will be rolling it out as a test in 13 countries, including the U.S.