TikTok is a social media platform on which people can make and share short videos – and watch those made by others.
That’s hardly revolutionary, as there many other apps that allow users to do something similar.
The “secret sauce” of TikTok’s success though lies in its For You page, and the algorithm that powers it.
It has proven itself far better at scouring the endless content being created around the world and serving up the videos that really capture people’s attention, regardless of who made it.
The ability of the platform to recommend content highly tailored to users’ interests has helped it to stand out in the social media landscape.
What is happening TODAY?
This last ditch legal bid by TikTok and Chinese owners ByteDance is scheduled to begin shortly.
Two hours have been allotted for oral arguments from representatives for TikTok and ByteDance, and content creators who are also fighting the ban, as well the US government, who will argue it should be upheld.
Noel J Francisco – a former US solicitor general during President-elect Donald Trump’s first term – will have 30 minutes to make the case for TikTok and ByteDance when the hearing starts.
He will be followed by Stanford Law professor Jeffrey L Fisher, representing TikTok creators who joined the company in suing the US over its law.
Prof Fisher will have 30 minutes to articulate creators’ concerns over the impact of the app’s US ban on their livelihoods and free expression.
Would you let Hitler run a web site in the US? Putin?
The issue is not Tik Tok, the issue is the Red Chinese government using it’s defacto control of Tik Tok to gain the personal information of millions of Americans.