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The US TikTok ban could happen sooner than we thought

The US Senate has passed legislation paving the way for a ban on TikTok

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Despite taking the world by storm, social media app TikTok hasn't been fully immune from trouble in the US. Last month, the US House of Representatives passed a bill to cut ties between TikTok and its parent company ByteDance. The bill then moved into the US Senate for approval, the penultimate step before it reaches President Joe Biden's desk, who can then sign it into law. In a massive 79-18 vote on Tuesday, the Senate resoundingly passed this bill, paving the way for a potential ban on the platform in the US.

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TikTok may soon use AI to clone your voice, because nothing is real anymore

The recorded audio will go into the TikTok Voice Library

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AI has taken the tech world by storm over the past 18 months or so, thanks largely to the emergence of OpenAI's ChatGPT. Today, you will hardly find an app or software that doesn't have some sort of AI capability built-in, including popular social media apps like Instagram and WhatsApp. One of the world's most widely used content platforms, TikTok, already offers some AI features for its users. The app is now working on a new AI-based text-to-speech feature, according to a prominent source.

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TikTok's new photo-sharing app is out, but there's a catch

For now, TikTok's Notes app is up for grabs in Australia and Canada

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TikTok has been toying with an app that looks a lot like Instagram's main feed. It's all part of the ongoing trend where big social media platforms keep borrowing ideas from each other. After Instagram introduced "Reels" in 2020 to compete with TikTok, the latter then fired back with its own version of stories, just like Instagram, in 2022. Now, TikTok is rolling out a new photo-sharing app called Notes, but with its own twist.

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Google sets a date, feds flex, and WhatsApp goes pin-crazy in this week's news

This week in Android: Samsung makes some questionable choices and the US government chooses violence

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The biggest announcements of the year for the Android platform are coming in a matter of weeks, as Google has finally set a date for I/O 2024. At the same time, Apple's dragging its feet, holding Google back from releasing a feature we've been eagerly anticipating for months. But we finally got official word on the next big midrange phone, and it won't be from Samsung — at least in the US. Speaking of, the American government exerted a bit of power on the tech world, and WhatsApp seems to think the pin is mightier than the sword in this week's top five Android headlines.

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TikTok's rumored photos app could bring its Instagram rivalry full circle

A new TikTok Photos app seems like the exact opposite of Instagram Reels

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Social media giant TikTok is facing pressure on multiple fronts, as the US congress is set to vote on a bill this week that could result in the app being banned nationwide, and there's ongoing competition from established players, like YouTube with its Shorts feature and Instagram with Reels, who have their eyes set on TikTok's short-form video throne. In an unexpected twist, evidence suggests TikTok could soon hit back with a new app of its own.

TikTok banner at Gamescon.
How to use TikTok and other data-sucking apps without giving up your privacy

Protect your privacy on TikTok and other apps with our guide

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TikTok and other social media and entertainment apps are engaging and fun. However, you could be giving up your privacy by letting developers, advertisers, and foreign governments access your biometric data, location, photos, search history, browsing habits, and more.

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How to block a TikTok user

Learn how to block and unblock TikTok users with a few simple steps

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TikTok is an explosive presence for content creation despite the TikTok alternatives. With fabulous camera phones to capture TikTok short clips, the world is your oyster. The platform's popularity brings unwanted toxicity from other TikTok users and spam. Here's how to block TikTok users using the mobile app and website to keep your TikTok activities undisturbed.

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12 common TikTok problems and how to solve them

Fix all the annoying TikTok issues that interrupts your doomswiping

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TikTok is a video-sharing app famous for creating original short-form videos that millions consume daily. The For You feed (FYF) keeps many users engaged with the platform, burning many hours inside the app. Despite the app's popularity, using TikTok can come with caveats. The app takes a toll on your phone's storage, always filling the cache. The more the cache accumulates, the more impact it has on the app's performance. You'll experience crashes, lag, or audio problems more frequently.

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TikTok: Everything you need to know about the social media app

A popular social media app that invites controversy

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TikTok is a video-sharing app that lets you view and create content using filters, sound effects, and background music. It has been rising in popularity since its launch in 2016. The app has cemented its position as one of the most influential platforms in the world. Don't be surprised if you catch yourself endlessly scrolling through short videos for hours on your favorite camera phone.

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How to buy and recharge TikTok Coins

Use Coins to support your favorite content creators

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TikTok is a popular social media app. It churns out new trends, challenges, and snappy content. The platform lets users share short videos showcasing cooking hacks, DIY projects, silly meme compilations, and small business marketing. It's easy to get sucked into it as you scroll through content on your favorite camera phone.

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How to delete a TikTok video

It's no hassle to delete a TikTok that you regret posting

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TikTok's short-form video format is popular. Plus, many of the best new phones, like the Google Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro, are great for creating mobile content. These technologies have resulted in a lot of TikToks being created and uploaded every day. But not all videos posted on TikTok are meant to stay there forever.

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How to delete your TikTok account

Say 'goodbye' to TikTok forever

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TikTok is home to the latest trends, challenges, and addiction. With the personalized For You Page and hilarious videos appearing when you auto scroll or swipe up, the app makes it hard to drop your mobile phones and tablets.

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What does nudge mean on TikTok?

If you want to make a big splash on TikTok, start with nudge

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If you love making and watching cool videos, consider using TikTok. It's a great app that lets you express your creativity and have fun with your top-notch camera phone to capture short TikTok clips. The developers release new features frequently to compete with TikTok alternatives. Some features are obvious, like filters and stickers, but some are more subtle, like nudge.

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TikTok: How to change your age

Change your age to get rid of those age-restricted prompts

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Did you recently purchase one of the best Android camera phones and install TikTok but get age-restricted prompts on it? Social media companies, such as TikTok and Instagram, have age restrictions to prevent younger audiences from being exposed to content that isn't appropriate for their age. For these reasons, many do not consider TikTok safe for children.

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How to untag yourself from spam TikTok videos

And make sure you never get tagged again

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In the six years since TikTok launched overseas, it's inspired over two billion downloads worldwide (over one billion on the Play Store). It has over one billion monthly active users. Those numbers put it in the same league as Facebook and YouTube. However, it also invites the same problems that plague all large social media sites: spam.

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How to use auto scroll on TikTok

Lean how to scroll freehand with TikTok's auto scroll feature

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Scrolling through TikTok is up there with the most popular games like Vampire Survivors in terms of addictive primary mechanics. Quickly and efficiently swiping through an endless feed of videos algorithmically based on your previous viewing history is enough to sucker anyone in, especially if one enjoys shorter, punchier content. Auto scrolling is a mechanic in the TikTok app that allows your feed to swipe through videos independently, not requiring any input from the user.

How many followers do you need on TikTok to go live?

Looking to go live on TikTok? Here's what you need to know

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TikTok LIVE is a great tool for content creators who can no longer viably connect with their fans individually, allowing streamers to engage a following in real time. Introduced in 2019, the LIVE function on TikTok is streamlined, intuitive, and fun to use, especially when streaming on the go with your favorite camera phone. However, the feature requires a certain number of followers to go live. Read on to discover how this limit works, in addition to details governing the use of TikTok LIVE.

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YouTube Music's new discovery tool is perfect for your non-existent attention span

The concept of Samples is similar to Shorts, the video feed feature based on TikTok

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The arrival of TikTok gave people a new way to scroll through an endless feed of algorithm-curated videos, and it wasn’t long before others took note. Spotify redesigned its app so users could vertically scroll through recommended music and discover new artists. Now, it looks like YouTube Music is attempting to redefine the app experience for its users as well. A new tab called Samples is being added to the app’s navigation bar, putting you one tap away from music videos curated for your personal taste.

Person holding a phone with the TikTok logo on the screen
How to get followers on TikTok

If you want to make a big splash on TikTok, follow these steps

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TikTok's brand of popularity has always been the premier commodity of content-sharing websites and apps, right back to the early days of YouTube and Facebook. While the landscape has grown in complexity over the years with alternative means to support your favorite creators, popularity is still intrinsically tied to trends, and TikTok thrives on the latest sensations. But the problem never really changed when it comes to standing out; how can a single person become popular in an ocean of users trying to do the same? AP knows the struggle and wants to help; we've got a few handy tips on how to boost your TikTok content and its chances of getting noticed.

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How to edit a TikTok video

Learn how to edit a TikTok video on any device

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YouTube takes the crown when it comes to long-form video content. But in terms of short-form reels, TikTok reigns supreme. Despite concerns over TikTok's safety, the platform has skyrocketed in popularity since 2018. TikTok relies on bite-sized content to keep its audience engaged. But even short-form content can benefit from an additional polish. A piece of text or a visual effect can go a long way in sending a message to your viewers.

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