TikTok

Court filings obtained by NPR show that TikTok employees repeatedly warned company leaders about serious child‑safety risks on the platform. Staffers cited minors bypassing age‑restricted content and the appearance of children in “transactional sexual content” that could generate revenue for TikTok. Despite these concerns, executives reportedly failed to take appropriate action. The depositions, filed in federal court in March, are part of a multi‑district litigation that began in 2022 and now consolidates hundreds of lawsuits against TikTok, Meta, and Snap. The case underscores the growing legal pressure on social‑media firms to protect young users and address content that could exploit them.

Following a weekend of widespread looting across France, Digital Affairs Minister Anne Le Hénanff has demanded that major online platforms such as Vinted, eBay, Amazon, Meta, TikTok and the domestic site Leboncoin immediately delete any listings containing stolen items. The minister’s X post called for swift removal and cooperation with authorities to identify and prosecute sellers. A 7 p. m. meeting with platform representatives and a government source confirmed that a specific protocol will be established to coordinate investigators and online sites. Vinted confirmed a zero‑tolerance policy and said it has already removed suspect listings. The French government also ordered partial curfews and announced a special support fund for roughly 3,000 local businesses affected by the unrest.

In Dublin, the International AI Summit drew top tech executives while the Workers’ AI Counter Summit highlighted growing worker concerns. Ireland’s Digital and Techworker Alliance (DATA) has seen membership rise from 270 to over 1,350 since 2023, spurred by a wave of AI‑related layoffs. Meta has cut more than 1,000 Irish roles, Covalen dismissed 700, and TikTok announced a 300‑job reduction, shifting trust‑and‑safety work overseas or to AI. An IMF report warned Ireland’s tech‑heavy labor market is especially exposed to AI disruption. DATA is demanding stronger legal protections, mandatory union recognition, and bans on cooling‑off clauses. The Irish government said it is committed to strengthening collective bargaining and industrial relations.

Posh Skin has introduced a new acne sheet mask aimed at soothing, hydrating, and calming blemish‑prone skin in a single 10‑to‑20‑minute step. The lightweight mask, priced at P99, is available on Shopee, Lazada, and TikTok Shop. It contains centella asiatica, hyaluronic acid, tea tree, botanical extracts, allantoin, zinc PCA, aloe, and ceramides to reduce redness, replenish moisture, and strengthen the skin barrier. Designed for all skin types but especially for oily or acne‑prone skin, the formula is vegan, free from SLES and parabens, and not tested on animals. Users apply the mask after cleansing, leave it on, then rinse or massage the remaining essence into the skin.

A TikTok clip showing a stadium worker crudely painting hash marks at Bowman Gray Stadium before last weekend’s Winston‑Salem State football game went viral, drawing criticism from fans and team personnel. The video, which amassed over two million views in a day, revealed jagged lines that made the field look “pee‑wee.” The game was played on those markings, sparking concern about safety and professionalism. In response, Athletics Director Eric Burns issued an apology on social media, admitting the field markings fell short of the university’s standards. He announced additional field‑preparation support and new checks to ensure compliance before future home games. The Rams, currently 0‑6, hope the improved standards will help them compete better.

Makati’s rise as a social‑media hotspot—highlighted by TikTok trends like “Salcedo girlie” and “United States of Makati”—has not erased the city’s long‑standing local flavor. The Rappler feature presents a field guide to the places that have stood the test of time, from Ayala Car‑Free Sundays on the bustling Ayala Avenue to the community‑centric Power Plant Mall and Rockwell Center. It spotlights family‑friendly spots such as Romulo Café and Milky Way, Michelin‑selected restaurants like Pablo Bistro and Papillon, and cultural hubs including the Pen lobby, Commune, and The Curator. The article contrasts Makati’s glass towers with its narrow streets, Michelin‑rated eateries with Jolly Jeep meals, underscoring how everyday spaces remain vital for residents and newcomers alike. The piece explains why the term “Makati‑maxxing” resonates: the city offers room for everyone to make a part of it their own.

Meta has implemented a ban on advertisements from ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company, across its U. S. and several international platforms. The restriction, effective Thursday, covers direct ByteDance ads and third‑party ads that link to TikTok. Meta’s spokesperson Christopher Sgro explained that the move is a standard competitive practice, stating that the company does not want to promote a rival that could divert users. The decision follows a broader intensification of rivalry between the two social‑media giants. The ban does not affect other advertisers or Meta’s own promotional services.

Converge ICT Solutions, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and TikTok Shop have launched a new package called SellerPlus aimed at micro, small, and medium enterprises, home-based businesses, and creators. The package includes a 200 Mbps Converge fiber connection, TikTok Shop tools, and other services. New online sellers and livestreamers can get a three-month break from commission fees, allowing them to keep more of their sales while establishing an audience and testing their products online. The package also provides access to vouchers and incentives through a gamified goal system, dedicated customer service support, and traffic and voucher support through TikTok Shop's monthly Sariling Atin campaign. Additionally, it includes personal accident insurance from AXA and ties to the DTI's AI and Scale-Up Center in Makati, where entrepreneurs can access co-working facilities, training spaces, and digital skills workshops.

TikTok and its parent company, ByteDance, have reached a settlement with Alabama, resolving claims that the platform endangered children and misled consumers about its safety. The agreement requires TikTok to impose new usage limits and enhanced age-verification measures for users in the state. This includes implementing a daily time limit for teenagers in Alabama. The settlement comes days before a scheduled trial.