TikTok Is Coming Back To US Soon!!
A blow to ByteDance’s owned popular social media platform, TikTok, comes in the form of a ban it faced in the United States when the Supreme Court upheld its order. This ban is as a result of a law that Congress passed last year dubbed the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act. The order was such that would remove the application from Google’s Play Store and Apple’s App Store, and therefore, would send a very crucial message to its users: millions. App Pulled From Stores Before Official Ban Hits Hours before its official implementation, TikTok was sending users both on Android and iOS an in-app message stating, “A law banning TikTok has been enacted in the US.” A ray of hope: Trump vows to solve Then, in an unexpected twist, President-elect Donald Trump announced plans to work on a solution to revive the app. The message on the app suggested that indeed there may be some compromise after all, citing that Trump “has indicated that he will work with us on a solution to reinstate TikTok once he takes office.” For many creators and users, this statement brought hope with Trump’s Inauguration only a day away. TikTok’s Comeback The incident happened shortly after the Trump’s remarks. Reports came out stating that TikTok was again available in some parts of the US. AP said that the app worked on multiple devices on Saturday afternoon after eradicating the limitations of pop-up restrictions. It also put out a statement on social media and hinted that the conflict would soon be over. Difficulty for ByteDance and Users The temporary relief is not sufficient to enable ByteDance for TikTok’s perpetuation in the US. President-elect Trump proposed an extension of 90 days, pending ByteDance’s initiation of the process of divesting its US operations. In the absence of a satisfactory buyer, TikTok’s future in the US is uncertain. In the meantime, people have turned to alternatives such as RedNote, an app based in China. But with RedNote storing data in uncertain ways, the replacement for TikTok is not an easy one to find. VPNs: An Unreliable Solution Some users have resorted to VPN apps to try and bypass the ban on TikTok. According to reports from USA Today, though, this is not a reliable means of accessing TikTok. So far, TikTok seems to have been fully removed from the app stores, leaving users with no clear direction on how to regain access. Conclusion: The Road Ahead for TikTok TikTok’s exit from the US market underscores the deepening concern regarding national security and data privacy. The promise from President-elect Trump might offer some light, but for ByteDance, a future of TikTok in the US would have to pass the gauntlet of difficult regulatory and operational issues. Time will tell whether it is back in or permanently excluded from the country. For millions of creators and users, the clock is ticking, and the future of TikTok hangs in the balance. Source
WhatsApp to Stop Supporting Over 20 Android Phones in 2025
WhatsApp is a popular instant messaging app owned by Meta and is used by millions of Android users worldwide. As the app evolves and technology advances, so do the system requirements. Starting January 1, 2025, WhatsApp will no longer work on some older Android phones. Why WhatsApp is Stopping Support for Older Devices? WhatsApp is innovating and introducing new features and older devices running on Android KitKat or earlier can no longer keep up. According to HDblog on December 20, this will affect over 20 Android devices. Meta’s other apps like Facebook and Instagram might also have compatibility issues on these aging phones. Some of the affected devices are from brands like HTC and LG which have already stopped producing phones. WhatsApp is focusing on newer technologies and phasing out support for older devices to enhance user experience. Which Phones Will Lose WhatsApp Access? All devices that will lose WhatsApp support are at least 10 years old. This means most modern devices even 5 or 6 years old will be unaffected. But users of the following phones should prepare for the change: Samsung: Galaxy S3, Galaxy Note 2, Galaxy Ace 3, Galaxy S4 Mini Motorola: Moto G (1st Gen), Razr HD, Moto E 2014 HTC: One X, One X+, Desire 500, Desire 601, Optimus G, Nexus 4 LG: G2 Mini, L90 Sony: Xperia Z, Xperia SP, Xperia T, Xperia V What to Do If Affected? If you have one of the phones above, you need to act now. First backup all your WhatsApp chats to a Google account. This backup will ensure you can restore your conversations seamlessly on a newer device. To backup your chats: 1. Open WhatsApp and go to Settings. 2. Go to Chats > Chat Backup. 3. Tap Back Up and make sure it syncs to your Google account. Once you have backed up your data, consider upgrading to a newer phone to continue using WhatsApp and other apps without interruptions. The Bigger Picture This highlights the tech industry’s challenge of balancing innovation and accessibility. Phasing out support for older devices may inconvenience some users but it allows platforms like WhatsApp to optimize their apps for modern devices and have a smoother and more secure experience for the majority. Conclusion As WhatsApp says goodbye to older Android phones, users must adapt to the changing tech landscape. Upgrade to a newer device and backup your data and you can continue to use WhatsApp seamlessly in 2025 and beyond.