Islamabad:

After successfully blocking X, formerly Twitter, for over four months, the Pakistan government is now set to ban all social media platforms — YouTube, WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok — for six days from July 13 to 18, citing the need to control “hate material” during the Islamic month of Ramadan.

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s cabinet committee on law and order has recommended banning of all social media platforms — YouTube, X, WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, among others –during 6 to 11 Muharram (July 13-18) in Punjab, a province of over 120 million people, to “control hate material, misinformation to avoid sectarian violence”, according to a Punjab government notification issued here late Thursday night.

The Punjab government of Maryam Nawaz has requested her uncle Shehbaz Sharif’s government at the Centre to notify the suspension of all social media platforms on internet for six days (July 13-18).

Pakistan Army Chief Gen Asim Munir has already declared social media a “vicious media” and underscored the need to fight what he called “digital terrorism”.

Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, who also holds the portfolio of foreign minister, recently called for placing a complete ban on social media.

The Shehbaz government had shut down X in last February following allegations of change of general election results by the Election Commission of Pakistan, apparently on the order of the military establishment to stop Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf’s jailed founder Imran Khan from coming to power.

Both the military and the government were receiving backlash on social media since the ouster of former prime minister Imran Khan through a no-confidence motion in April 2022.

The government has arrested dozens of social media activists of Khan’s party since then.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Chinese President Xi Jinping. File
| Photo Credit: AP

Chinese social media censors have blocked multiple influencers known for showing off their lavish lifestyles after an official campaign to curb displays of ostentatious wealth online was announced.

The Douyin account of Wang Hongquan, a content creator who amassed more than four million followers with videos showing off designer outfits, first-class flights and his jade jewellery collection, was no longer accessible on Tuesday.

An error message displayed on the Chinese version of TikTok said Mr. Wang’s account had been blocked “due to violations of Douyin’s community guidelines”.

China’s Internet watchdog in April launched the “Clear and Bright” campaign to remove undesirable content from social media, vowing to crack down on influencers who created “ostentatious personas to cater to vulgar needs, and deliberately display extravagant lifestyles filled with money”.

Chinese state media reported that Mr. Wang’s videos disappeared from Douyin this month, along with the accounts of several other luxury influencers.

“Sister Abalone”, a woman who filmed her elaborately decorated mansion and was regularly seen dripping with diamond and pearl necklaces, also appeared to have been targeted. Her videos were no longer visible on the Bilibili site on Tuesday.

Rolls Royce, Hermes

“Young Master Bo”, an influencer who filmed himself test-driving Rolls-Royces and splurging on rare Hermes Birkin bags, was also missing from Douyin on Tuesday, with his account showing an error message that said he had “violated relevant laws and regulations”.

Douyin said in a statement on Monday that it would also start cracking down on fake “hot events” — videos of staged medical crises and domestic disputes. “Douyin guides creators to record true, good lives,” it said.

China’s Communist government has in recent years sought to tighten the reins on social media celebrities, with authorities frequently criticising “money worship” and “vulgar” content.

Chinese President Xi Jinping’s “common prosperity” initiative to reduce economic inequality has also resulted in massive fines for livestreaming influencers, with the “queen of livestreaming” Viya forced to pay a $204 million fine for tax evasion in 2021.

A 17-year-old aspiring rapper lost his life in a tragic accident on Sunday, May 15th, according to The New York Post. The teenager died from an accidental self-inflicted gunshot wound while filming a video for social media.

Police have not released the name of the dead, but social media footage identified him as Suffolk-based rapper Rylo Huncho. The circulating video reportedly shows Huncho singing and dancing with a handgun equipped with a laser sight. In the disturbing clip, Huncho appears to manipulate the firearm and point it towards his head. A gunshot is heard, and the camera falls, capturing no further details of the incident.

Authorities are investigating the incident, but all indications suggest it was an unintentional act. The tragedy has left a community in mourning. A GoFundMe page has been established to support Huncho’s mother during this difficult time.

“He was her only son!” A cousin of the rapper wrote in the post. “She was a single parent but took care of her son the best she could.”

“Suicide or accident was the cause of his death, and we are still trying to figure out why. But anything, I mean anything, can help her at this time of need,” the cousin wrote.

“It was always her and her son.”

Gun culture in the United States is a multifaceted issue that becomes even more concerning when considering its impact on children and teenagers.

According to a Pew Research Centre analysis of the latest annual mortality statistics from the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), guns are the leading cause of death for children and teens in the United States. In 2021, 2,590 children and teens under 18 died from gun violence, which is a 46% increase from 2019.

In 2021, 54% of all gun-related deaths in the US were suicides (26,328), while 43% were murders (20,958), according to the CDC. The remaining gun deaths that year were accidental (549), involved law enforcement (537), or had undetermined circumstances (458).

Paris:

Social media influencers have embraced artificial intelligence to spice up their content but they are also facing growing competition from AI-generated Instagramers, TikTokers and YouTubers.

Sporting pink hair and posing in lingerie, swimsuits or gym outfits, Aitana Lopez has more than 300,000 followers on Instagram where she is described as a “gamer at heart” and “fitness lover” — except she’s not real.

Aitana was created by The Clueless, a Barcelona-based company that describes itself as an “AI modeling agency” run by “visionaries on a mission to redefine the world of influencers”.

Sofia Novales, project manager at The Clueless, said the “rising costs associated with human influencers” was a reason behind the company’s creation.

“Virtual models, being digital, present a more economical alternative,” Novales said.

Another plus: total control over content.

“The advantages lie in unparalleled creative control, allowing seamless decision-making on image, fashion, and aesthetics without the need for physical photoshoots,” Novales said.

The rise of AI has fuelled concerns about the proliferation of deepfake videos that could be used maliciously.

Meta, owner of Facebook and Instagram, said Friday it would start putting “Made with AI labels” on AI-generated content in May.

AI presents a huge business opportunity for content creators: The influencer market is expected to grow rapidly, from $16.5 billion in 2022 to nearly $200 billion by 2032, according to Allied Market Research.

Younger audience

Using virtual influencers is not new: Barbie already has millions of followers on Instagram.

But they are now being used in advertisements where they can’t be told apart from a real person.

Take Lil Miquela, a “19-year-old Robot living in LA” created by a California agency in 2016.

With 2.6 million followers on Instagram and 3.5 million on TikTok, Lil Maqueta has promoted brands as big as BMW.

The idea was to “create something never seen before,” the German premium carmaker said in a statement to AFP.

“Attracting a younger, technology-savvy generation is for us the icing on the cake,” it said.

Maud Lejeune, who heads up the Paris-based digital strategy agency AD Crew, said that it isn’t difficult for the public to accept AI influencers.

“It’s like actors on TV: we know it isn’t real yet we follow them and we find it interesting, it’s like watching a mini-series.”

AD Crew represents more than 30 influencers, but Lejeune created her own virtual influencer, Metagaya, two years ago.

“The current level of design didn’t exist then. It’s technical, you’ve got to dress them, take photos for the background, create a story,” said Lejeune, acknowledging that Metagaya didn’t turn out very well.

The rapid technological progress brought by the likes of OpenAI’s Sora video generator could make it easier to create and operate realistic virtual influencers.

Deepfakes

Human influencers are also seizing on AI technology to make better videos.

France’s Charles Sterlings sees an opportunity to improve translations.

He uses different tools on platforms like HeyGen and Rask.ai to automatically translate and lip-sync his video posts into English and Spanish.

Sterlings also uses Deepshot, a platform that allows users to create deepfakes by changing the words and mouth movement of people in real videos.

He said it took him just a few minutes and a few dollars to manipulate a video of French President Emmanuel Macron.

But Sterlings sees the technology as a competitor as well as a useful tool.

“Anyone with a phone can be an influencer. But eventually, it will be artificial intelligence, available 24 hours a day, and much cheaper to develop,” he said.

For Maud Lejeune, AI can help influencers produce more content.

“It’s tough to put yourself in front of the camera for a long time and certain creators burn out… Maybe AI will provide a new way to create without exposing oneself,” she said.

The Clueless has no qualms about its AI models taking away business from real influencers.

“We don’t foresee real models becoming obsolete or replaced by AI-generated models like Aitana,” said Novales. “In our view, they can coexist as another competition of the industry.”

 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Brussels:

EU antitrust regulators on Monday opened their first investigations under the Digital Markets Act into Apple, Alphabet’s Google and Meta Platforms for potential breaches of the landmark EU tech rules.

“The (European) Commission suspects that the measures put in place by these gatekeepers fall short of effective compliance of their obligations under the DMA,” the EU executive said in a statement.

The EU competition enforcer will investigate Alphabet’s rules on steering in Google Play and self-preferencing on Google Search, Apple’s rules on steering in the App Store and the choice screen for Safari and Meta’s ‘pay or consent model’.

The Commission also launched investigatory steps relating to Apple’s new fee structure for alternative app stores and Amazon’s ranking practices on its marketplace.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

An 11-year-old UK boy, Tommie-Lee Gracie Billington, died attempting the “chroming” challenge at a friend’s house. 

The boy’s grandmother said, “He died instantly after a sleepover at a friend’s house. The boys had tried the TikTok craze of ‘chroming.’ Tommie-Lee went into cardiac arrest immediately and died right there and then. The hospital did everything to try and bring him back, but nothing worked. He was gone.” 

What is ‘Chroming’ – the latest trend on TikTok?

Chroming, a risky recreational activity, involves inhaling hazardous household chemicals and substances such as nail polish remover, hairspray, aerosol deodorant, lighter fluid, gasoline, paint thinners, spray paint, and permanent markers, as outlined by the Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne. 

This form of drug use creates a brief euphoric effect, but according to the American Addiction Centers, it is dangerous and can lead to adverse effects like dizziness, vomiting, cardiac failure, and brain damage. 

When inhaled, these chemicals are absorbed into the bloodstream through the lungs and can affect various organs. The cognitive abnormalities caused by inhalants range from mild impairment to severe dementia. Regular inhalant use is associated with high rates of depression, anxiety, and other substance abuse issues, according to the Alcohol and Drug Foundation based in Australia. While inhalants may not directly cause these disorders, their use can trigger or exacerbate them. Additionally, individuals regularly using inhalants are more likely to experience stressful events, according to the Alcohol and Drug Foundation. 

Long-term exposure to these toxic inhalants, as indicated by a 2018 study, can result in memory loss, lower IQ, an inability to concentrate, and impaired judgement. Another variation of chroming involves inhaling “whippets” (also known as “laughing gas” or “hippy crack”), referring to cartridges filled with nitrous oxide. Although these cartridges are legally used to inflate balloons, inhaling them for recreational purposes is illegal. 

According to a 2017 National Survey on Drug Use and Health report, approximately 684,000 adolescents aged 12 to 17 engaged in huffing or inhaling toxic chemicals in 2015. The report also highlighted a total of 1.8 million individuals aged 12 and older participating in this practice that same year, with inhalant use typically decreasing with age. Around one in five kids have used inhalants by the eighth grade, reports the DEA. 

San Francisco:

Elon Musk said on Wednesday that his social media platform X is considering getting rid of showing the number of likes and reposts on each post.

While speaking at the Morgan Stanley technology, media and telecom conference, Musk also said X is a few months away from receiving approval for a money transmitter license in New York.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

New Delhi:

A petition has been filed in the Supreme Court seeking directions to the Centre to ensure that social media platforms do not display obscene or pornographic material as they cause a rise in sexual crimes.

The PIL filed by Paediatric Surgeon Sanjay Kulshresthra said easy access to porn through mobile internet was not only distorting sexual behaviour but also causing an “alarming rise in sexual offences” against minor girls.

The plea said in order to control the increasing number of sexual crimes, the top court should direct the respondents to exercise their power under the Information Technology Act to ensure that social media platforms “make reasonable efforts to cause the users not to host, display, upload, modify, publish, transmit, store or share obscene or pornographic material”.

The petitioner has made the Union ministries of Electronics and Information Technology, Home Affairs and Women and Child Development as parties to the case.

“Although there could be many reasons for the alarming rise in rapes in children, the petitioner has found that availability of easy, almost free internet making pornography available 24 hours, especially on mobile phones to all age groups, to all economic classes, could be a significant cause,” the PIL said.

It said viewing pornography was responsible for developing a casual attitude in men towards sexual violence against women.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

TikTok has exploded in popularity over the last few years, becoming one of the most engaging and talked-about social media platforms. For marketers, TikTok presents an exciting new opportunity to reach a broader, younger audience.

The app now has over 1 billion monthly active users, many of whom spend hours each day consuming its bite-sized video content.

Unlike other platforms, TikTok feels like a never-ending stream of entertainment that keeps people coming back. And its powerful algorithm is scarily good at serving users content that aligns with their interests and preferences. This creates a highly targeted environment for brands to connect with their target market.

Marketers are now flocking to explore the possibilities of TikTok. The platform has proven it can drive huge awareness and sales when brands get their TikTok strategy right. But standing out requires creativity and understanding what resonates with TikTok’s unique user base. Brands will need to blend entertainment with authenticity if they want to succeed.

This article will examine why TikTok has become a must-try channel for marketers in 2023 and provide tips on how brands can leverage it to achieve their goals.

What is Celebian and How Does it Work?

As TikTok has exploded in popularity, a number of companies have emerged to help brands and creators grow their presence on the platform. One of the most popular is Celebian, founded in 2019 as a marketing platform specializing in providing TikTok users with instant likes, followers, and views.

Celebian saw the potential of TikTok for marketing early on and has become a leader in the space. Their goal is to make it easy and secure for TikTok users to achieve their desired engagement numbers.

The service works by allowing customers to purchase packages of TikTok likes, followers, and views from Celebian’s website. Packages range based on the customer’s needs. After purchasing, the customer simply enters their TikTok username and selects which posts they want to boost.

Celebian’s technology then goes to work delivering real, high-quality likes, followers, and views from active TikTok users to the selected posts and profiles. This instant boost in engagement can help kickstart a TikTok account’s growth and credibility.

For those skeptical of purchasing engagement, Celebian offers a free trial so potential customers can test it out risk-free. They also provide professional customer support to troubleshoot any issues.

With its user-friendly services, timely delivery, and reliable results, it’s no wonder Celebian has become a go-to for those looking to enhance their TikTok presence. As TikTok marketing continues to grow, expect services like Celebian to thrive.

Pros

Celebian allows brands to connect with TikTok’s massive Gen Z user base. Over 60% of TikTok’s users are under 30.

TikTok’s algorithm favors engagement over follower count. Celebian can provide the likes, comments, and views needed to boost engagement.

Celebian offers managed services beyond just selling engagement. Their experts can help create and optimize TikTok campaigns.

Packages start at just a few hundred dollars. TikTok marketing is extremely affordable compared to other platforms.

Fast customer support and deliveries based on hundreds of positive customer reviews.

Cons

While affordable, buying TikTok followers may seem inauthentic to some brands focused on organic growth.

There are no guarantees of TikTok fame. Smart content strategy is still crucial.

Services need to be used carefully to avoid violating TikTok’s terms of service and getting banned.

Prices can add up for large ongoing campaigns, but bulk discounts are available.

Occasional delays in deliveries and customer support based on a minority of negative reviews.

Celebian Services: Followers, Likes & Views

Celebian is a social media marketing company that specializes in helping TikTok users grow their accounts and increase their engagement. They offer three main services – followers, likes, and views.

Buying Followers on Celebian

One of the key services Celebian provides is the ability to buy TikTok followers. Having more followers makes an account look more popular and established. Celebian offers packages of 100 to 10,000 high-quality followers.

The followers they provide are real accounts with profile pictures, bios, and posts. This makes them look authentic to other users. Buying more followers can help new or small accounts appear more credible and gain more organic followers over time. Established accounts may also purchase followers to further boost their numbers.

Celebian delivers the purchased followers gradually over 1-2 weeks. This natural follower growth helps avoid detection from TikTok. The company guarantees replacement of any followers that drop off the account.

Overall, buying followers from Celebian is a safe and effective way for any TikTok user to increase their follower count.

Purchasing Likes on Celebian

In addition to followers, Celebian allows users to buy TikTok likes. Likes are important signals of popularity on the platform. Videos with more likes tend to get promoted by TikTok’s algorithm and organically gain even more engagement. Celebian provides package options ranging from 100 to 10,000 likes.

The likes come from real TikTok users located in the target country specified at checkout. Celebian evenly distributes the likes across posts selected by the customer. This natural pattern makes the purchased likes indistinguishable from organic ones.

Having more likes makes content stand out and can lead to followers, shares, and comments. Overall, buying likes is a smart move for users looking to boost their engagement.

Buying TikTok Views on Celebian

The third main service offered by Celebian is TikTok views. Views indicate popularity and make content appear worth watching. Celebian provides packages from 1,000 to 100,000 views on customers’ TikTok videos.

The views come from real accounts and are delivered naturally over several days. Having more views signals to the TikTok algorithm that the content resonates with users. This can lead to more organic reach. Views also improve perceived authority and credibility.

For new or struggling accounts, purchased views can be the catalyst for growth. Celebian’s views blend seamlessly with organic ones for a natural boost.

Why Choose Celebian?

There are a few key reasons Celebian stands out as a top provider of TikTok services. Firstly, they have significant experience in social media marketing. Their expertise translates to high-quality services optimized for TikTok. Celebian also provides excellent customer service and is very responsive to user needs.

Importantly, all of Celebian’s services are safe to use. Their delivery methods avoid detection from TikTok. Celebian also offers a no-questions-asked refund policy for peace of mind.

Overall, Celebian’s combination of experience, quality, safety, and service makes them a top choice for buying followers, likes, and views on TikTok. Their services can help any TikTok user boost their account and engagement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Some of the user concerns that might have you turning sides at night are as follows – and addressed too!

Is Celebian trustworthy?

Yes, Celebian is a legitimate and trustworthy company. They have years of experience providing social media marketing services. Celebian delivers real, high-quality followers, likes, and views safely with guaranteed customer satisfaction.

How can I get 100 likes on TikTok?

An easy way to get 100 TikTok likes is by purchasing a 100 like package from Celebian. The likes will come from real accounts and be delivered naturally over several days. Buying likes is safe and effective for boosting engagement.

What is the easiest way to buy TikTok followers?

The easiest way to buy TikTok followers is through Celebian’s website. They make the purchase process quick and simple. Just select your desired number of followers, provide your TikTok handle, and complete checkout. The followers are then delivered gradually to your account.

How are the followers delivered from Celebian?

Celebian delivers followers over 1-2 weeks to avoid detection. They start with smaller amounts per day, then increase gradually to complete your order. The entire process is designed to look natural.

Can I see who likes my TikTok videos?

Currently, there is no way to see exactly who likes your TikTok videos unless they comment. You can see the total number of likes and which videos are most popular based on engagement. Buying likes from Celebian will increase your like count.

Is buying TikTok views safe to do?

Yes, buying views from Celebian is completely safe. The views come from real accounts to blend naturally with organic views. Celebian optimized their delivery methods to avoid any issues.

Take Away

For TikTok creators struggling to grow their audience and engagement, Celebian offers a proven solution. Their services can provide the momentum you need to get your content in front of more viewers.

With more followers, likes, and views, you’ll start gaining organic growth as the algorithm picks up on the increased interactions. Celebian has established themselves as a trustworthy provider of high-quality TikTok services.

It operates transparently and delivers real, active users to your profile. While buying followers and engagement is controversial, many creators find it an effective strategy when used ethically. Working with Celebian can kickstart your account and get you noticed on TikTok.

Just ensure your content remains captivating and optimized for virality. With the right boost from Celebian and commitment to producing creative videos, you can grow a successful TikTok channel.

An illustrative photograph showing the new Twitter logo rebranded as X (L) and the previous bird logo reflected in smartphone screens, July 27, 2023.
| Photo Credit: AFP

A survey conducted recently by the journal Nature found that researchers are leaving the social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter), a place they used frequently to promote their work, interact with the larger scientific community, and share their insights.

In 2016, Emilia Jarochowska, a PhD candidate, reportedly joined X with to boost her career in palaeontology. It was a platform where she could connect with colleagues, look for job opportunities and share her work. But after Elon Musk took over the platform in late 2022, sweeping changes to the platform’s management marred opportunities.

The findings, published by Nature in an article, stated that there are several reasons for the exodus, starting with the direction in which the platform seems to be headed since the takeover. Together with rolling back rules on content moderation, doing away with the blue-tick verification system, shifting to a subscription model where paying members get extra privileges, limiting the number of tweets users can see, and changing the names and logo has caused discomfort and uncertainty, leading to scholars to avoid using the platform.

Also Read | Elon Musk wants to remove the block feature on X

The survey contacted 170,000 scientists who are or have been using the platform, of which nearly 9,200 responded. At least half of them reported that they have reduced the amount of time they spend on X in the last six months. At least 7% of respondents have stopped using it completely while some 46% have joined other social media platforms.

The platform also seems to have also accrued an increasing number of fake accounts, trolls, and hate speech since the change of ownership, the survey noted. The transition from a platform facilitating scientific discourse to one fostering controversy and misinformation has prompted a wave of migration to alternative social media platforms such as Mastodon, Bluesky, Threads, and TikTok. 

Despite Mr. Musk’s claims to the contrary, a study revealed an increase in hate speech since his takeover

Also Read | Musk plans to change how news is shared on X

Ziga Malek, an environmental scientist at the Free University of Amsterdam, told Nature he started noticing the presence of far-right accounts espousing science denialism and racism that he had to keep blocking. “X has always been not so nice let’s say, but it is a mess right now,” he said.

Mastodon, established in 2016, has become a popular alternative to X after the takeover for its decentralised and open-access regulations. But the fragmented landscape resulting from a migration has posed challenges to science communication. Previously, X served as a ‘hub’ for scholars to access information through specific hashtags. But with a diaspora across multiple platforms, it has become challenging to say where researchers are congregating, hindering access to their insights.

The impact of these changes extends beyond personal connections. The sense of community fostered on X, particularly for marginalised groups like scientists of colour and female researchers, has been a driving force in addressing issues such as harassment, unequal pay, and inequity. It provided a platform for scientists to collaborate, discuss research fraud, and spotlight topics like scientific colonialism and diversity, the Nature article said.

Also Read | The problem with X? Meta, Microsoft, hundreds more own trademarks to new Twitter name

One change, introduced in February, was the closure of the platform’s application programming interface (API), which allowed scientists to observe how users interacted with one another on the platform. This would feed studies of how people were discussing climate change, how people with autism were making their voices heard, and the platform’s response to the Ukraine-Russia conflict, etc. Research on such topics has suffered a blow ever since access to API was revoked for the general public. 

According to the survey, LinkedIn was the second most popular place to open new accounts followed by Instagram and finally Threads, both of which are owned by Meta.

Even as some scientists feel that with the changing paradigm of X, the sense of community is slipping away, others are sure researchers will come up with unique ways to overcome the challenge. Ms. Jarochowska suggested webinars and other methods of networking might be more fruitful to promote scientific work. “If you appear with your scientific content between videos of cats,” she told Nature, “it’s not a particularly good medium for promotion yourself professionally, anyway.”

Mark Carrigan, a digital sociologist at the Manchester Institute for Education, U.K., said that the void left behind by X can be used to diversify science and democratise academia.