Core Viewpoint - The recent restructuring of TikTok's U.S. operations has led to significant user backlash, with accusations of censorship and content suppression emerging shortly after the transition to a new ownership structure [1][4][5]. Group 1: User Reactions and Censorship Claims - Users have reported that posts containing certain keywords are unable to be published on TikTok, leading to the trending hashtag TikTokCensorship on social media platforms [3]. - Prominent figures, including singer Billie Eilish, have expressed concerns that TikTok is "silencing our voices," highlighting a perceived decline in engagement for critical content [3]. - California Governor Gavin Newsom announced an investigation into TikTok following numerous user complaints about potential censorship related to political content [3]. Group 2: Ownership Structure and Data Management - TikTok has been split into two entities: one for the U.S. market and another for the rest of the world, with a new joint venture, TikTok USDS Joint Venture, established to manage U.S. operations [4][5]. - The new ownership structure includes significant stakes from American companies such as Oracle, Silver Lake, and the Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund, collectively holding approximately 80.1% of the new entity, while ByteDance retains a minority stake of 19.9% [4][5]. - All U.S. user data will be migrated to Oracle's cloud servers, with local oversight of content moderation and algorithm management [5]. Group 3: Historical Context and Political Implications - TikTok has faced scrutiny in the U.S. since 2020, being labeled a national security threat due to concerns over data privacy and potential influence from the Chinese government [6][7]. - Despite efforts like "Project Texas," which aimed to localize data and increase transparency, legislative pressure led to the requirement for a complete divestment from ByteDance [7]. - The new ownership's ties to political figures, particularly those aligned with former President Trump, raise concerns about potential biases in content moderation and algorithmic decisions, reminiscent of controversies surrounding other social media platforms [8].

1月26日消息，据彭博社报道，TikTok选择了一位内部人士来领导其新成立的美国业务，这位高管与娱 乐界有着深厚的联系，并且曾向字节跳动的高层汇报工作。 TikTok 全球领导人周受资的长期得力助手亚当·普雷瑟被选中领导这家新实体，正式名称为 TikTok 美国 数据安全合资企业。 份最高职位让普雷瑟掌管着一个价值至少140亿美元的社交媒体现象级平台，该平台在美国拥有超过半 数的用户。 美国总统唐纳德·特朗普曾表示，TikTok帮助他赢得了2024年入主白宫的机会。 尽管普雷瑟在许多科技圈内相对默默无闻，但他多年来一直担任公司高层领导职务，并被广泛认为是 TikTok在美国最具影响力的领导人。 据一位熟悉公司情况的人士透露，他长期以来被视为首席执行官的有力竞争者，内部人士认为他是常驻 新加坡的周受资在美国的延伸。 这位人士还表示，普雷瑟直接向周汇报工作，而周则向字节跳动联合创始人兼首席执行官梁汝波汇报。 普雷瑟与娱乐界关系密切，并拥有在中国的工作经验。 他曾就读于洛杉矶最负盛名的高中之一——哈佛西湖中学，之后在耶鲁大学获得本科和研究生学位，主 修中国语言文学和东亚研究。 在Ticketmaster Enter ...

Core Viewpoint - The Chinese government is launching a month-long special governance initiative starting January 1, 2026, to address the proliferation of "AI-modified" video content on short video platforms, focusing on protecting cultural integrity and preventing the spread of inappropriate content [1][2]. Group 1: Governance Measures - The initiative will target videos that significantly distort the essence of classic works, historical themes, revolutionary subjects, and iconic figures, including those that promote violence, vulgarity, or incorrect values [1][2]. - The governance will also address the modification of beloved animated characters for children, which could lead to the creation of inappropriate content [1]. Group 2: Responsibilities of Platforms - Short video platforms are urged to take responsibility for content moderation, including limiting, removing, or banning accounts that distribute infringing or harmful content [2]. - The initiative emphasizes the need for platforms to enhance content review processes and to implement stricter measures against accounts that frequently violate guidelines [2]. Group 3: Technological Solutions - Experts suggest that platforms should develop specialized algorithms to identify characteristics of "AI-modified" videos, such as unnatural edits and audio-visual mismatches, to facilitate better content moderation [2]. - Establishing user reporting channels is recommended to encourage the community to report infringing or harmful "AI-modified" content [2]. Group 4: Future Directions - After the governance period, the National Radio and Television Administration plans to summarize findings and develop comprehensive measures to ensure ongoing and effective governance of "AI-modified" content [2].

YouTube is offering creators who were banned from the platform a second chance.On Thursday, the Google-owned platform announced it is rolling out a feature for previously terminated creators to apply to create a new channel. Previous rules led to a lifetime ban."We know many terminated creators deserve a second chance," wrote the YouTube Team in a blog post. "We're looking forward to providing an opportunity for creators to start fresh and bring their voice back to the platform."Tech companies have faced mo ...

Core Insights - Li Tong, the head of ByteDance's Content Quality Center (CQC), has announced his departure after overseeing content review for nearly 50 products [3][4] - The CQC is responsible for maintaining content quality and user experience across ByteDance's platforms, with operations in major cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Chengdu [3] - Li Tong has a background of over 10 years at Sina, where he managed content safety and compliance, before joining ByteDance in 2014 [3] Group 1 - The CQC department has two main functions: content review bases located in various cities and data annotation for AI products [3] - Li Tong's role as a vice president at Toutiao focused on content safety and quality, although he transitioned to a consultant role about a year ago [4] - The current head of the CQC is Wang Hu, who has taken over Li Tong's responsibilities [4]

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses concerns raised by parents regarding the copyright status of English textbooks shared on personal cloud storage platforms, particularly focusing on the case of NetEase Youdao Listening Treasure, which allegedly lacks proper copyright authorization for the materials it offers [1][3][4]. Group 1: Copyright Issues - Parents have questioned the legitimacy of the resources available on NetEase Youdao Listening Treasure, particularly whether the shared materials have proper copyright, as the licensing for certain textbooks has expired [1][3]. - Beijing Publishing Group confirmed that the copyright for the Beijing version of the English textbook used by NetEase Youdao has not been renewed after its expiration on August 31, 2024 [3][4]. - The company has stated that any unauthorized use of its copyrighted materials, including those shared on personal cloud platforms, constitutes infringement [4][5]. Group 2: Resource Sharing and Official Channels - NetEase Youdao claims that the resources shared on its cloud platform are user-generated and not officially sanctioned, although parents have reported that customer service directed them to these resources as if they were official [7][8]. - There is a contradiction in NetEase Youdao's statements regarding the source of shared materials, with customer service indicating that user-uploaded files are not available for public sharing unless users become "cooperative users" [8][10]. Group 3: Content Review and Responsibility - Concerns have been raised about who is responsible for reviewing the user-generated content shared on the platform, with NetEase Youdao stating that it employs a content review system but not addressing the accountability for the shared resources [10][11]. - Experts suggest that companies should take on the responsibility of ensuring that all learning resources comply with legal and ethical standards, rather than placing the burden on consumers to verify content [10][12]. - The article highlights the need for stricter regulatory measures and clearer responsibilities for companies in managing educational content, especially as online learning becomes more prevalent [12][13].

Core Points - Meta will eliminate fact-checkers in the U.S. starting Monday, as announced by Chief Global Affairs Officer Joel Kaplan [1] - This policy change aligns with a broader shift in content moderation rules, which were loosened in January [1][4] - The timing of this change coincides with significant political events, including President Trump's inauguration, which Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg attended [2] Content Moderation Changes - Meta's new approach to content moderation will model after Community Notes from Elon Musk's X, shifting some responsibility to users rather than relying on paid professionals [3][4] - The first Community Notes will gradually appear across Meta's platforms, including Facebook, Threads, and Instagram, without penalties for users [4] - The reduction in content moderation is expected to increase user engagement by allowing more posts to be visible, as Meta's news feed favors content that generates strong reactions [5] Impact on Misinformation - As Meta rolls back its fact-checking programs, there has been a noticeable increase in the spread of false information [6] - The company is removing restrictions on topics like immigration and gender identity, which are often subjects of political debate [6]