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TikTok, FTC, VNG – How Are They Screwing Over Users?
The U.S. District Court in San Francisco has approved a settlement between TikTok and VNG over their lawsuit. While the settlement is a win for TikTok, it also brings up serious issues. We’ll talk about the fine imposed by the Federal Trade Commission and the settlement with TikTok. In the meantime, let’s get to know these three companies. If you’re wondering how they’re screwing over users, keep reading!
Standing’s lawsuit
In May, Bev Standing filed a lawsuit against TikTok, alleging that the video platform used her voice in its text-to-speech feature. Standing said that she had been hired to read English sentences, but had no idea that her voice would be used for any other purpose. This may interest you : What is the TikTok Song You Got?. Nonetheless, she recorded 10,000 sentences for TikTok, which it used in its videos.
The lawsuit isn’t the first case of its kind. In December, a similar suit was filed against Facebook by a group of moderators, claiming that the platform was causing them mental health problems. The suit subsequently settled, resulting in a $52 million payout for the moderators. In addition to the alleged discrimination, the suit was also filed against TikTok’s content moderators.
VNG’s lawsuit
A Vietnamese tech firm has sued video-sharing service TikTok for stealing its music and reusing it without permission. VNG is demanding compensation for 221 billion Vietnamese dong (roughly US$9. On the same subject : How to Use the What Celebrity Do I Look Like Filter on TikTok.5 million) and has argued that TikTok has violated its intellectual property rights. Is VNG screwing over the Vietnamese music industry? Read on to find out.
The Vietnamese government hasn’t intervened in the VNG’s lawsuit against TikTok. In fact, the Vietnamese government has sought to control social media by targeting foreign platforms, claiming that they provide fertile ground for toxic information and advertisements. While the Vietnamese government has remained silent about TikTok’s legal rights, it has co-opted foreign platforms and attacked them where they hurt.
The settlement also requires TikTok to cease collecting data about its users. In addition to collecting personal information, the social media company illegally shared it with third parties, including China-based companies. TikTok denied these accusations, but they settled because it was in their best interest. And that’s what you get for suing a social media platform for screwing over your privacy.
Federal Trade Commission’s fine
The federal government has imposed a $92 million fine on TikTok in a settlement with class-action plaintiffs who allege the video-sharing app harvested users’ personal information without consent and shared it with third parties, including some based in China. The company has denied these accusations, and argues that it acted in its customers’ best interests when it settled the case. Read also : How to Get Verified on TikTok Without Followers. However, many people are not convinced. They wonder if the settlement will serve as a deterrent, and if it will make TikTok less appealing to users.
The fine is a significant step for the consumer protection agency. It is the largest civil penalty ever imposed on an app, and the case could have serious implications for other companies. TikTok will be required to delete user accounts that contain personal information of children. This will also prompt existing users to delete data that may contain personal information about minors. However, the fine is far from being the final word. The FTC will be looking for further ways to enforce the law.
Settlement with TikTok
After receiving news of a settlement with TikTok, users remained skeptical. After all, it’s not like the company is going to pay out millions of dollars to everyone who uses its service. The good news is that 89 million users in the United States are eligible to receive some of the money. The amount would vary, depending on the number of claims and how many plaintiffs are eligible to receive a portion of the settlement. The average plaintiff would receive 96 cents after attorneys’ fees and other costs. This could amount to $5.75 for people who live in Illinois.
In the meantime, the Biden administration has backped off of its predecessor’s TikTok crackdown and begun an investigation of the company’s use of Chinese technology in the U.S. The investigation was prompted by claims that TikTok hid data collection practices and obfuscated its source code. The lawsuits filed against TikTok are based on Facebook’s controversial privacy policies, and it is unclear how much of those terms are in the TikTok app.
