INTERVIEW: Digital Expert Nrupesh Soni on Influencers and Elections

INTERVIEW: Digital Expert Nrupesh Soni on Influencers and Elections

Nov 20, 2024, 8:45 AM In an age where digital platforms dominate, influencers and content creators are emerging as critical players in shaping political discourse, especially among younger voters. Digital expert Nrupesh Soni recently shared his insights into this growing phenomenon, particularly its impact on elections in Namibia. Soni highlighted a notable shift in how young people consume information. "The way information is consumed currently by most of the youth […]

November 20, 2024 6

Health / Medical

US states sue TikTok, calling it ‘digital nicotine’

More than a dozen US states are filing lawsuits against TikTok because of its effects on teens and other young users. A bipartisan coalition of attorneys general allege the social media giant is addictive and harmful to users' mental health. TikTok says the claims are "inaccurate and misleading." On the ground for us is Sally Patterson with more.

October 10, 2024 12

Africa

TikTok Announces Industry-First Sub-Saharan Africa Safety Advisory Council

TikTok is taking major steps to boost safety on its platform across Sub-Saharan Africa with the launch of its inaugural Safety Advisory Council and the expansion of its #SaferTogether community education campaign. By partnering with key stakeholders, including policymakers, members from academia, NGOs, and community leaders, TikTok aims to foster a collaborative approach to ensuring a secure and positive platform environment. This announcement was made at TikTok's Safety Summit […]

August 22, 2024 61

Business / Economics

Tik Tok Singapore office hit by mass food poisoning

Dozens of staff at the Singapore office of TikTok's parent company, ByteDance, have been hospitalised in an apparent food poisoning outbreak. At least 60 people were affected, with 57 treated in hospital. Laura Westbrook reports from Hong Kong. A total of 60 staff were left suffering symptoms of gastroenteritis, with 57 of them needing hospital treatment. The Singapore Civil Defence Force sent 15 ambulances to the scene, according […]

July 31, 2024 46

Africa

Kenya’s Lawmakers’ Opulent Lifestyles on Social Media Spark Public Outcry

Luxury cars, private helicopters, and stacks of cash: the extravagant lives of Kenya's lawmakers showcased on platforms like TikTok and X have intensified discontent among the country's tech-savvy youth, already angered by proposed tax hikes last month as per Reuters. Protests spanning weeks against these tax measures have increasingly highlighted the high salaries, perks, and conspicuous consumption of MPs in a nation where a large majority of the population is […]

July 15, 2024 9

Africa

What’s next after Kenya’s deadly protests?

By Rose TROUP BUCHANAN, Simon VALMARY After an unprecedented day of chaos and deadly violence, Kenya finds itself plunged into uncertainty on Wednesday, with lawmakers due to vote this week on deeply unpopular tax hikes that have sparked widespread protests. How did East Africa's economic powerhouse get to this point and what happens now? Tuesday's national strike against proposed tax hikes began peacefully, with […]

June 26, 2024 14

Interview Transcripts

INTERVIEW: Nrupesh Soni: Digital Media Expert on TikTok Raises Concerns Over Privacy

Renowned digital media expert Nrupesh Soni has recently expressed significant concerns about TikTok's data privacy practices. In a detailed discussion, Soni highlighted the extensive data collection conducted by the popular social media platform and the potential risks associated with its usage. "It's quite well known that TikTok reveals your private information and collects a lot more data than needed for a social media network," Soni stated. He emphasized that […]

June 24, 2024 24

Namibia

Expert Nrupesh Soni Raises Alarm Over TikTok’s Data Privacy Practices

Digital media authority Nrupesh Soni has voiced serious apprehensions regarding TikTok's handling of data privacy. In a thorough analysis, Soni underscored the extensive data gathering procedures employed by the widely-used social media platform and outlined the potential risks inherent in its usage.

June 24, 2024 87

Africa

TikTok activism: how queer Zimbabweans use social media to show love and fight hate

iZhenya/iStock/Getty Images Plus, CC BY By Gibson Ncube, Stellenbosch University and Princess Sibanda, University of Fort Hare In Zimbabwe, there is a long held public view that queerness is “unAfrican” and imported to Africa from the west. Even though numerous studies have proven this not to be true, reiterations of this lie by the state has led many to believe that lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer […]

May 29, 2024 23