FCC commissioner calls on Google and Apple to ban Tik-Tok app
In response to concerns that American TikTok user data is being collected and viewed in China, a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) member is calling on Apple and Google to remove TikTok from their app stores.
FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr tweeted a letter to Apple and Alphabet CEOs Tim Cook and Sundar Pichai. He raised concerns about TikTok's Chinese ownership in his complaint: "harvests swaths of sensitive data that new reports show are being accessed in Beijing."
Since the FCC does not regulate app stores, Carr cannot force them to ban TikTok. Nevertheless, the request marks another chapter in TikTok's complicated relationship with the government.
A recent BuzzFeed News report revealed that Beijing-based employees of TikTok's parent company, ByteDance, had accessed private information on U.S. users. Carr called TikTok's business "sheep's clothing" that hides a sophisticated mass surveillance tool behind a funny video app for young people.
A spokesperson for TikTok would not respond directly to Carr's letter, but said they are willing to engage with lawmakers to "set the record straight."
In a letter published by the New York Times, TikTok chief executive Shou Zi Chew disputed the BuzzFeed report. However, he stated that some Chinese employees can access U.S. user data "subject to robust cybersecurity controls and authorization approval protocols overseen by our U.S.-based security team."
He also said the company hasn't been asked for that information by the Chinese Communist Party, and that TikTok would not provide it if asked.
No comment was received from Apple or Google on whether the app will be removed.
It will be interesting to see where this goes, but it is probably best to use TikTok with caution until there is more information released. Make sure that your privacy settings within the app are on, and you can also request a download of the data that TikTok has on you just to see what they are gathering. Simply go to your settings and click the arrow next to "Download Data".
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Back to School Block Party in Dallas!
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The City of Dallas is hosting a free back to school block party featuring food, music, a petting zoo, live entertainment, games, Touch-a-Truck, and more. This annual Back to School Block Party is a free, family event full of fun and excitement!
Bring your whole family and come celebrate the upcoming school year. The Party will take place after the first week back to school in Paulding County. It will be held in Downtown Dallas on Saturday, August 6th, from 4 pm to 8 pm. The address is 200 Main St, Dallas, GA 30132.
Have you heard about Touch-A-Truck? It is an exciting and educational activity for kids. Touch-a-Truck allows children to meet their hometown heroes and get in their favorite vehicles, such as a fire truck, a helicopter, a police car, and more.
Check out the event page on Facebook here.
We hope to see you all there and that you all have a great school year!
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Sangria Mexican Mule Cocktail
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I recently tried this new cocktail recipe and you'd be surprised — this sweet and fruity concoction packs a powerful tequila punch! Just what I need on a hot summer day 😎
Ginger beer spice and dry red wine give this cocktail a delicious kick.
You don't need bartending training to make this Mexican mule recipe. This recipe is a breeze for me, and I am by no means an expert bartender. It doesn't require crazy skills or tools, so even a beginner can make it.
Here's how I make it:
Ingredients Needed:
- 2 ounces of tequila
- 1 ounce of red wine, chilled
- 1/2 ounce of fresh lime juice
- 4 ounces of ginger beer, chilled
- Fresh blackberries and lime slices for garnish
Instructions:
- Half-fill a double rocks glass with ice then add the tequila, wine, and lime juice.
- Stir gently to combine, then top up with ginger beer and stir once more.
- Garnish with a few fresh blackberries and a lime slice. Enjoy!
*Drink responsibly and never drink & drive. It's not worth the risk to yourself and everyone else.
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"Try to only break one law at a time" - Michael, Sr.
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Woman Parks in Police Chief's Spot to Smoke Weed 🤦🏼♂️
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Police say a woman was arrested on unlawful possession of marijuana charges in the Northport Police Department parking lot. But it's worse than that.
A woman pulled into the parking lot of the Northport Police Department and Village Justice Court and cut off an unmarked police car, police say. She was then seen using her cell phone while driving, and she proceeded to park in the police chief's designated parking spot.
When the Chief saw his parking spot was taken, he found 26-year-old Arielle Bonnici smoking weed in her car!
WHY was she at the police station smoking pot? Well, she was there to go to the courthouse next door, to fight another marijuana charge she was facing.
When officers approached her, she rolled down her window and let out a huge cloud of marijuana smoke. She was caught smoking a pipe containing marijuana.
"At this point, the two officers started laughing. Besides cutting off a police car, on the cellphone, parking in the chief's parking spot, now she's smoking marijuana in the back of a courthouse and police station," says Northport Police Chief William Ricca.
The police issued Bonnici a field appearance ticket and a traffic ticket for using her cellphone while driving. She was then taken to the courtroom to be arraigned on the new marijuana charges.
Can someone please give her an award for being an exceptionally stupid criminal?!
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