ByteDance promised to sue if the U.S. bans TikTok. Legal experts weigh in on what it means for users

In the event of a lawsuit, the U.S. government would likely argue national security issues. Legislation forcing TikTok’s parent company to sell the video-sharing platform or face a ban in the U.S. received President Joe Biden’s official signoff Wednesday. But the newly minted law could be in for an uphill battle in court.Critics of the sell-or-be-banned ultimatum argue it violates TikTok users’ First Amendment rights. The app’s China-based owner, ByteDance, has already promised to sue, calling the measure unconstitutional.But a court challenge’s success is not guaranteed. The law’s opponents, which include advocacy organizations like the American Civil Liberties Union, maintain that the government hasn’t come close to justifying banning TikTok, while others say national-security claims could still prevail.For years, lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have expressed concerns that Chinese authorities could force ByteDance to hand over U.S. user data, or influence Americans by suppressing or promoting certain content on TikTok. The U.S. has yet to provide public evidence to support those claims, but some legal experts note that political pressures have piled up regardless.If upheld, legal experts also stress that the law could set a precedent carrying wider ramifications for digital media in the U.S.Here’s what you need to know. Continue reading at 'Fast Company'

[ Fast Company | 2024-04-25 14:12:32 UTC ]
News tagged with: #national-security claims #force bytedance #video-sharing platform #uphill battle #amendment rights #china-based owner #measure unconstitutional #expressed concerns #chinese authorities #user data #influence americans #political pressures #legal experts #digital media

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Sarah Silverman sues OpenAI and Meta over copyright infringement

Sarah Silverman is suing OpenAI. On Friday, the comedian and author, alongside novelists Christopher Golden and Richard Kadrey, filed a pair of complaints against OpenAI and Meta (via Gizmodo). The group alleges the firms trained their large language models on copyrighted materials, including... Continue reading at Engadget

[ Engadget | 2023-07-10 17:53:22 UTC ]
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Lawsuit Challenges Montana's Sweeping New Ban on Drag Performances

In a July 7 filing, the plaintiffs, including a local bookseller, say that the new law is "motivated by anti-LGBTQ+ animus” and imposes an “unconstitutional content and viewpoint-based restriction” on free speech. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-07-10 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Hoopla, Overdrive/Libby Now Banned for Those Under 18 in Mississippi

Public libraries in Mississippi have cut off access to digital platforms like Overdrive and Hoopla to those under 18. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2023-07-07 15:33:07 UTC ]
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YA author shoots to No 1 on Amazon bestseller list after viral TikTok video

TikToker Jerrad Swearenjin approached Shawn Warner during a book signing because he looked ‘super defeated’A debut author struggling with sales became Amazon’s No 1 bestseller this week after a video of the writer at a quiet book signing went viral on TikTok.58-year-old Shawn Warner was sitting... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2023-07-07 13:47:16 UTC ]
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Bestselling authors Mona Awad and Paul Tremblay sue OpenAI over copyright infringement

Two bestselling novelists filed a suit against OpenAI, claiming the company used intellectual property to 'train' its artificial intelligence chatbot. Continue reading at Los Angeles Times

[ Los Angeles Times | 2023-07-01 14:28:47 UTC ]
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TikTok Sells A Lot of Books. Now, Its Owner Wants to Publish Them, Too.

As ByteDance launches a publishing company, many in the book world wonder if it will create an uneven playing field by boosting its own authors at the expense of others. Continue reading at The New York Times

[ The New York Times | 2023-07-01 09:00:50 UTC ]
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From Fan Fiction to TikTok: Long Live the Microgenre

With the rise of fan fiction publishing and TikTok, microgenres — genres that have defined and specific plots — have reached new heights. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2023-06-28 10:33:00 UTC ]
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ALA 2023: Experts and Allies Supply Librarians with Information and Tools to Fight Censorship

The professional program at the 2023 ALA Annual Conference was packed with information to help librarians and advocates battle book bans and other challenges to the freedom to read. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-06-27 04:00:00 UTC ]
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News publishing giant Gannett sues Google for monopolizing ad tech

Gannett, a news publisher accused of monopolistic behavior, is suing Google for monopolistic behavior. It’s the latest in a string of lawsuits against the search giant, and it repeats many of the arguments made by the Department of Justice in its second lawsuit against Google, filed earlier this... Continue reading at Engadget

[ Engadget | 2023-06-20 16:46:02 UTC ]
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Texas Officially Bans So-Called “Sexually Explicit” Books; Demands Book Ratings from Vendors

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[ Book Riot | 2023-06-15 10:40:00 UTC ]
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Illinois Governor Signs Landmark New Law to Discourage Book Bans in Libraries

The new law, signed by Illinois governor J.B. Pritzker on June 12, conditions state grant funding for libraries on adopting and adhering to the American Library Association’s Library Bill of Rights or adopting a written policy that would protect books and other resources. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-06-13 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Pundits Weigh in on Gilbert's Decision to Pull Russian-Set Novel Over Ukrainian Backlash

While many authors and critics condemned Elizabeth Gilbert's choice to pull her forthcoming novel 'The Snow Forest' from Riverhead's publishing schedule, two contrary statements from PEN America and the Authors Guild show there is no consensus over the controversy. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-06-13 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Librarians Strike Back Against Comics Bans

Comics and graphic novels are prime targets in the current battle to ban books at libraries across the country, and librarians who have championed the comics form find themselves on the front lines. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-06-09 04:00:00 UTC ]
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ALA 2023: Program Picks for Dealing with Book Bans

This year’s conference features an especially strong lineup of programs responding to the ongoing nationwide surge in book bans and legislative challenges to the freedom to read. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-06-09 04:00:00 UTC ]
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ALA 2023: Behind the Book Bans

PW talks to author and iSchool professor Emily Knox about book banning has changed in just a few short years—and, perhaps most importantly, why it’s changed. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-06-09 04:00:00 UTC ]
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White House Announces New Position to Combat Book Bans

In honor of Pride Month, the White House today announced a set of actions designed to protect LGBTQIA+ communities, including the appointment of a new coordinator within the Department of Education to facilitate a response to the rising number of book bans at the state level. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-06-08 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Coalition Sues Over New Arkansas Library Obscenity Law

A coalition of 18 plaintiffs—including a powerful alliance of library, publishing, author, and bookseller groups—are suing to strike down a controversial new law that would expose librarians and booksellers to criminal liability for making allegedly inappropriate books accessible to minors. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-06-05 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Librarians, Publishers File Amicus Briefs in Texas Book Banning Case

With oral arguments set for June 7 before a judge on the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, librarians and publishers have weighed in on a closely watched case in Texas concerning the banning of books in Llano County, Texas. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-06-05 04:00:00 UTC ]
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AMC transfers its on-demand streaming users to Vudu

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[ Engadget | 2023-06-01 14:00:33 UTC ]
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What Banned Books Can Teach Us: Building an LGBTQ Picture Book Library for Pride 

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[ Literrary Hub | 2023-06-01 08:53:12 UTC ]
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