Gen Z Finds Connection, EU Slams TikTok's Design

The European Union has ordered TikTok to overhaul its "addictive design" or face significant fines, following an investigation that revealed breaches of online safety rules. The video-sharing platform, owned by a Chinese company, was found to have inadequately assessed the potential harm of features like autoplay on user well-being, particularly for children, and failed to implement sufficient risk mitigation measures, according to the European Commission.

The investigation, which commenced in February 2024, highlighted concerns about TikTok's design and its impact on users. The Commission's preliminary findings indicated that the platform did not fully address how features could negatively affect users. A TikTok spokesperson, however, refuted the findings, calling them a "categorically false and entirely meritless depiction of our platform" and stated the company's intention to challenge them.

In other news, Gen Z is increasingly turning away from trendy nightlife and embracing a return to local dive bars. Young adults born between 1997 and 2012 are seeking out the atmosphere of "Cheers" and "Friends," favoring local spots for their laid-back environments, better deals, and opportunities for real-world connection, according to Business Insider. Industry insiders have noted this trend across the country, with young people embracing the regular-at-a-local-spot vibe reminiscent of the 1990s.

Meanwhile, a recent incident in China highlighted the risks of hidden cameras in hotel rooms. A couple discovered that footage of their intimate moments in a Shenzhen hotel room had been broadcast to thousands of strangers on a pornography channel. The couple, identified as Eric and his girlfriend, were unaware that their privacy had been violated.

In a separate story, the potential vulnerabilities of the U.S. power grid were examined. The article discussed the impact of solar flares, referencing the 1859 Carrington Event, which caused widespread disruption to telegraph systems.