The Clock is Ticking on TikTok

There are more than 100 million TikTok active daily users in the U.S. Last week, Australia banned TikTok on all government devices, joining the U.S., Britain, Canada, India, the European Union, and dozens of other countries. Half of the fifty states have already passed laws prohibiting or partially banning access to the wildly popular Chinese social media app.
The RESTRICT Act (S. 686) was introduced last month with rare bi-partisan support. If I were a betting man (and I am), I’d bet $100 that some version of S.686 will pass and become law.
The clock is ticking on TikTok. But why?
Privacy and security experts have been concerned about TikTok’s use of users’ private data and who gets to see and use that data. After I saw a clip of Joe Rogan reading off some of TikTok’s Terms of Service (TOS), I decided to take a look myself. The updated TOS can be found here.
After reading the TOS, I deleted the app from my phone. I never really used the app personally anyway. Then I got curious. I went down a rabbit hole. I started looking at the TOS for a lot of other apps. Some of the biggest names in tech have similar access to your data and privacy. Social media giant Facebook can get access to just about everything. Weather apps, like The Weather Channel and AccuWeather, are equally as cringy. If you play mobile games, like Words With Friends or Angry Birds, you’re in the same boat.
Every app accesses your personal data. It’s a trade-off. You get a free app that does some cool stuff, and you pay with your privacy. So at the end of the day, ask yourself, do you trust the company that gave you the technology? If yes, download it away. If not, delete it.
MONDAY:
VIRGINIA GOLF
In honor of Golfer’s Day, let’s talk about one of Virginia’s top-rated golf courses at Two Rivers Country Club. The 18-hole Tom Fazio-designed golf course nestled along the James and Chickahominy Rivers is a dream place to play for any golfer. No matter your skill age or skill level, everyone is welcome to work on their swing. Check out their available Golf Memberships and programs.
TUESDAY:
SUSTAINABLE PRINTING
Recently, our client and longtime friends at Wythken Printing have taken another step toward sustainability. As a Dominion Energy Green PowerⓇ program participant, Wythken Printing supported the purchase and generation of 56,520 kWh of renewable energy. That’s equivalent to planting 564 trees and allowing them to grow for 10 years! If you’re looking for sustainable printing solutions in or around Richmond, get a custom quote from Wythken for your next project.
WEDNESDAY:
LESSONS FROM MASTERCLASS
The Madison+Main-iacs have been busy working on projects and professional development. Since the start of this year, our team has been learning from the best of the best (literally) on Masterclass to sharpen their skills. From the best practices for writing ads to strategy for social media content creation, there’s a lot to learn from others in the industry.
THURSDAY:
MEMORABLE MEMORY CARE
Another one of our clients shared some groundbreaking senior living news. Williamsburg Landing will be the first in Virginia to offer a Namaste Program for residents of their Memory Support Program who are living with advanced dementia. Developed by Joyce Simard, Namaste Care allows families to learn new ways to stay connected with their loved ones when verbal communication is not longer available. Learn more about their plans for this new program and how it will benefit residents living with memory impairment or loss.
FRIDAY:
MOMENT OF NONSENSE
A while back, I presented what we call a “Thriving Thursday” – an effort to educate the team on something learned outside (or inside) of work. My topic was nonsense in the workplace, and how taking a moment to indulge in the incredulous can be beneficial to creativity, productivity, and overall team morale. So, in honor of International Moment of Laughter Day, take a moment to do something silly, tell a joke, or pose a nonsensical question – just for the heck of it.
A FEW OF OUR FAVORITE EVENTS
FETCH Fest: Presented By Holiday Barn
Main Line Brewery
1603 Ownby Way
Richmond, VA 23220
May 7, 2023 | 11 – 2 p.m.
Looking for live music, food, and interactive stations that focus on pet wellness? Holiday Barn Pet Resorts is presenting FETCH Fest – the culminating event to celebrate a five-week fundraising competition that helps bring awareness to pet cancer. Mark your calendars!
“Social media puts the ‘Public’ into PR, and the ‘market’ in marketing.” — Chris Brogan, President of New Marketing Labs