Last weekend, TikTok videos went viral that purported to show how to receive free money from Chase Bank ATMs across the country. The technique involved depositing a check for a large amount of money the user didn’t actually have and withdrawing a smaller but substantial amount before anything officially cleared. In reality, the “glitch” was better known as fraud. And now, JP Morgan Chase has confirmed the bank is reporting the people who committed the crimes to authorities.
“As with any fraud-related issue, we review internally and refer to law enforcement as appropriate,” a Chase spokesperson told the Wall Street Journal on Friday. “Regardless of what you see online, depositing a fraudulent check and withdrawing the funds from your account is fraud, plain and simple.”
It’s not entirely clear how many people may have tried this scheme, but the Journal describes it as “thousands.” The viral meme got so popular that tens of millions of people have watched TikTok videos about the “glitch” at this point, according to the Journal.
One popular video on TikTok features a woman on the phone trying to explain to her mother that they’re letting people get between $40,000 and $50,000 for nothing with this infinite money “glitch.” The mother is rightly skeptical and says she doesn’t want her bank account closed, while her daughter insists her account won’t be closed since it’s just a glitch.
Some videos on TikTok even showed people throwing money they’d ostensibly gotten through this method into the air in celebration. But Chase told the Journal they’ve frozen some accounts who tried it, though, again, the exact numbers haven’t been disclosed. And the bank is giving “surveillance footage and other information related to individuals” to police.
While there were far too many people who believed that this was a “glitch” that wouldn’t get them into any trouble, the tide has certainly turned at this point, with most new videos about the ATM scam ridiculing people who thought it was just a loophole rather than check fraud.
“Only TikTok would transform grand larceny into a ‘life hack’ and rename check fraud as ‘a glitch,’” one user on X wrote after the videos had started to go viral.
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service also tweeted “unlimited money glitch” with a monocle inspection emoji earlier this week, expressing skepticism.
“Don’t believe the TikTok trend, check fraud is a serious crime. You will be prosecuted. If it sounds too good to be true…” the account continued.
“unlimited money glitch” 🧐
Don’t believe the TikTok trend, check fraud is a serious crime. You will be prosecuted. If it sounds too good to be true…
— US Postal Inspection Service – Headquarters (@USPISpressroom) September 3, 2024
If you’re having a conversation about the hardest-working and most talented people in the industry, Abigail Barlow simply has to be in that conversation! From making some of our favorite pop music, including her newest track, ‘Strike Out,’ to crafting the soundtrack for Moana 2, there is truly nothing Abigail can’t do! We simply had to pick her brain and get all the details about everything she is up to!
Hi Abigail! Thank you so much for taking the time to talk with us! To start us off, how would you describe the music you’re making to someone who is tuning in for the first time? Absurdly fun, flirty, fierce, and unserious!
We have not been able to turn off ‘Please Me!’ What was the inspiration behind this song and the visuals behind it displayed in the lyric video? Aw, I’m glad you love it! ‘Please Me’ started as a verse and chorus I posted to TikTok in 2020 about nothing and no one in particular. Until this past year, the idea was sitting on a shelf. That is until I met a handsome stranger in NYC… We went on a date in the city, and the next day, I was baking sweets in his kitchen. Classic 50s housewife behavior! I tried to emulate that energy in the visuals for this song, as it’s secretly a fantasy of mine to time travel.
One thing about ‘Please Me’ that immediately stuck out to us is that it sounded like you had taken all the best parts of tried and true pop music and combined them all into one song. When crafting the track, were you always planning for the track to be fun, upbeat, and reminiscent of the early 2000s pop songs? Honestly, the production of this song started with me using any producer girl trick I had to make the demo sound somewhat fun and listenable. It wasn’t until I collaborated with Michael Dunaief that the production really came to life in that bubblegum 2000s way.
We know you spend a lot of time creating with a partner as Barlow & Bear, so with that in mind, what do you find is the biggest advantage to working solo on your music, and on the same note, the biggest advantage to working with Emily on Barlow & Bear projects? Being part of a collaboration is so incredibly sacred to my life these days. It grounds me, enlightens me, and fulfills me in ways working alone just doesn’t compare to. In the same breath, it’s so important that both of us have balance with personal endeavors. It keeps our partnership healthy and ever-evolving, together and separately.
Moana 2 is officially a go! What is it like jumping in on the soundtrack to a sequel of such a treasured movie? Literally a DREAM. I can’t even put into words how honored I am to be a part of the world of Moana. She is my girl, and I can’t wait for everyone else to experience the masterpiece we’ve been working on for two years!
Something that we can’t just glide over is that you have a Grammy! As a musician, we know what a huge accomplishment that is. What can you tell us about finding out you’d won? We were at the ceremony, and it was surreal. Walking onstage and actually giving the speech we prepared *just in case* was an out-of-body experience. Best moment of my life so far!
Songwriting is a huge part of you as an artist. When you’re writing a track, how do you know if it’s something you are going to work on for your catalog or offer to another artist? Honestly, I’m not married to anything I write because I write a LOT of songs. A cut is a cut! If a big pop star wants it, I have no qualms with giving it away. My songs are like my children. I just want them to be heard. And loved. :’)
We have to ask, with The Unofficial Bridgerton Musical soundtrack and the soon-to-be Moana 2soundtrack in your back pocket, if you could go back in time and put ‘Please Me’ on any soundtrack, which one would it be? LOL! I think it could be in some 2000s rom-com getting-ready montage for sure.
‘Strike Out’ is the newest track! The song is a full-on pop dream. Where did the inspiration for the track come from? ‘Strike Out’ is my bi-girl anthem. It’s inspired by my yearning for love and how I’m in search of it literally everywhere, from a club in Santa Monica to a bar in Hollywood.
‘Strike Out’ follows ‘Please Me,’ do you think there is an invisible string connecting these two tracks? Definitely! If ‘Please Me‘ is the fantasy of being a wife and mother, ‘Strike Out’ is my reality as a 25-year-old girl just doing her BEST to find love. Either way, I’m just having fun being a songwriter. It’s never too serious. 😉
The cover art for ‘Strike Out’ dawns on the infamous Barbie font. If you could have had this track play during a scene in the Barbie movie, what scene would that have been? I love this Q! I guess when they start deprogramming all the Barbies from the Kendom. Honestly one of my fav parts of the movie.
Once again, thank you so much for taking the time to chat with us! We like to end these interviews by asking what is on the horizon. What can fans look forward to as we venture into the last half of 2024? I’m doing my darndest to release *one more pop song* before the release of Moana 2 in theaters on November 27th! After that, who knows? A tour? An album? I guess you’ll have to follow me to find out 😉
We would love to hear from you! What is your favorite Abigail Barlow release between ‘Please Me’ and ‘Strike Out?’ Let us know by commenting down below or by tweeting us @TheHoneyPOP! We are also on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok!
These days, the inception of many careers starts on social media. At first, there was YouTube, now there’s TikTok. This video-based social media platform is where Sam Tompkins began posting clips of himself singing covers of popular songs. While many aren’t successful, Sam Tompkins had a different story to tell.
His story truly starts with his cover of Bruno Mars’ “Talking To The Moon,” which sent viewers into a frenzy over Tompkins’ captivating voice. From there, he collaborated with JNR CHOI to create a viral remix of the song…which would become the soundtrack for millions of TikTok’s by users everywhere.
He’s a mega-viral singer who has already proven that he’s not letting this moment end. Sure, there’s always the question of “what’s next,” but Tompkins seems to have the formula figured out. His vocal ability has gotten him here for a reason, and fans quickly recognized that his relatable lyrics and hard-hitting choruses are replay-worthy.
But it’s not just the fans who love Tompkins…who has received recognition from superstars like Elton John, Bebe Rexha, and Justin Bieber. There’s something special woven into his silky smooth vocals that makes Sam Tompkins an obvious choice for the next star in the music industry.
His debut album, hi, my name is insecure, which was released on July 26, is a step inside Tompkins’ soul. While many artists play it safe during the first submissions, it’s clear that Sam had a different approach…and we’re lucky he did.
The album itself is stunning: an aesthetically pleasing, sonically dynamic masterpiece that showcases his depth as an artist. A ballad-heavy, introspective piece of work with tracks like “lose it all”, which was another hit among listeners and fans. Each song is riddled with emotion and ladened with instrumental backing that just contributes to the well-rounded tracks.
You can listen to hi, my name is insecure here:
He’s one of the most exciting artists out there, and he deserves all the success he’s receiving…and while he may make it look easy, we know it certainly is not.
We spoke with Sam Tompkins about his debut album, touring with The Kid LAROI, and much more! Check it out below:
Congratulations on your debut album, hi, my name is insecure! As your first official album, what was it like to create a full body of work? Creating an album is difficult in hindsight as I’m sure you can imagine, but actually (at least for me), it felt really natural. I loved the writing process and recording and figuring it all out step by step. it was chaos and it was tricky at times, but it just felt right.
What is the main message behind your album? How does it represent you as an artist?
I guess the main message would be a problem shared is a problem halved. that’s kinda my mantra as a person and artist to be honest. Be vulnerable and you will find the challenges you’re faced with don’t feel as scary. Saying “hi my name is insecure” straight off the bat as the title for my introduction to the world as an artist just felt like the right thing to do. I am insecure and i will not be ashamed of that anymore. it’s natural… we all feel it.
While the album title is a bit self-explanatory, what does it mean to you? How did it feel right when making the single and the album?
I always compare it to 8 Mile. That rap battle at the end where Eminem’s character basically just insults himself for the first verse using all of the negative things he knew his opponent was gonna use against him basically rendering the other guy useless. When i say i’m insecure and own that, i am essentially taking control and power over the situation. You just went on tour with The Kid LAROI…what was your favorite part about touring live? Will we see a solo Sam Tompkins tour soon?
It was amazing. Honestly, my favourite part was seeing one of my favourite artists doing his thing in the flesh. Yes! I am supporting Myles Smith across America in September and then doing my own tour in Europe and the uk in November!
Your “Talking To The Moon” cover went viral on TikTok. Can you tell us a little about that experience?
Honestly, it was just such a whirlwind. I was just bored one night and decided to make the video and it just changed my life in so many ways. Kinda crazy to experience that level of vitality, but it’s something I’m super proud of.
What are three words you’d use to describe this album?
We hail Taylor Swift for many things: her innate musical ability, her consistent chart-topping albums, her drive. And her personal life is something we’ve all been invested in for years, whether it’s her boyfriend Travis Kelce or even her private jet usage, people are obsessed with Swift.
And while the Eras Tour is all the rage right now, selling out in seconds and causing a outright siege on Ticketmaster, I’m not paying attention to surprise songs…or the teasing of the reputation (Taylor’s Version) re-release…I’m fully focused on Taylor Swift’s makeup.
You see, the woman has performed in rain, in the heat of the summer, dancing and charming, and belting out songs for hours upon hours…and her makeup doesn’t move. There’s not a single photo with Taylor’s mascara running down her face, her blush is still intact, it’s actually an anomaly.
Taylor Swift’s makeup routine may be one of the most sought-after recipes in the world. Why can’t we keep our faces in flawless condition, ready for any event or natural disaster that comes our way? It seems unfair.
Well, for one, we don’t have makeup artists and a team of stylists curating the best routine for our faces and skin tones. But, we can take a note from the artists and see what products they use.
Look, I’m not performing for hours on a stage for tens of thousands, but I am going out and sweating my makeup off night after night. And heaven forbid it rains. So, I need to prepare my makeup just like I’m on tour. It’s the only way.
Okay, I’ve done my research and I’m willing to share. If you want Taylor Swift’s makeup routine, here are the go-to Taylor Swift makeup products you need:
The Secret? It’s All Pat McGrath
Pat McGrath is similar to Patrick Ta: both celebrity makeup artists-turned-beauty-brand-gurus who make incredibly viral makeup. There’s a reason they’re two of the most in-demand names in the beauty industry right now.
Tons of celebrities are often seen wearing Pat McGrath thanks to its second skin-like finish and long-lasting wear. Fans have been asking for years for Taylor Swift’s routine, and while it’s never fully been confirmed…we have an idea thanks to some internet sleuths unearthing a number of hints.
Swift collaborated with legendary makeup artist Pat McGrath for the “Bejeweled” music video from her album, Midnights, where McGrath herself even makes a cameo. Not only that, but fans have figured out she’s a regular McGrath fan thanks to the likes of Deuxmoi.
Taylor Swift’s makeup routineDeuxmoi via Instagram
So, it’s safe to say that Taylor is exclusively using Pat McGrath makeup products. It makes sense, considering they’re luxurious, premium quality, and highly celebrated by makeup artists.
And while Pat McGrath may be on the pricier end of Sephora products, it’s well worth the money. When shopping for makeup, I use Girl Math. Sure, foundation can sometimes cost upwards of $50…but that’s $50 for six months of wear…or $10 per month! So cheap.
Now that we know the brand and some of the products that Taylor’s rumored to enjoy. Here are a few:
We’re all aware that Taylor opts for a bold red lip, it’s kind of her signature. But don’t be afraid to try the other shades in this collection. While LiquiLUST: Legendary Wear Matte is very Taylor, it’s also great to layer with a gloss.
Pricey, but well worth it. The Sublime Perfection Foundation sets in like a second skin while covering any imperfections or discoloration that you may have. It gives a subtle glow that we all love while remaining full coverage. Plus, it stays on the skin forever.
One of Taylor’s lyrics is literally “dry the cat eye sharp enough to kill a man” so you know when it comes to eyeliner Taylor doesn’t play. Pat McGrath Labs’ PERMA PRECISION liner is silky smooth to use and glides effortlessly over any lid…giving you an easy wing in no time.
What I love about the Skin Fetish Highlighter is that they’re easy to keep in your purse for on-the-go fixes. They pack a major punch when it comes to shine, and you can put it anywhere on your face, including your eyelids for a subtle glimmer look.
While I’m personally not a fan of primer in general, I can’t discount Taylor’s makeup regmen. It endures. It stays on her face through anything, so it’s got to be working. Plus, when you pair the same foundation, setting powder, and primer, it’s going to look cohesive.
I’ve spoken volumes about this palette. While it may be on the more expensive side, it’s definitely worth your money. First of all, consider how often you’re buying eyeshadow. Palettes last a long time, and this highly pigmented one is packed with color.
It’s buildable, blendable, and easy for beginners to use. Plus, the rose shades are amazing.
A federal appeals court Tuesday revived a lawsuit filed by the mother of a 10-year-old girl who sued TikTok after her daughter died in 2021 from attempting the so-called “blackout challenge” that dared people to choke themselves until they lost consciousness. While social media companies have been protected from liability in the past, Jo Ling Kent explains why this case could be different.
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Demure fashion and quiet luxury are cut from the same cloth — quite literally, considering the same designer brands can be associated with either. Both trends’ emphasis on high necklines, long sleeves and floor-grazing bottoms falls in line with modest fashion, another space that has been around for much longer than either of these trends. Last year, quiet luxury was compared to modest fashion — and rightly criticized for society’s double standards that favor modesty as a trend over modesty as representation. However, the popularity of both trends highlights that modest-wear brands and dressers deserve credit, and respect, where it’s due.
It’s not just you. The word “demure” is being used to describe just about everything online these days.It all started earlier this month when TikTok creator Jools Lebron posted a video that would soon take social media by storm. The hair and makeup she’s wearing to work? Very demure. And paired with a vanilla perfume fragrance? How mindful.Video above: Rossen Reports: TikTok made me buy it, but does it really work?In just weeks, Lebron’s words have become the latest vocabulary defining the internet this summer. In addition to her own viral content that continues to describe various day-to-day, arguably reserved or modest activities with adjectives like “demure,” “mindful” and “cutesy,” several big names have also hopped on the trend across social media platforms. Celebrities like Jennifer Lopez and Penn Badgley have shared their own playful takes, and even the White House used the words to boast the Biden-Harris administration’s recent student debt relief efforts.The skyrocketing fame of Lebron’s “very mindful, very demure” influence also holds significance for the TikToker herself. Lebron, who identifies as a transgender woman, said in a post last week that she’s now able to finance the rest of her transition.”One day, I was playing cashier and making videos on my break. And now, I’m flying across country to host events,” Lebron said in the video, noting that her experience on the platform has changed her life.She’s not alone. Over recent years, a handful of online creators have found meaningful income after gaining social media fame — but it’s still incredibly rare and no easy feat.Here’s what some experts say.How can TikTok fame lead to meaningful sources of income?There is no one recipe.Finding resources to work as a creator full-time “is not as rare as it would have been years ago,” notes Erin Kristyniak, vice president of global partnerships at marketing collaboration company Partnerize. But you still have to make content that meets the moment — and there’s a lot to juggle if you want to monetize.On TikTok, most users who are making money pursue a combination of hustles. Brooke Erin Duffy, an associate professor of communication at Cornell University, explains that those granted admission into TikTok’s Creator Marketplace — the platform’s space for brand and creator collaborations — can “earn a kickback from views from TikTok expressly,” although that doesn’t typically pay very well.Other avenues for monetization include more direct brand sponsorships, creating merchandise to sell, fundraising during livestreams and collecting “tips” or “gifts” through features available to users who reach a certain following threshold. A lot of it also boils down to work outside of the platform.And creators are increasingly working to build their social media presence across multiple platforms — particularly amid a potential ban of the ByteDance-owned app in the U.S., which is currently in a legal battle. Duffy notes that many are working on developing this wider online presence so they can “still have a financial lifeline” in case any revenue stream goes away.Is it difficult to sustain?Gaining traction in the macrocosm that is the internet is difficult as is — and while some have both tapped into trends that resonate and found sources of compensation that allow them to quit their nine-to-five, it still takes a lot of work to keep it going.”These viral bursts of fame don’t necessarily translate into a stable, long-term career,” Duffy said. “On the surface, it’s kind of widely hyped as a dream job … But I see this as a very superficial understanding of how the career works.”Duffy, who has been studying social media content creation for a decade, says that she’s heard from creators who have had months where they’re reaping tremendous sums of money from various sources of income — but then also months with nothing. “It’s akin to a gig economy job because of the lack of stability,” she explained.”The majority of creators aren’t full-time,” Eric Dahan, the CEO and founder of influencer marketing agency Mighty Joy, added.Burnout is also very common. It can take a lot of emotional labor to pull content from your life, Duffy said, and the pressure of maintaining brand relationships or the potential of losing viewers if you take a break can be a lot. Ongoing risks of potential exposure to hate or online harassment also persist.Is the landscape changing?Like all things online, the landscape for creators is constantly evolving.Demand is also growing. More and more platforms are aiming not only to court users, but to bring aspiring creators to their sites. And that coincides with an increased focus on marketing goods and brands in these spaces.Companies are doubling down “to meet consumers where they are,” said Raji Srinivasan, a marketing professor at The University of Texas at Austin’s McCombs School of Business. YouTube and other social media platforms, such as Instagram, have also built out offerings to attract this kind of content in recent years, but — for now — it’s “TikTok’s day in the sun,” she added, pointing to the platform’s persisting dominance in the market.And for aspiring creators hoping to strike it big, Dahan’s advice is just to start somewhere. As Lebron’s success shows, he added, “You don’t know what’s going to happen.” AP technology writer Barbara Ortutay contributed to this story from Oakland, California.
NEW YORK —
It’s not just you. The word “demure” is being used to describe just about everything online these days.
It all started earlier this month when TikTok creator Jools Lebron posted a video that would soon take social media by storm. The hair and makeup she’s wearing to work? Very demure. And paired with a vanilla perfume fragrance? How mindful.
Video above: Rossen Reports: TikTok made me buy it, but does it really work?
In just weeks, Lebron’s words have become the latest vocabulary defining the internet this summer. In addition to her own viral content that continues to describe various day-to-day, arguably reserved or modest activities with adjectives like “demure,” “mindful” and “cutesy,” several big names have also hopped on the trend across social media platforms. Celebrities like Jennifer Lopez and Penn Badgley have shared their own playful takes, and even the White House used the words to boast the Biden-Harris administration’s recent student debt relief efforts.
The skyrocketing fame of Lebron’s “very mindful, very demure” influence also holds significance for the TikToker herself. Lebron, who identifies as a transgender woman, said in a post last week that she’s now able to finance the rest of her transition.
“One day, I was playing cashier and making videos on my break. And now, I’m flying across country to host events,” Lebron said in the video, noting that her experience on the platform has changed her life.
She’s not alone. Over recent years, a handful of online creators have found meaningful income after gaining social media fame — but it’s still incredibly rare and no easy feat.
Here’s what some experts say.
How can TikTok fame lead to meaningful sources of income?
There is no one recipe.
Finding resources to work as a creator full-time “is not as rare as it would have been years ago,” notes Erin Kristyniak, vice president of global partnerships at marketing collaboration company Partnerize. But you still have to make content that meets the moment — and there’s a lot to juggle if you want to monetize.
On TikTok, most users who are making money pursue a combination of hustles. Brooke Erin Duffy, an associate professor of communication at Cornell University, explains that those granted admission into TikTok’s Creator Marketplace — the platform’s space for brand and creator collaborations — can “earn a kickback from views from TikTok expressly,” although that doesn’t typically pay very well.
Other avenues for monetization include more direct brand sponsorships, creating merchandise to sell, fundraising during livestreams and collecting “tips” or “gifts” through features available to users who reach a certain following threshold. A lot of it also boils down to work outside of the platform.
And creators are increasingly working to build their social media presence across multiple platforms — particularly amid a potential ban of the ByteDance-owned app in the U.S., which is currently in a legal battle. Duffy notes that many are working on developing this wider online presence so they can “still have a financial lifeline” in case any revenue stream goes away.
Is it difficult to sustain?
Gaining traction in the macrocosm that is the internet is difficult as is — and while some have both tapped into trends that resonate and found sources of compensation that allow them to quit their nine-to-five, it still takes a lot of work to keep it going.
“These viral bursts of fame don’t necessarily translate into a stable, long-term career,” Duffy said. “On the surface, it’s kind of widely hyped as a dream job … But I see this as a very superficial understanding of how the career works.”
Duffy, who has been studying social media content creation for a decade, says that she’s heard from creators who have had months where they’re reaping tremendous sums of money from various sources of income — but then also months with nothing. “It’s akin to a gig economy job because of the lack of stability,” she explained.
“The majority of creators aren’t full-time,” Eric Dahan, the CEO and founder of influencer marketing agency Mighty Joy, added.
Burnout is also very common. It can take a lot of emotional labor to pull content from your life, Duffy said, and the pressure of maintaining brand relationships or the potential of losing viewers if you take a break can be a lot. Ongoing risks of potential exposure to hate or online harassment also persist.
Is the landscape changing?
Like all things online, the landscape for creators is constantly evolving.
Demand is also growing. More and more platforms are aiming not only to court users, but to bring aspiring creators to their sites. And that coincides with an increased focus on marketing goods and brands in these spaces.
Companies are doubling down “to meet consumers where they are,” said Raji Srinivasan, a marketing professor at The University of Texas at Austin’s McCombs School of Business. YouTube and other social media platforms, such as Instagram, have also built out offerings to attract this kind of content in recent years, but — for now — it’s “TikTok’s day in the sun,” she added, pointing to the platform’s persisting dominance in the market.
And for aspiring creators hoping to strike it big, Dahan’s advice is just to start somewhere. As Lebron’s success shows, he added, “You don’t know what’s going to happen.”
AP technology writer Barbara Ortutay contributed to this story from Oakland, California.
It’s the height of lobster season in Maine, and one lobsterman is providing a unique look into the process of trapping the crustaceans. Jacob Knowles has become a social media sensation on TikTok, and now, he’s inviting “CBS Saturday Mornings” to join him for a day on the water to learn the secret of his success.
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Ladies and gentlemen … she got him. This weekend, Deuxmoi broke the news: Doja Cat and Joseph Quinn are dating.
This is like when your most delusional friend actually lands the thing they’ve been making insane scenarios about. Or when the most embarrassing person you know pops up in a functioning relationship. This is proof that if they can do it, anyone can. And the lore with the pop hitmaker and the Stranger Things star is so deep that I can’t help but wish this odd couple well.
If you aren’t chronically online with a brain that’s merely a Rolodex of pop culture facts (it’s getting to be a problem for me — my obsession with Deuxmoi’s Sunday Spotteds has eaten up years of my life at this point and don’t even get me started on my screen time), here’s the rundown on their lore — which started two years ago.
It might seem like a millennium has passed since the last season of the Netflix smash hitStranger Things dropped, but it’s only been two years. With the season’s release, Quinn shot to popularity as the lovable outcast Eddie. Doja Cat was one of many admirers, brazenly tweeting that she thought he was “fine as sh*t.”
The since-deleted tweet is the first record of their courtship. It’s her version of Gatsby throwing a party in hopes that Daisy will attend. She was shooting her shot. It feels crazy that Doja Cat — a viral superstar who inspired a song by none other than other British heartthrob Central Cee — pulls the same tactics as I do by posting strategic Instagram stories. Celebs really are just like us.
However, for a minute there, it looked like the two would never get to this point. In her quest to get her man, Doja didn’t stop at a tweet. She slid into the DMs … of Quinn’s 17-year-old costar, Noah Schnapp.
“Noah can you tell Joseph to hit me up,” Doja asked Schnapp. “Wait no. does he have a gf?” Of course, as a 17-year-old, Noah Schnapp immediately posted this message on TikTok. Despite the familiar tone of her message, it turns out the two didn’t know each other at all — so why was Doja asking him for favors? And asking a teenage boy to be your matchmaker, especially one who barely had any scenes with Quinn, is a strange move — the things we do for love.
This weird moment obviously went viral and resulted in a short feud between Schnapp and the “ Say So” star. Doja accused the teenager of “bullying” her, calling it “degrading,” “exploitative,” and “super embarrassing.” However, after a few TikToks and livestream rants, Schnapp claimed everything was “all good” between them.
We all thought that was the end of it — until recently, when Quinn and Doja Cat were seen strolling arm-in-arm around London. Talk about the long game.
It seems the songstress has been cozying around with the Hawkins heartthrob for weeks. I mean, who would have thought that the brooding, mysterious Eddie Munson from Stranger Things and the bold, boundary-pushing Doja Cat would make such an iconic pair? But you know what they say – opposites attract, and these two are proof that you can manifest anything.
Fans have even started referencing that original tweet to manifest their own dreams — from other celebrities to jobs and even “Mike Faist employment” by calling them “fine as sh*t.” If it worked for Doja, universe, just know I think a Challengers sequel would be fine as sh*t.
A London boy and a pop princess, coming together to create pop culture magic — we’ve seen this story before. Let’s hope this pairing lasts. But even if it doesn’t, the two have started a movement that the internet is calling “ London Boy Fall.”
From Tom Holland and Zendaya to Olivia Rodrigo and Louis Partridge — plus Gracie Abrams and Paul Mescal (yes, we know he’s Irish but the two have been cozying it up around London) — I’m looking up flights to London as we speak.
What’s next for the two stars, time can only tell. Quinn is about to set off on his press tour for Gladiator II (and filming Stranger Things 5, I hope), but the two of them are enjoying a London summer while ushering up London Boy Fall.
Echoes of TikTok’s “Very demure, very mindful,” trend took over the internet so fast that I fear many people missed the joke. August 2 will forever go down in history as the day TikToker Jools Lebron (@joolieannie) posted a video titled “How to be demure at work” about her now-famous approach to life. “See how I come to work?” she said. “Very demure.”
The original video has over 7M views — which is a level of viral people and PR agents dream about. However, her follow-up video went even more viral, with over 21M views. The most viral has 36M. That’s close to three times the population of New York City. So, no wonder none of us can deny Jools’s impact.
In this follow-up video she expanded the vocabulary of the demure cinematic universe, saying she was: “very approachable, very considerate, very mindful.” Other words that have become part of Lebron’s lore are “modest,” “cutesy” and the portmanteau of “demuretsy.”
While both videos were instantly iconic and became trending audios for other creators instantly, some people began to notice one important factor: what was considered demure one day wasn’t so mindful the next.
In her first video, Lebron said that showing her “chichis” was “very demure” — as long as you show up to the job how you showed up to the interview. Yet, video two was all about the importance of wearing a high-cut shirt.
I hate to explain a joke — it takes half of the fun out of it — but Lebron knew exactly what she was doing with that. And slowly, viewers started to catch on, too. “We need a demure rule book that gets more convoluted and inconsistent as you add rules for us!!” said one comment — to which Lebron replied: “YOU GET IT.”
A video titled “How to be demure when you order your food” is one of the most illustrative of this tongue-and-cheek flexibility. “I’m not like you other girls, I don’t go out and eat Wingstop after work, I get a nice salad.” Cut to, a clip of Miss Demure’s plate, laden with salmon, loaded potatoes, mac and cheese, shrimp, and more from Longhorn Steakhouse. “Very demure,” she affirms to the camera. This is a core part of the joke. Anything can be demure if you will it — and anything can be a salad if you call it that.
If anything can be demure, is anything really demure?
The demure saga expanded exponentially, fast. It was the masterclass on living that I never knew I needed. Wear “ very short, very simple” nails, Lebron preached while wearing sparkly acrylics. She also gave tips on how to be demure in citations that aren’t so cutesy. “How to pick up your ID you left at the gay bar,” for example. Or even how to make “Apple,” the song of BRAT summer, more demure when your friends want to do the TikTok dance. (This one has Charli’s stamp of approval after she commented, “very cutesy!!!” on this demure devotional.)
Demure is a state of mind. Demure is a lifestyle. And many creators have taken that to heart, adopting the tongue-in-cheek nature of the videos to justify literally any of their whims.
However, TikTok’s penchant for isolating sounds, and now individual words, from their individual contexts has added some problematic layers to the discourse. Imagine if Nara Smith started giving out tips on how to be demure. Or, god forbid, the Ballerina Farm mother, Hannah Neelman. This sound would take a very different tone.
That’s why, divorced from its original, cutesy context, people are starting to wonder, is being demure regressive? While some creators reveled in the trend and declared it a demure fall, others made videos and posts about how they weren’t demure. Honestly, they could’ve shared the same sentiments while claiming to be demure about it, and it would’ve been a whole lot more fun.
On one hand, I get it. Many of the people complaining about everybody integrating the TikTok “very demure, very mindful” trend into their lives have been marginalized in some way by the tyranny of compulsory femininity with hereteronormative paradigms. When taken at face value, being “demure” is something they’ve likely fought against.
But that’s where the trend gets misunderstood. As a trans woman, Lebron’s commentary on feminity isn’t just tongue-in-cheek because of her hilarious juxtapositions. It’s inherently subversive — and that’s the point.
The inherent queerness of the demure trend
As the TikTok “very demure, very mindful” trend took off, some people had no idea where it came from. Quickly, some well-meaning videos amassed comments like “You don’t know what demure means” or “This feels very MAGA.”
Meanwhile, some people who discovered Lebron’s content and took it seriously didn’t take her seriously. Cue the transphobia. Predictably, because the internet is a hellscape, these trolls couldn’t fathom why a trans woman would ever speak on femininity. Comments flooded Lebron’s videos.
She responded to one that said, “A man giving advice to women on their appearance is crazy,” with the perfect rebuttal to transphobes (okay, maybe second to that one guy at the DNC).
“I’m very mindful on the internet,” she said. “I take jokey jokes and I hang out with the girly girls … I don’t get mad and dissolve into transphobia.”
But the demure trend isn’t just queer because Lebron is queer. In fact, just because everyone has started using the TikTok “very demure, very mindful” trend in their lives doesn’t mean it’s new.
Internet sensation Devin Halbal has been making videos about “keeping it demure” for months. Meanwhile, the “mindfulness” part of the trend might be a play on last summer’s “be mindful of why you were invited” trend where people jokingly encouraged being … there’s no other word for it: demure.
And what’s more queer than being playful about gender norms? Lebron’s identity is transgressive and, in acknowledging her deviation from expected gender expression as a non-passing trans woman, she claims ideas of feminity that are weaponized against her by asserting everything about her, and her life, is feminine, cutesy, demure.
Lebron is following a legacy. In an August 13 video to credit the “many demura divas” who have “paved the way” for her, including trans sisters like artist and content creator Selyna Brillare or ballroom icon Venus Xtravaganza. “Demure is just a way of life for the girls, for the dolls like me,” Lebron said, adding, “Who’s the original demure? Well, all of us. Being demure is thanking the people who have come before you while you pave the path for the people who will come after you.”
And while trans people, especially trans people of color, have historically been erased from subcultures they influenced and created, something very different is happening here. Lebron has posted multiple times about how her new fame has “changed [her] life.” She recently reported that she can even finance the rest of her transition thanks to her virality.
That’s the most cutesy thing of all. As we bask in her influence and use the TikTok “very demure, very mindful” trend to inspire our social media posts: “Let’s not forget to be demure, divas.”
And check out Jools Lebron (@joolieannie)’s most demure tête-à-tête with the fabulous RuPaul – Guest Host forJimmy Kimmel Live on the 2nd night of the DNC.
The rumors are true, we haven’t stopped listening to Amy Shark’s new album Sunday Sadness since our first listen-through. From songs like ‘Can I Shower At Yours,’ to ‘I’m Sorry,’ we are simply hooked. We were lucky enough to chat with Amy Shark about the in’s and out’s of this record, as well as her time coaching The Voice, her past work, and more! Let’s jump in!
Hi Amy! Thank you so much for taking the time to talk with us! To start us off, if someone was diving into your music for the first time, how would you describe your sound? I think I would describe it as honest, gritty, indie pop.
‘My Only Friend’ has just come out! What can you tell us about working with Tom DeLonge and how that partnership came about? The whole blink collaboration was never a part of the plan. They just happen to be my favourite band but I never in a million years did I think that I would be able to do a song with even one of them let alone all of them. Tom was the hardest to lockdown just because he’s so busy with other commitments, movies, aliens, etc but after I sent him the song he made it very easy. He loved the verse I wrote and he tracked his vocals in San Diego and sent them over to me. I worked on it with my producer and the rest is history. It’s one of the coolest songs I have in my entire catalog.
Upon listening to ‘My Only Friend’ we thought back to a track you released last month ‘Two Friends,’ to us, it seemed like ‘My Only Friend’ was ‘Two Friends’ softer counterpart, is there an intentional string between the two? I feel like I have unintentionally written an album about two friends haha. Every song can kinda hold hands with the next. It’s kinda cool.
As we are writing these questions Sunday Sadness comes out in twenty days, how are you feeling? What are the emotions leading up to your first album release since 2021? I’m quietly confident, but I’m still a little nervous. I really want people to love it as much as I do. But then again, it is my third album so by this time I really know what my fans love. They’re going to love this album and hopefully, it’s good enough to grab more Amy Shark fans along the way.
When talking about Sunday Sadness you said that this record was specifically written on Sundays, what do you think it is about Sundays that allows you to create so freely? And when did you realize that a creative pattern was forming? There was one specific Sunday where I was finishing a song, it was the last song on the album ‘Our Time Together.’ It’s a pretty emotional song full of memories. I think that’s when I realized that Sundays have always been the emotional day that I can’t escape. Even when I try and work on a Sunday by finishing songs the songs end up emotional.
We were lucky enough to be able to listen to Sunday Sadness a bit early to prep for this interview, and it’s incredible. What really struck us is the range of emotions that the listener is taken through with these tracks, it really feels like getting an inside look at your diary. With that range in mind, are there two lyrics on the record that you think perfectly represent two opposite ends of the emotional spectrum? Yeah, totally! I’m so glad you picked that up. I love the very opening line to the record in ‘Slide Down The Wall’,“ doesn’t matter what I do. I always get emotional with you”. But then you hear the line “tell everyone you’re dead to me” in the song ‘Gone’ and I love how this album feels like a series of mini-movies! So many ups and downs but a lot of love throughout.
For us, eleven tracks is such a sweet spot for an album, but we know that the number of songs that could have been on the record was probably a much higher number, was there a song that you wrote during the process of making Sunday Sadness, but that didn’t make the album that you hope still sees the light of day in some capacity? Yes, this always happens to me. It’s very sad. But it’s like sport. Only the strongest get picked for the team, unfortunately. But it doesn’t mean I don’t care about those on the bench.
We know that crafting an album takes a village, and there are so many thank you’s that could be said to the people involved, but something that is often hard for people to do is to pat themselves on the back. What is something that you accomplished during the process of crafting Sunday Sadness that you are proud of yourself for? I explored every single avenue for every single song on this record. I wasn’t lazy. I worked really hard to make sure every song could stand strong on its own. Even if I had to heavily compromise or lose a guitar riff that I was attached to. I did everything I could to make this album as strong as I believe it is. I’m proud of that.
We have to take a minute to ask about Australian Idol, was there a piece of advice that you were able to give a constant on that show that you wish someone would have given you when you were starting out? Music isn’t a sport, no one can tap you on the shoulder and tell you to retire because you’re not strong enough or fast enough. You can keep making art all day every day for the rest of your life! There’s no age to making music. So just because it’s a ‘no’ today. Just get up and get after it again tomorrow.
Once again, thank you so much for taking the time to chat with us! Before we let you go, what is the rest of 2024 shaping up to look like for you once the record is out? I plan on promoting this album to every part of the world!
We would love to hear from you! What is your favorite song off of the new Amy Shark album Sunday Sadness? Let us know by commenting down below or by tweeting us @TheHoneyPOP! We are also on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok!
The word demure, seemingly out of nowhere, exploded online this month and sparked a cultural conversation. The beauty influencer who started the viral trend, Jools Lebron, told “CBS Mornings” about the inspiration behind her popular demure video — and what the word represents to her.
“Your demure is what it means to you. It’s being mindful and considerate of the people around you, but also of yourself and how you present to the world,” Jools told “CBS Mornings.”
Backstory of the “demure trend”
The “demure” trend started in early August when Jools posted a 38-second video showcasing her professional makeup look.
“See how I do my makeup for work? Very demure, very mindful. I don’t do too much. I’m very mindful while I’m at work. See how I look? Very presentable. A lot of you girls go to the interview, looking like Marge Simpson and go to the job looking like Patty and Selma, not demure,” she said in the TikTok video that propelled the word “demure” into the spotlight.
At the time, Jools told “CBS Mornings” she was working as a cashier and posting content from her car — never imagining that her videos would reach millions. Her “demure” theme began as a reference to another video, where she had chosen to go with a more natural look for her first day at a new job after initially doing a more dramatic makeup style at a previous job.
“I was like, let’s go very natural. Let’s not do too much. So then I was like, I don’t show up to the first day with a green cut crease. I don’t show up looking like a clown, but I was really referencing how I had shown up at another job,” she explained in an interview with “CBS Mornings.”
What does “demure” mean?
Jools, known as joolieannie on TikTok, said her version of “demure” isn’t just about appearance; it’s a statement of self-awareness and confidence.
“We’re all like in this; we’re unified, like nothing has to be so serious. Nothing has to be so aggressive. Like everything could just be very cute. Where, you know, we don’t do too much. We only do a little bit. I’m not crazy with it. I’m very demure,” she said.
With millions of TikTok views and a growing fan base, Jools is redefining what it means to be “demure” in the digital age. For Jools, it’s not just a saying — it’s a way of life. She uses “demure” not just to describe her classic, understated style but also as a playful nod to her identity as a trans woman.
“When I did start making TikToks, I found more girls like me. I found girls who are plus size who are trans, who are having the same experiences that come uniquely with that set of combinations,” she explained.
Jools said she was surprised by what the video has become. Despite trying different types of content over the years — from makeup tutorials to videos about Bratz dolls — nothing took off like her recent “demure” series. The platform has significantly impacted Jools’ life, providing her with brand opportunities.
As she continues to rise in popularity, Jools remains committed to promoting a positive message. She encourages others to find their own meaning in being “demure” and to be mindful and considerate in how they present themselves.
“Your demure is what it means to you. It’s being mindful and considerate of the people around you, but also of yourself and how you present to the world,” she said.
Analisa Novak is a content producer for CBS News and the Emmy Award-winning “CBS Mornings.” Based in Chicago, she specializes in covering live events and exclusive interviews for the show. Analisa is a United States Army veteran and holds a master’s degree in strategic communication from Quinnipiac University.
Photo-Illustration: Vulture; Photos: The Emoji Company, Jools Lebron via TikTok
Oh, word? TikTok is expanding its vocabulary again. On August 2, TikToker Jools Lebron, @joolieannie, posted a video pointing out her minimal makeup and laid wig, reflecting, “See how I come to work? Very demure.” Less than two weeks later, she’s now made dozens of viral TikToks about being demure — with the most-watched one sitting mindfully at 10.7 million views. The word has now entered the app’s vernacular; you might say that taking away Jordan Chiles’s bronze medal is not very demure, for example. Look in a dictionary — demure is defined as “reserved, modest,” and perhaps a “little coy.” Lebron’s guidelines, however, are a bit more flexible. According to her account, there are a lot of ways to be “mindful,” “cutesy,” “sweetsy,” “considerate,” or any of the other adjectives she uses to describe this mind-set. It’s demure for Lebron to have her “chichis out” at work, but it’s also demure for her to wear a high-cut top. A demure diva chooses to get a salad after clocking out for the day — even though Lebron is showing off a multicourse meal, it’s a salad if she says it is — and even if it isn’t, look how demure and mindful she is to bring home leftovers.
This mind-set doesn’t only apply to work, ladies. So far, Lebron has given tongue-in-cheek reminders about how to behave on planes and in gay bars, and figured out how to fit everything from midnight snacks to conflictingperfume tips into her not-like-other-girls mind-set. “We need a demure rule book that gets more convoluted and inconsistent as you add rules for us!!” one commenter suggested. “YOU GET IT,” Lebron replied.
These videos are not meant to be serious critiques. Instead, Lebron is often joking about her own behavior; she says she’s shown up to work in a green-glitter cut-crease makeup look — not exactly demure — and a recent video where she declares that she doesn’t drink or party is accompanied by footage of her slurring “very demure” to herself while looking for her hotel room after a night out in Las Vegas. Maybe it’s time for everyone who embraced being a little messy and dumb in the spirit of Brat summer to remind themselves how demure they can be? Charli XCX is already down for the next trend of the season, commenting “very cutesy!!!” on Lebron’s demure version of the “Apple” dance.
As this trend continues to take off, Lebron made a point in an August 13 video to credit the “many demura divas” who have “paved the way” for her, including trans sisters like artist and content creator Selyna Brillare, kudasai selfie-stick queen Devin Halbal, and ballroom icon Venus Xtravaganza. “Demure is just a way of life for the girls, for the dolls like me,” Lebron said, adding, “Who’s the original demure? Well, all of us. Being demure is thanking the people who have come before you while you pave the path for the people who will come after you.” Behold, the fruits of DemureTok.
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In the latest batch of reimagined Y2K trends, TikTok has managed to resurrect a peak early ’00s staple: charm jewelry. That’s right — the chunky charm necklaces and metallic charm bracelets that once dominated your accessories drawer are proving to be fashion’s most coveted commodity this fall. And they’re not just here to take over standard jewelry pieces; bag charms are also popping up on the arms of A-listers and style influencers alike, with designer brands like Coach and Kate Spade New York releasing their own novelty pieces.
So, what’s inspired this charmcore craze? For starters, few fashion accessories provide a more failsafe way to turn heads the moment you walk into a room — in part, because of their notoriously loud, jangly design. Charm jewelry also offers a more sustainable route for updating your wardrobe each season; rather than investing in a new work bag or necklace, you can simply reimagine your older pieces with charm accessories that’ll add some welcomed character (and color) to any style.
Much like friendship bracelets, the charmcore trend is all about wearing things that showcase your personality and play up your interests. It’s kitschy, it’s niche, and oftentimes even a little tacky — but that’s what makes it so fun. And if you’re looking to test out the charm jewelry trend for yourself but don’t know where to start, fear not — we’ve got you covered.
From earring charms to charm keychains that you can use to dress up your bags, boots, and more, we’ve rounded up the best charm jewelry to wear this season and beyond. Our top picks come from both charm jewelry brands and larger retailers like Nordstrom and Urban Outfitters. Looking for a specific style? Browse through our categories below.
Mostly, that didn’t pan out. Though the move generated fawning “age of the influencer” pieces from outlets like The New York Times and Bloomberg, neither consumers nor advertisers (who NBCUniversal said could create sponsored posts with the influencers, should they desire) seem to have responded all that well to the network’s “Paris Creators Collective,” which spent the past two weeks bopping around between Olympic events.
Instead, what caught the public’s attention was content from athlete creators like USA rugby team star Ilona Maher, who gained almost 2 million new followers in the past couple of weeks thanks to her witty fit checks and Love Island–like references to the “Olympic Villa.” Norwegian swimmer Henrik Christiansen became famous for his love of a gooey chocolate muffin served in the Olympic Village, while other fans consumed seeminglydozensofnationalkitunboxingvideos made by athletes from all around the globe.
People have also fallen for hip figures, like Olympic shooters Kim Yeji and Yusuf Dikeç or Stephen Nedoroscik, the bespectacled American gymnast who really should work on getting a Warby Parker endorsement deal if he hasn’t landed one already. People have also gone nuts (again) for the reportedly highly valuable Olympics commentary of Snoop Dogg, who NBCUniversal officially brought on board for the first time for these Games.
The videos that NBC’s influencers are posting, on the other hand, don’t seem to be hitting—or going viral, at least. Part of that could be due to the limitations handed to the creators, who weren’t allowed to post videos of the actual events.
The resulting videos feel a little thin, with commentary that’s less biting or immediate than what’s been making the rounds elsewhere. (After all, if NBCUniversal flies you to Paris and puts you up, you’re probably not going to comment on how goofy the Australian breakdancer’s moves were or how you couldn’t see squat from your expensive seat at the Opening Ceremony.)
Christopher Nolan didn’t release a movie this year, so theaters are bringing back one of his old ones to compensate. Interstellar was set to return to theaters next month but will instead be delayed until December, Variety reports.
Kotaku’s Hopes For Spyro The Dragon’s (Reported) Comeback
The 2014 space epic starring Matthew McConaughey, Anne Hathaway, and Jessica Chastain will hit theaters again on December 6 instead of September 27 as originally planned. The revival marks the 10th anniversary of Nolan’s ninth movie and will include 70mm IMAX showings.
Interstellar tracks astronauts on a mission to find a new habitable planet for Earth’s remaining residents to flee to. It’s a movie about the destruction of the planet and the power of love, and one of Nolan’s more emotional and human projects. It’s the only time he’s worked with McConaughey, and the actor gave one of his best performances in it at the peak of the McConaissance (Dallas Buyer’s Club was a year earlier).
So why the delay? “The theatrical release date was pushed to align with the home entertainment relaunch,” Variety reports. I have no idea what that really means since Interstellar is already available at home, but the publication says Paramount disputes recent rumors that the shift was due to lost or destroyed copies of the original 70mm reels.
Instead, Paramount says it has plenty of archived copies of the movie, but that some film reels experience wear and tear from standard use. The company adds that it’s normal for them to become unusable after their original theatrical runs. I guess Paramount just didn’t want to get clobbered by Transformers One at the box office that month.
Whatever the case, it’ll be worth it to wait a few extra months so fans can once again witness one of the coolest space sequences in film on the big screen. It’ll also be interesting to reappraise one of Nolan’s headiest movies (he co-wrote it with his brother, Jonathan Nolan). A recent viral TikTok popularized an entirely inverted interpretation of the movie that’s full of holes but fun to contemplate on a re-watch.
The Justice Department on Friday filed a federal lawsuit against TikTok and its parent company ByteDance, saying that the social media giant collected data on users under the age of 13 without getting the permission of their parents. Scott MacFarlane has details.
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(Associated Press) – The Justice Department sued TikTok on Friday, accusing the company of violating children’s online privacy law and running afoul of a settlement it had reached with another federal agency.
The complaint, filed together with the Federal Trade Commission in a California federal court, comes as the U.S. and the prominent social media company are embroiled in yet another legal battle that will determine if TikTok will continue to operate in the country.
The latest lawsuit focuses on allegations that TikTok and its China-based parent company ByteDance violated a federal law that requires kid-oriented apps and websites to get parental consent before collecting personal information of children under 13.
The Justice Department sued TikTok on Friday, accusing the company of violating children’s online privacy law and running afoul of a settlement it had reached with another federal agency. The complaint, filed together with the Federal Trade Commission in a California federal court, comes as the U.S. and the prominent social media company are embroiled in yet another legal battle that will determine if – or how – TikTok will continue to operate in the country. Related video above: About 3 in 5 Americans View TikTok as a Threat to National Security, PEW Research Center study findsThe latest lawsuit focuses on allegations that TikTok, a trend-setting platform popular among young users, and its China-based parent company ByteDance violated a federal law that requires kid-oriented apps and websites to get parental consent before collecting personal information of children under 13.TikTok did not immediately respond to a request for comment. “This action is necessary to prevent the defendants, who are repeat offenders and operate on a massive scale, from collecting and using young children’s private information without any parental consent or control,” Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division, said in a statement.The U.S. decided to file the lawsuit following an investigation by the FTC that looked into whether the companies were complying with a previous settlement involving TikTok’s predecessor, Musical.ly.In 2019, the federal government sued Musical.ly, alleging it violated the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act, or COPPA, by failing to notify parents about its collection and use of personal information for kids under 13.That same year, Musical.ly — acquired by ByteDance in 2017 and merged with TikTok — agreed to pay $5.7 million to resolve those allegations. The two companies were also subject to a court order requiring them to comply with COPPA, which the government says hasn’t happened. In the complaint, the Justice Department and the FTC allege TikTok has knowingly allowed children to create accounts and retained their personal information without notifying their parents. This practice extends to accounts created in “Kids Mode,” a version of TikTok for children under 13, Justice said in a press release explaining the lawsuit. The two agencies allege the information collected included activities on the app and other identifiers used to build user profiles. They also accuse TikTok of sharing the data with other companies – such as Meta’s Facebook and an analytics company called AppsFlyer – to persuade “Kids Mode” users to be on the platform more, a practice TikTok called “re-targeting less active users.” The complaint says TikTok also allowed children to create accounts without having to provide their age, or obtain parental approval, by using credentials from third-party services. It classified these as “age unknown” accounts, which the agencies say have grown into millions.After parents discovered some of their children’s accounts and asked for them to be deleted, federal officials said their requests were not honored. In a press release explaining the lawsuit, Justice said the alleged violations have resulted in millions of children under 13 using the regular TikTok app, allowing them to interact with adults and access adult content. In March, a person with the matter had told the AP the FTC’s investigation was also looking into whether TikTok violated a portion of federal law that prohibits “unfair and deceptive” business practices by denying that individuals in China had access to U.S. user data. Those allegations were not included in the complaint, which is seeking civil penalties and injunctive relief.
The Justice Department sued TikTok on Friday, accusing the company of violating children’s online privacy law and running afoul of a settlement it had reached with another federal agency.
The complaint, filed together with the Federal Trade Commission in a California federal court, comes as the U.S. and the prominent social media company are embroiled in yet another legal battle that will determine if – or how – TikTok will continue to operate in the country.
Related video above: About 3 in 5 Americans View TikTok as a Threat to National Security, PEW Research Center study finds
The latest lawsuit focuses on allegations that TikTok, a trend-setting platform popular among young users, and its China-based parent company ByteDance violated a federal law that requires kid-oriented apps and websites to get parental consent before collecting personal information of children under 13.
TikTok did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
“This action is necessary to prevent the defendants, who are repeat offenders and operate on a massive scale, from collecting and using young children’s private information without any parental consent or control,” Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division, said in a statement.
The U.S. decided to file the lawsuit following an investigation by the FTC that looked into whether the companies were complying with a previous settlement involving TikTok’s predecessor, Musical.ly.
In 2019, the federal government sued Musical.ly, alleging it violated the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act, or COPPA, by failing to notify parents about its collection and use of personal information for kids under 13.
That same year, Musical.ly — acquired by ByteDance in 2017 and merged with TikTok — agreed to pay $5.7 million to resolve those allegations. The two companies were also subject to a court order requiring them to comply with COPPA, which the government says hasn’t happened.
In the complaint, the Justice Department and the FTC allege TikTok has knowingly allowed children to create accounts and retained their personal information without notifying their parents. This practice extends to accounts created in “Kids Mode,” a version of TikTok for children under 13, Justice said in a press release explaining the lawsuit.
The two agencies allege the information collected included activities on the app and other identifiers used to build user profiles. They also accuse TikTok of sharing the data with other companies – such as Meta’s Facebook and an analytics company called AppsFlyer – to persuade “Kids Mode” users to be on the platform more, a practice TikTok called “re-targeting less active users.”
The complaint says TikTok also allowed children to create accounts without having to provide their age, or obtain parental approval, by using credentials from third-party services. It classified these as “age unknown” accounts, which the agencies say have grown into millions.
After parents discovered some of their children’s accounts and asked for them to be deleted, federal officials said their requests were not honored. In a press release explaining the lawsuit, Justice said the alleged violations have resulted in millions of children under 13 using the regular TikTok app, allowing them to interact with adults and access adult content.
In March, a person with the matter had told the AP the FTC’s investigation was also looking into whether TikTok violated a portion of federal law that prohibits “unfair and deceptive” business practices by denying that individuals in China had access to U.S. user data.
Those allegations were not included in the complaint, which is seeking civil penalties and injunctive relief.
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