TIKTOK

'This is a culture': TikTok murder highlights Pakistan's unease with women online
Following the tragic murder of a teenage TikTok star in Pakistan, many female influencers are facing increased scrutiny and backlash. Sana Yousaf's death, after rejecting a man's advances, sparked online condemnation of her social media presence.

From IP to cosplay influencer: Singapore student builds career in fashion and wig design
Singapore polytechnic student Elise Lim left the Integrated Programme to pursue fashion and cosplay, gaining nearly 100,000 TikTok followers. Now a wig and prop designer, she balances school and commissions while building a career in the creative arts. Her work highlights the rise of cosplay influencers and alternative career paths

Get smart by going back to dumb phone
Driven by Gen Z and millennials, dumb phones are making a comeback as individuals seek relief from constant connectivity and digital overload. This revival aligns with digital minimalism and the desire for healthier relationships with technology. The trend reflects a conscious effort to balance hyper-connectivity with simplicity, offering a respite from the demands of modern smartphone use.

Bo Loudon, Barron Trump’s best friend, says he got ICE to detain TikTok star Khaby Lame, sparks fury
Bo Loudon, who says he’s Barron Trump’s best friend, claims he helped get TikTok star Khaby Lame detained by ICE for visa issues. Khaby was arrested in Las Vegas and later left the U.S. Loudon says he worked with Trump’s DHS, but ICE hasn’t confirmed this.

Amazon asks court to scrap EU tech label, arguing it poses no systemic risks
Amazon urged the EU’s General Court to annul its VLOP status under the Digital Services Act, arguing its marketplace poses no systemic risks. It claims the rules are disproportionate, misapplied, and ineffective in curbing illegal content, with existing regulations already addressing potential consumer harms.

Khaby Lame deported: Did a Trump family insider get the world’s most-followed TikToker ICE’d?
Khaby Lame deported: TikTok star Khaby Lame, the world’s most-followed content creator, was detained and deported from the U.S. for overstaying his visa. His quiet exit took a surreal turn when Bo Loudon, an 18-year-old Trump ally and friend of Barron Trump, claimed he tipped off ICE. The episode has drawn outrage and irony: a man who mocks unnecessary complexity was ejected by one of the world’s most opaque systems. Lame left America without protest, but the absurdity spoke volumes.
Viral icon Khaby Lame detained by ICE and forced to leave the U.S. — fans worldwide rally behind the TikTok star
TikTok star Khaby Lame was detained in Las Vegas by immigration officials for allegedly overstaying his visa, coinciding with increased immigration enforcement. Lame, known for his silent reaction videos, voluntarily departed the U.S. to avoid a deportation order and potential reentry ban.
Meta and TikTok challenge tech fees in second highest EU court
Meta and TikTok challenged an EU supervisory fee under the Digital Services Act, calling it disproportionate and based on flawed calculations. They argued the methodology lacked transparency and fairness, while the Commission defended using group profits. The General Court will rule next year.
How rich is Khaby Lame? Inside the net worth of TikTok’s most-followed star
Khaby Lame, the TikTok sensation, faced a setback after reportedly being detained by ICE agents at Las Vegas airport for allegedly overstaying his U.S. visa. Lame, known for his silent comedy, opted for voluntary departure, preserving his chances of future U.S. entry.
Who is Khaby Lame and why the world's most popular TikTok star left the US?
Khaby Lame, a famous TikTok star, faced detention by US immigration. Officials stopped him at Las Vegas airport. They alleged he overstayed his visa. Lame was allowed to leave voluntarily. This avoids a formal deportation. Lame rose to fame with his silent comedy. He has millions of followers. He recently attended the Met Gala.
Why TikTok star Khaby Lame was deported by ICE in LA
Khaby Lame, the most-followed TikTok star globally, was briefly detained by U.S. immigration authorities in Las Vegas for overstaying his visa. The 25-year-old Italian-Senegalese influencer was granted voluntary departure and has since left the country. His detention sparked controversy after pro-Trump influencer Bo Loudon claimed credit for tipping off authorities. The incident underscores the sharpened edge of U.S. immigration policy under President Trump’s renewed crackdown and highlights the strange intersections of viral fame and politics.
Meta's Threads to test direct messaging feature in select markets
Meta's Threads is rolling out direct messaging in select markets like Hong Kong and Thailand, eliminating the need to switch to Instagram for DMs. This aims to attract users, leveraging Threads' more than 350 million monthly active users, as Meta competes with rivals like X and TikTok. Messages won't be encrypted initially.
New TikTok diet trend sparks backlash as experts warn it's fueling a dangerous new wave of harmful eating habits
TikTok's 'SkinnyTok' trend is promoting harmful diet culture, featuring extreme weight loss and unrealistic body standards. Experts warn it's causing mental and physical health issues, especially among young women. The trend normalizes disordered eating, impacting relationships and overall well-being, urging users to curate their feeds and seek professional help.
China leaders take reins at TikTok Shop in US as sales miss goal
TikTok Shop in the US is navigating turbulent waters as it struggles to meet its ambitious sales targets. In a significant shift, ByteDance has appointed leaders with strong ties to China, leading to a wave of cultural adjustments and communication hurdles. As uncertainty looms, many employees find themselves either let go or leaving voluntarily, causing a stir within the organisation.
AI-generated Pope sermons flood YouTube, TikTok
With names such as "Pope Leo XIV Vision," the social media pages portrayed the pontiff supposedly offering a flurry of warnings and lessons he never preached. But disclaimers annotating their use of AI were often hard to find and sometimes nonexistent. On YouTube, a label demarcating "altered or synthetic content" is required for material that makes someone appear to say something they did not. But such disclosures only show up toward the bottom of each video's click-to-open description.
What is a 'Labubu' and why has the $7,000 bug-eyed Pop Mart toy fuelled so much hype
Pop Mart: Labubu, a mischievous-looking vinyl toy created by artist Kasing Lung, has gone from niche character to viral sensation. Sold through Chinese retailer Pop Mart in blind boxes, these toothy figures have sparked global demand, driven by TikTok unboxing trends and celebrity endorsements. Prices have surged on resale platforms, even reaching $7,000 for limited editions. Amid shortages and chaos at store launches, fans are turning to smugglers, raising concerns over overconsumption, counterfeits and ethical reselling.
Lululemon’s new maxi dress goes viral — Why TikTok can’t stop talking about its design and price
Lululemon's new dress has gone viral, sparking debate on TikTok. While some hail it as versatile and elegant, others question the hype, price, and its "thneed" status.
What is #SkinnyTok and why was it banned on TikTok?
TikTok has globally blocked the #SkinnyTok hashtag following mounting criticism from European regulators, particularly in France, over its promotion of unhealthy weight-loss content. The ban directs users searching the hashtag to mental health support, marking a significant step toward protecting young users. Despite this, harmful content persists under altered tags. European officials, including France’s Digital Minister Clara Chappaz and EU Consumer Protection Commissioner Michael McGrath, are pushing for stronger regulations to safeguard children online and curb the damaging influence of social media.
Who was Sana Yousaf? Teen TikTok influencer shot dead on her birthday in Pakistan
Sana Yousaf, a 17-year-old TikTok influencer from Pakistan’s Chitral region, was shot dead in her Islamabad home on her birthday, 1 June 2025. Police suspect an honour killing, allegedly carried out by a male guest at her residence. Known for championing women's rights and Chitrali culture, Sana had over 500,000 followers across social media. Her killing has sparked national outrage and renewed concerns about the safety of women online. Authorities have launched a manhunt, but no arrests have yet been made.
Load More