Image by Burst, from Negative Space
TikTok Music To Shut Down Worldwide In November
- Written by Kiara Fabbri Former Tech News Writer
- Fact-Checked by Justyn Newman Former Lead Cybersecurity Editor
In a Rush? Here are the Quick Facts!
- TikTok Music will shut down globally on November 28, 2024.
- Subscribers must transfer playlists and request refunds before the shutdown.
- TikTok Music users can no longer re-subscribe after September 24, 2024.
ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok, has announced today the global shutdown of its music streaming service, TikTok Music. According to the notice on the service’s website, TikTok Music will cease operations on November 28, 2024.
“We are sorry to inform you that TikTok Music will be closing on 28 November 2024,” the notice read, marking the end of the platform’s attempt at music streaming.
The decision to shutter TikTok Music comes amidst a strained relationship between TikTok and the music industry. TechCrunch (TC) notes that the service has faced ongoing challenges with record labels.
Earlier this year, Universal Music Group (UMG) pulled its entire catalog from TikTok following disputes over royalty payments.
The move temporarily caused videos on the app to appear without audio, highlighting TikTok’s critical role in artist discovery and song promotion, as noted by TC.
The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported that TikTok videos have been responsible for launching new artists and hits, a dynamic that has complicated its negotiations with major labels like UMG.
In response to UMG’s withdrawal, TikTok criticized the company for promoting a “false narrative.” as reported by TC.
Despite the tension, a truce was reached in March 2024, and by May, both parties signed a deal to reinstate UMG’s catalog on TikTok, as noted by WSJ.
The agreement included provisions to raise artist royalties and enhance protections against artificial intelligence misuse.
In parallel, TikTok is entangled in legal battles over potentially being banned in the U.S . According to TC, these legal issues could have influenced ByteDance’s decision to shut down TikTok Music, hindering its ability to expand into key markets like the U.S.
The closure of TikTok Music underscores the complex relationship between social media platforms and the music industry, where platforms like TikTok wield growing influence over artist visibility and revenue generation.
Image by Yuri Samoilov, from Flickr
Necro Trojan Targets Google Play Apps, Potentially Compromising Millions of Devices
- Written by Kiara Fabbri Former Tech News Writer
- Fact-Checked by Justyn Newman Former Lead Cybersecurity Editor
In a Rush? Here are the Quick Facts!
- Necro loader infects apps on Google Play, impacting over 11 million downloads.
- The malware targets popular apps like CamScanner and Spotify.
- It can install malicious applications and subscribe users to services without consent.
Kaspersky reported on Monday that they discovered the presence of Necro loader on two apps on Google Play, both of which have a substantial userbase.
This multi-stage loader is known for its ability to infiltrate popular applications and execute malicious payloads, potentially compromising the security of sensitive personal data.
According to Google Play data reported by Kaspersky, the infected applications could have been downloaded over 11 million times.
However, the actual number of infected devices might be much higher, considering that the Trojan also infiltrated modified versions of popular apps distributed through unofficial sources, the report notes.
The Necro Trojan is known to target a wide range of popular apps, including CamScanner and Spotify. By injecting malicious code into these apps’ APK files, the malware can gain access to a device and perform a variety of harmful actions, as noted by Kaspersky.
Kaspersky explains that to avoid detection, the Necro Trojan employs techniques such as steganography, which involves hiding information within other data. This makes it difficult for traditional antivirus software to identify and block the malware.
Additionally the report notes that the Necro Trojan can download and execute arbitrary files from remote servers, potentially installing additional malware or compromising the device’s security.
Another dangerous capability is its ability to install other malicious applications without the user’s knowledge or consent, further compromising the device’s security.
The Kaspersky report urges Android users to exercise caution when downloading and installing applications from third-party sources. It is recommended to stick to official app stores like the Google Play Store and avoid downloading apps from unofficial marketplaces or websites.
Additionally, users should be wary of granting excessive permissions to apps and keep their devices and apps updated with the latest security patches.
