Video sharing app "TikTok" Concerns grow among US users 4:52 on August 19th

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Regarding TikTok, a video-sharing app operated by a Chinese company, US President Trump has ordered the operating company to sell its business in the US, as it threatens security. IT giant Microsoft is in the process of negotiating the acquisition of the business, but the future of the negotiation is uncertain, and there is growing concern among US users, which are estimated to reach 100 million people.

Emily Wolf (32), who lives in the suburbs of Los Angeles, has been posting videos of her dogs and others on TikTok for about a year.

A short video of 15 seconds that conveys the familiar presence is popular, and has 70,000 followers.

But now we are raising concerns about the Trump administration's response.

Mr. Wolf said, "With TikTok, it's attractive to be able to express yourself as it is without any decoration. If you can't use the app, you're unlikely to recover."

Even if TikTok becomes unavailable, I want to stay connected with my followers, and I'm calling to see my posts on another app, Instagram, but I don't think there is any reaction as I thought so far. I will.

Mr. Wolf said, "About 200 people moved to Instagram. There are few people who switch from a familiar app to another."

TikTok has expanded beyond the enjoyment of individuals in the United States, and is spreading ripples to those people as well.

In the suburbs of Los Angeles, about 10 creators aged 16 to 22 sleep in a house prepared by their office and make videos every day.

Only smartphones are used for shooting, editing and posting.

It is said that videos showing dances to music are popular with young people, and the income of creators may exceed 1 million yen per month in Japanese yen due to advertisements from companies.

One of the creators, Blythe X-Xavier (18), said, "I'm doing a lot of work making a video. I don't want to lose TikTok no matter what." ..

The movements of competitors are also active

In response to the Trump administration, there has been an increasing movement among companies that offer similar services to change users.

The US video posting app "Triller" announced that the number of downloads has increased by 20 times in the week before the 2nd of this month, and several creators who are popular on TikTok will move their activities. I am.

In addition, Facebook has added "Reels" to Instagram, which allows you to post a video for 15 seconds.

Anis Woodsmann, CEO of Pegasus Tech Ventures, a Silicon Valley investment company that invests in "Triller," told NHK: "Now, short-form video apps are trending, and we are becoming more and more new. I think we are investing in a number of different services, and there is no doubt that this turmoil has helped competing apps."

In addition, he said, "Since the uprising has clarified the position of the U.S. government, it is becoming more and more cautious about investing in Chinese companies in the heavily invested Silicon Valley." He points out that it also affects the investment decisions of companies.