Three Things for March 22
1. TikTok peaks at 150 million monthly users
In 2020, TikTok reported having 100 million monthly users in the United States. Since then, more than 50 million people in the country have joined TikTok, further adding to the app’s constant usage.
Despite the intense popularity of the app and its one billion users, there are still many concerns about the app.
Last week, several U.S. senators supported bipartisan legislation that would provide President Joe Biden with more options to potentially ban the app. According to the CEO of TikTok, Shou Zi Chew, they have since been cautioned by the Biden administration.
Many in Congress fear the data being logged through TikTok in the U.S. could be kept by the Chinese government, despite TikTok’s rejections of spying allegations.
“This notional idea that the data can be made safe under (Chinese Communist Party) law, just doesn’t, doesn’t pass the small test,” said Mark Warner, chair of Senate Intelligence Committee.
As a result of the current conversation, several TikTok content creators and influencers are planning to visit Washington in the next week in hopes of supporting TikTok.
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2. Ukrainian President and Japanese Prime Minister scheduled to meet this week
Japan’s Prime Minister, Fumio Kishida, landed in Ukraine yesterday morning with plans of meeting with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. During the war in Ukraine, the tension between Japan and Russia has grown.
According to the ministry’s statement, Kishida will relay his “absolute rejection of Russia’s one-sided change to the status quo by invasion and force, and to affirm his commitment to defend the rules-based international order,” as well as “show respect to the courage and patience of the Ukrainian people…”
This visit between Kishida and Zelenskyy is occurring at the same time as Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with Chinese President Xi Jinping in the Kremlin.
Japan has joined with the United States and European nations in providing Ukrainians with needed support and resources against Russia. The discussion between Kishida and Zelenskyy is likely to regard the assistance needed for the war.
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3. Spring has sprung in the Northern Hemisphere
Monday, March 20, was the official first day of spring for those in the Northern Hemisphere, while those in the Southern Hemisphere will begin to experience autumn.
Those in the southern and eastern parts of the U.S. are expected to experience “warmer than usual” weather this spring season.
For those north of the equator, days will be longer and sunlight will continue stretching, as the warmer weather begins.
According to the U.S. government’s national outlook for the season, this year’s spring season is estimated to ease western drought conditions with rainy weather, as well as potential flood risks in the Midwest.
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