TikTok commits to transparency and accountability with the release of its global Transparency Report for January-June 2020

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MANILA, SEPTEMBER 23, 2020 - TikTok released its global Transparency Report for the first six months of 2020 on September 22, 2020. The report provides insight into content removed from TikTok for violating its Community Guidelines or Terms of Service. It also covered how the company responded to copyright content take-down requests, law enforcement, and government agencies. 

 

“We know how vital it is to build trust by being transparent with our community, and we're committed to leading the way when it comes to bringing accountability to the tech industry. It's why we release these reports to hold ourselves accountable to our community and provide transparency into the actions we take to help keep TikTok safe for everyone. It's the reason we opened our global Transparency and Accountability Centers, where lawmakers and experts can see first-hand how we moderate content, secure our platform, and prioritize user safety and content diversity as we build TikTok. At our physical centers, we've even made TikTok's source code available for testing and evaluation by experts,” said Michael Beckerman, VP, Head of US Public Policy & Eric Han, Head of Safety, TikTok US.

 

Hundreds of millions of people around the world come to TikTok for entertainment, self-expression, and connection. According to Beckerman, their focus remains on promoting a safe app experience that fosters joy and belonging among its growing global community. 

 

Here's what's covered in TikTok’s global H1 2020 Transparency Report.

 

Promoting safety and community on TikTok 

In the first half of 2020, numerous improvements in continuous effort to offer a safe and uplifting experience for people on the  platform were made, which includes the following:

• Expanded Community Guidelines, including new policies to counter misinformation and disinformation
  

• Introduction of fact-checking programs to help verify misleading content about the novel coronavirus, elections, and more
  

• Addition of in-app educational PSAs on hashtags related to important topics in the public discourse, such as COVID-19, the elections, Black Lives Matter, and harmful conspiracies, such as QAnon
  

• Launch of Family Pairing, a suite of industry-leading youth safety features that let parents and guardians connect their TikTok account to their teens' accounts to guide the type of content available to their teen, promote healthy screentime habits, and choose appropriate message settings
  

• Built global partnerships with leading safety organizations, such as the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and WePROTECT Global Alliance
  

• Creation of a Content Advisory Council of experts on topics like hate speech, inclusive AI, and youth safety
  

Community Guidelines enforcement 

TikTok has experienced incredible and continued user growth in 2020. As more lives moved online, people increasingly found meaningful ways to connect with each other on the platform. With significantly more content being created by its global community than ever before, TikTok content removals have increased compared to the last report. 

• 104,543,719 videos were removed globally for violating the Community Guidelines or Terms of Service, which is less than 1% of all videos uploaded on TikTok. Ninety-six point four percent (96.4%) of these videos were found and removed before they were reported, and 90.3% were removed before they received any views.
  

• Of the total videos removed globally, 9,822,996 (9.4%) were removed in the US. Diving into some of the areas of particular interest over these six months:
  

• 41,820 videos (less than 0.5% of those removed in the US) violated TikTok’s misinformation and disinformation policies.
  

Learn more on how TikTok combats misinformation and election interference

• 321,786 videos (around 3.3% of US content removals) violated TikTok’s hate speech policies.
  

Learn more on how TikTok works to counter hate speech, behavior, and groups

• In the US, 91.5% of violating videos were removed in less than 24 hours after they were uploaded to TikTok.
  

 

 

 

Legal requests 

The volume of legal requests also increased as the TikTok community grew over the first half of this year.

• 1,768 requests for user information from 42 countries/markets were received 
  

• Of those requests, 290 (16.4%) came from US law enforcement agencies.
  

TikTok received and evaluated: 

• 126 subpoenas (when a US governmental entity issues a subpoena, we may disclose user data that includes basic subscriber information)
  

• 90 search warrants (when a US governmental entity obtains a search warrant, TikTok may disclose user data that include video content and user interactions)
  

• 6 court orders (when a US governmental entity obtains a court order, TikTok may disclose user data that includes log data)
  

• 68 emergency disclosure requests
  

•  TikTok received 135 requests from government agencies to restrict or remove content from 15 countries/markets, and 4 of those requests came from US government agencies
  

• TikTok evaluated 10,625 copyrighted content take-down notices globally
  

 

The report has the full details on how TikTok evaluates and complies with the requests.

 

TikTok’s commitment to transparency and accountability

 

“TikTok strives to be the most transparent and accountable company in the industry when it comes to how we're keeping our users safe. We're proud of the progress we've made to increase visibility in these areas, and we aim to keep providing more information in each report,” Beckerman shared.

 

According to Beckerman, the full disclosure of the report is part of the company’s commitment to transparency and accountability. TikTok is also working towards being able to report this information and the progress made on a quarterly basis to increase accountability to its community. 

 

More than just skin-deep: How makeup can boost your mental wellbeing

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When one talks about makeup, some people get the notion that it can be superficial. However, to some, makeup is actually a good way to take care of their mental health, allowing them to discover another version of themselves through a fun and creative outlet.

Be confident and always look your best with beauty products from Bobbie Cosmetics.

As people spend most of their time indoors, they often find themselves with ample time to learn new habits and skills. This includes picking up one new makeup trick or two, as they do their meditative makeup sessions. By experimenting on different looks, blending, and mixing, they can immerse themselves on a personal creative journey which can help them cope better in overwhelming situations.

With this in mind, Bobbie Cosmetics has rounded up five best ways how makeup can be good for your mental health.

You’re in control of how you look

When dealing with challenges in life, sometimes we feel like we’ve lost dominance on the factors surrounding us. But when engaging in a creative activity as simple as putting makeup on, we regain this sense of control knowing that it is our hands and our brain that get to decide what we want best for ourselves.

It a good expression of self-love

Makeup is a great tool to enhance one’s natural beauty. Instead of having it as something to cover your flaws, it can be a good friend that complements the beauty that you already have. So, just by adding a pop of color on your cheeks to make you look more flushed, or swiping a lipstick that tells your mood for the day, makeup is a good way to boost your self-esteem as you enhance the beauty that already exists in you.

It’s a good break

Even if people are mostly stuck indoors, it doesn’t mean that they don’t have errands to think about. Some may be working from home, and some may be busy pursuing their studies online. That is why doing meditative makeup sessions can help! By dedicating a “makeup me time”, you can pamper yourself to be artistic and playful with different looks. It can be a good time-out from your usual daily routine and is also a great creative exercise for the brain.

It’s a liberating experience

Wearing makeup is more than just a physical experience for many women and other beauty enthusiasts. And, with all the things we need to think about every day, sometimes all you need is to face a mirror, do a little beauty ritual, and immediately, gain an internal sense of accomplishment. We can have a bad day and pull off a great look at night and still, feel a little better about ourselves.

It allows you to thank your skin for what it can do for you

Again, makeup only enhances the beauty that exists in you. And you cannot apply makeup were it not for the skin that allows you to take on this process. Beyond every emotion, makeup, after all, is about feeling comfortable living in your own skin.

So, on your next “me time”, don’t be afraid to do a quick makeup session and discover new ways to look even more beautiful. Bobbie Cosmetics has a wide range of chic and affordable makeup products that one can use as they explore this personal creative journey.

The Bobbie Cosmetics Stippling Brush is a friendly beauty tool to pull-off a perfectly blended, airbrushed appearance with a flawless finish.

You can practice your contouring skills with the Bobbie Cosmetics Contour and Strobe Palette (P399) and find this collection of versatile shades to be one that can give you defined and flattering features. You can also frame your face glamorously with the Bobbie Cosmetics Retractable Eyebrow Pencil (P165) and fashion a stylish appearance featuring some perfectly shaped brows. To give you a flawless coverage, Bobbie Cosmetics also has a Stippling Brush (P275), which has soft bristles that can make applying foundation, blush, powder, and highlighters so smooth and easy! It also works perfectly for both liquid and cream products to set perfectly on your skin.

Explore new looks with beauty treats from Bobbie Cosmetics. To know more about Bobbie Cosmetics products, visit their Instagram page at @bobbiecosmetics.

beep™ cardholders can now earn reward points

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Started August 22 up to November 22, 2020, beep™ users can get more out of their daily commute by earning reward points that they can redeem for beep™ load using the beep™ mobile app.

To join the beep™ Rewards promo, cardholders must simply download the beep™ mobile app and register their card. A customer may register up to five (5) beep™ cards; however, points are earned per card and cannot be combined with other cards.

Each transaction using the registered cards at participating buses, PUVs, and retail stores in NCR earns points (P1 spent = 1 point). Reward points are only available for eligible transactions using genuine beep™ cards. Trains and reloading transactions are not included.

Customers must earn a minimum of 1,000 points to be able to redeem P10 beep™ load. Redemption is done in the app and may be successfully claimed via beep™ e-load stations. There is no limit to the number of points that can be earned and redeemed. Terms and conditions apply (Per DTI Fair Trade Permit No. FTEB-103303 Series of 2020).

 

To know more about beep™ Rewards, visit <www.beeptopay.com/news/beep-rewards>.

 

beep™ for your daily commute

Contactless is the new normal and thelocal public transportation sector has adapted cashless payments accordingly.

“Cashless payments are ideal, especially at this time, because it helps us avoid physical contact with money or transport tickets where viruses may thrive. We’d like to do our part by promoting the use of thebeep™payment system not only for the convenience of passengers and efficiency for transport operators, but as a means to prevent the spread of diseases as well. We thank the commuters for their cooperation and understanding as we support the transition to new and better systems that can address the challenges we are facing today,” said Sharon Fong, Chief Commercial Officer of AF Payments Inc.

beep™ is the only interoperable stored value card that can be used for both trains (LRT1, LRT2, and MRT3) and PUVs (P2P buses, EDSA buses, modern jeepneys, and other PUVs).Customers can buy or load their beep™ card at any LRT or MRT station, EDSA bus stops and select P2P terminals,as well as inFamilyMart and Ministop branches in Metro Manila. Price of the card varies depending on the pre-loaded Peso amount, as well as on the reseller. For safety purposes, customers should buy from legitimate and authorized resellers only.

The beep™ card can be used multiple times since it is reloadable and valid for four (4) years. Those who travel frequently by bus or train are advised, whenever possible, to load as much as they can so they can just board the bus and pay, thereby enjoying the convenience and being able to practice social distancing simultaneously.

To know where you can use your beep™ card, just look for terminals or devices that have any of the official beep™ logos below.

     

                                                         

 

More information about beep™ is also available at <www.beeptopay.com> or through the customer service desk open from 5 AM to 11 PM daily (Landline: (02) 8 737 9600; Globe line: 0917-512-1319; Smart line: 0998-581-9675).

Mekeni shares 5 business tips for micro-entrepreneurs

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Micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) have emerged as key drivers of economic growth and employment in the Philippines; and while the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) crisis has slowed down our economy and put many MSMEs at their most vulnerable, they remain as resilient and agile as ever.

Be a Mekeni Home2Home Partner for as low as PhP 1,500

 

There is no perfect formula when starting a small business. It is a learn-as-you-go process that is why companies like Mekeni Food Corporation are committed to mentoring and helping micro-entrepreneurs cope with the situation.

Mekeni, as one of the leading food manufacturers in Central Luzon, is empowering micro-entrepreneurs through their Mekeni Home2Home Partners Program where it is tapping external distributors to expand the brand’s reach and at the same time, provide income for starting businessmen. Together with Mekeni, these Home2Home (H2H) partners are sharing effective business tips that can guide aspiring entrepreneurs.

 

1. Find your niche

Starting a venture will make you want to do all things at once. However, spreading yourself too thin will make you miss opportunities to capture your target market. Find your niche and focus on it just like what Mekeni H2H Partner Mich did. Affected by the mall closure due to the pandemic, she had to put on hold her business and find other ways to earn a living for her family. “I went to several groceries near my place looking for Mekeni products and I found none. This prompted me to put up an online frozen food store and started selling last June 2020,” she shared. One month in operation and Mich has already five resellers. Finding a unique product has helped her differentiate her business from the competition and allowed her to excel in the market.

 

2. Utilize available resources

Businesses have learned to adapt by utilizing available resources due to the COVID-19 crisis. Mich used her social media accounts to post advertisements which helped her gain more customers. Mekeni, too, has to remain agile and resilient even though they are a big corporation. They immediately launched the Mekeni Home2Home online delivery via Facebook and Viber and later on launched the reseller program. This allowed more Filipinos to own a business in the comfort of their homes with just a small capital.

 

“We’re seeing a lot of micro and small businesses opening these days and a lot of them are using the Internet to expand their ventures. I believe that being resourceful is important these days. This, as well as offering high-quality products, and putting the customers’ welfare as their priority, will help them succeed,” said Prudencio Garcia, president of Mekeni.

 

3. Be specific with your goals

For Mekeni H2H partner Jocel E-Oy, all she wanted was to own a business so that she can help her family. “Mahirap ang buhay namin sa Davao kaya't naisipan kong mag-business at sakto tinulungan ako ng Mekeni through Mekeni Home2Home Partners Program (Life is really hard here in Davao that is why I thought of starting my own business. Good thing, Mekeni was able to help me through the Mekeni Home2Home Partner Program),” she shared. Her usual net income is P2,000 per day, which doubled when the pandemic started, or more or less P120,000 if she has sales every day for 30 days.

Through her online business, Jocel shared that she was also able to help her resellers achieve their goals. “Ito na ang naging livelihood nila at nakakatuwa na nakakabili na ulit sila ngayon ng diaper at pang gatas ng anak nila. Kaya nagpapasalamat kami sa Mekeni (This has also become their [resellers] livelihood and I am so glad that they’re able to buy diapers and formula milk for their kids. This is why we are so grateful to Mekeni),” she added.

 

Having specific goals will help you in getting your business off the ground. These goals should be realistic, quantifiable, and achievable.

 

4. Stay connected to a strong business community

Not only that it will expand your horizons but having a strong business community who will mentor you can greatly contribute to your success. For Mekeni, sharing their experiences with micro-entrepreneurs as well as creating products that are geared towards them can help them weather any storm. “Our Bayani products are meant to help our micro-entrepreneurs. This line of products is priced affordably, which is perfect for entrepreneurs with small capital but looking for quality products. Our Bayani products are also highly profitable as these are street snacks loved by most Filipinos,” said Garcia.

 

Shiela Alfons, a reseller in Davao, shared that with Mekeni’s wide product range, they were able to expand their business amid during the pandemic and “even served those who temporarily lost their jobs by giving them an alternative source of income.”

 

With this, their communities are assured that they have a strong support system like Mekeni that will help their business grow.

 

5. Start today

If you really want to succeed in your business, stop making excuses and start today. Do not let it hold you back because you will never know how many lives you are going to change with the product or service that you are going to sell. As Mekeni H2H partner Jocel puts it, “Magsimula na po tayong mag-online selling habang may opportunity. Diskarte lang talaga. Sabayan ng sipag at maraming dasal. (Let’s grab the opportunity and start online selling. You just have to be clever. Accompany it with hardwork and lots of prayers.)

 

The crisis is challenging the survival of micro-enterprises and limiting their growth. But, with the help of companies such as Mekeni, many micro-entrepreneurs are allowed to get back on their feet and uplift the lives of their loved ones.

 

If you are interested to be a Mekeni Home2Home Partner, you can send a message through Mekeni’s official Facebook page at www.facebook.com/mekeniph.

 

TikTok Superstar Zendee and the #TalaChallenge Parody That Started It All

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First discovered as a random girl singing videoke in the mall in 2012, Zendee has recorded albums, sung in concerts, and even performed on the Ellen Degeneres Show. But true stardom for Zendee started on TikTok. It was on this platform where she was able to shine as a unique creator, and where she has been loved and accepted by her audience as her authentic self.

 Zendee’s Interview}

https://www.youtube.com/embed/dOQDpotfyM0"

Zendee first went viral on TikTok because of her parody of the popular #TalaChallenge. She posted her version, Gala, at the height of the enhanced community quarantine in the Philippines. The post gained thousands of likes and comments, and even local celebrities shared their own takes on the #galachallenge.

 

https://www.tiktok.com/@zendeeofficial/video/6814618436321185026?lang=en

Since then, Zendee’s following has grown at an amazing rate - 4.9M in only 6 months. This opened up the opportunity for her to start her musical journey on the app, lip syncing at first, and eventually sharing her own content as a singer. She believes that TikTok is a great place for all musicians and songwriters to showcase their talents and reach the right audience. She also shares that the app’s awesome filters and clear audio are helpful tools that she is able to use as a singer.  

Not afraid to express herself, Zendee uses music to voice her opinions. She also shares practical life advice on her feed, reaching out to her audience with her saucy but bubbly personality. The TikTok community, for her, is like a family that supports anything that you want to do, just like her music. And, because she has felt the love from the community, she makes sure to show her appreciation, and make her followers feel that she loves them right back.

https://www.tiktok.com/@zendeeofficial/video/6851916304794832129

To anyone who wants to start on their own journey as a content creator on TikTok, Zendee imparts five tips that have worked for her - Be yourself, share what you know, inspire others, stay positive, and most of all, have fun. 

You, too, can share your video creations as part of the #itstartsonTikTok hashtag challenge, or even take it a step further by creating a hashtag of your own. Download TikTok today on your iOS and Android devices to get started.