😳 TikTok Likely To Be Banned In January 2025

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Hey Waivly Crew! 🌊 In today’s edition, we’ve got a variety of topics to explore.

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Here’s what’s on the horizon today:

• US appeals court upholds TikTok law forcing its sale

• X's Grok launches photo-realistic image generator

• SpaceX completes 1st Starlink direct-to-cell constellation

Let’s dive in!

STORIES MAKING A SPLASH

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US appeals court upholds TikTok law forcing its sale

A federal appeals court has upheld a law that could ban TikTok in the U.S. unless its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, sells its stake in the app. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit sided with the Justice Department, rejecting TikTok's request for relief and affirming the law's constitutionality.

Passed in April, the law gives TikTok until January 19 to sever ties with ByteDance or face a ban on app stores and web services in the U.S. A 90-day delay may be granted if a sale is in progress. TikTok is challenging the law, hoping the Supreme Court will overturn the decision.

The law stems from national security concerns over TikTok's potential data collection and influence by the Chinese government. With 170 million U.S. users, the app faces scrutiny over its ties to Beijing, prompting a high-stakes legal battle.

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X's Grok launches photo-realistic image generator

On Saturday, Aurora, a new image generator, briefly appeared for select Grok users, drawing attention for its photorealistic results shared on X. Labeled “Grok 2 + Aurora (beta)” in the menu, it was replaced by “Grok 2 + Flux (beta)” by Sunday, hinting at a premature release. Elon Musk confirmed it as an internal beta, adding, “It will improve fast.”

Aurora debuted days after X made Grok 2 free with limited access for non-paying users. Like its predecessor, it faced criticism for weak content restrictions. Reports showed it could generate sensitive images, including a “bloodied [Donald] Trump,” sparking concern over misuse.

Users also shared Aurora-made images of public figures and copyrighted characters, such as Sam Altman, Elon Musk, Luigi, and Mickey Mouse boxing, showcasing its unfiltered capabilities.

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SpaceX completes 1st Starlink direct-to-cell constellation

SpaceX has completed its first Starlink direct-to-cell satellite constellation, a leap in global connectivity. On Wednesday, a Falcon 9 rocket launched 20 satellites, 13 capable of linking directly to unmodified cell phones. Acting as "cell towers in space," they aim to eliminate dead zones and integrate seamlessly with existing networks.

This milestone follows FCC approval of SpaceX's partnership with T-Mobile, announced in 2022. The collaboration envisions worldwide connectivity, even in remote areas. Early tests successfully sent and received texts via T-Mobile’s network, with the constellation providing immediate laser backhaul integration with Starlink satellites.

With 6,799 operational satellites, about 330 support direct phone communication, delivering speeds up to 10Mbps per beam. SpaceX plans expanded capabilities for future launches, with service targeted next year and availability open to telecom providers worldwide.

CREATOR SPECIAL

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Sebastian Shau

Sebastian Shau is the founder of Lisapet.ai, an advanced AI product development platform that enables teams to prototype, test, and deploy robust AI features 10x faster.

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Cam

Cam is the developer behind Traklo, a streamlined habit-tracking app that offers a simple, focused experience for those looking to stay on top of their routines without unnecessary complexity.

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