LONDON: TikTok disclosed a letter Thursday that accused the Biden administration of engaging in “political demagoguery” during high-stakes negotiations between the government and the company as it sought to relieve concerns about its presence in the US
The letter — sent to David Newman, a top official in the Justice Department’s national security division, before President Biden signed the potential TikTok ban into law — was submitted in federal court along with a legal brief supporting the company’s lawsuit against measure. TikTok’s Beijing-based parent company ByteDance is also a plaintiff in the lawsuit, which is expected to be one of the biggest legal battles in tech and Internet history.
The internal documents provide details about negotiations between TikTok and the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, a secretive inter-agency panel that investigates corporate deals over national security concerns, between January 2021 and August 2022.
TikTok has said those talks ultimately resulted in a 90-page draft security agreement that would have required the company to implement more robust safeguards around US user data. It would have also required TikTok to put in a “kill switch” that would have allowed CFIUS to suspend the platform if it was found to be non-compliant with the agreement.
However, attorneys for TikTok said the agency “ceased any substantive negotiations” with the company after it submitted the draft agreement in August 2022.
CFIUS did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The Justice Department said it is looking forward to defending the recently enacted legislation, which it says addresses “critical national security concerns in a manner that is consistent with the First Amendment and other constitutional limitations.”
“Alongside others in our intelligence community and in Congress, the Justice Department has consistently warned about the threat of autocratic nations that can weaponize technology — such as the apps and software that run on our phones – to use against us,” the statement said. “This threat is compounded when those autocratic nations require companies under their control to turn over sensitive data to the government in secret.”
The letter sent to Newman details additional meetings between TikTok and government officials since then, including a March 2023 call the company said was arranged by Paul Rosen, the US Treasury’s undersecretary for investment security.
According to TikTok, Rosen told the company that “senior government officials” deemed the draft agreement to be insufficient to address the government’s national security concerns. Rosen also said a solution would have to involve a divestment by ByteDance and the migration of the social platform’s source code, or its fundamental programming, out of China.
TikTok’s lawsuit has painted divestment as a technological impossibility since the law requires all of TikTok’s millions of lines of code to be wrested from ByteDance so that there would be no “operational relationship” between the Chinese company and the new US app.
After the Wall Street Journal reported in March 2023 that CFIUS had threatened ByteDance to divest TikTok or face a ban, TikTok’s attorneys held another call with senior staff from the Justice and Treasury departments where they said leaks to the media by government officials were “problematic and damaging.”
That call was followed by an in-person meeting in May 2023 between TikTok’s attorneys, technical experts and senior staff at the Treasury Department focused on data safety measures and TikTok’s source code, the company’s attorneys said. The last meeting with CFIUS occurred in September 2023.
In the letter to Newman, TikTok’s attorneys say CFIUS provides a constructive way to address the government’s concern. However, they added, the agency can only serve this purpose when the law — which imposes confidentiality — and regulations “are followed and both sides are engaged in good-faith discussions, as opposed to political subterfuge, where CFIUS negotiations are misappropriated for legislative purposes.”
The legal brief also shared details of, but does not include, a one-page document the Justice Department allegedly provided to members of Congress in March, a month before they passed the federal bill that would require the platform to be sold to an approved buyer or face a ban.
TikTok’s attorneys said the document asserted TikTok collects sensitive data without alleging the Chinese government has ever obtained such data. According to the company, the document also alleged that TikTok’s algorithm creates the potential for China to influence content on the platform without alleging the country has ever done so.
TikTok accuses federal agency of ‘political demagoguery’ in legal challenge against potential US ban
https://arab.news/rkysy
TikTok accuses federal agency of ‘political demagoguery’ in legal challenge against potential US ban
- ByteDance-owned company said in court letter that Committee on Foreign Investment ceased negotions after submitting draft security agreement
Wikipedia defends decision to declare Anti-Defamation League an unreliable source on Israel-Palestine
- ADL, other pro-Israel groups had protested Wikipedia classification
- Decision taken after a rigorous volunteer-led review, says Wikipedia
LONDON: Wikipedia has defended its decision to classify the Anti-Defamation League as an unreliable source on Israel’s war on the Palestinians.
The controversy erupted earlier this month when editors of Wikipedia, one of the world’s most visited websites, determined the ADL as “generally unreliable regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.”
The ADL criticized the decision, accusing Wikipedia of “stripping the Jewish community of the right to defend itself from the hatred that targets our community.”
“As leading communal organisations, we express our concern and dismay by Wikipedia’s attack on ADL’s reliability on the topic of antisemitism and other issues of central concern to the Jewish community,” the ADL stated.
The letter was signed by more than 40 Jewish organizations, including the American Friends of Likud, American Israel Public Affairs Committee, and the American Zionist Movement.
In the letter addressed to Wikipedia’s parent company, the Wikimedia Foundation, the ADL called for an immediate investigation into “this decision and the motivation behind it.” It argued that Wikipedia’s decision could be used “as a cover to perpetuate antisemitism,” putting the “entire community at risk.”
The Wikimedia Foundation, however, issued a statement on Wednesday supporting its editors’ decision and the volunteer-led processes that “ensure that neutral, reliable information is available for all.”
“This independent relationship is crucial to ensuring Wikipedia remains neutral and free from institutional bias. The Foundation has not, and does not, intervene in decisions made by the community about the classification of a source,” the statement read.
It explained that the decision to classify the ADL as “generally unreliable” followed a two-month open discussion involving 120 volunteers. The discussion and the results that led to the decision remain publicly accessible.
The Wikimedia Foundation also stressed that “contrary to what several media have incorrectly implied,” the ADL “remains a generally reliable source on Wikipedia. However, this was outside of the topic of the Israel/Palestine conflict,” and the body could be cited across other fields, such as the definition of antisemitism, although “with some considerations.”
The ADL has faced intense scrutiny since the beginning of Israel’s latest war for its rigid definition of antisemitism, which led to criticism over the organization’s decision to classify demonstrations featuring “anti-Zionist chants and slogans” as antisemitic.
The CEO of the 100-year-old organization, Jonathan Greenblatt, has been accused of propagating conspiracy theories and falsely comparing US college protest movements to Iran proxies.
NBC brings AI version of legendary broadcaster to Olympic coverage
SAN FRANCISCO: US media giant NBCUniversal on Wednesday announced that it will use the AI version of a legendary sports broadcaster to narrate personalized daily recaps of Olympic game events.
Narration by Hall of Fame announcer Al Michaels generated using artificial intelligence will voice the recaps that will be personalized to individual viewers of NBC’s Peacock streaming service.
Well-known broadcaster Michaels has worked a combined nine Olympic Games for NBC Sports and ABC Sports during his career, according to NBCUniversal.
“When I was approached about this, I was skeptical but obviously curious,” Michaels said in a release.
“Then I saw a demonstration detailing what they had in mind. I said, ‘I’m in.’“
The AI was trained on the voice of Michaels along with his past appearances on NBC broadcasts, according to the company.
“We’re bringing the best of sports together with the best of technology to deliver fans a personalized Olympics experience in a way that’s never been possible before,” Peacock president Kelly Campbell said in the release.
The collaboration with Michaels comes as musicians, actors, and others whose livelihoods depend on their likenesses or voices strive to make sure AI models are not trained on such material without their permission.
NBCUniversal estimated that nearly 7 million different personalized versions of the daily Olympic recap could be streamed across the United States during the Olympic Games in Paris.
The technology will mine NBC Sports clips to create daily playlists showcasing top moments from the prior 24 hours and tease what is in store for the day ahead.
A team of NBCUniversal editors will review all the content for accuracy and quality assurance, the company said.
NBC and Peacock will present live coverage of the Olympic Games, starting with the opening ceremony on July 26.
Manga Productions, PepsiCo collaborate to feature cult anime ‘Grendizer’ on potato chips
- Partnership comes ahead of July’s release of ‘Grendizer U’ television series
LONDON: Saudi anime studio Manga Productions on Wednesday announced a partnership with PepsiCo to feature the popular anime UFO Robot “Grendizer” on PepsiCo’s Tasali potato chip packets.
Starting in August, the iconic character from the eponymous series will appear on Tasali potato chips sold across the Gulf countries and Jordan.
Essam Bukhary, CEO of Manga Productions, a subsidiary of the Mohammed bin Salman Foundation, or Misk, said that the new partnership “reflects our dedication to meeting the aspirations of ‘Grendizer’ fans and enhancing the presence of the beloved character in the markets.
“Grendizer,” also known as “Goldrake” and “Goldorak,” is a popular Japanese animated television series and manga created by Go Nagai in the mid-1970s. It has achieved cult status worldwide.
The initiative is part of the promotional campaign for the July release of the “Grendizer U” television series, created by Japanese animation studio Gaia and directed by Mitsuo Fukuda, the acclaimed author of award-winning anime classics “Shin Seiki GPX Cyber Formula” and “Mobile Suit Gundam SEED.”
The show has long enjoyed widespread popularity in Arab countries, first airing in war-torn Lebanon on Tele Liban in 1979. The enduring popularity of the show led Manga Productions to acquire the global distribution and marketing rights, excluding Japan.
Ahmed El-Sheikh, CEO at PepsiCo Middle East, highlighted the significance of the collaboration, saying: “At PepsiCo, we are committed to embedding ourselves in both the traditional and popular culture of the Kingdom.
“By embracing the growing popularity of animated content in Saudi Arabia, we aim to create a unique and nostalgic appeal for our consumers.
“This partnership with Manga Productions allows us to bring ‘Grendizer’ back to life on Tasali chips, and we are excited about the opportunities this collaboration will bring.”
Former Turkish FM and Arab News columnist Yasar Yakis is no more
- He added insight, context and a rational voice to our coverage, says Arab News Editor-in-Chief Faisal J. Abbas
ANKARA: Turkiye’s former foreign minister and distinguished Arab News columnist Yasar Yakis died on Wednesday. He was 86.
Yakis had been undergoing cancer treatment at a private hospital in Ankara for some time.
A former diplomat, Yakis served as foreign minister in the first government formed by the Justice and Development Party, also known as the AKP, in 2002. He was decorated by the Saudi government with the Order of King Abdul Aziz (1st Degree) in 1992 for his contribution to the improvement of Saudi-Turkish relations.
“At a time when global politics lacks adults in the room, heavyweights of the caliber of Yasar Yakis will certainly be missed,” said Arab News Editor-in-Chief Faisal J. Abbas.
“As a columnist for our newspaper, he always added insight, context and a rational voice to our coverage. He will be dearly missed, our condolences to his family,” said Abbas.
Yakis penned a regular column for Arab News since February 2017. He brought vast global knowledge and long years of experience as his country’s chief diplomat, as well as a deep understanding of Arab affairs.
Born in 1938, Yakis’ first posting abroad was as deputy consul at the consulate general in Antwerp, Belgium. Throughout his career, Yakis held various posts, including ambassadorships in Riyadh, Rome, Cairo, Damascus and Lagos, as well as being Turkiye’s permanent representative to NATO in Brussels. He was a senior associate member at St. Antony’s College, Oxford University, between 2012 and 2014.
In 1985, Yakis founded and chaired the Coordination Committee of the Standing Committee on Economic and Commercial Cooperation of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.
In 1988, he was appointed as the Turkish ambassador to Riyadh, followed by an ambassadorial post in Cairo and as permanent representative of Turkiye to the UN Office and other international organizations in Vienna. From 1992 to 1995, he was deputy undersecretary for economic affairs.
He retired from the Foreign Ministry in 2001 and entered politics as a founding member of the AKP. He served as deputy chairman and member of the Central Decision and Administration Board. He was elected to parliament in 2002 and was quickly appointed minister of foreign affairs in the same year.
Known as a prominent intellectual who was fluent in French, English and Arabic, Yakis was often quoted in the Turkish and Arabic media thanks to his objective and in-depth insights, backed by his diplomatic experience.
Yakis was often present at ambassadorial events in Ankara. He was always accompanied by his beaming wife and their unwavering love was evident to an outsider’s eye.
What struck one the most about these meetings was his attentive listening and his ability to learn from everyone, while humbly sharing his own diplomatic experience with others.
He recently wrote his memoirs, detailing his private life and decades-long diplomatic experiences. His only child was Ayse Basak Yakis, who is an associate professor at King’s College London.
Marc Pierini, a former EU ambassador and the head of delegation to Turkiye from 2006 to 2011, wrote on the social media platform X: “A man of great culture and remarkable wisdom, always open to discussion with foreign ambassadors. I learned a lot from him.”
Ozdem Sanberk, one of Turkiye’s most experienced diplomats and a former ambassador to the UK, had his first six months of military service with Yakis in Istanbul. Talking to Arab News, Sanberk recalled that Yakis enjoyed each free moment by reading classic novels from around the world.
Sanberk said: “He was telling us that, due to his own family conditions, he couldn’t read all the Russian classics at an early age. So, he felt the need to compensate for those years by reading extensively. He also asked to serve his second stage of military service in the eastern part of Turkiye to concentrate more on reading. He even had his books placed on a horse’s back and had them transported to the place where he would serve in the military. He had a great talent for learning new languages and an insatiable thirst for learning. His intellectual deepness was great.”
Sanberk also said that Turkiye’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs had lost one of its most distinguished Middle East experts. “Yakis served as a diplomat in some of the most pivotal countries in the Middle East and the Gulf region,” he said.
Israel eyes use of Musk’s Starlink in event of war with Hezbollah
- Financial daily Calcalist says Israeli ministries plan to use Starlink’s satellite to ensure stable data and information flow during emergencies
JERUSALEM: Israel is looking to use Elon Musk’s Starlink to maintain Internet connectivity should there be a potential all-out-war with Lebanese Hezbollah on the northern border that causes power outages in Israel, a newspaper report said on Tuesday.
The Calcalist financial daily said that the finance and communications ministries were seeking to utilize Starlink’s 5,000 low-orbit satellites to ensure stable data and information flow for state authorities during emergencies.
Both ministries did not immediately comment to Reuters.
In February, Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi gave permission to Starlink, the satellite unit of SpaceX, to operate in Israel and the Gaza Strip.
Iran-backed Hezbollah began attacking Israel shortly after Hamas’ Oct. 7 assault sparked the war in Gaza, and the sides have been trading blows in the months since then. Hezbollah has said it will not stop until there is a ceasefire in Gaza.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant headed to Washington on Sunday to discuss the next phase of the Gaza war and escalating hostilities on the border with Lebanon, where exchanges of fire with Hezbollah have stoked fears of wider conflict. A full war in the north could lead to missile attacks on Israel’s power grid and other infrastructure.
