As 2025 approaches, the U.S. social media landscape faces uncertainty, particularly regarding TikTok's future due to a potential ban if ByteDance doesn't divest the app by January 19. The Supreme Court is set to review the case on January 10, with significant implications for short-form video content in the U.S. Platforms like YouTube Shorts, Instagram Reels, and Threads have been enhancing their capabilities, but the outcome of TikTok's situation remains uncertain, influenced by China's stance on its algorithm as intellectual property and potential buyers' interest.
Key takeaways:
- Instagram enhanced its creator tools and safety features, including a "Spring Bonus" program and improved privacy settings for young users.
- YouTube integrated AI tools and updated policies, requiring creators to disclose AI-altered content and allowing takedowns of AI-generated content replicating users' faces or voices.
- TikTok expanded its AI ads tool and faced legal challenges, including a U.S. ban requiring ByteDance to divest the app by January 2025.
- X (formerly Twitter) updated its policies to allow certain explicit content and restricted live streaming to paid subscribers, with potential future changes to likes and reposts.