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TikTok to Allow Creators to Sell Collections of Long-Format Videos

The TikTok app logo is seen in this illustration taken, August 22, 2022. (Reuters)
The TikTok app logo is seen in this illustration taken, August 22, 2022. (Reuters)
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TikTok to Allow Creators to Sell Collections of Long-Format Videos

The TikTok app logo is seen in this illustration taken, August 22, 2022. (Reuters)
The TikTok app logo is seen in this illustration taken, August 22, 2022. (Reuters)

Chinese short-video sharing app TikTok said on Tuesday it will allow some creators to produce collections of longer videos and charge their audience a premium for access, opening up a new channel of monetization for its users.

Its new offering "Series" will allow eligible creators to put collections of up to 80 videos, each about 20 minutes long behind a paywall. Currently, the allowed length of a video on TikTok is up to 10 minutes.

TikTok, which has disrupted the social media space largely dominated by Meta Platforms Inc's Facebook and Instagram with its short-form videos and a sophisticated recommendation engine, is now taking a shot at YouTube.

TikTok said its users are increasingly coming to the platform for content like must-know spreadsheet shortcuts, workout routines and recipe guides, areas where YouTube still remains the dominant destination.

It is not clear whether TikTok will take a cut from the creators. The company already offers its creators the ability to receive tips and gifts, as well as manages a fund to incentivize them to grow their audience.

TikTok, owned by China's ByteDance, hit 1 billion monthly active users in September 2021 and has not reported its user base since. In comparison, Facebook had nearly 3 billion monthly active users as of December 2022.

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Technology

China Approves First Two Level-3 Autonomous Driving Cars from State-owned Automakers

People pass by the entrance to Volkswagen (China) Technology Company, a 3 billion euros ($3.5 billion) R&D center in Hefei in eastern China's Anhui province, on Feb. 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Ken Moritsugu)
People pass by the entrance to Volkswagen (China) Technology Company, a 3 billion euros ($3.5 billion) R&D center in Hefei in eastern China's Anhui province, on Feb. 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Ken Moritsugu)
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China Approves First Two Level-3 Autonomous Driving Cars from State-owned Automakers

People pass by the entrance to Volkswagen (China) Technology Company, a 3 billion euros ($3.5 billion) R&D center in Hefei in eastern China's Anhui province, on Feb. 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Ken Moritsugu)
People pass by the entrance to Volkswagen (China) Technology Company, a 3 billion euros ($3.5 billion) R&D center in Hefei in eastern China's Anhui province, on Feb. 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Ken Moritsugu)

China's industry regulator on Monday approved two Chinese cars with level-3 autonomous driving capabilities, marking the first time such vehicles have been cleared by the national regulator as legitimate products ready for mass adoption.

The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology approved the two electric sedans from state-owned automakers Changan Auto and BAIC Motor in its latest automobile product entry category, said Reuters.

The two models are allowed to activate conditional autonomous driving in designated areas of Chongqing and Beijing with speed limits of 50km/h and 80km/h, respectively, the ministry said in a statement. The automakers will conduct trial operation with the cars on the specific roads via their ride-hailing units, it added.

The auto industry has defined five levels of autonomous driving, from cruise control at level one to fully self-driving cars at level five, and level three allows drivers to take their eyes and hands off the road in certain situations.

The move underscored China's ambition to lead the development and adoption of autonomous driving, a technology poised to disrupt the auto industry globally. Last year, China lined up nine automakers for public tests to advance the adoption of self-driving cars.

Chinese regulators earlier this year had sharpened scrutiny of the assisted driving technologies following an accident involving a Xiaomi SU7 sedan in March. That incident killed three occupants when their car crashed seconds after the driver took control from the assisted-driving system.

But government officials are pressing Chinese automakers to rapidly deploy even more advanced systems. In their level-3 push, Chinese regulators also are upping the regulatory ante by holding automakers and parts suppliers liable if their systems fail and cause an accident.

Autonomous driving developers such as Pony AI and WeRide have been testing their level-4 cars with licenses granted by local governments across China.

Tesla's Full Self-Driving, a level-2 driver assistance system, has been partially approved in China since February and falls short of its capabilities in the United States.

Technology

Elm Company Named Strategic Partner for International Data and AI Conference

Elm Company Named Strategic Partner for International Data and AI Conference
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Elm Company Named Strategic Partner for International Data and AI Conference

Elm Company Named Strategic Partner for International Data and AI Conference

The Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) announced a strategic partnership with Elm Company for the International Conference on Data and AI Capacity Building (ICAN 2026), enhancing collaboration to empower the data and artificial intelligence ecosystem and promote innovation in education and human capacity development.

This partnership comes as part of preparations for ICAN 2026, organized by SDAIA from January 28 to 29 at King Saud University in Riyadh, with the participation of a select group of specialists and experts from around the world, SPA reported.

The step represents a qualitative addition that contributes to enriching the conference’s knowledge content and expanding partnerships with leading national entities.

Elm Company brings extensive experience in designing digital solutions and building technical capabilities, reinforcing its role as a strategic partner in supporting the conference. It contributes by developing training tracks and digital empowerment programs, participating in the technology exhibition, and presenting qualitative initiatives that help empower national competencies in the fields of data and artificial intelligence.

Technology

Foxconn to Invest $510 Million in Kaohsiung Headquarters in Taiwan

Construction is scheduled to start in 2027, with completion targeted for 2033. Reuters
Construction is scheduled to start in 2027, with completion targeted for 2033. Reuters
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Foxconn to Invest $510 Million in Kaohsiung Headquarters in Taiwan

Construction is scheduled to start in 2027, with completion targeted for 2033. Reuters
Construction is scheduled to start in 2027, with completion targeted for 2033. Reuters

Foxconn, the world’s largest contract electronics maker, said on Friday it will invest T$15.9 billion ($509.94 million) to build its Kaohsiung headquarters in southern Taiwan.

That would include a mixed-use commercial and office building and a residential tower, it said. Construction is scheduled to start in 2027, with completion targeted for 2033.

Foxconn said the headquarters will serve as an important hub linking its operations across southern Taiwan, and once completed will house its smart-city team, software R&D teams, battery-cell R&D teams, EV technology development center and AI application software teams.

The Kaohsiung city government said Foxconn’s investments in the city have totaled T$25 billion ($801.8 million) over the past three years.