this post was submitted on 09 Jan 2025
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[–] [email protected] 59 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

The TikTok ban law also applies to other apps owned by TikTok's Chinese parent ByteDance, like Lemon8. ByteDance could be betting that regulators and app store companies are so focused on TikTok that they won't pay attention to its other apps

If this actually happens it’ll be the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard.

[–] [email protected] 9 points 3 weeks ago

Agreed, but I can totally see it happening.

[–] [email protected] 52 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago) (3 children)

Use loops the fediverse version. which has ~~Android and~~ iPhone app and ofc doesn’t have ads. Made by same guy who made pixelfed the Instagram alternative. Fuck the mega corps and their privacy invading and political manipulation!

Here’s the Lemmy communities for it [email protected] [email protected]

[–] [email protected] 28 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago) (1 children)

I love the idea of Loops, but it needs a lot of work. You can't even delete a video once it's uploaded. Every user's video is chronologically in order in your feed, so if there's a user who will post 5-6 in a row and you get them all. If you leave the app, it starts over and you only see the videos uploaded most recently over again and again. You can add hashtags to a video description, but have to scroll to the next video to see them and you can't click them anyway. The search function is useless too.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago) (1 children)

Yeah well, it is definitely in alpha stages, those things are to be expected.

[–] [email protected] 11 points 3 weeks ago

I'm not ruling it out, just making an observation. I posted my thoughts on the loops community. I want this app to make it.

[–] [email protected] 9 points 3 weeks ago (6 children)

Can you share where to find the android app? I can't see it in the play store or fdroid

[–] [email protected] 4 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago) (1 children)

Whoops I was wrong sorry 😢 I’m on iPhone and there’s an app so I presumed it already had an android app that was even further along. Surprised they have iPhone first (yes I have iPhone after always having android)

[–] Sparkega 3 points 3 weeks ago

There is an android version distributed on github, but it's no longer listed on the loops.video page anymore for some reason.

[–] Sparkega 3 points 3 weeks ago

The android app is on GitHub here. Version 1.0.0.9 from 15 November. Seems they are either no longer developing the android app, or at least prioritizing the iOS version.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 3 weeks ago

I signed up and got an email with a link to the apk. I'd share, but it looks like it's personalized to my email maybe? and it doesn't work anymore

[–] [email protected] 1 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago)

ios possible ? i never used tiktok or any scroller platforms

[–] [email protected] 1 points 3 weeks ago

Not sure where I got it, but for android you have to install it from the apk. I can't log in right now, so it might show up on the site when you sign up and get your invite.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 3 weeks ago

There was some drama about this last week. Already forgotten about it

[–] [email protected] 16 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

Why didn't they name it TipToe? It's 2 letters off and they are trying to tip toe around legislation.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 3 weeks ago

That would have been a legit great rename.

[–] Kecessa 13 points 3 weeks ago (2 children)

And yet, no non-Chinese alternative... Isn't capitalism supposed to be good at filing voids left open? 🤔

[–] [email protected] 23 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago) (1 children)

There’s lots. Hell there’s even a fediverse version: loops which has ~~Android and~~ iPhone app and ofc doesn’t have ads. Made by same guy who made pixelfed the Instagram alternative. Fuck the mega corps and their privacy invading and political manipulation!

Here’s the Lemmy communities for it [email protected] [email protected]

[–] [email protected] 11 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

None of them have the algorithm that makes Tiktok's "For You Page" so attractive to most people. By far the best personalization algorithm of any social media I used during the pandemic. I basically never had to search for content or creators, the algo served me up a platter of people to follow that seemed directly tailored to me. That's why it's so addictive.

And that's probably why American social media giants are salivating at acquiring it. Reels/Twitter/YT Shorts algo doesn't even come close tbh.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

No way TikTok will sell it WITH the algorithm. They can nerf it hard before that, and they will acquire a thing worse than YT Shorts.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 3 weeks ago

You know what, my friends who are still on it say that their FYP has been getting worse over the past 6 months or so. I wonder if you're right.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

Yeah! We want American short form media from REAL American companies.....like Instagram Reels or YouTube Shorts. Those guys are the good guys!

[–] [email protected] 2 points 3 weeks ago

It's never been about being the good guy. It's about control.

[–] [email protected] 13 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago) (1 children)

I don't think pushing users from one platform you own to another platform you own is a great way to avoid the ban lol

Seems to me this is just a way them to have a second round of headlines about how the evil west is blocking their social media – first for banning TikTok, then for Lemon8, as if they aren't in fact being banned at the same time.

[–] [email protected] 17 points 3 weeks ago

It's the Amazon store technique. Today, you're known as "Sohanghi", tommorow you're "Elbertung", next week you'll be "Smasnug".

[–] [email protected] 9 points 3 weeks ago

Meet the new boss, same as the old boss.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

I've seen big social media banned already. That does not make people leave the platform. That just ensures even grandma has the means to bypass restrictions.

[–] [email protected] 15 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

PornHub user in Texas, I see.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 3 weeks ago

No, the situation here is more serious than that. I meant the big global social media platforms. Although true, porn in certain states is a good example.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 3 weeks ago

When life gives you lemons......or something. Anyways, they better do this quick. Ti~~c~~k To~~c~~k, the clock is ticking!

[–] [email protected] -4 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

no thanks i'll just keep using a vpn with normal tiktok.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

Is that needed? Doesn't the ban just drop it from the app stores?

[–] [email protected] 1 points 3 weeks ago

i mean to be fair you should be using a vpn in the us anyway.