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Hello there,

Just when it looked like Catherine, Princess of Wales, would dominate the Future Beat newsletter with our various takes on photo manipulation, technology and ethics, things took a turn on the other side of the pond when the US House of Representatives decided to try to ban one of the world’s most popular social media apps.

More on that subject in a moment.

Despite the apology from the Princess of Wales, and her explanation that she likes to dabble in photo editing, the speculation simply wouldn’t, and hasn’t, stopped.

Meanwhile, photography experts had plenty to say on the matter, and looked at it as a teachable moment.

Regardless, just about all the angles have been covered on this story, at least for now.

Without further ado, on to the stories with the potential to impact all our lives in the years ahead.

Cody Combs
Future Editor

 

The Big Story

A lot to Tok about

In brief | The seemingly unstoppable social platform TikTok might just be meeting its biggest challenge yet, US regulators say.

After facing months of criticism from Democratic and Republican politicians for how it handles, stores and utilises data from users, the House of Representatives voted to potentially ban the app unless it is divested from its China-based parent company, ByteDance.

TikTok’s chief executive dismissed the potential ban and insisted the social platform was a victim of misinformation.

It remains to be seen if the legislation will pass the US Senate and ultimately be signed into law by President Joe Biden but, make no mistake, TikTok’s future in the US is no longer guaranteed.

Why it matters | With more than 1 billion users, according to estimates, TikTok is not merely a social media platform with silly videos of people dancing.

It has influence around the world, especially among younger people.

There’s ample speculation about potential ulterior motives behind banning the app, but regardless, if it comes into effect, the US is not alone. Try using TikTok in India, you won’t get much engagement on your content. Why? It’s banned there too.

Adding to the drama, former US Treasury secretary Steve Mnuchin is trying to put together a group of investors to buy TikTok from ByteDance.

Two things are true in this debate. TikTok remains incredibly popular, yet concerns about its parent company’s cryptic policies don’t show any sign of going away.

Quoted | "We will continue to do all we can, including exercising our legal rights to protect this amazing platform that we have built with you. We believe we can overcome this together”

Shou Zi Chew, chief executive of TikTok

 

Future in focus

Good optics | The Middle East’s largest quantum optical ground station for ultra-secure global communication has been unveiled

So long SIM card slot | eSIM popularity is surging amid a SIM card backlash. Here are other factors fuelling eSIM popularity

Treading lightly | Why restoring biodiversity goes beyond the problem of climate change

Book review | Investcorp executive chairman Mohammed Alardhi reflects on his life and career to provide insight on leadership, change and growth

 

Predicting the future: signal or noise?

A sail-powered cargo ship has returned from a six-month global journey and saved up to 15 per cent on fuel by utilising innovative green technology.

The bulk carrier Pyxis Ocean left its port in Singapore in August and crossed the Cape of Good Hope on its way to Brazil, before eventually docking in Amsterdam last week.

Over the six-month period since its first journey, the boat glided through the Indian Ocean, Pacific Ocean and the North and South Atlantic using two foldable sails.

This is a signal: When talking about and thinking about sustainability, it's easy to look for the big solutions that might fix all of the planet's environmental woes.

Yet progress comes in all shapes and sizes and doesn't usually happen overnight. That's why the idea of a sail-powered cargo ship saving up to 15 per cent on fuel is so enticing.

It's proof of concept and it's a win, however small.

Expect more of these small sustainability wins making headlines and inspiring similar pragmatic solutions.

 
 

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Xiaomi to formally join EV race with first SU7 deliveries this month

Dubai issues law creating unified digital platform for establishing companies

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