Welcome to The Digital Pulse, your daily update on the latest in digital marketing, tech, and social media. It’s Wednesday, October 9th, 2024, and we have some significant stories to dive into today!

First, TikTok is facing major legal trouble. Thirteen U.S. states and Washington, D.C., have filed a lawsuit against TikTok, accusing the platform of causing harm to younger users. The lawsuit claims that TikTok’s design and algorithms are contributing to mental health issues in children and teens, raising concerns about user safety on the platform. This case could have far-reaching implications for the future of social media regulation​

In other legal news, the Department of Justice (DOJ) is pushing for structural changes to Google’s search business. The DOJ argues that Google’s dominance in search and its ad business stifles competition, and they are advocating for reforms to address these concerns. This case could be pivotal in reshaping the landscape of online search and digital advertising​

On the ad front, Snapchat is expanding its advertising capabilities. The platform is testing two new ad placements—Sponsored Links and Sponsored Visual Search Ads. These placements aim to enhance user engagement by providing ads that are more integrated into the search experience. This move is part of Snapchat’s broader strategy to compete with platforms like TikTok and Instagram in the ever-growing social media advertising market​

Meanwhile, Meta is doubling down on its AI-driven offerings with a new feature that allows celebrities' voices to be recreated using artificial intelligence. This AI-powered tool lets users interact with virtual versions of celebrities, adding a personalized and engaging touch to the user experience. It’s another bold step by Meta to integrate AI into its platforms and stay ahead in the AI-driven social media race​

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