Author: bodukal

On March 13, TikTok was again vulnerable as US lawmakers pressed forward with a bill that might result in a nationwide ban on the platform. This bill gives Beijing-based parent company ByteDance two significant options: either sell TikTok or face a ban.

With over 170 million active US users, lawmakers have tried to control the site at different times due to its ties to China. Former President Donald Trump attempted to impose an executive order to outlaw TikTok in 2020, but the courts thwarted this after TikTok filed a lawsuit. According to reports, lawmakers contend that the platform management is best served by maintaining national security since the Chinese government might utilize TikTok to spy on Americans or weaponize it to subtly influence the American public by amplifying or stifling particular content. These claims that TikTok might be a weapon for the Chinese government have been refuted. According to TikTok, it has never given Chinese authorities access to customer data from Americans and won’t if requested.

Furthermore, recent reports have claimed that if the ban finally becomes law, it would be detrimental to small businesses that use the platform for marketing awareness and customer engagement. Also, social media influencers who have built their online credibility over the years will not be left out and depend on this for brand deals or endorsements. For example, a report from Bloomberg sheds insight on how TikTok is juicing home sales. DailyMail states that a slim majority of Americans think TikTok data ends up with the Chinese government. They also agree that it shouldn’t be outlawed. On the flip side, according to the Pew Research Center, half of Americans favor a US government ban on TikTok, while 22% are against the notion, and more than a quarter are doubtful. TikTok claims a total ban threatens millions of businesses, the livelihoods of countless creators across the country, and the ability of artists to find an audience.

 To examine online conversations following this development, Sprinklr was used to study social media trends and public opinion. The figures show over 692.77k mentions, resulting in about 9.57 billion reach. In addition, an examination of the topic’s general sentiment reveals that 394,103 mentions were negative, accounting for roughly 84.42% of the discourse, while approximately 72.76k mentions were positive, accounting for 15.58%. Top themes from these conversations, including positive and negative mentions, include TikTok, Ban, Reason, House, Congress, Censorship, and Americans. The results indicate that a number of Americans hold negative views about the development, with many pointing out that strict issues affecting the nation’s level of living should be the government’s top priority. Some, however, believe that the US must protect its security since other nations, such as China, will not want a US company to have a dominant position in social media within their borders; as a result, they concur that social media should be outlawed.

Although the House version is now in the lead, it still needs to pass the Senate and be signed into law by President Biden. President Joe Biden has stated he will sign the bill if it is passed by the legislature. In such a case, ByteDance would have 180 days to find a suitable buyer for TikTok.

Author: Bowale Odukale

In a bid to set out his platform for a second term and convince United States citizens of his capabilities to govern the country’s helm of affairs for another four years, President Joe Biden made his case loud during the State of the Union address that he is ready to continue the job despite concerns surrounding his age and abilities to meet the demands of the nation.

Biden’s sixty-eight minutes of energetic and passionate speech reflected his administration’s achievements and lashed out at his  Republican rival, Donald Trump, even though he didn’t mention his name but referred to him as “Predecessor.”

Examining public perception and the social media buzz conversations after the State of the Union address on social platforms using Sprinklr, records show there were 1.59 million mentions, reaching 27.45 billion. Also, a quick divide into the sentiment score shows that 24.59% had positive mentions while 75.41% had negative mentions. This net sentiment score measures the overall sentiment of online conversations of the State of the Union.

Additionally, several prominent themes surfaced during these discussions, centering around Trump, Americans, and President Biden. Positive mentions highlighted keywords such as union, president, Biden, good, policies, and more, offering deeper insights into the social media discourse. These keywords indicate that certain citizens have conveyed their confidence, believing that Joe Biden is the suitable candidate for the upcoming November elections, and they are inclined to vote in his favor. Furthermore, some opinions asserted that the address stood out as one of the most commendable State of the Union speeches.

Nevertheless, every coin has two sides. Alongside the positive mentions, there were also negative sentiments. Users articulated significant concerns, prominently the border walls crisis, which continues to be a major issue. Beyond the border, other negative keywords emerged, including tax, people, Americans, and more. These observations point to users enumerating the challenges related to a high standard of living, such as recent spikes in grocery prices and taxes.

As the nation looks ahead to the November elections, these diverse perspectives and the closely predicted race emphasize the challenging task ahead for Biden in convincing undecided voters and securing a successful bid for another term in office. The dynamic interplay of public discourse, including references to Trump, continues to shape the narrative, setting the stage for a politically charged and closely watched election season.

Author: Bowale Odukale

On February 2, 2024, tech giant Apple launched the “The Apple Vision Pro” headset to the public market, reportedly hoping to sell as many as half a million headsets before the end of this year.

The Apple Vision Pro augmented reality headset has become one of the most talked-about gadgets, costing about $3500, making it the most expensive AR headset. According to Apple’s CEO, Tim Cook, the Apple Vision Pro is “the most advanced consumer electronics device ever created.”

According to Apple, users can control the device’s interface using their eyes, hands and voice. The headset will allow users to immerse themselves in the company’s vision operating system, supporting spatial Facetime video, photos and apps.

While the headset’s production has been marked by creativity and innovation, recent media discussions have raised significant concerns. Critics argue that the product is prohibitively expensive and not aimed at the broader consumer market. Some personal opinions also assert that Apple’s inaugural headset lacks refinement and a clear purpose, emphasizing its inability to substitute for a laptop in professional settings. Multiple news reports citing social media activity highlight a recent surge in Vision Pro returns. According to The Verge, discomfort, headaches, and eye strain rank high among the reported reasons for returning Vision Pro headsets.

To examine the online engagement regarding the Apple Vision Pro, the team at SMLC conducted an in-depth analysis to find out the major discussion themes, sentiment analysis and showcase reactions about the AR headset in the United States. Results show that over the timeframe from the launch date, till this article was posted, there were over 105.68k mentions with a reach of 3.73 billion. Interestingly, there was a close gap in the sentiment analysis; 49.99% (26.83K) were positive mentions, while 50.01% (26.84K) were negative.

Embarking on thoroughly exploring sentiment scores and their associated themes, positive mentions have manifested distinctive topic clusters and emerging themes. These include Experience, Spatial Computing, Real-Time Events, Future Developments, Apps, and Sports. The ensuing reactions provide a glimpse into the diverse conversations surrounding these themes.

Additional themes arising from a negative perspective encompass Generation Attention Span, Apple Vision, and the anticipation of normalcy in a few years.

With the Apple Vision Pro being just about a month old, I believe time will serve as the ultimate narrator in discerning both the adoption rate and the overall success of this gadget. 

Author: Bowale Odukale

The 34th iteration of the biannual African football competition, known as the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, or CAN 2023, ended last Sunday when the host Cote d’Ivoire defeated Nigeria’s Super Eagles 2-1 to take home the championship.

The tournament, organized by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), included 24 teams and was staged in six venues across five host cities from January 13, 2024, to February 11, 2024. During the tournament, there were lots of surprises that made the competition very interesting. For example, Sebastien Haller, an Ivorian striker who recovered from testicular cancer 13 months prior, scored the game-winning goals in both the semifinal and championship games to give the Ivorians their third continental championship. Other examples included the underdogs Equatorial Guinea defeating the hosts and emerging victorious in Group A, surpassing more prestigious rivals like Nigeria. Cape Verde also triumphed in the same group. Mauritania won the tournament for the first time, but Namibia and Angola—two of the four lowest-ranked teams in the group stage—succeeded in the knockout stages. To go to the last four, South Africa defeated Morocco. What’s more telling is that these unexpected outcomes and performances weren’t coincidences.

At 2.29 goals per game on average, the 2023 AFCON produced a record 119 goals. Its rate of 2.38 goals per game hasn’t been surpassed since 2012. According to the governing body, the Confederation of African Football (CAF), more than two billion people watched the competition live on television, making it the most watched Nations Cup finals ever. The final was aired in 173 countries worldwide.

According to a thorough analysis of AFCON’s social media interactions using Sprinklr, the competition received over 5,442,811 mentions with a reach of over 67.3 billion people. Data also showed 65.4% positive and 34.6% negative mentions from conversations. Conversation themes from this analysis are-  Best AFCON, Super Eagles, Ivory Coast, AFCON 2024, and AFCON 2023.

During the competition, Nigeria had the highest interactions, exceeding 1.11 million, followed by South Africa with 307.33 thousand. Ghana had 280.15 thousand interactions, the United States recorded 255.86 thousand, and the United Kingdom had 193.29 thousand.

Examining the positive sentiments from the AFCON, it was glaring that many viewers were really happy with the development of football in Africa and the good use of VAR technology, amongst other things. 

Author: Bowale Odukale

Earlier this week, Buckingham Palace released a statement confirming that King Charles III has been diagnosed with cancer. This comes just a week after the 75-year-old monarch was discharged from a London hospital, where he underwent a procedure to address an enlarged prostate. The palace did not specify the type of cancer Charles is facing.

Reports state that King Charles will take a temporary leave of absence from public appearances, usually speeches, visits to charities he supports, community initiatives, and international travel.

In the wake of King Charles’s cancer diagnosis, the online community has been buzzing with reactions. From the announcement until Friday, discussions about this development have reached a staggering 9.98 billion, with 446.54K mentions. A sentiment analysis of these discussions reveals a notable surge, with 79.73% of mentions having a negative tone, while positive mentions account for 20.27%. The news has undoubtedly stirred a significant and diverse range of opinions across various online platforms.

The monitoring of conversations surrounding King Charles III’s cancer diagnosis has revealed several major content themes. Key topics include King Charles III, Prince William, Prince Charles, the Royal Family, Buckingham Palace, and Cancer Diagnosis. Notably, discussions around Prince William have gained prominence, with many speculating that Charles’s duties may transition to his son, William, the Prince of Wales and heir to the throne. This speculation has sparked significant interest and conversation within the online community. The Royal Family conversations concerned whether this cancer diagnostics could reunite the family.

According to the New York Times, if King Charles is temporarily unable to act as head of state because of illness or traveling abroad, counselors of state are appointed to cover his duties. The next four adult heirs in line and the monarch’s spouse usually serve as counselors of state. 

Author: Bowale Odukale

The F1 world completely shifted on Thursday. The news of Lewis Hamilton leaving Mercedes to join Ferrari for the 2025 Formula season got the sports industry agog. Ferrari stated on Thursday evening that seven-time world champion Hamilton will join the team on a multi-year contract beginning next season. Reports claim he will earn over $100 million annually at Ferrari, making him the highest-paid F1 driver ever.

The seven-time world champion is the most successful driver in Formula One history, with 103 victories and 104 pole positions. Michael Schumacher is the only other driver who has won seven world titles. Hamilton joined Mercedes from McLaren in 2013 and has won six world championships. He has not won a race since December 2021.

According to reports, Hamilton’s decision to join Ferrari follows several years of discontent with the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team. The British driver used a release option in his contract last year, indicating he was looking for a fresh challenge.

To all Formula One fans, you can agree that no one anticipated this coming, particularly Hamilton’s move to a rival team, which is already changing the driver landscape of F1. However, this is not the first time we’ve seen prominent stars in sports join rival teams.

Within twenty-four hours after the statement was published, I analyzed social media to gauge fans’ reactions about this significant shift using the SMLC’s Sprinklr. The analysis showed that the conversations generated over 113,225 mentions and reached over 799 million, a positive sentiment score of 73.49%, while negative had 26.51%.

Aside from the positive reactions to the conversations, one distinct thing was the sudden rise of Ferrari’s shares in the stock market. It gained $43.53, or 13%, in New York trading on Thursday to close at $389.45 a share, adding over $7 billion to its market cap. Despite some fans being happy about the move and expressing their loyalty to Hamilton irrespective of which team he joins, some saw this as a betrayal.

Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari has undeniably altered the course of Formula 1, leaving a lasting impact on the sport’s landscape. As fans come to terms with this unexpected shift, the 2025 season promises to be one of the most eagerly anticipated and closely watched in recent memory. Following this development, the next question for Mercedes is who will replace Hamilton.

Author: Bowale Odukale

It is no longer news that former President Donald Trump defeated Nikki Haley in the New Hampshire primary, bringing him closer to being the Republican presidential nominee. Donald Trump won the primaries with 54.5% (169,620 votes), while Nikki Haley received 43.3% (134,829 votes).

According to reports, Donald Trump is the first non-incumbent Republican contender in modern history to win the Iowa and New Hampshire GOP primaries. With the #NewHamphirePrimary generating a lot of online talk, the SMLC team took a quick look at the social media conversations around the GOP New Hampshire primary using Spinklr during and after the event over 24 hours. Here are a few fascinating facts.

A review of the conversations revealed over 64,558 mentions and a reach of more than 1.01 billion, with most of the conversation on the X platform. In addition, the study revealed a sentiment score with positive mentions at 61.6% and negative mentions at 38.3%. Examining the most active age gap, millennials from 18 to 35 were the most active, with over 11.2k mentions, followed by the middle-aged group, ages 35-60, with over 6.28k mentions.

Nevertheless, upon a thorough examination of the sentiment scores, it became evident that a significant number of social media users, particularly within the specified active age group, expressed joy over former President Donald Trump’s victory in the #NewHampshirePrimaries election, with a prevailing mixed theme centered on sharing personal happiness and taking our country back and culture. Here are some of the tweets featuring positive mentions.

To provide a well-rounded perspective, let’s explore some critical tweets to gain insights into users’ perspectives and responses to the #NewHampshirePrimary. According to Sprinklr, the most negative mentions stemmed from users’ perceptions expressing discontent with how Democrats played a pivotal role in supporting Nikki Haley’s candidacy. Here are a few examples of these tweets.

Despite these user chats, a report from USAToday, claims that New Hampshire has a closed primary, which means that voters can only vote in a political primary if they are registered members of that party or undeclared. Someone registered as a Democrat cannot vote in the GOP primary because the deadline for changing party affiliation was in October 2023.

Although the #NewHampshirePrimary has come to an end, emerging conversations around former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley to suspend her campaign are in top gear; Nikki Haley has made it bold to state that the race was “far from over” as she pledged to stay in it.  The upcoming GOP Presidential primaries are scheduled in Nevada and the Virgin Islands. Nevertheless, both candidates are currently focusing on a clash in the South Carolina primary.

Author: Bowale Odukale