- Hi, I'm Amy at CyberNews.com, a sight of discoveries
and opinions in the field of cybersecurity.
YouTube are releasing a short form video service
which TikTok users might have seen before.
And in this video, we'll let you know everything
that we know so far about YouTube shorts.
We'll talk about the features and most importantly,
chat about which one is more secure.
After India banned many Chinese apps alongside TikTok,
YouTube took this opportunity to release YouTube shorts,
initially for Indian users.
Could this be an attempt from YouTube
to replace the controversial app TikTok?
Most probably, what are YouTube shorts?
In short, pun intended, this will be a video experience
that lets you create short videos directly
from the YouTube mobile app.
As far as we know, YouTube short will let you create
a 15-second video using a handful of new camera tools.
This video will be easily discoverable
on the YouTube homepage which is great for creatives
or artists that feel a little awkward
about joining entourage of teenage influencers
that make up TikTok.
We all know that the start of the global pandemic brought
a lot of uncertainties
and with these uncertainties came reflective questions.
Should I eat this whole bag of chips?
Should I shave my head?
And a lot of us asked ourselves, should I download TikTok?
During this time, we saw both Zoomers to Boomers
in viral TikTok videos.
TikTok even may Twilight a thing again.
Anyway, this of course was all
before the security risks were exposed
and it's safe to say that YouTube recognized
the people's need for a platform like TikTok
but in an arguably safer form.
What is TikTok?
Now, unless you've been living in the cave,
which I can totally relate to if you have,
I'm sure you've come across one or two TikTok videos
in the past few months.
To quote TikTok, "TikTok is the leading destination
"for short form mobile video.
"Our mission is to inspire creativity and bring joy."
Well, TikTok, a rude awakening might be installed
when YouTube shorts are globally accessible.
Here is what we know so far about YouTube shorts features.
When creating YouTube shorts,
you will have access to a multi segment camera.
This means that you can string multiple video tips together
and just like Instagram stories and TikTok,
you will have the option of choosing from a large library
of songs to state over your video.
These speed controls can give you the flexibility
to be creative in your performance.
Also the ability to go hands free
when recording yourself with the timer and countdown option.
Whilst these are just a handful of features,
YouTube have said that things will improve
and change over the next few months.
So who knows what new features will be accessible
once it drops globally.
On TikTok's platform, you'll find similar features,
videos from five to 60 seconds filters and effects
and the ability to overlay music from the music library.
Which one's more secure?
You ask, well, when it comes to TikTok,
it's been pretty difficult to ignore the whole Trump
and TikTok saga is panned out in recent months.
And with the beginning of westernization and politicization
of these platforms that many of us hold dear,
it's time to get serious.
As an in depth discussion or no website
about TikTok being used as a surveillance tool,
the link is just down in the description.
It's not only Trump that's gunning for TikTok,
the UK even investigated the app after suspicions
were raised about how it uses young users' personal data.
Isn't just Boomers and Karens ruining the fund
for everybody here or is that legitimate security risks?
Well, research has recently reported the apps
such as TikTok could access any data
on the clipboard off an iPhone without the user knowing
and a chilling report by Penetrum suggests
that TikTok not only harvest data
but that data is also being transferred to servers in China.
A pretty scary thought and a reason enough
to have a little caution.
If anything, this whole fiasco has introduced
the argument that we need to understand the consequences
of what we are sharing online.
What about YouTube?
On the other hand, YouTube has never
had this kind of backlash
but they are part of Google.
Yup, Google.
So you might have more control over your privacy
but there is also an argument that Google flirts dangerously
with mass surveillance too,
alongside Facebook, Amazon and Netflix
and following TikTok controversy,
many Western companies are now under question.
With these big tech companies dominating
almost every aspect of our lives.
Maybe it's time to take a step back
and evaluate all need for these services.
The bottom line is it really isn't a simple situation,
mainly questionable practices.
Yet TikTok is perceived as a greater risk to our privacy,
for now, anyway.
So with this similar features,
easy access and somewhat safer platform from Google,
it could be that TikTok is run out of town completely.
Besides if you've already got the YouTube app,
you're already 90% of the way there anyway.
Just remember, the best weapon is a curious mind.
Let's stop the mindless downloading and scrolling,
question the security level of the platforms you use
and don't be fooled by the flashy filters.
Don't forget, there's more information
on TikTok security level down in the description.
Don't forget to like and subscribe for regular updates.
Until next time.
(upbeat music)