Pub. 1 2023 Issue 1

What should you know about current trends as you consider policy changes? For one thing, TikTok has quickly grown in popularity over the past two years with more than a billion monthly active users — which means your employees are likely using the platform and are probably doing so during work hours. The app allows users to upload videos from five seconds to 10 minutes. TikTok then filters videos through their feed using an algorithm and shares them with other users. These videos may receive millions of views, comments, likes, and shares. While TikTok is popular, it’s obviously not the only platform featuring employees on the job. Unlike TikTok — where users are hoping to go viral – the BeReal app takes a less sensational approach. BeReal doesn’t have filters, hashtags, or even followers. To view someone’s BeReal, you have to request to be their friend. The app encourages users to provide an unfiltered view into their “real” everyday life. Each day at a different time, the app simultaneously notifies all users to “BeReal” and share a photo within two minutes, regardless of their location. The camera on the app will then take a photo of the user with the front-facing camera while also taking a photo on the back camera, creating a BeReal snapshot to share with friends. This app can be potentially problematic for employers. Many times, BeReal alerts occur during work hours, so users end up taking pictures of their workplace or work area. Because BeReal is shared among friends, the app may create a sense of safety, and users might forget to censor confidential information. Moreover, while BeReal doesn’t have the same “viral” nature as TikTok, that doesn’t stop users from sharing their posts beyond the app on other platforms. 21

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