James Hale

• TikTok just employed a whole bunch of thumbnail designers
• Can Michael Bay make Skibidi Toilet the next cinematic universe?

  For the uninitiated, Skibidi Toilet absolutely skyrocketed to popularity last summer. It's a series of short, lo-fi, computer-generated videos set in a world where a vast army of toilets with heads in them face off against a rival force of characters with things like TVs, CCTV cameras, and megaphones for heads. It's made by self-taught Russian animator Alexey Gerasimov, and first went live in February 2023.

  
• Twitch is clarifying more policies for streamers and viewers. This time, it’s cracking down on sexual harassment.

  Twitch has a history of confusing policies, confusing enforcement of those policies, and even more confusing policy updates (that are occasionally rolled back within hours of being debuted). But over the last year, it's put effort into clarifying its policies around things like nudity, violent and sexual content, deepfakes, swatting/doxxing, and even simulcasting, so streamers have a better idea of what's allowed and what isn't.

  
• Ava Kris Tyson “permanently” leaving MrBeast team after accusations she sent inappropriate messages to 13-year-old

  Ava Kris Tyson is "permanently step[ping] away from all things MrBeast" after being accused of sending inappropriate messages to a 13-year-old when she was 20.

  
• YouTube is “closing the gap” between Shorts and long-form monetization
• One creator is suing another for (allegedly) copying her vibe. Can she win?
• It’s not just the kids. Half of American adults want to be influencers.
• Olympic Committee sues Prime for “millions of dollars” over its collab with Kevin Durant
• Twitch unbans Trump, former president now free on all major platforms
• Wendigoon and Evan Royalty’s S.T.A.L.K.E.R. film is the latest creator project to hit theaters
• Tana Mongeau’s allegations against Cody Ko resurface in D’Angelo Wallace video
• Creators should be able to license music from major artists. Lickd lets them do it for as little as $8 a song.