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Homeland Security Denies Leaking Diddy & Cassie Footage After Lawyer’s Accusations

October 11, 2024 by newhiphopnews

The federal case against Diddy for alleged sex trafficking and other charges became a pretty contentious court affair when his lawyer Marc Agnifilo accused the federal government of allegedly leaking the footage of him assaulting Cassie in 2016 to the press. Specifically, he accused the Department of Homeland Security of this move. Not only that, but the attorney also alleged that the government leaked other grand jury information, used excessive force in their raids on Sean Combs’ homes, and he sought to launch an investigation into the matter. Thanks to alleged email exchanges reportedly obtained by AllHipHop, we now have the feds’ answer to these allegations.

“The Government did not possess the video published by CNN prior to its public release, and the Government possessed no surveillance video at all from the Intercontinental prior to CNN’s public broadcast,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily Johnson reportedly stated concerning this Diddy allegation. “Accordingly, we wish to advise you that we consider any assertion in your motion of a purported Government leak related to the Intercontinental surveillance video to lack a good faith basis.”

Diddy At The 2023 Met Gala

Diddy Trial Government Denies Leak Cassie Footage Hip Hop News — NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MAY 01: Sean “Diddy” Combs attends The 2023 Met Gala Celebrating “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line Of Beauty” at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 01, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images)

“I don’t believe you can possibly know what DHS agents did and did not do in regard to this videotape,” Diddy’s lawyer allegedly responded. “We are making it very clear that we believe the U.S. Attorney’s Office was not involved in the leak. However, I don’t feel the same way about DHS. […] We reached out as a gesture of good faith and because we genuinely want to know your perspective. […] While you can speak from a position of knowledge in regard to your office, I don’t believe you can do so in regard to the agency.”

“To be clear, to our understanding, DHS did not have possession of the videotape prior to CNN’s publication of it,” Johnson responded to Diddy’s defense team. “Only the Government has authority to obtain grand jury material, and the video broadcast by CNN was not obtained through grand jury process.” As such, it seems like this is an allegation that Marc Agnifilo will have to argue even further in court if he wants to revisit these alleged leaks.

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Will TikTok Really Be Banned In The U.S.?

June 5, 2024 by newhiphopnews

The immensely popular video-sharing app TikTok has been under intense scrutiny in the United States due to concerns over data privacy and national security. In April 2024, President Biden signed into law legislation that requires ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company in China, to divest from the app or face a nationwide ban. As the fate of TikTok hangs in the balance, many wonder if the app will truly be illegal in the U.S.

The TikTok Bill & Its Implications

The Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, included in a $95 billion foreign aid package, gives ByteDance 270 days to sell TikTok. It includes a possible 90-day extension if needed. If ByteDance fails to comply, TikTok could be banned nationwide. The bill has gained bipartisan support. Lawmakers have expressed concerns over the potential for the Chinese government to access sensitive user data through the app. This legislation marks an important step in the U.S. government’s efforts to address the concerns of foreign-owned tech companies, particularly those with ties to China.

Legal Challenges & Uncertainties

TikTok has filed a lawsuit against the U.S. government, arguing that the law is unconstitutional and violates the First Amendment. The company’s CEO, Shou Zi Chew, has said that TikTok users will continue to have access to the platform as the bill is challenged in court. The outcome of this legal battle remains uncertain, and the case could potentially end up before the Supreme Court. It is likely that the legal process will be lengthy and complex. There will be a need for courts to strike a balance between national security concerns and the protection of free speech and due process.

Data Privacy Concerns & Comparisons

Intelligence officials have not provided direct evidence of data transfer between TikTok and the Chinese government. However, they have stressed the potential risks. TikTok’s data collection practices, while extensive, are not entirely unique among social media platforms. The data collected by TikTok “pales in comparison” to the information already available for purchase through U.S.-based data brokers, per Nebraska Examiner. This raises questions about the singling out of TikTok and whether the focus should be on strengthening overall data privacy laws rather than targeting a specific app.

If ByteDance is forced to sell TikTok, potential buyers could include large tech companies like Microsoft, Oracle, and Walmart. They would also include wealthy individuals and investment groups. However, the sale of TikTok to prevent a ban faces several obstacles. This includes the transfer of its algorithm, which is a key component of the app’s success. China would likely have to approve the transfer of the algorithm, a move that experts believe is unlikely, according to CNBC. Additionally, TikTok’s estimated $100 billion value could limit the pool of potential buyers to the world’s wealthiest individuals and companies.

Enforcement Challenges

Enforcing a nationwide ban on TikTok could prove challenging for the U.S. government. App stores like Google Play and Apple’s App Store could be compelled to remove the app. But this would not remove TikTok from phones that already have it installed, per TechTarget. Additionally, users could potentially circumvent a TikTok ban by using VPNs or alternative app stores. This would require some technical knowledge. There are also questions about TikTok’s effectiveness in protecting national security and privacy.

The future of TikTok in the United States remains uncertain. The company continues to navigate legal challenges and faces pressure from lawmakers and lobbying groups. While data privacy concerns are valid, some argue that the focus should be on addressing the laws rather than singling out TikTok. As a result of this confrontation, TikTok and its users will be adversely affected. It will also change how the U.S. government approaches data privacy issues in the future. Regardless of the decision, the TikTok ban raises critical questions about balancing national security, free speech, and social media’s evolving landscape.

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Beyonce Vs. IRS Continues As Singer Is Ordered To Pay $2.7M In Taxes & Penalties: Report

September 1, 2023 by newhiphopnews

Beyonce’s battle against the IRS continues after the tax agency ordered her to pay up nearly $3 million in back taxes and penalties. However, according to Radar Online, Beyonce’s putting up a fight until a federal court has the last say. The IRS reportedly stated that they made “no errors” when they first assessed Bey’s taxes, standing by the sum of $2.7 million they believe the singer owes them. Still, Beyonce plans to push back on the ruling. Until the federal court makes its decision, Bey won’t have to pay a cent.

The IRS broke down the figures in their summary which includes $967,020 from 2018 ($805,850 in taxes and another $161,170 in penalties). From 2019, the IRS demands that she cough up $1,731,296.40 (from taxes amounting to $1,442,747 and $288,549.40 in penalties). Moreover, Beyonce said that they pledged to add compounded taxes until she clears her debt entirely with the IRS. However, she said that she shouldn’t have to pay penalties due to the fact that she “acted reasonably and in good faith.”

Beyonce Calls Out The IRS

Still, Beyonce’s beef with the IRS stems from claims that they miscalculated her taxes entirely. Bey first filed a petition against the IRS in April. When she brought the matter to a U.S. Tax court, she explained that there were a number of inaccuracies in the IRS’s bill. She said that they didn’t allow her to claim a few million worth of deductions, including “depreciation of $3,326,103 reported” from her 2019 taxes. Meanwhile, the IRS said it denied “generally each and every allegations in the petition.”

Regardless of the outcome, Beyonce will still be fine financially. In the past few months, her Renaissance World Tour has proved to be a fruitful endeavor. Billboard estimated that it could even bring in upwards of $500M by the end of the year. We will continue to keep you posted on any more details surrounding Beyonce’s battle against the IRS.

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