Check out our top articles for the week. [Read from your browser]( Top Stories of the Week Welcome to Tech in Asia's free Sunday newsletter! Get full access to our subscribers-only premium content and other insightful analysis on the big and messy topics of Asiaâs tech and startup community by [registering here](. Hello {NAME} I grew up in a so-called digital transitory era. My first chat application was IRC (A/S/L, anyone?), thenI just rolled with everything that came after, from ICQ to MSN Messenger to WhatsApp and Signal (every journalist's favorite). Thatâs also how Iâve dealt with social media, from Friendster (LOL!) to TikTok. Am I showing my age? I'm a millennial, after all: Social media is a familiar space, just a part of life. But not everyone has the same attitude, though, especially if you're in government. Granted, governing is tough business and the burden of leading a country is heavy. But in this day and age when people live online, how do you keep a tight rein on peopleâs essentials? Donât scoff - social media is an essential item these days. How else can you reach the masses to promote your new product at little to no cost? The same can be said for a political movement: You can gain immense traction or generate so much hate by just posting something on a social platform. That's what's happening with TikTok right now. It's the friendliest social media platform compared to X, Facebook or even Instagram. That makes TikTok not only a favorite among users, especially content creators and small and medium-sized businesses, but itâs also the tool of choice among users bent on spreading propaganda, hateful content, and disinformation or misinformation. TikTok has always defended its content policies and moderated posts on its platform. But controlling everything there remains a problem, to the chagrin of governments everywhere. In Malaysia, TikTok and other social media platforms are on the radar of Fahmi Fadzil, the countryâs communications and digital minister. He wants them under his ministryâs thumb. More recently, he accused TikTok and Meta, Facebook's parent company, of censoring pro-Palestinian content. Both platforms rejected his claims. People whom I spoke to also alluded to the fact that the Malaysian government has not upped its social media game, and Fahmi's reaction points to the wider inability of governments to spread propaganda online. The truth is, platforms including TikTok have to wake up to the reality that governments everywhere will want to rein them in, anda ban is not off the table. But the opposite is also true: Governments are afraid of losing the publicâs support and will do whatever it takes to placate their voter base. -- [Emmanuel Samarathisa]( journalist at Tech in Asia  --------------------------------------------------------------- TOP STORIES THIS WEEK 1ï¸. [Bukalapakâs president on its IPOâs âsheer luckâ and why heâs not worried over stock prices](
After taking the ecommerce firm public and refocusing its business, Teddy Oetomo shares what heâs learned three years into the role. 2. [Shopee, Lazada may struggle to fill void left by TikTok Shop](
TikTok must also decide whether Southeast Asia's political dynamics is worth the commitment. 3. [Why are Korean founders setting up shop in Vietnam?](
Vietnam is following in South Koreaâs footsteps by developing its automotive and semiconductor industries - and Korean execs have taken notice. 4. [How EPOS bootstrapped its way to a 7-figure revenue](
After 14 years, the Singapore-based PoS and marketing tech provider has over 6,000 clients. But it has steered clear of regional expansion - with good reason. 5. [TikTok walks a tightrope in Malaysia as officials step up rhetoric](
The specter of a ban looms large, but Malaysian entrepreneurs and creators may pay the price. 6. [Indonesiaâs healthtech regulations inject new dose of optimism to startups](
The countryâs new omnibus healthcare law finally gives healthtech players a framework after years of no guidance. 7. [D2C in Indonesia: life after TikTok Shop ban and why offline retail still matters](
Young brands should focus on becoming champions in their home market before considering regional expansion, said DSG Consumer Partnersâ Sameer Mehta. 8. [Series SEA: Whoâs investing in the regionâs logistics and transportation startups?](
We've compiled a list of investors that are pouring money into Southeast Asiaâs logistics and transportation startups. 9. [Capital SEA: Southeast Asiaâs funding landscape](
Who are the new active investors on the block? Which funding rounds look like outliers? This visual story answers all this and more. 10. [Faveâs revenue slumps 24% in FY 2023, loss improves 78%](
The slump may be partly caused by Fave's adjustment of its financial year end, though it is also the company's lowest annual revenue in five years. --------------------------------------------------------------- TECH IN ASIAâS FOUNDERS MEETUP: VIETNAM Did you miss us last June? Great news: Weâre coming back to HCMC for another round of our exclusive, founders-only networking event! With over 3,000 startups and four unicorns, Vietnam is solidifying its position as a prominent startup hub in Southeast Asia. As Vietnam continues its upward trajectory, itâs essential to familiarize yourself with the opportunities and challenges in its startup scene. Looking for some fresh perspectives on how to navigate and thrive in this ecosystem? Or do you have tips and best practices that can help others overcome roadblocks? If you do, then this upcoming event is tailored for you. If you missed the first round of our Founders Meetup, then make sure to mark November 30 on your calendar. Join us in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City at the Hive Villa to connect, learn, and exchange ideas with fellow founders from the Tech in Asia community. Why go on your startup journey alone when you can turn to and collaborate with peers? Be an early bird and pay only US$10 instead of US$12.50 for a ticket, inclusive of complimentary drinks. This is available for a [limited time only - get yours before theyâre sold out]( Special thanks to our official event partners - AppWorks, AWS, CleverTap, Cooley, Sinarmas Land, Singapore Global Network (SGN), Quest Ventures, Purple Quarter and AppWorks - and our venue host, the Hive Villa, for making this meetup possible. --------------------------------------------------------------- WHO'S HIRING Â
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