The only explanation that makes sense to me is that TikTok is being targeted because it’s teaching people to criticize their governments. It’s a source of information that isn’t domestically controlled and that’s dangerous. It’s where younger generations gather to protest and share news they don’t see on Fox News or The New York Times. Coverage of the the bill don’t mention changing TikTok’s short-form format or restricting access to user’s data - it’s about either moving the corporation into the US hands or killing it’s influence. Many experts and some politicians argue it’s an attack on free speech and unconstitutional.
Arguments about mental health and data safety fall completely flat for me when so many other entities are left alone in spite of the same problems. Many social media platforms, ads, video games, etc. are deliberately designed to be addictive and give a “quick fix” that can harm mental health. Big companies like Google and Facebook/Meta have a business model of collecting data and “sharing” it with others. Governments collect data without protections like warrants all the time, and that includes the US. If mental health, privacy, and data safety were really the issues that motivated lawmakers we’d be seeing much more general protections (like in the EU) as opposed to targeting one company.
Or, and I know this sounds crazy so bear with me, TikTok has almost 200 million US users and it’s owned by a hostile authoritarian regime seeking to dismantle any vestige of democracy around the globe.
Oh shit was it Byte dance that spread RW propaganda and radicalized a generation of young men in support of one political candidate?
Oh no that was Meta (fb at the time).
How about a company disproportionately allowing one specific sub to violate content and user policies for months, years before acting, effectively allowing Russian propaganda bots to build a grassroots movement from what strated as a parody sub? (r/thedonald, Reddit).
Google has done the same thing via YT, effectively driving specific demographics to right wing conspiracy 🥜 job. At the same time they suppress leftist viewpoints and availability if leftist content.
The only explanation that makes sense to me is that TikTok is being targeted because it’s teaching people to criticize their governments. It’s a source of information that isn’t domestically controlled and that’s dangerous. It’s where younger generations gather to protest and share news they don’t see on Fox News or The New York Times. Coverage of the the bill don’t mention changing TikTok’s short-form format or restricting access to user’s data - it’s about either moving the corporation into the US hands or killing it’s influence. Many experts and some politicians argue it’s an attack on free speech and unconstitutional.
Arguments about mental health and data safety fall completely flat for me when so many other entities are left alone in spite of the same problems. Many social media platforms, ads, video games, etc. are deliberately designed to be addictive and give a “quick fix” that can harm mental health. Big companies like Google and Facebook/Meta have a business model of collecting data and “sharing” it with others. Governments collect data without protections like warrants all the time, and that includes the US. If mental health, privacy, and data safety were really the issues that motivated lawmakers we’d be seeing much more general protections (like in the EU) as opposed to targeting one company.
Or, and I know this sounds crazy so bear with me, TikTok has almost 200 million US users and it’s owned by a hostile authoritarian regime seeking to dismantle any vestige of democracy around the globe.
Just spitballing here.
Oh shit was it Byte dance that spread RW propaganda and radicalized a generation of young men in support of one political candidate?
Oh no that was Meta (fb at the time).
How about a company disproportionately allowing one specific sub to violate content and user policies for months, years before acting, effectively allowing Russian propaganda bots to build a grassroots movement from what strated as a parody sub? (r/thedonald, Reddit).
Google has done the same thing via YT, effectively driving specific demographics to right wing conspiracy 🥜 job. At the same time they suppress leftist viewpoints and availability if leftist content.
Big tech wants RW fascism in the US.