Ban Tik Tok = National Security -- or China-Bashing?

[Patooka]

Steven Mnuchin Says He Is Putting Together a Group to Buy TikTok

I hope they have some deep pockets.

Holy shit! Even former Trump officials aren't touching Truth social and prefer to invest elsewhere.

 

[ZiprHead]

Steven Mnuchin Says He Is Putting Together a Group to Buy TikTok

I hope they have some deep pockets.

Holy shit! Even former Trump officials aren't touching Truth social and prefer to invest elsewhere.

Mnuchin has produced some huge Hollywood films but I don't thinks he is wealthy enough alone to buy Tic Toc. It will be interesting to see how this plays out.

 

[Don2 (Don1 Revised)]

Every owner of big tech is a big risk, even to national security...there's data selling, stealing, and misinformation. These cross national borders, but even when they don't, it's still pretty bad. It's interesting that new American IPO ownership is all suggested to be politically connected or even revolving door. With Russia connections thru Trump. We seem to need a new paradigm.

 

[RVonse]

And while almost no one will get any of that, the point is, our Internet infrastructure is weak. Our data has already been stolen by many cartels. But TikTok... we need to act on that!

Content Differences in TikTok-China VS TikTok-India

TikTok, a globally acclaimed short-form video hosting service owned by the Chinese company #ByteDance, stands as one of the most widely used applications. Enabling users to share concise videos, it has catapulted numerous content creators into the realm of 'social media stardom.

www.linkedin.com

It's widely acknowledged that TikTok is renowned for featuring videos that often lack coherence or meaningful context.

Furthermore, there is an abundance of content that endorses problematic behaviors, including twerking, pranks on parents, soft porn, nude dancing for increased views and likes, and the use of vulgar language to appear "cool." Remarkably, these videos are garnering millions of views.

TikTok in China is different​

In China, #TikTok operates under the name Douyin and is owned by the Chinese company ByteDance. A stark contrast exists between the content promoted on #Douyin in China and what users in the "REST OF THE WORLD" encounter on TikTok. Notably, China has a policy in place wherein only government-regulated content can receive platform promotions, while any other content cannot be actively promoted.
Given this regulatory framework, Douyin predominantly features content related to technology, architecture, music, and other interests that foster creativity and skill development among its users. This stands in contrast to other countries where TikTok often prioritizes content with viral potential to generate revenue for the company.

Needless to say the content that the Chinese learn on tic tok is useful technical liberal arts knowledge instead of stupid crap we see in the US. Furthermore in China NO ONE is allowed on tic tok after 10pm curfew.

Its difficult to imagine a more effective means for a foreign country to take down another nation than to brainwash their young population with social media. I just heard on the radio today there were young people calling congress people threatening to kill themselves or other people if they passed any legislation against tic tok. Young people brainwashed to this extent over such a dumb and stupid app is a serious issue IMO.

So yes, tic tok is a HUGE threat way way more than you give it credit.

 

[Emily Lake]

I'm far less concerned about sexy dancing and bad language on TikTok than I am about the promotion of content that fosters partisanship and political division in the US. And if you've ever spent any time on TikTok, no matter how dialed in you think you've gotten the algorithm, it will still present politically and socially motivated content in FYP, and that content will be such that it sows discord and hate.

 

[RVonse]

I'm far less concerned about sexy dancing and bad language on TikTok than I am about the promotion of content that fosters partisanship and political division in the US. And if you've ever spent any time on TikTok, no matter how dialed in you think you've gotten the algorithm, it will still present politically and socially motivated content in FYP, and that content will be such that it sows discord and hate.

I don't disagree with any of this. But I don't think we should ignore the fact Chinese youth are actually learning useful knowlege versus trash. And given that each population is addicted its seems so much better to be learning something that is a direct benefit to its society.

 

[Harry Bosch]

I'm far less concerned about sexy dancing and bad language on TikTok than I am about the promotion of content that fosters partisanship and political division in the US. And if you've ever spent any time on TikTok, no matter how dialed in you think you've gotten the algorithm, it will still present politically and socially motivated content in FYP, and that content will be such that it sows discord and hate.

I don't disagree with any of this. But I don't think we should ignore the fact Chinese youth are actually learning useful knowlege versus trash. And given that each population is addicted its seems so much better to be learning something that is a direct benefit to its society.

Very true. Having said that, I’d 1,000 times over would rather live in a country where I can decide what to watch rather than have the government force it on me.

 

[TomC]

Very true. Having said that, I’d 1,000 times over would rather live in a country where I can decide what to watch rather than have the government force it on me.

Imagine the response if someone posted a TikTok about Tianamen Square, or lies the Chinese government told about Hong Kong, or the opinions of the Taiwanese, on the Chinese version of TikTok.
Yeah, right.
Tom

 

[Jimmy Higgins]

I'm far less concerned about sexy dancing and bad language on TikTok than I am about the promotion of content that fosters partisanship and political division in the US. And if you've ever spent any time on TikTok, no matter how dialed in you think you've gotten the algorithm, it will still present politically and socially motivated content in FYP, and that content will be such that it sows discord and hate.

I don't disagree with any of this. But I don't think we should ignore the fact Chinese youth are actually learning useful knowlege versus trash.

Do they now? Is that based on the meme you posted?

And given that each population is addicted its seems so much better to be learning something that is a direct benefit to its society.

Based on what you think it should be?

I am not a fan of TikTok and Instagram, the world would be better without it. But I think you are making wildly presumptive conclusions with virtually no information to justify it with regarding what children in the US and China are learning.

 

[scombrid]

I'm far less concerned about sexy dancing and bad language on TikTok than I am about the promotion of content that fosters partisanship and political division in the US. And if you've ever spent any time on TikTok, no matter how dialed in you think you've gotten the algorithm, it will still present politically and socially motivated content in FYP, and that content will be such that it sows discord and hate.

I don't disagree with any of this. But I don't think we should ignore the fact Chinese youth are actually learning useful knowlege versus trash. And given that each population is addicted its seems so much better to be learning something that is a direct benefit to its society.

We definitely need government run media to keep people straight. Have any good links from Epoch Times, FOX, OANN, Newsmax, Rumble, Parler, or Truth Social to hammer the point home?

 

[Don2 (Don1 Revised)]

And while almost no one will get any of that, the point is, our Internet infrastructure is weak. Our data has already been stolen by many cartels. But TikTok... we need to act on that!

Content Differences in TikTok-China VS TikTok-India

TikTok, a globally acclaimed short-form video hosting service owned by the Chinese company #ByteDance, stands as one of the most widely used applications. Enabling users to share concise videos, it has catapulted numerous content creators into the realm of 'social media stardom.

www.linkedin.com

It's widely acknowledged that TikTok is renowned for featuring videos that often lack coherence or meaningful context.

Furthermore, there is an abundance of content that endorses problematic behaviors, including twerking, pranks on parents, soft porn, nude dancing for increased views and likes, and the use of vulgar language to appear "cool." Remarkably, these videos are garnering millions of views.

TikTok in China is different​

In China, #TikTok operates under the name Douyin and is owned by the Chinese company ByteDance. A stark contrast exists between the content promoted on #Douyin in China and what users in the "REST OF THE WORLD" encounter on TikTok. Notably, China has a policy in place wherein only government-regulated content can receive platform promotions, while any other content cannot be actively promoted.
Given this regulatory framework, Douyin predominantly features content related to technology, architecture, music, and other interests that foster creativity and skill development among its users. This stands in contrast to other countries where TikTok often prioritizes content with viral potential to generate revenue for the company.

Needless to say the content that the Chinese learn on tic tok is useful technical liberal arts knowledge instead of stupid crap we see in the US. Furthermore in China NO ONE is allowed on tic tok after 10pm curfew.

Its difficult to imagine a more effective means for a foreign country to take down another nation than to brainwash their young population with social media. I just heard on the radio today there were young people calling congress people threatening to kill themselves or other people if they passed any legislation against tic tok. Young people brainwashed to this extent over such a dumb and stupid app is a serious issue IMO.

So yes, tic tok is a HUGE threat way way more than you give it credit.

You think you are saying that Tik Tok is a threat because of China. If you actually read and understand your points, what you are actually saying is that freedom and capitalism are a threat to the US. Those are the things that have influenced Tik Tok into being what you decry in the US above. While you may be against China and not trusting in their government, their government isn't forcing Americans into eating ice cream toilet bowl sundaes or whatever those people were doing. So clearly you need to focus on what it really is about Tik Tok (or any social media you do not like) and decide what you think our government should have authority to do about it in our free, democratic, capitalist framework OR you need to reject some of those fundamentals. But either way, you need to think more about what really makes you angry before yelling at the sky.

 

[RVonse]

You think you are saying that Tik Tok is a threat because of China. If you actually read and understand your points, what you are actually saying is that freedom and capitalism are a threat to the US.

They become a threat when a foreign entity conspires by digital means to use freedom and capitalism against us. And yes, it is up to our government to protect the internal population from foreign propaganda from any of its digital forms. Because if the US government does not do it, who will? Furthermore, if the US government should not protect its citizens from foreign propaganda, why should we even have a defense department at all? Just allow our enemies to convince most of our population we don't like the US and want their government to take us over. You accomplish the same goal using psychological warfare without firing a single shot.

The fact that we should even be arguing whether or not Chinese propaganda should be allowed in the US is more than telling IMO. And for some odd reason (that I still have not figured out), the republicans seem fine with Russia propaganda influence but the democrats for the most part seem equally fine with Chinese influence.

 

[TomC]

You think you are saying that Tik Tok is a threat because of China.

Speaking only for my uneducated self,
That's not the whole reason. TikTok has built in security issues that makes it different from other such platforms. The fact that China designed it and has access to the security puts it in a different category, due to Chinese goals.

Don't quote me, I am a complete ignoramus on the subject. Never had TikTok, never so much as bought a pizza online.
Tom

 

[Jimmy Higgins]

You think you are saying that Tik Tok is a threat because of China. If you actually read and understand your points, what you are actually saying is that freedom and capitalism are a threat to the US.

They become a threat when a foreign entity conspires by digital means to use freedom and capitalism against us.

Careful, the US has a sketchy history doing that exact thing to China.

And yes, it is up to our government to protect the internal population from foreign propaganda from any of its digital forms. Because if the US government does not do it, who will? Furthermore, if the US government should not protect its citizens from foreign propaganda, why should we even have a defense department at all? Just allow our enemies to convince most of our population we don't like the US and want their government to take us over. You accomplish the same goal using psychological warfare without firing a single shot.

Okay, so I have to humor people being allowed to stock up on weapons or allow people who are intent on murdering many people the right to purpose a weapon to allow as such shortly before enacting the crime...

...but ridiculous content on TikTok is a bridge too far? If Mnuchin purchases TikTok and TikTok remains the same model because that makes money, how is this any different?

The fact that we should even be arguing whether or not Chinese propaganda should be allowed in the US is more than telling IMO.

I don't think we are arguing about whether Chinese propaganda should be allowed. I think the question is how is this Chinese propaganda when the content is made by Americans.

And for some odd reason (that I still have not figured out), the republicans seem fine with Russia propaganda influence...

Oh come on, like you believe one word of that, in your attempt to somehow justify your claim below.

but the democrats for the most part seem equally fine with Chinese influence.

 

[RVonse]

I don't think we are arguing about whether Chinese propaganda should be allowed. I think the question is how is this Chinese propaganda when the content is made by Americans.

Tic Toc is owned and controlled by Chinese created algorithms. It is the algorithms that steer the content made by Americans. So that's what makes tic toc a useful propaganda outlet device for the CCP.

 

[Jimmy Higgins]

I don't think we are arguing about whether Chinese propaganda should be allowed. I think the question is how is this Chinese propaganda when the content is made by Americans.

Tic Toc is owned and controlled by Chinese created algorithms. So that makes it not only possible but likely to be a propaganda outlet device for the CCP.

So, is the content on Instagram wildly insightful and intelligent and TikTok is ridiculous SAST drivel?

 

[TomC]

Tic Toc is owned and controlled by Chinese created algorithms. It is the algorithms that steer the content made by Americans. So that's what makes tic toc a useful propaganda outlet device for the CCP.

For what it's worth, I trust the Chinese government about as much as Trump, Musk, and Murdoch.
Tom

 

[RVonse]

I don't think we are arguing about whether Chinese propaganda should be allowed. I think the question is how is this Chinese propaganda when the content is made by Americans.

Tic Toc is owned and controlled by Chinese created algorithms. So that makes it not only possible but likely to be a propaganda outlet device for the CCP.

So, is the content on Instagram wildly insightful and intelligent and TikTok is ridiculous SAST drivel?

Im no expert on either platform. But I would say Instagram is not addictive as tik Tok is. That might just only be that Instagram sucks while tik tok is producing extreme amounts of value to the users. On the other hand this might have something else much more sinister involved.

That is why it is proper for the government to be cautious.

 

[Jimmy Higgins]

Im no expert on either platform. But I would say Instagram is not addictive as tik Tok is.

You'd say?

That might just only be that Instagram sucks while tik tok is producing extreme amounts of value to the users. On the other hand this might have something else much more sinister involved.

Well, that is very interesting. Of course, my question was is the material on Instagram relative to TikTok. And you quite dodged that question. Which then really makes one wonder, why you give a rat's butt about one vapid social media app over another vapid social media app.

 

[Loren Pechtel]

I don't understand how they suddenly care about 'foreign influence' in elections when they've never given a rats ass before (when it was Russia). As far as having our personal information, I'm quite sure they already have it. Admittedly, I haven't researched it at length, but it feels like it would benefit Musk to get rid of TikTok.

It's been an issue for a long time but the disinformation campaigns were mostly under Moscow control so they wouldn't say anything about the problem. TikTok is under Beijing control rather than Moscow control so of course the Moscow voices will object.

I don't think it makes much difference from a compromise standpoint, I would assume that both Beijing and Moscow will have access to any information that can be gleaned about who is vulnerable. Ordinary private enterprise simply can't keep such secrets from state-level actors. However, to the extent that they put their thumb on the scale in terms of what's recommended I do think it's important who is in control. We've seen some pretty obvious thumbs on the scale with Shitter, is there any reason to think there aren't more subtle thumbs on the scale with all such platforms?