10 ms·

U.S. Commerce Department rescinds TikTok, WeChat prohibited transactions list

79 points by shivbhatt 5y ago

FearlessNebula 5y ago
I really can’t stand TikTok. It sucks up so much data straight to the Chinese government, I absolutely refuse to use it. But so many good creators are starting to dabble with it, and many of my friends will send me TikTok links that I can’t open.
- rvz 5y ago
  TikTok Downvoters / Flaggers: 3 Minutes. The time it just takes for the TikTok fanatics to silence me for raising concerns and criticising their platform.
  - MatthiasWandel 5y ago
    Tiktok is all about Short attention span, whereas hacker news is longer attention span. I don’t expect too many tiktokers to go so far as to log in and down vote.
    - codetrotter 5y ago
      This is one of those ideas that some people have but which has little root in reality. I literally both read HN a lot and watch a lot of videos on TikTok. And I also know many other people that like to watch videos on TikTok. None of whom fit into the mould you are projecting. And none of whom base their identity around whether or not they watch videos on TikTok neither.
    - FearlessNebula 5y ago
      Not to mention the overlap between HN and TikTok has gotta be pretty slim.
  - vermilingua 5y ago
    > Please don't comment about the voting on comments. It never does any good, and it makes boring reading. https://news.ycombinator.com/newsguidelines.html https://news.ycombinator.com/newsguidelines.html
- deleted 5y ago
  [deleted]
- sschueller 5y ago
  This is how European's feel irregardless if the app is Chinese or American. All your data gets sucked up by some foreign nation (private industry or government, doesn't really matter).
  - skinkestek 5y ago
    Agreed. And make no mistake: - it is one of my checks when I consider who I vote for - I do complain to relevant authorities to the best of my ability - I am willing to put more effort and more money behind it - I am not alone ================ For everyone who agree but haven't done anything yet, feel free to take any small step, some examples: - contact politicins and ask them (twitter, snail mail, email, phone) - contact local consumer protection groups - generally be vocal about it wherever it is relevant (i.e. don't be an annoying fool): in app reviews, in a constructive way in relevant discussions in forums etc This serves two purposes: first to make sure politicians and authorites know this is a pain point. Secondly it also makes sure app makers gets the message. While I will probably enjoy it too much when certain big companies get their well deserved multi million or even multi billion fines I don't generally want punishment but compliance: I just want my alarm clock and what not that I already pay a stupid monthly fee for not to try to double dip me on top of that! (Real case, hey Alarmy! Enjoy your free advertising!) I just don't want everyone and their dog to be aware what I disease I looked up. Basically I just want basic decency.
  - lorlou 5y ago
    Then Europe should start making their own apps.
  - CountDrewku 5y ago
    Good, the difference is your government(s) actually make laws to stop this stuff. The US doesn't seem to give a shit.
    - econnors 5y ago
      U.S. brings the software, China brings the hardware, EU brings the regulation.
- rvz 5y ago
  You know that TikTok is no different to the rest of them. (and does the same behaviours of any other social network collecting your data which I find as a damning violation of our privacy.) How else is that 'recommendation algorithm' supposed to work, then? Another 'algorithm' that governs and orders what can be seen and unseen for the accounts of hundreds of millions of users again. Just like YouTube, Instagram and Twitter. Once ByteDance changes their algorithm and the users begin to complain about it, then I will point them to this comment and say, I tried to warn them but they decided to 'silence' me instead because I am right. We'll see soon enough.
- nebula8804 5y ago
  If possible you could just scrape some of your favorite tik-tokers using something like this. https://github.com/drawrowfly/tiktok-scraper https://github.com/drawrowfly/tiktok-scraper I have been working on building my own client apps by reverse engineering existing apps' api and by really deciding what apps I really need. For example, I have the app for some convenience stores and I have realized that the only reason I use them is for the barcode that the app loads(turns out they use a library to generate the barcode buts its the same every time because its based on a customer ID). So why not just print out the barcode onto a dogtag and ditch the app? Im trying to work my way through each app so then my phone has the bare minimum of of third party tracking. Facebook and Instagram are gonna be the real tough cookies but luckily I have reduced my usage significantly.
  - FearlessNebula 5y ago
    Wouldn’t it be easier to take a screenshot of the code in the app and just keep it in your photos?
    - nebula8804 5y ago
      Yes but this saves from having to take out the phone at all. Sorry I didn't include that context. If I can reduce pulling out my phone that is something I prefer. I am taking screenshots of the code in another app(that changes every time) and its annoying because i have to shuffle through photos and it still requires me to use the app. This is something I am still trying to figure out how I can do better.
- deregulateMed 5y ago
  It's not like you can't find better content off social media.
- 2OEH8eoCRo0 5y ago
  I blocked Instagram, Facebook, Reddit, Tik Tok, and Snapchat on my home network. Good riddance.
- gman83 5y ago
  I have a feeling like it spiked a while ago. If I listen to my teenage daughters, they're all complaining that TikTok went downhill and it's full of creeps now.
- Miner49er 5y ago
  I like Tik Tok. It's way better then any other social media out there; it doesn't have all the negativity other social media does. It's very positive, and has seemingly endless good content. I think it's likely better for a person's mental health then any other social media since it isn't fueled by negativity. I also don't think it's data collection is any worse then any other social media's. I don't see why I should care that China has my data. I'm more scared of my own government having my data.
  - CountDrewku 5y ago
    The negative aspect is that it's a distracting time suck and causes addictive tendencies in young people that don't have fully matured brains yet. >I also don't think it's data collection is any worse then any other social media's. I don't see why I should care that China has my data. I'm more scared of my own government having my data. Because China is an authoritarian regime that commits genocide against its own citizens and has done multiple other atrocious inhumane things. You should be scared.
  - kderbyma 5y ago
    I don't doubt your opinion...but this reads like CCP propaganda lol. As someone else mentioned....China is a human rights abusing nation state......a little different imo....but what do I know. I don't use tiktok
- CyanBird 5y ago
  > It sucks up so much data straight to the Chinese government Do you have a source for this? At least in the case of the US all user data by law must remain in the country, wouldn't surprise me if the same happened on the entirety of the EU
  - corytheboyd 5y ago
    Seriously, does anyone have anything?
  - pm90 5y ago
    As ByteDance is headquartered in the PRC, I imagine they have to comply with whatever the CCP asks them to do. Similar to how Facebook would have to comply with a US courts subpoena for records even if it belonged to a foreign National, but worse since it’s the Party and not an independent Judiciary making such requests.
- bdcravens 5y ago
  > It sucks up so much data straight to the Chinese government Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts are copies of TikTok, because Facebook and Google are much safer places to have our data sucked up.
  - 0x0EB0DA10 5y ago
    I get Google because it aggregates data, but Facebook? Isn't Facebook supposed 'leaked data' actually within Facebook API Access that any big companies could get? Facebook was poorly responsible with its user data.
joelbondurant 5y ago
USA brand tax cattle state property objects need to get their social compliance scores up, or get drone bombed.
nromiun 5y ago
> "China has been urging the U.S. side to respect market economy principles and international trade rules, to immediately stop stretching the concept of national security and stop wantonly abusing state power to suppress China's tech companies," spokesman Zhai Lijian said on Tuesday in Beijing. Ironic. I don't suppose they will allow Twitter, Facebook etc in China after this.
- Barrin92 5y ago
  there's a difference between the US treating TikTok or WeChat differently even compared to American companies vs the fact that China just has an entirely different legal framework. Facebook or Twitter aren't banned because they're American, they're banned because they're not willing to comply with Chinese law at all, which Chinese companies themselves are subject to. Bing operates in China, as do a bunch of other large American tech firms.
  - vmception 5y ago
    Chinese law is incredibly anticompetitive. These companies are willing to comply with Chinese laws but these laws just screw them so they exit the market, then the Chinese censors block access to their domain names as it is impossible that they are complying on the information side of things. Separate and nuanced issue, as you pointed out. But not complete.
    - ethanbond 5y ago
      I’m absolutely not a fan of China’s behavior here (and in many other areas), but if it’s true that these companies “exit the market,” then getting blocked by the firewall doesn’t mean anything. What they mean by “exit the market” is to still actually participate in the market but not take on any of its obligations (again, despite my own disagreement with the “obligations”)
    - Barrin92 5y ago
      >These companies are willing to comply with Chinese laws They're really not. This is why Google exited China. The reason why some American tech firms don't operate in China isn't because they can't handle regulatory compliance (they obviously can given their size and resources), they don't operate in China because complying with Chinese laws would create absolutely bad PR in the United States. Which means this is not an issue of free-trade but of internal US politics between domestic companies and the public. The United States states isn't treated unfairly, it's just for the first time experiencing what it means to not be able to enforce American standards abroad.
belatw 5y ago
If American Google or Facebook can spy on Palestinians or Mexicans then why not let Chinese TikTok spy on Americans? It’s all the same.
deregulateMed 5y ago
It was absolutely enraging to see politicians try to ban software. The American competitive advantage is the ability to start a business. I want the entire world making software for US citizens. I want US developers to compete with the rest of the world. You know who is going to struggle competing? China and Europe due to difficulty dealing with governments. Sure you get an occasional piece of software from these countries, but there's a reason FAANGM exists.
temp22334455 5y ago
Many people believe disinformation spread on social media is a huge problem. Knowing this, is it really a good idea to give a CCP-controlled company direct access to the minds of our youngest generation?
- pm90 5y ago
  It’s not and Biden Admins inaction on following through with the previous admins threat is quite a significant action that’s just not getting the press it deserves.
- fma 5y ago
  I don't think it's a "belief" but a fact when we have all these conspiracy theories about the vaccine floating around. 1) Imagine if the US government was able to require social media or news sites to take down posts that spread disinformation about the vaccine. We'd be at herd immunity. But alas, an uneducated opinion about the vaccine is equally as important as a scientists with decades of experience in the field. It is a strength, and weakness of freedom of speech. 2) And now imagine that a foreign government can pump misinformation about the mRNA vaccine (China and Russia have been documented to do so) and shape opinions on any topic. "A survey found that a quarter of adults 18-39 "definitely" won't get vaccinated." https://abcnews.go.com/Health/young-adult-vaccination-rate-lags-age-groups-cdc/story?id=78406341 https://abcnews.go.com/Health/young-adult-vaccination-rate-l...)
corytheboyd 5y ago
Is there tangible, real, honest to god proof that the Chinese government is involved in using TikTok to “steal data”? Because to be honest it sounds like nationalistic nonsense to me. Classic HN, due pedantry on backing up broad statements with sources, except for when it’s about whatever enemy is currently in the spotlight.
- LatteLazy 5y ago
  This story [0] covers a report that they worked with the CCP to help with the Geoocide against the Uighurs. That's not exactly what you asked for, but I think it contributed to the deeper point: if you do business in China, you give the CCP what they want. If that's Uighur's hiding in cellars or a senator's affair before (s)he votes on tariffs or whatever, it doesn't really make a difference. Don't get me wrong, the NSA are playing the same "game" and have been caught a lot more often. [0] https://www.smh.com.au/world/asia/tiktok-s-owner-is-helping-china-s-campaign-of-repression-in-xinjiang-report-finds-20191129-p53fcs.html https://www.smh.com.au/world/asia/tiktok-s-owner-is-helping-...
  - corytheboyd 5y ago
    Thank you for not responding with hostility. I do believe the goals of the Chinese government are nefarious, I mean this quote is pure insanity: > Together with the Public Security Bureau, Huawei will unlock a new era of smart policing and help build a safer, smarter society Maybe moves will be made in the future and I’ll look dumb for questioning this. In the mean time I guess I’ll go back to work so that I can pay Uncle Sam to perpetuate the glorious US war machine.
    - vorpalhex 5y ago
      Most of your tax money goes to healthcare and social security. For 2020 the HHS alone is 2x the defense budget. https://www.thebalance.com/fy-2020-federal-budget-summary-of-revenue-and-spending-4797868 https://www.thebalance.com/fy-2020-federal-budget-summary-of... 2019 budget so you can exclude Corona and still see it's mostly health programs and social security - https://www.cbo.gov/publication/56324 https://www.cbo.gov/publication/56324
aceon48 5y ago
China bought off the Bidens long time ago. No surprise here. Unfettered access to our markets, restrict our companies from operating there. How have we allowed our politicians to keep selling out America?
jtdev 5y ago
Biden is proving to be a China lap dog as expected…
toastal 5y ago
TikTok did recently slip in automatic collection of fingerprints for your voice and face. Not that Facebook isn't doing similar, but legal or not, it may still be wise to encourage friends to not use it. https://techcrunch.com/2021/06/03/tiktok-just-gave-itself-permission-to-collect-biometric-data-on-u-s-users-including-faceprints-and-voiceprints/ https://techcrunch.com/2021/06/03/tiktok-just-gave-itself-pe...
throwawayfdjh 5y ago
Really embarrassing and shortsighted decision.. As a person whose views align with Sanders, I chose to vote for Trump in 2020 since he's the first world leader to do something meaningful to stand up to China (and quite frankly, Biden had a horrendous China record throughout his political career). I had been cautiously optimistic about the Biden administration when they didn't immediately return to kowtowing to China like the Obama/Biden administration (I even became hopeful that I could finally vote for a democrat again), but I guess it was just a matter of time before he would shoot us in the foot by "playing by the rules" against an enemy that will cheat at every turn. The democratic approach works great when you're dealing with honest and trustworthy nations that share similar goals and hopes for the future.. but the moment you're dealing with authoritarian dictatorships then the system will fall apart.. it wasn't a big problem before when the authoritarian countries were weak and unable to compete, but we've reached a point where China can easily copy pretty much everything the developed nations are capable of - now add lower wages, 996 work hours, forced labor, support from a government that won't hesitate for a second to block their competitors from entering their billion+ users market, a government that will threaten to do x and y if the country doesn't do z to support their company, etc.
CountDrewku 5y ago
Can't say I'm surprised to see the Biden admin go this route. For all of Trump's faults at least he tried to stand up to the CCP. Biden folds like a cheap suit when confronted with any tough stance against the Russians or Chinese.
- sumedh 5y ago
  What did Trump do against Russia?
  - CountDrewku 5y ago
    Did I say Trump did anything against Russia? It helps that his son didn't receive $3.5M from some Russian billionaire... So nice of Biden to give Putin a free pass on the pipeline attack too. I'm sure Putin is just shaking in his boots from that stare down during their handshake.
    - sumedh 5y ago
      So in your words Trump folded like a cheap suit against the Russians.
      - CountDrewku 5y ago
        Sure and so did Biden. So in your own words Biden is every bit a shit as Trump? Happy now? Trump isn't president anymore so move on and start holding the current admin accountable for their obvious failures.
        sumedh 5y ago
        I agree Biden is not against Russia or China.
deleted 5y ago
[deleted]
helen___keller 5y ago
Good, the thought that my own country would try and block me from the one tool that allows easy communication to extended family in China is really just mindblowing. No, china doesn't operate fairly. Yes, it sucks, and something should be done. But no, the answer isn't to turn around and punish your own citizens for it.
runbathtime 5y ago
Wait, people were not banned from using TikTok? Why just new downloads? What was the purpose of this?

79 points by shivbhatt 5y ago

I really can’t stand TikTok. It sucks up so much data straight to the Chinese government, I absolutely refuse to use it. But so many good creators are starting to dabble with it, and many of my friends will send me TikTok links that I can’t open.

rvz 5y ago
TikTok Downvoters / Flaggers: 3 Minutes. The time it just takes for the TikTok fanatics to silence me for raising concerns and criticising their platform.
- MatthiasWandel 5y ago
  Tiktok is all about Short attention span, whereas hacker news is longer attention span. I don’t expect too many tiktokers to go so far as to log in and down vote.
  - codetrotter 5y ago
    This is one of those ideas that some people have but which has little root in reality. I literally both read HN a lot and watch a lot of videos on TikTok. And I also know many other people that like to watch videos on TikTok. None of whom fit into the mould you are projecting. And none of whom base their identity around whether or not they watch videos on TikTok neither.
  - FearlessNebula 5y ago
    Not to mention the overlap between HN and TikTok has gotta be pretty slim.
- vermilingua 5y ago
  > Please don't comment about the voting on comments. It never does any good, and it makes boring reading. https://news.ycombinator.com/newsguidelines.html https://news.ycombinator.com/newsguidelines.html
deleted 5y ago
[deleted]
sschueller 5y ago
This is how European's feel irregardless if the app is Chinese or American. All your data gets sucked up by some foreign nation (private industry or government, doesn't really matter).
- skinkestek 5y ago
  Agreed. And make no mistake: - it is one of my checks when I consider who I vote for - I do complain to relevant authorities to the best of my ability - I am willing to put more effort and more money behind it - I am not alone ================ For everyone who agree but haven't done anything yet, feel free to take any small step, some examples: - contact politicins and ask them (twitter, snail mail, email, phone) - contact local consumer protection groups - generally be vocal about it wherever it is relevant (i.e. don't be an annoying fool): in app reviews, in a constructive way in relevant discussions in forums etc This serves two purposes: first to make sure politicians and authorites know this is a pain point. Secondly it also makes sure app makers gets the message. While I will probably enjoy it too much when certain big companies get their well deserved multi million or even multi billion fines I don't generally want punishment but compliance: I just want my alarm clock and what not that I already pay a stupid monthly fee for not to try to double dip me on top of that! (Real case, hey Alarmy! Enjoy your free advertising!) I just don't want everyone and their dog to be aware what I disease I looked up. Basically I just want basic decency.
- lorlou 5y ago
  Then Europe should start making their own apps.
- CountDrewku 5y ago
  Good, the difference is your government(s) actually make laws to stop this stuff. The US doesn't seem to give a shit.
  - econnors 5y ago
    U.S. brings the software, China brings the hardware, EU brings the regulation.
rvz 5y ago
You know that TikTok is no different to the rest of them. (and does the same behaviours of any other social network collecting your data which I find as a damning violation of our privacy.) How else is that 'recommendation algorithm' supposed to work, then? Another 'algorithm' that governs and orders what can be seen and unseen for the accounts of hundreds of millions of users again. Just like YouTube, Instagram and Twitter. Once ByteDance changes their algorithm and the users begin to complain about it, then I will point them to this comment and say, I tried to warn them but they decided to 'silence' me instead because I am right. We'll see soon enough.
nebula8804 5y ago
If possible you could just scrape some of your favorite tik-tokers using something like this. https://github.com/drawrowfly/tiktok-scraper https://github.com/drawrowfly/tiktok-scraper I have been working on building my own client apps by reverse engineering existing apps' api and by really deciding what apps I really need. For example, I have the app for some convenience stores and I have realized that the only reason I use them is for the barcode that the app loads(turns out they use a library to generate the barcode buts its the same every time because its based on a customer ID). So why not just print out the barcode onto a dogtag and ditch the app? Im trying to work my way through each app so then my phone has the bare minimum of of third party tracking. Facebook and Instagram are gonna be the real tough cookies but luckily I have reduced my usage significantly.
- FearlessNebula 5y ago
  Wouldn’t it be easier to take a screenshot of the code in the app and just keep it in your photos?
  - nebula8804 5y ago
    Yes but this saves from having to take out the phone at all. Sorry I didn't include that context. If I can reduce pulling out my phone that is something I prefer. I am taking screenshots of the code in another app(that changes every time) and its annoying because i have to shuffle through photos and it still requires me to use the app. This is something I am still trying to figure out how I can do better.
deregulateMed 5y ago
It's not like you can't find better content off social media.
2OEH8eoCRo0 5y ago
I blocked Instagram, Facebook, Reddit, Tik Tok, and Snapchat on my home network. Good riddance.
gman83 5y ago
I have a feeling like it spiked a while ago. If I listen to my teenage daughters, they're all complaining that TikTok went downhill and it's full of creeps now.
Miner49er 5y ago
I like Tik Tok. It's way better then any other social media out there; it doesn't have all the negativity other social media does. It's very positive, and has seemingly endless good content. I think it's likely better for a person's mental health then any other social media since it isn't fueled by negativity. I also don't think it's data collection is any worse then any other social media's. I don't see why I should care that China has my data. I'm more scared of my own government having my data.
- CountDrewku 5y ago
  The negative aspect is that it's a distracting time suck and causes addictive tendencies in young people that don't have fully matured brains yet. >I also don't think it's data collection is any worse then any other social media's. I don't see why I should care that China has my data. I'm more scared of my own government having my data. Because China is an authoritarian regime that commits genocide against its own citizens and has done multiple other atrocious inhumane things. You should be scared.
- kderbyma 5y ago
  I don't doubt your opinion...but this reads like CCP propaganda lol. As someone else mentioned....China is a human rights abusing nation state......a little different imo....but what do I know. I don't use tiktok
CyanBird 5y ago
> It sucks up so much data straight to the Chinese government Do you have a source for this? At least in the case of the US all user data by law must remain in the country, wouldn't surprise me if the same happened on the entirety of the EU
- corytheboyd 5y ago
  Seriously, does anyone have anything?
- pm90 5y ago
  As ByteDance is headquartered in the PRC, I imagine they have to comply with whatever the CCP asks them to do. Similar to how Facebook would have to comply with a US courts subpoena for records even if it belonged to a foreign National, but worse since it’s the Party and not an independent Judiciary making such requests.
bdcravens 5y ago
> It sucks up so much data straight to the Chinese government Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts are copies of TikTok, because Facebook and Google are much safer places to have our data sucked up.
- 0x0EB0DA10 5y ago
  I get Google because it aggregates data, but Facebook? Isn't Facebook supposed 'leaked data' actually within Facebook API Access that any big companies could get? Facebook was poorly responsible with its user data.

joelbondurant 5y ago

USA brand tax cattle state property objects need to get their social compliance scores up, or get drone bombed.

nromiun 5y ago

> "China has been urging the U.S. side to respect market economy principles and international trade rules, to immediately stop stretching the concept of national security and stop wantonly abusing state power to suppress China's tech companies," spokesman Zhai Lijian said on Tuesday in Beijing. Ironic. I don't suppose they will allow Twitter, Facebook etc in China after this.

Barrin92 5y ago
there's a difference between the US treating TikTok or WeChat differently even compared to American companies vs the fact that China just has an entirely different legal framework. Facebook or Twitter aren't banned because they're American, they're banned because they're not willing to comply with Chinese law at all, which Chinese companies themselves are subject to. Bing operates in China, as do a bunch of other large American tech firms.
- vmception 5y ago
  Chinese law is incredibly anticompetitive. These companies are willing to comply with Chinese laws but these laws just screw them so they exit the market, then the Chinese censors block access to their domain names as it is impossible that they are complying on the information side of things. Separate and nuanced issue, as you pointed out. But not complete.
  - ethanbond 5y ago
    I’m absolutely not a fan of China’s behavior here (and in many other areas), but if it’s true that these companies “exit the market,” then getting blocked by the firewall doesn’t mean anything. What they mean by “exit the market” is to still actually participate in the market but not take on any of its obligations (again, despite my own disagreement with the “obligations”)
  - Barrin92 5y ago
    >These companies are willing to comply with Chinese laws They're really not. This is why Google exited China. The reason why some American tech firms don't operate in China isn't because they can't handle regulatory compliance (they obviously can given their size and resources), they don't operate in China because complying with Chinese laws would create absolutely bad PR in the United States. Which means this is not an issue of free-trade but of internal US politics between domestic companies and the public. The United States states isn't treated unfairly, it's just for the first time experiencing what it means to not be able to enforce American standards abroad.

belatw 5y ago

If American Google or Facebook can spy on Palestinians or Mexicans then why not let Chinese TikTok spy on Americans? It’s all the same.

deregulateMed 5y ago

It was absolutely enraging to see politicians try to ban software. The American competitive advantage is the ability to start a business. I want the entire world making software for US citizens. I want US developers to compete with the rest of the world. You know who is going to struggle competing? China and Europe due to difficulty dealing with governments. Sure you get an occasional piece of software from these countries, but there's a reason FAANGM exists.

temp22334455 5y ago

Many people believe disinformation spread on social media is a huge problem. Knowing this, is it really a good idea to give a CCP-controlled company direct access to the minds of our youngest generation?

pm90 5y ago
It’s not and Biden Admins inaction on following through with the previous admins threat is quite a significant action that’s just not getting the press it deserves.
fma 5y ago
I don't think it's a "belief" but a fact when we have all these conspiracy theories about the vaccine floating around. 1) Imagine if the US government was able to require social media or news sites to take down posts that spread disinformation about the vaccine. We'd be at herd immunity. But alas, an uneducated opinion about the vaccine is equally as important as a scientists with decades of experience in the field. It is a strength, and weakness of freedom of speech. 2) And now imagine that a foreign government can pump misinformation about the mRNA vaccine (China and Russia have been documented to do so) and shape opinions on any topic. "A survey found that a quarter of adults 18-39 "definitely" won't get vaccinated." https://abcnews.go.com/Health/young-adult-vaccination-rate-lags-age-groups-cdc/story?id=78406341 https://abcnews.go.com/Health/young-adult-vaccination-rate-l...)

corytheboyd 5y ago

Is there tangible, real, honest to god proof that the Chinese government is involved in using TikTok to “steal data”? Because to be honest it sounds like nationalistic nonsense to me. Classic HN, due pedantry on backing up broad statements with sources, except for when it’s about whatever enemy is currently in the spotlight.

LatteLazy 5y ago
This story [0] covers a report that they worked with the CCP to help with the Geoocide against the Uighurs. That's not exactly what you asked for, but I think it contributed to the deeper point: if you do business in China, you give the CCP what they want. If that's Uighur's hiding in cellars or a senator's affair before (s)he votes on tariffs or whatever, it doesn't really make a difference. Don't get me wrong, the NSA are playing the same "game" and have been caught a lot more often. [0] https://www.smh.com.au/world/asia/tiktok-s-owner-is-helping-china-s-campaign-of-repression-in-xinjiang-report-finds-20191129-p53fcs.html https://www.smh.com.au/world/asia/tiktok-s-owner-is-helping-...
- corytheboyd 5y ago
  Thank you for not responding with hostility. I do believe the goals of the Chinese government are nefarious, I mean this quote is pure insanity: > Together with the Public Security Bureau, Huawei will unlock a new era of smart policing and help build a safer, smarter society Maybe moves will be made in the future and I’ll look dumb for questioning this. In the mean time I guess I’ll go back to work so that I can pay Uncle Sam to perpetuate the glorious US war machine.
  - vorpalhex 5y ago
    Most of your tax money goes to healthcare and social security. For 2020 the HHS alone is 2x the defense budget. https://www.thebalance.com/fy-2020-federal-budget-summary-of-revenue-and-spending-4797868 https://www.thebalance.com/fy-2020-federal-budget-summary-of... 2019 budget so you can exclude Corona and still see it's mostly health programs and social security - https://www.cbo.gov/publication/56324 https://www.cbo.gov/publication/56324

aceon48 5y ago

China bought off the Bidens long time ago. No surprise here. Unfettered access to our markets, restrict our companies from operating there. How have we allowed our politicians to keep selling out America?

jtdev 5y ago

Biden is proving to be a China lap dog as expected…

toastal 5y ago

TikTok did recently slip in automatic collection of fingerprints for your voice and face. Not that Facebook isn't doing similar, but legal or not, it may still be wise to encourage friends to not use it. https://techcrunch.com/2021/06/03/tiktok-just-gave-itself-permission-to-collect-biometric-data-on-u-s-users-including-faceprints-and-voiceprints/ https://techcrunch.com/2021/06/03/tiktok-just-gave-itself-pe...

throwawayfdjh 5y ago

Really embarrassing and shortsighted decision.. As a person whose views align with Sanders, I chose to vote for Trump in 2020 since he's the first world leader to do something meaningful to stand up to China (and quite frankly, Biden had a horrendous China record throughout his political career). I had been cautiously optimistic about the Biden administration when they didn't immediately return to kowtowing to China like the Obama/Biden administration (I even became hopeful that I could finally vote for a democrat again), but I guess it was just a matter of time before he would shoot us in the foot by "playing by the rules" against an enemy that will cheat at every turn. The democratic approach works great when you're dealing with honest and trustworthy nations that share similar goals and hopes for the future.. but the moment you're dealing with authoritarian dictatorships then the system will fall apart.. it wasn't a big problem before when the authoritarian countries were weak and unable to compete, but we've reached a point where China can easily copy pretty much everything the developed nations are capable of - now add lower wages, 996 work hours, forced labor, support from a government that won't hesitate for a second to block their competitors from entering their billion+ users market, a government that will threaten to do x and y if the country doesn't do z to support their company, etc.

CountDrewku 5y ago

Can't say I'm surprised to see the Biden admin go this route. For all of Trump's faults at least he tried to stand up to the CCP. Biden folds like a cheap suit when confronted with any tough stance against the Russians or Chinese.

sumedh 5y ago
What did Trump do against Russia?
- CountDrewku 5y ago
  Did I say Trump did anything against Russia? It helps that his son didn't receive $3.5M from some Russian billionaire... So nice of Biden to give Putin a free pass on the pipeline attack too. I'm sure Putin is just shaking in his boots from that stare down during their handshake.
  - sumedh 5y ago
    So in your words Trump folded like a cheap suit against the Russians.
    - CountDrewku 5y ago
      Sure and so did Biden. So in your own words Biden is every bit a shit as Trump? Happy now? Trump isn't president anymore so move on and start holding the current admin accountable for their obvious failures.
      - sumedh 5y ago
        I agree Biden is not against Russia or China.

deleted 5y ago

[deleted]

helen___keller 5y ago

Good, the thought that my own country would try and block me from the one tool that allows easy communication to extended family in China is really just mindblowing. No, china doesn't operate fairly. Yes, it sucks, and something should be done. But no, the answer isn't to turn around and punish your own citizens for it.

runbathtime 5y ago

Wait, people were not banned from using TikTok? Why just new downloads? What was the purpose of this?