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I'm far more worried about Google. Google is practically unavoidable, and has connections to US Intelligence who can actually harm me. I've never used TikTok, a

by yucky 4y ago

I'm far more worried about Google. Google is practically unavoidable, and has connections to US Intelligence who can actually harm me. I've never used TikTok, and if I had it's not like the CCP can do anything to me anyway so I wouldn't care as much.

godelski 4y ago
> it's not like the CCP can do anything to me anyway so I wouldn't care as much. Why do you think this is true? Do you not believe that foreign entities attempt to influence adversaries? To flip your statement on its head, I (as a US/Western citizen) can influence Google, which influences the US/Western world. (I can protest Google, I can elect representatives that will go after them, etc. We've even seen this done) But as an American I cannot influence the CCP which also influences the US/Western world. (You should also consider that the connections that Google has to US intelligence is not akin to the connections that TikTok has to the CCP. The latter is much more direct)
- yucky 4y ago
  >Why do you think this is true? Do you not believe that foreign entities attempt to influence adversaries? Do you honestly think China uses more propaganda on American than the US government does on its own people? Meanwhile, Google literally controls the flow of information, while knowing your location and browser history. > You should also consider that the connections that Google has to US intelligence is not akin to the connections that TikTok has to the CCP. The latter is much more direct Doubtful. Google is US intelligence.
  - godelski 4y ago
    > Do you honestly think China uses more propaganda on American than the US government does on its own people? That's not what we're discussing. We're discussing if China uses propaganda on American population. That's it. You don't have to make it a competition. You don't have to move the goal post. > Meanwhile, Google literally controls the flow of information, while knowing your location and browser history. I don't think anyone complaining about TikTok's influence also isn't actively complaining about Google's influence. You can check my comment history if you don't believe me. You can even see how much I advocate for tools like Signal. Don't create a false dichotomy. > Google is influenced by many intelligence agencies from many different countries but mostly the US. FTFY
    - jasonm23 4y ago
      What goalpost? All these companies are using the same manipulation techniques. All have extraordinary disregard for their users. All have nothing to gain from changing a thing.
      - godelski 4y ago
        I use the same shoes as Usain Bolt but somehow he runs faster than me. Maybe you can help me figure out why.

by yucky 4y ago

godelski 4y ago

> it's not like the CCP can do anything to me anyway so I wouldn't care as much. Why do you think this is true? Do you not believe that foreign entities attempt to influence adversaries? To flip your statement on its head, I (as a US/Western citizen) can influence Google, which influences the US/Western world. (I can protest Google, I can elect representatives that will go after them, etc. We've even seen this done) But as an American I cannot influence the CCP which also influences the US/Western world. (You should also consider that the connections that Google has to US intelligence is not akin to the connections that TikTok has to the CCP. The latter is much more direct)

yucky 4y ago
>Why do you think this is true? Do you not believe that foreign entities attempt to influence adversaries? Do you honestly think China uses more propaganda on American than the US government does on its own people? Meanwhile, Google literally controls the flow of information, while knowing your location and browser history. > You should also consider that the connections that Google has to US intelligence is not akin to the connections that TikTok has to the CCP. The latter is much more direct Doubtful. Google is US intelligence.
- godelski 4y ago
  > Do you honestly think China uses more propaganda on American than the US government does on its own people? That's not what we're discussing. We're discussing if China uses propaganda on American population. That's it. You don't have to make it a competition. You don't have to move the goal post. > Meanwhile, Google literally controls the flow of information, while knowing your location and browser history. I don't think anyone complaining about TikTok's influence also isn't actively complaining about Google's influence. You can check my comment history if you don't believe me. You can even see how much I advocate for tools like Signal. Don't create a false dichotomy. > Google is influenced by many intelligence agencies from many different countries but mostly the US. FTFY
  - jasonm23 4y ago
    What goalpost? All these companies are using the same manipulation techniques. All have extraordinary disregard for their users. All have nothing to gain from changing a thing.
    - godelski 4y ago
      I use the same shoes as Usain Bolt but somehow he runs faster than me. Maybe you can help me figure out why.