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It's not about getting our data. The TikTok algorithm is already being used to sow discord by showing stuff the PRC wants impressionable Americans to see. This

It's not about getting our data. The TikTok algorithm is already being used to sow discord by showing stuff the PRC wants impressionable Americans to see. This ability of an adversarial foreign nation to surgically push individualized propaganda to consumers in another country is pretty unparalleled in human history. TikTok is the ultimate propaganda machine.

spencerflem 2y ago
TikTok is basically the same as Facebook/Instagram/Y.T.Shorts but with a different owner
- gpm 2y ago
  Well... yes... it's the owner the government is concerned about. The law requires that ownership of TikTok be changed before it continues operating in the US, not that TikTok stop operating.
  - spencerflem 2y ago
    Right, I guess I'm agreeing with you that social media is an effective propaganda machine (they're ad companies and what is an ad but propaganda to buy a product) and the US Govt wants one where they set the tone. I was disagreeing with GP that seemed to act like TikTok was uniquely a propaganda engine
    - LargeWu 2y ago
      I think the fact that the PRC would rather burn it all down rather than allow it to be sold speaks volumes that it's not about TikTok as a business venture.
      - dpkirchner 2y ago
        It's also possible that the US market just isn't as valuable or profitable to TikTok/ByteDance as we assume.
skulk 2y ago
At this point, I trust Xi approximately as much as I do Zuck and Musk with my economic future.
- YurgenJurgensen 2y ago
  ‘There are three fires’ is not an argument against putting out any one of them.
coldpie 2y ago
Can you link to some evidence of any of those claims? US politicians' statements do not count as evidence.
- thatguymike 2y ago
  https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2022/04/13/tiktok-russia-censorship-propaganda-tracking-exposed/ https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2022/04/13/tiktok-...
  - coldpie 2y ago
    It sounds like they were complying with a Russian law?

spencerflem 2y ago

TikTok is basically the same as Facebook/Instagram/Y.T.Shorts but with a different owner

gpm 2y ago
Well... yes... it's the owner the government is concerned about. The law requires that ownership of TikTok be changed before it continues operating in the US, not that TikTok stop operating.
- spencerflem 2y ago
  Right, I guess I'm agreeing with you that social media is an effective propaganda machine (they're ad companies and what is an ad but propaganda to buy a product) and the US Govt wants one where they set the tone. I was disagreeing with GP that seemed to act like TikTok was uniquely a propaganda engine
  - LargeWu 2y ago
    I think the fact that the PRC would rather burn it all down rather than allow it to be sold speaks volumes that it's not about TikTok as a business venture.
    - dpkirchner 2y ago
      It's also possible that the US market just isn't as valuable or profitable to TikTok/ByteDance as we assume.

skulk 2y ago

At this point, I trust Xi approximately as much as I do Zuck and Musk with my economic future.

YurgenJurgensen 2y ago
‘There are three fires’ is not an argument against putting out any one of them.

coldpie 2y ago

Can you link to some evidence of any of those claims? US politicians' statements do not count as evidence.

thatguymike 2y ago
https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2022/04/13/tiktok-russia-censorship-propaganda-tracking-exposed/ https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2022/04/13/tiktok-...
- coldpie 2y ago
  It sounds like they were complying with a Russian law?