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The FBI alleges TikTok poses national security concerns

npr.org

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Re: The FBI alleges TikTok poses national security concerns

#2

Post by Reason077 »

Besides the obvious concerns about tracking/spying, TikTok has great potential as a propaganda tool to gain subtle influence over America's youth. For example, its algorithm could be tweaked to elevate content that is favourable to the Chinese Communist Party.

Re: The FBI alleges TikTok poses national security concerns

#4

Post by scottmcleod »

Reason077 wrote: post #2

Besides the obvious concerns about tracking/spying, TikTok has great potential as a propaganda tool to gain subtle influence over America's youth. For example, its algorithm could be tweaked to elevate content that is favourable to the Chinese Communist Party.

This is the biggest issue; they are already controlling the media for large population of young Americans.

Re: The FBI alleges TikTok poses national security concerns

#5

Post by vachina »

Reason077 wrote: post #2

Besides the obvious concerns about tracking/spying, TikTok has great potential as a propaganda tool to gain subtle influence over America's youth. For example, its algorithm could be tweaked to elevate content that is favourable to the Chinese Communist Party.

I wonder why when China does this it’s always a bad thing. Isn’t the inverse also true i.e. western media influencing and nudging narratives, except that we can actually observe this happening right now. Where do you stand in that case?

Re: The FBI alleges TikTok poses national security concerns

#6

Post by rafale »

Reason077 wrote: post #2

Besides the obvious concerns about tracking/spying, TikTok has great potential as a propaganda tool to gain subtle influence over America's youth. For example, its algorithm could be tweaked to elevate content that is favourable to the Chinese Communist Party.

Or to shape what the youth value: science or twerking/vaping.

Re: The FBI alleges TikTok poses national security concerns

#7

Post by mc32 »

Reason077 wrote: post #2

Besides the obvious concerns about tracking/spying, TikTok has great potential as a propaganda tool to gain subtle influence over America's youth. For example, its algorithm could be tweaked to elevate content that is favourable to the Chinese Communist Party.

It would not be that blatant. They look more to add ambiguity and instability. They may be interested in amplifying police brutality in the eyes of users as well as lawlessness and looting simultaneously to sew discord, as an example. Or, spying isn't so bad, the US does it, why shouldn't China, etc.

Re: The FBI alleges TikTok poses national security concerns

#8

Post by uniqueuid »

vachina wrote: post #5
Reason077 wrote: post #2

Besides the obvious concerns about tracking/spying, TikTok has great potential as a propaganda tool to gain subtle influence over America's youth. For example, its algorithm could be tweaked to elevate content that is favourable to the Chinese Communist Party.

I wonder why when China does this it’s always a bad thing. Isn’t the inverse also true i.e. western media influencing and nudging narratives, except that we can actually observe this happening right now. Where do you stand in that case?

This one's pretty simple: China is a totalitarian regime that is in direct conflict with western constitutional values. So if influence is aimed at democratic foundations, of course it's a bad thing.

Re: The FBI alleges TikTok poses national security concerns

#9

Post by laputan_machine »

vachina wrote: post #5
Reason077 wrote: post #2

Besides the obvious concerns about tracking/spying, TikTok has great potential as a propaganda tool to gain subtle influence over America's youth. For example, its algorithm could be tweaked to elevate content that is favourable to the Chinese Communist Party.

I wonder why when China does this it’s always a bad thing. Isn’t the inverse also true i.e. western media influencing and nudging narratives, except that we can actually observe this happening right now. Where do you stand in that case?

China is under the rule of the CCP, an authortarian party to which you cannot challenge.

For all democracy's failings, for the mess the US is in, and rise of populist parties in Europe, it is still freedom.

Re: The FBI alleges TikTok poses national security concerns

#10

Post by HlessClaudesman »

Reason077 wrote: post #2

Besides the obvious concerns about tracking/spying, TikTok has great potential as a propaganda tool to gain subtle influence over America's youth. For example, its algorithm could be tweaked to elevate content that is favourable to the Chinese Communist Party.

I think their strategy is more insidious than that. Chinese social media inside China is actively directing youth towards vigorous / productive / pedagogical endeavours, whereas ticktock outside China heavily promotes pointless endless innane naval gazing such as pranking, gaming, influencers etc. They seek to create a generation of feckless know nothings in The West.
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