Live data from Hacker News

One App – Two Worlds: This Is TikTok in Russia and Ukraine

nrk.no

21–30 of 371 posts

Re: One App – Two Worlds: This Is TikTok in Russia and Ukraine

#21

I like the systematic approach they have used, and am a bit scared by the results. In one way, it is not that surprising that a social media app is so tightly controlled and used as a tool by the Russian government to hide unpleasant parts of reality. But I think it is a bit surprising that TikTok hasn't met more criticism and resistance on this

Well thats what you get with a glorified 'recommendation' algorithm and now it can be used by governments and other unpleasant people in power to hide and control what is seen and unseen from its users. Hardly surprising there and expected.

> But I think it is a bit surprising that TikTok hasn't met more criticism and resistance on this

If the users are liking their new digital crack / cocaine on the platform and as long as the algorithm is happily manipulating them, then they will never criticise or complain about it, nor will they be able to distinguish between fact or fiction.

Hence, I think many jealous governments, three-letter agencies and even ancient wizards want their reality distortion spells back from social networks like TikTok.

Re: One App – Two Worlds: This Is TikTok in Russia and Ukraine

#22
post #8
post #4

This article is well made and uncovers very interesting thing. I love how it was technically put together, browsing it on mobile was a great experience, chapeaux bas, i love how great new formats are available to publishers in the digital era outside of serving autoplaying ads. On thing that caught my attention was the supposed USCentric approach since it counted a distance in miles. I also wonder whether it was tran…

Hi! Thanks for your kind words. We have corrected it to kilometeres. All the best, Christian/NRK

What software / platform are you using to serve that kind of content? Very well done

Re: One App – Two Worlds: This Is TikTok in Russia and Ukraine

#23
post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> outside of serving autoplaying ads NRK is Norway’s equivalent to the BBC. I’m not sure about the BBC, but NRK is not allowed to run ads. More importantly, they have a number of great in-house developers that churn out quality content and a great video streaming service (tv.nrk.no).

The BBC isn't allowed to run ads either. They are also generally can't recommend products without talking about alternatives. Always amusing on kids arts/crafts shows when they name a brand and then have to state other products that are available. They can display adverts under certain circumstances though. Public billboards aren't censored in news reports, and adverts on the sidelines/stands of sporting events (like…

It's only a requirement for content served inside the UK though; international content (such as BBC.com) is allowed to (and sometimes does) show ads because it's technically not covered by the licensing agreement for the UK.

Re: One App – Two Worlds: This Is TikTok in Russia and Ukraine

#24
The dream of the internet as some sort of great democratizing force is already dead and buried, but for any who still believes, this must surely be the final nail in that coffin. Controlling the narrative is only a problem for existing democracies with press freedom. All bets are off once the threat model includes control of the media.

So cherish your freedom of speech, and exercise and defend it. I don’t know what to do concretely, maybe donate to the EFF or something.

Re: One App – Two Worlds: This Is TikTok in Russia and Ukraine

#25
I love the execution of this!

Not comparing but I did a similar project 8 years ago at the peak of Israel / Palestine conflict to compare tweets from Palestine vs tweets from Israel.

Incredible difference when you see them side by side.

It would be great if someone would execute such an idea for more areas of conflict to bring awareness.

Re: One App – Two Worlds: This Is TikTok in Russia and Ukraine

#27
post #24

The dream of the internet as some sort of great democratizing force is already dead and buried, but for any who still believes, this must surely be the final nail in that coffin. Controlling the narrative is only a problem for existing democracies with press freedom. All bets are off once the threat model includes control of the media. So cherish your freedom of speech, and exercise and defend it. I don’t know what t…

The maximalist version of that dream, perhaps, sure. Seems a bit early to write it off completely.

Re: One App – Two Worlds: This Is TikTok in Russia and Ukraine

#28
post #24

The dream of the internet as some sort of great democratizing force is already dead and buried, but for any who still believes, this must surely be the final nail in that coffin. Controlling the narrative is only a problem for existing democracies with press freedom. All bets are off once the threat model includes control of the media. So cherish your freedom of speech, and exercise and defend it. I don’t know what t…

Strong encryption is the only true internet freedom.

Re: One App – Two Worlds: This Is TikTok in Russia and Ukraine

#29
post #24

The dream of the internet as some sort of great democratizing force is already dead and buried, but for any who still believes, this must surely be the final nail in that coffin. Controlling the narrative is only a problem for existing democracies with press freedom. All bets are off once the threat model includes control of the media. So cherish your freedom of speech, and exercise and defend it. I don’t know what t…

Internet is a bit larger than TikTok and some other social networks. Wikipedia, Internet Archive, even the Reddit for all its issues, are still living examples of great democratizing force.

Re: One App – Two Worlds: This Is TikTok in Russia and Ukraine

#30
post #24

The dream of the internet as some sort of great democratizing force is already dead and buried, but for any who still believes, this must surely be the final nail in that coffin. Controlling the narrative is only a problem for existing democracies with press freedom. All bets are off once the threat model includes control of the media. So cherish your freedom of speech, and exercise and defend it. I don’t know what t…

To me TikTok is not the "internet" because no matter how much the app gives, the user doesn't own their content.

You can still write anything in a blog that you own and have people see it. To me that freedom is the "internet".

Post reply on HN