this post was submitted on 24 Apr 2024
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[–] Nobody 66 points 6 months ago (6 children)

Are there whataboutism arguments? Yes, many.

Has Chinese intelligence lost access to a treasure trove of US data? Yes.

Are US kids’ already dwindling attention spans going to be saved from exposure to the TikTok algorithm? Yes.

I fail to see how this is a bad thing.

[–] [email protected] 47 points 6 months ago (3 children)

Actually, you're right.

If we consider this normal, it would totally be acceptable for Europe to demand a ban or sale of American ~~spying and propaganda tools~~ social media and streaming platforms. Either way, it would reduce the harm they could do - and in the case of a sale, they'd actually have to adhere to consumer friendly laws.

[–] [email protected] 43 points 6 months ago

They probably should. FB and all those other apps suck just as much.

[–] TheBat 16 points 6 months ago (1 children)
[–] [email protected] 5 points 6 months ago (1 children)

I wish we would, but on the other hand, not being a totalitarian regime is kind of the reason why it's better here. Damned if you you, damned if you don't.

[–] TheBat 2 points 6 months ago (1 children)

Protecting citizens' interests is not totalitarian.

[–] [email protected] 8 points 6 months ago (1 children)

If it was about protecting citizens interests, PRISM would have been declared illegal and disbanded, not hushed and expanded.

[–] TheBat -1 points 6 months ago (1 children)
[–] force 1 points 6 months ago (1 children)
[–] TheBat 1 points 6 months ago

Read the whole comment chain again. The other guy said 'it should be ok for Europeans to ban US social media'. I said 'do it'. And they then replied about totalitarianism.

So the mention of PRISM confused me because I was talking about EU countries banning facebook and Instagram to protect their citizens.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 6 months ago

I mean, they really should. Facebook, Instagram, Twitter... These are all trash.

[–] [email protected] 42 points 6 months ago* (last edited 6 months ago) (2 children)

Are US kids’ already dwindling attention spans going to be saved from exposure to the TikTok algorithm? Yes.

You're pinning the blame on tiktok when this also applies to YouTube (shorts and not), Instagram (Reels), Twitter. If we wanted an actual solution here we would implement actual children screen time laws, ironically similar to the under 18 gaming laws that have been implemented in China.

Tiktok is the only platform I've seen legitimate progressive movement on various issues and discussions centering on what that means and takes, in a way that actually fosters a great democratic progressive movement in the US.

From all I've read on this issue, not a single person has provided me with any insight into what or who this benefits that does not also apply to every other social media other than an entirely fabricated myth that they're controlling the algorithms to spread anti US sentiment. Anti-US sentiment definitely exists, but it exists as a discussion around what the US is currently doing. I.e. funding Israel, and as a counterargument to that I am also fed state department interviews on my FYP.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 6 months ago (3 children)

80% of contant on tik tok is pro Palestine compared to 20% pro Isreal. They cannot have the young generation be made aware of the world's injustices. Thats why it was the fastest bill to pass.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 6 months ago

This is my point when people say "it's just getting sold, don't worry". Yeah I am sure after Google, FB or Steven Mnuchin's investor group buys it I will still see all the pro Palestine stuff in my feed...

[–] [email protected] 0 points 6 months ago (2 children)

You're saying all content on TikTok is about Palestine or Israel. Math doesn't add up.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 6 months ago

Dude think for a moment its not hard to understand. Obviously the percentage describes the contant ratio between the two political fronts.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 6 months ago

It's the new red scare basically.

[–] surewhynotlem 13 points 6 months ago

saved from exposure to the TikTok algorithm?

I don't understand. It will just be bought. It won't go anywhere.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 6 months ago* (last edited 6 months ago) (2 children)

I fail to see how this is a bad thing.

I agree with the chinese intelligence part but other than that, this is basically the government telling you how to live your life rather than letting you choose yourself. In my opinion we should be allowed to make bad choices. What's next? Ban on sugar and mandatory excercise for everyone? Obviously I'm being hyperbolic but this is a step in exactly that direction.

[–] Redecco 1 points 6 months ago

Agree that the hyperbolic situations would be problematic but luckily tiktok is only one of the many social media options out there. I'd also consider that content like tiktok can be targeted at kids who arent developed enough to make the right choices yet. Taking freedom away is bad but getting hooked on tiktok is hardly a passive choice when it's the platforms goal to keep you swiping and social influence makes it near impossible to avoid. I'd see it as a grey area when taking choices away. Like removing a lot of extra sugar from school lunches I think was already a goal, as is taking physical fitness in school. There are choices to avoid those options so it's not a blanket ban on that opportunity, but I definitely don't see it as a slippery slope.

There will be something new that pops up. Or the US companies out there might just buy tiktok anyways.

[–] [email protected] -2 points 6 months ago

What's next? Ban on sugar and mandatory excercise for everyone?

Maybe a wall-mounted screen that would, of course, help you exercise.