this post was submitted on 24 Apr 2024
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[–] [email protected] 13 points 7 months ago (2 children)

On the grounds that they are not breaking it up because it has monopoly but because they don't like it can be used for Chinese propaganda. Which is limiting speech.

Also, they require it to be sold to non-chinese buyer, which is discriminatory.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 7 months ago (1 children)

See my reply to your sibling comment. This is wishful thinking. You could be right, but it's just as likely (I'd argue more likely) you're wrong.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago) (1 children)

Sorry if it sounded like I did not think TikTok is used for espionage. I am sure it is, just like Google, Facebook, etc. are used by the NSA (thanks Snowden for giving us proof of this). Its just funny to me that the US gov has to resort to banning it, because they spent years convincing people Tech Giants spying on them is ok. And now when they say don't use TikTok, everyone laughs at them.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago) (1 children)

I couldn't agree more. IMO the right solution is to regulate data collection, mandate algorithmic transparency, and require opt out for algorithmic curation.

But the discussion isn't about whether this is the right remedy (IMO it's not) but about whether the remedy will be held up by the courts.

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

Well, I think the courts should strike it down because:

  1. It is content based speech regulation (Chinese influence on people), which deserves strictest scrutiny under the 1st amendment.
  2. It targets TikTok by name, which triggers equal protection issue. Congress is not allowed to pass a law that specifically bans Tom Holland from smoking. Laws need to be general. I don't see why this would be an exception.
[–] [email protected] 0 points 7 months ago (3 children)

Pretty sure it's because tiktok is literal Chinese Spyware designed to let them listen through any device that has tiktok installed.

Like I get people are getting pissy about losing a favored social media but let's not act like it's not actually a real potential issue.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 7 months ago

Where are you getting that from? Seriously if I saw that from a reputable malware reporter I'd support this in an instant. If this is true please link your source.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 7 months ago (1 children)

As opposed to every other social media? If they want to protect privacy, Congress is allowed to pass privacy laws that apply to all companies. They are not allowed to single just one out.

[–] [email protected] -1 points 7 months ago (4 children)

What other social medias are based in countries that want to manipulate American citizens in an attempt to destabilize our democracy?

[–] [email protected] 10 points 7 months ago

Meta is based in America and it seems that this is the country that wants to destabilize american democracy the most.

[–] [email protected] 9 points 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago) (1 children)

So its not an issue if american companies destabilize democracy? Just foreign ones?

[–] [email protected] -1 points 7 months ago (3 children)

Yeah I see the irony in my argument.

Idk I just don't see something like that in the hands of an external force that wants to see us fall as a good thing.

At least with American companies I can tell myself "well at least they live here so they're less likely to want to fuck it all up"

Like I said I see the irony but still have severe reservations.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago)

You really think the interests of some country half a world away are more dangerous to you than that of companies trying to exploit you in your own country? The politicians trying to control you without pesky things as protests and elections? ;)

[–] [email protected] 2 points 7 months ago

Idk about ironic, moreso irrational and/or unsound

[–] [email protected] 1 points 7 months ago

What do you mean when you say that the "external force wants to see us fall"?

It would be generally unwise to assume that powerful Chinese people agree on that particular issue. Everyone has their own priorities. People who are in power seeking more power and money have their own ways of pursuing it, and some of those approaches work better if the country on the other side of the Pacific is relatively stable.

Certainly we agree that the spy agencies will continue to spy on whoever they can. I don't think banning TikTok will be a major roadblock for them, given the lack of consequences for companies that fail to secure their data.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 7 months ago (1 children)

The social media at home (ie Twitter, Facebook, reddit) have been manipulating all citizens into destabilizing democracy with all the right-wing propaganda and it is getting worse every day. I can go to Twitter any day of the week and see some slander in the "What's hot" section for any democratic/liberal leader while ass licking every conservative one depending on which country you are from. And the posts are mostly made by young Russian/etc bots. The problem is it seems to be working.

It's not just tik tok thats used for this shit. But the others are OK because they are 'MURICAN? It's a double standard. I'm not defending tik tok, but I personally think Twitter, etc need to be sold as well.

[–] [email protected] -4 points 7 months ago (2 children)

I agree it's a double standard.

I suppose for me personally it falls into the us us them ideology. I feel better with those companies at least having stake in the country they exist in.

Idk the more I think about it the more I realize how naive of a thought that is but I just don't like the idea of an enemy of the US having that power over US citizens.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 7 months ago

Facebook was a key factor in the rise of trump and the January insurrection. I respect you're realising the lack of substance in this pov, I just want to say I don't see the appeal in an American company shovelling Russian propaganda over a Chinese one shovelling Chinese propaganda. Not like we're gonna do anything either way to remove the grip these companies have on people. Just push them to ones that feel more "like we are".

[–] [email protected] 2 points 7 months ago

Twitter, etc isn't Canadian but it sure does has an opinion about who the Canadian Prime Minister should be.

I dont feel good about any of these social media platforms having a stake in this propaganda. Tik Tok, Twitter, reddit, etc...it's all the same to me.

Russia, etc will use any platform they can for this shit. It doesn't matter where the site is based. I don't think banning tik tok or forcing it to sell will change anything. Facebook will still be a cesspool of right ring propaganda.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 7 months ago

They're based in Singapore and Los Angeles.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 7 months ago

Yeah! I only want American spyware! USA! USA! USA!