• Nobody@lemmy.world
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    8 months ago

    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.

    • just another dev@lemmy.my-box.dev
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      8 months ago

      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.

    • Sl00k@programming.dev
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      8 months ago

      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.

      • Mangoholic@lemmy.ml
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        8 months ago

        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.

        • Corkyskog@sh.itjust.works
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          8 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…

        • shastaxc@lemm.ee
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          8 months ago

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

          • Mangoholic@lemmy.ml
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            8 months ago

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

    • surewhynotlem@lemmy.world
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      8 months ago

      saved from exposure to the TikTok algorithm?

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

    • Thorny_Insight@lemm.ee
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      8 months ago

      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@lemmy.world
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        8 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.

      • starman@programming.dev
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        8 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.

    • Woozythebear@lemmy.world
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      8 months ago

      You’re the type of person to hate on China for the way they control the internet then root for the same thing to happen here.

      • Rakonat@lemmy.world
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        8 months ago

        Apples to Oranges. This isn’t about preventing TikTok users from seeing content the US deems harmful, it’s the delivery mechanism for that content is such a gaping hole of security it doesn’t even qualify as a backdoor espionage. It’s going straight through the front door to gather data illicitly for reasons unknown. Adversarial nations are marked such for good reason and not a title lightly given.

        TikTok isn’t the only social media that should be banned here but I’m honestly struggling to understand why people are fighting so hard to defend it, it’s a massive data leaking engine that harvests so much more information that it needs for people to share funny fortnite dances and cat videos. That and siix months from now if the ban goes through some other app is going to pop up to fill the void while existing apps and social media platforms have already been trying to cater to the short video sharing for a long time now.

    • mihies@kbin.social
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      8 months ago

      Let’s declare any successful foreign country as enemy and either ban, or better, steal their products. True market.

      • Confused_Emus@lemmy.world
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        8 months ago

        China would certainly know a lot about stealing intellectual property from successful countries.

        • WhatsThePoint@lemmy.world
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          8 months ago

          Right?! As well as banning social media. China has banned basically every American social media long before this.