While the article is not good and tries to make a point, it is the wrong point.
TikTok is a weapon because it can be used to influence people's beliefs about current. This can be done in a very designed way, the way the CCP wants people to think about things, because the company behind TikTok cannot disobey the CCP and TikTok has very questionable / concerning data collection, ranking algorithms, and "go viral" buttons. Then can manually elevate content when you are most likely to be susceptible to it.
This biased post pollutes HN.
if the author truly buy-in the idea of new cold war, then holywood, youtube, and facebook are weapons too. the author even try to use blog platform and public forum like HN as weapon as well.
Unlike with TikTok there is no government in control of American social media the way the Chinese government controls TikTok. Your take is quite facile.
And an article attempting to highlight the issue is not comparable to the kinds of subtle influence the CCP may try to exert over American opinion through TikTok. I don't think there is evidence of that yet, but I also don't see a good argument for waiting around to find out.
I found the arguments here compelling, though the solution offered at the end was weak, as if there had to be some answer. It left me feeling there is none.
[+] [-] verdverm|3 years ago|reply
TikTok is a weapon because it can be used to influence people's beliefs about current. This can be done in a very designed way, the way the CCP wants people to think about things, because the company behind TikTok cannot disobey the CCP and TikTok has very questionable / concerning data collection, ranking algorithms, and "go viral" buttons. Then can manually elevate content when you are most likely to be susceptible to it.
At least that is the fear.
[+] [-] verdverm|3 years ago|reply
[+] [-] yy77|3 years ago|reply
[+] [-] ss108|3 years ago|reply
And an article attempting to highlight the issue is not comparable to the kinds of subtle influence the CCP may try to exert over American opinion through TikTok. I don't think there is evidence of that yet, but I also don't see a good argument for waiting around to find out.
[+] [-] beardyw|3 years ago|reply