[randomopining]

So what if a conflict breaks out and the CCP essentially use TikTok as a pathway directly into the brains of millions of Americans. Let's say they tweak the algorithm with a button press to create confusion and public discord when we should be united to protect taiwan.

That's a possible tool of disinformation.

[ok_dad]

WHAT IF aliens invade and take over TikTok and then use it to convince hard-working Americans to dive into the mouths of the aliens?

It's a possible tool for aliens to make lunch.

[kccoder]

One of those scenarios is much more likely than the other.

[herbst]

You (the US) should definitely make same laws banning aliens from owning social media before it's to late! Think about the children!!1!

[tryauuum]

hm, create a law which gives government emergency powers to delete apps / ban ip networks in case of a war

---

now that I think about it more banning foreign websites is the perfect way to brain wash

1. ban all foreign websites, because clearly it's a foreign influence on your people. "What if the war breaks" and so on

2. now you only have your local websites. Their owners are here and can be forced to mangle / edit content and bend it to your will. Where the foreign actor can ignore your requests local one can not

We already have it in Russia. People use the ugly and banned Facebook because they know that at least it's less censored in regards to Russian topics than locally owned VK or dzen. And Facebook is less likely to provide your messages to the russian police

[noisy_boy]

Counterbalance to misinformation is, just, information. Strengthen the institutions that provide valuable and quality information and use them as counter. Why aren't PBS and such institutions funded to produce shorts that inform users and put those on Tiktok et all?

[randomopining]

What if, by nature, any type of conspiracy information is much better at hitting dopamine centers and attracting viewers than the "real" news can ever be? What if PBS could never come close to what misinformation can do and who it can attract...

[karakot]

This is so fucking sad. As a russian american who lived through russian transition from relatively free country to an authoritarian one I'm getting dejavu vibes here(Putin started with taking over of all independent news sources like newspapers/tv and radio channels etc). This is not up to the government or some other people to decide what I read, what I watch where I get my information/news from. America has a beautiful concept of free speech, stick to it. I personally think that TikTok is a brain rot, but I still don't want any government involvement into this. Don't like it? - Don't use it.

[gaoshan]

Totally agree with this.

[randomopining]

When did they say you can't read or watch? The same video producers on Tiktok can move to the multitude of platforms that are allowed. They can produce the exact same stuff.

The ban has nothing to do with the material, it has to do with the platform that is used to distribute and curate it. CCP by controlling the algorithm would allow it to do exactly what you say, at the push of a button.

Your comparison to Putin's Russia falls very short.