General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsU.S. likely to enact a law soon that could ban TikTok nationwide
Source: NBC News
U.S. likely to enact a law soon that could ban TikTok nationwide
House Speaker Johnson plans to package TikTok legislation with critical aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan and send it to the Senate. President Joe Biden vowed to sign it into law.
April 18, 2024, 4:05 PM EDT
By Scott Wong and Kyle Stewart
WASHINGTON Legislation that could ban TikTok in the U.S. unless it cuts ties with its Chinese parent company is on a path to quickly get to President Joe Bidens desk and be signed into law.
The bill, which has the backing of Biden and key members of Congress, would allow the administration to ban the popular video-sharing app nationwide if it does not divest from China-based ByteDance within one year.
A similar bill already passed the House in a lopsided, bipartisan 352-65 vote in March. But it has been stalled in the Democratic-controlled Senate, where Commerce Committee Chairwoman Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., had been looking to put her mark on it.
Now, the House plans to package a slightly revised TikTok bill with billions in foreign aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, all but guaranteeing the potential TikTok ban will become law.
-snip-
Read more: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/us-likely-enact-law-soon-ban-tiktok-nationwide-rcna148391
Voltaire2
(13,200 posts)This is likely to be a political disaster for Biden if in fact TikTok gets banned.
jimfields33
(16,006 posts)Not much to ask.
angrychair
(8,736 posts)My understanding is that it's not possible as China requires a special export release to export certain technologies out side of China and they are not likely to give that permission.
uponit7771
(90,367 posts)oldsoftie
(12,622 posts)of course China doesnt want to give up their control. They use TikTok to spread disinformation, to send toxic info to kids, to support Trump over Biden, to collect ALL data from the devices its on, etc etc
There's a reason no govt phones are allowed to use it
Tarc
(10,476 posts)It is truly bizarre how the anti-tiktok crusade has infested otherwise sensible minds.
uponit7771
(90,367 posts)womanofthehills
(8,781 posts)TikTok's two-year effort to appease US lawmakers and defend its commitment to protecting the privacy of US-based TikTokers has culminated in an effort called Project Texas. This $1.5 billion initiative is a collaboration among TikTok, the US government, and Austin, Texas-based Oracle. https://www.zdnet.com/article/tiktok-ceo-updates-on-project-texas-says-us-user-data-will-be-in-oracles-hands-soon/
SWBTATTReg
(22,174 posts)about, in watching the numerous Tik Tok videos that I have over the years.
edhopper
(33,635 posts)It is a data collection ap that also has videos.
All the data is accessible by the Chinese government.
womanofthehills
(8,781 posts)Temu is the most downloaded shopping app.
edhopper
(33,635 posts)People are foolish to use it.
Should also bee banned.
oldsoftie
(12,622 posts)oldsoftie
(12,622 posts)How it sends disinformation
How it pushes pro anorexia videos to people with eating disorders
How it steals your personal info; even passwords, from your phone
They push trump over Biden
The Chinese govt wants to weaken all parts of our society
https://www.defense.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/3354874/leaders-say-tiktok-is-potential-cybersecurity-risk-to-us/
SWBTATTReg
(22,174 posts)As far as I'm concerned, they're fine from my viewpoint, only watching the pranks tik toks. Every online platform has its issues.
FalloutShelter
(11,881 posts)Make Joe swallow poison in order to get the aid packages desperately needed by Ukraine.
Docreed2003
(16,878 posts)Ping Tung
(723 posts)Albert Camus
DemocraticPatriot
(4,429 posts)It isn't as if they can come and remove it from anyone's phone, or stop the app from working. People will go on using it as usual. The only people affected much will be those who aren't on it yet, or those getting a new smartphone--- but it seems likely that they could find the app on a non-US-based website.
I am opposed to the 'ban', but the ban is rather toothless, IMHO. No 'ban' can stop Americans from using TikTok.
uponit7771
(90,367 posts)oldsoftie
(12,622 posts)I'm used to everyone on this site keeping up with a LOT more news than the average person
honest.abe
(8,685 posts)Also its not going to happen for 1 year. Even if would happen before then it would probably have zero negative impact on the election. If anything it might help Biden by stopping all the RW crap people see on Tiktok.
LuvLoogie
(7,040 posts)It won't be a blue wave.
This bill is popular with fascists and their supporters.
kcr
(15,320 posts)in all the bullshit misinformation Tik Tok is filled with that depresses progressive enthusiasm.
LuvLoogie
(7,040 posts)For how long?
Edited to add: It will be like Twitter versus X, but worse.
NavyDem
(529 posts)I see about 15% Rightwing Bullshit, and 80% BluAnon Watermellon Brigade "Genocide Joe" posts, and about 5% of the creators I actually follow that are mostly left leaning, but not politically ignorant.
I could save 4 hours per day if I wasn't having to block the bullshit.
LuvLoogie
(7,040 posts)Like, comment, share, repost. It does help.
As far as the pro Palestinian content, there are plenty that do not give into the Genocide Joe foolery.
Autumn
(45,120 posts)There is a lot of progressive enthusiasm on Tik Tok. Unlike the garbage on Loony Musk's platform which the politicians won't touch.
Silent3
(15,293 posts)so I doubt there will be any impact before the election, and probably TikTok, if forced to do so, will find a buyer, so TikTok isnt just going to disappear in the immediate future, if ever.
LuvLoogie
(7,040 posts)We can change TikTok to XX
womanofthehills
(8,781 posts)Every yr its worth billions more.
Tree Lady
(11,500 posts)was against the bill she said 6 months didn't give them enough time to sell, she was okay with a year.
I voted for her the 10 years I lived in WA, she is a good senator and has been working on the Tik tok bill and wouldn't vote for it if she thought it was a problem.
Silent3
(15,293 posts)...and Democrats in general because TikTok went dark isn't a big concern. Oh, I'm sure some will know a possible end is coming, but anyone informed enough to know TikTok's time is ticking away probably also would know it was a bipartisan move, and is hopefully smart enough not to vote much differently because of that.
The comments here seem to be based on the idea of a sudden youth uproar because of TikTok might poof out of existence any minute now.
honest.abe
(8,685 posts)You sound like the mainstream media. No matter what happens its Joe's fault.
bucolic_frolic
(43,342 posts)Will Congress ever do anything popular? You'd think they'd get it once in awhile.
themaguffin
(3,828 posts)Omnipresent
(5,724 posts)Tiktok already runs alot of anti-Biden crap. Toss it in the garbage already.
DemocratInPa
(357 posts)Omnipresent
(5,724 posts)Then we are lost.
Tiktok is full anti-Biden content.
If Biden cant get competitive there, then there is no point in keeping it alive.
DemocratInPa
(357 posts)Its takes away a young voters platform..
TikTok was huge for us in 2020, and I believe it would have been again this year.
Omnipresent
(5,724 posts)All I have been seeing is trumpism run amok on that app.
LuvLoogie
(7,040 posts)It's up to you, for now.
Omnipresent
(5,724 posts)It automatically pops up.
LuvLoogie
(7,040 posts)It focuses on the content created by the creators you follow. Plus, if you like, comment, share a given video in your For You feed, it will promote that creator more.
I don't get much craziness in my For You feed. Also, you can alert on content you find violates TikTok terms.
You'll notice how people use abbreviations or altered consonants on certain words in order to avoid the auto censors. For instance, people discussing violence against women and/or children issues will use SA in place of sexual abuse, and say grape instead of rape.
Long short, there is a way to weed through the chaff, but if you leave it to a ban or ownership by American corporate interests, the right wing crap will be doubly promoted and progressive, diverse voices suppressed ala Twitter/X.
Omnipresent
(5,724 posts)LuvLoogie
(7,040 posts)and connections people have assembled over the years. That is the most important part. Whoever buys TikTok will sue new platforms that try to copy it's function. There might even be a clause that TikTok owns the content. So a lot of unique creation will be lost.
The live feeds, how other content creators can join the live feeds in multiuser video discussion. How Creators can respond with video within comment the comments section...
womanofthehills
(8,781 posts)Around 100 million Americans are on TicToc. Lots of people make their living off TicToc
Its a huge outlet and good income for sick, handicapped, dying kids etc. A large portion of videos are kids with every kind of handicap you can imagine.
Average income of TicToc influencers
Heres the breakdown from their survey:
48% earned less than $15,000.
9% earned between $15,000 and $25,000.
7% earned between $25,000 and $35,000.
5% earned between $35,000 and $50,000.
11% earned between $50,000 and $75,000.
5% earned between $75,000 and $100,000.
6% earned between $100,000 and $150,000.
7% earned $200,000 or more.
Based on those numbers, the median salary for TikTok influencers is somewhere between $15,000 and $25,000.
Just under one-third of influencers are making a full-time salary.
https://explodingtopics.com/blog/tiktok-earning-stats
oldsoftie
(12,622 posts)And its all intentional. Why cant the people in China use it?
LuvLoogie
(7,040 posts)And I call bullshit on it being a threat to national security. It's fucking TikTok.
Starlink is a bigger threat. Musk is playing both sides with his tech in a war zone.
The NSA isn't conducting business on TikTok. If anything it's acting covertly as undercover users. They'd actually need to do real espionage to get at the TikTok data. Whereas with Facebook and TikTok, they have carte blanc and back doors to those platforms. Google, too.
oldsoftie
(12,622 posts)Look up the 60 Minutes story on the danger to children. Read the article I linked. Read the DoD report on it. Why is it prohibited from all govt phones? Many States as well? Because the CCP gets ALL your info on your phone; your personal history. Your passwords, authentication codes etc. How blind are you?
And as I said before, if its SO harmless why cant Chinese citizens use it?
LuvLoogie
(7,040 posts)Spooks from every nation and corporation know what you ate for breakfast and know when you poop it out.
Privacy?! LOL
Again the the danger to children is the same on any social media platform.
TPTB want to shut it down because they can't control it. They don't like the viral exposing of their shit.
I ain't ascared of China. The fucking GOP is a bigger threat! And their fucking God Nazis are a bigger threat to children than TikTok! By fucking far!
oldsoftie
(12,622 posts)There are MANY studies/reports/evidence of just what this app does that others DONT do.
The CCP works every. minute of every day to destabilize the US; TikTok is one of their tools.
Yes the trump cult is a danger. BOTH things can be true at the same time
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/tiktok-pushes-potentially-harmful-content-to-users-as-often-as-every-39-seconds-study/
"TikTok recommends self-harm and eating disorder content to some users within minutes of joining the platform, according to a new report published Wednesday by the Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH).
The new study had researchers set up TikTok accounts posing as 13-year-old users interested in content about body image and mental health. It found that within as few as 2.6 minutes after joining the app, TikTok's algorithm recommended suicidal content. The report showed that eating disorder content was recommended within as few as 8 minutes."
Pretty Fly
(66 posts)If you're seeing nothing but right-wing tiktoks, that means you're engaging with them somehow, likely via liking a video.
You can also just click that you're not interested in that video and it'll begin to filter out similar videos.
Like tiktok or not but it's probably the most intuitive algorithm for content that I've ever experienced on social media. My feed is tailor-made to my interests. I rarely ever get a pro-Trump video on my for you page.
So, that's a you problem I'm afraid.
Omnipresent
(5,724 posts)Pretty Fly
(66 posts)There has to be a reason you're seeing only pro-MAGA tiktoks. That or you're exaggerating and don't really use tiktok. Because if you're seeing pro-Trump stuff, it's because you're engaging with it. That's how the algorithm works. And if you don't believe me, I can record my fyp as I swipe through a hundred tiktoks. I'd be surprised if ONE was pro-Trump.
Pro-Palestine? Yes.
Pro-leftist? Probably.
But I get a lot of DNC and Biden defending tiktoks. Because that's what I engage with.
Omnipresent
(5,724 posts)I probably watch one at first, for a few seconds too long, and the app thought i liked the content.
Pretty Fly
(66 posts)I don't mean to sound like a jerk, and that's not my intent, but you literally get the feed you tailor to yourself. So, you could be on tiktok and not come across any Biden/Trump videos. My friend's fyp is 100% different than mine, She doesn't do politics so she rarely gets political tiktoks.
Regardless, in a close election, every vote matters and Biden absolutely risks turning off some voters with this bill. It won't gain him any voters, tho. No one is going to vote Biden because he banned tiktok.
How many voters does it turn off, though? That's the question.
Autumn
(45,120 posts)anything about Trump anymore. If these people are seeing Trump shit they are looking for it.
Pretty Fly
(66 posts)Pretty Fly
(66 posts)I rarely come across Trump content and when I do, it's often someone stitching a tiktok to fact check their claims.
Omnipresent
(5,724 posts)Pretty Fly
(66 posts)Sounds like you should take your own advice mate.
Omnipresent
(5,724 posts)Its streaming content on TikTok.
Bettie
(16,130 posts)I see liberal content, recipes (both good and terrifying), people from other countries trying food here, cat/dog rescue stories, and a bunch of D&D content. OH, and a bunch of smartass Gen X people along with a bit of delightfully random stuff.
It's all about what you interact with.
If I get a right winger, I just flip on past and I don't see it again.
And I'm no kid...actually, few on DU are young people.
Pretty Fly
(66 posts)The campaign clearly sees the value in using it.
oldsoftie
(12,622 posts)If this is true, Good Bye Joe...
I hate to be the one, but with him losing support among Gen Z, this will put them over the edge not to show up in November.
Kaleva
(36,356 posts)I don't think we should associate with or try to have a dialogue with those who will consider Tic Tok to be a deal breaker. People so short sighted and shallow are not worth the effort
LuvLoogie
(7,040 posts)NavyDem
(529 posts)Many of them make it a the focal point of their content.
LuvLoogie
(7,040 posts)I'm talking of the TikTok community as a whole. The artists, the cooks, the craftsmen, the gardeners, the people with disabilities, the musicians, the poets, the social justice lgbtq, people of color, indigenous, the emotionally/mentally struggling people sharing their challenges and feelings--the very diversity of humanity the Dems claim to promote.
The Dems are making themselves out to be reactionary political panhandlers on this one.
NavyDem
(529 posts)Is that I follow exactly those types of creators, and a lot of them also create on other platforms as well. That includes X, YouTube (The only platform I create on), and others. To Me, TikTok is a fucking wasteland, minus the 100 or so creators I follow. I don't waste my time trying to create there because for my niche (non-political) it is straight garbage.
As far as reactionary, I see a bunch of kids that want to take their ball and go home. I say let them. When the usher in another Trump presidency, I won't give them a damn ounce of sympathy.
My field of fucks to give is now barren.
Kaleva
(36,356 posts)and make life extremely hard for others. That is their fate. But if you want to have a dialogue with those who think Tic Toc is of the utmost importance, you are free to do so. I'm not going to bother.
womanofthehills
(8,781 posts)Lots of handicapped people do.
You can watch lots of influencers go from living in a car or small apt to moving to a really nice place - with their money earned on TicToc.
So many stories of peoples lives. Pretty young girls with no legs, no arms, stage 4 cancers, severely deformed babies, etc etc.
A women on TicToc had triplets & her followers sent her cribs, baby clothes etc. its another whole world over there.
I dont know why you are connecting TicToc to climate change. The EPA relaxed regulations for oil & gas drilling & now the Permian Basin in Texas & NM is pulling in billions of dollars while polluting southern NM & SW Texas big time. Whats unbelievable- 85% of Permian Basin production is going over seas. This stuff has nothing to do with TicToc.
Kaleva
(36,356 posts)as the rest of the industrial nations combined and that includes the US.
It's a matter of priorities.
I just don't think it's worthwhile to have a dialogue with people who place access to TicToc above responding and preparing for the coming worldwide catastrophy.
Gen Z is going to suffer immensely in the near future. That is their fate.
oldsoftie
(12,622 posts)Watch the 60 minutes story on it. Read the DoD report on it.
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2023/apr/04/how-tiktoks-algorithm-exploits-the-vulnerability-of-children
Elessar Zappa
(14,083 posts)I can see both sides of the issue.
DemocratInPa
(357 posts)I get aid for Ukraine is important, but it's almost like they are putting November on the line to get it done, which is crazy..
Dems are just not smart here and getting bad advice..
This will as bad or worst then Defund the Police.
oldsoftie
(12,622 posts)Its a SECURITY RISK because its directly tied to the CCP
Anything you do on TikTok you can do on Instagram
ripcord
(5,547 posts)Sometimes the President has to make tough choices like denying the masses their opium.
DemocratInPa
(357 posts)TikTok and Snap only.. They were mad when it was talked about and I am sure if this becomes law, they won't vote.. I am also sure there are millions of others like them out there.
ripcord
(5,547 posts)That helped get us where we are now.
DemocratInPa
(357 posts)Please tell me..
Repubs wanted to do this in 2020 and Dems were against it, what has changed?
Progressive Dems and Gen Are going to hate this so much.. It's going to kill us.
2naSalit
(86,822 posts)They are going to throw a fit because they can't take the time to understand why this is necessary?
Sounds like some of that good ol''merikin exceptionalism right there.
DemocratInPa
(357 posts)in November...
Gen Z for change already pushing the ideas of staying home..
This is bad folks.
uponit7771
(90,367 posts)... Can't own any Chinese consumer data as a outsider of China.
At minimum this is an unfair trade practice
DemocratInPa
(357 posts)But be prepare for the consequences.. You can't do this and then expect them to be out in full force in November.
They are already pissed about Israel/Gaza..
Bettie
(16,130 posts)Do you want all social media gone? Or just the one young people are using?
ripcord
(5,547 posts)uponit7771
(90,367 posts)Putin and the Chinese leader Xi are not effing around with their authoritarianism, why would we want more of that in the United States?
oldsoftie
(12,622 posts)Ask them why they cant post their stupid videos on Instagram.
Beausoleil
(2,845 posts)To send targeted propaganda to minors as they did with the original "Tik Tok will be banned if you don't call your congressperson right now" messaging.
To me, that is scarier than the volume of personal info the CCP can vacuum up.
uponit7771
(90,367 posts)BannonsLiver
(16,493 posts)LuvLoogie
(7,040 posts)BannonsLiver
(16,493 posts)Interesting. Im going to pass on that comparison, but good luck with it.
LuvLoogie
(7,040 posts)BannonsLiver
(16,493 posts)Here again, I cant agree. I think climate change is more important than TikTok. But thats just me. You dont agree, and thats fine. Im sure if/when its banned you will still be able to find cat videos.
LuvLoogie
(7,040 posts)It has all of the same characteristics.
BannonsLiver
(16,493 posts)That and $6 will get you a cup of coffee. I sure hope your day gets better though.
oldsoftie
(12,622 posts)Apparently the CCP is making a lot more progress than they thought possible.
BannonsLiver
(16,493 posts)These folks have become addicted to cat videos and cant stand the thought of not being able to see them.
WarGamer
(12,485 posts)Trump comes out and says "I'll get TikTok back..."
Self inflicted wound.
BannonsLiver
(16,493 posts)DemocratInPa
(357 posts)Trump probably has someone that will buy it.. Give him a week after it gets banned and he will be campaigning on it.
Tribetime
(4,711 posts)FelineOverlord
(3,600 posts)Announced he was forming a group to buy it.
That was in March. Havent heard anything since then.
https://www.cnbc.com/2024/03/14/former-treasury-secretary-mnuchin-is-putting-together-an-investor-group-to-buy-tiktok.html
WarGamer
(12,485 posts)BComplex
(8,069 posts)TikTok is Chinese infiltrated, Fux, OAN, ANN, are all Russian infiltrated. Why can't we ban those?
LuvLoogie
(7,040 posts)Autumn
(45,120 posts)Russian propaganda scripts to the ignorant masses.
LuvLoogie
(7,040 posts)Melon Usk should buy TikTok and call it Z
progressoid
(49,999 posts)MistakenLamb
(538 posts)You really are the best possible thing for a Trump campaign with your hair on fire doomerism its sad
LuvLoogie
(7,040 posts)It will be like clear cutting prarie to make room for alfalfa.
themaguffin
(3,828 posts)Response to themaguffin (Reply #66)
Post removed
themaguffin
(3,828 posts)uponit7771
(90,367 posts)rockfordfile
(8,704 posts)Something is wrong if you can't live without tiktok.
LuvLoogie
(7,040 posts)and intertwined relationships and interactive communities people have built over the years. 10s of millions of Americans use this app. It is unique in its function and openness. People have actually held face to face meetups and actions from the relationships started on the app.
You'd be breaking that all apart. I don't think you get it.
Tribetime
(4,711 posts)This will end in disaster for us
DemocratInPa
(357 posts)She was suppose to come home this weekend, but isn't, but word spread up there fast and it was talked about and people are pissed.
For the record, she was 50/50 on voting for Biden due to his continue support for Israel against Gaza, but my son who is a Grad Student at RMU and phone banked for Biden in 2020 is not voting this year he said.
This is going to be bad.
Response to Eugene (Original post)
traitorsgalore This message was self-deleted by its author.
uponit7771
(90,367 posts)... please proceed.
Xi and Putrid and Bibis of the world don't need more information about us citizens even less children
ripcord
(5,547 posts)I am questioning the intelligence of these people opposed to the bill.
uponit7771
(90,367 posts)Response to Eugene (Original post)
Name removed Message auto-removed
David__77
(23,549 posts)uponit7771
(90,367 posts)Docreed2003
(16,878 posts)Anyone who thinks banning TikTok in an election year is a good idea is woefully mistaken.
oldsoftie
(12,622 posts)Its algorithms push these stupid "challenges" to kids.
It pushes dangerous eating disorder videos to anorexics.
It pushes false news for people searching for REAL news
It pushes kids, especially girls, to suicide
If there's nothing wrong with it then why cant the Chinese people use it?
uponit7771
(90,367 posts)LuvLoogie
(7,040 posts)And Afghanistan! And Somalia!
LOL!