Tiktok (2 Viewers)

[GroveDiesel]

I’m confused on why the government was so determined on telling the American public that TikToc was bad and evil and should definitely be banned only to now have an incoming president try to look like a hero because it’s coming back. All a big PR stunt.

Do you think “the government” acts in a coordinated, planned manner? With everyone acting together?

That same president was also one of the first most prominent people to speak about the need to ban it. It’s all extremely weird. I don’t see how this can be non-political though for this board.

This is what I don’t understand. The support to ban it from politicians was incredibly bipartisan and both Trump and Biden supported the ban. Weird for this to all of a sudden be political. I have still yet to see a good explanation for the flip

 

[Nugget]

I’m confused on why the government was so determined on telling the American public that TikToc was bad and evil and should definitely be banned only to now have an incoming president try to look like a hero because it’s coming back. All a big PR stunt.

Do you think “the government” acts in a coordinated, planned manner? With everyone acting together?

That same president was also one of the first most prominent people to speak about the need to ban it. It’s all extremely weird. I don’t see how this can be non-political though for this board.

This is what I don’t understand. The support to ban it from politicians was incredibly bipartisan and both Trump and Biden supported the ban. Weird for this to all of a sudden be political. I have still yet to see a good explanation for the flip

I have a warm spot in my heart for TikTok

 

[Juxtatarot]

I’m confused on why the government was so determined on telling the American public that TikToc was bad and evil and should definitely be banned only to now have an incoming president try to look like a hero because it’s coming back. All a big PR stunt.

Do you think “the government” acts in a coordinated, planned manner? With everyone acting together?

That same president was also one of the first most prominent people to speak about the need to ban it. It’s all extremely weird. I don’t see how this can be non-political though for this board.

This is what I don’t understand. The support to ban it from politicians was incredibly bipartisan and both Trump and Biden supported the ban. Weird for this to all of a sudden be political. I have still yet to see a good explanation for the flip

Maybe to negotiate a sale to an American company? Maybe to use as a bargaining chip?

 

[rockaction]

I’m confused on why the government was so determined on telling the American public that TikToc was bad and evil and should definitely be banned only to now have an incoming president try to look like a hero because it’s coming back. All a big PR stunt.

Do you think “the government” acts in a coordinated, planned manner? With everyone acting together?

That same president was also one of the first most prominent people to speak about the need to ban it. It’s all extremely weird. I don’t see how this can be non-political though for this board.

This is what I don’t understand. The support to ban it from politicians was incredibly bipartisan and both Trump and Biden supported the ban. Weird for this to all of a sudden be political. I have still yet to see a good explanation for the flip

Aside from Donald Trump meeting with the head of ByteDance and getting a large campaign contribution from the wife of a board member of ByteDance?

https://www.barrons.com/articles/trump-campaign-donations-tiktok-bytedance-ae21bfa3

"Trump’s reversal came shortly after meeting [Jeff] Yass at a meeting of the Club For Growth, a conservative political group supported by the Susquehanna co-founder, that has been a critic of a TikTok ban, ABC News and others have reported.

Trump has said that he discussed education policy with Yass, who has championed initiatives aimed at channeling public funds toward privately run schools. A person close to Yass confirmed that characterization of the conversation toBarron’s.

Yass and his wife are the second-biggest contributors to political campaigns and causes during the current election cycle, donating $80 million to Republican campaigns and conservative political action committees, according to money-in-politics tracker Open Secrets."

However, the article goes on to say

"None of the Yass’ contributions have been to committees that directly support Trump’s campaign."

 

[3C's]

Follow the money

 

[-OZ-]

I’m confused on why the government was so determined on telling the American public that TikToc was bad and evil and should definitely be banned only to now have an incoming president try to look like a hero because it’s coming back. All a big PR stunt.

Do you think “the government” acts in a coordinated, planned manner? With everyone acting together?

That same president was also one of the first most prominent people to speak about the need to ban it. It’s all extremely weird. I don’t see how this can be non-political though for this board.

This is what I don’t understand. The support to ban it from politicians was incredibly bipartisan and both Trump and Biden supported the ban. Weird for this to all of a sudden be political. I have still yet to see a good explanation for the flip

Just possibly - millions of voters want to keep it, there’s no downside to trump’s delay to enforce the law.
Why is it weird for this to be political? Basically everything is.

 

[TheAristocrat]

Politicians, like your data, are bought and sold daily. But not the guys on your team color; they are above that.

 

[pollardsvision]

I don't care about the political side of it (like everything else it's about money).

What I don't understand is, what makes TikTok so special?

Maybe I'm just an old fart, but YouTube Shorts is plenty good enough for me. And don't Instgram and Facebook have basically the same thing too?

I don't have TikTok, partially for the China thing, but mostly for the same reason I don't use the Instagram and Facebook video stuff.....I'm not going to use a bunch of different apps to watch stupid short videos.

After the initial whining and crying, how would anybody's life change if they had to switch to another app to watch the same videos while they use the bathroom?

 

[IvanKaramazov]

I’m confused on why the government was so determined on telling the American public that TikToc was bad and evil and should definitely be banned only to now have an incoming president try to look like a hero because it’s coming back. All a big PR stunt.

Do you think “the government” acts in a coordinated, planned manner? With everyone acting together?

That same president was also one of the first most prominent people to speak about the need to ban it. It’s all extremely weird. I don’t see how this can be non-political though for this board.

This is what I don’t understand. The support to ban it from politicians was incredibly bipartisan and both Trump and Biden supported the ban. Weird for this to all of a sudden be political. I have still yet to see a good explanation for the flip

Just possibly - millions of voters want to keep it, there’s no downside to trump’s delay to enforce the law.
Why is it weird for this to be political? Basically everything is.

There is always a very obvious downside when the executive branch refuses to enforce a law. Lawlessness is bad all by itself.

And it's a spy/propaganda platform. Every day it's allowed to operate is a day that makes the US that much weaker.

 

[pollardsvision]

I’m confused on why the government was so determined on telling the American public that TikToc was bad and evil and should definitely be banned only to now have an incoming president try to look like a hero because it’s coming back. All a big PR stunt.

Do you think “the government” acts in a coordinated, planned manner? With everyone acting together?

That same president was also one of the first most prominent people to speak about the need to ban it. It’s all extremely weird. I don’t see how this can be non-political though for this board.

This is what I don’t understand. The support to ban it from politicians was incredibly bipartisan and both Trump and Biden supported the ban. Weird for this to all of a sudden be political. I have still yet to see a good explanation for the flip

Just possibly - millions of voters want to keep it, there’s no downside to trump’s delay to enforce the law.
Why is it weird for this to be political? Basically everything is.

There is always a very obvious downside when the executive branch refuses to enforce a law. Lawlessness is bad all by itself.

And it's a spy/propaganda platform. Every day it's allowed to operate is a day that makes the US that much weaker.

I think you misinterpreted which "downside" he was talking about.

Obviously, there's downside if thinking in terms of the good of the country.

But OZ was referring to the only downside that matters to politicians. Upsetting enough voters to where it messes with their pocketbook.

 

[Mitchie]

the banning of Tik Tok is a very political topic, all i'll say is the truth is out there if you want to search for it.

 

[IvanKaramazov]

the banning of Tik Tok is a very political topic, all i'll say is the truth is out there if you want to search for it.

Maybe it's political -- everything is, if one insists -- but this isn't partisan. Majorities of both parties voted to ban this. A large majority of the public agrees. A unanimous supreme court says its fine.

I have a pretty significant number of pro-TT people in my TL, and they don't much much in common politically.

 

[Major]

I don't care about the political side of it (like everything else it's about money).

What I don't understand is, what makes TikTok so special?

Maybe I'm just an old fart, but YouTube Shorts is plenty good enough for me. And don't Instgram and Facebook have basically the same thing too?

I don't have TikTok, partially for the China thing, but mostly for the same reason I don't use the Instagram and Facebook video stuff.....I'm not going to use a bunch of different apps to watch stupid short videos.

After the initial whining and crying, how would anybody's life change if they had to switch to another app to watch the same videos while they use the bathroom?

If you're wondering why it's being banned, you answered your own question (see bolded).

If you're wondering why it's popular, like any social media platform it's primarily the user base and community.

 

[Peggy]

I’m confused on why the government was so determined on telling the American public that TikToc was bad and evil and should definitely be banned only to now have an incoming president try to look like a hero because it’s coming back. All a big PR stunt.

Do you think “the government” acts in a coordinated, planned manner? With everyone acting together?

That same president was also one of the first most prominent people to speak about the need to ban it. It’s all extremely weird. I don’t see how this can be non-political though for this board.

This is what I don’t understand. The support to ban it from politicians was incredibly bipartisan and both Trump and Biden supported the ban. Weird for this to all of a sudden be political. I have still yet to see a good explanation for the flip

Maybe to negotiate a sale to an American company? Maybe to use as a bargaining chip?

Good call. You know who wants to approve it if China turns over 50% ownership to the US.

 

[Max Power]

It's a 75-day window to reassess the ban and force a sale. I'm of the thinking that even once TikTok gets banned, the thirst for this style of content remains. Someone in America just needs to capitalize on the opening.

 

[culdeus]

It's a 75-day window to reassess the ban and force a sale. I'm of the thinking that even once TikTok gets banned, the thirst for this style of content remains. Someone in America just needs to capitalize on the opening.

It's not the content really. It's that they know what to put in your feed to keep you online.

Instagram seems to lack this functionality of getting you completely hooked

 

[Max Power]

It's a 75-day window to reassess the ban and force a sale. I'm of the thinking that even once TikTok gets banned, the thirst for this style of content remains. Someone in America just needs to capitalize on the opening.

It's not the content really. It's that they know what to put in your feed to keep you online.

Instagram seems to lack this functionality of getting you completely hooked

I don't use TikTok or Insta. My wife and I share some facebook reels, but that's only when we're bored or killing time. I never felt overly engaged with the short content, so maybe you're right about having a better algorithm.

or I watch boring stuff. Mine are 90% workout videos, dogs, and relationship jokes. I also never "like" videos.

 

[Desert_Power]

It's a 75-day window to reassess the ban and force a sale. I'm of the thinking that even once TikTok gets banned, the thirst for this style of content remains. Someone in America just needs to capitalize on the opening.

It's not the content really. It's that they know what to put in your feed to keep you online.

By far the most engaging and least political content

 

[Leeroy Jenkins]

The talk of the US Gov. owning all or part of tik tok concerns me. Starts to smell like state run media -- which I thought was the concern already regarding China.

 

[Joe Bryant]

It's not the content really. It's that they know what to put in your feed to keep you online.

Instagram seems to lack this functionality of getting you completely hooked

Yes. The value is in the algorithm. Meaning it knows enough about you to continue to put content you'll stay engaged with (not necessarily like) in front of you.

TikTok's algorithm seems superior from the angle of keeping people on the platform. Or addicted to the platform if one wants to view it that way.

 

[Joe Bryant]

I'm sure this has been covered in the thread, but it's my understanding China doesn't allow our unfiltered version of TikTok to be consumed by their citizens, right?

It's also my understanding US social media companies like Facebook and Instagram are not allowed in China, right?

 

[Leeroy Jenkins]

I'm sure this has been covered in the thread, but it's my understanding China doesn't allow our unfiltered version of TikTok to be consumed by their citizens, right?

It's also my understanding US social media companies like Facebook and Instagram are not allowed in China, right?

I think that is true.

I also read that the app many flocked to "red book" (?) or something, in the user agreement you are agreeing to all kinds of stuff related to the Chinese govt., and that China now was seeking ways to prevent Americans from interacting with Chinese folks on the app.

 

[Joe Bryant]

I don't know if it's true but I heard recently someone say when the average Chinese young person is asked what they want to be when they grow up, the common answers are astronaut and engineer.

When American young people are asked the question, the most popular answer is social media influencer.

When you look at what young people consume on social media in America compared to China, that makes sense.

 

[Joe Bryant]

This is what I was talking about.

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

youtu.be

The Chinese version of Tik Tok allowed for Chinese citizens limits it to 40 minutes per day and science and museum and art exhibits are emphasized.

If you've been on Tik Tok here, you know that's not what our kids get in our version.

 

[fruity pebbles]

This is what I was talking about.

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

youtu.be

The Chinese version of Tik Tok allowed for Chinese citizens limits it to 40 minutes per day and science and museum and art exhibits are emphasized.

If you've been on Tik Tok here, you know that's not what our kids get in our version.

I’m convinced we are in danger of having a lost generation or two.

 

[Joe Bryant]

It's an interesting situation when someone or a company offers a product that they won't let their own people consume.

 

[Max Power]

The talk of the US Gov. owning all or part of tik tok concerns me. Starts to smell like state run media -- which I thought was the concern already regarding China.

Who is talking about the government owning tiktok? This is a first heard for me.

 

[Max Power]

It's an interesting situation when someone or a company offers a product that they won't let their own people consume.

Id support an 18+ age limit for TikTok. I think it had potential, but needs additional regulation.

There is something to be said about how communication styles change with each generation. Shorts and memes are sadly becoming the new standards for the 20 year old crowd.

 

[Joe Bryant]

This is what I was talking about.

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

youtu.be

The Chinese version of Tik Tok allowed for Chinese citizens limits it to 40 minutes per day and science and museum and art exhibits are emphasized.

If you've been on Tik Tok here, you know that's not what our kids get in our version.

I’m convinced we are in danger of having a lost generation or two.

I will say if my goal was to damage young people, I'd encourage them to be on social media constantly. Tik Tok especially as it seems to be the most effective at pulling people in.

 

[thecatch]

The talk of the US Gov. owning all or part of tik tok concerns me. Starts to smell like state run media -- which I thought was the concern already regarding China.

I mean only if you also think of the US government as a hostile foreign power.

 

[IvanKaramazov]

It's an interesting situation when someone or a company offers a product that they won't let their own people consume.

Id support an 18+ age limit for TikTok. I think it had potential, but needs additional regulation.

There is something to be said about how communication styles change with each generation. Shorts and memes are sadly becoming the new standards for the 20 year old crowd.

Yeah, but this is an issue with social media pretty much across the board. Tik Tok is unique because it's run by a hostile government with very obvious malicious intent (which is why they don't allow it in China). That makes this is a relatively easy problem to solve with no "slippery slope" consequences to worry about -- we reserve the right to say "no" to media platforms owned and controlled by foreign governments. That's a bright line.

But if Tik Tok goes away, somebody will create an app that does the same thing. If there's even a solution for that, it will have to be something else.

 

[Joe Bryant]

It's an interesting situation when someone or a company offers a product that they won't let their own people consume.

Id support an 18+ age limit for TikTok. I think it had potential, but needs additional regulation.

There is something to be said about how communication styles change with each generation. Shorts and memes are sadly becoming the new standards for the 20 year old crowd.

Yeah, but this is an issue with social media pretty much across the board. Tik Tok is unique because it's run by a hostile government with very obvious malicious intent (which is why they don't allow it in China). That makes this is a relatively easy problem to solve with no "slippery slope" consequences to worry about -- we reserve the right to say "no" to media platforms owned and controlled by foreign governments. That's a bright line.

But if Tik Tok goes away, somebody will create an app that does the same thing. If there's even a solution for that, it will have to be something else.

Agree on the bright line of other countries.

As for "someone else will do it", I'm not as sure. The brightest minds in Silicon Valley have been trying and they haven't been able to get something as good. Maybe they will in the future.

 

[culdeus]

It's not the content really. It's that they know what to put in your feed to keep you online.

Instagram seems to lack this functionality of getting you completely hooked

Yes. The value is in the algorithm. Meaning it knows enough about you to continue to put content you'll stay engaged with (not necessarily like) in front of you.

TikTok's algorithm seems superior from the angle of keeping people on the platform. Or addicted to the platform if one wants to view it that way.

It also came about at the point where phone cameras and storage hit a tipping point in quality such that quick videos were easier to deal with.

Other sites were pushing still images hot girls in bikinis on vacation with a witty caption that they didn't write. People wanted something different and the influencers of that day had the personality of a mop handle with a nice ***.

Video gave birth to a whole new genre. Right place right time.

 

[Sand]

the banning of Tik Tok is a very political topic, all i'll say is the truth is out there if you want to search for it.

Maybe it's political -- everything is, if one insists -- but this isn't partisan. Majorities of both parties voted to ban this. A large majority of the public agrees. A unanimous supreme court says its fine.

I have a pretty significant number of pro-TT people in my TL, and they don't much much in common politically.

If memory serves there was a classified briefing with 50 representatives from all over the political spectrum. Those 50 voted 50-0 to ban TikTok after that hearing. That isn't a political move; that's a national safety mandate.

 

[Mitchie]

the banning of Tik Tok is a very political topic, all i'll say is the truth is out there if you want to search for it.

Maybe it's political -- everything is, if one insists -- but this isn't partisan. Majorities of both parties voted to ban this. A large majority of the public agrees. A unanimous supreme court says its fine.

I have a pretty significant number of pro-TT people in my TL, and they don't much much in common politically.

If memory serves there was a classified briefing with 50 representatives from all over the political spectrum. Those 50 voted 50-0 to ban TikTok after that hearing. That isn't a political move; that's a national safety mandate.

Why was it restored then?

 

[The Z Machine]

the banning of Tik Tok is a very political topic, all i'll say is the truth is out there if you want to search for it.

Maybe it's political -- everything is, if one insists -- but this isn't partisan. Majorities of both parties voted to ban this. A large majority of the public agrees. A unanimous supreme court says its fine.

I have a pretty significant number of pro-TT people in my TL, and they don't much much in common politically.

If memory serves there was a classified briefing with 50 representatives from all over the political spectrum. Those 50 voted 50-0 to ban TikTok after that hearing. That isn't a political move; that's a national safety mandate.

Why was it restored then?

#politics

 

[Max Power]

the banning of Tik Tok is a very political topic, all i'll say is the truth is out there if you want to search for it.

Maybe it's political -- everything is, if one insists -- but this isn't partisan. Majorities of both parties voted to ban this. A large majority of the public agrees. A unanimous supreme court says its fine.

I have a pretty significant number of pro-TT people in my TL, and they don't much much in common politically.

If memory serves there was a classified briefing with 50 representatives from all over the political spectrum. Those 50 voted 50-0 to ban TikTok after that hearing. That isn't a political move; that's a national safety mandate.

Why was it restored then?

So the new administration has time to evaluate the situation.

 

[Sand]

the banning of Tik Tok is a very political topic, all i'll say is the truth is out there if you want to search for it.

Maybe it's political -- everything is, if one insists -- but this isn't partisan. Majorities of both parties voted to ban this. A large majority of the public agrees. A unanimous supreme court says its fine.

I have a pretty significant number of pro-TT people in my TL, and they don't much much in common politically.

If memory serves there was a classified briefing with 50 representatives from all over the political spectrum. Those 50 voted 50-0 to ban TikTok after that hearing. That isn't a political move; that's a national safety mandate.

Why was it restored then?

As I said earlier. The masses want their grain dole and to be entertained.

Are you not entertained?

 

[RCon]

Can anyone explain the "threat to national safety" angle to me in explicit terms? That is, just saying "national safety" isn't enough. What, specifically, is the threat? I'm an IT nerd, so please, be technical.

 

[Leeroy Jenkins]

The talk of the US Gov. owning all or part of tik tok concerns me. Starts to smell like state run media -- which I thought was the concern already regarding China.

Who is talking about the government owning tiktok? This is a first heard for me.

I don't want to get political, but someone posted something on their social media platform about that.

 

[Leeroy Jenkins]

Can anyone explain the "threat to national safety" angle to me in explicit terms? That is, just saying "national safety" isn't enough. What, specifically, is the threat? I'm an IT nerd, so please, be technical.

Isn't it user and location data?

 

[Leeroy Jenkins]

The talk of the US Gov. owning all or part of tik tok concerns me. Starts to smell like state run media -- which I thought was the concern already regarding China.

I mean only if you also think of the US government as a hostile foreign power.

Different reasons, like the first amendment, which would then actually be applicable instead of people screaming first amendment violations when private companies make decisions that is not first amendment at all.

 

[RCon]

Can anyone explain the "threat to national safety" angle to me in explicit terms? That is, just saying "national safety" isn't enough. What, specifically, is the threat? I'm an IT nerd, so please, be technical.

Isn't it user and location data?

I don't know. That's why I'm asking. That said, I don't consider "user and location data" to be a sufficient answer by itself.

What user data? E-mail addresses? Don't care.

Location data? Just block the app from receiving that data. Even so, isn't it my right to decide whether I want to grant app X permission to see my location data or not? I do so for Waze, I don't do so for TikTok. But if I did want to grant TikTok my personal location data, who is the government to tell my I can't? Seems like a wild violation of my rights.

 

[Harry Manback]

Can anyone explain the "threat to national safety" angle to me in explicit terms? That is, just saying "national safety" isn't enough. What, specifically, is the threat? I'm an IT nerd, so please, be technical.

I won't be technical but the amount of data collected by the app is alarming. I'm not exactly how it compares to say, Facebook, but Facebook is owned by a US citizen not an adversarial foreign nation. Technically TikTok is privately owned, not owned by the Chinese government but nothing is truly "privately owned" in China. ByteDance, which is the parent company of TikTok has a 1% share owned by the Chinse government.

I think part of the concern, aside from data collection, is how Tiktoks algorithm can be used to manipulate the users. The feeds are typically cultivated to your tastes, but it is easy to end up in a cultivated echo-chamber pushing dangerous misinformation and outright lies. If they wanted to they could strategically alter the feeds to push targeted propoganda to users. I think that shipped has sailed though as ever since it was "saved" it's become evident who TikTok is working for.

 

[Harry Manback]

Can anyone explain the "threat to national safety" angle to me in explicit terms? That is, just saying "national safety" isn't enough. What, specifically, is the threat? I'm an IT nerd, so please, be technical.

Isn't it user and location data?

I don't know. That's why I'm asking. That said, I don't consider "user and location data" to be a sufficient answer by itself.

What user data? E-mail addresses? Don't care.

Location data? Just block the app from receiving that data. Even so, isn't it my right to decide whether I want to grant app X permission to see my location data or not? I do so for Waze, I don't do so for TikTok. But if I did want to grant TikTok my personal location data, who is the government to tell my I can't? Seems like a wild violation of my rights.

Keystrokes, web search history, app purchase history, your name, age, username, phone number, location, IP address, mobile carrier information, device information.

If you are uploading videos it tracks the types of images, location of the image, content of the images to identify places of interest, all of the metadata of the videos.

Essentially if you use tiktok quite a bit, they would know:
Your name, address, phone number, credit card info, shopping habits, web habits, personal interests, the type of phone you use, where you travel. From this they could likely figure out where you work, what you like to do in your spare time, where you go in mornings, evenings etc. Sleep habits etc etc etc.

They theoretically could have detailed profiles of every single American user of the app and use this information to attempt to gain a foothold for someone to spy.

Say they see a user who is often traveling to a known government building, they are often searching for deals and sales for items, maybe they even search for things about how to earn extra money. They decide this person is succeptible to be bribed for information. It would be effortless to pose as a person of likeminded interests and get close to/extract information from.

 

[Max Power]

The talk of the US Gov. owning all or part of tik tok concerns me. Starts to smell like state run media -- which I thought was the concern already regarding China.

Who is talking about the government owning tiktok? This is a first heard for me.

I don't want to get political, but someone posted something on their social media platform about that.

All good. I hadn't heard that and after looking around a bit, I don't see anything about the US government owning tiktok, so I don't see it as a real concern at the moment.

 

[RCon]

I think part of the concern, aside from data collection, is how Tiktoks algorithm can be used to manipulate the users. The feeds are typically cultivated to your tastes, but it is easy to end up in a cultivated echo-chamber pushing dangerous misinformation and outright lies. If they wanted to they could strategically alter the feeds to push targeted propoganda to users. I think that shipped has sailed though as ever since it was "saved" it's become evident who TikTok is working for.

This isn't persuasive to me, as I'm not seeing the difference between TikTok and every other social media app. They can all be used to push targeted propaganda. None of them are trustworthy, as the owners are all out for themselves rather than altruistically operating for the benefit of the American people.

 

[RCon]

I won't be technical but the amount of data collected by the app is alarming. I'm not exactly how it compares to say, Facebook, but Facebook is owned by a US citizen not an adversarial foreign nation. Technically TikTok is privately owned, not owned by the Chinese government but nothing is truly "privately owned" in China. ByteDance, which is the parent company of TikTok has a 1% share owned by the Chinse government.

Can't the user alter the data collected simply by removing app permissions in the OS? If not, wouldn't a simpler path be to resolve the actual issue than ban the app? Why not ban data collection? Better yet, ban data collection for ALL apps.

 

[RCon]

Keystrokes, web search history, app purchase history, your name, age, username, phone number, location, IP address, mobile carrier information, device information.

If you are uploading videos it tracks the types of images, location of the image, content of the images to identify places of interest, all of the metadata of the videos.

Essentially if you use tiktok quite a bit, they would know:
Your name, address, phone number, credit card info, shopping habits, web habits, personal interests, the type of phone you use, where you travel. From this they could likely figure out where you work, what you like to do in your spare time, where you go in mornings, evenings etc. Sleep habits etc etc etc.

They theoretically could have detailed profiles of every single American user of the app and use this information to attempt to gain a foothold for someone to spy.

Say they see a user who is often traveling to a known government building, they are often searching for deals and sales for items, maybe they even search for things about how to earn extra money. They decide this person is succeptible to be bribed for information. It would be effortless to pose as a person of likeminded interests and get close to/extract information from.

1. I don't agree that the app can gather all of that info, with permissions properly set.

2. Tell me how Facebook and Twitter can't do the exact same thing then turn around and sell that data to anyone they choose? That would be legal, no?

3. Even in all of that, which I consider to be overly contrived in the first place, I still don't see a "national security threat". Look, you want to ban it on official federal devices? Great. A corporation wants to ban it on corporate owned devices? Even greater. Banning it for an 18-year old kid working as a barista? Stop. That just does not qualify as a national security threat under any circumstance.

 

[Leeroy Jenkins]

Can anyone explain the "threat to national safety" angle to me in explicit terms? That is, just saying "national safety" isn't enough. What, specifically, is the threat? I'm an IT nerd, so please, be technical.

Isn't it user and location data?

I don't know. That's why I'm asking. That said, I don't consider "user and location data" to be a sufficient answer by itself.

What user data? E-mail addresses? Don't care.

Location data? Just block the app from receiving that data. Even so, isn't it my right to decide whether I want to grant app X permission to see my location data or not? I do so for Waze, I don't do so for TikTok. But if I did want to grant TikTok my personal location data, who is the government to tell my I can't? Seems like a wild violation of my rights.

Keystrokes, web search history, app purchase history, your name, age, username, phone number, location, IP address, mobile carrier information, device information.

If you are uploading videos it tracks the types of images, location of the image, content of the images to identify places of interest, all of the metadata of the videos.

Essentially if you use tiktok quite a bit, they would know:
Your name, address, phone number, credit card info, shopping habits, web habits, personal interests, the type of phone you use, where you travel. From this they could likely figure out where you work, what you like to do in your spare time, where you go in mornings, evenings etc. Sleep habits etc etc etc.

They theoretically could have detailed profiles of every single American user of the app and use this information to attempt to gain a foothold for someone to spy.

Say they see a user who is often traveling to a known government building, they are often searching for deals and sales for items, maybe they even search for things about how to earn extra money. They decide this person is succeptible to be bribed for information. It would be effortless to pose as a person of likeminded interests and get close to/extract information from.

And "they" is an adversarial foreign government -- not just a bunch of greedy nerds.