I've seen it too many times recently. People are viewing the response to a "national security threat," as a loss of freedom comparable to what one might expect from an authoritarian government. Please stop it.
A possible ban of TikTok is not a loss of freedom. I am a TikTok user and have both enjoyed the app and spent a lot of time on it. I can also understand some of the potential danger.
During the pandemic, the platform served to connect so many thousands of isolated people and provided desperately needed relief and entertainment. Much of the community I've come to know there feels like family. I've seen people break down in tears at the thought of losing that lifeline. Some people are angrily raging about the possibility. Other posts on the subject are extremely suspicious.
When unfamiliar accounts pop up and start talking about our country in negative terms, while praising the app, I raise an eyebrow. Do we all remember the effects of Russian propaganda on social media systems in 2016? Think of that and realize that the home nation of the foreign company who owns that platform met with one of our adversaries just today.
Many people may not take the idea of a threat seriously. What advantage could there be in knowing the latest dance craze and who partakes? Please remember 2016. This is not all fun and games. Remember history. There are some disturbing trends happening and you can see them when you put different pieces of a puzzle together. We know what propaganda can do. We know how dangerous misinformation and bullies can be. We know how sophisticated artificial intelligence is and what can be done with biometrics. I have seen accounts on Twitter recently that seemed to flip their script. "People" who were all about mindfulness and peace began promoting diabolical content, much to my dismay. It was disappointing to lose what felt like a friendship. We have to remember though, some of these accounts may not even be real people at all. AI can generate people who look remarkably real in videos. It can make people do and say things on video that they did not do or say at all.
Debates are happening in live feeds, posts and comment sections about every kind of topic imaginable - from parenting styles, to the existence of God, to the latest bills being passed, political spins and protests. Misinformation is a dangerous thing and we have NO IDEA how the algorithm might be manipulated. Hateful comments, heated arguments and personal concerns for safety enter my feed on a daily basis. I can only imagine it getting worse as the big election year approaches.
Click here for "Is TikTok really giving your data to China?" from the Washington Post
I do not believe we will, as a country, be able to withstand another 2016 or four more years of wannabe dictator hell. We have seen a lot of crazy things happen in the last few years. People are working hard just to survive and absolutely not verifying the information that comes into their feed before commenting and/or passing it on. Some are well-intentioned, just trying to connect or be sympathetic. Some are out for engagement, likes and followers. Some just spew negativity and hate. Some are real, some are not.
We as individuals, obviously do not have the same ability to put it all together in the way a big data analysis system can. We don't even think of things that way, but make no mistake about the fact that there are some seriously devious motives for wanting that kind of data. Our habits, likes, dislikes, biometrics, motivations and grievances can combine to provide our enemies with a playbook that can serve to destroy us.
We are not in possession of all the facts. We need to trust those who are. We need to elect people who are trustworthy. We need to recognize potential hazards and choose our long term future and safety over the immediate gratification of an entertainment app.
I love TikTok, but the leader of China just met with Putin today. I'm okay with losing the app in favor of OUR free country. (I say this even as we continue to lose rights in so many states and fight to regain them.) Don't get anything twisted. If we lose a much-loved app, It's not a loss of freedom. It's to protect the freedoms we have left.
Much Love,
T
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