In a bold move, TikTok pushed back with a lengthy explanation. They're making it clear: they're not playing favorites. The app runs on user-generated content and trends, they say. So, when you see a flood of #freepalestine or #standwithpalestine posts, that's not TikTok pulling strings – it's just what people are talking about.
"In addition, the number of videos associated with a hashtag, alone, do not provide sufficient context. For example, the hashtag #standwithIsrael may be associated with fewer videos than #freePalestine, but it has 68% more views per video in the US, which means more people are seeing the content." Clarifed TikTok team in a press release. Adding further, "And, some hashtags are newer (e.g. #standwithIsrael) while others are more established (e.g. #freePalestine)–the vast majority (9 in 10) of videos tagged #standwithIsrael were posted in the last 30 days in the US. A difference in views and posts is expected."
They also pointed out that this isn't a TikTok-only thing. You'll see similar patterns on Instagram and other social networks. Their message is simple: TikTok's just a mirror reflecting what its users are interested in, nothing more.
TikTok's taking transparency seriously, too. They've let Oracle peek behind the curtain, showing them the code to prove everything's on the up and up. This is part of a bigger deal to keep TikTok up and running in the States. But it's not a done deal yet – U.S. officials are still poking around, making sure there's nothing shady going on.
The stakes are high for TikTok. If they're seen as taking sides in big global issues, it could spell trouble. That's especially sensitive given what's happening in China. Over there, the Chinese version of TikTok, Douyin, dances to the tune of the Chinese Communist Party. That raises a red flag: could TikTok be under similar influence outside of China? No proof of that, but it's enough to keep U.S. security folks up at night.
Meanwhile, TikTok isn't just sitting around. They're on the frontlines, fighting misinformation about the Israel-Gaza situation. They've got a whole team on it, including Arabic and Hebrew speakers, and they're not shy about pulling videos that cross the line.
So, here we are. TikTok's in the hot seat, trying to prove it's just a platform for people to share their stories, not a puppet master pulling strings. It's a tough spot, but they're not backing down. The question is, will it be enough to keep the critics at bay? Only time will tell.
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by Irfan Ahmad via Digital Information World
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