黑料正能量

TikTok is one of the most popular social media sites in the world. In the United States, more than 170 million people and businesses use the app on a regular basis.

Now, the federal government has taken the first step in banning the China-based app unless the ownership group, ByteDance, sells TikTok. The House of Representatives passed a bipartisan bill in support of the ban, and now it awaits Congress to act. President Joe Biden has indicated he would sign the bill banning TikTok unless it鈥檚 sold, but whether it reaches his desk remains to be seen.

This stems from the fear that China uses user information to their advantage. According to , PhD, associate professor of political science in , the concern is well deserved.

鈥淓ven if it鈥檚 a privately-owned enterprise, China can still control it, they can still manipulate it to some degree as if it was a state -owned enterprise,鈥� said Hunter.

Hunter鈥檚 research focuses on how informational warfare attacks influence politics worldwide. He said the algorithm TikTok uses can play a major role in informational warfare on two fronts.

鈥淥ne, it鈥檚 the data gathering, and that can be used for micro targeting because basically what TikTok can do is collect the data and provide information as to what certain individuals respond to an this is exactly how you can persuade them.鈥�

鈥淎lso, there is empirical evidence that China has used TikTok before to try to influence elections to some degree. One example in the 2022 midterm elections in which some candidates from both parties were targeted by TikTok accounts that were controlled by a propaganda agency operating within the Chinese government.鈥�

Hunter added the TikTok algorithm is more advanced than some other social media platforms and more effective in knowing what people like and why they like it.

With so many AI-generated posts, it can be difficult for the consumer to decipher what is legitimate, and what isn鈥檛. There are some red flags for people to be on the lookout for.

鈥淥ne thing the average person can do is be very wary of what you鈥檙e seeing and ask yourself does this seem legitimate?鈥� he added. 鈥淚f everyone is saying the exact same thing, that鈥檚 a tell sometimes. Also, where does this information originate from, and what are the timestamps on the posts? Something else is to look at the individual who made the post. Who are these people and who鈥檚 following them? You may be able to see if they are legitimate accounts.鈥�

While China, and Russia for that matter, are trying to influence people in several ways, Hunter said they are also trying to cause division among the American people.

鈥淭hey do want to influence elections at times, absolutely. But one of their other goals, and sometimes even more predominant goals for them, is to increase division, increase polarization, and that鈥檚 a great way to do that,鈥� Hunter said. 鈥淓ven if you have a temporary reaction, you鈥檝e increased that division which could have longer term effects.鈥�

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Lance Hunter is an assistant professor of political science with a background in international relations. His research focuses on how terrorist attacks influence politics in democratic countries and how political decisions within countries affect conflicts worldwide.

He is available to speak with media about this important topic - simply click on his icon to arrange an interview today.