#98: TikTok Hysteria

Things didn’t have to be this way

Hi.

You are reading Understanding TikTok. My name is Marcus. I am a TikTok researcher at HAW Hamburg. Today i try to cut through the noise and give you an update about a potential ban of TikTok in the US. Besides: the first real mass-level AI misinformation case and Vanity Fair calling. Thanks for reading.

🛹 Ban Me if you Can
🪞Nothing is real
🛰️ What else
🥁 Hi, it’s me

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🛹 Ban Me if You Can

On March 23, 2023 TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew testified before the House Energy and Commerce Committee. In his first appearance before Congress Chew was grilled by lawmakers (CNN). Congress had a lot to say about TikTok. Much of it was wrong (Washington Post).

Washington has gone all in on TikTok hysteria (CNN) with A LOT of more or less informed hot takes. I like Dr. Jess Maddox’s take on it: “In sum, the battle for whether or not TikTok will be banned in the U.S. is playing out on two fronts - first, in internet/tech/media/creator circles, where the absurdity of it all is on full display. But second, among politicians, parents, casual users, or non-users…” (The Internet User Experience).

While lawmakers have said they’re moving forward with plans for a national ban on TikTok (Guardian) free speech advocacy groups (The Hill), academics and experts (Abbie Richards), Chew fans (NBC News/Know Your Meme), AOC (New York Times), paid influencers (Wired) and many of its 150 million monthly active users in the United States (Reuters) argue against an isolated ban.

Nobody exactly knows about all the implications that might occur after a potential ban. Maybe: Banning TikTok will bring on the splinternet (The New Statesman). Meanwhile the FBI and the Department of Justice are investigating the events that led TikTok’s Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to use the app to surveil American journalists (Forbes). And here is a list of countries that have banned TikTok in one way or the other.

🪞Synthetic media – Nothing is real 

I wrote about Deepfakes on TikTok in September 2022 (#89). Only six months later we have entered a new phase of ai-based photos and videos with “the first real mass-level AI misinformation case” Pope Benedict showing of his Balenciaga puffy coat (Buzzfeed News) and Donald Trump becoming arrested (Buzzfeed News). Should you be worried? (New Scientist).

In recent months AI deepfakes have become increasingly popular on the platform.
TikTok has therefore refreshed its content moderation policies, banning deepfakes and saying all realistic AI deepfakes must be ‘clearly disclosed’ (The Verge). AI-generated content has increased in popularity on TikTok, thanks largely to the wider availability of AI voice cloning tools that make it easy to mimic someone’s voice.

We will see way more advanced forms of deepfakes and increasing capabilities of filters and effects (Bold Glamour and Teenage Look are just a start) in general (Gizmodo). Time to re-read Baudrillard, because “the simulacrum is true."

🛰️ What else

Erase and rewind. TikTok has been rolling out “a new feature that enables people to refresh their For You feed if their recommendations no longer feel relevant.” Sorry, you no longer feel relevant. (TikTok)

Thoughest job in tech. TikTok’s and Meta’s content moderators form a united front in Germany (Wired)

Viral monks are clashing with Buddhist authorities. Superstar monks have built massive followings — but dancing, singing, and fame-seeking are all violations of the monastic code. (Rest of the world)GRWM (Dazed)

🥁 Hi, it’s me

TikTok as information space - future prospects for a democratic society. Happy to be part of a panel discussion with amongst others Lamya Kaddor (Bündnis 90/ Die Grüne, MdB) and Friedrich Enders (Public Policy Manager TikTok). Amadeu Antonio Stiftung.

I just finished a 5 day workshop on Tiktok Journalism –  Developing Fact-Checking and Explainer-formats wit Deutsche Welle Academy and CITE in Zimbabwe, we are entering the coaching phase now and i am happy to share some results soon.

Delia Cai (Vanity Fair) zoomed me for a little internationally informed speculation surrounding the sure-to-be spectacle: “I reached out to Marcus Bösch, the German researcher and consultant who has been studying the platform and documenting global trends and top stories via his Substack newsletter since July 2020.” 

My article on WarTok for TelevIZIon is out now in English too: The author shows how, in 2022, the video platform TikTok became a focal point for images and interpretations from the warzone. As well as multiperspectival documentation and eye witness accounts, however, there is also disinformation and propaganda, and this challenges the media competence of young users.

If you want more frequent updates and room for debate, why not join the Understanding TikTok Discord. Speak soon. Ciao.

Marcus Bösch @m_boesch

You can still join the Understanding TikTok Discord. Here it is discord.gg/qRHBmUH8