Except that America can tell American companies not to do certain things. You can’t stop china from essentially causing instability here through tiktok, they own it. You could stop them if they were using Reddit, Facebook, etc. it’s not going to happen. But to pretend that a foreign owned mass media app is anything but a way to control a population, or narrative, is sort of funny. America does it with their shit. Why would we not be more threatened by something abroad. Why would a nation allow foreign propaganda?

[–] TotallynotJessica@lemmy.world 1 points 8 months ago (1 children)

We won't tell companies to do anything at the moment, and yet this is somehow a priority. It is a problem, but it isn't as pressing and they aren't addressing it well.

[–] Hathaway@lemmy.zip 2 points 8 months ago (1 children)

Well the Chinese communist party isn’t a US owned company. So, it is most definitely a priority. This isn’t the first time it’s almost been banned. It is a pressing concern. Why don’t you feel that it is?

We also fined the shit out of YouTube in 2019 for collecting and selling children’s data without consent. Can’t do that with the CCP. I’m actually shocked that I’m proud of the FTC for once.

[–] TotallynotJessica@lemmy.world 1 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago)

Priority in comparison to every other national security concern? No, definitely not. Not even as far as keeping American data away from adversaries.

We need to focus on regulating who all social media companies sell their data to, not just who "owns" a single company. Twitter could sell extensive user data to Russia, yet not face the same repercussions as TikTok. Google probably sells more useful data to the Chinese government than TikTok could, all while not getting punished in any way. Banning TikTok does more harm to the Chinese shareholders than the Chinese military.

You think the $170 fine against YouTube stopped them targeting kids? That's just the cost of doing business. Do performative bullshit and pay a one time tax every decade or so. That's all fines can do. Unless the fine is ongoing and harsh relative to the company's size, it doesn't move the needle much.

The current YouTube algorithm demonetizes all videos with swearing or adult themes. Advertisers pay to target kids more than ever. That's a big motivation behind making videos "advertiser friendly." It's like how blockbuster movies push for a pg13 rating; to target impressionable kids with disposable income. Advertisers know kids have more free time and less fiscal responsibility. It's less about moral values that adults hold nowadays, and more about getting money from parents through their kids.

You don't seem to understand how tech companies actually operate, or what the government could actually do to keep Americans safe. The problems are actually worse than you think. The government doesn't make much of a difference because politicians are unwilling to take meaningful action.