TikTok finds itself embroiled in fresh controversy as a new academic paper accuses the social media giant of acting as a propaganda tool for the Chinese government. These allegations come at a critical juncture for TikTok, which is battling a ban that could force the sale of its U.S. operations or lead to a complete shutdown.
The study, conducted by researchers at the Network Contagion Research Institute at Rutgers University, analyzed content on TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram.
READ: Liberty Justice Center Urges Supreme Court To Strike Down Federal TikTok Ban Ahead Of Oral Arguments
Their findings suggest that TikTok’s algorithm is less likely to promote content critical of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) compared to its competitors. Furthermore, the study claims a correlation between increased TikTok usage among U.S. users and more positive views of the CCP.
Findings of the study include:
Suppression of Anti-CCP Content: TikTok’s algorithm appears to downplay content critical of the CCP while promoting more pro-government content.
Increased Positive Sentiment Towards CCP: The study suggests a link between heavy TikTok usage and more favorable views of the CCP among American users.
“Dummy Accounts” Controversy: TikTok disputes the study’s methodology, criticizing the use of fake accounts to analyze the algorithm.
READ: TikTok Fights For Its Life: Seeks To Halt US Ban As Deadline Looms
These allegations fuel existing concerns about TikTok’s ties to the Chinese government and its potential as a national security risk. The timing couldn’t be worse for the platform, as it heads to the Supreme Court to challenge a ban imposed by the outgoing administration.
ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company, has vehemently denied the accusations, calling the study “flawed” and “engineered to reach a false, predetermined conclusion.” They argue that the use of fake accounts invalidates the findings and does not reflect the experience of real users.
The Supreme Court hearing and the looming January 19th deadline for TikTok’s fate add to the high-stakes drama surrounding the platform. With a new administration taking office, there is uncertainty about whether the ban will be upheld or reversed.
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