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The original was posted on /r/linustechtips by /u/Jewjitsu11b on 2025-01-19 18:41:18+00:00.
Original Title: For those who thought the TikTok ban was simply about data collection, it isn’t. In fact, the data collection is to track the behavior of users as feedback to test the effects of their algorithm manipulation.
I’ll try to find the comparative analysis that showed clear manipulation on TikTok that was absent from other social media platforms. Also, the reason TikTok was targeted has much to do with this issue but also due to the fact that state actors have no constitutional rights in America. foreign individuals do, though not equal to Americans. But the actual foreign state doesn’t and regardless, congress is responsible for regulating international trade and has no obligation to allow foreign entities operate in America. American companies have more rights and that means the government would have a much more difficult time passing judicial review if they tried banning a social media company. Though blatant and egregious manipulation of algorithms to gaslight users like this probably should be illegal regardless. Though it wouldn’t solve the echo chamber problem of algorithmic news feeds but that’s a different issue with likely different solutions.