The TikTok Conspiracy
Despite the fact that TikTok is a free service that allows users to post photos and videos, many believe that there is a widespread conspiracy against the platform. The conspiracy is based on the theory that the platform encourages users to create a culture of fakery, as well as the fact that it allows for the creation of fake photos and videos.
Alligators
Seeing a live alligator is not for the faint of heart. There are several ways to get up close and personal with these aquatic reptiles. The most notable and impressive way is to go in for the kill and capture the alligator with a snare.
The aforementioned method was deemed a moot point as the alligator eventually sank to the bottom of the ocean. In short, there is no telling when or where you will encounter these reptiles in the wild. As such, capturing one of these apex predators in your backyard is not for the faint of heart. However, with the advent of TikTok, capturing the elusive alligator has become a cinch.
In particular, the TikTok site is a prime spot for a plethora of photoshopped alligators. To the untrained eye, a snazzy video montage of the creatures snoozing on a beach might not look too out of place.
Among the alligators frolicking in the Florida sun, one of the more interesting and sexier alligators was the most elusive. This particular alligator was on display for a couple of hours as the TikTok crowd swarmed the site. It wasn’t the best of times for the sexiest specimen, but he managed to wrangle a camera and a couple of gullible tourists. In short, it was the most notable alligator on the property.
In fact, it is the alligator on the property that has been the subject of the most attention and controversy. Whether or not this particular alligator lives to see another day is anyone’s guess, but it is clear that TikTok isn’t the only one on the hit list. Regardless, it is safe to say that this particular alligator isn’t coming home to roost any time soon.
Deepfakes
Despite the popularity of TikTok videos, experts are concerned about the technology behind them. Deepfakes, or “digital morphing” technology, can be used to create videos that appear to be authentic. The results are surprisingly realistic, even if the content is created by a person who isn’t technically skilled. They can also be used to create whataboutism, or false-flag operations, which reduce war crimes by fabricating evidence of similar atrocities.
Some experts say that deepfakes can be useful for subversion, foreign interference, and state-sponsored blackmail. Deepfakes are often created by grafting a computer-generated face on another person’s body.
TikTok’s policies don’t explicitly define “deepfakes” but they do address content that violates its guidelines. They also address manipulated content in a more in-depth way, and will ban misinformation created to cause harm.
A new TikTok account, “DeepTomCruise”, has posted a series of Tom Cruise deepfakes. The video series includes clips of Cruise doing a close-up magic trick with a coin and playing golf. The account was verified, and has 384,000 followers.
Deepfakes are already being used in many industries. For example, the fashion industry is considering the potential for deepfakes to help try on clothes virtually. Similarly, Hollywood is using deepfake technology to “de-age” older actors. And companies like Synthesia specialize in creating AI-generated videos for corporate clients.
But the speed of technological advancement has led to concerns about malicious users. As a result, some are arguing that deepfakes are the future of enterprise fraud. And they may soon be able to carry out cyber attacks, too.
Deepfakes can also be used to indulge biases and reinforce unfounded beliefs. The best example of this occurred last year. A video posted to the @deeptomcruise TikTok account was viewed millions of times, but was eventually deleted after VICE News contacted the producers.
Lumistick party hats
Those who have spent any time online in the last year have no doubt seen the Lumistick party hat and its ilk, but the fad is a far cry from the novelty items sold at the local dollar store. The latest buzz is that the hat is actually made by a US manufacturer, but its price tag isn’t cheap. It has been claimed to cost between $15k and $16k per hat. The question is, is the price a fair trade? If so, are the people of Taiwan getting a little ripped off? The Lumistick brand sells LED lights and other novelty items, including a line of hats. It appears that most items are actually fulfilled by an Amazon warehouse, a slick move on the part of the online retailer.
The most recent batch of complaints come from the company’s Taiwanese subsidiary, who claim to have received thousands of email complaints from angry customers who deemed the price tag too high. However, the company appears to have a policy in place for this sort of thing. One could be forgiven for being skeptical, given the flurry of complaints. It remains to be seen whether the hats are sold in good faith or the scammers are still afoot. Those who are on the prowl can still buy Lumistick items from the vendor, though. The site has a surprisingly robust search function. The Lumistick has a sizable following, though, and the company appears to have a well laid plan for the future. The one downside is that the customer service is abysmal. Despite the blemish, the site continues to list Lumistick items on its site.
Covid-19 pandemic
During the Covid-19 pandemic, many social media platforms became embroiled in debates over how to address the spread of misinformation. TikTok was particularly susceptible to conspiracy thinking. Some users promoted the idea that 5G towers may be linked to a novel coronavirus. Others posted videos alleging that social media platforms were colluding with the media to spread disinformation.
TikTok has two billion users worldwide, making it one of the largest sources of monkeypox misinformation. However, TikTok has struggled to address the misinformation. This is largely because TikTok’s policies are substandard. This has made it easier for misinformation to spread.
TikTok began taking down some of the videos that promoted the conspiracy theory. This policy was later expanded to include misinformation based on hate speech or causing real-world harm. The platform also launched a Covid-19 information banner to help users identify videos with Covid-19 content.
A study by the University of Alberta found that during the COVID-19 pandemic, social media was a prime driver of misinformation. It found that there was a definite pattern of conspiracy thinking on TikTok. There were 153 videos that featured the monkeypox conspiracy theory. In addition, there were 32 videos that promoted the QAnon and COVID-19 vaccine conspiracy.
Some of the conspiracy theories on TikTok are illogical and difficult to understand. Others may be attempts to gain hits. But despite these difficulties, TikTok has offered a platform for users to challenge and combat conspiracy theories.
TikTok is one of the most influential social media platforms for younger people. Many TikTok users have also posted videos in support of the 5G tower conspiracy. However, these videos have only reached a small portion of the total number of Covid-19 conspiracy theory videos.
Culture-war discourse on TikTok
Across the globe, TikTok has been subject to intense criticism. The platform has been accused of censorship and data extraction, despite being praised for providing a platform for diverse creators. It has also been accused of tracking users’ locations.
A recent study of government documents revealed 27 statements by US and Chinese state officials regarding TikTok. These statements ranged from a statement by Microsoft Inc. to an order by the US President.
TikTok’s algorithm promotes videos that support the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) line, while shunning videos critical of the CCP. The company has also been accused of using excessive data analysis and tracking user locations. However, TikTok’s data practices are not dissimilar to those of its US counterparts.
The controversy has exposed how much platform politics matter in today’s geopolitical tensions. Currently, TikTok has positioned itself in the middle of a contest between China and the US over the value of the digital environment. It’s important to understand the implications of this contest for the US and China, as well as the broader geopolitical system of US hegemony.
It is worth noting that TikTok’s statements may have been an attempt to initiate a broader debate about how all market participants have problems. However, these statements may not reflect a genuine commitment to the platform.
The current geopolitics of platforms is characterized by shifts in the world order caused by China’s economic growth. Both states have a lot to gain from this contest. For instance, the US wants to preserve its economic advantages it has enjoyed for decades. The CCP’s economic growth may destabilize the liberal world order, centred on US hegemony.
