According to investor OpenAI, the TikTok application poses a threat to US national security, being a tool of Chinese propaganda and manipulation of public consciousness.
Chinese enemy
Covert manipulation
Renowned billionaire Vinod Khosla, one of OpenAI's early backers, views TikTok as "more one type of heavy Chinese weapon.” He advocates for the forced divestment of the social network from its parent company, ByteDance, registered in China. Khosla supported a US Congressional bill that would ban TikTok in the country unless the platform sells its US operations to local owners.
According to the investor, TikTok could become a “weapon of a foreign enemy” capable of secretly manipulating the minds of US citizens and promoting the ideas of Chinese communists. Khosla points to double standards in China, where TikTok's domestic equivalent, Douyin, restricts access to children under 14 under local law.
Threat from Artificial Intelligence
According to the billionaire, TikTok uses advanced artificial intelligence algorithms controlled by the Chinese Communist Party. He compares the platform's impact to that of "programmable fentanyl" and calls for it to be treated as a threat to US national security on a par with other types of weapons.
Khosla's concerns are shared by many Americans - according to a 2023 Pew Research Center poll, about 60% of US citizens consider TikTok a threat to the national security. US intelligence has also said Chinese propaganda groups used TikTok accounts to influence candidates from both parties during the 2022 midterm elections.
Glossary
- Vinod Khosla is an American billionaire venture capitalist and one of the early investors in OpenAI.
- OpenAI is a non-profit artificial intelligence research company.
- TikTok is a popular social network for creating and viewing short videos, owned by the Chinese company ByteDance.
- ByteDance is a Chinese technology company, owner of TikTok and its domestic Chinese counterpart Douyin.
- Douyin is the Chinese version of TikTok with restrictions for minor users according to local laws.
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Questions answered
Why does Vinod Khosla consider TikTok a threat to US national security?
What actions does Vinod Khosla suggest regarding TikTok?
How does Vinod Khosla justify his concerns about TikTok?
Do Americans share Vinod Khosla's concerns about TikTok?
What companies and organizations are mentioned in connection with the TikTok issue?
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Discussion of the topic – OpenAI investor: TikTok is a manipulative weapon of the Chinese for Americans
Billionaire Vinod Khosla, an early OpenAI backer, is pushing for TikTok to be separated from its parent company ByteDance, calling the app "programmable fentanyl" to manipulate Americans.
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Олег
On the one hand, I agree with Khosla's concerns about TikTok. The CCP can use this platform for manipulation and propaganda. 🤔 But on the other hand, don’t Google, Facebook and other American companies collect our data and influence our opinions?
София
I don't see anything wrong with TikTok. This is just an entertainment app for young people. 💃 People are too paranoid about China. Do you really believe that they will use dances and memes as "weapons"?
Антон
I agree that TikTok can be used to spread propaganda. But this applies not only to TikTok, but also to other social networks. 🌐 It is important to be critical of the content and not take everything at its word.
Карл
Of course, Khosla is exaggerating the threat from TikTok. 🙄 This is just another application for the entertainment of young people. But he is right that China can use it to influence public opinion. Overall, I wouldn't ban TikTok, but you have to be careful.
Виктор
I don't care who owns TikTok. 🤷♂️ I just use it to watch funny videos and relax from work. Politics and propaganda don't interest me.
Эмили
I agree that TikTok can be used to spread propaganda. But the same can be said about other social networks like Facebook or Twitter. 🤔 The main thing is to be critical of information and check the facts.
Ян
As a cybersecurity professional, I think the concerns about TikTok are well founded. 🔐 This app collects a huge amount of data about users, and we do not know how the Chinese authorities may use this information. Better to play it safe.
Герман
Some kind of nonsense, by God! 🤯 Comparing a video app with a weapon is already in the realm of conspiracy theories. Khosla went wild with his accusations.
Мария
I don't see anything wrong with TikTok. 😊 Yes, the company is Chinese, but is this a reason to panic? The main thing is not to publish personal information there and monitor the confidentiality of data, as in any other social network.
Бруно
Khosla is going too far with his statements. 🙅♂️ TikTok can hardly be called a “weapon” - it’s just an app for entertaining young people. But I share his concerns about data collection and possible propaganda. We need to proceed with caution.
Гриша
Phew, those youth apps again! 😡 In my time there was no such disgrace. TikTok, Instagram, Twitter - complete nonsense and a waste of time. If you want propaganda, here it is, right under your nose. And you fall for these things like children!
Софи
In my opinion, this is a cool application for creative and artistic people. 🎥 Of course, you need to be careful with what you publish, but doesn’t this apply to any content on the Internet?
Лукас
I only use TikTok to watch funny animal videos. 🐶 I am not interested in politics or propaganda - I filter such content. Overall, I like the app.
Алессандро
It may seem strange to some, but I find useful life hacks for renovation and home improvement on TikTok. 🛠️ Of course, you need to check the information, but often there are interesting ideas there.
Марта
I'm a new mom and TikTok helps me find advice and support from other parents. 👩👦 There is a lot of useful content, but you need to be able to distinguish it from propaganda or advertising.