On the Media Farewell TikTok? Plus, the Role of Memory and Forgetting with the L.A. Wildfires.
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Jan 17, 2025 
In this discussion, legal expert David Cole dives into the Supreme Court's ruling on TikTok, debating free speech versus national security. He raises concerns about media implications and user migrations to alternative platforms. Meanwhile, author Rebecca Solnit reflects on the L.A. wildfires, revealing how disasters shape community responses and challenge misinformation. Their insights explore the intersection of technology, culture, and collective memory in the face of societal challenges.
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TikTok's Data Practices
- The U.S. government hasn't presented evidence of TikTok sharing user data with China or spreading propaganda.
- They argue the risk is high due to China's past actions, but this has never happened with TikTok.
TikTok as Media
- TikTok, like other social media, is part of U.S. media infrastructure.
- The government controlling media ownership based on foreign connections sets a disturbing precedent, impacting even established media like The Guardian or BBC.
Data Collection Practices
- Critics argue that American tech companies collect similar data and sell it, potentially reaching foreign adversaries.
- A counterargument is that TikTok collects more invasive data than its American counterparts.
