Click Here 166. The curious case of Esma Memtimin’s disappearing TikTok videos
Sep 17, 2024
Esma Memtimin, a TikTok content creator and Uyghur advocate, discusses her videos being taken down for alleged rule violations, shedding light on the platform's censorship. She shares her personal journey from feeling isolated in Germany to finding a supportive online community. The conversation delves into the influence of social media algorithms on young people, the stark content disparities between TikTok and Instagram, and the broader implications of censorship shaped by geopolitical tensions. Esma's insights reveal the challenges of raising awareness amid digital suppression.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Esma's TikTok Videos Removed
- Esma Memtimin faced multiple TikTok takedowns for videos about Uyghur issues despite non-violent content.
- Her videos about stickers and leaked prison documents were removed under questionable community rule claims.
TikTok Censors CCP-Sensitive Topics
- The Rutgers study found TikTok suppresses content on issues sensitive to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
- Content about topics like Tiananmen and Uyghurs was far less present on TikTok compared to Instagram.
Pro-China Content Amplified
- TikTok amplifies content favorable to the Chinese government while severely limiting critical content.
- The pro-China hashtag "stand with cashmere" appeared 600 times more on TikTok than Instagram.