7am The MAGA billionaires taking over TikTok
Oct 2, 2025
In a compelling discussion, Cam Wilson, Associate Editor at Crikey, dives deep into the TikTok takeover by Trump-aligned investors. He unpacks TikTok's role as a news source for younger audiences and its implications on cultural narratives. Cam elaborates on the political power struggle between the U.S. and China over the app's algorithm and raises concerns about national security and data privacy. He also explores how ownership changes might shift TikTok's content influence, especially regarding conservative views. A must-listen for media and politics enthusiasts!
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Algorithmic Personalization Drives Viral Content
- TikTok's feed is highly personalized, so users see very different content based on algorithmic signals.
- Content showing conflict, reactions or video footage tends to break through more than policy detail.
Post‑Social Media Shift
- TikTok shifted social media from friend networks to algorithmic content discovery.
- The platform prioritizes what it predicts you'll engage with over who you choose to follow.
Opaque Feeds Raise National Security Fears
- Concerns about TikTok center on data access and its potential as a propaganda tool.
- Opaque, personalized feeds make it easy to influence views without public scrutiny.