The Vergecast Power User: Taylor Lorenz on the TikTok ban
Mar 29, 2024
Taylor Lorenz, tech journalist and host of 'Power User', dives into the potential TikTok ban with Evan Greer, Director of Fight for the Future. They unpack the cultural implications of banning a platform that redefines communication and online creativity. The discussion highlights Big Tech’s influence on legislation, issues of censorship, and youth engagement. They advocate for thoughtful tech regulation over impulsive bans, stressing the importance of civil liberties in the digital age and the need for transparency in algorithms.
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Inconsistent Concerns
- Lawmakers' arguments for a TikTok ban seem inconsistent.
- They allowed ByteDance to buy Musical.ly five years prior with no concern.
Rejecting Authoritarianism
- Mimicking authoritarian states' policies, like China's TikTok ban, is not advisable for the U.S.
- A free and open internet should be upheld, even for potentially harmful content.
Exploiting Concern for Children
- "Save the children" messaging is used to push bad legislation regarding technology.
- TikTok, unlike other apps, is liberating for kids and more like YouTube than Instagram.