TikTok is involved in a war that has users glued to the app looking for information, but what they get is a cocktail of lies mixed with reality.
TikTok has attracted its fair share of fame with its viral short videos, and also for state investigations over its practices. But now, the app finds itself stuck in the middle of a real-life war amid Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine. Its users are engaged deeply in a bitter battle over geopolitical agendas that is unfolding right on their phones’ screens.
The platform has been used to spread COVID-19 misinformation and dangerous challenges, but at the same time, it has also been utilized to spread awareness by agencies. But there’s another concerning motive behind TikTokers being roped in by the U.S. government — state involvement in giving a different color to the conflict. Right now, the stakes are much higher than ever before.
The inherent platform problems TikTok’s mobile app doesn’t directly provide the original date a video was posted to assess its legitimacy, making it even more difficult for an average TikTok user to identify misleading content. Filters, on-screen text, and other visual effects, alongside the ability to mix and change background sound, make it even more difficult to discern if the video is real or not. But there’s a lot more to platform problems here.
A video that garnered 7 million videos and purportedly showed Ukrainian soldiers bidding an emotional goodbye was lifted from a 2017 film called The War of Chimeras, and was debunked by Politifact. Videos clipped from military training exercises, and even video games, according to USA Today, have been intentionally shared on the platform as jets dropping bombs in the warzone.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
TikTok Becomes Cannes Film Festival’s Official PartnerThe austere French film festival, that once banned selfies on the red carpet, will be joining forces with the wildly popular short-video app.
Read more »
TikTok announces partnership with Cannes Film FestivalAs part of the partnership, TikTok will also hold a short film competition to select three winners to send to the festival.
Read more »
3 festive Saint Patrick’s Day recipes from TikTokSaint Patrick’s Day is just days away but you still have time to try out some new recipes. Plus, you'll need something to soak up all that green beer.
Read more »
Why TikTok is — or Should Be — Your Local Restaurant's New Favorite PlatformIf your brand’s target audience includes anyone between the ages of 13–60, you should be on TikTok right now.
Read more »
Baths Are Changing for the TikTok GenerationEnter 'bathscaping,' the latest social media-born micro-trend to transform a daily activity into a hyper-stylized self-care ritual:
Read more »