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TikTok users in the US can’t write ‘Epstein’ or see anti-Trump videos
(www.independent.co.uk)
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this post was submitted on 27 Jan 2026
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politics
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Yes, they literally explicitly said this. There also wasnt even "Chinese propaganda", the just didn't care to censor pro-palestine content and that's unacceptable to the US.
There absolutely was loads of Chinese propaganda. That you think there wasn't is evidence that it worked too. Tiktok was a major win for China in PR and soft power.
I guess it might help if you clarify what sort of content was propaganda to you?
I don't know what the guy asking you meant exactly, but in europe tiktok has been a big reason for the rise of far right Parties all across europe. China stands to gain from a divided europe.
First part may be true, but I really don't think you can directly blame China for that. The app itself is a tiny factor is the rise of the far right which has a lot more to do with the "in real life circumstances".
I would also disagree that China gains much from a divided Europe. The argument could be made in theory, but it doesn't align with what i've observed From Chinese foreign policy in practice.
The approach of amplifying divisions in other countries is more of a Russian tactic than anything. Russia stands to gain more from a divided Europe, and it would be in alignment with their foreign policy in practice. That said, I also think the Russian influence on these matters is a bit overstated at times, to the point where the actually issues aren't being discussed. I notice it on the American side of things as well.
This is like when my mom (who is on a diet) complains that I don’t throw out the ice cream sandwiches in my freezer before she comes over to visit.
This is just sealioning.
It isn't though. "Propaganda" has fluid definition, so I was hoping to get on the same page so we could continue the discussion. It's always helpful to clarify terms before we just talk past each other.
I'm familiar with the comic, but it doesn't represent the situation here at all. Is asking any sort of clarifying question to someone who is directly in my replies "sealioning" to you? I thought it represented an undesired and obnoxious series of questions by a third party, but I'm one of the primary participants in this conversation.
Not at all.
But your follow up reply definitely seals the deal.
If you consider statistics as evidence then it helped Trump get reelected and made a lot of sympathizers to the Chinese among youth, as well as just general polarization/radicalization.
Personally I find the data collection a bigger violation than that. Everyone who installed and ran the app had all of their messages, contacts, and photos sent to a military base in Beijing which is still operational even now after the cloud backup went online.
Just imagine how many social security numbers, ID numbers, facial recog, bank numbers, nearby devices, and other highly private information got leaked by idiots texting grandma after watching silly clips of high schoolers dancing with a dog. Just imagine how many military secrets and infrastructure vulnerabilities were revealed.