Technology and Social Media around the world
Technology and its use vary between different areas of the world. Places like Japan have the highest Technological Expertise and other countries like China have very strict views on technological use within their country. Take Facebook, for example, it's one of the many other social media that is blocked within China. However, over here in New Hampshire, we pretty much have full access to FaceBook and other social media.
Back in 2020 word began to spread that President Donald Trump was planning on banning the popular social media app known as 'TikTok'. The argument was that TikTok was to be banned as it causes national security concerns. Just like other social media apps, TikTok collects data on its users. The main American concern was that the Chinese government will be able to access the data and possibly use it as leverage for spying or blackmailing on the U.S. President Trump said that in order for the app to stay on the US Market TikTok owners 'ByteDance' would have to find a deal with another company. Many companies, like Microsoft, proposed offerings to buy the social media app and while many offerings were proposed, a clear conclusion as to what actually is happening behind the scenes has yet to be given. All we know is that ban was in fact put on hold meaning that the app is still currently up and running. So talks of its ban have become silent as of recently.
While on the topic of personalized data being collected, many social media apps like YouTube, Instagram, and yes, TikTok will often have personalized ads based on your current location. I have personally experienced ads from Keen State University, Pats Peak, Chuckters, the list goes on. All of these places are within the State of New Hampshire.
While viewing TikTok I will also find many videos that are from people that live in New Hampshire on my 'For You' page. TikTok videos are personalized by popularity, recent upload, mutual friends, and location. These social media sites personalizing ads by location helps the advertisers with reaching a specific, local audience. Having a Chichester, NH, Chucksters advertisement playing for someone in California wouldn't get Chucksters any sales.
Works Cited
Duffy, Kate. "A US trading firm reportedly owns 15% of TikTok-owner ByteDance, a stake potentially worth more than $15 billion." Business Insider, Insider, 2 Oct. 2020, www.businessinsider.com/us-trading-firm-reportedly-owns-15-of-tiktok-owner-bytedance-2020-10#:~:text=A%20US%20trading%20firm%20reportedly,worth%20more%20than%20%2415%20billion&text=US%20trading%20firm%20Susquehanna%20reportedly,worth%20more%20than%20%2415%20billion. Accessed 6 Jan. 2021.
"Internet censorship in China." Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 5 Jan. 2021, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_censorship_in_China#:~:text=Internet%20censorship%20and%20surveillance%20has,Facebook%2C%20Instagram%2C%20and%20others. Accessed 6 Jan. 2021.
Jee, Charlotte. "The TikTok and WeChat ban that wasn't: here's whats happening now." MIT Technology Review, 21 Sept. 2020, www.technologyreview.com/2020/09/21/1008635/the-tiktok-and-wechat-ban-that-wasnt-heres-whats-happening-now/. Accessed 6 Jan. 2021.
Radu, Sintia. "Top 10 Countries for Technological Expertise, Ranked by Perception." U.S. News, U.S. News & World Report L.P., 28 Jan. 2020, www.usnews.com/news/best-countries/slideshows/top-10-countries-for-technological-expertise-ranked-by-perception?slide=11. Accessed 6 Jan. 2021.
Zucchi, Kristina. "Why Facebook Is Banned in China & How to Access It." Investopedia, Dotdash, 22 Oct. 2019, www.investopedia.com/articles/investing/042915/why-facebook-banned-china.asp.
Owen, this was a fun topic to read about because I agree and have experienced the same thing as you regarding the local ads, Tiktok for you page, and other things that my phone specifically suggests for me. It's crazy to think that everything on our phones is being saved and data is always been collected from our location etc. Do you think there is anything concerning about this? Does this happen in other countries too?
ReplyDeleteI find it interesting that other country around the world view and enjoy social media in a different way then we do in the US
ReplyDeleteI like how you brought in the aspect of how the government in a way is shaped by social media. its interesting how people can gain followings the wat that they do, there will always be someone who agrees with you online.
ReplyDeleteDo you think allowing social media apps to know our location is a good or bad thing? I find that it often creeps me out that lots of apps know where I am all the time.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you, I feel personally that if the app's purpose relies on your location, like a GPS app or a running app or whatever it may be, it'd be more of a good thing. However, if you have an app that has nothing to do with any of that, I'd be quite skeptical about it and most likely consider to not allow it.
DeleteHi Owen,
ReplyDeleteReading this post after the "tech giants" made some big changes over the weekend was interesting. I'm wondering what you think about Apple, Google, Amazon, Facebook, and Twitter controlling social media language/posts if their rules get violated. Also, how do you feel about the ad algorithms and the impact on your privacy? Best,
Mrs. Zecha
You provide a good overview of the issue, Owen. I'd be interested to hear a little more of your opinion about the topics you discuss. Also, don't forget about in text citations in your post (for info and images).
ReplyDeleteI like this post alot because it was fun to read and relateable. Are you worried about how much data they have and what they do with it at all? I think its crazy how personalized each persons for you page is.
ReplyDelete