Biden campaign intends to continue using TikTok despite potential ban
Biden campaign uses other social media platforms for outreach
Campaign has seen success in reaching young voters on platform
In a surprising turn of events, despite President Joe Biden signing a bill that could potentially ban the popular social media platform TikTok in the United States, his campaign team has announced their intention to continue using it for outreach efforts towards young voters. The bill, which aims to address national security concerns due to TikTok's Chinese ownership by ByteDance, gives the company nine months to sell its operations or face a ban.
The Biden campaign's decision comes as they have seen success in reaching and engaging with younger demographics on the platform. According to reports, their account @bidenhq has over 306,000 followers and nearly 120 videos posted. The team plans to use 'every tool they have' to reach young voters online.
TikTok is not the only social media platform used by the Biden campaign for digital outreach. They also utilize Facebook, Instagram, and a supportive influencer network as part of their strategy.
The legislation's passage and potential impact on TikTok has raised concerns among some users about its implications for their favorite apps. However, the campaign insists that this move will not negatively affect their standing with young voters.
This development marks an interesting twist in the ongoing saga surrounding TikTok's presence in the US and its potential impact on political campaigns.
The new law requires TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, to sell the video-sharing platform or face a ban in the U.S.
President Joe Biden has approved the measure to force TikTok’s sale or ban.
If a sale is already underway, the company will have an additional three months to complete it.
TikTok likely won’t disappear from existing users’ phones immediately but will be removed from Apple and Google’s app stores, making it unusable over time.
Accuracy
No Contradictions at Time
Of
Publication
Deception
(30%)
The article does not clearly state that TikTok's parent company ByteDance is required to sell the platform or face a ban. It mentions that the law 'compels Beijing-based parent company ByteDance to sell the company within nine months to any US company, with a possible three-month extension if a sale is in progress or faces a national ban.' However, this statement does not make it clear that the alternative is a complete ban. The article also discusses concerns about Chinese authorities potentially accessing data on TikTok's American users but does not link to any peer-reviewed studies or pre-print studies to support these claims. Additionally, the article references a lawmaker's statement without disclosing their identity.
The new law compels Beijing-based parent company ByteDance to sell the company within nine months to any US company, with a possible three-month extension if a sale is in progress or faces a national ban.
Fallacies
(85%)
The author makes an appeal to authority by quoting Dean Ball and Andrew Graham. While this is not a fallacy in itself, it does weaken the author's argument as the article becomes reliant on external sources for its points.
][Dean Ball from the Mercatus Center at George Mason University] highlights, ‘The TikTok bill relies heavily on the control that Apple and Google maintain over their smartphone platforms because the bill’s primary mechanism is to direct Apple and Google to stop allowing the TikTok app on their respective app stores.’[/
President Joe Biden signed legislation that could ban TikTok in the U.S.
"The Biden campaign has embraced the platform and tried to work with influencers despite the potential ban.",
Accuracy
The Biden campaign has embraced the platform and tried to work with influencers despite the potential ban.
About a third of U.S. adults under 30 regularly get news from TikTok, compared to 14% of all adults.
Deception
(30%)
The article contains selective reporting as it focuses on the Biden administration's use of TikTok for campaign purposes while downplaying the national security concerns that led to the potential ban. The author also uses emotional manipulation by implying criticism towards Biden for using TikTok despite the potential ban, without providing a balanced perspective.
Forced inside by a rainstorm, he competed with 13-year-old Hurley ‘HJ’ Coleman IV to make putts on a practice mat. The Coleman family posted video of the proceedings on the app – complete with Biden holing out a putt and the teen knocking his own shot home in response, over the caption, ‘I had to sink the rebuttal.’
There’s a core hypocrisy to the Biden administration supporting the TikTok ban while at the same time using TikTok for his campaign purposes.
Opponents of TikTok say its ownership by Chinese company ByteDance gives Beijing a dangerous amount of influence over what narratives Americans see as well as potential access to U.S. user data.
The Biden campaign defends its approach and rejects the idea that White House policy is contradicting its political efforts.
Fallacies
(80%)
The article contains an appeal to authority fallacy when it states 'Opponents of TikTok say its ownership by Chinese company ByteDance gives Beijing a dangerous amount of influence over what narratives Americans see as well as potential access to U.S. user data.' This is an appeal to the authority of opponents without providing any evidence or reasoning for why their claims are true.
Opponents of TikTok say its ownership by Chinese company ByteDance gives Beijing a dangerous amount of influence over what narratives Americans see as well as potential access to U.S. user data.
Bias
(80%)
The article reports on the Biden administration's use of TikTok for campaign purposes despite legislation that could ban the app due to its Chinese ownership. The author quotes Kahlil Greene, a TikTok influencer, who criticizes the administration's hypocrisy in this regard. While not overtly biased, the article does present a critical perspective on the Biden administration's handling of TikTok and its potential implications for national security.
I think it illustrates that he and his people know the power and necessity of TikTok.
There's a core hypocrisy to the Biden administration supporting the TikTok ban while at the same time using TikTok for his campaign purposes.
President Joe Biden signed a national security package that includes a provision which could ban TikTok after the 2024 election.
Biden's campaign plans to continue using TikTok despite a potential ban due to national security concerns.
Accuracy
Joe Biden’s re-election campaign plans to continue using TikTok despite a potential ban due to national security concerns.
The new law requires TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, to sell the company within nine months to any US company, with a possible three-month extension if a sale is in progress.
President Joe Biden signed legislation that could ban TikTok in the U.S.
Deception
(30%)
The article contains selective reporting as it only reports details that support the idea of a delayed TikTok ban and does not mention any potential negative consequences or opposing viewpoints. It also uses emotional manipulation by implying that young people will be negatively affected if they lose access to TikTok, which is not a factual statement.
Rep. Summer Lee, D-Pa., who voted against the TikTok ban over the weekend, said in an interview that there is a need to solve the national security and data concerns associated with the platform but added that banning TikTok would be disastrous for creators, organizers and activists.
It means TikTok, which boasts 170 million American users, will remain a force throughout the campaign, providing a platform for candidates to reach predominantly younger voters.
But Murphy said the political implications cut both ways.
Fallacies
(85%)
The article contains an appeal to authority fallacy when it states 'Senate Democrats had been pretty consistent about wanting to extend that timeline.' This statement implies that the intentions of Senate Democrats are authoritative and should be trusted without question. Additionally, there is a use of inflammatory rhetoric when it states 'Crooked Joe Biden is responsible for banning TikTok.' This statement is not factual and serves only to incite emotion rather than contribute to a logical argument.
Senate Democrats had been pretty consistent about wanting to extend that timeline.
Crooked Joe Biden is responsible for banning TikTok.
