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German TikTok Users Show Greater Sympathy for China, Russia, Poll Reveals

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Germans who rely on TikTok for news are less critical of China and Russia and more skeptical of climate change and vaccine effectiveness compared to consumers of traditional media, according to a recent survey by Allensbach, commissioned by a foundation linked to Germany’s liberal Free Democrats.

The poll highlights that only 28.1% of TikTok users fully agreed that China is a dictatorship, compared to 57% of newspaper readers and 56.5% of public TV viewers. Similarly, just 13.6% of TikTok users supported Western backing for Ukraine in its war against Russia, a view shared by 40.2% of national newspaper readers.

The findings come amid U.S. debates on whether to enforce a ban on TikTok over national security concerns, adding weight to arguments that the Chinese-owned app spreads misinformation that could undermine democratic societies.

Key Findings:

  • Perception of China: TikTok users are less likely to view China as a dictatorship.
  • Views on Russia: Fewer TikTok users see Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as illegal or support Germany aiding Kyiv.
  • Skepticism on Vaccines and Climate Change: Only 69% of TikTok users under 29 agreed that vaccines saved millions of lives, compared to 71% of all under-29s.
  • Distrust in Media: TikTok users are more likely to distrust traditional Western media and to believe the German government spreads misinformation, while being less critical of disinformation from China and Russia.

These attitudes align with broader trends among younger Germans, who are TikTok’s core demographic and have shown increased support for the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party in recent elections.

Disinformation Concerns

The survey also raises alarms about foreign actors, especially Russia, spreading disinformation via social media platforms to advance their agendas. Researchers cited parallels with Romania, where a pro-Russian outsider gained significant traction through social media campaigns in a presidential election later annulled.

Sabine Leutheusser-Schnarrenberger, deputy chair of the foundation behind the survey, emphasized TikTok’s influence, saying, “Young people are far more vulnerable to information, and TikTok plays a decisive role. We mustn’t allow Chinese and Russian misinformation to spread in our midst.”

TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, has not commented on the survey.

 

TikTok Faces Utah Lawsuit Over Alleged Exploitation of Children in Livestreams

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TikTok is accused of knowingly exploiting children through its livestream feature, TikTok Live, as outlined in newly unsealed court documents in a lawsuit filed by the state of Utah. The state’s Division of Consumer Protection claims TikTok ignored the dangers posed by its livestreams, which allegedly facilitated sexual exploitation and connected minors with adult predators in real time. Utah’s Attorney General, Sean Reyes, argues that TikTok turned a blind eye because it profited significantly from these activities.

The lawsuit cites internal TikTok communications and investigations, including Project Meramec, which found that children aged 13-15 bypassed age restrictions and were allegedly groomed for sexual acts in exchange for virtual gifts. Another investigation, Project Jupiter, revealed that TikTok Live was used for illegal activities such as money laundering, drug trafficking, and terrorism funding. TikTok has denied the accusations, emphasizing the safety measures it has implemented, and claims that the complaint selectively uses outdated and misleading information.

The case is part of broader concerns over TikTok’s potential dangers to minors, with other U.S. states also pursuing legal actions for similar issues. The lawsuit is set against the backdrop of ongoing discussions about a potential U.S. ban on TikTok, with President Joe Biden signing a law in April 2024 authorizing the ban over national security concerns.

 

TikTok’s Fate Divides Republicans as Supreme Court Case Looms

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The upcoming U.S. Supreme Court case involving TikTok has split opinions among Republicans, with former President Donald Trump opposing a ban on the app, while many of his party allies support the government’s position on national security concerns. The case, set to be argued on Friday, raises critical issues about the balance between free speech and national security.

At the heart of the case is a law passed by Congress last year, with bipartisan support, that mandates TikTok’s China-based parent company, ByteDance, either sell the platform or face a U.S. ban by January 19. The law, signed by President Joe Biden, is driven by fears that China could use TikTok to spy on U.S. users by accessing their data, from personal messages to location information. The Justice Department argues that the app poses a security threat, citing its vast user data and the potential for content manipulation.

TikTok, along with ByteDance, has pushed back against these national security claims, arguing that the law infringes upon First Amendment protections. The company asserts that such a law would allow the U.S. government to ban any speech deemed to be influenced by a foreign entity, undermining free speech rights.

Trump has taken an unexpected stance, stating he has a “warm spot” for TikTok and opposing the ban, which he believes could harm his base, given the platform’s role in boosting his campaign visibility. His lawyer, John Sauer, has filed a request to delay the law’s enforcement until he can address the issue through political means after taking office.

In contrast, many Republican state attorneys general, led by Montana’s Austin Knudsen, have filed briefs supporting the ban, citing national security risks. They argue that allowing TikTok to operate without severing ties with the Chinese Communist Party could expose Americans to data exploitation.

The Supreme Court’s decision is expected to have far-reaching implications for both digital platforms and internet freedom, with some experts warning that a favorable ruling for the government could pave the way for further regulatory action against other platforms with foreign ties, such as Telegram.

The stakes are high for TikTok, which has approximately 170 million active monthly users in the U.S. If the court upholds the law, it could lead to TikTok’s removal from app stores, although users with the app already downloaded may still have access. However, without updates, the app could become increasingly unusable.