The wrath of Tik Tok

Troubling times

A fair warning before you start reading this. I usually write articles based on data. This is purely something I think should be out there based on things I have seen/experienced on TikTok .

I was introduced to TikTok at almost the same time as everyone else out there. Well sure, another Vine app. Well at least that’s what I thought. There are bigger things to worry about my friend.

I get it. Being under quarantine is difficult. Even the whole story about what I found out was purely a work of boredom. Let’s get straight into this.

When you install TikTok, there is no log in. There is no sign up until you want to make a video or like/comment on one. It’s like a ready made app, ready to feed you with entertaining content without you doing anything else. Let’s get into the process of how things work on the platform.

AI

TikTok has a brain that will keep understanding what kind of content you like.

So, imagine you installed the app. You will be first presented with Videos that have 1.3–4m likes. Really eye catchy or genuinely interesting videos made my people who have already created great content.

By the time you reach the 10th video, you will see a mix of videos ranging from interesting to dramatic to funny to even obscene ones that show a little too much that you were expecting out of an app.

This is where the human brain decides that “Hey this seems like a nice app I can use to kill time” and you accidentally click on the “Like” button which pops up an easy login method. I used twitter login since I have two factor set up on it.

From your first like, the AI kicks into action. You’ll still be present with harmless random videos until you quit the app and come back later to find that the app is suggesting more videos of things you like.

The more specific content you “like” on it, TikTok will keep showing the same type of videos. This is a gold mine for Pedophiles. I was shocked to see the type of content TikTok was promoting on the timeline. There is no censoring and there is no moderation. It’s all out there and you can find it as easily as I have.

And to make things worse, there are videos that have underage kids who clearly look they they have been told to do something just for the views. Clearly this application lacks any kind of moderation. And being allowed on the AppStore as an app freely available to anyone above the age of 13. I was initially planning to post screenshots of these things but I decided no to. I don’t want this post to reach an audience that takes advantage of this article. I have been researching for almost 4 months on TikTok and right now I feel I shouldn’t post screenshots. It’s that bad. And these videos are still live on the platform.

Google’s stand

Remember when TikTok received negative reviews on the play store? Ya google removed all the negative reviews. What’s more shocking is that even big corporates are scared of a Chinese company like TikTok. Why is that? They are not even in China! Google’s stand is the worse because it’s a company that can actually make impactful changes. Which they never do.

The Tamil Nadu govt in India briefly banned TikTok from the PlayStore before Google received a go ahead to re-launch the app.

TikTok as a Propaganda tool

Any app that helps to spread fake news to a mass group of people who have or might have voting rights in the future is always ignored even if they trade on dangerous grounds like TikTok. The pure hate spreading unchecked on this app is another big let down. Videos ranging from Woman abuse, anti-religion, pure obscene ones etc are degrading the youth. They think this is the life ahead. They think society works on crap like this. Sorry if I’m being so emotional on this, but if you love your country truly and you see things that are happening on TikTok, you’’ be as worried as I’m.

If you have kids who are looking to be creative on TikTok and you think that’s helping them becoming famous, then you are officially the worst parent ever there is. I know these words are strong but you are spoiling your child’s future. There is no doubt in that.

See, this article is not going to take TikTok down. Heck this will be read only by a handful of people. But if you have a cousin or a friend who’s on TikTok, advice them to leave the platform.

It’s a humble request.

Thanks for reading.

I have omitted over 50 lines of text from this article as I was planning to post it along with another one I’m currently working on. Stay Tuned.