Vantage | Is TikTok spreading Hamas propaganda?

Wars are universally recognised as destructive and detrimental to societies. However, there’s a new factor making them even worse: propaganda on social media. The world has witnessed the proliferation of fake news, fabricated videos and misleading claims aimed at spreading false narratives.

The TikTok controversy

TikTok, a video-sharing app, has come under scrutiny for its role in propagating disinformation and pro-Hamas content. While it’s banned in India due to concerns over its content, the platform is thriving in other parts of the world. The issue lies in the content, which has a pronounced pro-Palestine bias.

Numbers speak

Evidence of TikTok’s pro-Palestine stance can be found in the numbers. The pro-Israel hashtag on TikTok has garnered 37.5 billion views whereas the pro-Palestine one boasts around 43 billion views indicating a 14 per cent difference. While supporting a cause is not inherently problematic, the content that circulates can be highly questionable.

More from Opinion

77th Republic Day: How India is biding its time, carving a geo-strategic space in an uncertain world Russia-Ukraine peace talks in Abu Dhabi show progress, but final deal remains contentious

A significant portion of TikTok content is problematic. Numerous fake videos, like one showing celebrations after a football match in Algiers, are falsely presented as Israeli retaliation to a Hamas attack. Such misleading content raises concerns about the credibility of information on the platform.

Pro-Hamas propaganda

Beyond fake videos, TikTok has been a platform for pro-Hamas propaganda. Such content includes derogatory references to Israeli victims as “mice”. The consequences of this propaganda extend beyond the virtual world potentially fuelling anti-Semitism. Many US Senators have called for the banning of TikTok due to its role in spreading hatred. The European Union has also taken measures to address misinformation demanding accountability from TikTok’s CEO.

TikTok’s response

TikTok claims to have removed over 770 thousand videos, shut down 14 thousand live streams and hired moderators who speak Arabic and Hebrew. However, many believe these efforts are insufficient given the platform’s vast user base and daily content flow. One of the root causes of the issue lies in TikTok’s algorithm. It tends to deepen echo chambers, reinforcing users’ existing beliefs and preferences. If someone interacts with pro-Hamas content, their feed becomes flooded with similar content perpetuating the cycle.

Quick Reads

View All

77th Republic Day: How India is biding its time, carving a geo-strategic space in an uncertain world

The Oscars don’t reward cinema, they ratify the narrative of the moment

Rebuilding trust

To combat this problem, there is a need to rebuild trust in traditional media particularly among young audiences. The perception of legacy media as biased or lacking in presenting the truth about Israel and Palestine pushes young people towards alternative platforms like TikTok. TikTok’s influence is not limited to specific regions. The global reach of the platform combined with the absence of fact-checking and content moderation poses a severe threat to information integrity and societal beliefs.

Lessons from India

India banned TikTok in 2020 citing national security concerns. This early action highlighted the potential dangers of the platform. In the United States, attempts to ban TikTok were overturned by courts leading to an environment where young Americans are increasingly exposed to pro-Hamas content potentially shaping their views. Recent polls indicate that a significant percentage of young Americans do not believe in certain claims about Hamas. This shift in perception may be linked to social media with TikTok playing a substantial role.

A recent Harvard poll underscores the concerning impact of TikTok on young Americans. Approximately 83 per cent of all Americans believe that Hamas killed 1,200 Israelis and engaged in heinous acts including shooting, rape and beheadings. However, when looking at the 18 to 24-year-old demographic, only 68 per cent agreed with these claims. This discrepancy implies that one in three American youth does not believe in the reported actions of Hamas suspecting them to be fake news.

TikTok’s unchecked spread of propaganda is a global concern. With no end in sight to its popularity, addressing the issue should be a priority. Combating the algorithmic reinforcement of biases and rebuilding trust in traditional media are key steps towards mitigating the problem. The responsibility falls on both the platform and the users to create a safer and more reliable information environment.

Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost’s views.

Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News,
India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.