Position Analysis

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Apr 3, 2024

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https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/tiktok-digital-fentanyl-congress-biden-act 1. Who are you responding to and what is the title of their position piece? a. I am responding to an article by Fox News, written by Mike Pence named, TikTok is digital fentanyl and Congress, Biden must act before it's too late 2. Who is their intended audience? a. Their intended audience is likely the American public, particularly those concerned about national security and privacy issues related to the usage of social media platforms, specifically TikTok. The article is likely aimed at policymakers, lawmakers, and individuals interested in technology and cybersecurity matters, as well as voters. 3. What is the central thesis of their position? a. The central thesis of the article is that TikTok, owned by a Chinese company and subject to Chinese government influence, poses a significant national security threat to the United States. It argues that TikTok is essentially a tool for Chinese surveillance and propaganda, used to manipulate the minds of Americans, especially the younger generation. The article later states that the Biden administration's revocation of the executive order intended to force the sale of TikTok undermines national security efforts, and urges Congress to pass legislation to address this threat by compelling TikTok to divest from Chinese control. 4. For each claim they make in support of their central thesis (minimum of five), answer the following questions: 1. Claim: TikTok is a national security threat to the United States due to its Chinese Communist Party control and its use for surveillance purposes targeting millions of Americans. a. Source/Evidence: i. TikTok is described as a Chinese Communist Party-controlled program since it is a subsidiary of Byte-Dance, a China-based firm, implying a direct link between the social media platform and the Chinese government. ii. The claim that TikTok surveils over 150 million Americans suggests a large-scale collection of personal data by the app. b. Reasoning/Rationale: i. By referring to TikTok as Chinese malware, Pence is implying that its ownership and management by the Chinese Communist Party automatically jeopardizes the privacy and security of American consumers. This explanation is based on the idea that the Chinese government may utilize TikTok's access to user data for espionage or other nefarious reasons. This reasoning indicates that the version of TikTok utilized in the United States does not face the same amount of oversight or inspection as the one permitted for use in China, potentially making it more hazardous.
2. Claim: TikTok is akin to digital fentanyl, a highly addictive and potent technological weapon, which manipulates users' minds and compromises their privacy. a. Source/Evidence: i. TikTok's popularity among American teenagers is highlighted, suggesting its widespread use and potential influence on the younger generation. ii. The claim that TikTok is banned in China, implies that the Chinese government recognizes its addictive nature and potential for manipulation. b. Reasoning/Rationale: i. The comparison between TikTok and fentanyl highlights the app's highly addictive nature, leading users to spend excessive amounts of time on the platform. Also, the fact that TikTok is banned in China suggests that even the Chinese government knows the harm of the app. 3. Claim: The Chinese Communist Party uses TikTok to sow discord and propagate harmful propaganda among American teenagers, influencing their perspectives. a. Source/Evidence: i. The article mentions that TikTok was flooded with pro-Hamas and antisemitic videos following a particular attack on October 7th. b. Reasoning/Rationale: i. Here, Pence insinuates that due to the flood of pro-Hamas and supposedly antisemitic videos since October 7th, the CCP is attempting to sow discord within the youth of America and spreading propaganda that aligns with the CCP. By influencing young minds with their “digital fentanyl,” they are turning the future of America against it. 4. Claim: Biden-Harris administration's revocation of the executive order aimed at addressing TikTok as a national security threat undermines efforts to protect Americans from foreign espionage and influence. a. Source/Evidence: i. The Trump-Pence administration took “historic” action recognizing China as the greatest economic and strategic threat facing the United States. ii. The Trump-Pence administration issued an executive order in 2020 intended to force the Chinese Communist Party to sell TikTok, thereby addressing the national security and privacy threat it poses. iii. The revocation of this executive order by the Biden-Harris administration indicates a departure from the proactive stance taken by the previous administration toward addressing Chinese influence and espionage. b. Reasoning/Rationale: i. Pence is stating that since the Biden administration has revoked the executive order issued by his administration, it is clear that protecting Americans’ digital data and keeping them from espionage harm and influence is not one of the priorities of the current administration. He is implying that this failure to address a great national security threat deems the current administration unfit to lead the next four years.
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