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TikTok disproportionately served anti-Democratic videos during the 2024 election

93 pointsby CharlesWyesterday at 11:51 PM16 commentsview on HN

Comments

ineedasernametoday at 4:08 AM

Algorithms like these typically have some foundation in the same type of vector embedding used elsewhere in AI, eg semantic and other qualities that map to overlapping or nearby latent space will drive suggested content. So, what typically trends on TikTok, goes viral, etc? Entertainment, emotional hooks.

In short, anti democratic content was, on average, more entertaining or emotion provoking.

That doesn't have to hold a deeper meaning on the value of any particular political viewpoint, or require tiktok's thumb on the scales of the algorithm to explain things. I'm not even saying TikTok didn't/doesn't do such things, but that type of interference isn't required to explain this trend.

blindrivertoday at 1:40 AM

Given the fact that the Republicans won, doesn't that actually make sense? More people consumed the pro-Republican content because they intended to vote Republican.

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chomptoday at 1:25 AM

I mean, it’s ran by Larry Ellison and the Saudis, so I don’t think this is surprising. But good research nonetheless.

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outside1234today at 1:29 AM

I mean I think we can expect that from the then Chinese and now Billionaires that own it

aaron695today at 3:16 AM

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tonethemantoday at 1:35 AM

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throwawayffffastoday at 12:00 AM

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rayinertoday at 3:31 AM

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