The popular social media platform TikTok is not just a hit in the United States, but also in Taiwan, where a quarter of the island’s 23 million residents are active users. From trendy fashion hauls to political debates, Taiwanese users are fully immersed in the TikTok experience.
However, the platform’s ownership by Chinese internet giant ByteDance has raised concerns about the spread of pro-China content and potential geopolitical propaganda. One recent example involved a video featuring a Republican congressman stoking fears about Taiwan’s January election and its implications for a conflict with China. The video was flagged as fake and taken down by TikTok.
Taiwan, located just 80 miles from China’s coast, is particularly vulnerable to digital disinformation campaigns. Despite this, the Taiwanese government has not considered banning TikTok, opting instead to focus on combating disinformation through independent fact-checking organizations and a dedicated ministry for digital affairs.
Lawmakers in Taiwan are also considering broader measures to address internet threats, including fraud and cybercrime, that would apply to all social media platforms, not just TikTok. The government has labeled TikTok as a national security threat and banned it from official devices since 2019.
While Taiwan’s ruling party does not use TikTok due to data collection concerns, its opponents have utilized the platform for campaigning, leading to worries about the spread of pro-China views. The country’s approach to regulating social media is seen as insufficient to combat the ongoing threat of foreign influence online.
Overall, the debate over TikTok in Taiwan is just one aspect of a larger battle against disinformation and foreign influence that the country has been fighting for years. With a deeply ingrained culture of free political speech and a commitment to combating digital threats, Taiwan remains vigilant in safeguarding its online space.
