TikTok's Algorithm Will Be Optional In Europe (theverge.com) 6
TikTok users in Europe will be able to switch off the personalized algorithm behind its For You and Live feeds as the company makes changes to comply with the EU's Digital Services Act (DSA). The Verge reports: According to TikTok, disabling this function will show users "popular videos from both the places where they live and around the world" instead of content based on their personal interests. These changes relate to DSA rules that require very large online platforms to allow their users to opt out of receiving personalized content -- which typically relies on tracking and profiling user activity -- when viewing content recommendations. To comply, TikTok's search feature will also show content that's popular in the user's region, and videos under the "Following" and "Friends" feeds will be displayed in chronological order when a non-personalized view is selected.
Another change is that European users between the ages of 13 and 17 automatically won't be targeted with personalized ads based on their online activities, rather than having to opt out with a toggle.
Another change is that European users between the ages of 13 and 17 automatically won't be targeted with personalized ads based on their online activities, rather than having to opt out with a toggle.
Nothing will change (Score:3)
The primary selling point of the likes of TikTok and Youtube is discoverability of more things you will very likely like. This is done through algorithmic personalized recommendations.
So most people will certainly keep them on if they plan to keep using the service. They're an integral part of why people use these services. The issue isn't so much the "don't want the algorithm" as "we need the algorithm to be less destructive".
Because Douyin is the same as TikTok, except that algorithm in the former is much less destructive than in the latter. Latter, it's content that is likely to harm society at large by promoting the most degenerate, most destructive behaviors possible with likely aim of normalizing them. Whereas former promotes the exact opposite in the algorithm.
So same service, different priority of topics in the recommendations. That is what should be aimed at, not "you can just render this product basically useless to yourself with a toggle".
Better option (Score:3)
TikTok IS optional in Europe.
Don't do TikTok = no algorithm - and as a bonus, no Tiktok either.
Re:Better option (Score:4, Insightful)
Meth, crack, cigarettes and alcohol are also optional. Yet you don't see ads for them targeting teenagers.
Am I equating tiktok to hard drugs? Unapologetic Yes.
If all social media websites and apps were to up and disappear immediately without notice tomorrow, it would be a net positive for mankind.
Re: (Score:2)
Meth, crack, cigarettes and alcohol are also optional. Yet you don't see ads for them targeting teenagers.
Am I equating tiktok to hard drugs? Unapologetic Yes.
I think that analogy between TikTok and class A drugs is that if I were to receive a terminal diagnosis I wouldn't start doing copious quantities of TikTok.
"Not in my algorithm" (Score:2)
Re: (Score:1)
Sheep have an exceptional habit of picking the wrong words to describe things. No cap.