Elon Musk’s potential acquisition of TikTok has sparked concerns over the concentration of social media ownership and its impact on society. If Musk were to buy TikTok, it would further consolidate power in the hands of a few tech billionaires, known as “broligarchs,” who could manipulate public discourse and promote their own interests.
Experts warn that this kind of concentration can lead to arbitrary power and the manipulation of information at a massive scale. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Musk, and other social media founders have significant influence over what content is promoted on their platforms, which can shape public opinion and fuel misinformation.
The tech industry’s consolidation began in 2012 with Facebook’s acquisition of Instagram and WhatsApp. This has led to concerns about “extreme concentration” in the social media market. If Musk were to acquire TikTok, it could lead to further information manipulation and potentially even more censorship.
However, some users are bucking this trend by migrating to new platforms like Bluesky, Mastodon, and Signal. These platforms offer more control over data and algorithms, allowing for a more pluralistic social media ecosystem. Experts believe that the US government needs to put in place measures to make these platforms interoperable, allowing users to connect with their friends across different platforms.
The issue of social media ownership is not new, but it has become increasingly pressing as tech billionaires like Musk and Zuckerberg wield significant influence over public discourse. As the US government moves forward, it must balance the need for regulation with the need to protect free speech and promote a diverse range of voices.
Source: https://www.euronews.com/next/2025/01/19/inappropriate-and-dangerous-what-will-happen-if-tiktok-is-bought-by-tech-billionaires