-
TikTok Launches in China
Initially named Douyin only available in China until 2016. Platform to create and share short-form videos. It's very appealing for a population segment wanting faster information in a smaller period of time to consume more content; Douyin and TikTok both offer fast-paced AI-driven online entertainment and organic reach. Does not cut off reach and there are no ads like Instagram.
[https://www.wired.com/story/tiktok-election-2020/] -
Zimbabwe Shuts Down WhatsApp to Quell Protests
Robert Mugabe faces protests amid economic collapse, turns off Whatsapp to halt communication among Zimbabweans. Protesters move to VPN to communicate via hashtags like #Zimshutdown2016. As of 2016, WhatsApp constituted 34% of all mobile internet traffic in Zimbabwe.
[https://qz.com/africa/724702/a-whatsapp-blackout-in-zimbabwe-was-no-match-for-massive-protests-against-mugabes-failing-economy/] -
Charlottesville Rally and Counter-Protest Turns Deadly
Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg pledges to rid hate speech and "take down threats of physical harm." The Daily Stormer's "Unite the Right" rally was promoted on Facebook to congregate people in real life. Counter-protesters showed up. A man drove into the crowd, many were injured, one woman died. The rally and counter-protest began with calls to remove statues of Confederate generals.
[https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2017/aug/16/mark-zuckerberg-facebook-charlottesville-response] -
March For Our Lives
A shooter who was himself influenced by extreme and violent social media shot and killed 17 people at Marjory Stoneman Douglas HS. The students organized using #NeverAgain, engaged with media, held a town hall, provided a toolkit for others, and marched on Washington DC for anti-gun legislation.
[https://www.cnn.com/2018/03/26/us/march-for-our-lives/index.html} -
Notre Dame Burns. Money Raised to Re-build Called Into Question. French Protests and Russian Prods Online
After Notre Dame Cathedral burned, over $1B was raised in record time. Online, people pushed back against the wealthy saving a building over saving poor and starving people or even French people facing hardships. In France, the #GiletsJaunes movement rose due to economic hardships; used FB. Russia jumps in France fomenting protests with 100's of Twitter accounts. [shorturl.at/pOTW0]
[https://www.politico.eu/article/yellow-jacket-protest-fake-news-shared-millions-of-times-on-facebook-study/] -
Social Media Will Wage and Win the US Election Online Like Never Before
Social distancing moves traditional election to more mail-in and early election voting. Also, due to COVID, people are communicating more via social media as opposed to in-person discussions. There is a growing fear among a very divided nation of massive disinformation for election results like never before in US history. https://time.com/5892347/social-media-platforms-bracing-for-election/
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2020/10/14/world-impact-trump-biden-us-election/?arc404=true
