a sticky wicket

 The news is reporting that the supreme court may issue its' opinion on TicTok. The question has become an argument between free speech and Chinese spying. The reporter stresses how this could be the end of TocTok. Well, that's not exactly true. It needs to be understood that the court issues an opinion, not a mandate. It is the function of Congress to act upon that opinion, either way. The congress does not have agree with the opinion of the court. It isn't binding on a federal level. Although rarely used an amendment to the constitution can be passed contrary to that opinion. That's what the free speech people are talking about should the court ban TicTok. Their argument being it would violate the first amendment. Free speech of the people or the press. Is TicTok the press? 

 I haven't formed an opinion on this subject as TicTok holds no interest for me. I'm wondering about those claiming they make their living from TicTok. I'm curious as to how that works. Social media influencers? They get paid to say or do stupid stuff. That's all I've heard about that platform. People posting silly videos, doing silly challenges and in general, acting stupid. Then they get paid for that? It's a strange new world. I do expect if TikToc gets banned another platform will simply pop up to replace it. Where there is money to be made a way will be found, legally or not. Apparently the issue with TicTok is that the owner of the platform are the Chinese. What if that platform is owned by an American? Would that make it alright without changing anything else? Well, it's all something I admit I have little knowledge about and won't pretend that I do.

 Information is power. That is if that information can be used to manipulate or gain an advantage in some fashion. The knowledge to use that information is where the real danger lies. Information without that understanding is virtually useless. Just what information is China supposed to be gathering from TicTok? According to security experts it may be collecting data like phone numbers, locations, browsing history and even your direct messages. 

 My thinking is all of that is really quite easy to obtain if you wanted to. Does anyone really believe that our computers and internet connections are 100% secure. If you do I've got this bridge for sale. All the Chinese have to do is ask the companies selling car warranties for that information. It's my thought that the federal government is collecting all that information on you and much more! We are even required, by law, to provide that information, well except if you want to vote that is. Undocumented "refugees" are also exempt from providing that information. 

 I'm not real concerned with what the Chinese are doing with TicTok. The question really is, is content moderation the same thing as censorship? That is the sticky wicket here. What is the motivation and/or intent behind those actions. Is it reasonable to ban speech based on perceived motivation? I think the Chinese are up to no good! I don't like what you're listening to, so I'll prevent others from talking to you. That is what banning TicTok would supposedly accomplish. If you can't say or write it, I can't hear or read it. Does sound a bit like censorship doesn't it? It certainly isn't moderation. Moderation would allow some of that to take place. So, yes I'm going to say if the court says TicTok should be banned that is abridging free speech. The court issuing an opinion on the motivations of the Chinese. Either way I won't be too upset. It won't change a thing as far as gathering information goes. People have been "spying" on one another since the beginning of time. That isn't going to stop.