Former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley has once again called for a ban on the popular Chinese-owned video app TikTok, accusing it of transforming young Americans into Hamas supporters. Speaking in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, during a debate, Haley cited a recent study on TikTok’s influence. However, she appeared to misinterpret the findings, leading to confusion among viewers.
According to Haley, for every 30 minutes spent watching TikTok daily, users become 17% more antisemitic and pro-Hamas. Some viewers found this statement puzzling, as it would suggest that anyone using TikTok would quickly become extremely antisemitic. Haley’s claim received criticism from prominent figures like Matt Walsh and Elon Musk.
TikTok swiftly responded to Haley’s accusations, stating that her statement was “100% false.” The study she referred to was conducted by a data scientist and tech entrepreneur in San Francisco named Goldbloom. Goldbloom analyzed TikTok hashtags and collaborated with Generation Lab, a polling firm, to survey young adults about their social media use and opinions on Jews.
Goldbloom’s findings revealed a correlation between spending time on TikTok and holding antisemitic or anti-Israel views among young adults. If individuals spent at least 30 minutes a day on TikTok, they were 17% more likely to hold these views compared to non-users. The study garnered significant attention with 3.7 million views on X.
However, Goldbloom clarified that Haley had misinterpreted his research. He stated that her quote would have been accurate if it had specified “30 minutes a day.” Generation Lab, which conducted the survey, also affirmed that Haley’s interpretation was incorrect.
TikTok has faced scrutiny in the past due to concerns about its security and potential propaganda dissemination for the Chinese government. It has narrowly avoided being banned in the US, with former President Donald Trump and the Biden administration both attempting to restrict its operations in the country. The platform’s alleged anti-Israel bias has become a pressing issue since the recent attacks by Hamas and the subsequent Israel-Gaza conflict.
While Goldbloom’s research suggests a correlation between TikTok use and antisemitic or anti-Israel views, experts highlight that it does not establish causation. Public opinion on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has been shaped by various factors, including visual media and political developments.
Goldbloom hopes that the increased attention generated by Haley’s remarks will prompt TikTok to address these concerns. He has met with TikTok officials, along with other technologists, to discuss the issues, but the response has been limited thus far. TikTok remains unconvinced by Goldbloom’s research, stating that he has cherry-picked data points to support a false narrative.
Former Ambassador Nikki Haley’s call to ban TikTok is part of an ongoing debate regarding the app’s influence on young Americans and its potential risks. The discussion intertwines technology, politics, and social issues that continue to shape the digital landscape.
