Ties between China and TikTok have long been under scrutiny. Some accounts of the app now appear to be pro-North Korea, China's ally.

A report by the Network Contagion Research Institute (NCRI) at Rutgers University says topics important to the Chinese government are given added or less weight depending on them being favorable.

In its conclusion in the report released this month, the NCRI said: “Whether content is promoted or muted on TikTok appears to depend on whether it is aligned or opposed to the interests of the Chinese Government.”

  • Flying Squid
    25•10 months ago

    The account ‘northkoreanlife’ shows one video that says the country’s capital of Pyongyang “has the best nightlife.” The video shows a number of people ambling along what appears to be a main road lit at night. ‘Northkoreanlife’ has over 286,000 followers.

    Another video shows people walking down a street before a narrator says, “Approaching us is a man riding a motorcycle; clear sign of wealth in North Korea.” Said motorcycle is riding down a road covered in potholes.

    Maybe people are following because that’s pretty amusing. “Let’s see what bullshit propaganda North Korea is failing at today.”

    • @Buddahriffic
      9•10 months ago

      That is hilarious. The wealth disparity is so high that they can’t even understand how to impress Westerners with wealth. Our contexts barely even overlap. Is that propaganda even meant for the west?

      • Flying Squid
        2•10 months ago

        Right? If I was on TikTok, I would consider following that for the laughs.