German parliament, Bundestag, initiates 'digital counter' on TikTok platform. - German Parliament plans to operate "digital kiosk" TikTok
The German Bundestag, the federal parliament, is expanding its digital footprint by launching an official TikTok account. This move comes amidst concerns over data privacy and potential influence from China, given that TikTok's parent company, ByteDance, is based in Beijing.
Julia Klöckner, the President of the Bundestag, has stated that the parliament aims to inform the public about its work and present the institution on TikTok. This decision was made to reach younger audiences who primarily consume news on the platform. TikTok has a vast reach, with around 21 million active users in Germany alone last year and over 1.5 billion monthly active users worldwide.
The Bundestag is already active on numerous platforms, including Instagram, YouTube, WhatsApp, X (formerly Twitter), Mastodon, Bluesky, and LinkedIn. The Federal Chancellor, Friedrich Merz (CDU), has been answering questions on TikTok, from serious to lighthearted.
However, the Federal Commissioner for Data Protection and Freedom of Information (BfDI), Louisa Specht-Riemenschneider, continues to recommend that public authorities of the federation not use TikTok on official devices. This is due to the recognized security risk associated with TikTok's Chinese ownership. Critics worry that TikTok could be used for data collection by Chinese authorities, raising national security concerns.
TikTok mainly publishes short videos, most of which are entertaining, but there are also informative ones and many with misinformation. Political disinformation and misinformation campaigns have also proliferated on TikTok in Germany, complicating its role as a trusted communication channel for official institutions.
Despite these concerns, the Bundestag views TikTok as essential for political outreach. Julia Klöckner argues that it is important for the Bundestag to be present on the platform to help stabilize democracy. She acknowledges that there are very extreme opinions on TikTok, but believes that if they want to stabilize democracy, they must also be present and make an offer.
The AfD was the first party to recognize the potential of TikTok, being the most present on the platform. The federal government also uses the platform, launching its first TikTok channel under @TeamBundeskanzler in April last year. Christian Lindner, the leader of the FDP, finds Julia Klöckner's social media activities great, praising them as a modern and widely-seen public relations effort.
The former Deputy President of the Bundestag, Wolfgang Kubicki, supports Klöckner's efforts, stating that they create acceptance for the entire political apparatus. This acceptance is crucial for maintaining the transparency and accessibility of the Bundestag in the digital age.
In conclusion, while there are significant data privacy and security risks linked to TikTok's Chinese ownership, the Bundestag views the platform as essential for political outreach, especially to youth. The risk stems mainly from possible Chinese government access to sensitive data and TikTok’s capacity to spread misinformation, balanced against the platform's widespread popularity and political communication value.
[1] The Guardian [2] Deutsche Welle [3] Reuters [4] BBC [5] The New York Times
- The Commission has also been asked to submit a proposal for a directive on the protection of the environment, considering the need for technology to address climate change and the potential impact on social-media platforms, entertainment industries, and politics.
- As the Bundestag expands its digital footprint, discussions about the future of general-news reporting have arisen, with concerns over the influence of social-media platforms on public opinion and the role of entertainment in shaping political discourse.
- In light of the Bundestag's decision to join TikTok, there is growing debate over the balance between data privacy, national security, and effective political outreach, as well as the role of technology in ensuring the accuracy and transparency of news on social-media platforms.
