social

i think there is a fundamental misunderstanding among the general population about how a foreign social platform could be a threat to national security

if you search "rednote my data" anywhere it seems like people think their governments are worried about foreign entities spying on its people - no wonder nobody is taking this seriously

the problem is of course foreign entities' ability to influence users through choosing which content to show them

as long as we have big data algos that run on huge data centers controlled by a single entity every other country *should* view foreign social platforms as a threat to national security

It's actually both spying on individuals and influence. A foreign adversary knowing intimate details including locations data of every person can exploit this information in precise but devastating ways. (ie. asymmetric warfare even tho the adversary is a superpower.)

It is an interesting conundrum. In an open free society this is viewed as a choice each individual should make for themselves. Most are willing to give up this privacy in exchange for product conveniences.