Geopolitik der Sozialen Netzwerke | Mit offenen Karten | ARTE

Summary

This episode explores the influence of social media platforms as geopolitical actors, highlighted by Twitter's decision to ban Donald Trump in 2021. It delves into the global reach of these networks, with 53.6% of the world's population using them, and the contrasting presence of US platforms in regions like Africa and countries like Iran and Russia, where local alternatives thrive. The episode also discusses China's strict internet surveillance and creation of controlled social networks, and contrasts this with the US's struggle to balance digital freedom with regulation post-2016 election interference. It concludes by noting the EU's proactive approach to data security and the growing global debate on social media regulation.

Takeaways

• 😀 The video discusses the power of social media platforms and their impact on democracy, exemplified by the decision to lock Donald Trump's account in 2021.
• 🌐 Social media platforms have become significant geopolitical actors, with billions of users and the ability to influence politics and society.
• 🔒 In 2021, 53.6% of the world's population used social networks, with over 4.2 billion users, a half-billion increase from 2020.
• 📈 The first social network, Six Degrees, emerged in the USA in 1997, followed by platforms like Friendster, MySpace, and eventually the giants Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, and Twitter.
• 🌍 US platforms dominate global user bases, with Facebook leading at 2.7 billion users, followed by YouTube, WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, and Instagram.
• 🚫 In regions like Africa, the penetration of social media is much lower due to technical and political reasons, with only 8-16% of the population active on social networks.
• 🇮🇷 In Iran, Instagram is popular despite Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube being blocked, showing local solutions can thrive under restrictions.
• 🇷🇺 In Russia, US platforms are not blocked, and local alternatives like VKontakte and Odnoklassniki are used, reflecting a different approach to internet regulation.
• 🇨🇳 China's strict internet surveillance and creation of its own social networks like WeChat and TikTok are part of a strategy to prevent Western influence and control information flow.
• 📉 The US, once a pioneer in digitalization, is now grappling with the need for stronger regulation of social media to protect democracy and user data.
• 📚 The video concludes by recommending books that delve into the inner workings of Facebook and the impact of digital devices on civilization.

Q & A

Why was Donald Trump's account locked on social media platforms in January 2021?

Donald Trump's account was locked to prevent him from potentially endangering democracy in the USA after his supporters stormed the Capitol in Washington.

What percentage of the world's population used social networks in 2021?

In 2021, 53.6% of the world's population used social networks.

How many internet users were there globally in 2021, and how does this compare to 2020?

There were over 4.2 billion internet users globally in 2021, which is half a billion more than in 2020.

What was the first social network to appear, and in which country did it originate?

The first social network, Six Degrees, appeared in the USA in 1997.

Which social media platforms are considered the giants today, and what are their approximate user counts?

The giants today include Facebook with 2.7 billion, YouTube with 2.3 billion, WhatsApp with 2 billion, Facebook Messenger with 1.3 billion, and Instagram with 1.2 billion users.

Why are US internet giants not or barely present in some world regions?

US internet giants are not present in some regions due to technical reasons like lack of internet access or insufficient connection, or political reasons such as being blocked by authorities.

What is the percentage of the population active in social networks in Africa, and how does it compare to North Africa and South Africa?

In Africa, the percentage of the population active in social networks ranges between 8 and 16 percent, except for North Africa with 45 percent and South Africa with 41 percent.

Why is Instagram particularly popular in Iran despite Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube being blocked?

Instagram is popular in Iran because it is not blocked by authorities, unlike Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube, and it has been supported by local messenger services to enable monitoring of internet traffic.

How does the situation with social media platforms differ in Russia compared to the USA?

In Russia, US platforms are not blocked except for LinkedIn, and there is a significant presence of local platforms like VKontakte, a Russian Facebook equivalent, and other networks developed without state support.

What is the significance of the 'Golden Shield Project' in China's internet landscape?

The 'Golden Shield Project', initiated in 1998, allowed China to block and monitor foreign services like Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter, enabling the creation of Chinese-controlled alternatives and surveillance of internet traffic.

How has the US approach towards social media regulation changed in recent years, and what are the implications?

The US, which initially allowed internet firms to flourish as symbols of technological and entrepreneurial success, is now grappling with the need for stronger regulation, especially after incidents like the 2016 election interference and the Capitol storming, to balance freedom of speech with the need for oversight.