Taipei: Experts in information warfare have raised concerns that China might leverage TikTok to influence Taiwan's younger demographic, particularly during periods preceding or during potential conflicts. This warning emerged during a seminar in Taipei, focusing on Beijing's propaganda efforts aimed at Taiwan.

According to Focus Taiwan, Lee Chih-te, a former chief of the now-disbanded Asia Fact Check Lab, highlighted that TikTok poses a significant national security risk during the "gray zone" period. This phase involves China's coercive actions, such as disinformation operations and military intimidation, which stop short of open conflict with Taiwan.

At the seminar organized by Academia Sinica's Institute of Sociology, Lee referenced a TikTok campaign from March 2024 that targeted users in the United States. This campaign was initiated when then-U.S. President Joe Biden supported legislation for TikTok's Chinese parent company to divest its U.S. operations or face a ban. TikTok urged its U.S. users to contact their congressional representatives to oppose the legislation, demonstrating the app's capability to mobilize users.

Lee expressed concerns that similar tactics could be employed in Taiwan, where TikTok users might receive misleading messages during tense times. These could include claims of Taiwan's military surrender or suggestions to evade military service, potentially supported by manipulated footage of Taiwanese military personnel.

Lee, a seasoned journalist, emphasized the need for Taiwan to develop technological and legal measures to counter such scenarios. He warned that a lack of preparedness, under the guise of protecting internet freedom, could leave the country vulnerable.

Eric Hsu, a researcher at Doublethink Lab, also discussed TikTok's influence on Taiwanese youth. Findings from a qualitative study, involving interviews with TikTok users aged 15 to 18, revealed that political content is subtly embedded in the platform. The narratives often suggest that unification with China would have minimal impact on Taiwan.

Some interviewees believed that the lifestyles in Taiwan and China are similar, implying that unification might not significantly affect ordinary people. Hsu noted that this perception aligns with China's strategy to present unification as a painless process, despite the challenges of altering Taiwanese identity or democratic values.