That’s not what I mean. What I mean is that Duolingo frequently comments on individual user posts on tiktok, which tiktok raises as a high-visibility comment because Duolingo’s size makes the algorithm think it’s quality content. This means that Duolingo isn’t just advertising on their own tiktok page, obviously that would be fine, it means that they get to piggyback on viral content from completely unaffiliated users massively spreading their brand while providing no compensation of any kind to the creator of those viral videos. It wouldn’t be okay for somebody to run an ad before your content without your consent (we aren’t talking about the ads you consented to run by tiktok/youtube/whoever), so it shouldn’t be okay to use the comments as free advertising space too.
I think you should take it up with them. I hear they’re super ethical and give a shit about what their algorithms do to people in the interest of farming data and profit
No, you should decide with your wallet, which is not to pay Duolingo, and decide with your choice of social media, which is not to use TikTok, and most importantly, you should petition your representatives and vote accordingly. What TikTok and Duolingo are doing is morally shitty, but it’s basic late stage capitalism, and excepting the nations that are actively fighting against the shittiness of using and selling user data, it’s not illegal
Yes, and I have. This solves me the personal grief of being reminded of their bad practices but does nothing to actually solve the problem. Not that I think “awareness” is a great or in anyway meaningful solve, but if talking about the issue leads to a few other people also blocking Duolingo then at least I won’t feel like I am forced to merely accept the situation as is with no protest.
That’s not what I mean. What I mean is that Duolingo frequently comments on individual user posts on tiktok, which tiktok raises as a high-visibility comment because Duolingo’s size makes the algorithm think it’s quality content. This means that Duolingo isn’t just advertising on their own tiktok page, obviously that would be fine, it means that they get to piggyback on viral content from completely unaffiliated users massively spreading their brand while providing no compensation of any kind to the creator of those viral videos. It wouldn’t be okay for somebody to run an ad before your content without your consent (we aren’t talking about the ads you consented to run by tiktok/youtube/whoever), so it shouldn’t be okay to use the comments as free advertising space too.
I think you should take it up with them. I hear they’re super ethical and give a shit about what their algorithms do to people in the interest of farming data and profit
And for that reason we should turn a blind eye to any and all other broaches of ethics?
No, you should decide with your wallet, which is not to pay Duolingo, and decide with your choice of social media, which is not to use TikTok, and most importantly, you should petition your representatives and vote accordingly. What TikTok and Duolingo are doing is morally shitty, but it’s basic late stage capitalism, and excepting the nations that are actively fighting against the shittiness of using and selling user data, it’s not illegal
Can’t you just block Duolingo?
Yes, and I have. This solves me the personal grief of being reminded of their bad practices but does nothing to actually solve the problem. Not that I think “awareness” is a great or in anyway meaningful solve, but if talking about the issue leads to a few other people also blocking Duolingo then at least I won’t feel like I am forced to merely accept the situation as is with no protest.