In recent times, TikTok, the popular social media platform, has seen the emergence of a surprising and controversial trend: inmates in various penitentiaries are using the platform to broadcast live from prison.
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This phenomenon, which has raised numerous legal, ethical and security issues, reflects a growing challenge in the control of communications within prison facilities and in the balance between individual rights and public safety.
The Phenomenon of Live Broadcasts from Prison
TikTok’s live broadcasts from prisons have captured the attention of millions of users, showing scenes of daily life inside prison walls, conversations between inmates, and even messages directed at the public outside.
Often the videos are accompanied by requests for donations or simple interactions with viewers, who react with comments and “likes”. Some prisoners take advantage of the visibility to tell their personal stories or to denounce the conditions in which they live.
These transmissions occur through cell phones smuggled into facilities, a long-standing problem in prisons around the world.
Technology has made it increasingly difficult for prison authorities to monitor inmates’ communication, and TikTok, with its easy accessibility and viral reach, has amplified this problem.
Legal and Security Issues
Prisoners’ use of TikTok raises complex legal issues. Cell phones are generally prohibited in prisons, and anyone caught using them can face disciplinary action. However, prisoners’ ability to evade checks and access the internet poses a significant challenge to the prison system.
From a legal perspective, videos broadcast by inmates could violate privacy and security laws. Some of these videos could potentially endanger the safety of other inmates or prison staff by exposing sensitive information. Additionally, there is a risk that these platforms could be used to coordinate criminal activity outside of prison.
Prison authorities are trying to combat this by stepping up security and using advanced technology to block cell phone signals inside the facility. However, these measures are not always effective, and inmates continue to find creative ways to bypass security.
Prisoner's Rights and Freedom of Expression
The issue of live broadcasts from prison also raises questions about the rights of prisoners. On the one hand, prisoners, once convicted, see many of their rights limited, including freedom of communication.
However, some argue that prisoners should still be given the opportunity to express themselves and tell their version of events, especially in cases of injustice or inhumane detention conditions.
Social media platforms like TikTok are a powerful way to reach a large audience and raise awareness about social issues. Some inmates use live broadcasts to report abuses or to call for reforms in the penitentiary system. However, the lack of control over this content raises concerns about its authenticity and the instrumental use that could be made of these platforms.
Responses from Institutions and the Public
Reactions to the prison live broadcast phenomenon have been mixed. On the one hand, many condemn inmates' use of TikTok as a violation of the rules and a potential safety hazard. On the other, some see these broadcasts as an opportunity to listen to often-ignored voices and to draw attention to important issues affecting the prison system.
Institutions are trying to intervene, with some prison authorities already starting to work with TikTok to identify and remove illegally broadcast content from prisons. However, the speed with which these videos spread makes effective control difficult.
Prisoners' rights and freedom of expression
Prison livestreams on TikTok are a complex phenomenon that requires a careful balance between security, prisoners’ rights, and freedom of expression. As authorities seek to address this challenge, it is clear that evolving technology will continue to raise new ethical and legal questions in the context of prison communications. The debate over how to manage these new channels of communication is set to continue, reflecting the tensions between control and freedom in an increasingly connected world.
Tik Tok: Make Money Without Limits
As we have long been accustomed to, the Chinese social network does not address social phenomena unless it is forced into a corner because their goal is to make money without caring about the impact they may have on society; and in Europe, the power that Tik Tok is having on citizens is still not being addressed, as in the USA, pointing the finger "only" at Meta, Apple and Google, as if they were the cause of all the evils of the web. And while Europe is sleeping, the Chinese are taking advantage of this by infiltrating our society.
Article published on 2 August 2024 - 14:54
