Disney-TikTok Rumor: Social Media Misinformation Strikes Again
The internet is so good at wild rumors, some are better than others but the latest one involving Disney and TikTok took social media by storm! Speculation began to spread like wildfire that Disney had acquired TikTok for a huge $100 billion. While this news caught the attention of millions, it was quickly debunked as false.
We don’t know where the rumor got started but it gained traction through platforms like X (Twitter), Instagram, and Facebook, where they normally do, people were sharing the news with “breaking news” captions without verifying… (sounds like something I would do). People made fake doctored screenshots of headlines and statements.
Disney quickly put the rumors to rest. Disney confirmed that it had not acquired TikTok for any amount, let alone $100 billion. The company emphasized that there was no basis for the speculation and urged people to verify their information before sharing.
Why Did the Rumor Spread So Quickly?
Social media’s rapid spread of information, both true and false, is a double-edged sword. In this case, there were so many factors that made it spread so fast. Both Disney and TikTok are huge household names, so many people share the news without verifying anything at all, and exciting or terrible news always spreads the fastest.
The Disney-TikTok acquisition rumor is a textbook example of how misinformation can spiral out of control online. Check your sources!