The law banning TikTok use in the United States has sparked significant debate and scrutiny. Initially, TikTok gained immense popularity among users worldwide, offering a platform for creative expression, entertainment, and community-building. The sheer number of 170 million Americans who use TikTok is a testament to its widespread appeal. Personally, I found TikTok to be a valuable outlet amidst the stress of academic obligations, such as preparing for tests, AP exams, and the SAT. Its diverse content provided a welcome distraction and often served as a source of inspiration and relaxation. However, TikTok's ownership by ByteDance, a Chinese company, has raised concerns among U.S. policymakers regarding national security and data privacy. TikTok's controversy centers on fears that foreign entities could access or manipulate user data, prompting calls for regulatory action and implementing bans to safeguard sensitive information.
Efforts to ban TikTok in the United States have been marked by a series of events and actions addressing national security concerns. Starting with executive orders from the U.S. government, particularly during the Trump administration, there has been a focused attempt to regulate or completely prohibit the use of TikTok on government devices. Senator Josh Hawley, a Republican from Missouri, led the effort by sponsoring the No TikTok on Government Devices Act (S.1143), which successfully passed the Senate on December 14, 2022. This legislation requires federal agencies to remove TikTok from their information technology systems due to ongoing worries about the app's potential risks, given its ownership by a Chinese company. Lawmakers have also been discussing how to handle data privacy and national security. They are considering setting rules and making exceptions for police, national security, and security research activities.
Last week, President Biden signed a law that mandates the sale of Chinese-owned TikTok within a year, or it will be banned in the U.S., marking a significant escalation in the tech conflict between the U.S. and China. This move underscores growing concerns in the U.S. about potential Chinese interference through digital platforms. Critics argue that laws in China could enable the government to compel companies like TikTok's parent company, ByteDance, to hand over user data, which the Chinese government could use for intelligence purposes. There are also fears that TikTok could manipulate content to spread misinformation, especially during sensitive times such as the Israel-Hamas conflict and U.S. presidential elections, with some accusations that it has helped spread antisemitism. Responding to these concerns, Senator Maria Cantwell emphasized that the legislative action aims to protect against espionage and harmful activities by foreign adversaries rather than specifically targeting TikTok or ByteDance.
A TikTok ban could hit hard for many who rely on it for money or the community. Content creators, in particular, could struggle financially without TikTok's broad audience and income opportunities like partnerships and sponsorships. Finding a new platform might not fill that gap, risking their financial stability. TikTok is a social space for millions where people connect over shared interests and find community. Losing TikTok could mean losing these connections, deeply affecting especially the younger, more active users who see it as their primary social outlet. Rather than banning TikTok, lawmakers should focus on regulating it to address any concerns while preserving its benefits.
Source:
Congress. "S.1143 - No TikTok on Government Devices Act." Congress.gov, 117th Congress, www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/senate-bill/1143.
Kamenetz, Anya. "China and TikTok: A Complex Web of National Security Concerns." NPR, 26 Apr. 2024, www.npr.org/2024/04/26/1247347363/china-tiktok-national-security?ft=nprml&f=1019.
Roose, Kevin. "TikTok Ban Explained: Why the U.S. Is Taking Action." The New York Times, www.nytimes.com/article/tiktok-ban.html.
"Biden to Ban TikTok in the US." NPR, 24 Apr. 2024, www.npr.org/2024/04/24/1246663779/biden-ban-tiktok-us.
Madrigal, Alexis C. "The TikTok Ban Is a Red Herring." The Atlantic, Apr. 2024, www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2024/04/tiktok-ban-red-herring/678234/.
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