Is TikTok getting banned?
TikTok has initiated legal proceedings against a law that would prohibit its operations in the United States unless it is sold by its parent company, ByteDance, based in China. The app, which boasts millions of users globally, is facing scrutiny regarding data security and its potential connections to the Chinese government.Concerns have been raised about the possibility of the Chinese Communist Party accessing user data from TikTok.
- Author: 宋子涵
- Update: Nov 25, 2024
Who wants to ban TikTok in the US and why?
Lawmakers from both major political parties in the United States are advocating for a law that would prohibit TikTok unless its parent company, ByteDance, sells it to a non-Chinese entity. This initiative stems from concerns that the Chinese government could compel ByteDance to disclose information regarding TikTok's 170 million users in the U.S.Despite these fears, TikTok maintains that it would not share user data with the Chinese authorities.In April, after congressional approval, President Joe Biden enacted legislation that could lead to TikTok's forced divestiture. Previous efforts to restrict the app on national security grounds have not succeeded. Former President Donald Trump attempted to ban TikTok during his administration in 2020 but faced legal challenges. Now, as a Republican candidate for the 2024 presidential election, Trump has criticized the current legislation, claiming it would unfairly favor Facebook.Vice President Kamala Harris, running against Trump as the Democratic candidate, has utilized TikTok and trending social media content to connect with younger voters. A spokesperson for her campaign expressed a preference for a change in TikTok's ownership rather than an outright ban on the platform.
The Biden administration's consideration of a TikTok ban is primarily driven by national security concerns. The relationship between U.S. and Chinese technology companies has been fraught, and this is not the first instance of the U.S. taking stringent measures against Chinese firms.In 2022, the U.S. government prohibited the sale of Huawei communication equipment and other smaller Chinese brands, citing similar security issues.Currently, officials in various countries have already been restricted from using TikTok for these reasons. However, the validity of these concerns is still under scrutiny.In July 2024, the Justice Department warned that it had evidence indicating TikTok was transmitting personal data of U.S. users back to China. It also reported that internal tools allowed the company to collect data on millions of users to assess their opinions on sensitive topics like gun control, abortion, and voting intentions.Additionally, there are allegations that TikTok could censor specific topics for U.S. users, although the Justice Department has not confirmed whether this capability has been utilized.There are even more alarming theories; in March 2024, Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi from Illinois suggested that one reason for banning TikTok might involve the Chinese Communist Party's potential experimentation with "mind control software."
The deadline for TikTok's potential ban in the U.S. could be subject to change. The ban will only take effect if TikTok fails to secure a U.S. company to manage its operations and ensure that no American data is sent to China. If the government perceives that progress is being made towards a sale but it isn't finalized by the deadline, it can grant an extension of up to 90 days.Should TikTok successfully complete a sale prior to this date, the ban would be lifted, allowing the app to continue its operations in the U.S. Additionally, ByteDance, TikTok's parent company, has initiated an appeal against the law, which is expected to be a prolonged legal process and may extend beyond the January deadline.Furthermore, with Donald Trump beginning his second term in January 2025 after his recent election victory, there is speculation that he may intervene to prevent the ban on TikTok in the U.S.
What has TikTok said it will do about the ban?
TikTok has expressed its strong opposition to a potential ban, asserting that it would infringe upon the First Amendment rights of its users. The legal battle began on September 16, 2024, when a three-judge panel in Washington, D.C., heard arguments regarding the constitutionality of the "Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act," which mandates that TikTok's parent company, ByteDance, divest its U.S. operations by January 19, 2025, or face a nationwide ban.During the hearing, TikTok's CEO, Shou Zi Chew, emphasized the company's commitment to fighting for the rights of its 170 million U.S. users, labeling the legislation an "unconstitu ban" that threatens free speech. He reassured users in a video message that TikTok is determined to remain operational in the U.S..
Additionally, a group of TikTok creators joined the legal challenge, arguing that the law could severely impact their livelihoods and creative expression.The U.S. government contends that TikTok poses a national security risk due to concerns over data privacy and potential foreign influence. However, TikTok argues that it has taken steps to secure user data and that the proposed divestiture is impractical and unnecessary. The case is expected to escalate to the Supreme Court if necessary rulings are not made by December 6, 2024
Is TikTok banned in other countries?
The U.S. House of Representatives has passed a significant bill that mandates TikTok's parent company, ByteDance, to divest its ownership or face a nationwide ban. President Joe Biden has indicated his willingness to sign the legislation into law contingent upon Senate approval. This move arises from ongoing concerns regarding the potential influence of the Chinese government over TikTok and its access to sensitive data of American users.The proposed TikTok legislation in the United States may set a precedent for similar actions in other countries.India has already taken this step, banning TikTok in June 2020, which had been one of its largest markets. The app is also prohibited in Iran, Nepal, Afghanistan, and Somalia.In 2023, the UK government and Parliament restricted TikTok's use on work devices, a move mirrored by the European Commission. Additionally, the BBC recommended that its staff remove TikTok from corporate devices due to security concerns.
TikTok's core feature is its sophisticated algorithm, which dictates the content users see based on their interactions with previous posts. This algorithm analyzes various data points to tailor the user experience.Users encounter three primary feeds within the app: Following, Friends, and For You. The Following and Friends feeds display content from accounts that users have chosen to follow, while the For You feed is automatically curated by the app itself.The For You feed has emerged as the primary source for discovering new content, attracting creators eager to achieve viral status and reach millions of viewers. Critics argue that TikTok gathers more data than many other social media platforms to enhance its personalized recommendations.The data collected can encompass users' locations, device information, engagement patterns, and even typing rhythms. However, it's worth noting that other popular platforms like Facebook and Instagram also collect similar types of user data.
