TikTok, the wildly popular social media app known for its short-form videos, has been facing scrutiny and potential ban in the United States. The app, owned by Chinese company ByteDance, has come under fire from lawmakers and officials over concerns about national security and data privacy.
The Trump administration has been particularly vocal about its concerns regarding TikTok. In August 2020, President Trump signed an executive order giving ByteDance 90 days to divest its US operations or face a ban in the country. The administration cited concerns that the Chinese government could access user data collected by TikTok and use it for nefarious purposes.
The deadline for ByteDance to divest its US operations has passed, and as of now, TikTok is still available for download and use in the US. However, the situation remains fluid, and the app could still face a ban in the future.
So, when and why could TikTok be outlawed in the US? The main reasons behind a potential ban include:
National security concerns: The US government is worried that TikTok could be used as a tool for Chinese espionage or influence operations. With millions of users in the country, the app has access to a vast amount of data that could potentially be exploited by the Chinese government.
Data privacy issues: There are concerns about how TikTok collects and handles user data, including information about users’ location, contacts, and browsing history. There are also worries about how this data could be shared with third parties or used for targeted advertising.
Compliance with US regulations: The Trump administration has called for ByteDance to divest its US operations to a US-based company, such as Microsoft or Oracle. If ByteDance fails to comply with this demand, TikTok could be banned in the US.
Political tensions: The US-China relationship has been strained in recent years, with disputes over trade, technology, and human rights. TikTok has become a symbol of this geopolitical rivalry, and banning the app could be seen as a way to exert pressure on China.
While TikTok has tried to address these concerns by implementing measures to increase transparency and data security, it remains to be seen whether these efforts will be enough to prevent a ban in the US. As the situation continues to evolve, users and stakeholders are left wondering about the future of the popular app in the country.