The US Government Won’t Stop ’Til The Tik Don’t Tok

Have you ever heard the saying “… til the tick don’t tock”? For those unfamiliar, it means that something is slated to go on until the clock stops, which could be for a very long time (i.e. until the battery dies or some other faulty circumstance manifests). So now that you’re up to speed on old sayings, TikTok’s battery doesn’t seem to be running out (I mean I thought it was a just fad, but it’s proving to be quite a contender in the social media realm). However, it looks like the US government has found another faulty circumstance — privacy concerns — to possibly end TikTok in the US.

But can the US actually ban a social network?

We live in a democracy, but it’s not exactly a pure democracy. So, elected representatives can constitutionally make certain calls regardless of how the general public feels. Accordingly, this Variety article states, “The White House is within its legal rights to ban specific apps ‘in order to protect the citizens of the United States and their data.’”

Along with Variety, many other publications predict that if the US government does go through with the ban of TikTok, they will try to do so under the guise of privacy concerns. The US government could (and have already begun to) claim that use of certain apps could potentially lead to US users’ personal information and other data being shared with Chinese companies and the Chinese government. In fact, CNBC reported that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said, “Americans should only download the TikTok app ‘if you want your private information in the hands of the Chinese Communist Party.’”

So how do we feel about this?

Given this information, some people may agree that the US should have the right to ban a social network. They may argue that our elected officials should be able to make executive decisions to protect the majority. Others may disagree and argue that allowing the government to exert such power leads down a slippery slope that violates/diminishes the rights of those living within the Free World.

I’m still educating myself on this whole ordeal, and I urge you all to read up on this matter as well. But as of right now, my opinion is not so black and white. I’m nervous about the government — actually, I’m nervous about any government having access to my personal data. So, if we’re trying to ensure that China doesn’t have access to this information, should we be holding the US government to the same standard? And yes, I know there are limits placed on how intrusive the US government can be when it comes to invasion of privacy. But my question still remains because I wonder if you all think the US government should have any access to our personal data at all? Thoughts?