Explainer: Efforts to Ban Tik-Tok
Owned by the Chinese company ByteDance, TikTok has captivated audiences worldwide with its addictive short-form videos and creative content. From viral dance challenges, political activism, and conspiracy theory videos, TikTok has become a cultural force, shaping trends and influencing conversations on a global scale, especially among the younger generation of adults. However, its rapid ascent to popularity has also raised concerns among policymakers about the security of user data and the potential for foreign interference, most notably from China. Below is a brief explainer about the proposed TikTok ban.
Who is trying to ban Tik-Tok?
According to an April article from Cristiano Lima-Strong from the Washington Post, “President Biden announced Wednesday he has signed legislation to ban or force a sale of TikTok, just hours after Congress dealt the video-sharing platform’s Chinese ownership a historic rebuke following years of failed attempts to tackle the app’s alleged national security risks.” What this essentially means is that ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company, will have roughly nine months to sell the widely popular and used apps among both millennials and gen Z or face the consequences of a national ban from the United States. However, President Biden is willing to extend the deadline to a further 90 days if ByteDance doesn’t sell off to an American known company by that time.
President Biden faces the daunting task of charting a path forward that safeguards both American interests and individual freedoms in the digital age. Biden has signaled a willingness to address the security implications of TikTok’s operations while also seeking a more measured and collaborative approach than his predecessor. Rather than pursuing a blanket ban, the Biden administration has emphasized the importance of conducting a thorough review of TikTok’s data practices and engaging in dialogue with stakeholders to develop a comprehensive strategy for using TikTok efficiently.
Central to the Biden administration’s approach is a commitment to protecting the privacy and security of American citizens’ data. Recognizing the potential risks associated with foreign-owned apps like TikTok, the administration has called for increased transparency and accountability from tech companies regarding their data collection and storage practices. Efforts to strengthen data protection laws and regulatory oversight are also underway, aimed at ensuring that user data is handled responsibly and ethically.
IS ANYONE IN CONGRESS CHAMPIONING A BAN NOW?
Why do they want to ban TikTok? Critics argue that TikTok’s data collection practices pose a risk to national security, as user data could be accessed and exploited by foreign governments for nefarious purposes. That’s at least according to The New York Times, as U.S. lawmakers are worried that China could use TikTok’s content recommendations to fuel misinformation. That concern has escalated amid the Israel-Hamas war and the upcoming 2024 presidential election. Critics say that TikTok has fueled the spread of antisemitism.
Proponents of the ban argue that it is necessary to safeguard sensitive user data from being accessed or exploited by foreign governments or entities with malicious intent. They point to TikTok’s ties to China and its legal obligations under Chinese law to cooperate with government requests for data as reasons for concern. Meanwhile it seems rather hypocritical that the Biden administration is so bent on banning the application while they using it to fund and promote Biden’s campaign in an election year. Furthermore, how do you garner and earn the respect and viewpoint of a younger generation if you alienate yourself by banning the one app that could bolster your argument for reelection? This is especially true as Will Weissert from the Associated Press wrote: “The Biden campaign says that an increasingly fragmented modern media environment requires it to meet voters where they are and that TikTok is one of many such places where would-be supporters see its content, in addition to platforms like WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.”
While addressing security concerns is paramount, the Biden administration believes it has recognized the importance of fostering innovation and competition in the digital marketplace. Rather than seeking to create an environment where American companies can thrive and compete on a level playing field which includes supporting domestic alternatives to TikTok and incentivizing investment in homegrown tech solutions, the Biden administration has instead created an environment where stifling technological progress through heavy-handed regulation or bans is not only allowed but now mandatory. This ban is both ineffective and harmful as it won’t make social media any better. Rather what it does instead is create somewhat of a “gray area” for Tik-Tok influencers as plenty of helpful and useful information has also been both obtained and distributed from the creators of this platform. So while lawmakers argue that the privacy of its users is in “jeopardy,” they fail to realize the benefits that this platform brings to the millions of people who use it while they use it as a political weapon against their adversary as an edge for dominance in an election year for the next president.
Why are some people opposed to a ban? The TikTok ban has sparked a heated debate over the balance between national security concerns, digital rights, and freedom of expression. Users of the app, specifically social media TikTok influencers, say a ban on the app would violate their First Amendment rights and would outright be “devastating”. This is according to ABC News, which reported that “TikTok content creators like Lynda Truong and Paul Tran said a ban would crush their business, which has nearly 140,000 followers. The couple estimates that around 95% of the sales for their beauty brand, Love & Pebble, are tied to TikTok.”
Critics at The Hill also argue that the ban represents an overreach of government authority and a threat to free speech and innovation, especially when considering First Amendment rights. “For all of its interpretations over time, the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution is pretty straightforward: ‘Congress shall make no law … abridging the freedom of speech or of the press,’” The Hill wrote. Critics of the ban have asked if there is any evidence to support concerns about data misuse or security, and have emphasized the importance of due process and evidence-based policymaking. A ban of this magnitude would have a chilling effect on digital entrepreneurship and cross-cultural exchange, limiting opportunities for creativity and expression on a global scale.
What’s the bottom line? The TikTok ban debate extends beyond domestic considerations to encompass broader geopolitical dynamics. As tensions between the United States and China continue to simmer, issues surrounding technology and national security have become increasingly intertwined with diplomatic relations. The Biden administration must navigate these complexities delicately, balancing the need to protect American interests with the imperative of maintaining open channels of communication and cooperation with international partners. The fate of TikTok remains uncertain. The TikTok ban serves as a stark reminder of the interconnectedness of technology, politics, and society, raising fundamental questions about the role of social media platforms in shaping our digital future.
Ultimately, as policymakers and tech companies grapple with these issues, the need for transparent and accountable governance frameworks that balance competing interests and uphold fundamental rights has never been more pressing. Finding a solution that safeguards both American interests and individual freedoms in the digital age will require a nuanced and multifaceted approach — one that reflects the complexities of our interconnected world especially as this form of social media extends from one generation to another.
