TikTok is a popular Chinese-owned social media app that was released in September of 2016. On the app, users are allowed to view, create, share, and comment on short videos on mobile devices or webcams. The app stands out for its specialized streams of entertaining short videos featuring music and sound effects. Hence, this is why Tiktok is known for its addictive appeal and remarkably high levels of user interaction. The social media app was essentially devoted to short videos made by and for its users. Nevertheless, the app is under attack by the United States government.
Why Is the U.S. Government Requiring TikTok to Either Be Banned Or Sold?
There are fears about a possibility that China’s government might get ahold of sensitive user data through the short video app. Consequently, this is what has led the United States government to enact new legislation. This legislation will lead to the ban of the social media app except if it is purchased by a buyer approved by the government. Legislators are worried about the video-exchanging app links to China, and therefore have made attempt to govern it. Yet, previous attempts to impose broad limitations have not been successful. Repeatedly, United States officials have warned that TikTok is an endangerment to national security. Why? Because the Chinese government might exploit the app in order to spy on Americans or manipulate it to control the public opinion in the United States. They can do this by boosting or censoring certain content.
Given that, the concerns are justified since Chinese national security mandates cooperation with intelligence operations, specifically with United States officials. During March, FBI Director Christopher Wray notified the Intelligence Committee members that the Chinese government could potentially jeopardize the security of Americans through there use of the TikTok software.
President Biden Signs TikTok Ban Bill
Earlier this week, on Wednesday morning April 24, 2024, President Biden signed the TikTok ban bill into a law. This officially initiated the timer for ByteDance (the company who currently owns TikTok) to sell the app to a new owner or face a nationwide ban.
The bill that President Biden signed, grants TikTok’s Chinese owner ByteDance, a 270-day window to sell the social media app. Consequently, if ByteDance fails to comply, it would result in serious repercussions: the app would face a ban from U.S. app stores and from the “internet hosting services” that enables its operation.
As a result, this action would essentially constrain the ability to download the app in order interaction with its content. The President’s decision to approve the bill on Wednesday sets the deadline for the sale for January 25, 2025. However, Biden has the authority to extend the deadline by another 90 days, if he deems that the company has made advancements in the sale process. This could potentially grant TikTok up to a year before it faces a ban if it hasn’t yet been sold.
How Does This Affect Use of the App?
In that case, if the app cannot detach from ByteDance before the deadline, there is a possibility that U.S. users could potentially lose access to the app near mid-January. However, the final outcome of this situation still remains uncertain. Therefore, for the time being, users of the app can continue using it as they normally would. Although they might start to see an increase in creators, or even the company itself voicing its opposition to the legislation within the app.
TikTok Fights Against the Ban
TikTok has rejected allegations linking it to the Chinese government and has condemned lawmakers advocating pushing for its regulation, alleging a violation of citizens’ free speech rights. The platform has pledged to challenge the law through legal means. In a statement, a spokesperson for the app labeled the law as “unconstitutional”.
Also, the spokesperson added that it “would devastate” the app’s 170 million users in the U.S. Moreover, 7 million businesses would also be “devastated” along with the 7 million users. TikTok is considering legal action to challenge the law. In a video posted on the app, the company’s CEO Shou Chew informed users that, “Rest assured: we aren’t going anywhere.” Additionally, he added “We are confident, and we will keep fighting for your rights in the courts.” It is unknown if TikTok will win the battle against the United States government.
Written by Jaliyah Triplett
Sources:
CBS News: Why U.S. officials want to ban TikTok by Caitlin Yilek
CNN: Biden just signed a potential TikTok ban into law. Here’s what happens next by Brian Fung, CNN
Investopedia: TikTok: What It Is, How It Works, and Why It’s Popular by Debroah D’Souza
Featured Image Courtesy of Focal Foto‘s Flickr Page- Creative Commons License
Inset Image Courtesy of Matt Bargar‘s Flickr Page- Creative Commons License
