In America, over 170 million people use the app TikTok to make videos and share them with the world. But America has taken a step that might get TikTok banned nationwide.
What is TikTok?
TikTok is used to create and share short-form videos with other users. The app was launched by the Chinese technology company ByteDance in 2016 and has grown since. TikTok has offices in Beijing, Los Angeles, Moscow, India, Seoul, South Korea, and Tokoyo.
As of February 2024, TikTok has been downloaded a total of 4.7 billion times. TikTok’s popularity stems from how the app’s algorithm remembers what content a user likes in the form of the “For You” page. On top of that, videos recorded on TikTok are 15 seconds to 3 minutes long, which keeps the flow of content fast-paced.
The Ban on TikTok
On 3/13/2024 The House Of Representatives passed a bill that could ban TikTok for all of America. If Byte Dance, the parent company of TikTok, does not sell its assets to another company within six months of the bill’s passing, TikTok will be banned nationwide. The vote was 352 to 65 and the bill now has to be voted on in the Senate. There is currently no date set for when the Senate will vote on the bill. TikTok argues that the bill violates First Amendment rights.
Others who are against the bill like Ashley Gorski from the ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union) state “The Government can’t impose this type of ban unless it’s the only way to prevent extremely serious harm to national security.” TikTok creators are against the ban as well. They argue that millions of creators would lose their source of income if the ban were to happen.
Why Is TikTok A Threat?
Byte Dance is a company that operates in China. Politicians fear that TikTok will give all the data that it’s collected from users to the Chinese Government. ByteDance has denied having ties with the Chinese Government in the past, but evidence has shown that ByteDance may have links to the Chinese Military Surveillance Complex. TikTok has already been banned on government phones in all three government institutions in the EU on March 20th, 2023.
There are also concerns beyond national security. TikTok is seen as a danger to children because of how addictive the app is and the lack of safeguards in place for them.
As of 3/14/2024, TikTok is still downloadable in America, but they may or may not change in the coming months.