The Tiktok Ban
TikTok, the powerhouse of short-form content, has risen to become one of the most influential social media platforms since its inception in 2017. Its meteoric ascent saw it surpassing industry giants like Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and YouTube in downloads by 2018. Notably, between July 2020 and July 2022, it witnessed a remarkable 45% surge in monthly active users. The trajectory of TikTok’s success has been nothing short of staggering, fueled by its innovative algorithms and personalised content delivery, making it the preferred choice for media consumption, particularly among Generation Z.
However, amidst its soaring popularity, concerns surrounding data manipulation have loomed large, especially regarding its China-based parent company’s potential to access sensitive user data and censor content that conflicts with Chinese government policies.
On March 13th, the House of Representatives passed a bill that would compel TikTok’s owner, ByteDance, to divest the social media platform or face a complete ban in the United States. The bill’s overwhelming support in the House, backed by 352 members, with only 65 opposed underscores the gravity of the threat TikTok faces in the US. If the Senate also passes the legislation, if President Joe Biden follows through on his intention to sign it should the bill arrive on his desk, and if TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, doesn’t successfully sell TikTok to a non-Chinese owner before the legislation’s specified deadline then TikTok would cease to exist in the US.
TikTok has vehemently denied any intention of sharing US user data with the Chinese government. However, lawmakers’ concerns were further fueled by revelations of China-based ByteDance employees accessing non-public data about US TikTok users. Additionally, recent national security laws in China, empowering organisations to aid in intelligence gathering, have exacerbated these concerns.
In response, TikTok has asserted that US user data is stored outside of China, with operations in Singapore, the US, and a newly established data centre in Ireland for EU citizen data. Nonetheless, these assurances have failed to assuage many US lawmakers’ anxieties.
In March 2023, TikTok’s CEO, Shou Zi Chew, faced intense scrutiny before Congress, enduring over five hours of questioning regarding the platform’s practices. Lawmakers, questioning Chew’s nationality, accused him of potential allegiance to China, despite his Singaporean identity.
The unfolding saga of TikTok’s regulatory challenges in the US highlights the complex intersection of technology, geopolitics, and corporate responsibility in the digital age. As the debate rages on, the fate of TikTok in the US hangs in the balance, with far-reaching implications for both the platform and its millions of users worldwide.
Hypocrisy Of The Bill
While it’s crucial to maintain checks and balances between social media companies and lawmakers to safeguard transparency and data protection for American citizens, there’s a glaring inconsistency in the proposed ban on TikTok.
If the US decides to ban TikTok, it should logically apply the same scrutiny to every other social media platform. After all, there’s little to distinguish TikTok from its counterparts. Additionally, the belief that only the Chinese government can demand data from TikTok is misleading. Major nation-states possess the capability to extract data from any target they choose, without needing permission.
By singling out TikTok for a ban, there’s a risk of fostering the misconception that our youth will be shielded from social media manipulation, which is far from reality. Moreover, it falsely suggests that only the Chinese government can access sensitive data about American citizens.
A prominent example could be foreign access to US data. It’s widely known that foreign governments have breached our personal lives over the past decade. From breaches like the OPM hack to numerous state-originated breaches, foreign entities likely have a more comprehensive understanding of our activities and preferences than our own government. Put simply, they have our data, period.
Moreover, algorithm influence also plays a pivotal role as anyone who engages with social media understands the influence of algorithms in shaping user preferences. This applies equally to search engines like Google, which capitalise on algorithms to influence user behaviour. TikTok operates under the same principle; algorithms are integral to its functionality. And finally, government coercion, while it’s acknowledged that the Chinese government could potentially leverage its influence over TikTok to access data, the same applies to any other company they choose to target. Foreign hacks targeting sensitive data aren’t confined to domestic entities; nation-states possess the capability to influence or coerce foreign organisations. This is a fundamental aspect of espionage.
The Cambridge Analytica scandal serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of personal data. This data analytics firm exploited millions of Facebook profiles, utilising the information to construct a potent software program aimed at predicting and influencing voter choices. US social media platforms have long played a key role in Washington’s global influence operations, facilitating intelligence collection and the dissemination of American political and cultural values abroad.
U.S. Politicians and TikTok
In December 2022, President Biden took the initial step of banning TikTok on government devices, a move driven by ongoing concerns about China’s influence over ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company.
Paradoxically, TikTok became a pivotal tool in the Biden administration’s communication arsenal. Throughout 2021, the White House collaborated with social media influencers, including prominent TikTok creators, to promote COVID-19 vaccination among the American populace.
The platform’s significance extended into the realm of politics, particularly in the lead-up to the November 2022 midterm elections. The Democratic National Committee (DNC) capitalised on TikTok’s reach by inviting influencers to Washington, D.C. These individuals engaged with senior members of the Biden administration, shared moments with former President Barack Obama, and showcased iconic D.C. landmarks such as the Capitol and the Oval Office. These interactions were thoughtfully documented and shared on TikTok as part of the DNC’s campaign efforts.
Despite Biden’s previous stance on potentially banning TikTok, his campaign recently activated a TikTok profile as a strategic component of their digital strategy for the upcoming presidential election.
However, it’s worth noting that President Biden’s popularity among young voters has been less than optimal. Recognizing this challenge, his campaign’s decision to embrace TikTok reflects a pragmatic approach to re-engage with this crucial demographic. Consequently, advocating for a TikTok ban ahead of the November presidential election might not align with his re-election objectives. Ultimately, the utilisation of TikTok underscores the evolving dynamics of political communication and engagement in the digital age.
Real-World implications
TikTok has vocally opposed the legislation, urging the Senate not to pass it. “We are hopeful that the Senate will consider the facts, listen to their constituents, and realise the impact on the economy, 7 million small businesses, and the 170 million Americans who use our service,” the TikTok spokesperson Alex Haurek said following the vote.
However, in the case the ban does take place, bottom line is, we’re all going to be okay. It’s not the end of the world. Social media consumers may just move on to other social media platforms. But it’s imperative to note that a potential TikTok ban in the U.S. could spell disastrous economic consequences for millions of Americans, considering the platform’s immense user base.
Among these creators are individuals who have experienced transformative effects on their lives, either by finding their voice or generating income through the platform. For instance,Tiktok lifestyle content creator queencitytrends, commented on the tiktok ban, stating, “i’m pretty disappointed that some of our representatives that have actively used this platform to grow and win elections are still in favour of the ban,”.
Moreover, freedom of speech and civil rights advocacy groups have opposed a ban, stating that such legislation could have a profound impact on the internet at large. They have argued that TikTok’s data practices, while problematic, are not substantially different from those of US-based tech firms.
“TikTok isn’t perfect, but banning it is the wrong solution,” said Jenna Ruddock, a policy counsel at the media advocacy group Free Press. “Like all popular social media platforms, including those that Meta and Google own, TikTok collects too much data on its users. But unilaterally dismantling spaces for free expression limits people’s access to information and cuts off avenues for creators to build community.”
The livelihoods of countless Americans hinge on TikTok, whether as entrepreneurs, content creators, or influencers. Any disruption to the platform’s operations would not only impact individual incomes but also ripple through the broader economy, potentially leading to job losses and stifling innovation in the digital sphere.
Moving Forward
Currently, the bill still faces an uphill battle to become law. While president Biden has confirmed he would sign it, it still has to pass a Senate vote. As for now, it remains unclear when that vote would take place, but TikTok is likely to increase its lobbying efforts on the Hill as it moves forward.
[Written By: Harshaall Medha Naidu, Edited By: Adryna Chin Yee Shin]
