The United States has taken a significant step towards the ban of TikTok following the passage of a bill in the House of Representatives on Wednesday. The bill urges ByteDance, the Chinese company that owns the app, to divest its ownership in the company or face removal from US app stores. Known as the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, the bill garnered strong bipartisan support, receiving 352 votes in favor and only 65 against.
The US House of Representatives has approved a bill on March 13 that may force ByteDance the Chinese owner of TikTok to divest from the app or face a ban on the app in the US
Will TikTok be banned in the US?
Concerns among House legislators have centered around the potential for TikTok to facilitate access to user data by the Chinese government, as well as its ability to influence Americans through its highly engaging algorithm. The White House has expressed support for the bill, with President Joe Biden indicating his intention to sign it if it clears Congress. However, the prospect of a ban has faced opposition from millions of TikTok users in the US, as well as civil liberties and digital rights organizations, who argue that TikTok ban in US would affect freedom of speech negatively.
TikTok Ban in the US: Political Competition or Data Protection?
Although it is presented as a necessary action to protect the data of American citizens from foreign manipulation and control, this attempt to ban TikTok is part of the ongoing political and economic competition between the US and China. Also, it aims to counteract possible foreign influence campaigns, especially on elections. US lawmakers are particularly wary of the potential for ByteDance to be under the covert control of the Chinese Communist Party, though the company has denied such allegations since it a privately owned entity not subject to government control.
The potential ban of TikTok in the US will contribute to a global trend of national (or regional) protectionism that may increase the challenges and obstacles facing emerging digital business models such as cloud computing, AI-based applications, and data analytics applications.
What about other Countries: Who banned TikTok?
The scrutiny on TikTok extends beyond the borders of the US, with countries like Nepal and India having already imposed bans on the app. It is widely believed that India’s ban is driven by geopolitical tensions with Beijing which is part of the motives for the attempts to ban TikTok in the US. In some other countries, these restrictions on TikTok usage on government devices. Additionally, the European Union has initiated a formal investigation into TikTok, focusing on concerns related to content, advertising practices, and the app’s impact on minors. Notably, the EU has fined TikTok $370 million for privacy violations, indicating a growing regulatory stance towards the platform.
The EU is known for its strict regulations on data storage and privacy. It seems that other countries are encouraged now to be stricter with social media applications. This trend will not affect TikTok only; it may complicate the global echo-system of all social media platforms.
