TikTok Urges US Users to Rally Against Proposed Ban
As the US government considers a new ban proposal, TikTok is mobilizing its users to stand against it and defend the app.
"Sociable" is a new commentary by industry expert Andrew Hutchinson from Social Media Today, discussing important social media trends and developments.
TikTok is once again asking its U.S. users to support them in response to the recent efforts of U.S. lawmakers to ban the app.
Earlier this week, a group of U.S. lawmakers introduced a new bill in the House of Representatives. The bill aims to make TikTok's parent company, ByteDance, sell the platform to U.S. ownership or face a ban from the country. This move comes amid concerns that TikTok may be sharing U.S. user data with the Chinese government, posing a potential threat.
In response to the proposed bill, TikTok has argued that it goes against the First Amendment. Additionally, the platform has urged its U.S. users to take action by contacting their House representative. A pop-up alert within the app makes it easy for users to make their voices heard.
TikTok ban
It’s not the first time that TikTok has called on its user community to oppose congress on its behalf.
Last year in March, when the White House tried to give the President the power to restrict TikTok, the app sent a group of influencers to Washington DC to support the TikTok team and protest against the decision.
It seems like their efforts worked, since TikTok is still not banned. Now, TikTok is planning to use the same strategy again. They will mobilize their large user base to persuade U.S. lawmakers to reject any new laws that could threaten the app.
Cybersecurity experts are still warning about the app's connection to the C.C.P., even though I don't think it will make much of a difference. With global tensions rising, it seems like the fate of TikTok is in the hands of the Chinese government.
Currently, U.S.-China relations appear to be steady, so there is no immediate need for the White House to take action. However, any shift could disrupt this stability, potentially resulting in TikTok being impacted by geopolitical tensions.
This scenario is always a possibility. China's increasing activities in the South China Sea and efforts to assert dominance over neighboring countries may lead to conflict with the U.S., possibly leading to a ban on TikTok.
Chinese officials have recently expressed their disapproval of the U.S. imposing trade sanctions on Chinese companies. This could potentially reignite talks about a possible TikTok ban.
However, a complete ban on any Chinese company operating in the U.S. may result in retaliatory measures from China. As the third-largest export market for the U.S., such actions pose a significant risk. This may explain the White House's cautious approach in taking any decisive action.
Is TikTok really a security risk?
The main worry is that Chinese-owned companies are required to share data with the Chinese government upon request, according to China's cybersecurity laws. While there is no proof that the C.C.P. has made such a request, there are signs that U.S. user data is still being sent to China. If the C.C.P. wanted to, it could potentially access much more data.
It can be argued that TikTok presents a security risk due to its Chinese ownership, which raises concerns about the U.S.-China relationship and potential complications. Ultimately, the issue will persist until TikTok is either divested or prohibited.
It just depends on how significant government officials view such, and within that, I’m not sure that a few calls from TikTok users will sway opinion.
Editor's P/S:
The article highlights the ongoing battle between TikTok and U.S. lawmakers over the app's potential security risks. TikTok's appeal to its users to advocate against a ban demonstrates the platform's awareness of its vulnerability and its determination to maintain its presence in the U.S. market.
The concerns raised by cybersecurity experts regarding TikTok's connection to the Chinese government are valid, considering China's cybersecurity laws. However, the White House's cautious approach suggests a recognition of the potential economic consequences of a complete ban on Chinese companies operating in the U.S. The article emphasizes the delicate balance between national security concerns and economic interests, which will likely continue to shape the fate of TikTok in the U.S. seen whether TikTok's user advocacy efforts will sway government officials' opinions.
