The United States has taken a step toward potentially banning TikTok as the House of Representatives passed a bill requiring ByteDance, the app’s Chinese parent company, to divest its stake or risk being removed from American app markets. The ‘Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act’ garnered significant bipartisan support, with 352 votes in favor and only 65 against.
However, TikTok supporters argue that if the U.S. is considering a ban on TikTok, it should apply the same standard to all social media platforms, as they share similar privacy concerns and potentially harmful effects on youth.
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The bill is not yet final; it must still be approved by the Senate, where it will undergo further scrutiny and may face alternative proposals for a ban. The House bill does not call for an immediate ban but gives ByteDance a six-month period to divest. However, the likelihood of Beijing agreeing to such a sale is considered low, which some interpret as an effective ban.
Bill Bishop, a China analyst, stated in his Sinocism newsletter that the legislation would likely lead to a ban due to the improbability of China approving a forced sale. He highlighted that TikTok is China’s first significant global internet platform, achieving a longstanding goal of increasing its influence in international discourse. TikTok offers China an independent avenue for global communication, unlike previous attempts that depended on American platforms.
In retaliation, Beijing has expressed its intent to protect the rights of its international businesses. A spokesperson from the Chinese Ministry of Commerce has called on the U.S. to respect market economy principles and stop the unjust suppression of foreign companies. China has promised to take firm measures to safeguard the legitimate interests of its enterprises.
The West’s Complaint Against TikTok?
Collects an ‘excessive’ amount of data:
Western authorities have raised concerns about TikTok’s data practices, suggesting the platform gathers an inordinate amount of user information. This assertion is supported by a July 2022 cyber-security analysis from Internet 2.0, an Australian firm, which found the app’s code to be involved in extensive data collection, including user location, device type, and other installed applications.
In contrast, Citizen Lab’s investigation found TikTok’s data collection on par with other major social networks in terms of user tracking. Echoing this sentiment, the Georgia Institute of Technology reported that such data practices are common among social media and mobile applications.
Used by the Chinese government to spy on users:
The apprehension extends to fears of espionage, with U.S. officials worried that the data could be misused by the Chinese government, posing a threat to national security. A 2020 executive order by Donald Trump suggested that the data could enable China to monitor U.S. federal employees and contractors, compile compromising information, and engage in industrial spying. Although these concerns are speculative, they are amplified by China’s National Intelligence Law, specifically Article Seven, which mandates cooperation with national intelligence work, raising suspicions about TikTok and other Chinese firms.
Used as a ‘brainwashing’ tool:
TikTok has been accused of being a potential tool for psychological manipulation. FBI Director Christopher Wray warned Congress in November 2022 about the possibility of the Chinese government influencing TikTok’s algorithm for propaganda purposes. This concern is heightened by the strict regulation and censorship of Douyin, TikTok’s counterpart in China, which promotes state-approved content and suppresses dissenting views, reflecting the broader landscape of internet censorship in China.
U.S. Politicians and TikTok
In December 2022, President Biden implemented a prohibition of TikTok on devices owned by the government. This action stemmed from ongoing concerns regarding the potential sway that China might hold over ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok.
Nonetheless, TikTok proved to be a pivotal element in the communication efforts of the Biden administration. Back in 2021, the White House initiated collaborations with various social media personalities, TikTok content creators included, aiming to motivate the populace of the United States to receive their vaccinations against COVID-19.
As the midterms of November 2022 approached, TikTok assumed a significant role. The Democratic National Committee extended invitations to TikTok content creators to visit the nation’s capital. During their visit, these influencers engaged with senior officials from Biden’s team, had interactions with ex-president Barack Obama, and explored prominent sites in Washington, D.C., such as the Capitol and the Oval Office. Their experiences were documented and shared on TikTok, contributing to the DNC’s promotional efforts.
In spite of his declaration to endorse any bill that would lead to a TikTok ban, the Biden campaign has recently launched a TikTok account, integrating it into their online campaign tactics for the forthcoming presidential race.
Presently, Biden is not resonating as strongly with the younger demographic of voters. The campaign’s move to revive their presence on TikTok is indicative of the anxiety surrounding his re-election bid. Opting to enforce a TikTok prohibition before the presidential election in November would not be considered a strategic move for re-election purposes.
Ban on TikTok – Not New?
The discourse around TikTok and its potential prohibition is not a recent development. In 2022, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) of the United States issued a directive to tech giants Apple and Google, urging them to remove TikTok from their platforms.
Rewinding to 2020, the Indian government took decisive action by banning a suite of over 100 Chinese-developed apps, including TikTok. The rationale behind this move was to address data privacy concerns and allegations of espionage, suggesting that the Chinese authorities were engaged in the unauthorized collection and transfer of Indian user data, posing a risk to the country’s sovereignty.
The apprehension regarding TikTok has been echoed by several nations. Governments from Afghanistan, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Taiwan, Nepal, the United Kingdom, and entities within the European Union have all implemented bans on the application on government-issued mobile devices. Meanwhile, Pakistan and Indonesia have exhibited indecision, oscillating in their stance on the extent of restrictions to be placed on TikTok.
The European Union, known for its stringent regulatory actions against Silicon Valley’s tech behemoths for perceived excesses, may present a formidable challenge for TikTok. In February, the EU initiated a comprehensive inquiry into TikTok’s operations, with a particular focus on the platform’s content, advertising practices, and its influence on younger users.
As for the financial repercussions, the company has incurred a substantial penalty from the EU, amounting to $370 million, for breaches related to user privacy.
Conclusion
A potential prohibition of TikTok in the United States could significantly influence the platform’s global standing, as US allies often align with American policy decisions. This pattern was evident in the case of the Chinese telecommunications leader Huawei, which faced international restrictions in 5G network implementations due to the US’s advocacy, citing speculative dangers.
It’s important to recognize that these concerns are not reciprocal. The Chinese market remains insulated from US applications, as they have been inaccessible to Chinese users for an extended period.
