Kalani Tharanga, JadeTimes Staff
D.W.G. Kalani Tharanga is a Jadetimes news reporter covering Political Blogs.
TikTok, the popular video sharing platform, is under scrutiny in the US as it battles a law that could force it to sell its American operations or face a ban. The app, which boasts 170 million US users, is owned by Chinese company ByteDance, and many lawmakers from both the Democratic and Republican parties are pushing for its sale, citing national security concerns. They fear that the Chinese government could compel ByteDance to share user data, compromising sensitive information of millions of Americans.
Despite TikTok's insistence that it would never share foreign user data with Beijing, the US government remains cautious. In April 2023, President Joe Biden signed a bill that grants ByteDance nine months to find a non Chinese buyer for TikTok, with a possible three month extension. If a sale doesn't occur, the app could face a shutdown by January 2025, just after the next US presidential election.
This is not the first time TikTok has faced potential banning. Former President Donald Trump attempted to block the app in 2020, but his efforts failed in court. Interestingly, Trump, now a 2024 presidential candidate, has expressed opposition to the new legislation, arguing that banning TikTok could unfairly benefit rival platforms like Facebook.
How a Ban Could Impact Creators and Users
A ban on TikTok would significantly affect its vast creator community. Many users, such as Tiffany Yu, a disability advocate from Los Angeles, rely on the platform to promote their work. TikTok has become a vital outlet for many, with its unique algorithm offering wide reach and engagement. In response to the looming threat, TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew has voiced his opposition to the law, calling it an "unconstitutional ban" and assuring users that the company will continue to fight for their rights.
TikTok has urged its users to contact their political representatives and push back against the bill. However, this effort has had mixed results, with some lawmakers doubling down on their concerns after receiving a surge of calls from confused users. Additionally, Beijing has made it clear that it opposes the sale of TikTok, making the situation even more complicated for ByteDance.
While TikTok’s legal fight in Washington is set to be a lengthy process, the potential ban has already sent ripples through the global landscape. Several countries, including India, Iran, and the UK, have implemented bans or restrictions on the app due to security concerns. As the debate continues, TikTok’s future in the US remains uncertain, and the app’s creators are left wondering how they will navigate a possible ban that could reshape the social media landscape.
