(Washington Insider Magazine)-It was just two short years ago that then-President Donald Trump vowed to institute a TikTok ban–prohibiting the app from remaining as a downloadable asset in iOS and Android app stores. Since the declaration took place, TikTok has remained a driving force in the United States’ social media landscape. However, it may be under fire once more due to new findings from United States authorities and lawmakers.
Beyond the risky or “toxic” TikTok challenges and viral violent videos, there have been new concerns found around data privacy, user risks, and national security concerns–as well as ongoing social media addiction for the nation’s teen fanbase.
ByteDance is the Chinese-owned parent company of TikTok, and has recently been exposed for multiple violations of privacy agreements. There have been repeated instances of sensitive user data being accessed from China, despite the app’s reports stating otherwise.
TikTok does retain the right to access user data within the United States under certain conditions. However, it appears that the parameters for the access have become unclear or abused as more reports surface.
The app continues to be a sensation among the younger generations, becoming a leading hub for activism, business growth, and personal development. It’s even prompted significant changes from established platforms such as Instagram and Facebook, who have created opportunities for more native video content and editing capacities to mimic the platform’s success.
Despite former President Trump’s attempt to block downloads of the TikTok app across the nation, President Biden revoked all provisions set forth in the executive order–further reinforcing the app’s prevalence in society as a whole. This further confused users, who had been hearing rumors of a TikTok ban but were still able to access the app from mobile devices and smartphones.
While there is no current TikTok ban in place, you may expect to see one in the future. U.S. lawmakers are outraged over TikTok’s data use violations and poorly-constructed data storage practices, putting millions at potential risk for breaches and leaks. Current proponents of a ban include Senator Cotton of Arkansas, Senator Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee, and currently-unnamed contributors to the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence.
