TikTok could vanish from more than 170 million American users’ phones as early as this coming Sunday, January 19, due to the US Supreme Court upholding a ban on the app on January 17.
This controversial ban comes after then-President Biden signed a bill to block the beloved social media platform in the country unless it divested from ByteDance, the Chinese company that currently owns TikTok.
The app’s CEO, Shou Zi Chew, has stated that the ban is “ironic because the freedom of expression on TikTok reflects the same American values that make the United States a beacon of freedom.
TikTok gives everyday Americans a powerful way to be seen and heard, and that’s why so many people have made TikTok a part of their daily lives”.
And, in true internet fashion, conspiracy theories surrounding the ban have been rampant – with some folks believing that the app has been part of Chinese spyware since its inception.
…Oh! (Source: X)
In a post made to X (formerly Twitter), user Chamath Palihapitiya stated that TikTok is “spyware for a foreign actor”, with countless other netizens agreeing with Palihapitiya’s take.
“I truly do not understand the fight to keep Tik Tok online in the US. It’s literally Chinese spyware that not even the Chinese will let their children use. It’s a weapon that’s harming our children. Still trying to understand the arguments in favor of keeping it online other than some wealthy GOP [Republican] donors will take a massive hit,” one user wrote in reply.
However, others chimed in dismissing the theory.
“and what about the american companies that sell our data? Even X uses a company from a foreign country to verify their users? Why aren’t they banning phones made in china? It’s not about security it’s about censorship and narrative control”, said another X user.
So, what’s happening with the TikTok ban now?
The decision, which will come into effect one day before the upcoming Trump inauguration on January 20, stems from Congress’ fears that the app could be used to sell and collect users’ data and information to the Chinese government.
Biden has therefore left the fate of TikTok to be held in the hands of the soon-to-be sitting President, who has a tumultuous and on-again, off-again relationship with the video-sharing platform.
Trump, who initially pushed for TikTok to be banned during his first term, stated back in 2020 in an executive order that the app “threatens to allow the Chinese Communist Party access to Americans’ personal and proprietary information”.
Will Trump save the app he previously pushed a ban for? (Source: Scott Olsen/Getty Images)
It seems like Trump’s harsh feelings towards TikTok have mellowed out slightly (even after that one time TikTok users trolled him), as he has since vowed to “save” the app and will “put measures in place to keep TikTok from going dark”, according to Florida Congressman Mike Waltz, Trump’s incoming National Security Advisor.
Only time will tell if Trump manages to be the app’s saving grace (or not).
What’s the reaction like over on TikTok?
Well, it’s over.
Yeah :/ (Source: Nina Bo’nina Brown on YouTube)
At least that’s what the vibe is feeling on the American side of the video-sharing app, with countless users discussing how the ban will affect them in both humourous and genuinely earnest statements.
Tad ironic, no?
How will non-American users be affected by the TikTok ban?
On the other side of the pond, non-American users have given their own take on the situation.
And for Australian users, TikTok remains safe…for now.
Australia is itself facing a social media ban of its own, with individuals under the age of 16 being banned from various apps and platforms, although this will not come into effect for at least 10 months.
The legislation does not currently specify what social media will be banned, yet the States’ choice to nix TikTok might persuade Aussie lawmakers to include the app in their own decision-making.
Until then, we recommend saving your very-favourite videos, dance tutorials, and messy drama recaps onto your device to peruse through – who knows if we’ll be able to see them again?
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