TikTok in Jeopardy: U.S. Government Weighs Ban Over Security Concerns | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
News

TikTok in Jeopardy: U.S. Government Weighs Ban Over Security Concerns

Will TikTok be banned in the U.S.?

1569
TikTok in Jeopardy: U.S. Government Weighs Ban Over Security Concerns

TikTok, the wildly popular social media app known for its short-form videos, has taken the world by storm, amassing billions of downloads and creating a new generation of content creators. However, its future in the United States is now in jeopardy as the U.S. government raises concerns over its security implications, leading to discussions about a potential ban.

The primary concern surrounding TikTok is its ownership and data privacy practices. TikTok is owned by ByteDance, a Chinese company, which has raised concerns among U.S. officials about the potential for the Chinese government to access user data and use it for nefarious purposes. The U.S. government has expressed worries about the app's data collection practices, including the collection of personal information such as location data, device information, and browsing history. These concerns have fueled worries about the potential misuse of data and the threat to national security.

In response to these concerns, the U.S. government has taken several steps to scrutinize TikTok's operations. In 2020, then-President Donald Trump issued an executive order that would have effectively banned TikTok in the U.S., citing national security concerns. However, the ban was not enforced due to legal challenges, and the app continued to operate in the U.S. under a temporary reprieve.

Since then, the U.S. government has continued to investigate this famous TikTok data privacy practices. In December 2020, TikTok faced a class-action lawsuit in the U.S. alleging that it collected and transferred user data to servers in China without proper consent. TikTok has consistently denied these allegations, stating that it stores U.S. user data in the United States with backup servers in Singapore, and that it has implemented strict data privacy measures.

Despite these assurances, the U.S. government remains wary of TikTok's operations. In February 2021, the Biden administration paused legal proceedings over the potential TikTok ban as it reviewed the situation. However, in September 2021, the U.S. government issued a new executive order that directed the Department of Commerce to review and assess the national security risks associated with TikTok and other Chinese-owned apps, and to make recommendations on how to address those risks.

The potential ban of TikTok in the U.S. has raised concerns among its users and content creators, who rely on the platform for entertainment, creativity, and income generation. Many argue that a TikTok ban would not only disrupt the livelihoods of millions of creators but also limit the freedom of expression and access to information.

On the other hand, proponents of the potential ban argue that it is a necessary measure to protect U.S. national security interests. They argue that the Chinese government's access to user data through TikTok could pose a significant threat to the privacy and security of U.S. citizens, and that the risks outweigh the benefits of the app.

The situation with TikTok in the U.S. remains uncertain, with ongoing legal battles and government reviews still underway. In the meantime, TikTok has made efforts to address the concerns raised by the U.S. government. For example, TikTok has announced plans to open a "transparency center" in the U.S. to allow outside experts to review its data privacy practices and ensure compliance with U.S. laws.

In conclusion, TikTok's future in the U.S. hangs in the balance as the government weighs the potential ban over security concerns. The app's ownership and data privacy practices have raised red flags, and the U.S. government is taking steps to address these concerns. While the outcome remains uncertain, it is clear that the debate over TikTok's presence in the U.S. will continue to evolve, with significant implications for the app's

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

10 Thoughts Of A 5th Year Senior

What about those of us who don't do it all in four years?

185
college shirt
pointsincase.com

"College will be the best four years of your life" is a phrase that we have all heard growing up. College is painted as a magical place to us while we are in high school. A place you go to learn, meet your best friends and probably have the time of your life while all of this is going down. Four whirlwind years, where everything that you've known changes and you start to learn what it means to live on your own, have a job, etc. But what about those of us who don't do this all in four years? Major changes, hard courses, switching schools, career paths changing, these are just a handful of factors that could extend your four years to five, six or seven. There is nothing wrong with taking extra time to graduate, but returning as a fifth-year is a little different. Most of your best friends have most likely graduated and moved and while you may be one of the oldest undergraduates on campus, you might feel as awkward as a freshmen. A world that became home and comfortable to you is still there but it's slightly different than you've known it to be and you have to find a groove to fall into. These are thoughts you'll have as you look ahead to returning to your college campus, with a victory lap planned.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

11 Times Aubrey Plaza Described Sophomore Year

"I don't want to do things. I want to do not things."

107
Aubrey Plaza
Flickr Creative Commons

Aubrey Plaza is one of my favorite humans in Hollywood. She's honest, blunt, unapologetic, and hilarious. I just started my sophomore year of college, and found that some of her best moments can accurately describe the start of the school year.

1. When your advisor tells you that you should declare a major soon.

2. Seeing the lost and confused freshmen and remembering that was you a short year ago, and now being grateful you know the ins and outs of the campus.

3. Going to the involvement fair to sign up for more clubs knowing that you are already too involved.

4. When you actually do the reading required for the first class.

5. Seeing your friends for the first time since last semester.

6. When you're already drowning in homework during syllabus week.

7. Realizing you don't have the same excitement for classes as you did as a freshman.

8. Going home and seeing people from high school gets weirder the older you get.

Keep Reading...Show less
graduation

Things you may not realize are different between high school and college:

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

20 Things You Forgot To Thank Your Mom For

Moms are super heroes dressed in yesterday's clothing and they deserve an award for that.

1445
family
Facebook

Dear Mom,

You took care of me and my brothers our entire lives and you still continue to! I will not be able to truly grasp all of the hard work that you put into this family until I create my own one day. But, I know that there are plenty of times I forgot to give you a simple thank you or an appreciative smile. I thank you for everything that you have done for me and will continue to do for me. Here are some examples of those times where you had my back and I forgot to pat your back for saving me:

Keep Reading...Show less
pumpkin
Holytaco.com

College is hard. As people ages 18-22, we’re just trying to figure out what we’re doing with our lives, our careers, our eating habits, exercise routines, sleep patterns, and other necessities for adult life. We definitely don’t take proper care of ourselves; it’s basically impossible when we have essays, tests and readings due and somehow we’re supposed to eat right, exercise and sleep. We’re doomed to get sick. I have zero experience in science but when I get sick there are certain things I do to make myself better.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments