What's going on with the number 1 downloaded app in 2021 and 2022?
TikTok, with its short form dance videos, drool-worthy recipes and controversial soundbites may be facing bans in the U.S. More than a dozen countries have already introduced or implemented full, partial or public sector bans for the app. Why? Due to its ties to China, it has led to numerous security concerns.
As of March 7, a bipartisan bill, led by Sen Mark Warner would empower the secretary of Commerce to ban foreign technologies that pose a risk to national security. The bill covers adversarial countries and their companies including, China, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Russia, and Venezuela. This leaves TikTok vulnerable to a national ban or harsh restrictions. In a statement from Sen. Michael Bennet, a co-sponser of the bill, Bennet said,"We shouldn't let any company subject to the Chinese Communist Party's dictates collect data on a third of our population..."
Today, Congress opens a hearing to question TikTok CEO Shou Chew. Congress hopes to ask questions about TikTok's data gathering systems and its involvement with ByteDance, a Chinese company. ByteDance announced that they were indeed gathering data as of December however, that they fired the four employees who gathered the data including one employee who they said is an American. ByteDance maintains that did not "spy on Americans at the direction of the Chinese Communist Party."
In China however, a banning of TikTok could be an opportunity to mock the United States. Last month, Mao Ning, China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson openly mocked the United States on the potential ban. Ning stated, "How unsure of itself can the world's top superpower be -- to fear an app that young people like?"
With the closing of the 5 hour hearing, the future of TikTok is still inconclusive.
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