TikTok, a popular social media app owned by ByteDance, is facing potential banishment from the United States. The US government is pushing a law that would require ByteDance to sell its shares to non-Chinese shareholders or face a ban on the app. This decision will have significant implications for both American soil and smartphones.
In an upcoming vote, the House will consider an aid package for Israel and Ukraine, including a provision related to TikTok. The company would be given up to a year to find potential buyers, in contrast to an earlier proposal of six months. The goal is to remove control of the platform from the Chinese government, which all Chinese companies are legally subject to, despite TikTok’s denials.
Senator Giulio Terzi of Sant’Agata, president of the Senate EU Policies Committee, views TikTok as a dangerous platform due to its negative impact on young people and its ties to the Chinese regime. He believes that Europe must act quickly to coordinate with the United States to protect democracy. On the other hand, Senator Enrico Borghi, group leader of Italia Viva and member of Copasir, recognizes the complexity of the geopolitical situation surrounding TikTok. While he acknowledges the warnings from the United States and Europe, he emphasizes the need to carefully consider the implications on freedom of expression and business.
National security experts consider TikTok to be a propaganda tool and data collection platform for the Chinese government. With its lobbying efforts intensifying, TikTok is facing pressure to comply with potential divestment requirements. The Senate is expected to vote on a package that includes banning TikTok from the United States, with President Joe Biden promising swift action. The recent acceleration in passing American law underscores the challenges posed by TikTok’s ownership structure and its potential security risks.
ByteDance has been under fire in recent years for allegations that it collects sensitive data from users outside China and stores it in servers located within Beijing’s “Great Firewall.” In addition, there have been concerns about how TikTok filters content based on political sensitivities in China.
The debate over whether or not ByteDance should be allowed access to US markets has been ongoing since 2017 when former President Trump ordered ByteDance’s popular social media app Musical.ly banned due to national security concerns.
The current situation with ByteDance has become even more complex as China has retaliated against several countries that imposed economic sanctions against it following Beijing’s territorial claims in South China Sea.
The fight over accessing US markets continues as ByteDance seeks legal challenges against sanctions imposed by Washington while also exploring alternative business models outside of North America.
As this issue continues unfolding in Congress and around the world, one thing is clear: The future of technology and globalization hangs in balance between two superpowers vying for dominance on digital platforms like social media apps like Tiktok
