The TikTok Ban and its Repercussions
by Akosua Baah
Since its release in September 2016, TikTok has become an important aspect of many Americans' lives. It is home to more than 7 million small businesses, many of whom rely on the app for advertising, and countless content creators who generate income using the app's Creator Fund. These, and many other TikTok users, would be affected by House Bill H.R.7521 (better known as the TikTok Ban) were it to become federal law. In short, the bill aims to eliminate enemy access to Americans’ data by forcing companies like TikTok to cut ties with their foreign-owned parent companies. Apps that refuse to divest would be effectively banned within the United States. The bill specifically targets TikTok as an extremely popular Chinese-operated social media platform. According to a recent video released by TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew, if the bill does happen to pass in the Senate, it is sure to result in a ban on the app within the United States.
TikTok’s own initiative to prevent its banning
Of course, news of the bill’s passing in the House spurred conversation about a potential TikTok ban throughout the platform. TikTok users have shared concerns that the bill’s true aim is not to protect national security but instead to cut off access to the outside world that TikTok has provided Americans. To many, a ban on TikTok would effectively cripple their access to the world outside of America. Creators also argue that the reasoning behind the bill itself is upheld by hypocrisy. What use could such a bill be if it ignores concerns about American-owned platforms like Meta, which was forced to pay over $700 million in settlements for a privacy lawsuit in 2023? Users are questioning why, instead of targeting all digital privacy threats, this bill specifically preys on TikTok, an app that has become uniquely important in connecting all corners of the Earth.
Sen. Jeff Jackson pictured in the thumbnail for his most recent apology video on TikTok
Another interesting outcome of the vote has been a somewhat subtle shift in the beliefs of Americans regarding their own government. In order to appeal to younger voters, many politicians have turned to platforms like TikTok during their campaigns. One such politician is North Carolina Congressman Jeff Jackson, who built a platform on transparency regarding his time in the House of Representatives. So naturally, it was surprising for TikTok users to learn that Jackson was one of the 325 Congressmembers to vote in favor of the bill in early March. Since then, Jeff Jackson has lost nearly 300,000 followers on TikTok and has posted multiple apology videos to his page. Former followers have begun to post videos in which they express their disappointment in Jackson and often showcase a sprouting distrust in all politicians.
In truth, House Bill H.R.7521 is only in the early stages of development. It would still have to gain a majority of votes in the Senate and later be signed by President Joe Biden before finally becoming law. Nonetheless, the fact that such a bill was able to pass through the House of Representatives at all sets an interesting precedent for Congress, and consequently, the entire US Government. America is a country built upon the idea of personal freedoms – speech being foremost among them. Legislation in which our leaders revisit and reconsider this ideal is important for young people to pay attention to, as bills like the TikTok ban could indicate the direction of government affairs in the future.