With TikTok’s growing popularity among teens, Congress seems more determined than ever to ban the app in the United States. TikTok, owned by Chinese company ByteDance, has been called out for its potential for use of data sharing and international political influence. Earlier this month, several Republican Senators sent a letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, urging him to take decisive action on the app to protect American citizens from China’s expanding influence.
In recent months, Congress has become deeply concerned about TikTok’s ability to store personal data and its potential for political manipulation. The app’s security protocols have been questioned due to reports that the Chinese government has access to user information, which could threaten national security. Last month, Senator Tom Cotton introduced the TikTok and WeChat Ban Act, arguing that the app poses a “clear and present threat to the American people.”
TikTok has also been criticized for its handling of videos related to the Black Lives Matter movement. Last month, the app was taken down worldwide for a few hours in response to accusations that it was censoring users who posted content referencing the movement. This further stoked concerns in Congress that TikTok is not to be trusted.
TikTok’s popularity has skyrocketed during the pandemic, with billions of people spending a lot of time on the app during this time. However, with the controversy surrounding its security protocols and the allegations of censorship, Congress is more determined than ever to take decisive action. The fate of the app in the United States is still in limbo, as the government debates what to do about the massively popular app. It remains to be seen if Congress will decide to ban TikTok in the coming months.
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