One of the most popular social media platforms, many teens have their hands on, by the name of TikTok, is facing accusations of transporting users’ data to China. Elected officials say that ByteDance, the Chinese company who owns TikTok, is sharing its citizens’ data with China to gather information on the nation, which has raised national security questions. These concerns have pushed countries like Pakistan, New Zealand, India and several others to ban TikTok, and the United States wishes to follow suit. The Biden administration signed a law on April 24, which requires TikTok to sell the platform to a U.S. owned business in a 270 day period or it will face the ban after Congress passes the legislation.
“I just signed in the law of the national security package that was passed by the House of Representatives this weekend and by the Senate yesterday. It’s gonna make America safer. It’s gonna make the world safer, and it continues America’s leadership in the world, everyone knows it,” President Joe Biden said.
Despite this, TikTok’s CEO Shou Zi Chew has reassured its users that he will not allow this ban to occur.
“We will not stop fighting and advocating for you. We will continue to do all we can including exercising our legal rights to protect this amazing platform that we have built for you. We believe we can overcome this together,” Chew said in a response video to the House of Representatives.
Chew’s defense is that banning the app infringes on the Constitution’s first amendment of freedom of speech and is fighting to sue the US government on this basis. Chew encourages the app’s users to speak against the ban and use their voices.
“I feel the potential ban to be upsetting. I feel as though the government is taking the app and blowing this situation way out of proportion,” senior Aaron Evergreen said.
Many feel the United States government needs to prioritize real world issues, like out of nation conflicts.
“I think the TikTok ban shouldn’t be the main focus of our government if I’m being honest. I understand why there are reasons for it to be banned but there are greater things to be worried about going on in the world. Not only that but TikTok is a source of entertainment for so many people,” sophomore Julia Thompson.
Chew concludes his statement video, ‘Make your voices heard’, encouraging more people to speak against this ban on TikTok.
“A ban on TikTok and a ban on you and your voice…The freedom of expression on TikTok reflects the same American values that make the United States a beacon of freedom,” Chew said.
