Tiktok Ban in US - Lets Dive Deep

 Currently Tiktiok is not banned in US, but the question is that can Tiktok be banned? We will take different takes and perspective on this.

Before the House Energy and Commerce Committee Tiktok CEO Shou Zi Chew testified on March 23, 2023. Chorus of calls from the member of the congress for the Tiktok ban in US which is owned by a Chinese company. The administration of Biden is pushing for the company's sale.

Before this Tiktok has been banned in India. Now the Federal government, some states and some companies has banned Tiktok for their employees.

But it raise tonnes of questions which is raised by the topic full ban of Tiktok in US. Like what privacy data is at risk with Tiktok? How can the Chinese government use the data against US? Is there something wrong for the users with the Tiktok app's algorithm? And can government really ban Tiktok in US?

Tiktok Ban in US?

Squeezing data out

As we have noticed that any social media app that becomes big with huge user base raise concern for government. Before Tiktok questions has been asked to the Facebook and Twitter too and this time it is Tiktok.

Apps are just algorithm they are not human beings so they have to collect data for lots of reasons, In laymen language we can say data is the fuel for the apps to function in respect of making user experience better. Companies collect data to fuel their subscription, to target the right audience for their product that's how this business runs. Apps like Facebook and Tiktok is best advertisement platforms in the world, that's how they do business. So to survive they need to collect the data and to deliver the right advertisement to the right audience.

Tiktok Privacy Policy

Privacy Policy is necessary to read but unfortunately most of us don't read this. Questions has been raised on Tiktok's privacy policy because it doesn't look transparent at all. Privacy policy do not completely tell users that which type of data Tiktok is collecting from the user.The document that contains the list is too long, but this should be consider as a warning as a user.

There are some information's that as a user we give Tiktok beside normal information - our social media handles, Phone number and our geographical data. By giving the access to the Tiktok we give the clipboard data, our Phone book and the messages we send thru the Tiktok. Tiltok claims that current version of Tiktok do not collect GPS data of US citizens. There are some rumors that it is not true at all but it is hard to prove right now.  

But most of the apps collect data, why specifically Tiktok is about to ban in US?

Geopolitical Angle

As of  now there are only two superpowers in the world one is US and the second is China. China is eager to become the number one in the world which is big concern for Biden Administration. China is sabotaging US, how? China have its own way to become the winner in the race. China is giving loans to US allies country who cannot repay the debt and to recover his loans he take the important properties on the lease of these countries. This is one way and US government know it very well. The US government is concerned by the second way of China which is directly related to cyber security with Tiktok. As of now Tiktok have data of 80% US citizens. Tiktok's parent company is based in China so data is already into the hand of China. These two can be the major reasons that led to the news of Tiktok ban in US.

Tiktok's Algorithm Bias  

Tiktok and Most social media apps have been designed to collect the information about user's interest so they can serve the need of their user and adjust them according to the user's interests so the user will continue to use the app. But issue that US government has raised that Tiktok algorithm is not clear that how Tiktok choose the content for the users because Tiktok has not shared its algorithm.

US government doubt that Tiktok's algorithm can be biased or manipulative. It can lead users to believe certain things. There are lots of allegation on Tiktok that algorithm is biased and impacting negatively, reinforcing negative thoughts to younger generation, be used to affect the opinion of US citizens. 

Can US really ban Tiktok? 

If conclusion of government comes to a Tiktok ban in US, is it really possible to impose Tiktok ban in Us?

The anwere is YES!! If we take example of India. India has banned 50+ chines apps along with Tiktok to ensure their cyber security.

But there is one more question, an estimate tells that China have collected 80% data of US popukation by other means. So the Tiktok ban in US will be how much effective? The ban might reduce the risk but the significant data is already in China's hands.

Are You Really At the Risk?

Well, it is unclear that what type of data Tiktok is collecting from the users so we can't really say that we are at risk of not or if we are risk how big risk this is. Most risk is to the people who are in the power like of big chairs in US government. Big companies who contribute in the US GDP. If Tiktok is a threat to data then these big players will be its target. 

For like us an average user, we can limit our use of Tiktok. 

So these aspect can or can not lead Tiktok ban in US.