Capitalism, Is Survival Causing Americans to Protest Against Their Own Security
In the wake of TikTok going dark, mass hysteria has broken out all across the country. What’s the big deal you ask, well lets take a look.
The FBI is concerned about TikTok because its parent company, ByteDance, is based in China and is subject to Chinese government control. The Chinese government can legally require ByteDance to turn over its data at any time, and the longer ByteDance operates in the U.S., the more data it collects. This creates serious risks for national security and personal privacy.
Here are the key dangers:
1. Access to your device and data: TikTok can use its app to access your microphone, track where you’re going, see who you’re talking to, and even access sensitive information like passwords. This data could be used for surveillance or other harmful purposes. Did you read their Terms and Privacy Policy when you subscribed?
2. Influence and narrative control: TikTok’s algorithm determines what content people see. The app or government could use this to create narratives that influence public opinion, spread misinformation, or manipulate users.
3. Cybersecurity risks: Since TikTok is on millions of phones, it could potentially be used for cyberattacks or other malicious activities like hacking.
The app has already caused controversy because of its massive data collection and the Chinese government’s alleged history of stealing Americans’ information, such as the Equifax hack, which exposed data on half of the U.S. population.
Recently, a U.S. law banning TikTok went into effect. Late Saturday night, the app blocked access for American users and disappeared from major app stores. A message on the app read:
“A law banning TikTok has been enacted in the U.S. Unfortunately, that means you can’t use TikTok for now. We are fortunate that President Trump has indicated that he will work with us on a solution to reinstate TikTok once he takes office. Please stay tuned!”
The Supreme Court had upheld the “divest-or-ban” law, which required ByteDance to sell TikTok by Sunday or face a ban. While the Biden administration decided not to enforce the law immediately, President-elect Trump has suggested he may give ByteDance a 90-day extension to sell the app. However, it’s unclear how long this process could take or if it will succeed.
In the meantime, TikTok’s future in the U.S. remains uncertain. ByteDance has resisted selling the app, but major investors, including Elon Musk and Kevin O’Leary, have expressed interest in purchasing it. Alternative apps like Xiaohongshu and Lemon8 (also owned by ByteDance) are also facing similar restrictions under the law.
The ban has also created challenges for TikTok creators and businesses. Experts estimate that a one-month shutdown could cost creators nearly $300 million in lost earnings and small businesses around $1 billion. Many creators are now turning to platforms like YouTube and Instagram to try to rebuild their audiences, but express that the compensation is nothing compared to TikTok.
For many creators, this moment feels devastating. Without TikTok, their livelihoods are at risk, and there’s no clear backup plan for those who rely on the platform to make a living.
With TikTok reopening service, what does this mean for national security? What does this mean for individual privacy? Are users concerned?
