Trump Tries to Take Away Tik Tok
Tik Tok: a social media platform primarily used by Gen Z as a creative outlet by creating videos for pure entertainment. Since its development in 2016, Tik Tok has grown to over 800 million active users; this includes 39.2 million American users over the age of 18. While this app seems to be harmless, many government officials have deemed it as a foreign threat, specifically Donald Trump. Why does Trump care about this app? Why is he focusing his presidential agenda on ridding America of Tik Tok? A CNN Business article claims that this all has to do with an “emerging cold war with China” and the benefits this country can reap if China gives up Tik Tok to the U.S.
Source: Reuters
Tik Tok is owned by Chinese tech giant Byte Dance. The company is worth over 100 billion USD and is a huge asset for the Chinese economy. Since this company owns Tik Tok, China has access to the personal records of its users including the millions of American users. Trump is claiming that Tik Tok is a national security issue due to China’s communist government and the accessibility of said information. There has been tension between China and the U.S. for many years but especially since the trade war in 2018. However, the removal of the app in the U.S. or the purchasing of the app by a U.S. company would be detrimental to Byte Dance’s worth and ultimately the Chinese economy. While there is no way of knowing for sure the dangers of Tik Tok being owned by Byte Dance and using personal data of Americans, it is important to note the information Tik Tok actually collects from its users.
Privacy policies are often something people, especially children and teenagers, scroll through quickly to speed up the sign-up process. They fill in their information without knowing what the network will have access to. This is something seen with American social networks such as Facebook and Twitter. After reading their Privacy Policy, it is clear that Tik Tok does have access to a lot of personal information if the user decides to include it.
Source: Tik Tok Privacy Policy
Knowing that many people do not read these policies, the information Tik Tok collects may seem shocking to some. As a Tik Tok user, I was not aware that they have my GPS location which is scary, but can be rectified by changing location service settings. However, Tik Tok’s impressive algorithm is responsible for the “For You” Page. This algorithm is reliant on the use of GPS tracking and provides users content they want to see based on location and preferences.
As for other personal information, it makes sense that Tik Tok can use it for marketing purposes. Other social networks like Twitter take similar personal data and share with third-party companies. “We receive certain information when you use our services or other websites or mobile applications that include our content, and from third parties including advertisers. Like the information you share with us, we use the data below to operate our services,” according to Twitter’s Privacy Policy. Trump’s concern is understandable, but many think it should not be recognized as a national security issue or a huge risk as the users have the freedom to choose the information they provide.
What government action is Trump Taking against Tik Tok?
Trump has developed an ultimatum for the Chinese company Byte Dance: either the company sells Tik Tok to an American tech company or the app will be banned in the U.S.. Trump made the executive order to ban Tik Tok and has called upon the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), which allows him to ban transactions between the U.S. and other countries. From a political standpoint, personal information and in-app purchases are considered as one of these transactions. While this ban is controversial, it is very much legal.
Microsoft is prepared to pay between $30 and $50 billion for the app and is open to Byte Dance acquiring a share of the company. Twitter, among other American companies, are also up for bidding with the app. Something to consider as well is that Tik Tok is expected to be worth over $200 billion which is around 4 times the asking price of Microsoft. It makes me wonder if this is just a national security issue or is it a way to easily gain money for the American economy? Trump has used his executive power with a business approach to either ban Tik Tok in America which would eliminate a bulk of its active users or add a successful money-making machine to the American economy.
Tik Tok fights back
As of August 8, Tik Tok has announced their plan to sue the Trump administration as the downfall of banning this app in America would be tremendous. There are over 1,000 U.S.-based employees that would be forced to have their income frozen and the Tik Tok operations would be evicted, according to the Verge.
Source: CBC
Censorship is brought into question by many Tik Tok users if the app becomes owned by an American company. Censorship can be seen in other American-owned social networks as there are guidelines for reporting and censorship of certain information. Users fear there will be less freedom on the app if it is in the hands of Microsoft or any American company (more so than the censorship already in effect). There has been a surge in revolutionary video content on Tik Tok that discusses the dismantling of systemic departments and laws of the U.S. regarding racism and discrimination of other minority groups. This content may be restricted in the future through the company taking down these kinds of posts.
Source: Twitter
Concerns regarding Trump’s efforts to ban this app have also sparked outrage on Twitter with people saying Trump should focus on more important issues like Black Lives Matter or the COVID-19 pandemic, including popular Tik Tok influencer Larri Merritt.
Regardless of the reasoning behind Trump taking away Tik Tok, users like myself should be more aware of their privacy and the personal information we provide. This would help limit issues in the future. If users are uncomfortable sharing personal information or their location, they should monitor privacy policies or not use certain apps. Parents especially should monitor their children’s use of apps and the information they provide especially on Tik Tok.
While Trump’s decision is legal, it is distasteful that he has chosen to focus on battling China for Tik Tok rather than other important issues such as the pandemic and systemic racism. It shows he is money driven and that his presidency is about reforming the economy—not humanitarian and health issues. We shall see soon what happens with the lawsuit against the Trump administration and the possible purchasing of Tik Tok by the end of the month. Whatever happens, there will be consequences.