A Case For Why The United States Government Should Ban TikTok

The uncertainty of a ban on TikTok in the United States is one of the hottest tech topics right now. There are several American content creators on the China originated app with a global audience but as the US government still haven’t decided on a blanket ban just yet, many states including Montana are really close to a ban in their states.

There are several reasons why the US should consider banning TikTok, especially in light of China’s actions towards American tech companies:

National Security Concerns

There are concerns that TikTok, which is owned by Chinese company ByteDance, could be sharing data with the Chinese government. In fact, the app has been accused of collecting data on its users, including their location, phone contacts, and search history. This could be used for surveillance purposes or to influence American public opinion like Russia was accused of doing via Twitter in the 2016 elections. The United States has also been accused by other countries like even an ally like Turkey of meddling in their domestic affairs. This is an international politics game and only those with real leverage eventually come out on top and the US has some leverage in this case.

Lack of Transparency: Despite TikTok’s claims that it stores US user data in the US, there is a lack of transparency about how the company manages its data. The US government has expressed concerns about this lack of transparency, and it is possible that TikTok’s data policies could be a threat to American national security. The Trump administration had proposed that TikTok America should sell to an American company so the government can be assured that data was indeed domesticated. China has since come out to oppose any forceful sale of TikTok in any form.

Read more: Over 40 Percent Of Americans Want TikTok Banned Says Poll

Reciprocity

China has long blocked major American social media and internet companies like Facebook, Twitter, and Google. By banning Chinese apps like TikTok, the US would be showing China that it is not willing to accept a one-sided relationship when it comes to technology.

Reciprocity is an important principle in international relations, and it refers to the idea that nations should treat each other in the same way that they are treated. In the context of technology, reciprocity means that countries should have equal access to each other’s social media and internet companies. However, China has long blocked major American social media and internet companies like Facebook, Twitter, and Google. This means that while Chinese companies like TikTok are allowed to operate freely in the US, American companies are not given the same access to the Chinese market.

This one-sided relationship is not fair to American companies, as it puts them at a disadvantage compared to their Chinese counterparts. By banning Chinese apps like TikTok, the US would be showing China that it is not willing to accept this one-sided relationship. This could lead to increased pressure on China to open up its market to American companies, which would create a more level playing field for both countries. It would be good for Facebook, Twitter and Google to benefit from the Chinese market as well if competitors like Baidu and ByteDance are not banned in the United States. The US has banned Huawei and it is only fair to China for them to ban US based or owned telecom equipment manufacturers. 

Furthermore, reciprocity is not just about economics, but also about national security. The US government has expressed concerns about the potential for Chinese apps like TikTok to be used for surveillance purposes or to influence American public opinion. By banning TikTok, the US would be sending a message to China that it is not willing to allow potential threats to national security to operate freely in its country.

Reciprocity is an important principle in international relations, and the US should consider banning Chinese apps like TikTok in order to promote a more equal relationship between the US and China when it comes to technology. This could lead to increased pressure on China to open up its market to American companies and would help to protect American national security interests.

Protecting American Companies

The US tech industry is a critical part of the American economy, providing jobs and driving innovation. However, Chinese companies have been investing heavily in their own tech industry, and they have been making inroads into the American market. This has led to concerns about unfair competition from Chinese companies like ByteDance, which owns TikTok.

By banning TikTok, the US would be protecting American tech companies from this unfair competition. Chinese apps like TikTok have a huge user base in the US, and they are able to operate freely without the same regulatory constraints that American companies face in China. This creates an uneven playing field for American companies, who are forced to compete with Chinese companies that have an advantage in terms of scale and resources.

Furthermore, there are concerns that Chinese companies like ByteDance are not playing by the same rules as American companies when it comes to data privacy and security. American tech companies are subject to strict regulations and oversight when it comes to data privacy, but Chinese companies like ByteDance are not held to the same standards. This means that they are able to collect data on American users without the same level of transparency or accountability.

By banning TikTok, the US would be sending a message that it is not willing to accept this kind of unfair competition. It would also be protecting American users from potential data privacy and security risks. Ultimately, by creating a more level playing field for American tech companies, the US would be promoting innovation and economic growth, which would benefit the American people as a whole.

Child Protection

There are concerns about the potential harm TikTok could have on children, including exposure to inappropriate content and online predators. Banning TikTok could help protect children from these risks.

In conclusion, there are several compelling reasons why the US should consider banning TikTok, especially given China’s actions towards American tech companies. By doing so, the US could protect national security, promote transparency and reciprocity, protect American companies, and help protect children from potential online risks.