What the Tech with Jamey Tucker: TikTok Ban
Tik Tok Ban
TikTok users are closely following Congress this week after lawmakers in the House of Representatives passed a bill that would stop app distribution in the United States. The word
“ban” is thrown around quite a bit but the better explanation is that Apple and Google would be forced to remove the app from the app stores.
National security concerns about user data being shared with China is how the bill is being framed. ByteDance, the Chinese company would be forced to sell TikTok to a U.S.-based
company or see the popular app removed.
The bill has moved over to the Senate and President Biden says he will sign the bill into law if it makes it to his desk.
While most TikTok users know about the how and the why, they still have questions they say haven’t been answered.
I spent some time with TikTok users to find out which questions they need answered.
Can the Government Really Ban TikTok?
This is a new one for the U.S. While a complete ban isn’t guaranteed, President Biden and Congress could force Apple and Google to remove TikTok from their app stores if they can
prove it’s a security risk. This could also apply to other Chinese apps like WeChat, CapCut, Temu, and Ali Express.
What Happens to My TikTok App?
Don’t panic and smash your phone just yet! If the ban goes through, the app won’t magically disappear from your phone. The bigger issue is that it won’t work with future updates from Apple
and Google, eventually rendering it unusable.
Why Now? What Happened Last Time?
Remember the whole TikTok drama under Trump? He tried to ban it with an executive order, but courts blocked it due to free speech concerns. This time, Congress is involved, and laws are
tougher to overturn than executive orders. However, a judge could still strike it down if deemed unconstitutional.
Are There Workarounds?
Tech-savvy users might be tempted to use a VPN (Virtual Private Network) to access TikTok through a website like TikTok.com. This would mask your location and make it seem like you’re
in a country where TikTok is allowed. But be careful, VPNs can be tricky and have their own security risks.
The Bottom Line
The future of TikTok in the U.S. is uncertain and if it is signed into law there will likely be legal challenges that could push it all the way to the Supreme Court. So, stay tuned.
