TikTok Ban
TikTok banned in the US!?
Alyssa Kennedy '27
Around Campus Editor
One of the world’s most popular and favored apps might be facing banishment from the United States. Listen up TikTok patrons and enthusiasts, your treasured addiction has been put up for debate through the House of Representatives and is on its way to the senate.
On Wednesday, March 13, 2024, the House overwhelmingly voted to approve a bipartisan bill which would require the parent company of TikTok, ByteDance, to sell their social media app or ultimately face an indefinite ban of the app in the US.
The vote ended up being 352-65 for the ban of the app. Due to the outcome of the vote, the legislation's current fate is now in the hands of the Senate.
Like many others, you might be wondering: why is TikTok being banned?
The app is in consideration of being banned because many house legislatures have major concerns that the app could allow the Chinese government to access their user data and hack it, as they have done before, and influence American citizens through the popular social media platforms' wildly addictive content.
During an interview with NPR, Intelligence Senate Select Committee chair, Mark Warner shares, “I'm not gonna get into any of the classified intel we have on TikTok, but I will say this — What is the problem is that TikTok, which is owned by ByteDance, is a Chinese-controlled company and based on Chinese law, that company has no option other than to respond to the needs of the Communist Party of China and that takes primary.”
Camiila Alvarez-Cueva '27 and Alia Miranda '27 are shocked by the tiktok ban
Mark Warner also says that TikTok is not just a security concern for the US, but a security concern for Canada, Australia and many countries in the European Union. These countries have all prohibited the app on their government phones due to the fear of being spied upon. The intelligence chair also points out that China does not allow many social media platforms such as Facebook and Google to operate in their country because they are afraid that the American owners of those companies will hack into their user data and attempt to steal it.
Many people around the world are sharing their opinions of the topic, including our very own Alia Miranda ’27, who states that “the ban is ridiculous and that there are more important matters to be sent to the Senate for approval, such as gun violence and tax/housing issues rather than focusing on a popular app.”
Influencers who are a part of the 45.3% of Americans on TikTok are worried that the incoming ban of the app could leave them without jobs and therefore drastically affect their income.
Numerous Louisville students are among many others around the world who believe that the ban is unnecessary and will only cause further problems rather than fixing them, while others are supportive of the ban.
Although the app's future fate is currently unknown, it is up to the Senate to decide what will happen. It is now highly suggested that everyone should cherish the time they have with their TikTok account as you never know which video could be your last.