TikTok has sparked a significant debate among U.S. lawmakers from both parties due to concerns over its Chinese ownership and potential data privacy issues. Critics argue it could be a tool for surveillance and propaganda. Despite its popularity, with over 170 million U.S. users, Congress has enacted bans on government devices and set deadlines for its parent company, Bytedance, to divest. Comparisons with Facebook reveal similar data collection practices, but transparency remains a key concern.
The Ongoing TikTok Controversy
The popular short video app, TikTok, has stirred a significant debate among American politicians, uniting Republicans and Democrats in a rare conflict. This Chinese-origin platform has particularly captured the attention of teenagers across the United States, leading to increasing scrutiny due to its parent company, Bytedance, having ties to the Chinese Communist Party.
Many critics label TikTok as a modern-day Trojan horse, asserting that it allows the Chinese government to surveil American citizens and shape the narrative in a way that favors its political agenda. Concerns are also raised about the potential negative impact of the app on children and teenagers, with calls for a nationwide prohibition. TikTok, however, has attempted to mitigate these claims, asserting that they are exaggerated.
Despite the app’s popularity, U.S. lawmakers have taken decisive actions. In December 2022, Congress implemented a law banning TikTok on government devices. Various state legislatures and universities have followed suit, restricting access on official devices as well. Montana has even initiated a statewide ban, although a court has temporarily halted this due to free speech concerns.
In March 2023, the Biden administration delivered a stark ultimatum to TikTok: become an independent American entity or face a ban. Progress has been sluggish, influenced by TikTok’s extensive lobbying efforts. Former President Trump also attempted to enforce a divestment of TikTok’s U.S. operations in 2020 through an executive order but faced legal setbacks.
In spring 2024, Congress enacted a law stipulating that Bytedance has nine months to divest TikTok; failure to do so will result in a ban on the app. President Biden has endorsed this law, with the deadline set for January 19, 2025.
The stakes are high—not only for Bytedance but also for other Chinese apps like Temu and Shein, which have gained significant traction in the U.S. Any precedent set by TikTok’s situation may encourage similar actions against other apps, with U.S. allies likely to follow in Washington’s footsteps, reminiscent of the actions taken against Huawei.
The Popularity of TikTok in the United States
By 2021, TikTok.com had already surpassed Google to become the most visited domain worldwide. In 2022, it was the most downloaded app globally and within the United States. The platform has gained immense traction, especially among younger users aged 13 to 17, who have turned to TikTok not just for entertainment but also as a primary source for news and information, overshadowing traditional search engines. Currently, TikTok boasts over 170 million active users in the U.S. each month.
Globally, the app’s reach is even broader, with 1.7 billion monthly users. TikTok achieved its first billion users within just five years, a feat that took Facebook and Instagram over eight years to accomplish.
Americans’ Concerns Regarding TikTok
Like many social media platforms, TikTok gathers extensive user data, including location, date of birth, and viewing habits. In late 2022, Bytedance acknowledged that some of its Beijing-based employees had improperly accessed data concerning U.S. TikTok users, including tracking the locations of journalists from reputable outlets such as “Buzzfeed,” “Forbes,” and the “Financial Times.” This raised serious questions about user privacy and data security.
Experts are divided on whether TikTok’s data practices pose a significant threat. A study conducted by the Internet Governance Project at Georgia Tech University in January indicated that the potential for espionage was limited to users in sensitive positions within national security. However, these risks are inherent in all social networks.
Moreover, there are fears that TikTok could be used as a tool for propaganda and misinformation by the Chinese government. The manipulation of social media for electoral purposes was notably illustrated during the 2016 presidential election when Russian actors utilized platforms like Facebook to spread divisive messages.
Many observers worry that China could adopt similar strategies. Congressman Mike Gallagher from Wisconsin, a vocal opponent of TikTok, emphasized that the real concern is not merely the entertaining content but that TikTok serves as a news source for young users. Leaked information suggests that TikTok’s algorithm may suppress content unfavorable to the Chinese Communist Party, such as topics related to the Tiananmen Square protests or Tibetan independence.
The inner workings of TikTok’s algorithm remain a mystery, which raises red flags for analysts like Fergus Ryan from the Australian think tank Aspi. He warns that Bytedance could subtly guide users towards content that aligns with the interests of the Chinese regime.
Comparing TikTok’s Data Collection to Facebook
According to a 2021 study by the Canadian Citizen Lab, TikTok does not collect more data than platforms like Facebook. The research indicated that TikTok gathers similar types and amounts of user data, including device information and user behavior metrics. There is no evidence to suggest that TikTok or Facebook records audio or video without user consent or accesses private files and contacts.
However, Ron Deibert, the director of the Canadian Citizen Lab, cautioned against interpreting these findings as a sign that TikTok is free from harmful data practices. He noted, “Our analysis has made it clear that we simply do not know what happens to user data after it is collected,” emphasizing the need for greater transparency in data handling by such platforms.