A new US presidential election year has seen TikTok caught in the crossfire of political tensions. Former President Donald Trump's proposal to ban the popular social media platform in 2020 was initially overturned by President Joe Biden. However, recent developments indicate a renewed push to restrict TikTok's presence in the United States.
In early 2021, concerns were raised about TikTok potentially posing a national security threat, although these claims lacked substantial evidence. In response, TikTok began routing U.S. user data through Oracle, a U.S. tech firm, in an effort to address these security concerns.
Despite these measures, allegations continued to mount, leading to a new bipartisan bill currently moving swiftly through the House of Representatives. The proposed legislation aims to ban TikTok unless its parent company, ByteDance, divests the platform to U.S. buyers within 165 days of the act being passed.
Unlike previous efforts, this new bill is seen as more serious, reflecting a continued aggressive stance toward Chinese technology firms by the Biden administration. Passage of the bill, however, is not guaranteed as the Senate may present significant hurdles. Additionally, questions remain about how such a ban would be enforced and the implications for TikTok's large and dedicated user base.
TikTok’s popularity, especially among younger Americans engaging in their initial forays into political activism, is causing significant pushback against the proposed ban. Members of Congress are receiving increasing calls to reconsider the legislation. Notably, President Biden himself has joined TikTok, recognizing the platform’s influence as he seeks to bolster his approval ratings among younger voters.
The targeting of TikTok highlights the complexities and intensifying divisions within U.S. politics, where strategic decisions often reflect broader tensions rather than the will of the populace.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
