Tick, tock…
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The doomsday clock keeps ticking closer to midnight for TikTok. A bipartisan group of 12 senators introduced a bill yesterday that would allow the federal government to enact a nationwide ban of TikTok or other foreign-based technologies – if they’re found to pose a threat to America’s national security.
The bill, which was drafted with input from the White House, would empower the Commerce Secretary to ban technologies that are headquartered in any of six nations currently deemed foreign adversaries: China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, Venezuela, or Cuba.
But there are some stipulations. One being that before any such ban could take effect, the US intelligence community would be required to declassify as much info as possible and make a public case for why the tech poses a national security risk.
- In TikTok’s case, lawmakers have said they believe there’s a risk the Chinese government could access the user data of Americans (TikTok has denied these claims), and use the app to push or suppress certain messages.
Though if you’re an avid TikTok user, these stipulations are like a certain morning newsletter you love – they bring some positive news, too. If enacted, the Senate’s proposed bill would allow Americans to evade the ban using tools like VPNs without any punishment.
📸 Big picture: If attracting the attention of DC lawmakers is cool, consider TikTok Miles Davis. The Senate’s proposed measure was introduced less than a week after a similar bill that would ban TikTok from all US devices was approved by a GOP-led House committee.
📱 Bottom line: These national security concerns are nothing new – TikTok has been negotiating since 2019 with the Committee on Foreign Investment in the US to remedy potential security risks and stay operational. But according to lawmakers from both parties and chambers of Congress, negotiations are starting to drag on for too long.
đź“Š Flash poll: In your opinion, should TikTok be banned from every device in the US?
See a 360° view of what media pundits are saying →
Sprinkles from the Left
- Some commentators argue that US lawmakers shouldn’t seek to ban TikTok entirely, but rather should enact legislation that allows the good parts of the platform to remain while also making TikTok a safer place for the American public.
- Others contend that a potential TikTok ban in the US has a lot of benefits, but would ultimately cause more harm than good, since it would accelerate America’s ongoing decoupling from China and could invite retaliation from Beijing.
- “Don’t ban TikTok. Make it safer for the country.” –WaPo Editorial Board
- “The Problem With Taking TikTok Away From Americans” –Glenn S. Gerstell, NY Times
- “Don’t Ban TikTok, Put It on Probation” –Minxin Pei, Bloomberg
Sprinkles from the Right
- Some commentators argue that TikTok should be banned in the US due to its obvious and undeniable ties to the Chinese Communist Party, citing reports that found Chinese engineers planned to monitor the location of US citizens, along with a lack of meaningful firewalls blocking TikTok’s US operations from the CCP.
- Others contend that US lawmakers should ban TikTok from all US devices due to national security concerns, and call out the remaining three dozen or so members of Congress (all Democrats) who still have an active account on the platform.
- “Ban TikTok from Operating in America” –National Review Editorial Board
- “Could a Ban on TikTok Really Happen?” –Jim Geraghty, The Morning Jolt
- “Yes, ban TikTok” –Washington Examiner Editorial Board
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