TikTok is a video app that has become an iconic part of American culture. It’s setting the conversation around beauty standards, cultural appropriation, financial literacy, parenting and data privacy So Why is banning tiktok in multiple countries?
TikTok has become a go-to place for many to get their news, and an increasing number of people report making purchases based on content they watched there.
Security Concerns
The White House, federal agencies and more than half the states have ordered Tiktok to be removed from government-issued phones due to national security concerns. This comes amid reports that ByteDance, the parent company of Tiktok, could share user data with China’s government for alleged national security purposes.
In addition to security concerns, many lawmakers in Washington are worried that Tiktok could be used for spreading propaganda and misinformation. They also worry that the app could collect too much user data and turn into a treasure trove for China’s government.
State and local laws have prohibited Tiktok usage by children, while several schools have blocked it on their networks. Furthermore, some higher education systems have restricted students’ access to the app.
Therefore, the platform has encountered growing opposition across both political parties. Indeed, some Republican governors have issued executive orders with state-level limitations.
Lawmakers in some states have called on the company to divest itself of its Chinese assets due to privacy and security worries. Furthermore, they’ve demanded a new security policy which would require it to store US user data outside China.
Tiktok CEO Shou Zi Chew has repeatedly stressed the app’s commitment to young users’ safety. Additionally, he informed lawmakers that all data is stored securely in a U.S.-owned data center.
Experts contend Tiktok’s data collection is more extensive than other apps, potentially leading to more than just tracking. The app harvests user location information, browsing history and other details. Furthermore, its recommendation algorithm can be manipulated to promote certain types of content.
Other cybersecurity experts suggested a ban could be successful if the government targeted users trying to access an app through a VPN, which creates a virtual private network that appears to be located elsewhere. Furthermore, Fadi Ghappour, a computer science faculty member at Central Michigan University, suggested that blacklisting certain sites by government authorities might be forced.
Tiktok has responded to concerns about their data collection by launching Project Texas, an ambitious plan designed to store user data in a secure U.S. server system with a separate board of directors vetted by the United States government. Furthermore, Tiktok intends to make its algorithm more transparent so users have control over what they see.
Political Influence
State and local legislators, as well as some university administrators, have all taken steps to ban tiktok from their devices. Some even went so far as to outright ban the app from government-owned computers.
Government and public-interest groups are concerned that TikTok may be a tool designed to further Chinese influence, with its owner ByteDance subject to Chinese laws that permit sharing user data with the Chinese government. This could enable China’s Communist Party (CCP) to gather data about Americans and their social media habits.
These concerns have also raised national security questions, with the Biden administration advocating that TikTok should be divested or banned in the U.S. This move has caused some political controversy; however, it remains uncertain if Biden’s plan will adequately address these matters or safeguard Americans’ privacy.
Although a ban may appear to be the best way to protect users’ rights, a TikTok ban could actually hinder Americans’ ability to communicate and express themselves. For instance, young Americans could potentially be prevented from accessing forms of expression they find creative and enjoyable.
A TikTok ban could also impact users’ access to essential information, like news. A ban could potentially restrict American voters from getting their news, which could have an immense effect on the 2020 presidential election.
In conclusion, a TikTok ban could impact an array of Americans – from younger users who view the app as creative outlet to older generations who use it to stay connected with friends and family. Furthermore, TikTok users make significant money through advertising and marketing through the platform.
Legislators in Congress have introduced legislation that would effectively ban TikTok from the US. Lawmakers such as Senator Marco Rubio and Representatives Mike Gallagher and Raja Krishnamoorthi have supported this proposal.
Though widespread support exists for a TikTok ban, it seems unlikely to become reality any time soon. A major shift in our perception of the internet as an international network would need to occur before such action could be taken; additionally, any ban should address how a popular messaging app could have negative effects on society at large rather than just targeting its role in Chinese influence.
Data Leaks
Tiktok, the Chinese mobile video-sharing app, has a security issue. It collects location data that could be sent to its parent company in China. The US government is concerned that Chinese officials could use this data for spying on Americans and spreading propaganda.
Furthermore, TikTok employees in China may have had access to user data under certain circumstances. This has sparked a ban in around 20 states and Congress is now considering whether federal government-issued devices should be prohibited from being used with the app.
There is growing concern that TikTok’s data may have been exposed due to a database breach discovered in August 2020. A report by Comparitech indicates this trove contains personal information for approximately 235 million users of the app, Instagram and YouTube – including names, contact info, images and stats about their followers.
TikTok has been trying to convince lawmakers that its data is secure, yet it has also acknowledged that some of its employees were given improper access to US user information. As a result, TikTok is now working to strengthen its data protocols and enhance the security of its systems.
ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company, announced the termination of four employees due to the leaks. According to CEO Shou Chew’s memo which Bloomberg Law previously obtained, these individuals “misused their authority” to obtain access to American users’ data.
Although ByteDance has managed to convince US officials that its data is secure, some experts still suspect there may be a major security flaw. One major reason is the company’s corporate structure allows employees to access data remotely even if they are not physically present.
Another concern is the absence of security plans from ByteDance in case of a breach or other disaster. Some analysts are suggesting TikTok should reengineer its systems to keep users’ data protected.
Analysts have advocated for legislation that would compel companies like ByteDance to disclose what information they collect, how it is used and where it is stored. This would protect US consumers’ privacy while preventing companies from sharing this data with China.
Influencer Marketing
Influencer marketing is an efficient and successful way to market your products. It allows you to reach new customers and generate quality leads at low costs, creating a lucrative ROI for businesses. However, there are some things you should be aware of before beginning an influencer marketing campaign.
First, identify your target audience to identify which influencers to partner with. Next, set a budget and then decide on content types to promote.
If you’re an ecommerce brand, influencer marketing can be a great way to draw in more customers. The main benefit of this type of promotion is that you’ll find influencers with relevant followers and content who may be interested in your products or services.
Influencer marketing offers another advantage, providing market insights. This can be used to enhance your product and boost sales. Furthermore, customers are given valuable customer feedback which enables you to better understand what people like or dislike about your items.
Influencer marketing not only increases sales, but it can also enhances your brand reputation. By working with influential people, you can guarantee that their content will be authentic and genuine.
Influencers come in all sizes and shapes, from micro-influencers to mega-influencers. Micro-influencers are those with a relatively modest following who create content that resonates with their audience and communicate with them via social media channels.
These influencers typically have an engaged following that trusts them implicitly. This makes it easier for them to endorse your product to their followers.
Influencer marketing offers many advantages, but it can be challenging to measure the results of such campaigns – particularly if you’re trying to measure e-commerce campaign ROI.
Thankfully, there are a few tools available to track your influencer marketing campaigns. Tracking UTM codes and website traffic can show how much clout your influencers have as well as the number of sales they drive for you.
