Tik Tok Turmoil

The beloved app TikTok, which has captured the hearts of millions, may face an uncertain future within the next year. Having already been banned in countries like India, Iran, Nepal, Afghanistan, and Somalia, the U.S. is now looking to follow a similar path. On March 13th, the United States House of Representatives passed a bill that could ban the app unless its Chinese owner sells to a non-Chinese company. The bill was supported by 352 members while opposed by 65. With over 170 million American users, the U.S. worries about TikTok’s national security risks. ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok, has ties to the Chinese Communist Party, raising concerns about the control of a major American news platform. 

Should the bill pass through the Senate, ByteDance will have six months to transfer their control of TikTok before access to the app is prohibited on app stores. TikTok says that selling the app won’t resolve any national security issues, while thousands of TikTok American users have voiced their concerns about the bill threatening freedom of speech. However, the U.S. government believes that national security concerns should outweigh the First Amendment rights of its users. The bill still has a long way to go, but many are already thinking about the consequences of a TikTok ban. 

Content creators and small businesses will suffer a major financial loss. Those who rely on the app as their primary source of income say the app has changed their lives for the better. According to the Washington Post, TikTok has played a crucial role in the U.S. economy, contributing $24 Billion in 2023 alone. Creators who have spent months or even years growing their accounts will be forced to look to other platforms like Instagram and YouTube for revenue. While discussions regarding the ban are ongoing, it is unknown when the Senate will decide whether to pass the bill to President Biden. There are still numerous steps that need to be taken and many factors that could influence the outcome before the Senate reaches a decision.