Social Media

Is TikTok Facing A US Ban?

TikTok, the Chinese social media app, may be banned in the US after a new bill was introduced by a bipartisan group of senators.

The Restricting Emergence of Security Threats Involving Information and Communications Technology (RESTRICT) Act aims to mitigate foreign technology risks by giving government a proactive means of identifying and responding to emerging threats.

The legislation would establish a formal process for government agencies to take action on services they deem to be threatened as long as they have access to personal information from more than 1 million US citizens.

Although the bill does not mention TikTok, it does cover companies in hostile countries, including China, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Russia and Venezuela.

What is the restriction law?

the Restriction Act It includes the following measures:

  • The Secretary of Commerce should establish processes to find and stop transactions involving foreign adversaries’ interest in information and communications technology products that may threaten national security.
  • Priority must be given to assessing technology products used in critical infrastructure, telecommunications products, and emerging technologies that have profound implications for national security.
  • The Minister shall take comprehensive steps to address the risks posed by untrusted foreign technology products by considering related activities identified by other government entities.
  • The Secretary of Commerce should work with the Director of National Intelligence to provide declassified information to educate the public and the business community about the threat of transactions being denied or mitigated because they pose unnecessary or unacceptable risks.

Why is TikTok a threat to national security?

Senator Mark Warner (D-VA), the bill’s lead sponsor, believes TikTok is a threat to US national security due to its potential to enable surveillance by the Chinese Communist Party and facilitate the spread of malicious influence campaigns in the US.

The House Foreign Affairs Committee recently proposed a separate measure, the Deterring Adversaries of America’s Technology Act (data law), which would direct President Joe Biden to sanction or ban TikTok if the administration determines that it is sharing US user data with individuals associated with the Chinese government.

Warner’s Senate proposal differs from the House bill in that it would establish a system for evaluating and sanctioning foreign companies that threaten US security rather than focusing solely on TikTok.

TikTok denies storing US user data in China.

Despite TikTok’s promise to reduce safety risks, negotiations with the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) dragged on for more than three years.

The restriction law could be a major blow to TikTok’s US operations, potentially leading to bans or severing of ties with US companies.

As such, marketers should monitor developments surrounding the restriction law. This legislation could affect TikTok’s operations and could have implications for marketing strategies that rely on the platform.

The Restriction Act is a step toward addressing the continuing threat of foreign technology to the national security of the United States.


Featured image: salarko/Shutterstock

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