It’s difficult to imagine life without TikTok. The platform embodies pop culture, and in today’s political climate it serves as a hub for activism and discussion. Most importantly, the app soaks up four hours (maybe more) of my screen time every day when I’m struggling and need a distraction.
However, last Monday U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced on Fox News that the government is considering plans to ban TikTok. “We are taking this very seriously and we are certainly looking at it,” Pompeo said, and warned users that they should not want their private information “in the hands of the Chinese Communist Party,” referring to the Chinese company ByteDance.
Panic only worsened this past Thursday when TikTok users noticed a surge of disappearing likes and views on the platform. Although this was later revealed as a glitch, it incited fear after news of the possible ban.
opening tiktok and seeing 0 likes 0 comments and a messed up fyp #tiktokdown pic.twitter.com/njJqYxvReM
— Karen Ramming (@kjramming) July 9, 2020
A TikTok spokesperson told ABC News: “TikTok is led by an American CEO, with hundreds of employees and key leaders across safety, security, product, and public policy here in the US.” They continued, “We have no higher priority than promoting a safe and secure app experience for our users. We have never provided user data to the Chinese government, nor would we do so if asked.”
For me, TikTok serves as a distraction but for others, it is a career. Famed TikTokers are begging their fans for support, urging them to follow them on Instagram or YouTube instead if the ban proves to be true.
Meanwhile, creators are also utilizing this news as a chance for comedic relief.
Some millennials believe the ban is President Trump’s attempt to silence creators poking fun at him (see above). Others believe that the potential ban is solely political due to increased hostility between China and the U.S. in terms of trade and national security.
TikTok users can laugh all they want, but India recently decided to ban TikTok, among 58 other Chinese apps. Due to India’s actions, some Americans are taking the app’s personal data collection seriously (though most aren’t). Also, with the way 2020 is going so far, never say never.
Me saying goodbye to my chinese tiktok spy through the phone #tiktokban:
— Xico ?? (@xic0__) July 9, 2020
As of now, the ban is not official. So keep scrolling and keep dancing, and pushing through claims for a ban, even if they “Say So” (cue Doja Cat).