Why a Broad Us TikTok Ban is Unlikely to Take Effect Soon? What Do we Know So Far!!!

By Aditi Deshinge On Mar 26, 2023

Expectations that the popular Chinese-owned platform would soon be blocked nationwide have been stoked by a recent prohibition on TikTok use on U.S. government-owned devices and new legislation in Congress attempting to stop the app.

The business said last week that the Biden administration had demanded that the owners of TikTok sell their holdings in the well-known video app or risk being banned, adding to the notion.

If the Biden administration were to move forward with a scheme, it is unclear how such a ban would be put into place. Yet, if history is any indication, a restriction is not likely to become law anytime soon. Why is this so check out further.

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Why a Broad Us TikTok Ban is Unlikely to Take Effect Soon?

A broad US TikTok ban is unlikely to take effect soon for several reasons:

Legal Challenges: Any attempt to ban TikTok would likely face legal challenges. TikTok has already successfully challenged a previous Trump administration executive order that would have banned the app. The company argued that the order violated the Constitution's First Amendment rights, and the court issued an injunction to block it.

Lack of Evidence: Another challenge to banning TikTok is that the US government has not provided concrete evidence that TikTok poses a national security threat. While concerns have been raised about the app's data practices and its ties to China, there is no conclusive evidence that TikTok has been used to spy on US citizens.

Complexity of Implementation: Banning TikTok would be a complex process that would involve not only removing the app from app stores but also preventing existing users from accessing the app. This would require coordination with internet service providers and other technology companies, which could be difficult to achieve.

Impact on Users and Businesses: A broad TikTok ban would also have significant implications for the app's users and the businesses that rely on it.

TikTok has over 100 million users in the US, and many businesses have built their marketing strategies around the app. A ban would not only be disruptive to these users and businesses but could also have a negative impact on the US economy. There are many trends on tiktok like The Love Character Test On TikTok, TikTok’s Moon Phase Trend And Finding Your Soulmate and many more

Our CEO, @shouchew, shares a special message on behalf of the @tiktok_us team to thank our community of 150 million Americans on TikTok ahead of his congressional hearing later this week. Learn more on our Newsroom 👇 https://t.co/VHMcSZKxQL

— TikTokComms (@TikTokComms) March 21, 2023

Overall, while concerns have been raised about TikTok's ties to China, a broad ban is unlikely to take effect soon due to legal challenges, lack of evidence, the complexity of implementation, and the impact on users and businesses.

How a Bill Turns Into Law?

Meanwhile, lawmakers in Washington have introduced two different proposals that would grant the president the authority to impose national security restrictions on apps like TikTok.

The proposals still require corresponding legislation in the opposing body, enough support to pass both chambers, and President Joe Biden‘s signature after they have been passed by the House of Representatives and the Senate, respectively. The Senate's RESTRICT Act has the backing of the White House.

Although though the Act is thought to have the best chance of passing, it would probably take at least a few months for it to gather enough support for a favourable vote and the president's signing. Also, it might be weakened before it gets to Biden.

The Commerce Department has up to six months to start reviewing transactions with the new authority and up to another six months to finish the reviews and take action, even if the RESTRICT Act is passed this year.

Tikitok's Court Appearance –

Any effort to prohibit TikTok is expected to face resistance from the company. In the end, the business was successful in defeating Trump's attempt to outlaw the app in the United States.

According to Jameel Jaffer, executive director of the Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University, “The First Amendment guarantees Americans' right to access social media networks of their choice.”

“The government would have to show that privacy and security concerns can't be addressed in more limited ways in order to justify a TikTok ban.

This has not been proven by the government, and we don't think it could. Millions of People utilise a speaking platform every day, so limiting access to it would create a hazardous precedent for more extensive regulation of our digital public sphere.

Why Tiktok is Getting Banned in Us?

TikTok has not been officially banned in the US, although there have been attempts to ban the app or restrict its operations in the country.

In 2020, the Trump administration issued executive orders that sought to ban TikTok and another Chinese-owned app, WeChat, from operating in the US due to concerns about national security risks.

The orders cited concerns that the apps could be used to collect data on US citizens and share it with the Chinese government. However, these orders were challenged in court and put on hold by injunctions, and the Biden administration has since taken a more measured approach to the issue.

There have also been concerns raised by some US lawmakers about TikTok's data practices and its potential for spreading disinformation, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2020 US presidential election.

TikTok has denied these allegations and has taken steps to address concerns, such as establishing a Transparency Center in the US to allow outside experts to review its content moderation policies.

Overall, while there have been concerns about TikTok's ties to China and its data practices, the app has not been officially banned in the US, and any attempts to ban it would likely face legal challenges.

Conclusion

In conclusion, a broad US TikTok ban is unlikely to take effect soon due to several factors. Legal challenges would likely arise if such a ban were attempted, as TikTok has successfully challenged previous executive orders.

Additionally, there is a lack of concrete evidence that TikTok poses a national security threat, and implementing a ban would be a complex process that could have negative impacts on users and businesses.

While concerns have been raised about TikTok's ties to China, any attempts to ban the app would need to be carefully considered and balanced against the potential economic and social consequences.

It's important for policymakers and individuals to consider the various factors and implications of any proposed ban on TikTok or other apps, and to make decisions that are in the best interests of national security, privacy, and economic and social wellbeing.