The TikTok ban bill: Balancing censorship and security

TikTok has taken today’s youth by storm, especially Gen-Z. According to a survey done by Pew Research Center, 62% of TikTok users are aged 18-29.

The bill to ban TikTok has now been passed in The House of Representatives and will move to the Senate.

The bill to ban TikTok in the US was introduced due to its current ownership by the Chinese company Bytedance. Even though TikTok is very popular in the United States, the US government has little control over the app. This has raised a security concern surrounding user data.

According to AP News, if the bill is passed and signed by President Joe Biden, then the company would have 180 days to sell. If a deal is not made, then the use of TikTok will be banned in the United States.

Associate professor of political science, philosophy and religion Dr. Ivy Shen said that this bill specifically is not dependent on the Republican or Democratic parties.

“In terms of political interest, I would say it doesn't matter if it's Republican or Democrat,” Dr. Shen said. “But I do believe that generally speaking on the issue, conservative states have taken some serious measures and actions more so than democratic states.”

39 U.S. states, both Republican and Democrat, have banned or restricted the use of TikTok for government agencies, employees, and contractors on government-issued devices.

Despite the security issues, the bill is raising concern among young people, who are worried that this is introducing a form of censorship.

Sophomore creative writing and art major Maggie Jackson said that she believes that this ban is targeting Gen-Z directly.

“I think so many people use it as a way to communicate and spread the word about things, they’re [the government] trying to fix that,” Jackson said.

In Jackson’s case, she used TikTok for about four years until deleting the app out of personal uninterest. Even though she is not as in touch with using the app anymore, she thinks the introduction of this bill could lead to much larger issues.

“I feel like it's a step towards censorship,” Jackson said.

Although TikTok is one of the most popular forms of social media among Gen-Z, there are still other apps that this generation utilizes.

Junior chemistry major Emma Schmerold said that if TikTok were to be banned, Gen-Z would most likely just move towards using another app to fill the gap.

Other social media apps such as Instagram, YouTube and Facebook all have developed similar features onto their platforms that mimic TikTok.

“I mean, it's just like getting rid of an app,” Schmerold said. “[Other apps] have the same content.”

Associate professor of mass media Dr. Sarah Cavanah said that TikTok is being targeted for more than just data privacy as well.

“Every time a new technology comes in, we get a new phase of people being very worried about it,” Cavanah said. “This one's a little bit bigger because now we have lots of concerns about data privacy involved as well.”

Dr. Cavanah said that TikTok is being targeted because it is the most popular form of media right now. As decades passed, individuals were also once worried about television, movies and video games.

Even with the urgent action by the House of Representatives, it may take months for the bill to reach the Senate.