TikTok ban sparks debate over privacy, First Amendment & national security

The Ban

The TikTok app was restored to U.S. users on Sunday after a tumultuous period of time when the app was shut down.

The bill was first introduced due to national security concerns and potential risks related to user data and misinformation.

CBS News reported that many senators, including Missouri senator Josh Hawley, are concerned that TikTok is leaking information to the Chinese Government.

However, other makers, such as Kentucky Senator Rand Paul, believe the ban infringes on American's right to free speech, also claiming that the app has never been found guilty of sharing American data with the communist government.

On Friday, Jan. 17, 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously decided to uphold the federal law banning TikTok beginning Sunday, Jan.19th, unless ByteDance, TikTok’s Chinese parent company, sells Tiktok’s U.S. operations.

On Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025, at 9:30 pm, the popular social media app TikTok shut down its services for all United States users.

According to a survey done by Pew Research Center, 1/3 of U.S. adults use TikTok and 59% of adults under 30 use the app.

On Sunday, about 15 hours after the ban, TikTok was restored for all users. The platform claimed the decision was linked to President-elect Donald Trump one day before his inauguration.

AP News reported that TikTok’s decision to interrupt its service earlier than expected caught many users off guard.

TikTok was only required to be removed from app stores, not completely taken offline. Since TikTok came back online existing users can still now access the app, however it remains unavailable for new downloads.

Since Congress passed the sale-or-ban law on TikTok, ByteDance has not formally accepted any offers to sell.

Trump has stated on Truth Social that he plans to enforce an executive order to allow TikTok to function another 90 days after Jan. 19 until they can find a buyer.

“I’m asking companies not to let TikTok stay dark! I will issue an executive order on Monday to extend the period of time before the law’s prohibitions take effect, so that we can make a deal to protect our national security. The order will also confirm that there will be no liability for any company that helped keep TikTok from going dark before my order,” Trump wrote.

On Monday, Forbes wrote that TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew attended President Trump’s inauguration with Apple CEO Tim Cook and podcaster and commentator Joe Rogan.

CNBC reported that potential buyers for the app may have to spend about $40 to $50 billion dollars.

Forbes claims that potential buys include Kevin O’Leary, made famous for his appearances on “Shark Tank,” Tesla CEO and new co-leader of Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency, Elon Musk and famous YouTuber and businessman Jimmy Donaldson, better known as Mr. Beast.

SEMO on TikTok

Senior social work major Ashlyn Cunningham said the ban on TikTok affects not only users but also people who earn income from the app.

“I think it’s really important that we’re really analyzing what they’re doing and how it’s actually gonna be affecting people. Some people actually get income from TikTok making all kinds of videos,” Cunningham said. “For them to shut that down creates more of a divide.”

CBS News reported that about seven million small businesses use TikTok to drive their growth and that 69% of small businesses said that TikTok increased their sales last year.

While some see the ban as a major disruption to their daily lives, others recognize potential advantages.

Senior political science major Mackenzie Stockton said banning TikTok could present both benefits and drawbacks.

“I think it’s really a double-edged sword because if they ban it because they want to protect Americans and their data, which is why the ban is coming about in the first place, but a lot of Americans are saying that they’re going over to an app called RedNote which is also Chinese owned,” Stockton said.

As users adapt to potential changes, concerns over government involvement continue to spark debate.

Graduate student Sarah St. John believes the government has a right to be concerned about citizens' privacy but criticized their approach. She believes what the government is trying to prevent from happening is what is already happening with other apps in America.

“What about the ones we have in our country currently that there’s so many different settlements that do sell our data? I got a settlement check two years ago from Facebook,” St. John said. “Also who are we to say the social media that we have currently right now in the United States that are owned by United States citizens doesn't push a certain agenda.”

While some question the fairness of targeting TikTok, others support the decision as a necessary step for national security.

Media professor Anthony Scherer agrees with the ban and thinks ByteDance should sell the company to another U.S. company.

“I think that, unfortunately, because it’s in a company that is in another country, they don’t have First Amendment protections, which is what they argued at the Supreme Court. I think it should be banned but I think the smart thing for them to do would be to sell the company here in the United States,” Scherer said

Senior BFA musical theater major and marching band head drum major Nathan Anderson said that the positive response he’s received has inspired him to continue to post similar content. One of his videos went viral with over 8 million views and 1.7 million likes, helping him build a following of a little over 7,500 users on TikTok.

“The more I posted them the more marching band lovers enjoyed that video and other videos it just made me want to post those for those people who like that content,” Anderson said. “I think that a lot of what social media is, a lot of what TikTok has been for people is their niche or finding videos that suit them.”

This is an ongoing story; check the Southeastarrow.com for updates.