Is the U.S. Government actually trying to ban Tik Tok again? The short answer is yes, and it could be happening soon. This week, members of Congress introduced H.R. 7521, or the ‘Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act”. This bill aims to protect the national security of the United States from the threat posed by foreign adversary controlled applications, such as Tik Tok and any successor application or service. Basically, the U.S. thinks that Tik Tok, which is used by about 170 million Americans, is a threat to national security because it's owned by a China-based company (ByteDance). Tik Tok collects data on its users, and lawmakers are suspicious that the Chinese government is using this data to essentially “spy on Americans”. However, Tik Tok has denied this and stated that 60% of ByteDance is owned by international investors. With that said, if this new bill is signed into law, here's what would happen next: ByteDance would have 165 days to sell Tik Tok. If they do so, the app can continue to function normally in the U.S. However, if they choose not to sell the app, Tik Tok will be banned from U.S. app stores. 

H.R. 7521 is certainly gaining momentum in Congress and is supported by politicians from both major policies. Just a few days ago, the House Energy and Commerce Committee voted unanimously (50-0) to pass the bill. However, this alone doesn’t necessarily mean that it will become law. On March 13th, the entire House is set to vote, and according to many sources, it is expected to pass. However, the fate of the bill is uncertain in the Senate.

Tik Tok is referring to this bill as a “total ban” and prompting U.S. users to call their representatives. House officers say they’ve received thousands of calls from Tik Tok users, particularly Gen Z, given that many users are upset at the possibility of the app being banned in the U.S. I would argue that this is rightfully so because Tik Tok has proved to be a powerful tool for sharing information, spreading awareness of global issues, allowing creators and small businesses to make and living, as well as giving millions of people a way to connect with one another and express themselves.

Coming from an active Tik Tok user, I too, agree with those who are upset by this potential ban for a number of reasons. Firstly, I think the logic behind it doesn;t make much sense.This legislation will not necessarily stop foreign companies from buying our data from a million other places. While they might not be owned by a Chinese company – Instagram, Youtube, Facebook, Snapchat, and Twitter all take our personal information and use it to serve as content that keeps up clicking and scrolling to generate ad revenue. Many members of Congress are supporting this bill because of privacy concerns, but banning Tik Tok won’t make us safer from China’s surveillance operations.

 While there are legitimate concerns about data privacy and security with TikTok, banning the app does not necessarily address these issues effectively. It could set a precedent for further government intervention in online platforms, potentially leading to more extensive censorship and surveillance.

But banning Tik Tok isn’t just illogical, it’s also unconstitutional; it is simply an attack on our civil liberties. The government is prevented from using extreme steps, like criminalizing an app that provides a forum for millions of people to voice their opinions, by the beloved free speech safeguards provided by the First Amendment. In the same way that the government cannot stop you from writing an opinion piece for The Guardian or from reading a foreign publication, it also should not forbid you from uploading or watching videos on TikTok. Notable media organizations such as The Washington Post, the New York Times, and CNN, in addition to a multitude of political commentators, elected officials, universities, journalists, and religious leaders, all have official TikTok accounts. Banning TikTok would not only restrict the ability of these entities to reach their audiences but also limit the public's access to a diverse range of voices and perspectives.