User Notification: Time's Up for TikTok: Preserve Your Account in 30 Days (Affecting 170 Million Users)
As Joe Biden readies to move into the White House and the U.S. considers banning TikTok, it feels like we're stepping back in time. The twist this time around is that Trump might just be TikTok's knight in shining armor. He's undeniably benefited from its widespread reach in the U.S., and its removal would force him to rely on major American platforms. The stage is set for a deal, as tensions rise.
Besides the "magic rabbit" unexpectedly appearing in the magician's hat, January 19 seems to be the fated date. The ban would take effect just before Trump, cutting off one of his primary platforms for inauguration announcements—notably. For TikTok's 170 million U.S. users, that means the tick-tock of TikTok's end in a month's time.
The irony here is that this is more of a U.S. issue than a Chinese one, and that's crucial. China isn't fond of TikTok any more than U.S. legislators—or child safety advocates and regulators across various global markets.
The only market where TikTok doesn't have a large user base is China—Byte Dance operates a different platform there. Douyin is equally popular, but while TikTok is working hard to ensure data security, China's approach might be a bit different.
The core issue here is China's 2017 National Intelligence Law. This requires Chinese companies to aid in state intelligence gathering and support the state's intelligence ambitions. As I noted back in 2000, TikTok's real problem isn't data collection, it's data dissemination. With tens of millions of U.S. citizens relying on the app for news, its algorithm is one of the most influential opinion shapers in the U.S. today.
You can calculate the appeal of such reach, especially during a changing administration, given TikTok's talent for promoting agendas and resonating with the more extreme ends of people's preferences and dislikes, sparking the news cycle.
So, do you believe in miracles? If so, keep an eye on this space. This tale seems destined to continue, and my bet is that Beijing is pleased that the U.S. is focusing public attention on TikTok rather than its more critical enterprises.
Trump's main adversary during his last term was Huawei. And while Huawei's headlines are being softened by TikTok, its U.S. future is arguably even more precarious than Huawei's Chinese counterpart. Nothing happens by chance in China's tech sector or its complex interaction with the west.
Lastly, if you have any favorite TikTok videos you don't want to lose, then now would be the perfect time to hit "Share" and then "Save Video."
In response to the potential TikTok ban under Joe Biden's administration, President Trump might find himself relying more on traditional American platforms, given TikTok's widespread popularity in the U.S.
The ongoing debate about TikTok's ban in the U.S. could affect 170 million American users, potentially leading to the app's withdrawal from the market by January 19.
Despite sharing concerns with the U.S. about TikTok's data security, China's perspective on banning the app differs, as it focuses more on the platform's parent company, ByteDance, due to China's National Intelligence Law requirements for domestic companies.
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