A sweeping federal law has taken effect in the United States, bringing a nationwide ban on the popular social media app TikTok. Effective from Sunday, the legislation mandates that ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok, sever its ties with the app or face a comprehensive prohibition. This ban extends to mobile app stores, which are now barred from offering TikTok, and internet hosting services, which are prohibited from delivering the service to American users. The law, passed by Congress in April, is part of a $95 billion package primarily aimed at providing foreign aid to Ukraine and Israel.
The Biden administration has defended the law in court, arguing it is a necessary measure to protect U.S. user data from potentially falling into the hands of the Chinese government. TikTok has faced accusations of collecting vast amounts of data from U.S. users, data that could be exploited by Chinese authorities through coercion. Although the law does not require TikTok to dismantle its platform entirely, it demands that ByteDance cut ties with the company.
Experts remain uncertain whether TikTok voluntarily shut down its operations or if it was unable to continue service after losing crucial technological support. The algorithm that determines what users view on TikTok is susceptible to manipulation, which could lead to undetectable influence on platform content by Chinese authorities. In response to the ban, Apple has removed TikTok and ByteDance apps from its U.S. app store, limiting access for visitors to the country.
“Apple is obligated to follow the laws in the jurisdictions where it operates,” – Apple
Users in the United States have encountered a pop-up message preventing them from accessing TikTok's video content. This abrupt halt left many in confusion, unsure of what would transpire until the service went dark. TikTok has indicated that without a "definitive statement" from the administration, it will be forced to cease operations.
“A country that claims to have the most freedom of speech has carried out the most brutal suppression of an internet application,” – Hu
The legislative move has sparked a wide array of reactions and potential consequences. Other investors, including a consortium led by Kevin O'Leary, expressed interest in purchasing TikTok. However, ByteDance has stated it will not sell the app at this time.
The new law includes provisions for hefty fines, up to $5,000 for each user who continues to access TikTok. This could result in substantial financial penalties for companies that persist in offering the app despite the ban.
Apple has informed users that while the apps will remain on devices if already installed, they cannot be redownloaded if deleted or restored on new devices. Additionally, in-app purchases and new subscriptions are no longer feasible.
“If you already have these apps installed on your device, they will remain on your device. But they can’t be redownloaded if deleted or restored if you move to a new device. In-app purchases and new subscriptions are no longer possible,” – Apple
The move to ban TikTok stems from national security concerns regarding data privacy and potential misuse by foreign governments. The Biden administration has pushed for stringent measures to ensure that U.S. user data remains secure and out of reach from external influence.
