passing house Bill to ban TikTok TikTok hasn't been completely banned yet. However, the government's lack of attention to the more serious issues plaguing the country is frustrating and increases mistrust between the public and politicians.
The bill to ban TikTok passed the House 352-65 on March 13 and now heads to the Senate. The hope is that the Senate understands how valuable TikTok is to small creators and businesses.
Background of the ban
For context, the House bill banning TikTok was passed following concerns from lawmakers that the app poses a danger. threat to national security. Lawmakers believe the Chinese government could use American data obtained from TikTok for its own purposes. Intelligence network against the United States.
TikTok and its parent company ByteDance said the Chinese government has not requested the data obtained from its servers and would not respond if it did. Their comments did not allay the concerns of lawmakers, as they are calling on ByteDance to sell TikTok domestically. 165 days This is to ensure that the app continues to be used in the US.
Revealing errors and disbelief
Since September 2016, when TikTok first launched in the U.S., government officials have been skeptical about the app and the privacy of U.S. users.
TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew explained: video The company said it has worked hard for years to minimize privacy concerns.
in CNBC article“Over the past several years, we have invested in keeping our customers' data safe from outside manipulation within our platform, and we are committed to continuing to do so,” Chu said.
For decades, distrust of politicians has been rapidly increasing. list of invoices Voices that do not represent the voices of the American people are being raised. More importantly, politicians like Jeff Jackson are seen as hypocrites between their social media platforms and their votes on legislation.
Mr. Jackson is the U.S. representative for North Carolina's 14th Congressional District. His role in the TikTok ban is confusing and defeating, as he has a platform of 2.3 million followers and is active on the app. Jackson previously used TikTok to promote his attorney general campaign and highlight his political positions. Oddly, he voted to ban the app.
To clarify the situation, Mr. Jackson made the following post. follow up video.according to time magazine“If I were in your shoes, I'd probably feel the same way. I'd be pissed if I saw someone using this app to grow their following appear to have downvoted it. '' said Jackson.
Understandably, users and North Carolina voters were outraged by this response. Mr Jackson used the app's “alarming features” as an excuse to justify his vote.If the ban were simply to protect Americans' data collection, companies such as: meta and X should also be banned.Additionally, TikTok helps build small businesses and focuses on marginalized communities More than any other social media platform.
The continued conflict between public opinion and government decisions will only worsen the situation heading into the 2024 election year.Trust in our representatives has been steadily declining and is growing negative attitude to go to the polls.
Issues that the government should focus on
While a ban on TikTok is not final, it is something the government is prioritizing and paying attention to, and it is detrimental to other US issues plaguing this country.
Concerned Charlotte resident Ania Mayfield voiced her frustration with the government, saying it was “worried about the wrong issues at hand.”
“While there are many other issues that the government should be concerned about, my biggest concern is gun violence and gun control. It could be prevented if there were more rules about it,''' Mayfield said.
Based on recent events, Mayfield's concerns are justified. had. Increase in school shootings Since the massacre in America columbine high school In 1999.
Charlotte has experienced gun violence multiple times. April 30, 2019 Tragedies and recent threats have also occurred, including: February 1, 2024, Fake Active Shooter. In addition to these opportunities, numerous incidents Banning TikTok has always put student safety at risk at universities across the state, and this concern should be the government's primary focus, not banning TikTok.
Even TikTokers with huge platforms, such as user Alex Pearlman, known as Pearlmania500, who has amassed 2.5 million followers on the platform, have expressed dissatisfaction with the app's ban, citing other pressing issues in the United States. There is.
“The only thing all 535 members of this Congress can agree on is ban TikTok! That's it! That's the only thing I've heard,” Perlman said. “We talked about raising the minimum wage. The federal government can't agree to that! I heard the federal government talking about trying to keep people's prescription drug prices low. No, it doesn't. I cannot agree!”
The voices of creators included in apps are never something to be taken for granted. By banning TikTok, these voices will be denied the right to freedom of speech and expression, which is a distinct attraction for many people to use the app.
