TikTok ban of US ‘could do more to chill free speech on the internet’ critics say
The US government has been trying to ban TikTok for nearly three years. The alleged national security risks of the app have spanned two presidential administrations and forged alliances among Republicans and Democrats.
Amidst heightened partisanship, TikTok has become the focus of anti-China policy – a convenient villain that most lawmakers are willing to fight.
As that outrage escalated last month, Biden administration officials threatened to ban TikTok if it didn’t find an American owner. House lawmakers held an explosive hearing with TikTok’s CEO, Shou Zi Chew.
Meanwhile, senators introduced the RESTRICT Act, authorizing the government to ban the app as well as others similar to it. This maelstrom of action shows how determined the government is to ban TikTok.
In the wake of an upcoming ban, critics fear actions to take TikTok offline may chill free speech on the internet more than protect the privacy of American users.
It is argued by other experts that the government’s attacks against the app are unjustified, since there is little evidence that the app has caused more harm than Facebook or Google.
With the threat to everyone’s privacy, it is understandable that countries like the United States of America are very tight. What are your thoughts on this? Are you also already hesitant about using the app for the fear of being watched? Sound off in the comments below.
