Why Tiktok banned in 2024?

 

In 2024, the debate surrounding TikTok intensified, leading to legislative measures in various regions, including the United States, aiming to restrict or ban the app. These actions stemmed from growing concerns about national security, user data privacy, and potential foreign influence attributed to TikTok's parent company, ByteDance, which is based in China.

Key Reasons for the Ban:

National Security Concerns: U.S. lawmakers and intelligence agencies argued that ByteDance's ownership could allow the Chinese government to access sensitive data or influence users. Although no direct evidence was made public, officials cited the theoretical risk of the app being used for surveillance or propaganda. This fear escalated amid geopolitical tensions between the U.S. and China​

Legislation and Ownership Issues: A bipartisan bill passed in the U.S. House of Representatives required ByteDance to divest from TikTok or face a nationwide ban. Advocates of the bill viewed it as a way to mitigate risks, but ByteDance and the Chinese government resisted these demands, viewing them as unfair interventions. Critics of the legislation argued that it infringed on free speech and could harm millions of American users and businesses relying on the platform​

Data Privacy and Cybersecurity: Investigations revealed instances where TikTok accessed user data in ways that raised alarms about privacy violations. While TikTok pledged to protect U.S. user data through initiatives like Project Texas, skepticism remained about its effectiveness​

Global Influence and Precedents: TikTok had already been banned or restricted in countries like India due to concerns about content moderation, social harmony, and national security. The U.S. followed suit, viewing similar steps as essential for safeguarding its citizens and infrastructure.

Challenges and Counterarguments:

Enforcement Issues: Critics highlighted the difficulty of fully banning an app, as users could bypass restrictions using tools like VPNs.
Economic Impacts: A ban could disrupt the livelihoods of influencers and small businesses dependent on TikTok for revenue.
Legal and Ethical Concerns: Opponents, including civil rights groups, argued that banning TikTok infringed on free speech rights and set a dangerous precedent for regulating online platforms​

Current Status:

As of late 2024, efforts to ban TikTok continue to face legal and political hurdles. While some states like Montana have passed localized bans, a nationwide restriction in the U.S. is not yet fully implemented. Negotiations and debates over ByteDance's ownership and TikTok’s future remain ongoing​

This case underscores the broader global challenge of balancing digital innovation with security and privacy concerns.