by Mackenzie Foster
The current conversation about a TikTok ban is getting more serious, leaving some wondering how users and content creators will be affected as members of Congress debate whether the app is a security risk for the United States.
Though Congress’ discussion isn’t specific to TikTok and instead looks to potentially regulate technology from six countries including China, the trendy dance and lip syncing app is getting most of the attention.
The CEO of TikTok, Shou Chew, took the stand in front of Congress last month to fight off the alleged accusations against the app.
“The bottom line is, American data stored on American soil by American people overseen by American personnel,” Chew said to a panel of Congress members.
According to TikTok, there are 150 million current American users. However, some TikTok fans aren’t aware Congress could block the lip syncing and trendy dance app.
“I mean, I use the app every day, but I don’t really keep up with stuff like that,” said Erica Simmons, a freshman undecided major from Eufaula, Alabama. “It’s kind of crazy to think that a simple app is creating all this chaos,”
As some users worry they won’t be able to get their daily entertainment fix, many TikTok creators fear they’ll lose a major platform and source of financial revenue.
Marquel Bryant, a junior exercise science major from Sarasota, Florida, is also a local content creator on TikTok. He has nearly 70,000 followers.
Bryant said he believes the claims against the app are not serious. He said the app has done more good than harm for many people.
“I think it’s just an entertainment app, and people aren’t putting too much of their personal information out there without giving their consent to it,” Bryant said.
Bryant said he believes TikTok is a tool that can help content creators get their messages to audiences around the world.
“A lot of my Instagram followers are from TikTok, since you can link all your other platforms to it,” Bryant said. “I think it definitely benefits other platforms too.”
There has not been an official vote in Congress regarding the Restricting the Emergency of Security Threats That Risk Information and Communications Technology Act – or RESTRICT Act – which was introduced by a bipartisan group of senators. If passed, the act would give the Commerce Department the power to determine if technology from China, North Korea, Iran, Russia, Cuba and Venezuela is a “unacceptable risk” and potentially ban the technology.
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