The popular (and addictive) short video app, TikTok is on the verge of a ban in the United States, scheduled for January 19, 2025. This move follows the passage of a law requiring ByteDance, TikTok’s Chinese parent company, to divest from the app due to national security concerns. The US Supreme Court has heard arguments from both sides on the matter, and most judges seem inclined to support the ban. Will this come to Europe?
The main concern of the judges (and politicians) lies in the possibility of the Chinese government accessing sensitive data of millions of American users. Something that, on the other hand, is absurd to doubt. Despite efforts by TikTok representatives to ensure that user data is stored on US servers and that the company operates independently, authorities do not seem convinced that this is the case. A clear example is the blockade that the US maintains on Apple’s main competitor, Huawei.
If the ban is carried out, TikTok would be removed from application stores in the US, preventing new downloads. Current users could face difficulties accessing the platform, and updates and technical support would cease, affecting the functionality of the application in the medium term.
The situation has generated an intense debate about freedom of expression and the impact on the millions of content creators who depend on TikTok as a means of communication and economic livelihood. Furthermore, it raises serious questions about the future of technological and trade relations between the United States and China. And this is, I believe, the main reason why this will not happen in Europe.
The Supreme Court is expected to issue a final decision before January 19. Meanwhile, TikTok users in the United States remain in suspense, anticipating the outcome of this controversy that could change the influencer universe of the North American country.
Source: www.actualidadiphone.com
