TikTok, the popular social media app, has faced bans in the US due to concerns over national security and data privacy. However, the bans have not had a significant impact on the younger generation, who make up the majority of the app’s user base. Many young people have found ways to bypass the bans using personal mobile data and virtual private networks (VPNs). Additionally, the ban on government devices and networks has little effect on the general public’s ability to use the app.
Despite concerns over data collection and government surveillance, many young people continue to use TikTok. Some argue that the threat posed by the app is not immediate, and that the ban is more of a political move than a genuine security concern. While some individuals may have become addicted to the app and faced social anxiety as a result, many young people do not believe that the app poses a significant threat to their privacy or security.
Moreover, some users believe that their personal data is not valuable or important enough to warrant attention. Therefore, they believe that the application should not be banned outright. According to the U.S. “World Journal” website reported on March 20, TikTok such social media platform has become a business tool for many users and small businesses in the United States, and many users rely on it to find community. The ban has caused concern among American users, especially creators, who fear that if they lose TikTok, they will also lose their jobs and communities. For TikTok creators like Colin Rea from the U.S., the ban poses a real threat to their lives. While he has urged his fans to follow him on other social media platforms, he is not the only one facing potential loss of income from the ban. Tens of thousands of people have already launched Savetiktok topic challenges on the internet about the ban, as well as U.S. Rep. Jamal Bowman holding a press conference in Washington, D.C. and protesting the ban.
In summary, perhaps there are concerns over national security and data privacy when it comes to TikTok, the bans have not had a significant impact on young people’s use of the app. Many continue to use it, finding ways to bypass the bans, and do not believe that the app poses a significant threat to their privacy or security. Nonetheless, the ban has had a big impact on creators who rely on the app for their livelihoods.