What if I told you that TikTok, the app some love and others avoid like a spider in the bathroom, might soon disappear?
Yes, you heard that right. The land of XXL burgers and free speech(The US) is considering saying goodbye to TikTok. Personally, TikTok and I never really clicked.
I belong to the generation that prefers watching 10-minute videos on YouTube, but I understand why some are hooked. And for those who think TikTok is rubbish, stay until the end of the article because this topic is worth discussing.
The Big Question: Is TikTok a Blessing or Digital Disaster?
If TikTok were to disappear, would it be a blessing for society or a digital disaster? Spoiler alert: it's more complicated than a simple yes or no. Let's dive into the most captivating clash of the year.
Accusations of being a national security threat against TikTok begin in the United States. The main issue is that ByteDance, its parent company, is Chinese. Some believe that dance videos might hide espionage messages.
Seriously, the U.S. government, under Biden, thinks China could misuse data collected on American soil. They demand TikTok be sold to a "safe" American company, or the app could disappear by January 19, 2025.
The Geopolitical Thriller
This situation is a geopolitical thriller with affiliate links and dropshipping. The timing is critical, as it's the day before Donald Trump's presidential inauguration. TikTok has until the last grain of sand to convince, sell, or pack up. Meanwhile, the White House is probably still figuring out how viral dances could reveal state secrets. Maybe they're worried about American burger recipes being sent to China.
So, what's the European perspective on this for us?
France, for example, isn't a champion of free speech on the web, social media, and anonymity. Remember when Thierry Breton, the European Commissioner, wrote to Elon Musk asking for more censorship on Twitter?
Musk politely declined.
Similarly, on August 24, 2024, Pavel Durov, founder of Telegram, was arrested in Paris for several infractions, including lack of censorship and moderation on his app.
The Domino Effect
If the U.S. bans TikTok, Apple and Google would have to follow suit, removing it from app stores under the threat of hefty fines. This would mean no access to TikTok, even in France, similar to what happened with Huawei.
France is unlikely to pressure the U.S. otherwise. The direct impact would be catastrophic for French creators, who would lose their audience overnight, and small businesses, who would lose a crucial tool for selling their products. TikTok has helped many small businesses gain recognition without a massive marketing budget.
In 2023, TikTok enabled small French businesses to generate nearly €1.4 billion, and influencers earned around €300 million. Removing TikTok would be like taking croissants from a bakery—chaos. Some proponents of the ban claim it's for our safety, but is TikTok the only threat?
In 2023, Facebook was fined €1.2 billion for similar violations, yet no one called for banning Instagram or Messenger. Maybe American burgers are less scary than Chinese noodles.
Broader Implications & Future Scenarios
If we regulated all apps collecting our data, not just TikTok, it would make more sense. But we prefer targeting the new, scary app, especially if it's Chinese. If TikTok disappears, will society be better off? Some say TikTok promotes superficial content, and I sometimes agree. However, TikTok is also a platform for creativity and learning, with videos on astrophysics, cooking recipes, and more.
What will happen next?
First, if TikTok is sold to an American company, expect heightened censorship, more ads, and a subscription charge.
Second, TikTok might do nothing and disappear from app stores, pushing users to YouTube Shorts and Instagram Reels.
Third, courts could block the ban, making data regulation the hottest topic of the decade. This is unlikely, but Trump recently expressed support for TikTok, despite previously wanting to ban it.
Cultural and Economic Phenomenon
TikTok is more than a dance app; it's a cultural and economic phenomenon. Banning it raises questions about political power rather than our well-being.
The real question is how to use such tools responsibly.
What role do parents play in supervising their children's content consumption? How do we address the root cause, not just the symptom?
That's my idealistic view.
What do you think? Does TikTok deserve this treatment, or should we better educate our digital habits?
Let me know in the comments, and don't forget to subscribe, share this article, and stay curious. See you soon!
(Originally published on my medium blog)
0 Comments