TikTok – the booming social media platform has been banned in India. Now, the app could be banned in the US due to Trump’s administration. The Secretary of the State, Mike Pompeo had said that the app was one of the Chinese companies that need to be held accountable for threatening Americans’ data.
Many people, as well as experts on China, have thought that a ban on TikTok is bound to happen as the US puts pressure on Chinese companies. In an interview with Gray Television, Donald Trump had said that the ban on the app would be “one of many” ways to penalise China for their COVID-19 response.
Roslyn Layton, the co-founder of Chinatechthreat.com, said in an interview that “Basically any Chinese technology, if you generate data, and you use Chinese technology, whether it’s Lenovo laptop, a Huawei phone, or a TikTok app, all of that data is at risk of going to the Chinese government,” They then said that it is a misconception that the social media platform was used in China too. However, the app is not operative there.
TikTok’s Statement to Fox News
TikTok has denied that it collects Americans’ user data and had told Fox News that “TikTok is led by an American CEO, with hundreds of employees and key leaders across safety, security, product, and public policy here in the U.S. We have no higher priority than promoting a safe and secure app experience for our users. We have never provided user data to the Chinese government, nor would we do so if asked.”
Whilst the statement could have won over more users, it still hasn’t eased those in the White House.
