The TikTok Conundrum: Security vs. Politics

This chapter examines the U.S. government's motivations for potentially banning TikTok, focusing on national security and data privacy concerns linked to its Chinese parent company, ByteDance. It analyzes legislative actions from both the Trump and Biden administrations and explores the geopolitical implications of such a ban amid declining U.S.-China relations. The discussion also contrasts TikTok's unique algorithmic dynamics with other social media platforms, questioning the legitimacy of security fears compared to broader vulnerabilities in U.S. telecom networks.