Vittoria Elliott, a WIRED reporter specializing in platforms and power, discusses how Trump swiftly revived TikTok in the U.S. after a brief blackout. She highlights the national security fears that led to the platform's temporary shutdown and the political maneuvering that allowed it to return. The conversation dives into the implications of Chinese ownership, the legal complexities surrounding TikTok, and user reactions. Elliott also explores the evolving tech landscape and potential shifts in data privacy amidst increasing scrutiny of social media.
Donald Trump's swift actions to restore TikTok in the U.S. demonstrate his adeptness in navigating public sentiment and political dynamics.
The TikTok controversy highlights broader concerns about data privacy and the absence of comprehensive legislation in the U.S., contrasting with regulations like Europe's GDPR.
Deep dives
The Political Landscape of TikTok's Ban
The ban on TikTok was initially suggested by Donald Trump in 2020 due to growing national security concerns linked to its Chinese ownership by ByteDance. In 2022, the Biden administration enacted a law that imposed a deadline for TikTok to divest or face a complete shutdown in the U.S. This decision was driven by fears that American user data could be accessed by the Chinese government, which made the platform's status contentious among U.S. lawmakers. The intricate political backdrop highlights how TikTok became a focal point in discussions about data privacy and national security.
Trump's Role in Reinstating TikTok
Following the brief ban, Donald Trump advocated for TikTok's return, recognizing the overwhelming public discontent with the ban, given its vast user base of 170 million in the U.S. He suggested a need for the U.S. to have a stake in the platform, illustrating his keen understanding of public sentiment and market dynamics. Trump’s actions reflect a strategic move to capitalize on the unpopularity of the Biden administration's decision and to gain political favor by promising to maintain a beloved platform. His intention to involve American ownership in TikTok highlights the ongoing negotiation of balancing national security with public preference.
Broader Implications of Data Privacy
The TikTok controversy ultimately underscores larger issues surrounding data privacy in the United States, where no comprehensive data protection legislation, akin to Europe's GDPR, exists. Concerns about TikTok are often juxtaposed against a backdrop of other platforms that similarly collect vast amounts of personal data, raising questions about the relative risks of data privacy across all apps. Interestingly, when TikTok faced a ban, a surge of users transitioned to the Chinese app Red Note, indicating a willingness to explore other platforms for data sharing. This behavior reveals a complex sentiment among users, suggesting that concerns about data privacy are more about control and choice than about the specific platform in question.
Donald Trump has brought the social media app TikTok back to life in the United States after an outage lasting less than 24 hours.
The platform run by Chinese-owned ByteDance went offline for US users, with the firm saying it acted to comply with a law that banned it unless it sold its US operations to local owners.
The law was passed with US politicians citing national security concerns.
But it only took a promise from the incoming president to sign an executive order delaying the ban to get content creators and scrollers back online.
Today, Vittoria Elliott from WIRED on why the TikTok ban failed and what happens next.
Featured:
Vittoria Elliot, WIRED reporter covering platforms and power
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