ALBANY — More states are moving to ban TikTok on government equipment, but New York was one of the first to do so — quietly adopting an internal policy in June 2020 that prohibited its use on mobile devices as officials sought to strengthen security measures and guard against cyber threats and other data intrusions.
These bans have generally been justified with national security concerns, due to TikTok's ownership by the Chinese company ByteDance. As of June 2023, the app has been banned for use by federal employees and banned for use by state employees in 34 (out of 50) states.
Montana is the first state to pass a total ban. Montana on Wednesday became the first state in the US to sign a bill banning the social media app TikTok. A growing number of countries are partially or totally banning the app over security concerns.
TikTok could be used to influence Americans
National Security Agency Director Paul Nakasone said in March he was worried about the data TikTok collects, the algorithm used to disperse information to users, and “the control of who has the algorithm”.
Bill to ban TikTok, other apps from state devices passes CA senate. (KTXL) — A bill to ban certain apps perceived to be security threats from state-issued or -owned phones passed the California Senate with bipartisan support Tuesday.
Some exceptions are made for research and law enforcement purposes. March 1, 2023: The US House Foreign Affairs Committee votes to give President Biden approval to ban TikTok. Reporting by Reuters notes that this would be "the most far-reaching US restriction on any social media app" if a ban were to happen.
Why does the US want to ban TikTok? The United States wants to ban the application for several reasons. The main reason is national security. U.S. lawmakers are concerned that ByteDance may leak U.S. user data to the Chinese government if the Chinese government forced them to.
Social media app TikTok has been banned on government electronic devices, the Cabinet Office has announced today. The ban comes after Cabinet Office Ministers ordered a security review.
TikTok is fighting to stay alive in the United States as pressure builds in Washington to ban the app if its Chinese owners don't sell the company. But the wildly popular platform, developed with homegrown Chinese technology, isn't accessible in China. In fact, it's never existed there.
The Italian antitrust authority on Tuesday accused TikTok of breaching its own guidelines by failing to remove content related to suicide, self-harm and poor nutrition. A recent face-marking challenge, dubbed "French scar," has taken the app by storm. The challenge involves pinching one's face until it bruises.
It was also available in Hong Kong until TikTok pulled out of the market in 2020 following the imposition of a sweeping national security law. Anyone who tries to open TikTok from within Hong Kong will see a message that reads "We regret to inform you that we have discontinued operating TikTok in Hong Kong".
But the wildly popular platform, developed with homegrown Chinese technology, isn't accessible in China. In fact, it's never existed there. Instead, there's a different version of TikTok — a sister app called Douyin.
TikTok's twist was that TikTok Now supported up to 10-second-long videos in addition to just still photos. In the US, TikTok Now has been available in the main TikTok app, while owner ByteDance also launched a dedicated TikTok Now app in other regions around the world.
AUSTIN, Texas - TikTok is a widely popular social media app. Its ties to the Chinese government resulted in an executive order, earlier this year, by Texas Governor Greg Abbott. The action prohibits the social media app, and others like it, from being downloaded onto any state computer or smartphone.
Data-driven algorithm and intrusive tracking
Scroll through its feed long enough and you'll be bombarded with content carefully chosen for you. That's because TikTok uses a sophisticated algorithm to gather a vast amount of users' data, both inside and outside the app, to build an accurate profile.
India imposed a nationwide ban on TikTok and dozens of other Chinese apps, including the messaging app WeChat, in 2020 over privacy and security concerns.
TikTok can be a kid-friendly experience if you supervise your kids, use safety settings, and stick to songs you already know. But TikTok's emphasis on popular music means many videos include swearing and sexual lyrics, so it may not be age-appropriate for kids to use on their own.
It's as safe as just about any other social media platform. It doesn't infect your phone with malware, but it comes with some safety risks like scams and saved user data.
Policymakers at the federal and state levels have increasingly questioned TikTok's practices regarding user data in recent months, fearing that the Chinese government could access information about Americans.
TikTok is available in over 160 countries, has over 1.1 billion users, and has been downloaded over 220 million times in the United States alone.
YouTube Shorts: One of the most popular TikTok alternatives. Huddles: A free app with a great variety of content. Lomotif: One of the few video-sharing platforms with a wide range of editing tools. Snapchat: A user-friendly app to share videos with others.
Analysts expect the number of TikTok users in the US to continue rising for at least two more years. In 2024, this is set to grow by 3.2% and surpass the 100 million mark for the first time. An annual increase of 2.6% is forecast for 2025, which will bring the total number of US TikTok users to 103.3 million.
That means you won't be able to download the app if you don't have it on your device post-ban. However, neither Google nor Apple can delete an app from your phone on their end. If you have TikTok on your device already, it'll stay there, even if the government nukes it.