TikTok is a wildly popular short form video app that has exploded in popularity over the past few years. As of December 2022, TikTok reported over 1 billion monthly active users worldwide (https://backlinko.com/tiktok-users). The app allows users to create and share short videos of themselves lip syncing to music, dancing, creating comedic skits, and more. It has become a global phenomenon, especially among teenagers and young adults.
However, TikTok’s Chinese roots and ownership by Chinese company ByteDance have raised concerns, especially in Western countries. There are allegations that TikTok engages in censorship to align with Chinese government ideology. More seriously, some Western government officials have accused TikTok of being a tool for Chinese government spying and data gathering. This has led to bans of the app in some countries like India, as well as threats of bans in places like the United States. The “TikTok spying” controversy involves accusations that the app collects data on users that could be accessed and used by the Chinese government.
TikTok’s Ties to China
TikTok is owned by the Chinese company ByteDance, which was founded in Beijing in 2012. Despite TikTok’s global popularity, particularly in the United States, concerns have emerged over the company’s ties to China and the potential for the Chinese government to access user data (Source).
Critics argue that Chinese companies like ByteDance are obligated under Chinese law to share any data requested by the government. There are worries that TikTok user data, including browsing history and location information, could end up in the hands of the Chinese Communist Party and potentially be used for surveillance or censorship purposes.
While TikTok claims it stores American user data in the U.S. and Singapore, its parent ByteDance is still subject to Chinese jurisdiction. Given the lack of transparency in China’s data access policies, it’s difficult to verify whether or how much user data may have been transmitted to the Chinese government (Source).
Data Collection Concerns
TikTok has faced scrutiny over the types of data it collects from users and what it does with that data. According to TikTok’s privacy policy, the platform collects a wide range of data, including:
– User content like photos, videos, location data, messages1
– Device data like IP address, operating system, unique device identifiers
– Activity data like posts viewed, searches, interactions with content
– Metadata like timestamps, geotags
While many social media platforms collect similar data, critics argue TikTok’s data collection is particularly invasive given its Chinese ownership. There are concerns that TikTok’s parent company ByteDance could be compelled to share data with the Chinese government under the country’s national intelligence laws.2
Additionally, some experts say TikTok’s privacy policy lacks transparency compared to other platforms. It does not clearly explain how long data is retained or with whom it is shared.3 This has raised fears that users’ data could be exploited without their knowledge or consent.
Allegations of Censorship
There have been numerous accusations that TikTok censors content that displeases China or portrays the country negatively. This includes topics such as Tiananmen Square, Tibetan independence, and the treatment of Uyghurs. TikTok moderators have been instructed to censor videos that mention these topics.
Censorship of certain political speech on TikTok raises concerns about impacts on free expression. The platform has immense reach, especially among younger users. If TikTok limits discourse on topics deemed sensitive by China, it could significantly restrict free speech and public debate on these issues. Critics argue TikTok should not be able to determine what content is acceptable for discussions of human rights, democracy, and other issues.
TikTok’s censorship follows China’s authoritarian model of internet control. The company must balance its commercial interests globally with demands from Beijing to censor material inline with Chinese Communist Party directives. This two-pronged approach undermines principles of free expression that many believe social media platforms should uphold.
US Government Response
Several US states have moved to ban TikTok on government devices over data privacy concerns. As of March 2023, over 25 states including Texas, Maryland, and South Dakota have implemented bans prohibiting TikTok’s use on state-owned devices [1]. Many cite fears that the Chinese government could access sensitive US user data through the app.
At the federal level, calls for restricting or banning TikTok have escalated. In December 2022, Congress banned TikTok from most US government devices under the “No TikTok on Government Devices Act” [2]. In February 2023, Republican Senator Josh Hawley introduced the “National Security and Personal Data Protection Act” seeking to fully ban TikTok nationwide. While no federal ban has been implemented yet, the bipartisan concern illustrates TikTok’s precarious position amid US-China tensions.
India Bans TikTok
In June 2020, the Indian government banned TikTok and 58 other Chinese apps citing national security concerns after clashes with China at the disputed Himalayan border (1). This massive ban, which included apps with over 100 million users in India, was a major setback for TikTok’s growth.
At the time of the ban, India was TikTok’s largest market with over 200 million active users. The app had over 611 million downloads in India, accounting for 30% of TikTok’s 2 billion+ downloads worldwide (2). The loss of the Indian market significantly impacted TikTok’s global expansion.
The Indian government said the apps were “prejudicial to sovereignty and integrity of India, defence of India, security of state and public order” (3). The ban was seen as retaliation against China over the border conflict rather than a response to specific security flaws in TikTok.
While TikTok has tried to challenge the ban in Indian courts, the app remains blocked over two years later. Domestic apps like ShareChat’s Moj, MX TakaTak, and Instagram Reels have filled the void left by TikTok in India.
(1) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Censorship_of_TikTok
(2) https://www.forbes.com/sites/alexandralevine/2023/03/21/tiktok-india-ban-bytedance-data-access/
(3) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Censorship_of_TikTok
Other Countries’ Concerns
Several other countries have also voiced concerns about TikTok and taken actions to review or restrict the app. In Japan, the government has expressed worries about TikTok’s data collection practices and has started discussions about whether regulations are needed (Source). While not an outright ban, Japan did issue an advisory in 2021 warning government officials not to use the app due to security concerns.
Australia has also been scrutinizing TikTok closely. In 2020, the Australian government banned the app on government devices due to data security issues. More recently, the chair of the Australian Parliament’s intelligence committee recommended banning TikTok in the country entirely. However, the Australian government has not moved forward on an outright ban yet.
The reviews and potential restrictions in these and other countries have put global pressure on TikTok. The company has had to respond by making policy changes, restricting certain features for younger users, and trying to reassure governments that it takes security seriously. However, concerns persist in many places about TikTok’s ability to protect user data from access by the Chinese government. The growth in global skepticism has put TikTok’s future operations around the world at risk.
TikTok’s Responses
When the allegations first surfaced, TikTok published a statement defending itself and claiming that it has never been asked by the Chinese government to provide user data, nor would it if asked.[1]
According to TikTok, the employees who inappropriately accessed user data did so of their own accord and were not directed by the Chinese government or ByteDance. The company claimed it was part of a misguided effort by employees to identify internal information leaks.[2]
In response to the allegations, TikTok has tried to increase transparency around its data practices and launched a new US data security team. It aims to minimize concerns that data on US users could be accessed from China.[3]
Broader Concerns
The TikTok spying scandal has sparked intense debates over regulating large technology companies like TikTok and balancing issues of national security versus free speech rights. There are arguments on both sides of the issue:
Some argue that TikTok’s data collection practices and ties to China pose legitimate threats to national security, and therefore some regulation may be warranted. They point to instances of TikTok censoring content that is critical of China’s government. There are fears that China could leverage data collected by TikTok for espionage or propaganda purposes. However, others argue that too much regulation risks infringing on free speech rights. Banning platforms like TikTok could set a precedent for banning or tightly regulating other social media sites as well.
Another concern is that focusing scrutiny solely on TikTok ignores that many technology companies collect large amounts of user data, and that data could potentially be misused no matter what country the company is based in. Some experts argue that creating better data privacy regulations that apply to all tech companies, not just TikTok, would be a more fair and effective approach.
There are also debates around whether tech platforms should regulate themselves to address harmful content, or whether government intervention is required. Some argue that government regulation risks political overreach and censorship, while self-regulation could be an effective compromise. However, critics point out instances where self-regulation has failed.
There are good-faith arguments on both sides of this complex issue. The TikTok scandal has prompted important conversations about protecting national security as well as preserving free speech in the social media era. Moving forward, regulators will likely aim to strike a careful balance between these competing interests.
The Future of TikTok
There is still a possibility that TikTok could face a ban in the United States. In 2020, former President Trump signed executive orders that would have banned TikTok unless it severed ties with its Chinese parent company ByteDance. However, the orders were never enforced as TikTok challenged them in court. While President Biden revoked the executive orders, some US lawmakers continue to voice concerns about TikTok’s data practices and ties to China, proposing legislation that could lead to restrictions or an outright ban.
TikTok’s future globally remains uncertain as well. The app has already been banned completely in India since 2020. Other countries like Japan and Taiwan have enacted partial restrictions on government employee use of TikTok. There are ongoing discussions about potential regulations or limitations in places like the EU and UK. However, TikTok continues working to address security concerns by storing more regional user data locally rather than in China. The company claims it would never hand over data to the Chinese government. Still, lawmakers in multiple countries seem wary of the app’s Chinese ownership and the potential national security risks it could pose.
TikTok is clearly determined to maintain its global growth and prevent additional bans. But whether countries view its data security practices as adequate remains to be seen. The company will likely need to proactively address privacy protection and national security concerns. Finding a balance between assuaging worldwide governments while still benefitting from its Chinese ownership will be key to TikTok’s future as a dominant global social media platform.
