Since the previous president Donald Trump attempted to implement an outright ban on the app’s downloads, TikTok has constantly been in the crosshairs of US politicians.
Indiana has filed a lawsuit against TikTok, alleging that the company misled its users about China’s access to their data.
The short-form video app, which has more than one billion users globally, exposes minors to harmful content relating to sex and drugs, according to lawsuits filed by Todd Tokita’s office of attorney general.
It comes as the platform faces increased scrutiny over its Chinese origins, especially in the United Kingdom, after an amendment to its privacy policy disclosed that certain overseas TikTok employees might access user data under certain conditions.
ByteDance, which is based in Beijing, owns TikTok.
“Serious danger”
Mr. Tokita, a Republican, referred to TikTok as a “malicious and frightening threat released on unwitting Indiana consumers by a Chinese firm that is fully aware of the problems it causes to users.”
A spokesman for the social media network declined to comment on the complaints, but the company has been on the defense this week due to the culmination of long-held worries among numerous US states.
Greg Abbott, the governor of Texas, has ordered all state agencies to ban TikTok on government-issued devices, citing a “severe threat” presented by the Chinese government through the app.
“TikTok captures large quantities of data from its users’ devices, including when, when, and how they conduct internet activity and provides this treasure trove of potentially sensitive information to the Chinese government,” he explained.
His counterparts in Maryland, South Dakota, and South Carolina have taken identical action.
TikTok promises to “completely satisfy” US concerns.
The prohibitions, according to a spokeswoman for TikTok, are “primarily fueled by a misunderstanding about our organization.”
They stated that the company treated user safety seriously, with the minimum age to create an account being 13 and the minimum age to broadcast live being upped to 18.
They stated, “We incorporate youth well-being into our policies, limit features based on age, equip parents with tools and resources, and continue to invest in novel ways to consume content based on age-appropriateness or family comfort.”
We are also sure that we are on the path in our conversations with the US government to fully satisfy all reasonable US national security concerns, and we have already made substantial progress in implementing these solutions.
Might TikTok be prohibited?
Since the previous president Donald Trump attempted to implement an outright ban on the app’s downloads, TikTok has constantly been in the crosshairs of US politicians.
While Joe Biden rescinded his predecessor’s directive, he insisted on a government assessment of foreign-owned applications, which is still proceeding more than a year later.
FBI Director Chris Wray stated last month that TikTok’s operations in the United States posed national security worries.
He cautioned that the Chinese government could utilize the application to exert influence on users and control their gadgets.
CNBC reported that analysts believe there is a reasonable possibility that TikTok may be outlawed in the United States next year.
Cowen policy analyst Paul Gallant stated, “We continue to expect TikTok will survive in the United States.
“However, we now believe it’s a very close call, and we maintain a 40% probability of a ban in 2023.”
What about Britain?
While there has been relatively little discussion about banning TikTok in the United Kingdom, the app is under increasing scrutiny as its popularity soars.
In a letter to a parliamentary committee that was made public on Wednesday morning, the company’s director of government relations stated that the Chinese government had never requested TikTok user data from the United Kingdom.
Liz Kanter stated that TikTok is “dedicated to being upfront about which nations have made requests for data.”
In a letter to Alicia Kearns, chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee for the Conservative Party, Ms. Kanter stated that TikTok is “independent” from a ByteDance business established in China and that its staff “do not have access” to user information.
The Chinese government or the CCP have not requested TikTok UK user data, we have not provided such data to the Chinese government or the CCP, and we would not do so if asked,” she stated.
In August, the parliament shut down its official account because of concern that information could be shared with the Chinese government.
The Information Commissioner’s Office warned TikTok the following month that the company could face a £27 million fine for a probable violation of data protection legislation for failing to protect children’s privacy.
Ministers were told earlier this week that human traffickers were using TikTok to promote perilous Channel crossings, as the government moves to crack down on the practice.
