In what the Trump Administration considers a threat and national emergency, TikTok, a Chinese-owned video sharing mobile application, will be banned for downloads in the U.S. beginning Sunday.
Executive orders released from the White House last month outlined how data collection for the social platform could provide the Chinese Communist Party with access to Americans’ personal and proprietary information — potentially allowing China to track the locations of Federal employees and contractors, build dossiers of personal information for blackmail, and conduct corporate espionage.
A TikTok spokesperson told Innovation & Tech Today the company disagrees with the decision and is disappointed the ban will block new app downloads while outlawing the app in the U.S beginning Nov. 12.
“Our community of 100 million U.S. users love TikTok because it’s a home for entertainment, self-expression, and connection, and we’re committed to protecting their privacy and safety as we continue working to bring joy to families and meaningful careers to those who create on our platform,” the spokesperson continued.
TikTok is owned by the Chinese company, ByteDance Ltd.
According to the company, their counter proposal to the U.S. Administration included unprecedented levels of additional transparency and accountability well beyond what other apps are willing to do, including third-party audits, verification of code security, and U.S. government oversight of U.S. data security.
Additionally, an American technology provider would be responsible for maintaining and operating the TikTok network in the U.S.
“We will continue to challenge the unjust executive order, which was enacted without due process and threatens to deprive the American people and small businesses across the U.S. of a significant platform for both a voice and livelihoods,” the TikTok spokesperson said.
The Department of Homeland Security, Transportation Security Administration, and the United States Armed Forces have already banned the use of TikTok on Federal Government phones, while India’s government recently banned the use of TikTok and other Chinese mobile applications throughout their country.
