TikTok ban loses momentum as fewer Americans view it as a security threat

[Shawn Knight]

In a nutshell: TikTok is slowly but surely gaining support among Americans. According to a recent Pew Research Center survey, 34 percent of US adults now support a ban on the Chinese video sharing app – down from 50 percent in 2023. Conversely, 32 percent of respondents oppose a ban while 33 percent are on the fence.

Among those who support a ban, data security and the platform's Chinese ownership were cited as top concerns. Others took issue with the amount of inaccurate information on TikTok and the belief that some people spend too much time on the platform.

Those opposed to a ban worry that it would threaten free speech and argue that there is not enough evidence that the app is a danger to the US. Nearly half of those against the ban believe it could harm individuals that rely on TikTok for income.

Unsurprisingly, Americans that do not use TikTok themselves are much more likely to support a ban than those who do use it (45 percent versus 12 percent).

TikTok has been perceived as a national security risk for years. The situation reached a head this past January when the app was temporarily banned in the US. It blackout did not last long, however, as President Trump signed an executive order on January 20 that revoked the ban for an additional 75 days. That grace period is nearly up and if nothing happens in the next week or so, the platform is expected to go dark once again on April 5.

TikTok owner ByteDance could avoid a second ban if it is able to find a buyer for the platform's US operations soon. Earlier this month, Trump said his team was in contact with four different groups that were interested in purchasing TikTok.

One candidate, the AI startup Perplexity, vows to give half ownership of TikTok to the US government, rebuild the platform's algorithm, and open-source its recommendation system if it were to take control.

Image credit: RDNE stock

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TikTok ban loses momentum as fewer Americans view it as a security threat

 

[NumberNine]

Since when are business ownership deals negotiated by the will of the people? Doesn't matter what they think or how many support it unless they own politicians. These are rich people games.

 

[psycros]

While all social media is terrible, Tik-Tok is a tool of the PRC intelligence apparatus. Online services should be be fully detached from China or other hostile countries before they're allowed to operate in western markets. That's just basic common sense.

 

[BuckarooBonzaii]

China sitting back watching America implode itself not only with TikTok but with a host of other things as well. China: "Let the U.S. people take down the U.S. for us, then we move in for the kill". Decades later U.S - Ooops!

 

[daffy duck]

Amuricans now realise that it's own clowns in government are the real security threat with the likes of Hegseth, Gabbard and Walz having a combined IQ of 2. Tik-Tok's issues are like a n n'th degree perturbation in comparison.

 

[lonetac]

Because Tiktok was never a threat and everyone was lied to and now folks know the truth.

Facebook sold your social media data to China, save us the double standard.

 

[Liranan]

Every US company cooperates with the NSA, CIA and fills the data centre in Utah: no problem, spy on me, track me and catalogue me. TikTok has no relationship with China: WAAAAAAH.

Fortunately not all of us live behind the Iron Curtain that is the western world and we realise that this ban was instigated by Facebook (CIA spy tool), Twitter (leftist propaganda and psyop), Google & Youtube (which fool believes a company that had a motto that told us that they were evil?) and other companies that can't compete.

 

[Inthenstus]

“ One candidate, the AI startup Perplexity, vows to give half ownership of TikTok to the US government, rebuild the platform's algorithm, and open-source its recommendation system if it were to take control.”

This is just as bad as China owning it lol.

 

[lonetac]

Every US company cooperates with the NSA, CIA and fills the data centre in Utah: no problem, spy on me, track me and catalogue me. TikTok has no relationship with China: WAAAAAAH.

Fortunately not all of us live behind the Iron Curtain that is the western world and we realise that this ban was instigated by Facebook (CIA spy tool), Twitter (leftist propaganda and psyop), Google & Youtube (which fool believes a company that had a motto that told us that they were evil?) and other companies that can't compete.

Just look at all the congress people who own stock in META to understand why they want to ban it.

 

[monkeylove]

Given the "eyes nation" phenomenon, many platforms and software are security threats.

 

[ZedRM]

I'm in the "It's still a security risk" but also the "it's extremely toxic to kids and adults alike" camps. TikTok needs to go away and it couldn't happen soon enough.