The popular video-sharing app TikTok could face another ban in the US as the Biden administration is considering the possibility due to concerns over the app’s Chinese ownership. In 2020, the Trump administration tried to ban the app citing national security concerns but was blocked by courts.
TikTok is owned by the Chinese tech company ByteDance and has faced scrutiny in the US over the potential for user data to be accessed by the Chinese government. The app has repeatedly denied any allegations of sharing data with the Chinese government and says that all US user data is stored in the US and backed up in Singapore.
The Biden administration is reportedly reviewing the Trump-era policies and considering a range of options, including a new ban, increased scrutiny and regulation, or the creation of a tech coalition with other countries to manage data sharing and privacy concerns. A White House spokesperson said that the administration is committed to protecting the US against foreign threats, including those posed by technology companies.
TikTok has been downloaded over 2 billion times worldwide and has over 100 million monthly active users in the US. The app has been credited with popularizing short-form video content and launching the careers of numerous social media influencers. The possible ban has been met with criticism from TikTok users and some lawmakers, who argue that the app is an important platform for free speech and creativity and that a ban would harm US businesses and users.
