Beyond a Ban: Finding Effective Solutions for TikTok's Data Security Concerns in the US

TikTok - a popular social media platform, with over one billion monthly active users worldwide. The platform allows users to create and share short-form videos, whose popularity has led to concerns about data privacy and national security.

TikTok Stats in the United States

Monthly Active Users – 80 million (60% aged between 16 -24)

Hours Consumed per Day – 197 million

33% of users get their news from TikTok

Source: Bloomberg, Wallaroo, Pew

The US government has expressed concerns about TikTok's data privacy and national security practices, particularly given that the app is owned by the Chinese company ByteDance. In 2020, former US President Donald Trump issued executive orders seeking to ban TikTok in the United States, citing concerns that the app could be used by the Chinese government to collect information on US citizens. The orders were challenged in court and ultimately did not result in a ban.

Since then, the Biden administration has taken a different approach, with President Biden signing an executive order in June 2021 that directed the US Department of Commerce to conduct a review of apps with ties to foreign adversaries, including TikTok. The review is focused on evaluating the risks posed by such apps and developing recommendations to address those risks.

In addition to concerns about data privacy and national security, some policymakers have also raised concerns about TikTok's impact on American culture and values, particularly given the app's popularity among young people. However, these concerns have been less central to the government's efforts to address TikTok.

Another contributing factor to the growing concerns among policymakers in the United States is the recent formation of a strategic alliance between Russia and China based on a shared desire to counterbalance US global influence. The alliance, which was formalized in 2021, has led some experts to suggest that it could have implications for US national security and foreign policy.

This Russia-China alliance could further complicate the situation for TikTok. Some experts have suggested that the alliance could lead to increased cooperation between China and Russia on issues related to technology and data, including the development of new technologies and data-sharing agreements. This could further raise concerns among policymakers in the US about the potential for Chinese and Russian access to sensitive US data.

However, a ban may not be the most effective solution for the following reasons:

• ·???????Insufficiency: An outright ban on TikTok may not be the most effective solution to address data privacy and national security concerns. Banning TikTok would not guarantee that users' data is safe, as users may simply migrate to other platforms with similar privacy concerns. Moreover, a ban would not address the underlying issues that may exist in the broader data ecosystem.

• Economic Implications: A ban on TikTok could have significant economic implications. TikTok has provided a platform for creators and small businesses to grow and connect with audiences, and a ban would negatively impact their ability to do so. Moreso, a ban would also impact the revenue streams of the app stores that host the TikTok app, such as Apple's App Store and Google Play.

• Unintended Consequences: A ban on TikTok could have unintended consequences. For example, TikTok has been credited with mobilizing young people to engage in political activism, and a ban could limit their ability to do so. Additionally, a ban may exacerbate tensions between countries and further politicize technology.

TikTok has taken a number of steps to address concerns about data security in the US, including establishing a US-based data centre, implementing technical measures to improve security, engaging with US regulators, and implementing transparency measures to provide users with greater visibility into how their data is being used. These efforts demonstrate TikTok's commitment to improving its data security practices and addressing concerns about its ownership by a Chinese company.

Instead of an outright ban which sets a dangerous precedent for social media companies worldwide, these alternate recommendations could prove more effective:

• Increase transparency and accountability: Policymakers could work with TikTok to increase transparency and accountability. This could include regular audits of TikTok's data practices and requirements that the company report any security breaches or data misuse. Additionally, policymakers could work to strengthen data protection laws to ensure that users' data is protected.

• Collaborate with international partners: Given the global nature of TikTok, policymakers could collaborate with international partners to address data privacy and national security concerns. For example, the United States and Europe could work together to develop a common set of data protection regulations that would apply to TikTok.

• Educate users on data privacy and security: Policymakers could work with TikTok to educate users on data privacy and security. This could include providing users with clear and concise explanations of how their data is collected, stored, and used. Additionally, TikTok could provide users with tools to control their data, such as the ability to delete their data or limit data collection.

In conclusion, the concerns about TikTok's data privacy and national security practices, particularly given its ownership by the Chinese company ByteDance, have led to calls for a ban in the United States. However, an outright ban may not be the most effective solution to address these concerns, as it could have unintended consequences and economic implications. Instead, policymakers could work with TikTok to increase transparency and accountability, collaborate with international partners to address data privacy and national security concerns and educate users on data privacy and security. TikTok has already taken steps to address these concerns, and its efforts demonstrate a commitment to improving its data security practices and addressing concerns about its ownership by a Chinese company. With careful consideration and cooperation, policymakers and TikTok can work together to address these concerns without resorting to an outright ban.