What is Your View on Banning TikTok or Other Social Media Platforms? How About Banning People? Posts? Whatever?

There is a growing chorus in the United States to ban TikTok. And if not outright ban it, at least force a full spin-off from its parent company, ByteDance, in China.?

The stated crusade is to ensure that no data, from any American, winds up in the control of the Chinese government…who they fear will then control the kind of content we see…you know the rest. Of course, ByteDance, TikTok, and the Chinese government claim there is no basis for the fear.?

Having said that, back in June, BuzzFeed News reported that ByteDance employees based in China had in fact breached non-public U.S. user data.

TikTok acknowledges that there was “some” access to the data and swore up and down they would never turn over such data to the Chinese government.

You know my cynicism…I leave it to you to decide.

It seems crazy to contemplate a full ban on an APP that has millions of users and untold viewings. And yet, the movement is gaining steam.

All politics aside…please…this one doesn’t even need a KNEE JERK ALERT, but I weaseled it in just in case…

Former President Trump and many of his supporters believe a full ban or sanction of some sort is in order, much like that of Huawei and ZTE…a move to protect U.S. tech on one hand and data on the other.?

The Biden administration is currently negotiating with TikTok “to satisfy all reasonable national security concerns.” WHOA…my cynicism is firing on all cylinders.

And I also point out that a group of State Attorney Generals that’s fully inclusive of all political persuasions announced, way back in March, an investigation into the effect of TikTok on the health of children and teens, both physical and mental. This inquiry only adds to the two-year-old demand of the Federal Trade Commission for all documents related to their data handling.??

Finally, there is an argument that since 60% of TikTok shares are owned by US investors, we have nothing to worry about…RIGHT.

From my little place in the universe, I’d say they are challenged right now, and changing political winds around the world could make it more difficult for them…That’s my bet.

But a full ban in the U.S.? The home of free speech and fake news?

This got me thinking about bans in general.

Here’s a question…if China can ban Facebook and Twitter, can’t the West ban TikTok?

It kind of makes sense, no? They were worried about data, national security, and of course, the sharing of anything that might be subversive to them…sounds familiar.?

Iran bans the lot…HMMMMMM…North Korea too…see where I’m going?

I looked at banned movies and TV…fascinating. From 1996 to 2001, all movies and TV were banned in Afghanistan by the Islamic Emirate Government.

Some movies like the Battleship Potemkin were banned in the last century by a variety of countries because of fear of fomenting revolution. Others like the Great Dictator were banned because they made fun of dictators (gotta love that!), and guess what kind of governments banned them??

The Marx Brothers were banned elsewhere because they represented anarchy and countless movies were banned in countries because the actors were Jewish.?

Books have been banned around the world. The list of banned books is long and it grows every day. Amongst the top 10, in general, are Brave New World and 1984 by George Orwell (and two favorites of mine). Lord of the Flies by William Golding…another Sable top choice. And A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess…yes, you guessed it…love it. All, BTW, are banned for similar reasons—the portrayal of society…guess that mirror hurts some more than others. And did I mention that the Bible and Quran, depending on where you are, are also banned?

Comic Books were almost banned, but they managed to develop a code that saved them…look at Marvel today.?

Music? Rock and Roll could have died!!!?

Radio, that insidious spreader of music and thought that infects minds, was even challenged for a while.?

TV? Don’t even start.

So, you see, there is precedent—free speech and such aside—to ban, limit, or otherwise shut down, close off, bury, and destroy that which we fear or don’t agree with.

Will TikTok be banned?

My readers know my general view on all social media, it needs some sort of regulation. Clear, simple, and enforceable. And let’s stop with the Big Tech BS…please!!!

Social media companies have proven they have no will, desire, or means to self-regulate…Musk, as god, isn’t working to anyone’s benefit and your data, mental health, and violence-free future (and your children’s) are seriously at stake.?

Ban? Or not? What do you think?

Meanwhile, I’ve got to practice my Taylor Swift finger wag…