TikTok, the popular video-sharing app owned by China-based parent company ByteDance, is facing increasing scrutiny and bans around the world. In the United States, new legislation threatens a nationwide ban on TikTok unless ByteDance divests from the app. The bill reflects bipartisan fears in Washington that China's communist leaders could access U.S. user data or influence Americans through TikTok.
TikTok is already banned in several countries, including Afghanistan, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, the European Union, France, India, Indonesia, Latvia, the Netherlands, Nepal, New Zealand, Norway, Pakistan, and Somalia. These bans are often due to concerns about privacy, cybersecurity, and the spread of inappropriate content.
In India, TikTok was banned in 2020 along with dozens of other Chinese apps over privacy and security concerns. The ban was made permanent in 2021 after a clash between Indian and Chinese troops. In Pakistan and Somalia, authorities have banned TikTok multiple times, citing concerns about immoral content and extremist material.
In the European Union, the European Parliament, European Commission, and EU Council have imposed bans on TikTok on staff devices due to data security concerns. In countries like Australia, Belgium, and Canada, government-issued devices are forbidden from using TikTok, with officials citing risks to privacy and security.
TikTok has long maintained that it does not share data with the Chinese government, and its CEO has vowed to fight back against the bans and restrictions imposed by various countries. Despite these assurances, concerns about the app's potential impact on privacy and security continue to drive government actions against TikTok around the world.
themes: China USA TikTok
